15 Best Pitchers in the American League

By the extraction of the pitcher, in replacement for an extra bat inserted into the lineup card, the American League is more heavy top to bottom.

However, these next few pitchers have yet to surrender to towering fly balls but stick to mowing down batting orders left and right.

From young to veteran players, these players have bypassed the baby steps and have leaped themselves right into the role of stardom.

Successful careers are measured by the cheerful noises of the home crowd and hatred abuse of the visiting dugout.

Here is a look at the best pitchers in the American League who have stamped their presence in the league.

Jake Peavy

Jake Peavy, a signature name in the San Diego clubhouse and city limits, is now returning to his glorified form that Kenny Williams saw when he made the trade for Peavy in 2009.

Since becoming a member of the White Sox, Peavy has compiled two full seasons of no more than seven wins.

2012 is a different story. Already this year, Peavy sits atop the ranks and is one win shy of his seven-win season at 6-1.

Peavy appears to be returning to his glory days, as his health is not a question for the first time in a while.
Since his arrival in Chitown, health has remained an antagonizing issue that has deterred him from dominant form.

Reinforcing his pitching prowess, Peavy has faced the likes of the Texas Rangers and their powerhouse lineup, as well as Baltimore, Boston, Cleveland, Detroit and Oakland.

Jered Weaver

I think the above picture speaks volumes for how dominant Weaver has been this season.

However, injuries would have their way, as the 6-1 Weaver went down late afternoon on Tuesday, after tossing a disturbing 12 pitches.

Like Roy Halladay and the Phillies, the Angels could be without Weaver for a while, an element that they will need come late summer as they will look to make a push to catch the surging offense of the divisional rival Rangers.

The Angels have panned out to be more of a bust this season, so Weaver going down could jeopardize any further progression into catching the Rangers.

Justin Verlander

After setting a personal best 24-win season last year, as well as claiming both the MVP and coveted Cy Young awards, Verlander seems to be on track for yet another contract-earning season.

He currently sits with a posed record of 5-2 to go along with his 2.15 ERA.

There isn't much that needs to be said about this guy. Last year's unprecedented benchmark shouldn't surprise many.

Verlander, in my opinion, is the best pitcher in the American League.

Brandon Morrow

This list could not be complete without acknowledging the northernmost ace in Brandon Morrow.

To go alongside his 5-3 record, Morrow has two complete games to add to his arsenal of work.

Despite his .2 innings of work just a few short days ago against the Texas Rangers, Morrow has remained studly.

Last season, Morrow witnessed his most productive season, after collecting a personal best 11 wins. As it looks, Morrow is off on a similar pace, developing into an ace before our eyes.

2012 looks hopeful for Morrow. If he can corral his spotty strike zone abilities, look for Morrow to transcend above his competition.

Felix Hernandez

He wasn't warranted the name King Felix for no reason. Despite the Mariners' efforts and inability to tally up the win column, Felix continues to propel his game to the next level.

Although he has worked an even 4-4 record, that appears to be quite impressive for the hitless Mariners. The only thing worse would be pitching for the offense-less Padres. Fortunately, that is not the case.

A recipient of the Cy young award with two All-Star caliber seasons to his name, Hernandez is the hidden sunshine behind Seattle's forecast.

Yu Darvish

Who? Yu! The Japanese phenom and contract-eating Yu Darvish has welcomed us with raw talent from the hill. After recording the second-largest contract this offseason, Darvish seems to be earning his keep. Eh hem, Albert Pujols anyone?

So far, Darvish has compiled a 6-2 record with an ERA just over 3.

He appears to be on track, and with an offense like the Rangers, wins come by a little easier.

We will look to see how his rookie season in the United States pans out, but all I can speculate is that his stuff looks promising.

David Price

The Price is right.

The hardest throwing lefty in the bigs, Price has matured before our eyes. Often regarded as wild and inefficient, Price has stifled those views and returned to elite form. 

His ability at times to get himself into trouble has remained a recurring issue, but 2012 has brought him ways to escape. Standing third in the category of percentage of runners left on base, Price continues to work his magic and turns threats into just that, threats.

Already a complete-game shutout to his name, Price sits at 6-3 with a 2.71 ERA.

If he can fend off base runners, would he be invincible?

Ricky Romero

Toronto's finest. Drafted in 2005 by the Blue Jays, Romero made his debut in 2009 with an impressive 13-win season. Off to Sabathia-like numbers, he has yet to formulate a losing season after completing his first three seasons, and 2012 looks no different.

Feeding off of oncomer Brandon Morrow, the Blue Jays have a good thing going for them up in Toronto. Romero is off to his best start this season, posting a 6-1 record and 3.86 ERA.

There is no sign that this train is slowing down. Making the All-Star game is only a minor step in his ladder of success. Romero is a definite ace in the business and knows how to manage it.

