All-Star Profile: Clayton Kershaw

Taken with the seventh overall pick in the 2006 MLB First-Year Player Draft out of Dallas, he has complied an 8-4 record  with a 3.23 ERA in 2011. Los Angeles, here’s your All-Star and Cy Young candidate, Clayton Kershaw.

Photo by Victor Decolongon/Getty Images via Zimbio

The 23-year-old starting pitcher has been rewarded for a great first half, with his first ever All-Star selection. Kershaw not only began the season as the opening day starter, but has met and exceeded the expectations. Even before his major league career began, people knew he was going to be a special pitcher. He pitched an all strikeout perfect game in high school. There was 27 batters up, and 27 batters left the batters box with a frown knowing they were another strikeout, in what is the most perfect form of a perfect game. The stamina needed for a 27-K performance caught many eyes, and building on the talent he had at a young age, and steadily improving throughout the minor leagues gave Don Mattingly the confidence to give him the starting day nod.

From his first start, March 31 against the San Fransisco Giants, he pitched with confidence. Yet, just as every great player, he’s had his rough patches. He was pulled in the fifth inning against the Cardinals, allowing a season high five walks to go along with the five earned runs. But he showed the nation how to bounce back from a bad outing, and in his next start against the Atlanta Braves, Kershaw lasted eight and two-thirds innings only allowing three earned runs, adding two hits of his own. His last start in April was a loss that gave him a 2-3 record with a 3.52 ERA  on the young season. Kershaw not only shook off a bad start, but turned his season completely around when the calendar turned to May.

May began with a seven-inning effort against the Chicago Cubs allowing only two runs, as he also scored a run on offense. With his first win in May, there was no looking back, and his next two starts were ones that proved he was the Dodgers’ ace. Over 13 2/3 innings, against the New York Mets and the Arizona Diamondbacks, Kershaw allowed just 1 earned run while striking out 19 batters. Then, a season high 11 K’s came against the D-Backs. Kershaw was looking stronger and stronger with every outing, perhaps earning his All-Star spot in his last start in May. In the second complete game shutout of his career, Kershaw two-hit the Flordia Marlins while striking out ten. Kershaw finished May with an overall record of 6-3, and his ERA dropped 90 points, down to 2.62. Kershaw found what worked and used it, and June would bring different tales for the Dodgers ace.

Kershaw’s first two starts in June were not pleasant. The Reds and Rockies each put six earned runs on the young pitcher while only allowing him to pitch 12 2/3 innings. Kershaw, however, escaped with a no-decision in both starts. He welcomed back the Reds in his first home start in June, pitching seven strong innings, allowing just one earned run and four hits. The Dodgers lost the game 3-2, but Kershaw’s start showed he was back to his May-form, ending June with back-to-back complete games. The Detroit Tigers were shut down, as he allowed just two hits while matching his season high in strikeouts with 11, in his second complete game shutout of the season. The Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim also got a taste of Kershaw, as he allowed two runs while again striking out 11 opposing batters. Kershaw would end the month of June with an 8-3 record and an ace-like sub-3.00 ERA. Despite fanning 10 in his first July start against those same Angels, they tacked six earned runs on Kershaw. However, in his latest effort Thursday night, Kershaw threw eight scoreless innings against the Mets to pick up his ninth win.

Kershaw has put up a stellar season and for that has earned an All-Star berth. Although it’s only his first, Clayton Kershaw will be looking to do the same throughout what looks to be a long and promising career. For now, he will relish the show that is the midsummer classic. For now, he will enjoy it. His hardwork has paid off and now he can represent the boys in blue at the game where the best of the best put on a show that fans can appreciate. Tune in on July 11 to FOX to watch Kershaw pitch at the 83rd annual All-Star game in Phoenix, Arizona.