Top 10 2010 MLB Starting Pitchers.

This generation of MLB has a load of young, talented players and pitchers. There are so many to choose from, but lets just take a look at the best 10 pitchers in all of baseball for the 2010 season. Surprisingly, there are more dominate National League pitchers than there are American League pitchers.

No 1: Tim Lincecum

Tim Lincecum is definitely a freak. He makes pitching look so easy, and the best part is that he is only 5'11" and weighs 170 lbs. Oh yeah, he is only 25 years old. In his first two and a half seasons in the bigs, he already has two National League Cy Young Awards and is the face of a franchise.

2009 Stats: 15 wins and 7 losses, 2.48 ERA, 248 strikeouts, 225 innings pitched, four complete games, and 32 total games.

Career Stats: 40 wins, 17 losses, 2.90 ERA, 676 strikeouts, 598 innings pitched, six complete games, and 90 total games.

Don't be fooled by this stud's size. He is the best all-around pitcher. He can throw a fastball in the high 90s, has the best changeup in all of baseball, one of the best curveballs, has a two-seam fastball, and a slider. He has so many pitches he will always keep the hitter guessing. Lincecum has great command and control of his pitches and gives up very few home runs and walks.

Pitching in the NL and in pitcher friendly AT&T Park in San Francisco also helps his numbers. But even if Timmy was in the AL East, he would still be one of the best pitchers in baseball. Imagine how much better he would be if his team, the Giants, had some offense to help support him.

Expect this kid to be around for a long time and to collect at least a couple more Cy Young awards to add to his trophy case. He should continue to keep getting better and better and dominate. Lets all hope that he can stay healthy and that not icing his arm won't hurt him.

It really says something about a kid when he is 25-years-old and is already the face of a franchise and has two Cy Young Awards. If he can keep pitching this good at this rate, he will stay as one of the best pitchers in all of baseball for a very long time. For now, lets enjoy watching "The Freak" and how he makes pitching look so easy. A Lincecum, Cain and Zito 1-2-3 punch is pretty good. He will be in the NL Cy Young voting every year for the next couple of years easily.

If I was the Giants, I wouldn't let him get away; so I would sign him to a long-term contract. Besides the Cy Young Awards, he also has two All-Star selections and been voted NL pitcher of year twice (2008 and 2009).

The reason Lincecum is No. 1 is because he has proven to be the best pitcher in baseball, is still very young and can improve much more.

No. 2: Felix Hernandez

Felix Hernandez makes pitching look so easy. This kid is only 23-years-old and has already been pitching in the bigs for five years. The M's were so smart to lock him up for the next five years. This kid should have a Cy Young Award already.

2009 Stats: 19 wins, 5 losses, 2.49 ERA, 217 strikeouts, 238 innings pitched, two complete games, and 34 total games.

Career Stats: 58 wins, 41 losses, 3.45 ERA, 810 strikeouts, 905 innings pitched, seven complete games, and 138 total games.

This young kid looks a little more intimidating than Lincecum in size. Hernandez is one of the best all- around pitchers in baseball when it comes to pitches and command. He has a mid-90's fastball, good changeup, nasty slider, curveball, two-seam fastball and a nasty split-finger fastball. King Felix has a lot of pitches to choose from to always keep the hitters guessing. Hernandez doesn't have as good of control and command of his pitches, but it is good enough. He gives up very few home runs and walks.

King Felix is a stud pitcher, and it definitely helps that he throws in pitcher friendly Safeco Field in Seattle. If he had some better offense, his numbers would be even better. Just imagine how good he would be if he was pitching in the National League and not have to face the Yanks, Red Sox and Angels.

Expect this kid to eventually pick up some Cy Young awards, continue to be dominate and get better. If he can keep this up and stay healthy, he will stay as one of the best pitchers in all of baseball for a long time. Now that Lee is slotted to pitch right behind him, the M's now have the best 1-2 pitching punch in all of baseball.

He should easily continue to be in the running every year for AL Cy Young for the next couple of years. He was second in Cy Young voting last year. He made his first All-Star team last season as well.

No. 3: Roy Halladay

Halladay now is out of the American League, especially the AL East. He comes to the best team in the NL, the Philadelphia Phillies. He has the ability to be the best pitcher in all of baseball and could possibly be better than Lincecum. He already has a Cy Young award in his trophy case (2003) and will now be winning a lot more of those.

2009 Stats: 17 wins, 10 losses, 2.79 ERA, 208 strikeouts, 239 innings pitched, nine complete games, and 32 total games.

Career Stats: 148 wins, 76 losses, 3.43 ERA, 1,495 strikeouts, 2,046 innings pitched, 49 complete games, and 313 total games.

