digg

Join DiggAbout

Discover the best of the web!
Learn more about Digg by taking the tour.

See the original image at sportsillustrated.cnn.com

Baseball's Top 20 Young Pitchers

sportsillustrated.cnn.com — NOTE: All pitchers on this list will be 25 or younger as of June 30, 2008. Even with just 17 games of big league experience, he's earned the third slot in the Rockies' starting rotation, and with better location on his 100-mph fastball, Colorado could have an ace in the making.

Bury
show profanity settings
expand all
  • chanop, on 04/29/2008, -17/+7Phil Hughes? You're joking, right?
    • dan222555, on 04/29/2008, -0/+2He has enormous potential. He just doesn't know how to use what he as yet.
      • stellarceltic, on 04/29/2008, -2/+2Right... He has potential, but he's not a "top young pitcher" yet. So maybe when he reaches that potential, he'll rightfully have a place on a list like this. But for now? No way.
        • dan222555, on 04/29/2008, -0/+2He's just as good as every pitcher around him on that list. Not to mention the fact that he's younger than all of them and he pitches in the American League for the Yankees. There's no question he deserves to be on the list. He pitched well last year. He's struggled a bit this year but it's only April.
        • RyeBrye, on 04/29/2008, -1/+1He did not pitch well last year. Look at his stats: http://www.sportsline.com/mlb/players/playerpage/5 ... - 5 and 3 with an ERA of > 4 is hardly good.

          Also, a pitcher can usually perform well in their first time facing batters since the batters do not know what to expect. Now that he is facing batters who have seen his stuff before, he's getting smacked around like a little bitch. His ERA this season is over 7. That's a "send-you-back-to-AAA" ERA if he keeps that crap up for much longer.

          I thought he had potential before this season started, and I even drafted him to my fantasy baseball team in a late round. He does not belong on a list of "top" anything.
        • dan222555, on 04/29/2008, -0/+1I don't need to look at his "stats" to know how he pitched, I saw every pitch he threw and can judge for myself how well he pitched. For a 21 year old rookie pitching for the Yankees he pitched damn well and showed incredible potential.

          "I thought he had potential before this season started, and I even drafted him to my fantasy baseball team in a late round. He does not belong on a list of "top" anything."
          That's ridiculous....it's only a few weeks into the season. Trying to judge him based on stats and this season's performance is stupid...he just hasn't pitched enough. What he can be judged on is potential, and he's got a ton of it. That's why he's on the list.
      • bingobongony, on 04/29/2008, -1/+1You know how many guys have had "enormous potential" and never met them? Far more than that HAVE met them.
        • dan222555, on 04/29/2008, -0/+1That's such an idiotic statement I'm not even going to respond.
          • bingobongony, on 04/29/2008, -0/+1By "idiotic" do you mean "accurate"? FAR more misses than hits from players that supposedly had "enormous potential." I am not tlaking about complete failures, but MOST rookies that supposedly are going to be huge go on to have average careers.
    • tim2nyy, on 04/29/2008, -3/+5Jump the gun much?
      • BinaryDelt, on 04/29/2008, -1/+2Says the guy who commented below on Joba Chamberlain's 35.1 innings pitched deserving a spot higher than #7 on this list.
      • bingobongony, on 04/29/2008, -1/+1I think the question should be asked of Yankee fans who saw three ptichers all combine for less than 4 months experience last year and declared that they were all going to be tri-winners of hte Cy Young for hte next 10 seasons. At some point with Hughes and Kennedy you are going to have to accept that the fluke year was LAST year.

        It is very different fo a pticher when you are facing teams/batters for the SECOND time.

        Again...you are obviously wayyy too young to remember, but just 12 year ago across town there was a trio of starting pitchers with JUST as much, if not more, "potential" and hype as Hughes/Kennedy/Chamberlain. And of those three, the only one that lasted in the league was Jason Isringhausen, and only as a closer. Chances are VERY good that the same fate awaits the Yankees. No starters out of the deal, but maybe one closer.

        Al I know is this...with Hughes and Kennedy looking like busts, I sure bet they wished that they pulled the trigger on the Santana trade now. It would have basically been a straight up trade for Melky Cabrera.
      • dan222555, on 04/29/2008, -0/+1"At some point with Hughes and Kennedy you are going to have to accept that the fluke year was LAST year."
        If you think that point is 4 weeks into the season you're a ***** idiot.
        • bingobongony, on 04/30/2008, -0/+1But YOU apparently thought that 4 weeks of experience LAST year was a career predicting performance?

