The elite left-handed starters have a big advantage just for the simple fact that most players see a lot more right-handed pitching. Also, batting practice is mostly thrown by righties. Look for teams that have not faced a Quality left-handed starter for some time ( five games or more) and you will have a nice winning investment. Here are my Top 5 left-handed starting pitchers age 27 or younger going forward for the 2014 season.

No. 1 Clayton Kershaw (LAD) Age: 24 (2013: 16-9, 1.83 ERA, 0.95 WHIP)

Third straight season ranking No. 1 on this prestigious list. Will be 25 on March 19th and you better take him first amongst pitchers in your Fantasy Draft. Since his 2008 rookie campaign, no other pitcher in all of baseball has a lower ERA than Kershaw. He has led the NL in ERA for 2011, 2012, and 2013. The Dodgers opening day starter for the fourth straight season and is poised to have another monster season. Clayton has arrived and in a big way and you could argue that at his age he will only get better. Your 2011-12 MLB NL CY YOUNG award winner. He went 21-5 with a 2.28 ERA, 0.97 WHIP (crazy good), 248 K's in 233.1 IP. Oh by the way, he added another NL CY YOUNG award after last season's gem. His career numbers are off the charts. How about 77-46 with a 2.60 ERA, 1.09 WHIP, 1206 K's in 1180 IP. He works very hard on his craft off the field which is why he is so so good on it. Kershaw has a 91-95 MPH fastball, an A+ 12-to-6 Curve, great Slider, and changeup that gets better every season. He can throw any one of his pitches for Strikes in any count. Knows how to set up hitters too. Very good at that! A solid hitter too, he had a career high 16 hits (.225) in 71 at-bats in 2011. Smacked his first career home run on opening day last season. Kershaw is the best starter in all of baseball at any age. I would expect a 20-win season behind this loaded 2014 Dodgers' team.

No. 2 Tony Cingrani (CINN) Age: 24 (2013: 7-4, 2.92 ERA, 1.09 WHIP)

I think Tony Cingrani has a great chance to be a star. Will turn 25 in July. It would not shock me if he led the Reds staff in all the important pitching stats at season's end. In 18 starts last season, Cingrani had 120 K's in only 104.2 IP. That's a great sign. At 6-4, and 215 pounds he can be a bit intimidating on the bump. Long and lean with a 92-96 MPH Fastball, improving Slider and Changeup. All of his pitches have incredible movement and should be the Reds 4th or 5th starter this season. Doesn't walk many guys which is remarkable for his age. He worked extremely hard this past off-season with former Reds pitching coach and new manager Bryan Price. The two added more speed and movement to his Slider which Cingrani will now throw in the low to mid 80s. An excellent control pitcher is needed because Great American Ballpark allowed the 2nd most Home runs in the Majors last season. Only Citizens Bank Park (Phillies) allowed more long balls last season. I really really like Cingrani going forward.

No. 3 Madison Bumgarner (SF) Age: 24 (2013: 13-9, 2.77 ERA, 1.03 WHIP)

All four of his pitches (Four-seamer, Cutter, Curveball, Changeup) are above average. Madison was on this list last year and he came through with his best season of his young career. The opposition batted just .203 against him. Only Clayton Kershaw was better. Madison appeared on this list two years ago at No.5. His career numbers are impressive as he enters his 4th full season with a 49-39 Won/Loss record, 3.08 ERA, 1.15 WHIP, 677 strikeouts in 735.1 IP. He gets to pitch half his starts in a very pitcher's friendly ballpark. AT&T Park was the third toughest park in the Majors at allowing Home Runs last season. Only PNC Park (Pirates) and Marlins Park (Miami) were tougher to hit a Dinger in. At 6'5 and 225 he has the look and skill of a Top of the Rotation star for years to come. Will turn 25 in August.

No. 4 Tyler Skaggs (LAA) Age: 22 (2013: 2-3 5.12 ERA, 1.37 WHIP)

Tyler was originally drafted by the Angels in 2009 and will now come full circle. The move out of the desert will be great as the local boy from Santa Monica High comes home. At 6-5, and 215 pounds Skaggs has great mound presence to go with three above average pitches. His four-seam fastball moves quite a bit at 88-92 MPH. He also throws a Curveball and Changeup. Baseball America and other scouts regards the Curve as his best pitch. His Changeup should improve as he gets older. Angel Stadium was the 20th hardest park to hit a Home run in last season. Look for Skaggs to win at least 10 games this season.

No. 5 Matt Moore (TB) Age: 24 (2013: 17-4, 3.29 ERA, 1.29 WHIP)

Will turn 25 in June. Matt Moore was No. 3 on this list last season. He came thru big time with an AL CY YOUNG award. Matt went 17-4 with a 3.29 ERA, 1.29 WHIP, 143 K's in 150.1 IP. I dropped him to No. 5 this season because he is walking too many guys. Moore issued 81 walks in 2012 and 76 walks last season. I would like to see that number around 40-50 this season. His talent can't be ignored though. His Fastball reaches 97 MPH and his Curveball is described as "sick" by scouts. Moore also throws a very good Circle Change. This pitch has sinking qualities with a Circle grip with great arm speed and deception. With a solid makeup and gifted skills, Matt Moore is a future left-handed stud for many years to come.

Wishing you a winning Baseball Season!

Jeff from VegasTopDogs.com
 

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