Chad Billingsley
Fri, 09/16/2011 - 10:35 — jeremy.smitherman
After bouncing from a starting role to the bullpen over the course of his first two big-league seasons in 2006 & 2007, Chad Billingsley elevated his status to that of baseball’s elite starting pitchers in 2008. That year saw Billingsley put forth a dominant 16-win season in which he eclipsed the 200-strikeout plateau. Over the past three seasons (2008-10) Billingsley has solidified his status as an elite fire-baller averaging more than 180 Ks and just north of 13 wins, while solidifying a 3.55 lifetime ERA and an opponent batting average of .248. An All Star in 2009, Billingsley is a member of a strong starting rotation in Los Angeles that’s expected to anchor the team throughout the 2011 season.
Jonathan Broxton
Fri, 09/16/2011 - 10:34 — jeremy.smitherman
There aren’t many big-league pitchers more intimidating on the mound than 6’4”, 300 lb Los Angeles closer Jonathan Broxton. As is the case with many closers, the equation is simple with Broxton. Hitters know he’s going to come at them with nothing but straight heat. The only question is whether or not they can handle it. After two seasons as one of the league’s most-effective set up men, Broxton earned the role of closer in Los Angeles midway through 2008. In only 69 innings of work, Broxton registered 14 saves and 88 strikeouts, following up the next season (his first full-season as the team’s closer) in 2009 with an All Star season in which he amassed 36 saves, striking out 114 hitters in only 76 innings. Broxton enters 2011, his third year as Los Angeles’ full-time closer looking to build on his impressive career numbers of 77 saves, 493 strikeouts over 379 innings and a 3.11 ERA.
Corey Hart
Fri, 09/16/2011 - 10:32 — jeremy.smitherman
Over the past four seasons, Milwaukee outfielder Corey Hart has become one of the most dangerous hitters in the big leagues, amassing more than 80 HRs and 320 RBI over this span. These numbers become even more impressive considering this period includes a 2009 season shortened significantly by injuries. Hart was named to the All Star team in two of these four years (2008 & 2010). Known for his imposing 6'6" frame, Hart showcased his power-stroke on a national stage at the 2010 Home Run Derby where he amazed baseball fans by tallying 13 home runs in his first at bat. He went on to finish third in the competition. Hart is a key member of the dangerous Milwaukee lineup, loaded with elite power hitters that many believe will be as productive an offensive force as the league will offer in 2011.
Matt Cain
Fri, 09/16/2011 - 10:31 — jeremy.smitherman
The silent superstar for San Francisco's young pitching staff is fire-baller Matt Cain. Few would argue that Cain is among the game's most dominant, albeit under-appreciated starting pitchers, and his impact during the Giant's 2010 Championship season was invaluable. Over just five full seasons since his debut as the most anticipated pitching prospect in 2005, Cain has been the picture of consistency and production. In just over 1,000 innings pitched, Cain has registered more than 900 strikeouts, an ERA of 3.45 and a WHIP of 1.22. While his win-loss record may not seem as impressive (57-62), those numbers are incredibly deceiving. The truth is that Cain's run-support has not been as consistent as his own performance, failing to register wins in a host of games where he's held opponents to little or no runs. This fact is supported by his consistently being among the league's leaders in quality starts. His post-season dominance in 2010 was capped off by 7 2/3 scoreless innings in Game Two of the Fall Classic against Texas, becoming only the fifth pitcher in postseason history to register more than 20 innings without yielding a single earned run. This propensity to deliver when it's needed most has earned him the nickname "Big Game Cain."
