Pitcher Comparisons

I have long believed that Tim Wakefield is one of the most underrated pitchers in the AL (if not all of MLB). I have also long held the belief that Bartolo Colon and Sidney Ponson are two of the most overrated pitchers in the AL (if not in all of MLB).

For his career Tim Wakefield has the following numbers:

118-101 won/loss (.539 winning percentage), 4.21 ERA, 1.37 WHIP, .252 BAA and 1.71 K/BB

Bartolo Colon has the following career numbers:

103-64 won/loss (.617 winning percentage), 3.86 ERA, 1.33 WHIP, .253 BAA and 2.15 K/BB

Sidney Ponson has the following career numbers:

60-67 won/loss (.472 winning percentage), 4.60 ERA, 1.39 WHIP, .272 BAA and 1.84 K/BB

Based upon the above numbers - you would be tempted to say that Colon is the best of the three but that Wakefield is clearly better than Ponson (and this ranking may actually be the case). However, before making our final determination let's take a look at the WHYDFUL stats (what have you done for us lately).

Since 2002 - here's how the three pitchers stack up:

Wakefield - 387 IP, 24-12 W/L, 3.10 ERA, 1.19 WHIP, 2.39 K/BB

Colon - 390 IP, 28-19 W/L, 3.72 ERA, 1.24 WHIP, 2.39 K/BB

Ponson - 424 IP, 26-23 W/L, 4.12 ERA, 1.33 WHIP, 1.79 K/BB

Based on these WHYDFUL numbers - I think you would clearly have to say that Wakefield is actually the best pitcher. Surprisingly over this period of time Wakefield has 46 more K's than the power pitcher Colon and 49 more than Ponson.

Now consider the fact that Wakefield will make $4.35 million this year and $4.67 next year for the Red Sox while Colon will bring home $25 million over the same period of time (more than 2.5 times what Wakefield will bring home) and Ponson will bring home $5 million this year and $8.75 in 2005 (meaning he'll make more than 1.5 times what Wakefield will make in the next two years).

Even though Wakefield is the oldest pitcher of the bunch - he is also in the best shape. Consider that Wakefield is 6'2" and 210 while Colon is listed at 5'11 and 250 (sure) and Ponson is listed at 6'1" 266. Also consider that Wakefield's arm motion (because he throws knuckleballs) has less wear and tear and means he's less likely to suffer arm injuries than the hard throwing (out of shape) Colon or Portly Ponson.

We haven't even mentioned the intangibles of having a guy who can pitch on three days rest or do spot relief detail (even closing) without so much as a peep (what is best for the team is all Tim Wakefield is concerned with).

Tim Wakefield - one of the most underrated pitchers in baseball. Colon and Ponson - two of the most overrated. I will not argue this because the facts speak for themselves.