5 MLB Pitchers Who Could Win the 2012 MVP

Back in November, Detroit Tigers ace Justin Verlander was named American League MVP, the first starting pitcher to earn the honor since Boston's Roger Clemens won it in 1986.

For years, pitchers have received little to no consideration when it has come to MVP voting, regardless of how dominant they were or integral to their team’s success.

Back in 1999, Boston Red Sox starter Pedro Martinez compiled one of the best seasons of all time (23 W, 2.07 ERA, 13.2 K/9), good enough for a unanimous Cy Young victory, but just a runner-up finish in AL MVP voting.

While Martinez and Verlander are the only two pitchers to finish top five in MVP voting dating back to the 2000 season, we may in fact see a change in voter tendencies as the league turns to one dominated by pitching.

As Verlander said after winning the award, “This sets a precedent…we can be extremely valuable to our team and its success.”

While in all likelihood, it will be hitters sweeping the MVP awards in 2012, here's a look at five pitchers who could take home the hardware:

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NL: Clayton Kershaw, Los Angeles Dodgers

Last season, Los Angeles Dodgers ace Clayton Kershaw was simply stellar. His 2.28 ERA led all starting pitchers, his 21 wins was good for second behind only Verlander and his 0.977 WHIP was one of just three sub-1.00 marks by a starter since 2006.

The 23-year-old lefty easily won the National League Cy Young, claiming 27 of 31 first-place votes. However, when it came to MVP voting, Kershaw ended up 12th, earning just a 6 percent share. That alone should tell you how difficult it is for a pitcher to win the MVP. 

For Kershaw to bring home the hardware in 2012, it'll take an equally dominant season coupled with a weak showing by National League bats. Last season, Verlander landed the award primarily because there was truly no standout offensive performer in the American League.

With Albert Pujols out of the picture and 2011 MVP Ryan Braun up for suspension, the door could very well open for a pitcher this season.

NL: Tim Lincecum, San Francisco Giants

During Tim Lincecum’s two Cy Young-award winning seasons by in 2008 and 2009, the lanky right-hander finished 23rd and 18th, respectively, in the National League MVP voting.

Let me repeat how difficult it is for a pitcher to land an MVP award. 

Some could argue (and I would) that when he's on, the 27-year-old right-hander is the game's most dominant pitcher. To get MVP consideration, however, is a completely different matter.

While his strikeout rate and ERA typically rank near the top of the league, Lincecum would have to break at least 20 wins to even have a shot at the hardware.

While there are better metrics out there to analyze performance, nothing demonstrates value to voters more than earning a win. Verlander's massive win total (24), tops since 2002, is what got him the award.

Most of all, Lincecum has one of the biggest nuisances working in his favor when it comes to award talk: the Giants' putrid offense. Last season, San Francisco finished 29th in runs and with a repeat could make Lincecum's campaign all the more valuable.

NL: Stephen Strasburg, Washington Nationals

After striking out 14 batters in his major league debut with the Washington Nationals in 2010, 23-year-old Stephen Strasburg was on a crash course to fame and big-league success.

After sitting out much of 2011 recovering from Tommy John surgery, the right-handed ace is more than ready to jump back into the limelight..in a big way.

From the hype to his impressive numbers and situation, Strasburg could actually have the perfect recipe for the MVP award.

Not only has Strasburg been touted as baseball's next elite pitcher, he has actually delivered on that promise in his first two seasons.

In five starts down the stretch in 2011, he was untouchable, posting a mind-boggling 0.708 WHIP, .179 batting average against and 9.0 strikeout rate, all of which are within Strasburg's reach on a full season.

Without question, he's capable of the numbers, but what could propel him to the top is his perfect situation. The NL East is loaded with contenders this season in Atlanta, Miami and Philadelphia, but Washington could surprise some people this year and make a postseason run of their own.

Without a real star on the roster, Strasburg would be the star and could see some votes go his way.

AL: Felix Hernandez, Seattle Mariners

2011 was a down season for Seattle Mariners right-hander Felix Hernandez, but with rates and pitching values similar to his 2009 and 2010 seasons, I’m more than confident that the King is due for a big bounce back in 2012.

Like Lincecum, Felix’s MVP case weighs heavily on his sheer dominance in light of the Mariners’ terrible offense.

While the Mariners' bats continue to struggle, finishing dead last in both runs and batting average for two straight seasons, Felix has been a staple of pitching brilliance.

He eats innings, strikes out batters at a high clip and consistently keeps his team in the game, with or without run support.

If Felix can return to his 2010 Cy Young numbers (13-12, 2.27 ERA, 88% Quality Start Percentage) with a few more wins, he would contend for the American League's top honor without question.

AL: Justin Verlander, Detroit Tigers

Of all the top pitchers in baseball, however, the odds-on favorite to win an MVP would have to be the guy who already did it, Detroit Tigers' Justin Verlander.

Last season, Verlander won the award by pitching one of the best seasons in years. Since 2004, his 24 wins and 0.920 WHIP were the best single-season marks and his 8.6 WAR (Wins Above Replacement) was second only to Zach Greinke (2009). 

Verlander is certainly capable of reproducing those kinds of numbers in 2012, which would definitely earn MVP consideration, especially after last year's victory.

If the American League fails to put out a valid offensive candidate again this season, the 28-year-old will certainly be ready to steal the prize again.