CC Sabathia

David Wells? No, no its Carsten Charles Sabathia. I was lost in the mid-section of the pin stripes. Nonetheless, belly or no belly, CC has remained a dominant fixture since his conception into baseball—despite his last season in Cleveland, which could be part of the reason for his departure to Milwaukee.

But after just a single year with the Brew Crew, Sabathia headed for the pinstripes\ and has earned every number he signed on the dotted line, or at least just about.

In 2010, he reached the 20-game mark, working out a 21-win season. 2012 appears to be right on schedule, as he lifts off to an early 6-2 start.

Taking care of business is part of his seasoned repertoire.

Chris Sale

Not for Sale!

Drafted in 2010, it didn't take long for the converted starting pitcher, to figure himself into the Major League rotation.

With a combined 79 relief appearances out of the bullpen that underlined a 2.58 ERA, room was to be made for Sale to entertain a starting job.

He hasn't let down. After being removed from one of his duties at the beginning of May, Sale has compiled 31 strikeouts, allowing only five runs over 24.1 innings of work.

Sale is pitching out of his shoes right now, throwing like an aged veteran, but youthful and poised for stardom. He currently rests at 6-2 with an ERA of 2.34.

This gunslinging southpaw may be the fix in the rotation and the future of the MLB.

Jason Hammel

After departing from Mile High Stadium in Colorado, Hammel has seemingly found a new home in Camden Yards.

The surprise team right now, Hammel is a solidified piece who has abruptly sent the Orioles soaring into an early first-place bout with the Tampa Bay Rays, knotted at 29-21.

In his three-year stint with the Rockies, Hammel never quite left the table of mediocrity, hovering around 10 wins at best.

Welcome to the American League. As Hammel left the poor NL West division for the fiercely competitive, salaries through-the-roof division of the AL East, Hammel has become an early 2012 success story.

Four wins shy of his best season to date, Hammel sits at 6-1 with a staggering 2.78 ERA. An early projection, but I wouldn't be surprised to see his face come July, toeing the rubber for the summer classic, the 2012 All-Star game.

Hammel could be the pivotal piece that the O's will look to ride for a shot at contention.

Derek Lowe

To say he has used up the better half of his frequent flier miles would be an understatement. In his Major League service he has scoured the country and swapped divisions and leagues, but one thing that has always remained by his side was his knack for controlling the strike zone.

Although not at Jamie Moyer's age of 49, at 38 years old, Lowe is realizing that he is reaching his last few breaths as a starter in the business, which has only fueled his fire.

Lowe has reached the 20-win benchmark once in his career, as well as being a member of the 2004 World Series Boston Red Sox team.

Spanning eight years, reaching from 2002 to 2010, Lowe never looked beneath 12 wins, until 2011.

Last season was a whirling dervish of a year, and one that he would like to forget, after recording a not so veteran-like nine wins and a personal worst of 17 losses.

Like Peavy, Lowe has appeared to regain his composure and health and sits at a record of 6-3 with an ERA of 3.25 through 10 games.

It isn't unnatural for Lowe to have an effective start, but after last season, can anyone say comeback?

James Shields

Despite his unimpressive rookie year of 6-8, Shields hasn't looked back, never surrendering below the 11-win mark.

This can be due in part to his strict precision for spotting his mid-range fastball and curve whenever it is asked of him. His command has helped him skid out of many threatening situations.

There were many firsts that 2011 brought, and those appear to be resurfacing in 2012. Last season, he clipped a 16-12 record and a roster spot on the All-Star team.

Shields has certainly climbed the ladder of success and looks to be panning out as a premiere right-hander both on the Rays rotation and in the MLB. Hanging at a 6-3 record, Shields appears to be the real deal.

Matt Harrison

The last two seasons have brought a momentous leap to stardom, with Harrison blossoming into a solid, back end of the rotation, left-handed complement to C.J. Wilson.

2011 brought many personal bests for Harrison, as he earned himself 14 victories on the season and a healthy 3.39 ERA that helped lift the Rangers to the World Series.

Make no mistake, Harrison looks as though he will remain on the same track, as victories are becoming second nature to him, and rightfully so with a lineup like the Rangers have.

Through 10 appearances, Harrison rests at 6-3 clip for the first-place Rangers.

Last year's post of 14 wins may have been but a highlight in this southpaw's career, bumping his average talent above his peers.

Jason Vargas

Lost in the Pacific Northwest gloom, Vargas has rolled with the weather, stringing together seasons of sub par, at best, seasons.

Since his conception into the majors, Vargas has yet to formulate a winning record from the rubber.

2012 is looking bigger and brighter for the M's southpaw, as he is hot out of the gates with a reasonable 6-4 record to his name.