Scott Kazmir or Cole Hamels

[HeyIt'sMe]

Two young lefties, both 23 with bright futures. So, who, if you had a pick anchor your pitching staff around, would you choose? Kazmir throws a little bit harder and has that nasty slider, and when he throws it (which isn't often), an average to above average change up. On the flip side, Hamels, while having an inferior fastball, still throws hard for a lefty and has that devestating change up and above average curveball. He also has better command and control than Kazmir at this point in time.

Kazmir undoubtedly plays in the tougher division and in the better hitting league, while Hamels gets to face the pitcher every outing.

http://www.baseball-reference.com/k/kazmisc01.shtml
http://www.baseball-reference.com/h/hamelco01.shtml

In case neither one watches either of these pitchers much, these are their 2007 stats. It would seem Kazmir might have a slightly higher upside, but Hamels is considerably more polished at this point in time.

[brewcityboii]

I'd Take Kazmir. If he was in the NL he would have a chris young type ERA. IMO

[GYBE]

Once Kazmir learns to keep his pitch count down, he'll be a dominant AL starter. I'd rather have him, though I think he's probably more likely to suffer injuries in the future.

[sideshowking24]

I would take Kazmir.

[risktaker91]

Put Kazmir on the Yanks and he'll win 20 games.

[Jose7]

Hamels is the most overrated SOB in the NL.

Kazmir and it aint close.

[Sixerscan]

Let's see:
lower ERA+
Less hits/9
Lower WHIP
Less walks/9
Nearly twice as good K/BB ratio.

yeah it's not close

[HeyIt'sMe]

It's close, and I might even lean towards Hamels at this point, but Hamels' lower ERA can be attributed to the fact that he's in the inferior hitters league and Kazmir's in the best hitting division in baseball. Kazmir also throws a little bit harder.

Like I said when the thread was started, both are extremely talented and I think both have Cy Young type upside, but it's really a matter of preference. I think Kazmir has the higher ceiling, while Hamels is more a sure bet to be a great pitcher for a longer period of time.

[cmaff051]

It's close, and I might even lean towards Hamels at this point, but Hamels' lower ERA can be attributed to the fact that he's in the inferior hitters league and Kazmir's in the best hitting division in baseball. Kazmir also throws a little bit harder.

All that is negated by the fact that Hamels' pitches most of his games at a pitcher's hell. Especially since Hamels is a flyball pitcher.

I choose Hamels.

[HeyIt'sMe]

-= original quote snipped =-


All that is negated by the fact that Hamels' pitches most of his games at a pitcher's hell. Especially since Hamels is a flyball pitcher.

I choose Hamels.

He doesn't start all his games at home, and he still gets to face the pitcher, something Kazmir doesn't have the luxury of doing. All in all, though, it's close. If I had to choose one, it'd be Kazmir, but it's extremely close. Hamels' injury history scares me just a little bit.

[34Celtic]

Cole Hamels....

[Sixerscan]

It's close, and I might even lean towards Hamels at this point, but Hamels' lower ERA can be attributed to the fact that he's in the inferior hitters league and Kazmir's in the best hitting division in baseball. Kazmir also throws a little bit harder.

Do you know what ERA+ is?

[mets87]

sounds like a nerdy-nerd stat to me. wins are the best indicator of a pitcher's performance!

[Sixerscan]

so why is kazmir better? he has less wins. (In more games started too)

[Da Schwab]

sounds like a nerdy-nerd stat to me. wins are the best indicator of a pitcher's performance!

The sarcasm is killing me inside.

[HeyIt'sMe]

-= original quote snipped =-



Do you know what ERA+ is?

Honestly, not really, but then again, I'm not the sharpest tool in the shed, either.

I'm sure if I looked into it I would know, but I don't study peripherals as much as others.

[mets87]

props for at least being willing to look into it

baseball-reference.com's definition:


ERA+ - the ratio of the league's ERA (adjusted to the pitcher's ballpark) to that of the pitcher. > 100 is above average and < 100 is below average. lgERA / ERA