If not Lincecum, then who?

by adamcopes on Jul 3, 2008 8:25 PM PDT Comment 24 comments

The Kid, the freak, the franchise, baby face. Tim Lincecum answers to all of these, but what else should be added to the list?

Since his Major League debut last May 6 against the Philadelphia Phillies, Tim Lincecum has become one of the best young pitchers in baseball. He finished an admirable rookie campaign with a record of 7-5 and led all rookies with 150 strikeouts in 146 1/3 innings. In just his second big league season he is making his case for being the starting pitcher on this years National League All-Star team. So, at what point does he gain the most prestigious title of any pitcher, "The best pitcher in baseball?"

Because of an apparent east coast bias, Lincecum has not received the recognition he deserves...until now. This week Tim Lincecum is on the cover of Sports Illustrated with the title, "The Freak." But why so hesitant to call him the best? Who is better? His numbers aren't comparable to anyone in the National League. In 17 starts this season he is 10-1 with an ERA of 2.49. That Era is good for 2nd in the NL and 4th in all of Major League Baseball. He is 2nd in MLB and 1st in the NL in winning percentage. By the way, he leads the NL with 122 strikeouts and sits one behind C.C. Sabathia for the most in all of baseball. So who is better?

Sure, Brandon Webb has a record of 12-4 and his team is in first. Edinson Volquez has been dominant. Neither Sabathia or Jake Peavy, who both won Cy Young awards last year, have regained that form. So who is better? If you have to go to a newspaper or a computer to look up numbers to prove it, then he's probably not much better.

If he's not the best in baseball now, then he's well on his way. Look for Timmy on the hill in Yankee Stadium later this month. It should be fun to watch.

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Peavy and Santana have the track record

and Volquez has the slightly better numbers this year. Tim is probably going to surpass Volquez’s number this year but I think it’s premature to say he’s the best without a couple of complete years of this caliber. Peavy won the ERA title at 23 also.

by kingofthacove on Jul 3, 2008 9:09 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

I usually favoring track record over pure 1st half performance

...but Peavy’s missed time should eliminate him from ASG start consideration.

If you want a combination of track record and 2008 performance, Sheets or Haren could get the nod.

VAE PVTO DEVS FIO

by Bhaakon on Jul 3, 2008 9:12 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Wait, I thought his argument was regarding the best pitcher in baseball

rather than who should be the All-Star starter.

by kingofthacove on Jul 3, 2008 10:12 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Maybe I read too much into the last paragraph.

VAE PVTO DEVS FIO

by Bhaakon on Jul 3, 2008 10:13 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Best short-term

I think Tim is the best short-term. I think Santana is the best longer-term. I think Martinez was the best before Johan. I think Clemens and Maddux are the best career-wise.

Obviously Tim’s tenure is the most shaky. And based purely on performance thus far this season, one would probably have to lean toward Volquez. I’m just pretty sure Tim will surpass Edinson as the season progresses, since Edinson just doesn’t seem to me to have the control.

Perhaps the most underrated pitcher right now might be Ben Sheets, a power pitcher with control.

by sharksrog on Jul 4, 2008 1:06 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Ben Sheets is outstanding. Ben Sheets’s arm may also fall off at any time without warning.

by North Side Chicago Expatriate Giants Fan on Jul 4, 2008 9:59 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

How many days rest will he be on heading into the AS Break?

by Hobbes2d on Jul 3, 2008 9:15 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

His last start is next wednesday

So it’ll be more than 5

by superk1ng on Jul 3, 2008 9:27 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Two weeks ago

Two weeks ago I pointed out (perhaps not here) that based on the schedules at that time, Tim would have five days’ rest before the All-Star game, Volquez two and Webb one. The Giants have Tim set up ideally to start the All-Star game.

And assuming they come out of the break with say Cain, Sanchez (or possibly Zito) and Tim, Tim would wind up just missing a 33rd start, which I suspect the Giants would prefer for his young arm, particularly if he pitches in the All-Star game. I suppose it is also possible they could come out of the break with Sanchez, Cain, Zito and then Tim—which also would limit Tim to 32 starts.

In 32 starts, he his almost sure to break 200 innings, and I doubt the Giants want to see him throw more than 205-210, which would almost certainly be the case if he received a 33rd start (counting the Dodger “relief” appearance as a start).

by sharksrog on Jul 4, 2008 1:12 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Tim leads all major league pitchers in VORP.

I’m not sure if today’s start will change that.

Matt Cain: He'll save children, but not the Dodger children.

by jponry on Jul 3, 2008 9:33 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

I don't see

Since VORP is a cumulative stat, I think he pitched well enough not to be hurt on VORP, even if he didn’t add much to his VORP.

by sharksrog on Jul 4, 2008 1:13 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I actually think he might start

His ERA is just a tiny bit worse than Volquez’s, but he also has more strikeouts and he’s 10-1. I think his record could get him the start. Shit if Gary Darling didn’t suck dick at umpiring, he’d be 10-0 and be a shoe-in for the start…

by boonitez on Jul 3, 2008 11:23 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

I’m still pissed at Gary Darling.

by Nellieball on Jul 3, 2008 11:39 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

me too

although randomly yelling “That’s a balk!” still gets laughs in my house

by moonman on Jul 4, 2008 7:39 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I think he WILL

I think Tim WILL start the All-Star game.

by sharksrog on Jul 4, 2008 1:13 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

depends how Volquez does his next 2 starts

if he can inflate his ERA just a bit then I think Timmy can snag it from him.

by boonitez on Jul 4, 2008 1:29 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Plus…Won’t Hurdle be the manager? He’ll probably want to ruin Lincecum’s arm since they’re divisional rivals and all. :(

by Hobbes2d on Jul 4, 2008 4:01 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Lincecum deserves to start the All Star game. That being said, a grizzly old “gamer” like Clint Hurdle will probably give the nod to a veteran like Brandon Webb. The same way they give the Opening Day nod to lousy veterans over great kids is probably the same way they will handle this exhibition.

Brian Sabean's new dad: Firm believer in corporal punishment

by rxmeister on Jul 4, 2008 6:16 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

I get what your saying.

If takes a Webb to beat in you a comparison/popularity contest would doing real darn well.
I make my peace with that real easy.

" Their still Shitty" - Major Leagues the movie.
I am a Giants fan. Thus I enjoy my pain. Currently enjoying it more then usual.

by daveinexile on Jul 4, 2008 8:38 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

If we're not talking about the All-Star Game.....

Johan Santana is still the best pitcher in baseball. Hands down.

I only have a signature because I recognize everyone else by their sigs, not their usernames..

by lmaozedong on Jul 4, 2008 8:41 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

rotojunkie poll

I just came across this poll about 1st half awards. http://www.rotojunkie.com/cms/. Lincecum comes in second to Volquez.

Less arm, more talk. Raisingcain is a GAMER.
Adopted Giant: Henry Sosa

by raisingcain on Jul 4, 2008 8:53 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

ESPN also chose Volquez over Licecum, 17 to 11.

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/allstar08/news/story?id=3472772

by cheno on Jul 4, 2008 11:46 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

-1

ESPN, the same media mega-group that is currently employing Joe Morgan. Like I care what they have to say between the constant pimping of the OMG Red Sox and Yankees.

Adoptive papa to Omar...so basically I'm screwed.

by PacBellBoozer on Jul 4, 2008 5:41 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Whatever you say...

But a manager is likely to choose what conventional wisdom tell him to, so the fact that the good majority of experts out there are picking Volquez might just be important.

by cheno on Jul 5, 2008 12:36 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs