Unwanted, Kazmirski Undaunted

You could understand how 28 major league baseball teams last summer could pass on drafting Bob Kazmirski, then a 23-year-old pitcher with a questionable elbow--if there was much risk involved.

But considering that the baseball draft is unlimited--the Chicago White Sox once drafted the general manager’s daughter--and the salary of a minor league player is, in a major league budget, equivalent of the change you find between the cushions of your couch, it is somewhat baffling that 1,666 players would be picked last year and no one would take Kazmirski.

It’s even more puzzling now that Kazmirski, signed by the Oakland Athletics as a free agent, has dominated in two half-seasons as a professional.

“It is nice to do well, knowing I wasn’t drafted, to show [other teams] what they missed out on,” said Kazmirski, an Agoura High graduate who played at UCLA.

Kazmirski has 18 saves and a 3.28 earned-run average for the West Michigan Whitecaps, the A’s affiliate in the Class-A Midwest League.

“To come in as a non-drafted free agent and do as well as he has has been a real pleasant surprise,” said Keith Lieppman, the A’s director of player development.

Kazmirski went undrafted because of fears about elbow problems that haunted him throughout his college career, causing him to miss half of his senior year with the Bruins in 1995.

But he proved he was deserving of a chance last season in the rookie-level Arizona League. Kazmirski was picked for the postseason all-star team after going 4-0 with a 2.13 ERA and 10 saves.

“I think they expected me to do well this year, based on last year,” Kazmirski said of his performance at West Michigan.

Lieppman said Kazmirski “relies on good control and command. He’s not overpowering, doesn’t have a 90 mph fastball, but he knows how to pitch.”

That may be Kazmirski’s biggest asset so far. Now a 24-year-old veteran of one of the toughest conferences in college baseball, he has pitched against much-younger, less-experienced players so far in the Arizona and Midwest leagues.

He’s hoping for a promotion--Modesto in the California League would be the next rung on the A’s ladder--but, like every other minor leaguer, he’s trying not to worry about what’s out of his control.

“In the back of your mind you are always hoping to move up quick but I’m happy here and the organization is happy,” Kazmirski said.

Said Lieppman, who determines the promotions: “You just keep pushing them up and see how they handle it. He’s somewhat dominating the league he’s in.”

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Ever wonder what happened to Wayne Nix, who was at the other end of the A’s incoming class last summer?

Nix, a Monroe High grad picked by the A’s in the fourth round, pitched 14 innings in the Arizona League before blowing out his right arm.

He has had surgery and is at home rehabilitating.

Nix is still 10 months from returning to action, said Dave Seifert, A’s baseball operations assistant.

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J.P. Roberge has taken a nice tour of the Dodger farm system this season, playing at Class A, double A and triple A.

The Dodgers have put the former St. Francis High and USC standout on the fast track because of his versatility. Roberge can play first base, second base, third base and the outfield.

“He doesn’t have blazing tools, but he knows what to do,” said Charlie Blaney, the Dodgers’ director of minor league operations. “He’s a smart player.”

Roberge batted .364 in 12 games at Class-A San Bernardino. He then went to double-A San Antonio, where he hit .293 in 62 games with six home runs and 27 runs batted in.

About two weeks ago, injuries at triple-A Albuquerque caused the Dodgers to move up Roberge again. He has three hits in 11 at-bats since his promotion to the Dukes.

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Dmitri Young, who went to Rio Mesa High, singled in two at-bats for the National League affiliates in the triple-A all-star game Wednesday night in Salt Lake City. Young, who plays for the Cardinals’ affiliate in Louisville, Ky., was one of three local players in the game. Norfolk pitcher Derek Wallace (Chatsworth High, Pepperdine) pitched a perfect eighth inning and Ottawa shortstop Chris Martin (Pepperdine) went hitless in four at-bats, playing the entire game. . . . New Britain, Conn., outfielder Ryan Radmanovich (Pepperdine) was the only local player to participate in the double-A all-star game on Monday in Trenton, N.J. Radmanovich was hitless in one at-bat with a walk. . . . Pittsfield, N.Y., infielder Randy Vickers (Glendale College) leads the Class-A New-York Penn League, a short-season league, with six home runs. Vickers was drafted by the Mariners in 1994 but was traded to the Mets this spring for Blas Minor. . . . Ryan Kritscher (Newbury Park High) is off to a hot start to his professional career in the Cardinals’ organization. Playing for Johnson City, Tenn., of the rookie-level Appalachian League, Kritscher is hitting .311 with three homers and 19 RBIs. He is among league leaders with a .607 slugging percentage. . . . Third baseman Eric Gillespie (Cal State Northridge) is second in the Class-A Northwest League in hitting with a .365 average for Boise. . . . Playing for Bellingham, Wash., Mike Glendenning (Pierce, Crespi High) is among the Northwest League leaders with six homers, 20 RBIs and a .612 slugging average. . . . Steve Mikesell (Glendale College), was released by the Angels and signed by the Dodgers as a third catcher for San Bernardino.