Kershaw, Scherzer, Verlander...who will end up as the top dog?
1948_Swell_Robinson
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Shaping up as a good race to the top spot as the premiere pitcher of 2000-2020ish generation!
Scherzer 37 years old, 2,632 IP, 135 ERA+, 3,140 K's...198-99 W/L....4.52 K/BB ratio, 1.077 WHIP
Verlander 39 year old, 3,11i IP, 131 ERA+, 3,140 K's....241-132 W/L...3.59 K/BB ratio, 1.123 WHIP
Kershaw 34 year old, 2,540 IP, 155 ERA+, 2,758 K's....192-87 W/L....4.44 K/BB ratio, 1.004 WHIP
After this year it is looking likely that all three will have three Cy Young awards each(assuming Verlander holds on to win it this year).
Who ends up as the best? Or will it be as hard as it is choosing between Maddux, Unit, Pedro, Clemens from their generation?
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I will go with Kershaw on the basis that he's a few years younger with comparable numbers, of course this is assuming he stays healthy.
I think it's Kershaw at the moment, and since he's the youngest of the group it's very likely he ends up on top, too. Although Verlander could pull a Ryan, and keep pitching well into his 40s.
And the analogy to the last generation is a good one; incredibly high concentration of talent in a small group at the top. But, I do think each and every member of the Maddux group was better than everyone in the Kershaw group. It would not be very difficult to make a GOAT argument for anyone in the Maddux group, but I'd struggle to make one for anyone in the Kershaw group. Mostly, pitchers throw fewer and fewer innings as time goes on, and I don't see anyone today who I'd put ahead of Martinez, the pitcher in the Maddux group who threw the fewest innings.
The problem with Kershaw is his back. He is, once again, on the IL because of it; he was pulled from his last game in the 5th inning because his back acted up again. I just don't see him lasting much longer. At this point, he's only good for a half-season or so, and he can rarely get into the later innings of games. Frankly, I don't see Kershaw even reaching 3,000 Ks.
Between Verlander and Scherzer, it's pretty much a toss-up at this point. If pushed, I'd probably give the edge to Verlander, since even though he's two years older than Scherzer, he has the "younger arm" so to speak, due to the Tommy John Surgery, so he could last longer.
Steve
All good points. In my eyes I think the race isn't over yet. Any one of the three could emerge depending how the next five years go, and that is what makes it interesting.
Kershaw and his injuries are definitely a concern going forward.
Jacob Degrom sits at 1,272 innings with a 157 ERA+ and two Cy Young awards. He is 34 years old.
He has leveled up tremendously since the start of his career. Since 2018 his ERA+ is 204. He was hitting 102 MPH in his last start and his averaging 99.2 MPH on his fastball, so he clearly has the stuff still.
The obvious injury caveat with him of course....but he could have easily entered this group to make it a foursome. He still has an outside chance if he can put up four healthy years, a big IF of course.
I don't know how any team is going to pony up a big contract for his services. He is so dang risky.
Forget it. He can't put up 4 healthy weeks let alone 4 seasons. Tremendous pitcher for 13 starts a season. Kershaw is a tremendous pitcher for 20 starts a season. Scherzer and Verlander are horses. Pure studs. They go deep into games and have been on the mound most of their career. All of them are the best in their own way. Kershaw would be the obvious favorite; but simply is a half to 2/3 season pitcher.
as of today, I would put Kershaw at 1, verlander 2 and max 3. I am predicting that by the end, Kershaw will move into the 3rd spot as he is not aging well at all.
the previous group, I have 1 Clemens 2. Unit 3. Maddux 4. Pedro.
pedro had a tremendous peak, but it was brief compared to the other 3.
George Brett, Roger Clemens and Tommy Brady.
I think I basically agree with everything you wrote.
degrom is fantastic, but made of glass. he apparently does not have the body type to be able to stand up to 100% effort throwing all the time. i think he would be much more durable if he threw at 90-95 MPH. maybe get 30 starts in.
George Brett, Roger Clemens and Tommy Brady.