Most pitchers don’t arrive in the major leagues as aces.
The Los Angeles Dodgers deemed Pedro Martinez expendable enough that they traded him even up for Delino DeShields.
And it took Nolan Ryan a few years to become the Nolan Ryan everybody remembers, after he was dealt for Jim Fregosi.
With that in mind, here are 10 young pitchers who look like they could be the next generation of aces:
Rick Ankiel
St. Louis Cardinals, 6-3, 3.58 earned-run average. Not yet 21, Ankiel is striking out more than a batter per inning. A left-hander with great breaking stuff, he’s also a dangerous hitter.
Kris Benson
Pittsburgh Pirates, 6-5, 2.83 ERA. The Pirates’ No. 1 draft pick in 1996, he was in the majors within two years and has emerged as the team’s most consistent starter at 25.
Brad Penny
Florida Marlins, 3-6, 5.64 ERA. His numbers aren’t impressive, but Penny, 22, has a power arm and a no-fear attitude. All he needs is better control.
Ryan Dempster
Florida Marlins, 8-4, 3.15 ERA. The 23-year-old right-hander has less than overpowering stuff, but pitches to spots and battles.
Joe Nathan
San Francisco Giants, 3-1, 4.37 ERA. Originally drafted as a shortstop, Nathan has the best arm in the Giants’ organization.
Russ Ortiz
San Francisco Giants, 3-7, 6.89 ERA. Has struggled with his control since his 18-9 breakthrough season of a year ago. Must get his walks down in order to be effective.
Carl Pavano
Montreal Expos, 8-3, 3.07 ERA. Sure, the Expos traded away future Hall of Famer Pedro Martinez, but they got Pavano, who after several years of frustrating injuries is finally establishing himself.
Scott Elarton
Houston Astros, 4-3, 7.97 ERA. Has been slow to regain control of his breaking pitches since coming back from shoulder surgery. But he has a career ERA under 4 and an impressive strikeouts-to-walks ratio.
Bartolo Colon
Cleveland Indians, 6-4, 4.27 ERA. Colon has a fastball to rival Martinez’s. Now he needs to match Martinez’s control.
Freddy Garcia
Seattle Mariners, 2-1, 7.00 ERA. Acquired in the Randy Johnson deal, Garcia led American League rookie pitchers in wins, games started, strikeouts, winning percentage and opponents’ batting average against (.263) last season. Currently on the disabled list with a fractured right leg, he is expected to be the anchor of a young Seattle rotation.
