We are living at a time when great pitchers are emerging. We should enjoy every moment as these outstanding power arms lead the game through a new era of pitching and defense. Here are a few of my own personal favorites:
Tim Lincecum- They said he would get hurt. They said it would happen early in his career. They said he was too small. They said his arm action was all wrong. Twist here. Turn there. Too risky. Well, here we are today with Lincecum as an elite, Cy Young pitcher with a remarkable track record of consistency and good health. This spring, not unlike last, Lincecum is toying with his this and that. His command isn't what he would like. He's getting hit a little. Minor league hitters coaxed walks from him in a back field game. Reason for concern? I don't think so. He's elite.
After his first outing this spring, he went to the clubhouse and was greeted by crowds of kids wanting his autograph. Instead of saying he needed to ice his arm and rest, Lincecum stood outside and signed autographs for 30 minutes. It was amazing. When he was finished signing, he came to his locker and Ken Griffey, Jr. clawed through the crowd of reporters, gave Lincecum a fist bump and said, "nice outing, Lincey." That was it. Griffey turned around and left. Lincecum was all smiles. He said he had never met Griffey, even though Lincecum grew up in Seattle. He was stunned. He was like a little kid. He said--"guys, that was Ken Griffey, saying hello to me. wow."
Felix Hernandez- The Cat can pitch. He's got electric stuff. He has outstanding command. He gets hitters out. He has a very special arm and the Mariners totally realize what they have. They wouldn't part with Felix. Period. Teams have tried. They have him locked up. Hernandez has the special bonus of pitching in a graveyard for long ball hitters. Pitching in Seattle will add value and strength to his overall numbers. Teamed with Cliff Lee (if Lee totally recovers from his injuries, which he will) Martinez will be the ace of a tandem that will bring great excitement to the northwest. Do yourself a favor and watch Hernandez pitch. He's amazing.
Aroldis Chapman- It won't be long. The Reds have something very, very special in this Cuban defector. Chapman throws 100 MPH with little to no effort. He has huge hands, long fingers and a huge stride. He is so smooth on the mound that it's very tough to find any factor to criticize in his game. There may be one little one. He has to further develop secondary pitches. But right now, as I write this, he has a good slider and a good change-up. He has secondary pitches at this stage that some pitchers dream they would have. Chapman is special. We'll see him soon. If not at the start of the season, then soon thereafter.
Stephen Strasburg- Not a bad pitcher that Stephen Strasburg. Not bad at all. His college coach, none other than Tony Gwynn feels Strasburg can pitch in the big leagues and win right now. I guess the Nationals think the same, even though they did the right thing and sent him to AA Harrisburg to start the season. He'll pitch at the affiliates for a while and then be up with the Nationals for good. Fastball hits 100 with ease. Breaking balls are devastating. Here I go again, with the same words. He's a special guy. Make sure you get to see him somehow, some way.
Clayton Kershaw- We don't have to wait until he's called up. He's here already. Schooled by none other than Sandy Koufax, Kershaw is destined for stardom with blazing speed, great secondary pitches and improving command. Walks hurt him a bit, but what I have seen so far illustrates a growth and development that should result in a much stronger campaign. He'll last longer in games if his command improves. But what an arm.
Roy Halladay- While I don't put him in the same category as Chapman or Strasburg, I can't say enough about what a great pitcher Halladay really is. Watch him work. He's a master of his craft. He rarely gives hitters pitches to hit. That's an art. When he does provide a pitch, it's to the hole of the hitter and he leaves the hitter no chance for success. He has velocity. He has amazing breaking balls. He has uncanny command and above and beyond anything else, he is in total control. He owns the game. Try to take it away from him and watch what happens.
These are guys to talk about for generations to come. Some you may like better than others. Some you may not have seen yet. But they are a special group of pitchers. They control games and have electric stuff. They will be facing the world's greatest hitters. And most of the time, those hitters will look like they don't belong in the same game. I'm sure I've forgotten someone from this fantastic group of emerging and emerged arms. It's a special time in our game and we should savor every moment. These are some of my favorites. I'd be interested in learning about some of yours. Feel free to comment below.