There is no doubt that Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Clayton Kershaw is one of Major League Baseball’s brightest stars. Kershaw was the seventh overall pick of the 2006 MLB Draft by the Dodgers, and by 2008, he was ready for his debut. As a rookie, Kershaw would go 5-5 with an earned run average of 4.26. And by 2011, Kershaw would make his first All-Star Game appearance as he struck out 212 batters that year. The following year Kershaw would take his game to another level as he went 21-5 with a 2.28 earned run average en route to winning his first National League Cy Young Award. Overall Kershaw has won four NL Cy Young Awards while he has also led the Senior Circuit in earned run average four times. Aside from Kershaw’s rookie year, he has never had an earned run average above 2.91. Kershaw is one of the true aces in baseball, which includes him putting fear into batters via the strikeout.
Whereas the 300-game winner might be a lost art in Major League Baseball, Kershaw is reviving the notion of the 3,000-strikeout pitcher. In each of the last six seasons, Kershaw has struck out at least 212 batters, while last year he became the first pitcher since Randy Johnson in 2001 to strike out at least 300 batters in a season as he fanned 301. For Kershaw’s career he has struck out 1,841 batters which is already fifth on the Dodgers all-time list with 95 of those coming here in 2016. Of Kershaw’s 95 strikeouts this year, he has struck out at least 10 batters in a game on six occasions with a season-high 14 coming on May 1 against the San Diego Padres. Kershaw is 28-years of age, and barring any potential setbacks from elbow or shoulder issues, he is a guy that could become MLB’s first pitcher to record 3,000 career strikeouts since John Smoltz in 2008.
At 6’4″, 225 lbs., Kershaw is a menacing figure on the mound. Kershaw’s delivery to home plate is a quirky one as he moves both of his arms while the baseball is still in his glove. Kershaw then waits to the very last moment before he unleashes the baseball towards the plate. And all of the torque that has been generated from his big body results in most hitters being unable to catch up to his powerful fastball. But if Kershaw’s fastball isn’t tough enough to deal with, he has a 12-6 curve ball, along with a change-up that can keep batters off balance as he has them eating out of the palm of his hand.
For Kershaw’s career, opponents have a .205 batting average against him with the number dipping in each of the last five years with hitters only managing a .171 average against him this year as they are privileged just to make contact with the baseball.
But Kershaw isn’t just another pretty face and a smile as he is living up to his massive contract. Two years ago the Dodgers and Kershaw agreed on a seven-year contract extension that is worth $215 and just like any Hollywood box office sensation, he is truly worth the price of admission and then some. Right now the Dodgers don’t have that much protection behind Kershaw in the starting rotation; however he is holding his own with three complete games, and he has given Los Angeles at least 7 innings in each of his outings this year. Every fifth day that Kershaw takes the mound he gives his team a chance to win while doing what as ace is expected to do which is to dominate, save the bullpen, and put an end to a potential losing streak, or start a winning streak.
The National League Cy Young Award race this year should be a dandy between Chicago Cubs starting pitcher Jake Arrieta, San Francisco Giants starting pitcher Madison Bumgarner, and Kershaw. And throughout the history of the Dodgers organization, there have been legendary pitchers such as Sandy Koufax, Don Drysdale, and Orel Hershiser, with Kershaw stacking up right with them. But only time will tell how great that Kershaw will truly be.
Source: Baseball-reference.com
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