Clayton Edward Kershaw … resides in Dallas with his wife, Ellen, and their daughter, Cali, and sons, Charley, Cooper and Chance…selected in the first round (seventh overall) in the 2006 First-Year Player Draft and signed by Dodger scout Calvin Jones ... graduated from Highland Park (TX) High School in 2006 … is the school’s all-time leader with 38 career wins…as a senior, went 12-0 with a 0.77 ERA and struck out 139 batters in 64.0 innings … was selected by USA Today as the High School Baseball Player of the Year…also was named the Gatorade National Player of the Year for baseball...entering the 2006 draft, was ranked by Baseball America as the No. 6 overall prospect – and the No. 1 high school pitching prospect – among draft-eligible players ... was a high school football teammate of Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford ... Kershaw was honored with the 2012 Roberto Clemente Award, which recognizes a MLB player who best represents the game of baseball through positive contributions on and off the field, including sportsmanship and community involvement, and with the MLB Players Association’s 2014 Marvin Miller Man of the Year Award, given to the player whose excellence on and off the field most inspire others to higher levels of achievement. Along with his wife, Ellen, founded their non-profit, Kershaw’s Challenge, in 2011, which works to transform at-risk communities and the lives of children by partnering with organizations both locally and abroad to renew hope, one life at a time. The foundation supports local charities in Los Angeles, partnering with The Dream Center, as well as charities in his hometown of Dallas (Mercy Street), Zambia, Africa (Arise Africa) and the Dominican Republic (Cure International). In addition to financial support, Kershaw has made numerous visits to each organization, where he’s assisted with community outreach programs, run baseball clinics/camps and donated/distributed essential daily supplies like food and clothing. The Kershaw's have hosted an annual charity fundraising event in Los Angeles for the past five years, with Clayton’s Texas BBQ & Hoedown in 2012 and Ping Pong 4 Purpose in 2013-19, 21-22, with proceeds benefitting Kershaw’s Challenge and also hosted a charity event in Dallas the past five years, Kershaw’s Challenge Live benefit concert. Kershaw has served as a charter member of the Taylor Hooton Foundation’s “Advisory Board” of Major League players (since 2014). As an “Advisory Board” member, he has served as a role model for youth.
2023
The big southpaw continued to shove in his 16th season, going 13-5 over 24 starts with a 2.46 ERA (36 ER/131.2 IP) with 137 strikeouts against 40 walks and a 1.06 WHIP … produced his 12th season of double-digit victories in 16 years. Dominated April, winning National League Pitcher of the Month, going 5-1 with a 1.89 ERA (8 ER/38.0 IP) in six starts with 41 strikeouts against only five walks…He led the NL in wins, WHIP (0.763), and innings pitched (38), averaging 6.1 innings per start … seventh time winning the award which ranks sixth all-time. Notched his 200th career win in his start on April 18 against the Mets, making him the only Los Angeles Dodger to win 200 games with the same franchise …Joins Don Sutton (233) with Don Drysdale (209) on the Dodger all-time list … Just the sixth pitcher in the modern era to do so before losing 100 games. Tied Pee-Wee Reese for the most All-Star game selections in franchise history with his 10th nod ... did not pitch in the game. Passed Don Drysdale for the second most wins in franchise history with his 210th career victory on September 24 against the San Francisco Giants. Tied for the most consecutive scoreless innings by a Dodger starter this season (20.0 IP from June 14- Aug. 10). Finished the year with the longest streak of consecutive appearances without a loss with seven (June 2-Sept. 30). Tossed 5.0+ innings in 19 of his 24 starts this season … tallied a season-high nine strikeouts five times this year (4/1 vs. ARI, 4/18 vs. NYM, 4/29 vs. STL, 6/2 vs. NYY, and 6/8 at CIN). Missed several weeks of the season with a shoulder injury (June 27 to August 10). Underwent shoulder surgery in the offseason Tied Don Sutton as the only Dodgers to pitch in 16 seasons with the team…the only position players in franchise history to play longer are outfielder Zack Wheat and shortstop Pee Wee Reese, 18 seasons for each of those Hall of Famers…made his 40th postseason appearance and 33rd start, giving up six hits, six runs and one walk while retiring only one batter…shortest start of his career, regular or postseason … his shortest postseason start previously was Game 1 of the 2018 NLCS against the Brewers (3.0 IP)…the last time he gave up six runs in one inning in the postseason was October 3, 2014 vs. STL in Game 1 of the NLDS (seventh) … the last time the Dodgers allowed six or more in one inning was on October 15, 2020 against the Braves in Game 4 of the NLCS.
2022
Veteran southpaw had a stellar season, going 12-3 over 22 starts with a 2.28 ERA (32 ER/126.1 IP) with 137 strikeouts against just 23 walks in 493 total batters faced…produced his 11th season of double-digit victories in 15 years...Became the Dodgers’ all-time strikeout leader on April 30, 2022 against Detroit, striking out Spencer Torkelson in the fourth inning, passing Don Sutton (2,696)…has 2,807 career strikeouts and stands 24th on the all-time Major League strikeout list…passed Cy Young with strikeout 2,804 in game 162...Started his first Midsummer Classic in 2022 at Dodger Stadium, firing a scoreless frame and striking out one…was a member of his ninth All-Star team...Tabbed a 9.76 strikeout-per-nine innings mark and limited hitters to a .206/.246/.310 slashline…allowed 27 extra-base hits, allowed 38 in 2021...Took a perfect game into the eighth inning against the Angels on July 15 before a single by Luis Rengifo broke up his Perfect Game bid…finished with 8.0 scoreless and became the first pitcher in Major League History to have two games of 7.0 perfect baseball in the same season since 1961…other occurrence was his first start and win of the year in Minnesota on April 13, striking out a season-high 13-batters on 80 pitches...Did not allow a run in six of 22 starts, securing victories in five of the six outings: April 13 at MIN, May 7 at CHC, July 3 vs. SD, July 15 at LAA, Sept. 13 at ARI, Sept. 30 vs. COL...Tossed 5.0+ innings in 18 of his 22 starts, notching 12 quality starts for a .800 winning percentage, his highest mark since the 2017 season…also fired double-digit strikeouts three times: April 13 at MIN, July 9 vs. CHC, Sept. 19 vs. ARI Did not allow a walk in eight of his 22 starts, securing victories in six of the outings…posted a 0.94 WHIP paired with 137 strikeouts against just 23 walks…was a perfect 6-0 at home across 11 starts, tallying a 2.39 ERA (17 ER/64.0 IP) with 80 strikeouts and a 0.98 WHIP…was 6-3 in away contests in 11 starts, totaling a 2.17 ERA (15 ER/62.1 IP) with 57 strikeouts and a 0.90 WHIP…kept right-handed hitters to a .198 (78-for394) average compared to .254 average (18-for-71) against lefties…limited hitters to a .167 average when ahead in the count vs. .206 average when behind in the count…produced a .159/.220/.220 slashline with runners in scoring position in 18 different games, allowing 13 hits in the process…did not throw a wild pitch for the just the second time in his career (also: 2020)…was put on the Injured List with Right SI joint inflammation on May 9 and later activated on June 11…sidelined with low back pain on Aug. 5 to Sept. 1… started Game 2 of the NLDS against San Diego, allowing three earned runs on six hits through 5.0 frames, not factoring in the decision.
2021
Spent his 14th Major League season in Dodger Blue, posting a 10-8 record across 22 starts with a 3.55 ERA (48 ER/121.2 IP)…struck out 144 batters against just 21 walks... Limited the opposition to a .224 average and produced a 1.02 WHIP…recorded a 10.65 strikeout-per-nine mark, his highest since the 2017 season... Notched 11 quality starts, with his longest outing June 27 against the Chicago Cubs, pitching 8.0 solid innings, giving up just one earned run (homer) on four hits with just one walk and 13 strikeouts... Struck out six or more batters in 12 of his 20 appearances…also kept opponents to one or fewer runs in ten of his 20 starts... Registered a perfect 1.000 fielding percentage for the third straight year and sixth of his career, not committing an error over 121.2 innings in 2021... Tallied eight hits at the plate, going 8-for-36 for a .222 average and three RBI, his highest since the 2018 season… went 2-for-3 in his season opener at Colorado on April 1 and again went 2-for-3 on June 11 against Texas... Did not pitch from July 4-Sept. 12 while on the Injured List with left forearm inflammation…made one rehab appearance with Triple-A Oklahoma City, tossing 3.0 innings in his start, allowing two earned runs on four hits with three strikeouts Had his best month in April, going 4-2 with a 2.09 ERA across six starts, keeping hitters to a .210 average…kept left-handed hitters to a .178 average and right-handed hitters to a .242 average…when ahead in the count, the southpaw limited the opposition to a .157 average, which ended in 80 strikeouts…pitched 5.0 innings or more in his 20 starts, with 14 of those 6.0 innings or more…struck out 83 batters during home games and 61 batters while on the road, while striking out 48 batters with zero outs, 45 batters with one out, and 51 batters with two outs… struck out 11 batters on May 14 against Miami, earning the win as he allowed five earned runs to score on six hits across 6.0 innings.
2020
Produced a 6-2 record over 10 starts with a 2.16 ERA (14 ER/58.1 IP), striking out 62 batters and walking just eight as he limited opposing batters to a .194 (41-for-211) average...Led the Dodgers’ pitching staff in wins (six), innings (58.1), quality starts (6) and strikeouts (62)... ranked among the NL leaders (min. 55 IP) in wins (6, T-4th), ERA (2.16, 5th), opponents’ batting average (.194, 5th) and WHIP (0.84, 2nd)...Recorded four straight wins from Aug. 14 to Sept. 3, compiling a 0.69 ERA (2 ER/26.0 IP) with 29 strikeouts...gave up just ten hits and five walks while limiting hitters to a .115/.172/.218 slashline during that span...With his 11 strikeouts against Seattle on Aug. 20, the southpaw passed Don Drysdale on the Dodgers’ all-time strikeout list, moving him into second place behind Don Sutton who leads with 2,696 punchouts...Kershaw’s 2,526 career punchouts places him 36th on the all-time strikeouts list (next: Bartolo Colon, 2,535)...Was stellar in the postseason, compiling a 4-1 record over five games (three quality starts)...garnered a 2.93 ERA (10 ER/30.2 IP) with 37 strikeouts and a .211 opponents’ average (23-for-109), leading to a 0.91 WHIP and 10.86 strikeout-per-nine mark…won both of his World Series starts...Improved his postseason career strikeout mark to 207, passing Justin Verlander (205 Ks), to become the Major League leader in career postseason punchouts...Five of his six wins came away from Dodger Stadium (8/2 at ARI, 8/14 at L A A, 8/20 at SEA, 8/27 at SF, 9/19 at COL)...in those five wins, the lefty limited the opposition to a .163/.189/.275 slashline and struck out 45 of the 159 batters he faced... is one of three Dodgers to record 13+ strikeouts in a playoff game, alongside Sandy Koufax (15, 10/2/1963 vs. NYY) and Carl Erskine (14, 10/2/1953 vs. NYY)...was slated to make his ninth-career Opening Day start, but started the campaign on the Injured List after coming up with a stiff back after working out two days before Opening Day.
2019
In his 12th Major League season, went 16-5 with a 3.03 ERA (60 ER/178.1 IP) and a 1.04 WHIP in 29 games (28 starts)… the Dodgers went 22-7 in his starts…recorded 22 quality starts ... Ranked among NL leaders in ERA (7th), wins (T-3rd), winning percentage (.762, 3rd), quality starts (T-3rd), opponents' batting average (.222, 8th), opponents' OBP (.269, 6th), WHIP (7th), walks per 9.0 innings (2.07, 10th) and strikeout-to-walk ratio (4.61, 8th) ... On Aug. 1, he passed Sandy Koufax with the 2,397th strikeout of his career to become the Dodgers' all-time strikeout leader as a left-handed pitcher. Kershaw finished the season with 2,464 career strikeouts and sits in third place on the overall franchise list behind Don Sutton (2,696) and Don Drysdale (2,486) ... On August 14, he tossed 7.0 scoreless innings with 10 strikeouts and no walks against the Marlins, recording his 8th career start with 10+ strikeouts and zero walks or runs allowed…tied Pedro Martinez and Chris Sale for second most in the live-ball era, trailing only Randy Johnson (11) (source: STATS) ... Posted a 10-2 record and a 2.89 ERA (33 ER/102.2 IP) in 16 starts at Dodger Stadium and a 6-3 record with a 3.21 ERA (27 ER/75.2 IP) in 13 road games (12 starts)...recorded 6.0 IP or more in 26 of his 28 starts, including his first 23 starts of the year which matched the longest run of his career in 2015… finished the season tied for most starts of at least 6.0 innings among National League hurlers (also Stephen Strasburg)...the Dodgers were victorious in each of Clayton Kershaw's first nine starts of the season, extending the win streak to 17 overall dating back to August 19, 2018… became the only pitcher since 1920 with three separate streaks of 13+ in his career, also reaching the feat in 2014 (13) and 2017 (16) (source: STATS)...held the opposition to a .222 batting average, limiting lefties to a .208 average and right handers to a .225 mark...had success at the plate, leading the Major Leagues with 15 sacrifice hits while also recording five hits including a double and an RBI...took the loss in Game 2 of the NLDS against Washington, allowing three earned runs on six hits in 6.0 innings of work… made a relief appearance in Game 5 of the NLDS, allowing two earned runs on two solo home runs while striking out a batter...started the season on the 10-Day IL with left shoulder inflammation and was activated on April 15, prior to his start against Cincinnati.
