Most impressive pitcher thus far?

[ak47jared]

Quote: Originally Posted by Olson-for-Heisman

I agree. I'd recalibrate the OP's top 5 and go with: 1. Lee 2. Johnson 3. Halladay 4. Liriano (who is unfairly ignored from this debate) 5. Hernandez

Their could be at least 12 candidates in this conversion, I tried you judgement to choose best 5.

[snepp]

I voted for Johnson, but probably should have gone with Lee, that K/BB ratio is RI****INGDICULOUS.

[Chip Douglass]

Quote: Originally Posted by ak47jared

Their could be at least 12 candidates in this conversion, I tried you judgement to choose best 5.

Oh sure. You could probably substitute Hernandez for Lester/Lincecum/Wainwright/Weaver, etc.

I went with Halladay/Hernandez over some of the others because they've pitched well and have racked up a ton of innings this year (#1 and #2 in innings pitched respectively).

[Sandman42]

Quote: Originally Posted by poopydude

choice 6 none of the above. Andy Pettite who never gets any recognition outside NY is 11-2 with a 2.88 ERA and hes 38.

I love Andy as much as any other Yankee fan, but to say he's been more impressive than Lee or Johnson is ludicrous. Also saying he gets no recognition out of NY is insane.

[storychecksout]

Have to go with Josh Johnson. The dude is just incredible.

[12]

Quote: Originally Posted by Olson-for-Heisman

You can mostly chalk Pettitte's numbers to luck, not great pitching performance. He has a .265 BABIP and a 80.6% strand rate (2nd highest in the AL and 10% above league average) this year.

Really? Because I don't think you can call it luck when an AL pitcher has a 2.88 ERA. It's not like Pettitte is a flash in the pan either, he's been one of the game's best lefties for YEARS.

The fact that he is doing this at 38 is pretty impressive.

I'm the biggest Yankee ***** of them all but I can give credit when it's due. Pettitte has been surprisingly impressive this year.

[12]

Quote: Originally Posted by Olson-for-Heisman

There's no doubt Pettitte has improved from 2009. He's striking out more hitters and walking significantly less. However, he's been the beneficiary of luck and improved defense. You just have to look past the flawed stat of ERA.

Maybe I am just not following baseball closely enough anymore; and all the new stats they have to determine performance... but please explain to me how ERA is a "flawed stat." ERA measures how many runs you allow over nine innings. I thought for the most part, a pitcher's job was to keep runs from crossing the plate.

I am NOT being a smart aleck, either. I am genuinely curious how ERA can be considered a flawed/overrated stat. I can see W/L record, but ERA is one that I'm having a tough time with...

[24]

Quote: Originally Posted by Sandman42

I love Andy as much as any other Yankee fan, but to say he's been more impressive than Lee or Johnson is ludicrous. Also saying he gets no recognition out of NY is insane.

i am saying he is more impressive due to his age. he is 38 years old you don't see that happening very often. yes there are many pitchers better than andy but he has impressed me the most