          Another 6 earned runs, 8 hits, and 3 walks in less than 4 innings tonight. This is not a fluke.

          If he had ANY semblance of control, or ability to get batters out, then you could say it is a fluke. But he has had one crappy outing after another. He won't even be in hte Majors for much longer if things don't turn around 180 degrees real fast.
    • pear1jamten, on 04/29/2008, -6/+2YOUR joking right?
      • bingobongony, on 04/29/2008, -1/+1Have you been in a coma since last September? (A coma that apparently made you not understand how contractions work?)
    • sgtbutterscotch, on 04/29/2008, -0/+4better than ubaldo jiminez
  • kipmartin, on 04/29/2008, -19/+3zero comments. a new Digg record. 69 Diggs. its gotta be because its a sports story. though an interesting one.
    • sgtbutterscotch, on 04/29/2008, -1/+1I've seen lower. n00b. Also, what would the starving children in Africa think of your petty complaints?
  • shammara, on 04/29/2008, -17/+2Matt Cain - Giants, the BEST.

    SF Giants gear: http://www.buzzillions.com/4294912921_nz_san_franc ...
  • pleiroma, on 04/29/2008, -3/+9Homer Bailey looks like a girl.
    • chanop, on 04/29/2008, -0/+1I had to go back to him while I was scrolling through. I really thought he was a girl
    • iPood, on 04/29/2008, -0/+1But he has an awesome baseball name.
  • EatChex89, on 04/29/2008, -14/+1Starting steroids earlier these days, eh?
  • MoralThreat, on 04/29/2008, -8/+3Both Kain and Lincecum deserve to be on the list. I was lucky enough to see Kain pitch Triple A here in Fresno. Just sucks that the Giants can't give them any run support.

    God what a ***** team they are this year. Oh well at least Bonds ain't on the team any more.
    • pointsguy, on 04/29/2008, -2/+2Cain, not Kane
      • sgtbutterscotch, on 04/29/2008, -2/+9"Cain, not Kain," not "Cain, not Kane"
        • MoralThreat, on 04/29/2008, -0/+1Thank you Digg Spelling Police.

        • heyblue, on 04/29/2008, -1/+1If you'd read the article you'd know that Cain and Lincecum are both on the list.
          • MoralThreat, on 04/29/2008, -1/+1I know. Hence why I said they deserve to be on the list.
  • ngmcs8203, on 04/29/2008, -4/+2Man, Homer Bailey's got an awkward follow-through. Lincecum and Verlander, probably the best two on that list.
  • dizilbdog, on 04/29/2008, -10/+1Papelbon should be on there. 99.9 Percent he comes in and lights out.
    • santaliqueur, on 04/29/2008, -0/+2Usually it's RTFA, but this time...read the ***** FIRST LINE.
    • stellarceltic, on 04/29/2008, -2/+1Starters are far far far more valuable than relievers. Makes sense that the list is comprised of starters.

      And for the record, he has an 89% save rate for his career. 80 saves, 10 blown saves.
    • BinaryDelt, on 04/29/2008, -2/+11Papelbon is 27. Given that this list is for those 25 or under, you're a moron.

