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Los Angeles Dodgers ace Clayton Kershaw is already poised at age 27 to enter Cooperstown once he retires. He already has a historic past, and his future looks just as bright entering the 2016 MLB season. Here are five reasons why he deserves the title of the best pitcher in baseball.
5. Shutouts
Credit: Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports5. Shutouts
Kershaw’s 12 career shutouts are amazing. At 27 years old, he is already second on the active career shutouts list. The players in first, third and fourth on the list (Bartolo Colon, Cliff Lee and CC Sabathia) are in their late 30s.
4. Sandy Koufax Comparison
Credit: Elsa/Getty Images4. Sandy Koufax Comparison
Kershaw’s comparison to one of the greatest pitchers in MLB history is eerie. Koufax and Kershaw are both lefties, both have three Cy Young Awards, an MVP award, and both have won a triple crown (Koufax won three), all with the Dodgers.
3. Strikeouts
Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports3. Strikeouts
Kershaw is a strikeout machine, leading the league three of the last five years. He also notched 301 Ks last season, becoming the first pitcher since Randy Johnson and Curt Schilling in 2002 to throw over 300 strikeouts in a season.
2. Cy Young Awards
Credit: Jeff Gross/Getty Images2. Cy Young Awards
Kershaw has won three Cy Young awards in the last five years. He has been in the top three in Cy voting in each of the last five seasons as well. In 2014, He was the first NL pitcher since Bob Gibson to win the MVP award.
1. ERA
Credit: Elsa/Getty Images1. ERA
Kershaw easily leads of the pack in the most recognizable performance indicator for pitchers. His career 2.43 ERA is first among active pitchers and 34th all-time. He isn’t slowing down at all either.
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