Top 10 pitchers of 2012 regular season – MLB Feature – Part 1
As 2012 regular season comes to an end, it will be good idea to compile the list of top 10 pitchers of the year. The formula used to determine pitchers’ rankings include WAR, ERA, win-loss record and strike-outs average.
10. New York Yankees: Hiroki Kuroda
Hiroki Kuroda is placed last on the list of top ten pitchers of 2012. The Yankees’ starting pitcher has given some impressive performance since the start of the season. When he was acquired by New York, not many expected him to become a backbone of Yankees’
pitching attack in his very first season with the club.
However, using all his experience, not only Kuroda took the Yankees to the playoffs but he also posted impressive stats to make a name for himself. In his first season with the bombers, Kuroda finished 16-11 creating all sorts of problems for the hitters
in American League. In fact, he is the only Yankees pitchers to finish in the top 20 ERA with 3.32.
“To be honest with you, I never enjoyed playing baseball, I never enjoyed pitching, to be honest with you,” Kuroda said through his interpreter, Kenji Nimura. “Whether it’s a spring training game or a regular season game, I don’t like to put any added pressure
on myself. I like to be as normal as I can in that atmosphere.”
“Rather than thinking about the playoff game, I would like to concentrate 100 percent on tomorrow’s start,” said Kuroda who has the potential to win against best in the business. “So that’s what I’m going to do.”
Kuroda took some time to settle into the new team. After the All Star Break, he elevated his game to a higher level, going 8-4 with a pair of shut-outs. Yankees’ Manager Joe Girardi will be very pleased with what he has seen from one of the most composed
pitcher in the game and it will be interesting to see if Kuroda can continue his good work during the playoffs to help New York reach the World Series finals.
9. Atlanta Braves: Kris Medlen
Kris Medlen was not expected to be on this list when he started the season in the bullpen. However, the veteran right hander made the most opportunities he was given to cement his place on Atlanta Braves’ pitching rotation.
Medlen upped his game play considerably after the All Star Break, going 9-0 with an impressive 0.95 ERA. His .484 OPS in 95 innings helped him make inroads into Braves’ pitching rotation. Overall, he went 10-1 with an incredible 1.57 ERA with 0.91 WHIP.
Striking-out 120 batters, he showed the stuff he is capable of.
However, what makes him an asset for the Braves is his ability to play his natural game under immense pressure. While others bow to pressure, Medlen steps up to take responsibility on his shoulders. Surely, he will be looking to continue his excellent winning
streak to take his side to the World Series finals.
The worrying sign for other teams is that he has not shown any signs of slowing down. His fans will be expecting him to continue his superb form over the next few weeks to help Braves in their postseason quest.
The views expressed in this article are the writer's own and in no way represent Bettor.com's official editorial policy.
Continued in Part 2
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