      What's the literacy rate in Red Sox Nation?
      • tehHardcorez, on 04/29/2008, -2/+4I live in the NE area (not from here though) and it's very, very bad. I mean, they can't even spell 'Socks' right.
    • dizilbdog, on 04/29/2008, -0/+1Uhm closers are just as important as starters. Can't finish a game if your closer sucks like Gagme...
  • Emmo213, on 04/29/2008, -1/+12Glad to see Fausto Carmona was on the list. And while many of these guys will or have already been good, there's some of questionable choices too.
    • Bojanglesmn, on 04/29/2008, -1/+1Fausto projects to be one of the worst on that list IMO...who exactly is one of the questionable choices? Ublado I'll give you, but who else?
  • chrissku, on 04/29/2008, -8/+7Joba Chamberlain is awesome. This kid throws a 100 mph fastball.
    • iPood, on 04/29/2008, -1/+2Yeah, Joba's a beast.
    • acs12798, on 04/29/2008, -0/+3The fact the he throws a 100mph fastball doesn't make him awesome. The fact that he throws a 100mph fastball with accuracy and movement, and he also throws an extremely nasty slider make him awesome.
    • horscategorie, on 04/29/2008, -0/+2OMGZ ze bugs are comming!!!!
  • tim2nyy, on 04/29/2008, -14/+1Joba only at # 7? Ok...
    • BinaryDelt, on 04/29/2008, -1/+335.1 Career innings pitched. Wait til teams start seeing him multiple times and improve scouting reports, then judge. Plus you can't throw a 100 MPH fastball forever.
    • jspegele, on 04/29/2008, -1/+1I don't think he should be in the top 5, but I have to question Joba being 1 spot behind a guy who didn't pitch last year and currently is 0-3 with an 11.32 ERA??
  • dan222555, on 04/29/2008, -13/+2When given the opportunity Joba Chamberlain will prove to be better than every one of those guys in front of him on that list....mark my words.
    • tehHardcorez, on 04/29/2008, -1/+0BOOKmarked. You're gonna pay, listen to what I say...
    • BinaryDelt, on 04/29/2008, -2/+2Marked. Mark mine. 35.1 innings pitched. Let's judge the kid after he's thrown a year or so and there are some better scouting reports out. Also, you guys really need to get Hank Steinbrenner to shut his mouth or he'll ruin your team. Yeah, Joba throws 100 MPH, but if you start you can't be expected to maintain that velocity over 5-7 innings (70-100 pitches). Joba is a perfect setup guy and a successor to Mariano Rivera. Good closers are harder to come by than good starting pitchers, especially when you have the Yankees' money.

      Sincerely, a tribe fan.
      • tim2nyy, on 04/29/2008, -2/+4Are you just angry because the only way you guys could beat him was by summoning your mosquito horde?
        • BinaryDelt, on 04/29/2008, -2/+2First of all, they're midges. Second, I'm sure if you looked you would find plenty of video of one Fausto Carmona covered in the same bugs as focused as ever. The tribe tied the game on a wild pitch by Joba, so as far as I'm concerned, he beat himself. Vizcaino got the loss, if you remember, giving up 2 H and 2 BB in 2/3 IP. Lastly, I'm not angry. I think Joba is great. All I'm saying is don't jump the gun and hand this kid the key to the city just yet. I root for a mid market club and if there's one thing I know, it's that you have to have patience with your young talent.

          ...and yes, I was at "the bug game".
        • bingobongony, on 04/29/2008, -1/+2There is NO WAY that you can talk ***** about that game. He got beat...badly. Why? Becuase it was the FIRST time in his career that a team had seen him twice.

          How on earth does a fan of a team that got swept talk ***** to a fan of the team that did the sweeping? Only a sad bitter Yankee fan would do such a thing. Nice to know that your team has spent over a billion dollars since their last World Series APPEARANCE, let alone World Series victory.
          • tim2nyy, on 04/29/2008, -0/+2Losing a series 3-1 is not being swept.
          • TommyDeVito, on 04/30/2008, -0/+0Actually, it WAS the first time the Indians saw him. Hitters don't adjust to high 90s fastballs and high 80s sliders after they see it twice. He isn't some crafty soft-tossing lefty we're talking about here, he's a ***** flamethrower with a great secondary pitch. Your argument sucks.
      • dan222555, on 04/29/2008, -0/+1"Marked. Mark mine. 35.1 innings pitched. Let's judge the kid after he's thrown a year or so and there are some better scouting reports out."
        That's why I said "when given the opportunity he will prove to be..."

        "Yeah, Joba throws 100 MPH, but if you start you can't be expected to maintain that velocity over 5-7 innings (70-100 pitches)."
        Joba was a starter his entire career until he got to the Yankees. He was a starter in college and a starter in the minor leagues and he threw the same velocity he throws now as a reliever and he was absolutely dominant. It's a complete waste to keep someone with the level of talent he has in the bullpen. Hank is absolutely right. He needs to be on the mound as a starter as soon as possible.
      • davewashere, on 04/29/2008, -1/+1I'm a Red Sox fan, but even I'll admit that Joba is a damn good pitcher. We'll have to wait and see how he performs over 7 innings, but he's got a lot of potential. I also agree that Hank Steinbrenner needs to shut the hell up. Trust me, the Yankees players don't like playing for a loudmouth. At least George seemed to tone it down a bit over the past decade, while Hank goes out there running his mouth, trying to start trouble. He's not the one out on the field, standing the batters box against pitchers who can throw a ball 100 miles per hour. Players hate it when the non-players in the front office and owner's box get involved in situations they don't belong in. Hank Steinbrenner is like the drunk who picks fights with the biggest guy in the bar and then expects his friends to get his back.
  • BinaryDelt, on 04/29/2008, -0/+11Fausto Carmona is nasty. His sinker is just plain scary, and his slider is brutal with hard late movement. To quote Torii Hunter:

    "It's not normal," Torii Hunter said of Carmona's go-to pitch. "He's not even human. It was so scary, I thought I was hung over."

    Hunter also added this "That dude is filthy," "We've been struggling, but even if we had been playing good, we wouldn't have beaten him. If you've never played the game, listen to me, I'm a hitter. Right-handers have no chance unless they get lucky and get a hit on a broken bat."
  • dolemite5005, on 04/29/2008, -3/+9King Felix should be #1, he also deserves to be on a better team than the Mariners.
    • mlvassallo, on 04/29/2008, -0/+3I wish I could both dug you up and bury you.
    • Spoomeister, on 04/29/2008, -0/+3Almost right - King Felix doesn't need to be on a different team, he just deserves to have better offense from his existing team. The Ms are 2 bats away from being postseason-ready. (Not kidding. They are literally like 0-10 in 1-run games. Any offense at all from 1st, RF or DH and the Ms would be tied for first in the West instead of 4.5 back.)

      Last start, Felix was strong through 7 - including a 1-2-3 2nd inning that saw him strike out 3 guys in a row, including Frank Thomas. Then he fell over and gave up 4 runs in the 8th. But if the Ms offense was worth a damn, that would have been recoverable. Instead, Felix - like all the other Ms starters- have to pitch knowing that if they give up more than 2 runs, the game's basically over.
      • mlvassallo, on 04/29/2008, -0/+1We need a new DH badly. Griffey?.... :p
        • Spoomeister, on 04/30/2008, -0/+1Clement is coming from Tacoma any day now...
  • pointsguy, on 04/29/2008, -5/+2No Barry Zito? lol
    • BinaryDelt, on 04/29/2008, -0/+4Barry Zito is 29. Yes, I get your joke as he's full of money and suck right now, but ineligible for this list.
  • cjrutledge, on 04/29/2008, -0/+4what about jair jurrjens? he has great stuff and a lot of composure for such a young guy
    • bingobongony, on 04/29/2008, -1/+1COMPOSURE? Did you WATCH Saturday's game? After not getting a third strike call on David Wright on an 0-2 count, he let it get to him to the point of throwing 3 more balls to Wright, bring a run home, and then walk the next TWO batters to bring two more runs home.

      That is pretty much the direct opposite of composure. Maybe he learned something from that fiasco. But right now, you simply can't say he has composure. You don't get a call from the ump, you suck it up and say "***** the ump. I will get the next guy out with or without his help." You don't whine about it and walk the next two batters to drive in two more runs.
    • Bojanglesmn, on 04/29/2008, -0/+1He should be solid, but he's not one of the top 20 in the league. Maybe 40.
  • Nyck, on 04/29/2008, -0/+3Verlander has some great stuff...off to a terrible start this year though...seems like something is whacky on his control.

    Bonderman has no control this year either...I dunno if he should be on that list...hes been more potential than skill.
    • BinaryDelt, on 04/29/2008, -1/+4I agree about Verlander, though I don't think he should be #1 on this list. Bonderman, completely agree. He's got some work to do before he's among the elite.

      Good luck in the AL Central. Looking forward to the pennant race with you guys (Go Tribe!)
      • Nyck, on 04/29/2008, -0/+1Ahh hopefully it will be a good one...Carmona would be terrific if he could cut down his walks...guy will have like 8 walks in a game but still only give up 1 or 2 runs
  • prkchpsndwiches, on 04/29/2008, -1/+9Isnt Lirano (#6) back in the minors already?