2018
Finished the regular season ranking among NL pitchers (min. 25 starts) in ERA (2.73, 4th), strikeout-to-walk ratio (5.34, 3rd), WHIP (1.04, 4th), opponents' on-base percentage (.264, 4th), opponents' OPS (.630, 8th) and opponents' batting average (.227, 11th) ... Was the Dodgers' Opening Day starter for the eighth consecutive year, tied with Don Drysdale for the most in franchise history, but took the loss after allowing one run in 6.0 innings on March 29 vs. SF ... In 13 second half starts, he went 6-1 with a 2.73 ERA (26 ER/85.2 IP), striking out 77 batters against 12 walks, while posting a 1.00 WHIP and holding batters to a .227/.255/.365 slash line…since the All-Star break he ranked among NL pitchers (min. 75.0 IP) in fewest walks per nine innings (1.26, 2nd), strikeout to walk ratio (6.42, 5th), opponents' OBP (.255, 6th), innings pitched (85.2, 7th), WHIP (1.00, 8th), opponents' OPS (.620, 9th) and ERA (2.73, 10th) ... Held hitters to a .227 average, including a .223 mark against right-handed hitters… limited hitters to a .220 average with runners in scoring position ... Reached 2,000 career innings against the San Diego Padres on July 9, becoming just the 13th Dodger in franchise history to reach that mark and the 11th active pitcher in the league to toss 2000.0 or more innings ... Went 2-3 with a 4.20 ERA (14 ER/30.0 IP) in six postseason games for the Dodgers, while holding batters to a .229/.280/.367 slash line and posting a 1.07 WHIP…earned the win against the Brewers in Game 5 of the NLCS reaching nine career postseason wins, the most in Dodger history ... Had two DL stints: May 6-31 (left biceps tendinitis) and June 1-23 (low back strain).
2017
Despite being limited to just 27 starts, he finished the season leading the National League in wins (18, T-1st ML), ERA (2.31, 2nd ML), strikeout-to-walk ratio (6.73, 3rd ML) and opponents' OBP (.246, 2nd ML)...also ranked among the best in the senior circuit in winning percentage (.818, 2nd), WHIP (0.95, 2nd), opponents' OPS (.604, 3rd), opponents' SLG (.357, 5th), strikeout per nine innings (10.39, 5th) and strikeouts (202, 8th)...finished second in the National League Cy Young voting...Held the opposition to a .212 average, which ranked fourth in the NL, including a .203 mark against right-handed hitters (5th, NL)...limited hitters to a .167 average with runners in scoring position, which ranked second best in the big leagues (min. 100 BFP), trailing just Chicago's Kyle Hendricks (.154)...Selected to his seventh consecutive All-Star team (2011-17), making him the first Dodger to be named to seven straight All-Star Games since Steve Garvey who made eight consecutive appearances in the Midsummer Classic...did not participate in the All-Star game...Recorded a 12-game winning streak from May 6-Sept. 1, which was the longest winning streak in the big leagues... during that span he posted a 1.70 ERA (20 ER/106.0 IP) and limited batters to a .185 average, while punching out 131 batters against just 21 walks...won eight consecutive games from June 7-July 18 during that stretch, which matched his career-high (also: June 2-July 10, 2014)...According to Stats LLC., became just the fourth Dodger pitcher since 1913 to win at least 16 of his first 18 decisions in one season (16-2, 1.95 ERA), joining Freddie Fitzsimmons (16-2, 1940), Preacher Roe (16-2, 1951), and Don Newcombe (17-1, 1955)...Obtained his 2,000th career strikeout in the second inning against Milwaukee on June 2, reaching the milestone in 1,837.2 innings, the fourth fastest all-time behind only Pedro Martinez (17 15.1 IP), Randy Johnson (1734.0 IP) and Max Scherzer (1784.0)...Was placed on the DL from July 24-Sept. 1 with a lower back strain...prior to his stint on the DL, he went 15-2 with a 2.04 ERA in 21 starts and led the big leagues in wins, ERA and innings pitched (141.1 IP, T-1st)...returned from the DL on Sept. 1 and went 3-2 with a 3.48 ERA (13 ER/33.2 IP) in six starts...Was named National League Pitcher of the Week ending in July 9...Appeared in six games (five starts) in the postseason, going 3-0 with a 3.82 ERA (14 ER/33.0 IP) and held hitters to a .179 average... collected his seventh career postseason victory in Game 1 of the World Series against the Astros, collecting the most all-time postseason wins in Dodger history.
2016
Limited by a mid-season back injury to just 21 starts, but earned his sixth consecutive All-Star selection, going 12-4 with a 1.69 ERA...Among pitchers with 140.0 or more innings, he led the Majors with a 1.69 ERA, a .184 opponents' batting average, a 0.72 WHIP and a 15.64 strikeout-to-walk ratio with 172 strikeouts against just 11 walks in 149.0 innings...His 15.64 strikeout-to-walk ratio was the highest mark ever for any MLB pitcher with 125.0 or more innings pitched in a single season...made six consecutive starts with 10 or more strikeouts and one walk or less (April 21-May 17), a modern MLB record...Was placed on the DL from June 27-Sept. 9 with a mild herniated disc in his lower back...went 11-2 with a 1.79 ERA (24 ER/121.0 IP) in 16 starts prior to the injury, which caused him to miss the All-Star Game...after returning from the disabled list on Sept. 9, he went 1-2 with a 1.29 ERA (4 ER/28.0 IP) in five starts...Was named the NL's May Pitcher of the Month• Appeared in five games (four starts) in the postseason, going 2-1 with a 4.44 ERA (12 ER/24.1 IP) and picking up the save in the Dodgers' NLDS Game 5 win at Washington.
