MLB: The Top 10 Starting Pitchers in the AL West
With ten combined All-Star appearances and two Cy Young winners among them, the American League West undoubtedly has some of the best starting pitchers in all of baseball. Most of these players are yet to reach a peak in their young careers and therefore, have unmeasurable potential. These 10 young fireballers top the list. enjoy.
10. Erik Bedard
1 of 10
Injuries have been the only thing preventing Bedard from having a potentially stellar career. When healthy, this Seattle southpaw has one of the most un-hittable hooks in the game.
9. Ervin Santana
2 of 10
Santana has spent his entire career in an Angels uniform and has clearly established himself as one of the best pitchers in one of the best piching staffs in the league.
8. Dallas Braden
3 of 10
After flying under the radar for several years in Oakland, Braden finally rose into the spotlight in 2010 with his altercation with A-Rod and his perfect game on Mother's Day. At just 27 years old, Braden has established himself as both the veteran, and the mentor on a young Oakland pitching staff.
.png?w=256)
7. CJ Wilson
4 of 10
After a mediocre start to his career in the back of the Texas bullpen, Wilson finally made a name for himself in 2010. As a top contributer to the rotation of the American League champs, Wilson led the Rangers to their first World Series appearance in club history.
6. Dan Haren
5 of 10
After a stellar start to his career in St. Louis and Oakland, Haren was traded to the D-Backs prior to the 2008 season. Haren had one solid season in Arizona and one plagued by injury. In 2010 he was traded back to the AL West, but this time to the Angels. Expect a big season out of Haren in 2011 as he will finally get to face-off against former and now re-found rivals.
5. Trevor Cahill
6 of 10
Trevor Cahill, also known by his self-proclaimed nickname, "The Pterodactyl", is one of the best young pitchers in baseball. After a breakout 2010 that included his first All-Star appearance, the future looks very bright for this young right hander with a sinker that drops like a bowling ball.
4. Jered Weaver
7 of 10
Jered Weaver is one of the most untouchable pitchers in the American League. Year after year he finds himself at the top of the list in Strikeouts and ERA. You're probably asking yourself "if he's so great, why isnt he ranked higher?", to which I reply, "I dont know. It must be the hair. Its...its just awful."
3. Gio Gonzalez
8 of 10
Some people might be wondering why I ranked him so high, but the truth is, Gio Gonzalez is one of the nicest young players you will ever meet, not to mention he has arguably the best curveball in the league. When Gio is "on", he is practically unhittable. With some of the best stuff in all of baseball, the sky is the limit for this young kid.
2. Brett Anderson
9 of 10
Brett Anderson is a stud. If you don't know his name now, you will soon. His fastball is faster than NASCAR on steroids. His curveball is nastier than a plate of mutilated monkey meat and his slider is sharper than Uma Thurmon's samurai sword on Kill Bill. There is only one reason he isn't ranked number one, and it's name is Felix.
1. Felix Hernandez
10 of 10
Not only is King Felix the best pitcher in the AL West, he is arguably the best in all of baseball. After winning the Cy Young award in 2010, Felix enters 2011 as the clear favorite to win it again.
Follow me on twitter @thizzgoblin
.png?w=480)
