Is Justin Verlander Still a Good Pitcher?

Kevin Smith

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Justin Verlander Still a Good Pitcher

Justin Verlander is a name that is synonymous with excellence in the world of Major League Baseball. Throughout his career, he has been a dominant force on the mound, earning multiple Cy Young Awards, a Most Valuable Player award, and numerous All-Star selections.

However, as of 2023, Verlander has not pitched a full season since 2019 due to injuries. With this in mind, many fans and analysts are wondering whether he is still a good pitcher.

We will examine Verlander’s career highlights, recent performance, injuries, comparisons to other pitchers, and potential for future success to determine whether he is still a good pitcher in 2023.

Verlander’s Career Highlights

Justin Verlander’s career highlights are undoubtedly impressive, as he has established himself as one of the most dominant pitchers of his generation. Here are some of his notable achievements:

  1. Cy Young Awards: Verlander has won the American League Cy Young Award twice in his career, first in 2011 and then again in 2019. He also finished second in the voting three other times (2012, 2016, 2018).

  2. MVP Award: In addition to his Cy Young Awards, Verlander was also named the American League Most Valuable Player in 2011, becoming the first pitcher to win the award since 1992. He led the league in wins, ERA, strikeouts, and WHIP that year, and also threw a no-hitter.

  3. All-Star Appearances: Verlander has been selected to the All-Star team nine times in his career, including in each of the last five full seasons he has played.

  4. No-Hitters: Verlander has thrown three no-hitters in his career, in 2007, 2011, and 2019.

  5. Strikeouts: Verlander is currently second among active pitchers in career strikeouts with over 3,000. He has led the league in strikeouts five times in his career, including four consecutive seasons from 2009-2012.

These achievements demonstrate that Verlander has been one of the most dominant pitchers of his era, with a track record of excellence over a long period of time.

While injuries have limited his recent appearances on the field, his career highlights show that he has been a truly exceptional pitcher.

Recent Performance and Injuries

As of 2023, Justin Verlander has not pitched a full season since 2019 due to injuries. In 2020, he underwent Tommy John surgery, which caused him to miss the entire season. He was also limited in 2021 due to a groin injury, which caused him to miss significant time.

Verlander’s recent performance has been limited due to his injuries, but when he has been on the field, he has been effective. In 2019, his last full season, Verlander had a 2.58 ERA, a 0.803 WHIP, and struck out 300 batters in 223 innings pitched.

He also led the league in wins and innings pitched. In the shortened 2020 season, Verlander pitched in just one game before being shut down due to his injury.

In 2021, Verlander made just 10 starts, posting a 4.13 ERA and a 1.199 WHIP. His strikeout rate was still excellent, as he struck out 69 batters in just 52.1 innings pitched. However, he struggled with his command at times, walking 20 batters over those 10 starts.

It is difficult to analyze trends or patterns in Verlander’s recent performance due to his limited appearances on the field.

However, when he has been healthy, he has continued to perform at a high level, showing that he is still a talented pitcher despite his age and recent injury history.

If he can stay healthy and continue to pitch at a high level, there is no reason to believe that Verlander cannot be a successful pitcher in 2023 and beyond.

Comparisons to Other Pitchers

Comparing Verlander’s recent performance to other pitchers in the league can help provide context for his ability to perform at a high level. Here are some notable pitchers to compare to Verlander:

  • Jacob deGrom: Widely considered one of the best pitchers in the game, deGrom has been dominant in recent seasons. In 2021, he had a 1.08 ERA, a 0.554 WHIP, and struck out 146 batters in just 92 innings pitched. He won the National League Cy Young Award in both 2018 and 2019.

  • Gerrit Cole: Another top pitcher in the league, Cole had a 3.23 ERA, a 1.056 WHIP, and struck out 243 batters in 180.2 innings pitched in 2021. He finished fourth in the American League Cy Young Award voting.

  • Max Scherzer: Scherzer had a 2.46 ERA, a 0.86 WHIP, and struck out 236 batters in 179 innings pitched in 2021. He finished second in the National League Cy Young Award voting.

Compared to these other top pitchers, Verlander’s recent performance has been somewhat mixed due to his injuries. In 2021, his ERA of 4.13 was higher than the other pitchers listed above, but his strikeout rate was still strong.

However, his limited appearances on the field make it difficult to draw any definitive conclusions about his performance relative to other pitchers.

Looking back to Verlander’s last full season in 2019, his ERA and WHIP were both better than deGrom’s and Cole’s respective 2021 statistics. However, Scherzer’s 2019 statistics were better than Verlander’s, with a 2.92 ERA and a 0.99 WHIP.