    GO TRIBE!
    • Emmo213, on 04/29/2008, -0/+2Yeah, Liriano was sent back to AAA on Friday.
      • jpezzznuts, on 04/29/2008, -0/+2Posting a 11.32 ERA and losing all three starts since returning to the rotation will do that to you.
    • Bojanglesmn, on 04/29/2008, -0/+1You're so short sighted. I agree he shouldn't be so high after the questions surrounding him after TJ Surgery, but you have to take into account the recovery and rehab time for almost everyone who's had TJS. Most take a year to get their velocity back (some actually improve on their pre-TJS velocity.) Fracisco could very well make you look like an idiot in 09.
  • pear1jamten, on 04/29/2008, -2/+7I'm glad to see more sports articles hitting the front page on Digg
  • ycohain, on 04/29/2008, -0/+19For all those not interested in going through 20 pages, here's the list:
    20. Ubaldo Jimenez, Colorado Rockies
    19. Tom Gorzelanny, Pittsburgh Pirates
    18. Matt Cain, San Francisco Giants
    17. Yovani Gallardo, Milwaukee Brewers
    16. Matt Garza, Tampa Bay Rays
    15. Chad Billingsley, Los Angeles Dodgers
    14. Clay Buchholz, Boston Red Sox
    13. Jeremy Bonderman, Detroit Tigers
    12. Homer Bailey, Cincinnati Reds
    11. Phil Hughes, New York Yankees
    10. John Lester, Boston Red Sox
    9. Tim Lincecum, San Francisco Giants
    8. Jered Weaver, Los Angeles Angels
    7. Joba Chamberlain, New York Yankees
    6. Francisco Liriano, Minnesota Twins
    5. Felix Hernandez, Seattle Mariners
    4. Scott Kazmir, Tampa Bay Rays
    3. Cole Hamels, Philadelphia Phillies
    2. Fausto Carmona, Cleveland Indians
    1. Justin Verlander, Detroit Tigers
    • bingobongony, on 04/29/2008, -0/+1Apparently this list was made before the season began if Phil Huighes and his 8.00 ERA and 2.00 WHIP is on that list.

      I just want to know where all those Yankee fans are saying that their future was secure with their three star pitches. The two starters have acombined 8:00 ERA and are giving up 2 baserunners EVERY inning. I still find it hilarious that people who are fans of a team from NY could forget about hte Mets' "Generation K" so fast. They have JUST as much promise and hype as the Yankees trio, and the only one that lasted was Isringhausen...and as a releiver. And there is a good chance that that is exactly what happens with the Yankees. Only Chamberlain will succeed, and as a closer.
      • pardonmedoug, on 04/29/2008, -0/+2Dude, calm down. It's April.
        • bingobongony, on 04/29/2008, -0/+2And to Yankees fans last year...Dude calm down..it was ONE MONTH out of a long career. But that didn't stop them from proclaiming that their entire careers would be as good as their first 4 weeks in the majors.

          At some point, it becomes obvious that for Kennedy and Hughes, the fluke year was LAST year, not this year. After all, Kennedy has now played just as many innings this year as he did last year.
    • kwelling12, on 04/29/2008, -1/+9Now with current (2008) record and ERA

      20. Ubaldo Jimenez, Colorado Rockies, 1-2, 6.46
      19. Tom Gorzelanny, Pittsburgh Pirates, 1-3, 8.46
      18. Matt Cain, San Francisco Giants, 1-2, 4.41
      17. Yovani Gallardo, Milwaukee Brewers, 0-0, 0.64
      16. Matt Garza, Tampa Bay Rays, 0-0, 7.62
      15. Chad Billingsley, Los Angeles Dodgers, 0-4, 6.53
      14. Clay Buchholz, Boston Red Sox, 1-2, 4.08
      13. Jeremy Bonderman, Detroit Tigers, 1-2, 4.28
      12. Homer Bailey, Cincinnati Reds, (hasn't pitched)
      11. Phil Hughes, New York Yankees, 0-3, 7.85
      10. John Lester, Boston Red Sox, 1-2, 5.40
      9. Tim Lincecum, San Francisco Giants, 4-0, 1.23
      8. Jered Weaver, Los Angeles Angels, 2-3, 4.21
      7. Joba Chamberlain, New York Yankees, 1-1, 1.59
      6. Francisco Liriano, Minnesota Twins, 0-3, 11.32
      5. Felix Hernandez, Seattle Mariners, 2-1, 2.22
      4. Scott Kazmir, Tampa Bay Rays, (hasn't pitched)
      3. Cole Hamels, Philadelphia Phillies, 2-3, 2.75
      2. Fausto Carmona, Cleveland Indians, 3-1, 2.89
      1. Justin Verlander, Detroit Tigers, 1-4, 6.50

