Here’s a Thought: Is Paul Smyth the Next Brad Ziegler?

In the 2003 MLB draft, the Phillies selected right-handed pitcher Brad Ziegler in the 20th round. Ziegler threw six nice innings in short-season ball and was cut the next season, heading to the independent leagues.

The A's eventually picked Ziegler up in late 2004. He spent the next three years as a decent starter in the high minors, but there was nothing exceptional about him that made him stand out.

Going into 2007, Ziegler was a 27-year-old with only four games of Triple-A experience. As a finesse righty with a nice change and little else, he was thought of as a depth guy in the minors.

However, inspired by their success with submarining righty Chad Bradford in the majors, the A's thought they'd try dropping Ziegler's arm slot way down and putting him in the bull...

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