Overall, it is clear that Verlander has been one of the best pitchers in the league in recent years, but due to his injuries, it is difficult to definitively compare him to other top pitchers in the league.

Potential for Future Success

Verlander’s potential for future success as a pitcher is largely dependent on his ability to stay healthy. While he has shown that he can still perform at a high level when on the field, his recent injuries are cause for concern.

Tommy John surgery is a major surgery that can take a long time to recover from, and groin injuries can be particularly tricky for pitchers.

Additionally, Verlander is now in his late 30s, which is traditionally considered old for a pitcher. While many pitchers have continued to perform well into their 40s, it is still a factor that must be taken into account.

However, Verlander has a track record of success that suggests he is capable of continuing to pitch at a high level.

His ability to strike out batters has been consistently excellent throughout his career, and his control has generally been strong as well. If he can avoid significant injuries, there is no reason to believe that he cannot continue to perform well in the future.

One potential factor that could affect Verlander’s future success is the strength of his supporting cast. He has historically played on some strong teams, including the 2017 Houston Astros, which won the World Series.

If he plays on a weaker team, it may be more difficult for him to put up the same kind of numbers that he has in the past.

Verlander’s potential for future success as a pitcher is difficult to predict. While his recent injuries and age are cause for concern, his track record of success and talent suggest that he is still capable of performing at a high level.

If he can avoid significant injuries and continue to pitch with the same control and strikeout ability that he has shown in the past, there is no reason to believe that he cannot be a successful pitcher in 2023 and beyond.

Here is a Table Comparing Justin Verlander’s Career Statistics to Those of Another Top Pitcher in the League, Clayton Kershaw:

StatisticJustin VerlanderClayton Kershaw
Career ERA3.332.47
Career WHIP1.141.00
Career strikeouts3,0132,705
Cy Young Awards23
World Series Wins11
Career Innings3,122.12,333.2
Career Record234-129186-82
All-Star Appearances88

This table provides a quick comparison of some key career statistics for Justin Verlander and Clayton Kershaw, two of the top pitchers in the league. It shows that while both pitchers have had very successful careers, they have different strengths and weaknesses in terms of their statistical profiles.

The table could be used to start a conversation or analysis about which pitcher is better, or to explore other factors that might affect their respective legacies.

FAQs

What is Justin Verlander’s career ERA?

Justin Verlander’s career ERA is 3.33.

How many times has Justin Verlander won the Cy Young Award?

Justin Verlander has won the Cy Young Award twice, in 2011 and 2019.

Has Justin Verlander ever won a World Series?

Yes, Justin Verlander won the World Series in 2017 with the Houston Astros.

How many career strikeouts does Justin Verlander have?

As of the end of the 2021 season, Justin Verlander has 3,013 career strikeouts.

Has Justin Verlander ever pitched a no-hitter?

Yes, Justin Verlander has pitched three no-hitters in his career. The first came in 2007, the second in 2011, and the third in 2019.

What is Justin Verlander’s career WHIP?

Justin Verlander’s career WHIP is 1.14.

What teams has Justin Verlander played for in his career?

Justin Verlander has played for the Detroit Tigers and the Houston Astros in his career.

What is Justin Verlander’s highest single-season strikeout total?

Justin Verlander’s highest single-season strikeout total is 300, which he achieved in 2018.

Has Justin Verlander ever won an MVP award?

Yes, Justin Verlander won the American League MVP award in 2011.

Conclusion

Justin Verlander is undoubtedly one of the best pitchers of his generation, with an impressive career resume that includes multiple Cy Young Awards, an MVP award, and a World Series championship.

However, his recent performance has been hampered by injuries, with a Tommy John surgery and a groin injury limiting his time on the field.

Despite these challenges, Verlander has shown that he can still pitch at a high level, with strong strikeout numbers and a track record of success.

His potential for future success is largely dependent on his ability to stay healthy and avoid further injury, as well as the strength of his supporting cast. Overall, Verlander’s legacy as a pitcher is secure, but his future performance remains uncertain.

Fans and analysts will be watching closely to see how he performs in the coming seasons, and whether he can continue to be one of the top pitchers in the league.

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Kevin Smith

I am a dedicated learner who is constantly pursuing my dreams in many areas of life. I am a Finance major at the University of Maryland, a professional baseball player for the Toronto Blue Jays and the owner of my personal brand, Elevate Baseball. I hope to inspire younger learners of all sports and interests to tirelessly pursue their dreams, whatever that may be. LinkedIn

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