      Yes, I'm bored
      • jlyoung, on 04/29/2008, -0/+1Thanks. and go Giants
      • Buddhist, on 04/29/2008, -0/+1Honestly, I think that Lincecum has more upside than Jered Weaver. I also don't really get why Bonderman is on the list, he's always around a 4.50-5.00 ERA year in and year out, and considering that Cain, Gallardo, Buchholz and Garza all have more upside than him, it's hard for me to make sense of why he's at #13.
        • HelplessSEAL, on 04/30/2008, -0/+1Lincecum is not human, he's like a not-so-injury prone Rich Harden. Amazing fastball, and he knows how to mix the off speeds. I bet this kid has more potential than any of the youngens in this lineup
  • awtripp, on 04/29/2008, -2/+3Jonathan Sanchez has looked pretty damn impressive so far as well.
    • pointsguy, on 04/29/2008, -4/+1He's second only to his cousin Dirty.
    • kwelling12, on 04/29/2008, -1/+1Sanchez has been impressive, but he needs a little more confidence. When it goes bad for JS it goes really bad.
  • designer, on 04/29/2008, -18/+1Baseball sucks.
    • pointsguy, on 04/29/2008, -1/+0Insert "Yo Momma" joke here
    • BinaryDelt, on 04/29/2008, -1/+3Baseball is life. The rest is just details.
  • ell0bo, on 04/29/2008, -1/+5Ahh Cole Hamels, if only we could find another pitcher like you we might have a decent rotation. At least the bullpen hasn't imploded again this year.
    • rootsthatruin, on 04/29/2008, -0/+1If only we could have fewer players inching around the Mendoza line, we could manufacture runs instead of relying on the long ball.
  • jefbob, on 04/29/2008, -0/+6As great as it was to see Homer Bailey on the list, where is Johnny Cueto? He is better than his 1-2 record and Homer Bailey is playinig in the minors....
    • DaFunk, on 04/29/2008, -0/+6You've got to also add Edinson Volquez then. 4-0 with a 1.23 ERA, 33 Ks to only 4 walks.
      • jefbob, on 04/29/2008, -0/+2Totally agree. They should both be on there. They both throw some heat, Cueto just came to my mind first since he is starting tonight.
    • BinaryDelt, on 04/29/2008, -1/+2Verdict is still out on Cueto in my book, but I will admit he is pretty damn good. I live in Dayton (from Cleveland) so though I'm a tribe fan, I get a lot of exposure to the Reds. They're pretty excited about him.

      I did think of Cueto when looking through this list though. He's on his way up.
    • kwelling12, on 04/29/2008, -0/+2This list was made before the season started. Cueto was a total unknown until he went out and dominated his first 2 starts.
      • Buddhist, on 04/29/2008, -0/+1He was known by a lot of pundits after dominating in spring training, but he didn't have the hype that most of these young prospects get.
  • purplehaze420, on 04/29/2008, -0/+3Justin verlander looks soooo old for his age
  • talonstriker, on 04/29/2008, -1/+6Where the ***** is John Lannan? Oh wait he's with the Nationals, which means that he automatically gets no respect.
    Oh and Cole Hamels should be number 1. As a Nats fan I see him several times a year and he's always dominating. His change-up kicks ass. Plus he's a workhorse.
    • Bojanglesmn, on 04/29/2008, -0/+1Stop creating a ***** storm over nothing. John Lannan is not one of the top 20 young pitchers in the game, and you show your bias by saying so.
      • talonstriker, on 04/29/2008, -0/+1No look at this stats: http://www.baseball-reference.com/l/lannajo01.shtm ...6 of those 9 ER were given up in 1 game. Otherwise he'd have an ERA under 1.
        The list is probably made up of guys who where highly touted by Baseball America...and its not based on performance at all (e.g. Bonderman).
    • DrunkenSavior, on 04/29/2008, -0/+1Dude, your a Nats fan, every pitcher against your team looks like a Cy Young candidate.
  • pointsguy, on 04/29/2008, -2/+2Kazmir for Zambrano (not Carlos) = worst trade in recent history
    • awtripp, on 04/29/2008, -0/+1Victor Zambrano, and yes it was pretty bad. The Pedro Martinez for Delino DeSheilds trade is up there, too.
    • blankhorizons, on 04/29/2008, -0/+1Pedro for Delino DeShields.
      Liriano, Nathan, Bonser for Pierzynski
      Larry Anderson for Jeff Bagwell

      All of these might be worse than Kazmir for Zambrano, but yeah, if Kazmir and get on a good team or if the Rays young kids can play to their potential it might be a different story.