2015
Went 16-7 with a 2.13 ERA in a career high-tying 33 starts in his fifth consecutive All-Star season. ... Became the first MLB pitcher to reach 300 strikeouts since 2002 (Schilling, Johnson) with his 301 strikeouts ranking as the fourth highest single-season total in franchise history behind Sandy Koufax's 1965 (382 SO), 1966 (317 SO) and 1963 (306 SO) seasons…had twice led the NL in strikeouts (2011, 2013), but 2015 marked his first time leading the Majors in Ks. ... Melvin Upton Jr. was the victim of Kershaw's 300th strikeout and his 887th batter faced. According to the Elias Sports Bureau, since 1900, there have been 34 instances of pitchers recording 300 or more strikeouts in a season, and only three other times during that span has a pitcher reached that milestone facing as few batters as Kershaw needed this year, Pedro Martinez (799 BF, 1999 BOS) and Randy Johnson twice (862 BF, 2000 ARI and 779 BF, 2001 ARI). ... Tied his single-game career high with 15 strikeouts in a complete-game victory over the Giants on Sept. 2 at Dodger Stadium…also accomplished the feat in his no-hitter on June 18, 2014 vs. Colorado • Recorded double-digit strikeouts in 13 of 33 starts. ... In addition to leading the Majors in strikeouts, ranked among the big league leaders in wins (16, 11th), ERA (2.13, 3rd), innings pitched (232.2, 1st), opponents' batting average (.194, 3rd), WHIP (0.88, 3rd), complete games (4, T-1st) and shutouts (3, T-1st). ... Pitched 7.0 or more innings in 22 starts and went 8.0 or more innings 10 times. ... Strung together 37.0 consecutive scoreless innings from July 3-Aug. 1…after firing 41.0 consecutive scoreless innings in 2014, according to Elias, he became the first pitcher since Luis Tiant in 1968 and 1972 to have multiple single-season scoreless streaks of 37.0 or more innings in his career…Tiant did his damage with the Indians in '68 (41.0 IP, Apr. 24-May 17) and Red Sox in '72 (40.0 IP, Aug. 19-Sept. 8). ... Selected as the National League's July Pitcher of the Month after going 3-0 with a 0.27 ERA (1 ER/33.0 IP) in four starts in the month…limited opposing hitters to a .162 batting average (19-for-117) with 45 strikeouts against only two walks in 33.0 innings…was his fifth career monthly award and fourth for the month of July (also: '11, '13 and '14). ... After losing three consecutive starts for the first time in his career June 17-27, reeled off a 13-start unbeaten streak from July 3-Sept. 14, going 9-0 with a 0.98 ERA (11 ER/101.0 IP) during the run, which tied for the second longest winning streak in the Majors this year. ... Made his fifth consecutive Opening Day start on April 6 vs. San Diego, allowing three runs in 6.0 innings in a no-decision… in Los Angeles history, only Don Drysdale (7, 1972-78) has made more consecutive Opening Day starts. ... Started and won back-to-back division-clinching games against the Giants, tossing 8.0 innings of one-run ball on Sept. 24, 2014 and throwing a one-hit shutout on Sept. 29 at AT&T Park…it was the first one-hitter thrown by a Dodger since Hiroki Kuroda's masterpiece against the Braves on July 7, 2008 at Dodger Stadium and according to Elias, Kershaw became the second pitcher in MLB history to throw a shutout with one hit or less in a division clincher (other: Mike Scott, Sept. 25, 1986 no-hitter, HOU vs. SF). ... Picked up his 100th career win on May 15 vs. Colorado at the age of 27 years, 57 days, becoming the second-youngest active pitcher to reach the milestone. ... Led the Majors with 10 pickoffs • Went 1-1 with a 2.63 ERA (4 ER/13.2 IP) in two postseason starts in the NLDS vs. the Mets, losing Game 1 and picking up the win in Game 4…struck out 19 in 13.2 innings, while posting a 0.88 WHIP.
2014
Topped the Majors with 21 wins (21-3) and a 1.77 ERA in 27 starts, as he became the first-ever pitcher to win four consecutive MLB ERA titles, en route to being named National League Most Valuable Player and unanimously winning his second consecutive and third career Cy Young Award...Also honored with the Players Choice Awards for Marvin Miller Man of the Year, MLB Player of the Year and Outstanding National League Pitcher, a selection as both Sporting News' and Baseball America's MLB Player of the Year and the Warren Spahn Award as the game's top left-hander...Earned 18 of 30 first-place MVP votes and nine second-place votes, garnering 355 total points, as he became just the fourth Dodger pitcher to win the award, joining Sandy Koufax (1963), Don Newcombe (1956) and Dazzy Vance (1924), and the first Dodger overall to win the award since Kirk Gibson in 1988… was the 11th player in club history to win the award and a Dodger was honored as the league's MVP for the 13th time, the third most by a National League team behind only the Cardinals (20) and Giants (14)…was the first National League pitcher to be honored as MVP since the Cardinals' Bob Gibson in 1968 and just the fourth NL pitcher in the Cy Young era (since 1956) to win the award…overall since 1956, only 11 pitchers (eight starting pitchers) have been selected as MVP - Justin Verlander (2011), Dennis Eckersley (1992), Roger Clemens (1986), Willie Hernandez (1984), Rollie Fingers (1981), Vida Blue (1971), Gibson (1968), Denny McLain (1968), Koufax (1963), Newcombe (1956) - with all also winning the Cy Young Award in the same season…of those, only Kershaw, Verlander and Koufax threw a no-hitter in their MVP season...Received all 30 first-place Cy Young votes, making him the 14th pitcher to win by a unanimous vote in the NL, joining Sandy Koufax (three times), Greg Maddux (two times), Randy Johnson, Bob Gibson, Steve Carlton, Rick Sutcliffe, Dwight Gooden, Orel Hershiser, Jake Peavy and Roy Halladay…became just the ninth all-time pitcher to win three or more Cy Youngs and also the ninth pitcher to win the award in consecutive seasons… there has been a unanimous winner in the American League nine times, with Roger Clemens, Pedro Martinez and Johan Santana each doing so twice; and Denny McLain, Ron Guidry and Justin Verlander once apiece...Led the Majors with an .875 winning percentage (21-3), the second-highest mark ever by a Dodger (min. 20 starts), behind only Preacher Roe's .880 winning percentage (22-3) in 1951…the Dodgers posted a 23-4 record in Kershaw's 27 starts, including a 14-1 mark in his 15 starts of 8.0 or more innings...Also topped the Majors with a 0.86 WHIP and six complete games, while ranking among the NL leaders in strikeouts (239, 3rd), opponents' batting average (.196, 2nd), shutouts (2, T-3rd) and strikeout-to-walk ratio (7.71, 1st)...Was selected to his fourth consecutive All-Star Game and pitched a scoreless inning in the contest...His 1.77 ERA was the lowest mark by an MLB starter since Pedro Martinez posted a 1.74 ERA with Boston in 2000 and the lowest ERA for a National Leaguer since Greg Maddux's 1.63 mark with Atlanta in 1995...Posted a career-best 11-game winning streak from June 2-Aug. 10...was the longest run in the Majors this year, during which he went 11-0 with a 1.16 ERA (13 ER/101.0 IP) with five complete games (two shutouts) in 13 starts…during the streak, he limited opposing hitters to a .178 batting average (62-for-349), with 117 strikeouts against only 12 walks in 101.0 innings....Selected as the National League's Pitcher of the Month in June (6-0, 0.82 ERA) and July (4-0, 1.07)… became the third all-time Dodger to win NL Pitcher of the Month in consecutive months, joining Don Sutton (April-May 1975) and Burt Hooton (Aug.