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Clayton Kershaw Time?

By Tim Dierkes [May 23, 2008 at 9:19am CST]

Looks like phenom Clayton Kershaw may debut in Chicago on Tuesday. The 20 year-old has these numbers in Double A:

43.3 IP
9 starts
2.28 ERA
1.08 WHIP
9.76 K/9
3.12 BB/9
3.13 K/BB
6.65 H/9
.291 BABIP
0.00 HR/9

In an early Kerry Wood sort of way, it's likely that Kershaw will have a strong WHIP even if control is worse than average. That's because he'll be very tough to hit. He has ace stuff.

I can't tell you what kind of adjustment period Kershaw will need. Try to look at the bigger picture if he struggles at first. He's skipping Triple A by design, but he's still missing out on that experience. I would use a #1 waiver priority on him, if only for the strikeout potential alone.

Full Story | Comments (5) | Categories: Los Angeles Dodgers | Rookies

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Comments

Kershaw is going to be a 5 inning pitcher who racks up big pitch counts similar to what we saw from Billingsley when he got called up a couple years ago. More frustration than fruit if you ask me.

Posted by: Kevin W. | May 23, 2008 at 09:58 AM

I can see what you're saying, yeah.

Posted by: Tim Dierkes | May 23, 2008 at 11:20 AM

I've got him in a keeper league, which is his real value. I'm not expecting the moon, except I think his k/9 will be very good this season. He won't go deep enough to get many Wins, and while his ERA might be good, I'm worried about his WHIP in a big leagues adjustment period.

If he starts out fast, I may shop him for an elite player, due to high expectations.

Posted by: Gov Arnold | May 23, 2008 at 12:26 PM

While Kershaw and Billingsley are similar in that they are both young power pitchers with knee buckling yakkers, there are a couple major differences. One, Kershaw's being left-handed is an advantage. Two, Kershaw's taller height and lankier frame mean he will be more deceptive in his delivery, which means more people swinging at balls.

Posted by: AA | May 23, 2008 at 01:58 PM

Welcome aboard Ian Stewart. Impact? Atkins trade?

Posted by: finite24 | May 24, 2008 at 03:32 PM