Is Zach Britton the Best 25-and-Under Pitcher in Major Leagues?

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May 17, 2011

Is Zach Britton the Best 25-and-Under Pitcher in Major Leagues? Ask any baseball executive across either league, and they’ll likely tell you they covet young pitching more than anything else.

And why wouldn’t they? Young pitchers are often inexpensive (aside from large signing bonuses), and when they do come to the major leagues, they’re often a long way away from arbitration.

And oh yeah, a few of them are pretty darn good.

The Red Sox will get a look at one of those young pitchers on Tuesday night when Zach Britton toes the rubber for the Orioles.

Britton, 23, has been absolutely terrific for the O’s so far this season. He’s got a 5-2 record and a nifty 2.42 ERA. He’s been considered one of baseball’s best prospects since he was drafted, and that’s something he’s starting to show real early in his major league career.

He’s become the latest 25-and-under pitcher to show signs of being great. Also on that list are David Price and Felix Hernandez. You could make the argument that in just a few short years, Price has become the game’s premier left-hander outside of maybe Cliff Lee. The Tampa southpaw has become the rock of that rotation, and looks to have long, impressive career in front of him.

Hernandez, on the other hand, is someone who doesn’t get enough recognition playing for a bad team out in Seattle. Despite that, though, Hernandez was the Cy Young award winner in the American League last year. His stuff is just downright dominant, and he can throw whatever he wants whenever he wants. He’s become virtually unhittable, and his career will really take off when he’s finally freed from Seattle. Of course, Red Sox fans are hoping that doesn’t mean he’ll be calling the Bronx home at any point in the future.

And if anyone knows about obscurity, it’s Oakland’s Trevor Cahill. The 23-year-old finally suffered his first loss on Sunday, dropping his record to 6-1. Even more impressive than that are his 1.82 ERA and 1.16 WHIP. Cahill won 18 games last season after winning 10 games as a 21-year-old rookie.

Who is the best 25-and-under pitcher in the major leagues? Share your thoughts below.

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