Yes, Halladay is older than Lincecum and Hernandez, but he is still only 32-years-old. The bottom line is now that he doesn't have to face the Yankees and Red Sox multiple times a season, he can easily turn from one of the best pitchers to THE BEST pitcher in all of baseball. Halladay has great command and control and has many pitches to toy hitters with—a mid-90's fastball, two-seam fastball, curveball, slider, changeup and cutter.

Halladay has the Phillies and their amazing offense, which will allow him to go deep into many games. That will make him look and become an even better pitcher. He has the inside track to being the best pitcher in baseball and will challenge Lincecum every year for the NL CY Young Award. It will no longer be easy for Lincecum to win the award annually.

The only thing going against Roy is that he is in hitter-friendly Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia. But if he can pitch and dominate in the AL East with an ERA under 3.00 and pick up 22 wins (2003) and 20 wins (2008), then pitching in the NL will make him better and more dominant than he did in the AL. He can easily pick up possibly 25-30 wins with an ERA around 3.00 every year for the next couple of years. He will now be in the running for NL Cy Young winner for the next couple of years easily.

Just imagine how good Halladay would be if the Phillies had a pitcher-friendly stadium—that would just be unfair. Look out Lincecum, here comes The Doc. Winning the Cy Young isn't a guarantee anymore and won't come easily. Halladay has made six All-Star appearances and has been voted pitcher of the year in 2003.

The reason Halladay isn't No. 1 is because he's older than Lincecum, but mostly because Roy has to prove himself to be better than Timmy in the NL.

No. 4: Johan Santana

This guy is the top lefty pitcher in all of baseball. He's ranked so high because he's a stud and a lefty. He isn't as dominate as he used to be, but he is still one of the top pitchers in the game. He has struggled with injuries in the last couple of years. He should be more than capable to be in the running for NL Cy Young winner for the next couple years. His number's last year aren't his best because he was injured and was out for a good chunk of the season, but his numbers are still amazingly good. And yeah, he is also only 30-years-old. He's got a couple Cy Young Awards in his trophy case.

2009 Stats: 13 wins, 9 losses, 3.13 ERA, 146 strikeouts, 166 innings pitched and 25 total games.

Career Stats: 122 wins, 60 losses, 3.12 ERA, 1,733 strikeouts, 1,709 innings pitched, nine complete games, and 310 total games.

Santana was the face of the Twins' franchise, but he is now the face of the Mets franchise. He should easily rebound from an injury-plagued 2009 season. Santana has some of the best control and command for a pitcher. He also has a lot of pitches to mess with hitters. He has a mid-90's fastball, curve, slider, two-seam fastball, splitter, changeup and circle-change. Santana and Lincecum have the best changeups in the game, but Lincecum only has one, while Santana has two changeups to throw, and they're both nasty. Santana pitches in new pitcher-friendly Citi Field in New York, which benefits him and helps his numbers a little bit. He would be even better if he was on a good team, but what pitcher wouldn't.

Look for Johan to rebound, have a great 2010 season year and be on top in the NL Cy Young voting. Santana already has two AL Cy Young Awards (2004 and 2006) along with four All-Star appearances. He was also voted pitcher of the year in 2004 and 2006, Warren Spahn Award winner twice (2004 and 2006), a two time player's choice outstanding pitcher (2004 and 2006), Gold Glove winner (2007) and pitching triple crown winner in (2006).

No. 5: Cliff Lee

Cliff Lee broke into the majors with the Cleveland Indians in 2002. He was never dominate between the years of 2002 and 2007, except for 2005 when he had his first solid year. But then he fell off the table again and was even demoted to the minors in 2007.

Then he completely changed everything about his pitching and mechanics and came back dominating in 2008. Ever since then, he is one of the top pitchers in baseball. He is also a lefty pitcher, which makes him even more valuable. He has a Cy Young Award (2008)under his belt. He could possibly be in the running to win another in the next couple of years, but I don't see him beating out teammate Felix Hernandez. Lee is also only 31-years-old.

2009 Stats: 14 wins, 13 losses, 3.22 ERA, 181 strikeouts, 231 innings pitched, two complete games, and 34 total games.

Career Stats: 90 wins, 52 losses, 3.97 ERA, 900 strikeouts, 1,196 innings pitched, 13 complete games, and 194 total games.

This is such a great story of a guy who was struggling, but worked his way back to resurrect his career. Lee was so dominate in the World Series and playoffs last year with the Phillies to help them advance to the World Series.

