Meanwhile, In The Other League...

In response to a colleague’s previous article about 2008 (and in the early going, probable 2009) NL Cy Young Winner Tim Lincecum, I feel compelled to prognosticate the probable AL Cy Young Winner. If the season were to end tomorrow, the winner would be clear.

After compiling a 13-10 record in 2008, if you told me Zack Greinke would lead the majors in 5 pitching categories, I’d have laughed in your face. And I would have been wrong to do so. As of this writing, July 2, Greinke leads the bigs in wins (tied with Halladay, Slowey and Wakefield with 10), ERA with a sick 1.95, WHIP with 1.023, complete games with 5 (Halladay, a complete game machine only has 3, but he’s hurt as of now.), and shut outs with 2. He doesn’t lead the majors in strikeouts. That honor goes to Justin Verlander. However, of the AL wins leaders, Greinke has the most with 114. He didn't allow an earned run until his fourth start and went 6-0 in his first 6. He's only given up 25 earned runs all season long and has pitched 115 innings. And in 115 innings, 16 starts, he has allowed 3 home runs. Count them, THREE. This is the recipe for filth if you ask me.

Greinke always showed promise, but was stricken with mental problems. He was diagnosed with severe depression and even left the game for a short while. But he’s back with a vengeance and is enjoying a Renaissance season in 2009. His feats this season were such a surprise because there was no evidence that he would break out ahead of the pack like this. He was touted as having great stuff, but nobody thought he had “10-3 with an ERA under 2” type stuff. While he has stiff competition in Roy Halladay, Greinke seems up to the challenge and shows no signs of slowing down. He still has a bit to prove in the major leagues at 26 years young, but right now, the numbers say he’s the man to beat.