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Who are the best young starting pitchers of the 2008 season? Cole Hamels, Philadelphia Phillies, Jonathan Broxton, Los Angeles Dodgers, Fausto Carmona, Cleveland Indians, Justin Verlander, Detroit Tigers, Jeremy Bonderman, Detroit Tigers, Felix Hernandez, Seattle Mariners, Scott Kazmir, Tampa Bay Rays, Matt Cain, San Francisco Giants, Jake Peavy, San Diego Padres, Tom Gorzelanny, Pittsburgh Pirates, James Shields, Tampa Bay Rays, C.C. Sabathia, Cleveland Indians, Brandon Webb, Arizona Diamondbacks, Phil Hughes, New York Yankees, Homer Bailey, Cincinnati Reds, Matt Garza, Minnesota Twins, Yovani Gollardo, Milwaukee Brewers, Luke Hochevar, Kansas City Royals, Josh Johnson, Florida Marlins, Tim Lincecum, San Francisco Giants, Adam Miller, Cleveland Indians, Nick Adenhart, Los Angeles Angels, Anibal Sanchez, Florida Marlins, Jered Weaver, Los Angeles Angels, and Chad Billingsley, Los Angeles Dodgers.

What makes them the best young starting pitchers of the 2008 season? First and foremost, youth and talent, but also working their way up the system and gaining experience. Secondly, but of equal importance is their mechanics. Things like showing the ball to third base (first base for lefties), keeping the elbows below the shoulders, and rotating the hips before the shoulders. Doing these things helps them to throw as hard as necessary, with exceptional control, movement, and deception.

When will the best young starting pitchers of the 2008 season reach their prime? Some, like Jake Peavy, have already reached their prime, but, in general, pitcher's reach their primes in their mid to late twenties. Although, that number has jumped to their early to mid thirties with the advances of sports training, equipment, and medicine.

Where will the best young starting pitchers of the 2008 season be in five years? That's hard to tell. Some will flameout due to freak injuries, off the field issues, or sliding mental or physical states. Others have maybe just peaked early, and have nowhere to go but down. Others, who haven't been mentioned here, won't peak until later in their careers. But chances are most of these pitchers will remain solid contributors for the foreseeable future, and depending on their focus could become great by putting up great statistics, winning awards, and leading their teams to championships.

Learn more about this author, Monty Hamilton.
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