Top 15 Starting Pitchers Under 25

I have ranked (IN MY OPINION) the top 15 starting pitchers in the MLB UNDER the age of 25, at this moment. They are listed below. Feel free to argue, and the stats I’ve given aren’t necessarily to prove my point, just stats I feel are useful when looking at starting pitching. The stats are all from the 2011 season. I don’t think there are too many surprises, but essentially I think this, in order, is who I’d want starting games for my team if I had to choose somebody under 25. Yes King Felix is now too old for this list, and I’ve taken into account stats, their physical abilities and makeups, and what I predict for them. A few explanations: I added two spots at the end for Strasburg and Moore because they really haven’t had enough experience in the majors to say much about them. Plus Strasburg already having had Tommy John, I didn’t want to put someone on the list that hadn’t even pitched close to a full season and was this unproven, but what they have shown is ridiculous, so they are bonus spots. All these pitchers are under 25 as of 12-11-2011. Tell me if I missed someone or if you don’t think someone deserves to be on here. I probably won’t agree but do it anyway.

(Stats-ERA/KperBB/QualityStarts)

1.       Clayton Kershaw 2.28/4.59/25

2.       Trevor Cahill 4.16/1.75/21

3.       Brett Anderson 4.00/2.44/7**

4.       Daniel Hudson 3.49/3.38/21

5.       Mat Latos 3.47/2.98/20

6.       Michael Pineda 3.74/3.15/19

7.       Jeremy Hellickson 2.95/1.63/20

8.       Madison Bumgardner 3.21/4.15/23

9.       Jhoulys Chacin 3.62/1.72/18

10.   Neftali Feliz 2.74/1.80/0*

11.   Mike Leake 3.86/3.11/18

12.   Aroldis Chapman 3.60/1.73/0*

13.   Ivan Nova 3.70/1.72/16

14.   Rick Porcello 4.75/2.26/19

15.   Zach Britton 4.61/1.56/13

Bonus: Stephen Strasburg 1.50/12.00/2**

Bonus: Matt Moore 2.89/5.00/1***

*Was not a starter but expected to be one in 2012

**Season drastically shortened by injury

***Late season call up, very limited action