-Sept. 1975)...Strung together 41.0 consecutive scoreless innings from June 13-July 10, which tied with Luis Tiant (1968) for the fifth longest streak in the expansion era behind only Orel Hershiser (59.0 IP, 1988), Don Drysdale (58.0 IP, 1968), Bob Gibson (47.0, 1968) and Brandon Webb (42.0, 2007)...Took a perfect game bid into the seventh inning, retiring the game's first 18 hitters before Corey Dickerson reached on a Hanley Ramirez throwing error, and struck out a career-high 15 batters on 107 pitches in the Dodgers' 8-0 win in his first-career no-hitter on June 18 vs. Colorado…his 15 Ks were the most ever for a Dodger in a no-hitter and, according to the Elias Sports Bureau, the most by any pitcher in Major League history that did not allow a runner to reach base via hit, walk or hit by pitch, besting the previous mark of 14, shared by Nap Rucker (September 5, 1908), Sandy Koufax (September 9, 1965) and Matt Cain (June 13, 2012)...It was the first no-hitter thrown at Dodger Stadium since the Angels' combined 8.0-inning no-hit loss on June 28, 2008 and first by an individual since the Dodgers' Ramon Martinez on July 14, 1995 vs. Florida...In the last 100 years, only six other pitchers did not allow a walk or hit by pitch in a no-hitter, but failed to pitch a perfect game due to an error: Walter Johnson (1920), Bill McCahan (1947), Dick Bosman (1974), Jerry Reuss (1980), Terry Mulholland (1990) and Jonathan Sanchez (2009). Kershaw became the third Dodger to throw a non-perfect game no-hitter without issuing a walk, joining Reuss (June 27, 1980 at San Francisco, error) and Bill Singer (July 20, 1970 vs. Philadelphia, hit batter, two errors)...Picked up NL Player of the Week honors twice, the week of his no-hitter, June 16-22, and Sept. 8-14, when he went 2-0 with a 1.69 ERA (3 ER/16.0 IP) in two starts...Made his fourth consecutive Opening Day start and picked up the win in the Dodgers' 3-1 victory over the D-backs on March 22 at the Sydney Cricket Ground...Led the NL (including pitchers and position players) in wins above replacement (WAR), according to both Baseball-Reference.com (led the Majors) and FanGraphs...Topped NL pitchers with seven defensive runs saved, according to FanGraphs, and controlled the opposition's running game, allowing only five stolen bases all year, earning the distinction as a Gold Glove finalist....Batted .333 (5-for-15) with runners in scoring position and tied for fifth among NL pitchers with a .235 onbase percentage...Honored with his second consecutive Roy Campanella Award, becoming the first-ever two-time winner in the nine-year history of the award, which was voted upon by Dodger uniformed personnel...Missed 32 games on the disabled list from March 23- May 5 with a Teres Major strain...Took the loss in NLDS Games 1 and 4 against St. Louis
2013
Won his second-career Cy Young Award in 2013, becoming just the second Dodger (Sandy Koufax - 1963, 1965, 1966) and 17th all-time pitcher to win multiple Cy Young Awards, and his third consecutive MLB ERA title (1.83) as he became the first Major Leaguer to do so since Greg Maddux (1993-95) and the first-ever Dodger to accomplish the feat... His 1.83 ERA was the lowest mark by an MLB starter since Pedro Martinez posted a 1.74 ERA with Boston in 2000 and the lowest ERA for a National Leaguer since Maddux's 1.63 mark with Atlanta in 1995…it's the lowest mark by a pitcher with at least 220.0 innings since Dwight Gooden's 1.53 ERA in 1985 with the Mets and the fourth-lowest single-season ERA by an NL lefty in the Live Ball Era (best since Sandy Koufax, 1.73 ERA in 1966)…Koufax is the only other Los Angeles Dodger to record a sub-2.00 ERA season, doing so three times: 1963 (1.88 ERA), 1964 (1.74 ERA) and 1966... Was selected to his third-consecutive All-Star Game and tossed a scoreless third inning in the NL's 3-0 defeat... Also led the Majors with a 0.92 WHIP, while ranking among the NL leaders in strikeouts (232, 1st), innings pitched (career-high 236.0, 2nd), wins (16, T-3rd), opponents' batting average (.195, 2nd), complete games (3, T-3rd), shutouts (2, T-1st) and pickoffs (7, 2nd)... Was especially tough at home, posting the Majors' second-lowest home ERA at 1.54 (21 ER/122.2 IP) in 17 starts at Dodger Stadium…despite pitching well, had only an 8-6 home record... Selected as the NL's July Pitcher of the Month, leading the league with a 1.34 ERA and ranking among the Senior Circuit's best in wins (4-1, T-1st), strikeouts (43, T-3rd), opponents' batting average (.161, 3rd) and innings pitched (47.0, 1st) in six starts. During the month, he issued just two walks in 47.0 innings and tossed a four-hit shutout against the Rockies on July 2 at Colorado. It was his second monthly honor (also: July 2011)... Opened the campaign with two wins and 16.0 scoreless innings in two starts, which earned him National League Player of the Week honors for the period of April 1-7. He previously won NL Player of the Week for the periods of June 20-26, 2011 and May 14-20, 2012... Allowed three or fewer earned runs in 22 consecutive starts from July 24, 2012-May 26, 2013, tying Mat Latos (2010), Chris Carpenter (2005) and Johan Santana (2004) for the longest such run since 2000 and the longest run by a Dodger starter since Orel Hershiser had a 27-game run from July 12, 1985-May 25, 1986... Made his third consecutive Opening Day start with a shutout and a tie-breaking, eighth-inning home run against the Giants on April 1 and, according to the Elias Sports Bureau, Kershaw became just the second pitcher in Major League history to hit a homer and throw a shutout in his team's season-opener…the only other was the Indians' Bob Lemon, who threw a one-hitter vs. the White Sox on April 14, 1953…Kershaw became just the fifth pitcher in Dodger history to throw a shutout while allowing four or fewer hits and hitting a home run in the same game, joining Carl Erskine (June 10, 1955 vs. CHC), Stan Williams (July 6, 1960 vs. SF), Tommy John (Aug. 8, 1977 vs. CIN) and Chan Ho Park (Sept. 29, 2000 at SD)…Elias also notes that Kershaw was the first starting pitcher to hit a home run in the eighth inning or later of a scoreless game since Sept. 16, 1971 when the Cubs' Juan Pizarro hit one off Tom Seaver in the eighth inning to give the Cubs a 1-0 triumph at Shea Stadium... Became the first-ever Dodger pitcher to win The Roy Campanella Award, which was instituted in 2006, voted on by Dodger players and coaches and awarded to the player who best exemplifies the spirit and leadership of the late Hall of Fame catcher... Went 1-2 with a 3.13 ERA (8 ER/23.0 IP) in four postseason starts…struck out 28 in 23.0 postseason innings…picked up the first postseason win of his career on Oct. 3 at Atlanta in Game 1 of the NLDS, allowing just one run on three hits and striking out 12 in 7.0 innings in the Dodgers' 6-1 victory... His 12 strikeouts in that game were the second-most Ks in Los Angeles postseason history behind only Sandy Koufax's 15 strikeouts in Game 1 of the 1963 World Series at New York…according to the Elias Sports Bureau, his six consecutive strikeouts from the fourth through sixth innings establishing a single-game Dodger postseason and tied the all-time playoff record along with Homer Bailey (CIN, Oct. 9, 2012 vs. SF), Mike Hampton (ATL, Oct. 1, 2003 vs. CHC), Todd Worrell (STL, Oct. 24, 1985 vs. KC), Moe Drabowsky (BAL, Oct. 5, 1966 at LA) and Hod Eller (CIN, Oct. 6, 1919 at CWS)... Tossed 17.0 consecutive scoreless innings without allowing an earned run (three unearned run), becoming just the fifth Dodger to post such a streak in a single postseason along with Sandy Koufax (18.0 IP, Oct. 11-14, 1965), Jerry Reuss (23.0 IP, Oct. 7-16, 1981), Orel Hershiser (24.1 IP, Oct. 8-20, 1988) and Burt Hooton (26.2 IP, Oct. 9-28, 1981).
