subject: Mlb Tickets - The Future Is Now For Baseball's Best Pitchers [print this page] The major leagues in 2010 are suddenly packed with talented pitchers who have broken out in a big way. With baseball seemingly entering into a pitcher-dominated era, the future is certainly bright for a whole group of young hurlers. Here are the starting pitchers who have really emerged as potential superstars, with some already well on their way (note: All stats as of Aug. 5).
David Price, Tampa Bay Rays: Outside of Cliff Lee, David Price has been the most dominant pitcher in the American League. Pitching in easily the most arduous division to pitch in, Price has been nothing short of dominant and stands a very good chance at winning the Cy Young. As of Aug. 5, Price has a 2.82 ERA to go with a 14-5 record, which has helped keep the Rays neck and neck with the New York Yankees. Price has also been absolutely unbelievable at home and could lead the Rays to the World Series if they manage to secure home field advantage in the playoffs. With him yet to even reach his 25th birthday, this former number one overall pick is pitching like exactly that.
Phil Hughes, New York Yankees:
Even though the young Yankees hurler has struggled as of late, his numbers are still impressive enough to speak for themselves this season. Hughes boasts an eye-popping 13-4 record in his first season starting in the big leagues and has wisely been willing to challenge hitters with the powerful Yankees lineup behind him. Though this has inflated his ERA somewhat to 3.96, this is also exactly the type of pitching style the Yankees have needed out of a pitcher who is supposed to be their fifth best starter. The Yankees will have a tough call come this October when they have decide between sending Hughes to the bullpen and keeping him in the rotation.
Johnny Cueto, Cincinnati Reds:
The Reds aren't exactly vying for the A.L. Central crown by accident, and Johnny Cueto has been a major reason, even if doesn't directly sell a ton of MLB tickets as of yet. After going 11-11 last season, Cueto has buckled down this season by going 11-2 with a very solid 3.24 ERA. Cueto has also been money when it counts, going 6-1 in his last seven decisions and providing quality starts in the starts in which he hasn't received a win or a loss. With the amount of improvement the Reds have seen from last season to this one, it seems that Cueto could only be on the rise.
Matt Latos, San Diego Padres:
It's impossible to have this list without Matt Latos. At age 22, Latos has been the best pitcher in the Padres rotation and has kept his club in the division race in the process. His 2.47 ERA is too impressive to be dismissed due to the pitcher's ballpark that he pitches in and his 0.99 WHIP is number one in the entire league. It's unlikely that anyone saw Latos coming.
Ubaldo Jimenez, Colorado Rockies:
Even if he's not having the historically great season that some predicted after his white-hot start to the season, Jimenez has still been excellent. With 17 wins, Jimenez is leading the bigs and he still has an ERA of 2.61 and a WHIP of 1.11. Jimenez is the type of fireballer who can also win in the postseason if he gets a chance. The National League will be hearing about Jimenez for quite a while.
Josh Johnson, Florida Marlins:
The most dominant starting pitcher this season hasn't been Cliff Lee, Roy Halladay or even Adam Wainwright. That honor would have to go Josh Johnson, even though he's been mostly shrouded in obscurity because he plays in Florida. Johnson is the only starter in the league with an ERA under 2.00 and is third in the league in strikeouts with 151. His win total of 10-4 is the only part of his Cy Young resume that isn't spectacular, and that couldn't be less his fault. Many thought Johnson would be good; few thought he would be this good.
