8. Sandy Koufax, 165 wins, 131 ERA+, 2,324 1/3 innings, 2,396 strikeouts, 49 bWAR
Brought to make his major league debut at just 19 years old, Sandy Koufax worked as a long reliever and a spot starter for his first three seasons with the major leagues, finally earning a rotation spot as the team headed West in 1958.
Interestingly, Koufax never had a full season under a 3.50 ERA until 1962, a season that he pitched less than 200 innings. He then went on one of the greatest four-year runs in the history of the game, and that run will have many people saying that Koufax should be much higher on this list.
Koufax went from a guy with one of the best curveballs in the game to discussions about him being the best left-handed pitcher that had ever gripped a baseball in less time than it takes a person to complete college.
From 1963-1966, Koufax averaged 24 wins, a 1.86 ERA, 0.91 WHIP, 298 innings, and 307 strikeouts. That was his average performance. One more time, because it may not have set in – THAT WAS HIS average SEASON.
Certainly, that run earns Koufax this spot on the best left-handed pitchers list, but his lack of depth makes it difficult to put him any higher. Over his career, Koufax was selected to 7 All-Star games, won 3 Cy Young Awards, and won the 1963 NL MVP. He also won the NL triple crown in 1963, 1965, and 1966.
Koufax was elected to the Hall of Fame in 1972 with 86.9% of the vote.
Next: 7. Kid K