Poll: Your choice for the American League’s best first-half pitcher

Jul 15, 2014; Minneapolis, MN, USA; American League pitcher Scott Kazmir (26) of the Oakland Athletics throws a pitch in the 6th inning during the 2014 MLB All Star Game at Target Field. Mandatory Credit: Scott Rovak-USA TODAY Sports

2. Scott Kazmir, Oakland Athletics
2014 stats: 11-3, 2.38 ERA, 3.20 FIP, 0.980 WHIP

There were still questions about Kazmir even after the season he posted for Cleveland in 2013. No, it wasn’t a sensational season for Kazmir, but he did prove he can still pitch. He’s done a little more than that for the A’s thus far in 2014.

Here’s how Kazmir ranks against the other AL pitchers

ERA: 3rd
FIP: 13th
H/9: T4th – 6.8
HR/9: T17th – 0.8
BB/9: T12th – 2.1
SO/9: T13 – 8.3
SO/BB: 12th – 4.00

While some thought of 2013 as possibly a fluke, we might be seeing the Scott Kazmir many thought would be present when he broke into the bigs in 2004 with the then Tampa Bay Devil Rays. He was gone for a while, but it appears that he’s back and back in a big way.

He’s clearly on his way to a career year. Now if he can only stay healthy. He did leave a June 30 game, but his outings since that date have been spectacular (2-0, 0.64 ERA, 14 IP, 1 R, 1 ER, 17 SO, 3 BB, .125 BAA).