      • awtripp, on 04/29/2008, -0/+1the Ray kids seem to be coming arond pretty well so far this season. It'd be nice if Baldelli could stay healthy for them, too. But, Shields, Upton, Crawford have all looked sharp.
      • pointsguy, on 04/29/2008, -1/+0You put all those players and Victor Zambrano, who would be the last pick? Good ol' Zambrano.
      • talonstriker, on 04/29/2008, -0/+1About Liriano,
        I think the Giants knew he had good stuff. But they had concerns about his delivery so they traded him before injuries reduced his value. But, even dropping Liriano, that was a fleecing by the Twins.
    • Kwake, on 04/29/2008, -0/+0how does Pedro Martinez for Delino DeShields sound? ... now that was painful
  • bingobongony, on 04/29/2008, -0/+3When will sites learn that the couple extra ads that may be click on does not make up for the fact that thousands more people will REFUSE to go through a top 20 list one page at a time?
  • cloudcity, on 04/29/2008, -2/+2They put Homer Bailey and Tom Gorzelanny on there, while leaving off Zack Greinke.

    Fail!
    • Bojanglesmn, on 04/29/2008, -0/+1Yeah Gorz and Bailey are two of the weaker picks, but I think they're both better than Greinke. I never understood small market teams rushing up their young talent too quickly. Don't you want to be able to afford him into his prime?
  • jpezzznuts, on 04/29/2008, -1/+2This had to be written before this season began...
    • pointsguy, on 04/29/2008, -1/+0It's a bit dated
    • Bojanglesmn, on 04/29/2008, -0/+130 days of games should change the list TOO much...
  • cdbeshore, on 04/29/2008, -2/+5Zack Greinke has better stats than most of these guys. He's 24.
    2007 - 3.69 era
    2008 - 1.25 era 3-0 (2nd in the league! you'd think that would matter)
    Oh yeah, he's with the Royals, that's why they forgot him. We don't count.
    • cdbeshore, on 04/29/2008, -1/+3*****, i forgot about our closer Joakim Soria. He doesn't even have an era, he's so damn good (0.00) and has 6 saves. Only 23.
    • Bojanglesmn, on 04/29/2008, -1/+2Way to completely cherry pick your stats. This year's stats is a hell of a small sample size, and he didn't even start half the season last year. Greinke isn't that great (he could be good no doubt.) The reason there are no Royals is you have trouble developing young pitching. There isn't a conspiracy against you.

      Soria on the other hand looks amazing.
      • jakeamoore, on 04/30/2008, -1/+1Kansas City still has a major league team? I kid.
      • cdbeshore, on 05/08/2008, -0/+1just like the big money teams cherry pick our players b/c baseball is screwed up. Greinke has had his issues, but if you've ever watched him pitch, he is something special. His career stats are decent too, taking out his start this year.
  • cryptomystic, on 04/29/2008, -1/+1Gallardo is way too low, he is top 10 easily.
    I think Bailey may be overrated, he has done nothing but get shelled in almost every outing (spring or regular season) he has pitched in so far and now that he is back down in minors he has been very so-so.

  • TSHNG04, on 04/29/2008, -3/+3Where is the love for the A's? They don't have a single A's pitcher and they are loaded with young pitchers. Not to mention they have a record of 17-10 The best in the AL.
    • ejkeebler, on 04/29/2008, -0/+0Uh, gaudin was not that good last year and eveland has a career ERA of 6, the rest of the A's rotation is over 25 so, that's probably why there are no A's on there. I would question bonderman's existence on this list. He's had a sub 4.5 ERA what 1 time in 5 years????
    • mlvassallo, on 04/29/2008, -0/+1They sure couldn't hit King Felix the other night...
    • Bojanglesmn, on 04/29/2008, -0/+21. There's no conspiracy theory against teams. The Giants are terrible and they had two on the list.
      2. Team record has nothing to do with the list (especially such a small sample size.)

