Ranking 2012’s Most Dominant Pitchers, Part 2

If you missed part 1, check it out here.

Last post, I started my list of the top 10 most dominant pitchers of the 2012 season. I was looking for pitchers who not only won games but did it in such a way as to suck the life out of the other team, denying them any hope of victory. These guys don’t allow base runners, let alone runs. The pitchers on my list are the best in the game. Last time, I named the top 5 and this time I’ll do 6-10. Admittedly, that seems to be kind of backwards if I was trying to build the suspense, but its my blog and I can do what I want. If you recall, the top 5 most dominent pitchers were:

1. Justin Verlander
2. Brandon Beachy
3. Steven Strasburg
4. Aroldis Chapman
5. Clayton Kershaw

Time to find out who the other 5 are. To review, my qualifications for dominance are: “ERA is noteworthy but WHIP is much more important. You can win games if there are runners on base every inning but you can’t really be “dominant.” For that reason, wins is almost a useless stat in this context. In addition to the stats, I’m going to use some subjective measures to evaluate the pitchers. I’ve watched a lot of games this season I can tell when I guy has overwhelming stuff. Preferably, the guys on my list have at least one pitch that makes everyone watching take note. One other thing I should clarify before beginning, my list only takes into account this season, past success or failure is irrelevant.”

6. Matt Cain, Starter, San Francisco Giants-  Cain’s .82 WHIP leads the National League. This must please the Giants considering the massive contract the team just gave him. While former Cy Young award winner and teammate Tim Lincecum continues to struggle, Cain continues to deal. He’s walked 10 but has given up only 37 hits in 57.1 innings. Matt’s ERA is also a very impressive 2.67 despite surrendering a few home runs. Cain’s got an electric fastball and great curve. He’s not as fun to watch as guys like Verlander or Strasburg but his season numbers are stellar and are right in line with the career stats that earned him the big new contract.

7. Jared Weaver, Starter, Las Angeles Angels- Weaver has already thrown a no hitter this season. I’m not sure what’s more dominant than that. Weaver appears in line for his 3rd straight top 5 Cy Young finish this season, he’s got a 2.80 ERA and .93 WHIP. Weaver, who throws across his body in a really funky way that messes with hitters, has also struck out 9 more hitters than hits he’s allowed. As the ace of a solid but underperforming staff in LA, Weaver has earned his spot on this list.

8. Ryan Dempster, Starter, Chicago Cubs- Dempster is an interesting inclusion on the list. He certainly flies under the radar in Chicago, he’s posted really good numbers in each of the last few seasons but no body has seemed to notice. However, despite his last few seasons, he never would have been considered for the dominance list until recently. Now, his last start wasn’t great, surrendering 4 runs on 7 hits over 6 innings in a loosing effort against the White Sox. Before that, however, Dempster was great. As of May 8th, his ERA was a stellar 1.02 and even after his last start his WHIP is only 1.05. Here’s the kicker, Dempster doesn’t have  win on the season, he’s 0-2.

9. Ted Lilly, Starter, Las Angeles Dodgers- The Dodgers are a first place team and one of the major’s best in part because of Lilly. Ted has thrown only 45 innings but has given up only 27 hits. The soft throwing lefty has an ERA of 1.79, good for second in the majors and a WHIP of  .90, good for 6th. Lilly always works around the zone and though, like Beachy, he lacks that one great out pitch that makes everyone watching stop and take note, he’s been very effective this season.

10. Jake Peavy, Starter, Chicago White Sox. Peavy is another surprise on this list. He is a former Cy Young award winner who was once one of the best pitchers in the game but has struggled mightily in recent years. This season, he seemed to really figure things out. Peavy’s WHIP is .90, he’s given up 47 hits in 64 innings, allowed only 11 walks compared to 55 strike outs, has an ERA of 2.39. Peavy has been great at utilizing his breaking ball and being very aggressive in the zone with his fastball. His slider is definitely the key to his resurgent success. It’s nice to see him back on the top his game.

-Max Frankel