MATT HARVEY
Matt Harvey was the 7th overall draft pick in 2010 by the New York Mets. He debuted in 2010 and started to make some noise as a rookie. He has a fastball that can hit 98 mph, while having good location and accuracy with that fastball. That's not his only pitch, all his off-speed is good, but lead by an untouchable curveball, when it is on. Harvey broke out in 2013 finishing with the record of 9-5, with a 2.27 ERA. He started 26 games, pitched in 178.1 innings, recording 191 strikeouts, capping off the season with the start in the 2013 All-Star game.
The first two starts in 2013 he struck out 19 batters in 14 innings, and in that first month batters hit .153 against harvey. These numbers had Curt Schilling, Pedro Martinez, and many others thinking this was the future of the Mets. On August 26, Matt Harvey found a tear in the ulnar collateral ligament in his right elbow. He had Tommy John surgery, and had to miss the entire 2014 season. This is one of two guys I am the most excited to see play next season. If he can come back healthy, I think he can give Clayton Kershaw a run for his title, which is the best pitcher in baseball.
Patrick Corbin
Probably the most interesting thing about Corbin is what happened in high school. Corbin didn't become a starting pitcher for his high school until his junior year. Since he started late the hype wasn't at it's highest for Corbin, until he went to play for a community college. Scouts say the future stud, and told him to go play at Chipola College. Corbin was drafted in the second round of the 2009 draft by the Angels. In 2010 he was a part of the Dan Haren trade that would send Corbin to the Arizona Diamondbacks. In 2013 Corbin broke out with a tremendous year finishing with a 14-8 record, a 3.41 ERA, he started 32 games, pitched in 208.1 innings, and 178 strikeouts.
Corbin entered the 2013 All-Star game with ridiculous numbers, he had a record of 11-1, and a 2.35 ERA. It was clear that Corbin was a next level pitcher, before he tore the ulnar collateral ligament in his left elbow, which side lined him for the entire 2014 season. I think everyone was pumped up for the open day start in 2014 where Corbin was scheduled to face Kershaw. These are two of the best lefties in the game, when healthy. I look forward to watching Corbin revive his career this year, with a bit of a new team than he was playing with in 2013.
Kris Medlen
Medlen is the true comeback story. Drafted in the 10th round by the Atlanta Braves, Medlen posted respectable numbers in 2009 his rookie season. In 2010 Medlen had a tear in his ulnar collateral ligament, which side lined him for the entire 2011 season. In 2012, Medlen only got 12 starts, but he made the most of those starts going 10-1 with a 1.57 ERA. Going into 2013 Medlen, and the Braves had to feel good about his return. In 2013, Medlen had the breakout year where he finished with a 15-12 record, 3.11 ERA, in 32 starts, pitching in 197 innings, and 157 strikeouts. This was a great season for a guy who had Tommy John just a few years ago.
In the spring of 2014, Kris Medlen was pitching in a spring straining game. After he threw one of his pitches he immediately starting jogging off the field in pain. As a former pitcher who tore is ulnar collateral ligament I already new that is what Medlen did on that pitch. Now Medlen has torn that muscle twice and had survey two times in four years. He is a major risk for a ball club to take, but the upside is clearly there. The Kansas City Royals are taking the gamble on Medlen, and I am hoping he can stay healthy. This is a guy who knows how to battle, and never gives up.
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