      That being said I love Gaudin and wouldn't have minded if he were on the list. And Street (yes he's under 25 still) should've probably made an appearance.
  • Zihuatanejo, on 04/29/2008, -3/+1Jeff Niemann of the Rays will destroy them all.
  • drazen03, on 04/29/2008, -4/+0To see the prospects that have yet to hit the majors, check out: http://www.joinafantasyleague.com/post/2008/04/How ...
  • drazen03, on 04/29/2008, -4/+0To see the prospects yet to hit the majors this year (including Bailey), check out:
    http://www.joinafantasyleague.com/post/2008/04/How ...
  • pjb7210, on 04/29/2008, -2/+0Liriano doesn't look like such a good addition to the list, given that he just got sent down...
  • SuperSneaks, on 04/29/2008, -3/+1Where's Jair Jurrjens of the Atlanta Braves?
  • aside, on 04/29/2008, -2/+1What about Edwin Jackson from the Rays? That kid has had a bit of a consistency problem, but is looking pretty stellar so far this year. Go Rays!
    • Kwake, on 04/29/2008, -0/+0he had moments with the dodgers like beating Randy Johnson on his 19th? birthday ... aside from that pretty average.
  • Kwake, on 04/29/2008, -1/+0can I get a Clayton Kershaw anyone?

    http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/blog/big_league_stew/p ...
  • ColonelTribune, on 04/29/2008, -2/+2What...no Cubs or Sox on the list?
  • IAmTheGuy, on 04/29/2008, -2/+1What about Henry Rowengartner? I understand that he's 27 or so now, but he's been playing with the Cubs for 15 years.
  • dslartoo, on 04/29/2008, -1/+2I'm wondering if the SI people could possibly have gotten any LESS flattering photos of the pitchers in question. Was it really necessary to show 'em all in the frantic spasms of their delivery?
  • weebs, on 04/29/2008, -1/+2King Felix >
  • vernacularninja, on 04/29/2008, -2/+3Joakim Soria and Zack Greinke from the Royals should both be on that list.

    Greinke: 1.25 ERA, 19 Ks, 3-0, 1.11 WHIP
    Soria: 0.00 ERA, 6 saves, 11 Ks, 0.30 WHIP
    • cryptomystic, on 04/29/2008, -2/+2Show Greinke's past stats.
      He has sucked for a good part of his major league career and doesn't deserve a mention here yet, sorry.
      • vernacularninja, on 04/29/2008, -0/+3and neither do half of those guys on the list.

        Greinke:

        His rookie year - 8-11, 3.97 ERA, 100 Ks

        He has a career 4.39 ERA in only two full seasons, considering he pitched in the BP most of 2006, 2007
    • Bojanglesmn, on 04/29/2008, -0/+1People need to stop citing 2008 stats like they prove something. The season is a month old!
      I don't think anyone is calling Greinke trash, no need to be defensive. But a strong, strong case can be made for leaving him out of the list.
      Joakim Soria though should've been included.
  • rootfiend, on 04/29/2008, -2/+1I definitely think Micah Owings should have made the list. http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/players/profile?stat ...
  • vernacularninja, on 04/29/2008, -2/+1Hughes? - Dude is 0-3 with a 7.85 ERA and 1.96 WHIP... wtf

    Ubaldo Jiminez - 1-2 with a 6.46 ERA... shall I continue?

    I mean, I understand the concept of potential, but some of these guys are a bit of a ways away.
  • minox, on 04/29/2008, -1/+2I noticed at least one error in this list. It says that Joba Chamberlain's rookie year was 2006, which it was not. Of course it was 2007.
  • duggynyc, on 04/29/2008, -1/+1As a Met fan, it's hard not to cringe when seeing Kazmir.
  • Yuska, on 04/29/2008, -1/+1No Johnny Cueto or Edison Volquez of the Reds?
  • Fetching more discussions...
    Show 51 - 53 of 53 discussions
  •  

    Login or register to add a comment

    Create a new account or login to join in the conversation on Digg. You'll also be able to Digg stories to help promote things you like.


© Digg Inc. 2008 — Content posted by Digg users is dedicated to the public domain.
DIGG, DIGG IT, DUGG, DIGG THIS, Digg graphics, logos, designs, page headers, button icons, scripts, and other service names are the trademarks of Digg Inc.