Today on SI.com, Tom Verducci identified some big name youngsters who are leading candidates for the “Year After Effect.” Topping the list of ten hurlers are Cy Young winner, Tim Lincecum, World Series MVP, Cole Hamels, cancer survivor Jon Lester, and the two brightest names in the Dodgers rotation, Chad Billingsley and Clayton Kershaw.
Cole Hamels was not a surprising name to see on this list considering he threw more innings than any other pitcher in 2008, at one point even complaining of discomfort in his left arm during the Phillies championship run. He’s already had one injury scare this spring, and he still hasn’t gotten his velocity up to his 2008 standard. Time will tell how the rest of the season will fare for Hamels and the rest of the budding aces on this list.