2012
Led the Majors in ERA (2.53) for a second consecutive season, becoming the first pitcher to do so since Pedro Martinez in 2002-03, and ranked among the NL leaders in wins (14, T-16th), strikeouts (229, 2nd)opponents' batting average (.210, 2nd), innings pitched (227.2, 2nd), WHIP (1.02, 1st), pickoffs (11, 1st), quality starts (25, T-2nd) and home runs allowed per 9.0 innings (0.63, 6th)...was the first Dodger to lead the NL in ERA in consecutive seasons since Sandy Koufax led the league in ERA in five consecutive seasons from 1962-66...Koufax led the Majors in ERA in consecutive seasons in 1965-66. Finished second in the National League Cy Young voting, receiving two first-place votes and becoming the
seventh Dodger to be a runner up for the award since 1967...the others are Ramon Martinez (1990), Fernando Valenzuela (1986), Jerry Reuss (1980), Burt Hooton (1978),
Tommy John (1977) and Andy Messersmith (1974). Won double-digit games for the third year in a row in a career-high-tying 33 starts (also: 2011). Reached the 200-strikeout mark (229) for the third consecutive season, as he became just the sixth Los Angeles Dodger with three such seasons and just the fifth to do it three years in a row, joining Sandy Koufax (1961-66), Don Drysdale (1962-65), Hideo Nomo (1995-97) and Fernando Valenzuela (1984-86). Limited opponents to a .210 batting average, including a .181 mark (27-for-149) against left-handed hitters...held hitters to a .180 batting average (29-for-161) with runners in scoring position. Won 12 straight home decisions from May 2, 2011-April 27, 2012, tying Ed Roebuck (6/4/60-8/29/62) and Orel Hershiser (9/20/84-10/2/85) for the longest home winning streak in L.A. Dodger history...went 9-5 with a shutout and a 2.05 ERA (31 ER/136.0 IP) in 19 home starts this season. Had a career-long 10-game winning streak from Aug. 13, 2011-April 27, 2012, going 10-0 with a 1.22 ERA (13 ER/96.0 IP) with a complete game in 14 starts in that span. Posted quality starts in nine consecutive outings from July 29-Sept. 11, the longest such run of his career...went 5-3 with a 1.76 ERA (13 ER/66.1 IP) in that span. Fired 22.0 consecutive scoreless innings from May 8-19, which was the longest scoreless streak of his career. Finished the season by posting a 0.77 ERA (3 ER/35.0 IP) in his last five starts and led the Majors in ERA during Sept./Oct...capped off his second half in which he went 8-4 with a 2.10 ERA (25 ER/107.0 IP) and a .197 opponents' average in 15 starts. Named National League Player of the Week for the period of May 14-20, the second time he's won the honor (also: June 20-26, 2011), after going 2-0 and tossing 16.0 scoreless frames with wins over the D-backs (7.0 IP, 4 H, 6 K) and Cardinals (9.0 IP, 6 H, 4 K). Ranked second among pitchers with a .207 batting average and had 13 sacrifice hits, the second most in the Majors...knocked in two runs, including his first sacrifice fly...doubled on May 19 against the Cardinals for the first extra-base hit of his career. Selected to his second consecutive All-Star Game via a selection by Manager Tony La Russa and tossed a scoreless fifth inning in the National League's 8-0 win. Despite only a 5-6 record, posted a 2.14 ERA (24 ER/101.0 IP) in 15 starts against the NL West this season...has the lowest all-time ERA against the division (min. 20 starts) with a 2.41 ERA (111 ER/414.2 IP) in 66 G (65 GS) and four complete games (2 SHO). Fired two shutouts, allowing just six hits in a May 19 shutout vs. St. Louis and permitting five hits in a July 29 blanking at San Francisco...has five career shutouts. Struck out 10 or more on three occasions, including a season-high 12 strikeouts on June 9 at Seattle...has 18 games in his career with 10 or more strikeouts.
2011
Had a breakout season in 2011, taking home the National League Cy Young Award, winning the league's pitching Triple Crown, playing in his first All-Star Game and earning his first Rawlings Gold Glove Award...Also picked up the Players Choice Award for Outstanding NL Pitcher, selected as a Sporting News NL All-Star, won the Warren Spahn Award as the Majors' top lefthander and honored by the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum as the NL Pitcher of the Year with the Bullet Rogan Award... Became the eighth different Dodger pitcher to win the Cy Young Award as a Dodger took home the award for the 10th time...earned 207 overall points and appeared in the Top-3 on every ballot, garnering 27 first-place votes out of the possible 32 votes...was the second-youngest Dodger to be honored with a Cy Young Award behind Fernando Valenzuela (20, 1981) and the youngest National Leaguer to win since Dwight Gooden, who won the award in 1985 at the age of 20 with the Mets...Was the third different Dodger pitcher to win the Triple Crown, joining Dazzy Vance (1924) and Sandy Koufax (1963, 1965 and 1966), and led the Majors with a 2.28 ERA, tied with Ian Kennedy for the NL lead with 21 wins and ranked first in the league with 248 strikeouts...Ranked among the NL leaders in opponents' batting average (.207, 1st), winning percentage (.808, 21-5, 2nd), innings pitched (233.1, 3rd), complete games (5, 3rd), shutouts (2, T-2nd) and WHIP (0.98, 1st)...Earned his spot in the Los Angeles Dodgers' single-season record books, ranking among team leaders in wins (T-7th), winning percentage (6th), ERA (11th), strikeouts (6th) and opponents' batting average (11th)...his 21 victories and 2.28 ERA were the best marks since Orel Hershiser went 23-8 with a 2.26 ERA in 1988 and his strikeout total was the highest for a Dodger since Sandy Koufax struck out 317 in 1966...Went 21-5 to become the Dodgers' first 20-game winner since Ramon Martinez in 1990...allowed just one run on six hits over 7.0 innings and outdueled former Cy Young Award Winner Tim Lincecum on Sept. 20 to pick up his 20th win in the Dodgers' 2-1 victory...According to the Elias Sports Bureau, he became the youngest Major Leaguer to win more than 20 games in a season since a 20-year-old Dwight Gooden went 24-4 for
the 1985 Mets and the youngest Dodger to win 20 since a 21-year-old Ralph Branca went 21-12 for Brooklyn in 1947...Became one of just four pitchers since 1970 to reach the