Now he is in Seattle and will be pitching in pitcher-friendly Safeco Field with King Felix, giving the M's the best 1-2 punch in all of baseball. Pitching in Seattle should boost his numbers some this season. He has pretty good control and demand, along with some good pitches to throw to hitters. He has a low-90's fastball, changeup, slider, two-seam fastball and a good curveball. Lee should have no problem dominating the AL with Hernandez by his side

If I were the M's, I would see how good he does this season. If he is dominate, then sign him to a long-term deal to go along with King Felix and compete for next couple of years. Just imagine how good the Phillies would have been if they would have kept Lee along with Halladay. That would have just been unfair and nasty.

Lee could stay in the voting for Cy Young winner possibly for a couple more years. In 2008, he won the Cy Young Award and Comeback Player of the Year Award and selected as an All-Star.

I can't wait to watch Hernandez and Lee pitch together and dominate the AL.

No. 6: Josh Johnson

Well this kid finally broke out last year. I knew he was good all along, but he has been limited by injuries in the last couple of years, including Tommy John Surgery. Nobody knew if he would ever be good after surgery, but he came out last year and showed us all that he is a stud. Johnson should soon become another pitcher who is in the running for the Cy Young award, but it will be a little while for J.J. to get one.

2009 Stats: 15 wins, 5 losses, 3.23 ERA, 191 strikeouts, 209 innings pitched, two complete games, and 33 total games.

Career Stats: 34 wins, 16 losses, 3.40 ERA, 425 strikeouts, 481 innings pitched, three complete games, and 86 total games.

Johnson has the potential to possibly be better than Lincecum for the best pitcher in the game, but he must prove himself. He still has room for improvement but is still a very good, young stud. He will eventually win at least one Cy Young Award and pick up even better numbers.

Florida did a really good job locking him up long term. It's really good to see Josh back healthy and dominate from Tommy John Surgery. This kid has lots of talent and upside. He should definitely be in the running for the NL Cy Young. He has good command and control but could use some work in that area. He has a mid-90's fastball, changeup, two-seam fastball, slider and curveball. He would be better if he was in a pitcher friendly stadium.

Last year, he was voted to his first All-Star game. It will be fun to watch this kid grow and mature and get better at pitching.

No. 7: Chris Carpenter

Carpenter is one of my favorite pitchers in baseball. The reason why he is ranked seventh is because he is older (34) and is injury prone. He also rarely pitches more than 200 innings in a season like most aces. But when he is healthy, he is—if not almost—as good as Lincecum and Halladay, if not better. It was great to see him come back to baseball last year after missing about two years. He dominated and looked like his old self. He already has a Cy Young award under his belt along with a World Series title. He was second place in NL Cy Young voting last season.

2009 Stats: 17 wins, 4 losses, 2.24 ERA, 144 strikeouts, 192 innings pitched, three complete games, and 28 total games.

Career Stats: 117 wins, 74 losses, 3.88 ERA, 1,315 strikeouts, 1,730 innings pitched, 28 complete games, and 278 total games.

I'm so glad that Carpenter is back in baseball, healthy, ready to dominate and win another Cy Young Award. He is getting older, so he only has couple more years to stay dominant. I think that he will win at least another Cy Young award, maybe two. He sometimes tends to struggle with his command and control, but it's still very good. He has many different pitches as well: low-90's fastball, changeup, two-seam fastball, slider and curveball.

It won't be easy for Carpenter ti win another Cy Young Award though having having to compete with
Lincecum, Halladay and Santana every year. He'd be better if he pitched at a pitcher-friendly stadium.

Carpenter has one NL Cy Young award (2005), two All-Star selections (2005 and 2006), two TSN NL Pitcher of the Year Awards (2005 and 2006), NL Pitcher of the Month (Aug. 2009), 2004 NL Comeback Player of the Year, 2009 Comeback Player of the Year, 2009 NL Bullet Rogan Award and 2009 Tony Conigliaro Award.

No. 8: Adam Wainwright

This 28-year-old stud is an amazing pitcher who continues to mature and get better. We all remember this former closer and reliever in his dominant
rookie season. Well, he has now turned himself into a very respectable NL starting pitcher and brings a very good 1-2 punch with Chris Carpenter. Adam has no Cy Young awards yet, but was third in the voting last year. He has time to get better and possibly capture a Cy Young Award or two.

2009 Stats: 19 wins, 8 losses, 2.63 ERA, 212 strikeouts, 233 innings pitched, one complete game, and 34 total games.

Career Stats: 46 wins, 24 losses, 3.17 ERA, 511 strikeouts, 644 innings pitched, three ccmplete games, and 149 total games.

This kid was meant to be a starting pitcher. I'm so glad that he has finally come out and has shown everyone that he is the real thing. Wainwright is a dominant pitcher with excellent control and command. He will continue to get better and has many nasty pitches: a mid-90's fastball, two-seam fastball, nasty changeup, nasty slider and a devastating curveball.

Wainwright is a 2009 Gold Glove winner and also a 2009 NL Most Outstanding Pitcher Award winner. Watch this young kid continue to grow and dominate and turn into a possible Cy Young winner.

