Joe Soriano
O.J. Lewis2011's Best Starting Pitchers
November 23rd 2011 18:53
This is a ranking of the best starting pitchers of the 2011 season, and it's based on the performance of last season alone.
1. Roy Halladay- His 2.20 FIP was awesome, his efficiency gets overlooked because of the hype surrounding the guy directly below him.
2. Justin Verlander- Deserved the Cy Young, but his season was a little overrated (.236 BABIP). Still, accomplishing a 2.40 ERA with 8.96 fans per nine is no easy feat.
3. Clayton Kershaw- Although Halladay should have won the award, it's tough to argue with a guy who had the pitching Triple Crown. But of course, the Triple Crown doesn't trump advanced statistics; even if it's still an incredible feat.
4. CC Sabathia- Lost among a season of elite pitching was Sabathia's 2011 campaign.
5. Cliff Lee- Had a 2.60 FIP and was in the thick of the "race", well, for those who paid attention to him.
6. Dan Haren- If you dig deeper, it becomes apparent that Haren was truly the best starter on the Angels last year.
7. Jered Weaver- But hey, Weaver did have a 2.41 ERA regardless of the luck involved.
8. Ian Kennedy- How could I not reward the former Yankees prospect?
9. Madison Bumgarner- This sophomore was no bum, as he garnered a 2.67 FIP.
10. Zack Greinke- A 10.54 K/9 and 2.56 xFIP? I think so.
11. C.J. Wilson- There's a reason why he's easily the top free agent starter on the market.
12. James Shields- Would have been in the top ten in most seasons; just not this one.
13. Matt Cain- The guy who somehow defies sabermetrical logic year in and year out, but he did have a 2.88 ERA that was in line with his 2.91 FIP this season.
14. Cole Hamels- Yeah, the Phillies offense really dragged the team down.
15. Doug Fister- And we thought this trade was meaningless when it first went down.
16. David Price- Wasn't all that much worse than his teammate, but he was still worse.
17. Matt Garza- Well, at least the Cubs got what they wanted in the trade; an over-performing pitcher. He won't always be this good, but that season alone might make that trade at least a solid one for the Cubbies.
18. Felix Hernandez- Yeah, I probably put him a little too low, but it really wasn't the best of years for Felix. But just you wait for 2012 Mariners fans, you'll have the Astros to beat up on.
19. Tim Lincecum- No top 20 is complete without Timmy's presence, even in a "down" year (he still had a 2.74 ERA).
20. Daniel Hudson- He and Kennedy are two young starters to build a rotation around.
21. Brandon McCarthy- Now who saw that coming?
22. Josh Beckett- He really carried the Red Sox sagging rotation this year with a 2.89 ERA.
23. Matt Harrison- Scouts love him when he doesn't nibble, and he had a solid year that he should be able to build on.
24. Chris Carpenter- A boss year in and year out, and to think that the Cards won it all without Wainwright.
25. Jaime Garcia- What better way to end a top 25 starter list than a World Champion?
1. Roy Halladay- His 2.20 FIP was awesome, his efficiency gets overlooked because of the hype surrounding the guy directly below him.
2. Justin Verlander- Deserved the Cy Young, but his season was a little overrated (.236 BABIP). Still, accomplishing a 2.40 ERA with 8.96 fans per nine is no easy feat.
3. Clayton Kershaw- Although Halladay should have won the award, it's tough to argue with a guy who had the pitching Triple Crown. But of course, the Triple Crown doesn't trump advanced statistics; even if it's still an incredible feat.
4. CC Sabathia- Lost among a season of elite pitching was Sabathia's 2011 campaign.
5. Cliff Lee- Had a 2.60 FIP and was in the thick of the "race", well, for those who paid attention to him.
6. Dan Haren- If you dig deeper, it becomes apparent that Haren was truly the best starter on the Angels last year.
7. Jered Weaver- But hey, Weaver did have a 2.41 ERA regardless of the luck involved.
8. Ian Kennedy- How could I not reward the former Yankees prospect?
9. Madison Bumgarner- This sophomore was no bum, as he garnered a 2.67 FIP.
10. Zack Greinke- A 10.54 K/9 and 2.56 xFIP? I think so.
11. C.J. Wilson- There's a reason why he's easily the top free agent starter on the market.
12. James Shields- Would have been in the top ten in most seasons; just not this one.
13. Matt Cain- The guy who somehow defies sabermetrical logic year in and year out, but he did have a 2.88 ERA that was in line with his 2.91 FIP this season.
14. Cole Hamels- Yeah, the Phillies offense really dragged the team down.
15. Doug Fister- And we thought this trade was meaningless when it first went down.
16. David Price- Wasn't all that much worse than his teammate, but he was still worse.
17. Matt Garza- Well, at least the Cubs got what they wanted in the trade; an over-performing pitcher. He won't always be this good, but that season alone might make that trade at least a solid one for the Cubbies.
18. Felix Hernandez- Yeah, I probably put him a little too low, but it really wasn't the best of years for Felix. But just you wait for 2012 Mariners fans, you'll have the Astros to beat up on.
19. Tim Lincecum- No top 20 is complete without Timmy's presence, even in a "down" year (he still had a 2.74 ERA).
20. Daniel Hudson- He and Kennedy are two young starters to build a rotation around.
21. Brandon McCarthy- Now who saw that coming?
22. Josh Beckett- He really carried the Red Sox sagging rotation this year with a 2.89 ERA.
23. Matt Harrison- Scouts love him when he doesn't nibble, and he had a solid year that he should be able to build on.
24. Chris Carpenter- A boss year in and year out, and to think that the Cards won it all without Wainwright.
25. Jaime Garcia- What better way to end a top 25 starter list than a World Champion?
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