Clayton Kershaw

[the 'stache]

Lou, I was the one that made that quote about Kershaw being the best I've ever seen. I don't know why he's attributing it to you; perhaps you quoted me in one of your responses? I look at Kershaw's being a lefty, and that's what gives him the edge, for me.

And yes, that includes Johnson. Johnson had 130 starts before he became a dominant starter. Early in his career, he had a ridiculous walks per 9 innings pitched rate. The Big Unit didn't have a good season until 1993, his fifth year in the league. Now, he went on to have a sensational career, obviously. But Kershaw had a 144 ERA + in his second season. Johnson didn't equal that until his sixth season. And Kershaw is as good now as Johnson ever was.

[KCRfan1]

If you made the quote, then I'm in good company Bill!

Kershaw still has a ways to go to put up career numbers like Johnson, but thus far in their careers, Kershaw is better than Johnson.

[clydepepper]

One thing to remember: While we are comparing, in most cases, Kershaw's current record to the peaks of others, eventually his numbers will 'normalize' and only then will long-term or career comparisons be valid.

We may now be seeing the best Kershaw there will ever be...or he may surprise us and take it to still another level...now that would be really be worth waiting for.


.

[Dewey]

At 88 strikeouts to 4 walks, we might being seeing that new level. I don't think that ratio is even remotely sustainable, but I'm hoping. At 28, I think we have several years of peak Kershaw ahead.

Originally Posted by clydepepper

One thing to remember: While we are comparing, in most cases, Kershaw's current record to the peaks of others, eventually his numbers will 'normalize' and only then will long-term or career comparisons be valid.

We may now be seeing the best Kershaw there will ever be...or he may surprise us and take it to still another level...now that would be really be worth waiting for.


.

[chaddurbin]

he should have another 1.5yrs of absolute peakiness, then start to decline. you can cite all kinds of fancy stats to dissect what he's doing, but simply he's not wild, hitters know strikes are coming...and they still can't hit it. he's a combination of randy johnson and greg maddux.

the big en vogue stat right now for sp is their effectiveness third time thru the lineup. he's pitching like an elite closer ie andrew miller aroldis chapman, but doing it for 8 innings per start. i don't think he can keep up this pace all year, but he'll get his 8-9 win share on this crappy 82 wins dodgers. friedman is wasting kershaw's prime years with suspect relievers (his mo from tampa) and no real offensive threat.