Daily Dodger in review: Clayton Kershaw continues on path to superstardom

CLAYTON KERSHAW, 22, starting pitcher

Final 2010 stats: 13-10, 2.92 ERA, 212 strikeouts, 81 walks, 1.18 WHIP in 204 1/3 innings.

Contract status: Under team control.

The good: You could call 2010 a breakout year for Kershaw, although in reality it was just more of his previous season. You could even argue he was slightly better in 2009 (2.79 ERA, 9.74 strikeouts and 6.26 hits per nine innings) than last season (2.92, 9.34, 7.05). Still, Kershaw did nothing to disappoint, which considering how much of the Dodgers’ season went, is saying something. Even led the team with 18 sacrifice bunts.

The bad: Ah, give me a minute. Didn’t throw one of the major leagues' six no-hitters? OK, still had some trouble in the early innings (5.62 ERA in first, 4.02 in the second).

What’s next: Time to drop the pretense and call Kershaw what he really is -- the Dodgers’ ace. The Dodgers didn’t seem to want to place additional pressure on Kershaw last season, naming Vicente Padilla as their opening-day starter. I didn’t agree, but it was only his second full season in the majors, so I got it. He’ll turn 23 in spring training and entering his fourth season overall with the Dodgers. Now it’s time for him to be acknowledged -- and to develop the mind set -- as the team’s stopper.

The take: He’s young, left-handed, extremely talented, home grown and right on schedule. He’s a superstar in the making, the Dodgers’ answer to San Francisco’s Tim Lincecum (who’s four years older).

If he were not a starting pitcher who played only once every five days, he would be the face of the franchise. He may be yet.

As good as he’s been the last two seasons, his youth still leaves room for an impressive upswing. He’s starting to pitch deeper into games, though part of his early struggles here were partially due to management not wanting to push him as he learned to throw more innings.

No longer should he be babied or considered too young for anything. Ramon Martinez went 20-6 with a 2.92 ERA in 1990 as a 22-year-old. And right now, Kershaw looks like the best starter the Dodgers have developed since Martinez 20 years ago.

-- Steve Dilbeck

Comments

[Blue Sangre]

ALL HAIL KERSHAW!!!!!!!!!!

[16blows]

Superstardom. How easily reverence rolls from tongue. Not so fast... the molted shells unfulfilled promise lie prostrate the baseball graveyard.

I temper expectations head off future disappointment, for it seems to me I've heard this song before, it's from an old familiar score. Beyond the cicada tune Helen's Forrest, yesteryear's refrain went, Willie he or won't he?

Davis was going to be another Mays.

Yes please!

Clayton another Sandy.

May we have another, sir?

No x2, hindsight appends.

More realistically perhaps, this point Kershaw appears to be another 'Singer Throwing Machine', LH'd Bill variety, maybe even a poor man's No No.

Bill didn't get a chance in LA till age 23, yet in his first season went 12-8 2.64 era. Age 24 year two he went 13-17 with a 2.88 era and 25 year three he went 20-12 & 2.34. His 3 years result: 45-37, an era well below 3.00 & 11 shutouts.

For comparison , Kershaw's first three years have resulted a 26-23 record & 3.17 era/1 shutout. He had more strikeouts per and a slightly better innings pitched to hits allowed, at a younger age too. Similarities Mr. Bill & the Ker, plusses and minuses each, advantages and dis x2.

Things got bumpy for Billy No No aft his first three years, but he did rebound to be a 20 game winner a second time, albeit with another team, before ended his career a sub - . 500 pitcher... it happens.

Doesn't mean it will Kershaw's case, the odds are just greater he'll portend Singer than Sandy.

[Native Angeleno]

It may even be that Kershaw's success is spurring Billingsley to emulate it, another good thing about Clayton.

I just hope if/when he gets the opportunity to try free agency he won't go elsewhere for the desire to play for a contender, in search of the chance to know what that feels like again.

This next season, flattened beneath the McCourt payroll, will amount to wasted effort to that end for any of the good Dodger players.

Don't Go, And He [no, not Kershaw] Will Leave.

[Hollywood Dodger Mark]

Steve: Even Giants 4th starter, The Baumgardner, is better than Kershaw. 20 years old. Ice water. Kershaw would have walked 9 Rangers. Gimme a break. Tired of waiting for this kid, like I was tired of waiting for Billingsly. Today, either these kids have it out of the gate or the don't. Call me when Kershaw wins a Cy Young.

[bob cuomo]

Maybe not next season, but yes, he will be a star. He has pretty dominant stuff, that's for sure. Why not next season? Well, for one thing, this team isn't good enough to contend for a title, so unless he wins a lot of 2-0, 2-1, 3-1 or 3-2 games, his won-loss record won't be impressive.

[OldBrooklynFan]

I'm glad that Kershaw wasn't babied as much as the Yankees babied Jaba and Phil. Almost letting the inning count dictate their performances. Clayton is coming along nicely and not only improving but showing more confidence.

[Daily Dodger]

13 - 10 = the path to superstardom ???

I'll believe it when its 19 - 10.