The Los Angeles Dodgers have finally given Cy Young pitcher Clayton Kershaw a new contract to avoid arbitration. The new contract is worth $19 million over two years and the young lefty is worth every penny any more. Last year Kershaw won the pitching triple crown, leading the National League in wins, strikeouts, and ERA. In addition, Kershaw won the Gold Glove award as well. This is very difficult for any pitcher to do, let alone a pitcher on a team that does not provide much run support.
Kershaw is just 23 years old and has already accomplished more than most pitchers do in their entire careers. Expect the Dodgers to sign Kershaw to a much larger contract when they get a new owner (hopefully this upcoming season). With Matt Kemp already locked up for the next 8 years, the Dodgers will have a promising future if they can continue to keep Kershaw in Los Angeles.
One reason Kershaw has experienced so much success is due to his unique pitching style. He keeps the ball hidden very well and uses a high leg kick as well as a slide step to keep opposing hitters off balance. Kershaw also has a large repetoire of pitchers that include both a four-seam and two-seam fastball, a slider, a 12-6 curveball, and a circle change. As if it wasn’t hard enough to get on base against Kershaw already, he is also known for having one of the deadliest pickoff moves in all of baseball.
The scary thing about Kershaw is that he should only get better and if the Dodgers add a few more bats to their lineup, his win total will explode. Look for Los Angeles to keep Clayton Kershaw in Dodger Blue for as long as possible.
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