20-win plateau with 240 or more strikeouts in a single season while under the age of 24, joining Gooden (24 wins, 268 strikeouts in 1985), Bert Blyleven (20 W, 258 SO in 1973) and Vida Blue (24 W, 301 SO in 1971)...Made his first All-Star appearance in 2011 and was voted in to the Midsummer Classic via Player Ballot...in the game, tossed a scoreless inning and needed just eight pitches to set down the side in order by striking out David Ortiz and
retiring Robinson Cano and Alex Avila on infield grounders...In a midseason Baseball America survey of National League managers, Kershaw was voted as having the league's third-best fastball, the circuit's best curveball and the third-best pickoff move...led the NL with nine pickoffs...Was at his best against divisional foes, going 12-2 with a 2.02 ERA in 16 starts...Posted a 5-0 record with a 1.07 ERA (5 ER/42.0 IP) in six starts against the World Champion San Francisco Giants, becoming the first Dodger to go 5-0 against the Giants in a single season since Vic Lombardi in 1946...went 4-0 with a 0.30 ERA (1 ER/30.1 IP) in four head-to-head matchups against Tim Lincecum in 2011...Made his first Opening Day start this season, becoming the fifth-youngest Opening Day starter in L.A. Dodger history
at 23 years and 12 days...Fernando Valenzuela was younger in 1981 (20, 159) and 1983 (22, 155) and Don Drysdale was younger in 1958 (21, 266) and 1959 (22, 262)...struck out nine over 7.0 scoreless innings in the Dodgers' 2-1 Opening Day win over the Giants...Was dominant at Dodger Stadium, going 12-1 (.923) with the Majors' lowest home ERA at 1.69 (22 ER/117.1 IP), two shutouts and four complete games in 16 starts...finished the season by winning his final 11 decisions at home, which ties for the third-longest home winning streak in Los Angeles history...Went 12-1 with a 1.31 ERA (15 ER/102.2 IP) in the season's second half and completed the season on a career-long eight-game winning streak, which was the second-longest run in the NL this season...Went 8-0 with a 0.96 ERA (7 ER/65.2 IP) and a .192 opponents' batting average over his final nine starts, including a 4-0 record with a 1.30 ERA (5 ER/34.2 IP) in five September starts...Won the NL Pitcher of the Month in July, going 4-1 with a 2.02 ERA in five July starts...tied for the NL lead in wins and ranked third in ERA in the month...Earned the league's Player of the Week honor for the period of June 20-26, going a perfect 2-0 with a 1.00 ERA (2 ER/18.0 IP)...tossed a two-hit shutout of the Tigers on June 20 and allowed just two runs in a complete-game victory over the Angels on June 26...Also had a career year at the plate, setting career highs in batting average (.225), runs (10), hits (16) RBI (4) and on-base percentage (.267)...tied for the NL lead among pitchers in runs, ranked second in hits and finished with the third-highest batting average and on-base percentage.
2010
Went 13-10 with a 2.91 ERA in the best season of his three-year career, setting career highs and leading the team in wins, strikeouts (212), innings (204.1), starts (32) and quality starts (23) ... ranked fifth in the NL in strikeouts and his ERA ranked ninth among qualifying NL starters ... Was one of only 12 pitchers in the Majors to reach 200.0 innings and strike out more than 200 this season ... became the 41st pitcher in franchise history to accomplish the feat and joins Adonis Terry (1884, Brooklyn), Ramon Martinez (1990) and Don Sutton (1966) as the only pitchers to reach both milestones in a single season prior to their 23rd birthday ... Led the club with a career-high 23 quality starts, seven more than his previous high of 16 from 2009 ... pitched 7.0 or more innings in 15 of his 32 starts ... Ranked fifth in the Majors with a .214 opponents' batting average and held left-handed hitters to a .200 mark (32-for-160) ... Ranked second in the National League behind Philadelphia's Roy Oswalt with a 2.43 ERA in 15 starts on the road (26 ER/96.1 IP) after posting a 4.37 ERA on the road in his first two professional seasons ... Tossed his first career complete game and shutout on Sept. 14 at San Francisco, allowing just four hits to beat the Giants 1-0 ...
had started the most contests in franchise history (80) without a complete game ... Finished with a career-low average of 3.6 walks per 9.0 innings pitched, but his 81 bases on balls still were the seventh most in the NL ... Allowed an average of just 0.57 home runs per 9.0 innings, the seventh-lowest mark in the NL ... opposing hitters had just a .320 slugging percentage against him, which was the second-lowest mark on the Senior Circuit ... Was at his best against divisional opponents, going 9-2 with a 1.72 ERA (19 ER/99.1 IP) and a .181 opponents' batting average (64-for-353) in 15 starts ... Tied for the National League lead and for second in the big leagues with eight pickoffs ... Led the Majors with 18 sacrifice hits, the most for a Dodger since Juan Pierre's 20 sacrifices in 2007...was tied with Burt Hooton for second all time in Dodger franchise history, one behind Orel Hershiser's 19 in 1988 ... Won four games in six starts in May, the most wins in any calendar month in his career ... in two consecutive starts on May 9 and 15, he was credited with a victory, pitched at least seven innings and registered at least seven strikeouts while allowing as few as one run and three hits...only four other Dodgers pitchers since 1900 have done that in consecutive starts in a single season: Sandy Koufax in 1961, Don Sutton in 1972, Orel Hershiser in 1984 and Chan Ho Park in 2000 (Source: Elias). ... Led National League left-handers and ranked fifth overall on the circuit with 212 strikeouts ... only two left-handers have had more strikeouts in a season in franchise history - Sandy Koufax (1961-66) and Fernando Valenzuela (1984 and 1986) ... Ranked fourth in the National League with an average of 9.34 strikeouts per 9.0 innings pitched ... Struck out 12 on July 8 against the Cubs for his second-highest single-game total behind his 13 punchouts on April 15, 2009 vs. San Francisco ... Participated in the Dodgers' 2011 calendar shoot, which featured children from the Los Angeles County Department of Children and Family Services ... Taught at The Players Trust's City Clinic at the MLB Urban Youth Academy in Compton on Aug. 19.