No. 9: Zack Greinke

Where did this kid come from all of a sudden? This young 26-year-old AL Cy Young winner came out of no where last year. He had always just been a mediocre pitcher in his career. Then last season, he just decided to dominate, actually try or something like that. I don't know if this is a fluke year for the kid or what, but watching this kid was something.

2009 Stats: 16 wins, 8 losses, 2.16 ERA, 242 strikeouts, 229 innings pitched, six complete games, and 33 total games.

Career Stats: 50 wins, 53 losses, 3.73 ERA, 750 strikeouts, 888 innings pitched, nine complete games, and 136 total games.

It's nice to see something good happen in Kansas City for once. I'm sure this kid would be a lot better if he was on a better team and in a better city. One must wonder if this will happen again for Greinke or if this was a fluke year. But what I saw from this kid, he sure knew what he was doing and could pitch like no other. A 2.16 ERA in the AL is unheard of. If he continues to keep pitching with these numbers, he will be picking up Cy Young awards right and left. He should easily be in the running every year for the AL Cy Young. Lets hope that this kid can keep his anxiety and depression under control. At age 26, he still has time to improve and get better. Dude, if this kid ever gets better numbers than he already has, talk about a serious payday. He struggles with command and control sometimes but has some good pitches: a mid-90's fastball, two-seam fastball, changeup, slider, curveball and splitter.

Last year was obviously the best year of Greinke's
career. He was named 2009 MLB ERA champion, TSN Pitcher of the Year, 2009 Player of the Year Award, and 2009 AL Bullet Rogan Award winner. Can't wait to watch this kid this season.

No. 10: Justin Verlander

Verlander makes pitching look easy, especially striking hitters out. This guy is a team leader, face of the Detriot Tigers franchise, has been a very consistent pitcher thus far, and is only 27-years-old. He has yet to win a Cy Young award, but every year he inches closer to getting it. He will get a couple eventually. I love watching him strike batters out and make them look so bad at the plate.

2009 Stats: 19 wins, 9 losses, 3.45 ERA, 269 strikeouts, 240 innings pitched, three complete games, and 35 total games.

Career Stats: 65 wins, 43 losses, 3.92 ERA, 746 strikeouts, 849 innings pitched, six complete games, and 132 total games.

Two hundered sixty-nine strikeouts! Are you kidding me! That is just dominating for Verlander to make the batter look like a minor leaguer. At age 27, he continues to mature, get better and increase his control and command of his pitches,which couldn't get a whole lot better.

His control and command is amazing. He can plot his pitches and throw the ball exactly where he wants it. Justin has a high-90's fastball, two-seam fastball, changeup, nasty slider, curveball, nasty splitter and his strikeout pitch, the sinker. His sinker drops off the table like no other. If Verlander can lower his ERA, then he will definitely win some Cy Young awards. He should be in the running every year for the next couple of years for sure.

The Tigers were smart to lock him up long term. Verlander does have other awards so far in his career: Rookie of the year (2006) and a two-time All-Star (2007 and 2009).

Step up to the plate batter. Stike 1! Strike 2! Strike 3! Your're out!

Other Notable Stars

I'm not gonna breakdown these guys, but these are pitchers who are also very dominate—some of the better ones in the game, but just didn't make the cut:

Brandon Webb (D'Backs), Jake Peavy (White Sox), C.C. Sabathia (Yankees), Josh Beckett (Red Sox), John Lackey ( Red Sox), Dan Haren (D'Backs), Carlos Zambrano (Cubs) and Roy Oswalt (Astros).

Webb and Peavy used to be two of the best in the NL, but they have both been injured the last year or two. They are both supposedly healthy now and should dominate once again, but we must wait and see if they are the same pitchers they once were. The same goes for Roy Oswalt. Peavy, Webb and Sabathia are all former Cy Young winners.

Notable Rookies, Prospects and Youngsters

I'm not gonna talk about the following young studs, The guys on this list are youngsters who have already had huge success very early on in their career or are going to have success. All have the ability to be Cy Young winners someday:

Tommy Hanson (Braves), Stephan Strasburg (Nationals), Madison Bumgarner (Giants), Kyle Drabek (Blue Jays), Brett Anderson (A's), Trevor Cahill (A's), Scott Feldman (Rangers), Chris Tillman (Orioles), Clay Buchholz (Red Sox), Jair Jurrjens (Braves), Ian Kennedy (D'Backs), Klayton Kershaw (Dodgers), J.A. Happ (Phillies), Neftali Perez (Rangers), David Price/Jeff Niemann/Wade Davis (Rays), Aroldis Chapman (Reds) and Rick Porcello (Tigers).