Top 10 pitchers of 2012 regular season – MLB Feature - Part 2
Earlier, we talked about how well Hiroki Kuroda and Kris Medlen have performed to shut up their critics. Here are the number seven and eight pitchers on our list of top 10 pitchers of 2012 regular season.
8. Cincinnati Reds: Aroldis Chapman
The left handed Chapman has posted some impressive stats this season. With 1222 strike-outs, he has more strike-outs in relief than any other pitcher in 2012. His ability to play his natural game in intense situations is what separates him from his peers.
Recording 38 saves, six holds and 5 relief wins this season, he played a big part in Reds National League Central winning campaign this year. His ability to tie down lefties is another fascinating aspect of his game. Since April 2012, he has allowed just
.108 batting average against the left handed batters.
Chapman’s ERA ballooned to 6.97 in ERA in June and 4.05 in September but he kept coming back. Showing great determination and mental toughness, he improved his stats considerably in closing stages of the season to lower his ERA to just 1.51, showing the
stuff he is capable of.
Reds will be expecting he continue his incredible form over the next few weeks to improve their chances of making it to the World Series finals.
7. Atlanta Braves: Craig Kimbrel
Craig Kimbrel is another excellent pitcher who has impressed his skipper big time since moving to Atlanta. His curveballs are extremely effective and he has a great ability to play to his potential in pressure situations.
Kimbrel has posted some incredible numbers this season. His WHIP of 0.65 is the lowest in the National League. With 16 strike-outs, he has a unique ability to strike-out batters at crucial stages of the season.
His 1.101 ERA is also the best in MLB for 2012 season. However, Kimbrel will have to be more reliable and consistent during the postseason to help his side make it to the World Series finals.
In 2012 season, he tossed up just 62.2 innings, showing that he is struggling to maintain his fitness. Since the Braves have already made it to the Wild Card match-up, they would like to have their best pitcher available for every game.
Pitching is a tough job and it is never easy for the pitchers to throw with the same intensity throughout the season. However, the Braves have an excellent chance of lifting the World Series trophy and the team manager will be expecting Kimbrel to work out
on a regular basis.
The right hander is still in the early phase of his career and it will be interesting to see if he can continue his impressive winning streak to register his name in the list of all time greats.
“Absolutely,” said Roger McDowell, the Braves’ pitching coach. “He is of utmost importance to a ballclub’s success, with all of the responsibility on him the way the game is played now.”
“For young players, that last month, they call them dog days for a reason,” McDowell said. “It’s a grind. It was just a learning experience for him.”
“He’s been awesome, unbelievable,” catcher Brian McCann said. “I expected him to be better this year. That’s crazy to think, I know. But he continues to get smarter.”
It will be interesting to see how well Kimbrel can maintain some consistency in his pitching to help the Braves.
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 3
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