2009
Finished the year going 8-8 with a 2.79 ERA (53 ER/171.0 IP)...struck out 185 batters to rank 11th in the National League...walked 91 hitters, which ranked third in the NL...Was dominant down the stretch despite not having much to show for it...in his last 10 starts, went 0-3, but posted an ERA of 2.56 (16 ER/56.1 IP) and limited hitters to a .200 average...the club went just 14-16 when he took the mound...Allowed three runs or less in 26 of his 30 starts...On the season, led all Major Leaguer pitchers by limiting hitters to a .200 average (119-for-596) and a .282 slugging percentage...Ranked fifth in the NL in overall ERA (2.79) and first in ERA at home (1.83)...Joined Ralph Branca (1947), Don Drysdale (1956), Fernando Valenzuela (1981, '82) and Don Sutton (1966), as the only pitchers in Dodger franchise history since 1901 to appear in the Top-10 in ERA when they were 21 years or younger...Kershaw is the first in the Majors to do so since Rick Ankiel in 2000...Won five consecutive games from June 21-July and posted a 0.73 ERA (3 ER/37.0 IP) over that time...Allowed 6.26 hits per nine innings, which was the best in baseball...Left-handers managed to hit just .173 against him, which was the sixth-best mark vs. lefties in the Major Leagues...Posted a 2-0 record to go along with a 1.14 ERA (3 ER/23.2 IP) in four interleague starts...The opposition hit just .188 against him with runners in scoring position...the average went down to .133 with RISP and two out...Allowed just seven home runs on the season and two in one game just once (April 26 at COL)...In close and late situations, batters went just 3-for-22 (.136) without an RBI...Dominated in July, going 3-0 with a 0.71 ERA (3 ER/38.0 IP) in six starts...batters hit just .167 against him during the month...won the Dodgers' Farmers Insurance Player of the Month Award...Fanned a career-high 13 batters in his second start of the season back on April 15 vs. San Francisco...allowed just one run in 7.0 innings, but picked up the no-decision...had three other outings on the season in which he struck out at least 10 batters...Aug. 8 vs. Atlanta
(10), Aug. 30 at Cincinnati (11) and Oct. 2 vs. Colorado (10)...Became the youngest pitcher in Los Angeles Dodger history to strike out 13 or more batters in a game and is the youngest pitcher in franchise history to strike out at least 13 since Sandy Koufax fanned 14
Reds August 27, 1955 at Ebbets Field in just his second big league start...Koufax was 19 years old at the time...His victory over the Mets on July 7, put him over the .500 mark for
the first time in his career...Fired a career-high 8.0 innings against the Cardinals at Busch Stadium on July 29 and did not allow a run on just four hits...picked up the no-decision in a game St. Louis came back to win in 15 innings...On Sept. 6, separated his non-throwing shoulder while shagging flies in the outfield during batting practice...missed nearly three weeks of action, before returning to the mound on Sept. 22 at Washington where he tossed 2.0 scoreless innings out of the bullpen...came back as a starter on Sept. 27 and then fired 6.0 scoreless innings in his regular-season finale on Oct. 3.
2008
The Majors' youngest player went 5-5 with a 4.26 ERA in 22 games (21 starts) over two stints for his big league debut...began the year with Double-A Jacksonville, and had his contract purchased on May 24 to start the next day vs. St. Louis...later would make two appearances in the National League Championship Series against the Phillies...Worked a combined 169.0 innings with the Dodgers and Jacksonville, 47.0 innings more than his 2007 total of 122.0...Burst onto the scene as a 19-year-old in Spring Training (turned 20 on March 19), joining big league camp the first week in March...in his first appearance on March 9 vs. Boston, retired the side in the fourth inning on 10 pitches...got Mike Lowell to pop out, induced J.D. Drew on a broken-bat groundout, and struck out Sean Casey looking on a knee-buckling curveball...Went 0-2 with a 4.42 ERA (19 ER/38.2 IP) in eight starts through July 1, and was optioned back to Jacksonville on July 2, a day after being in line for his first big league win only to see the bullpen blow a 6-4 lead...was recalled against on July 22, and remained with the Dodgers for the rest of the year...Earned his first big league win on July 27 vs. Washington, tossing 6.0 scoreless innings in the 2-0 Dodger win...The Dodgers went 13-8 in his starts...went 3-2 with a 3.41 ERA (23 ER/60.2 IP) in 11 starts at Dodger Stadium and 2-3 with a 5.36 ERA (28 ER/47.0 IP) in 11 games (10 starts) on the road...was unbeaten in his final five starts, going 3-0 with a 3.58 ERA (11 ER/27.2 IP) in that span...His lone relief appearance was on Sept. 28 at San Francisco...tossed a scoreless inning despite allowing two hits and a walk (intentional)...With Jacksonville, went 2-3 with a 1.91 ERA in 13 games (11 starts)...was named the No. 1 prospect in the Southern League following the season by Baseball America...also was rated by the publication as having the SL's best fastball and best breaking ball as part of the "Best Tools" survey of league manager and coaches...On May 25 vs. St. Louis, became the fourth-youngest starting pitcher in Los Angeles Dodger history at 20 years, 65 days...in that debut game, fired 6.0 innings of two-run ball in the Dodgers' 10-inning 4-3 win...on June 10 at San Diego, opposed Greg Maddux for the second largest age gap (21 years, 340 days) between opposing starters in 2008...Florida's Andrew Miller was 22 years, 184 days younger than Philadelphia's Jamie Moyer when they opposed each another on June 1 (Source: Elias)...worked a career-high 7.0 innings on two occasions: August 7 at St. Louis and September 2 vs. San Diego...struck out a career-high eight batters on Aug. 12 vs. Philadelphia...Was on the Dodgers' NLDS roster against the Cubs, but did not appear in a game...made two appearances in the NLCS against Philadelphia, allowing a run in 2.0 innings of work.
2007
Went 8-7 with a 2.95 ERA in a combined 25 starts with Single-A Great Lakes and Double-A Jacksonville...went 7-5 with a 2.77 ERA in 20 starts with Great Lakes before being promoted to Jacksonville on Aug. 7...went 1-2 with a 3.65 ERA in five starts with Jacksonville...Was rated by Baseball America as the No. 1 prospect in the Dodger organization and in the Midwest League following the season... was voted as having the best fastball in the Dodger chain in Baseball America's annual "Best Tools" survey of league managers and coaches...Was a mid-season ML All-Star and participated in the XM Radio All-Star Futures games in San Francisco...was the winning pitcher for the East All-Stars in the ML's Mid-Summer Classic...Limited the opposition to a .201 average, the fifth-lowest average in all of minor league baseball (.203 with Great Lakes and .193 with Jacksonville)…limited left-handed hitters to a .157 average (16-for-102) at both stops...Struck out 134 batters in 97.1 innings with Great Lakes, and fanned 29 in 24.2 innings with Jacksonville...combined for an average of 12.02 strikeouts per nine innings...ranked fifth in the ML in strikeouts...Participated in the inaugural Dodgers' Winter Development Program in January 2008.
2006
In his first pro season, went 2-0 with a 1.95 ERA in 10 games (eight starts) with the Gulf Coast League Dodgers...Was ranked by Baseball America the Dodgers' No. 2 prospect after the season...was ranked by Baseball Prospectus as the club's No. 1 prospect...was voted as having the best fastball and the best control in the Dodger chain in Baseball America's annual "Best Tools" survey of league managers and coaches...Was selected as the 2006 Topps Minor League Player of the Year for the GCL...ranked third in the league with 54 strikeouts...struck out 10 in 5.0 innings on July 29 at GCL Nationals and fanned 11 in 6.0 innings.
