These guys are young, and these guys can throw. If last year wasn't enough for you, just wait until this season.
The Los Angeles Dodgers' Clayton Kershaw and the Tampa Bay Rays' David Price could break out even more.
Both debuted in 2008, both are left-handed, both have great control of their arsenal and both can throw hard. Comparisons will be drawn throughout the rest of their careers, and each pitcher will continue to work to be the best.
Kershaw debuted on May 25, 2008 and saw varying levels of success throughout his first experience in the majors. He pitched in 22 games that season (21 starts), going 5-5 with a 4.26 ERA, and in 107.2 innings, he struck out 100 batters.
He saw improvement in 2009, his first full season in the league. In 31 games (30 starts), he had an 8-8 record with a 2.79 ERA, striking out 185 batters in 171 innings. Although still lacking in the win column, Kershaw had a very successful 2009.
Last season, at age 22, Kershaw finally broke the .500 mark by going 13-10. His ERA rose slightly to a 2.91 ERA in 32 starts, but he also struck out 212 in 204.1 innings.
Kershaw has started to come into his own in the league as he adjusts to the strengths and weaknesses of hitters and is a potential 20-win candidate for 2011.
Price's debut came on Sept. 14, 2008. His first season was much more notable than Kershaw's, due in large part to his importance to the Rays in their first ever World Series run. Price pitched in the back end of the bullpen, going 1-0 with one save against the Red Sox in the American League Championship Series. He faltered a bit in the World Series, going 0-1 against the Phillies.
Overall, he didn't record a decision in limited time in 2008. He started just one game and pitched 14 innings with a 1.93 ERA.
In 2009, Price pitched in 23 games, all of them starts, going 10-7 in 128.1 innings of work. His ERA was relatively high at 4.42, but he still struck out 102 batters. He was prone to the long-ball though, allowing 17 home runs.
Price broke out in a big way in 2010, going 19-6 with a 2.72 ERA. He started 31 games and pitched 208.2 innings, striking out 188 batters and allowing 15 home runs. He was an All-Star and finished second in the AL Cy Young voting as well.
Both Kershaw and Price have shown steady improvement over their first two and a half seasons in the league. Although Price has received more mention and has been slightly better to begin his career, Kershaw isn't far behind.
Assuming both continue to improve, how good can each of them be in 2011?
Kershaw, to me, seems to be more of a strikeout pitcher than Price, so look for him to exceed the 200-strikeout mark again this season. Price will be somewhere in the 180 range. Both young lefties will pitch in more than 200 innings with ERA's under 3.00.
Where Price will have Kershaw beat this season is in the win column. Price plays on a better offensive team than Kershaw, which could lead to a few extra wins. Both have the potential to win 20 games this season, but I believe Price will have 18, and Kershaw will have 16.
Both will be in contention for their respective Cy Young Awards, and both will be All-Stars. We may not see either of them in the playoffs this season, but the extra rest from not pitching into October will benefit their young arms for the future.
So, Kershaw or Price? Who do you think will have the better season?
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