The Year of the Young Pitcher

I know that every year there are highly touted prospects who turn into stars, some that fizzle out, and some that come out of no where to make an impact. I can't help but feel that this year we are finally seeing the true potential of some of the young hurlers in the game. First off we have to state what qualifies someone as young. Since baseball hitters peak around 27 and pitchers at around 28 (though some of their stuff might peak later, especially their off speed offerings) lets throw down a completely scientific (arbitrary) age of 25. So lets take a look at the pitchers under the age of 25 in the game right now in no particular order...



Tim Lincecum
Felix Hernandez
Scott Kazmir
Joba Chamberlain
Cole Hamels
Chad Billingsley
Clayton Kershaw
John Danks
Yovani Gallardo
Matt Cain
David Price
Jair Jurrjens
Max Scherzer
Kevin Slowey
Clay Buchholz
Johnny Cueto
Andrew Miller
Josh Johnson
Ubaldo Jimenez
Jon Lester
Matt Garza
Brett Anderson
Rick Porcello
Sean Gallagher
Phil Hughes
Mike Pelfrey
Chris Volstad
Jonathan Broxton
Jarrod-Parker
Homer Bailey
Fausto Carmona
Trevor Cahill
Tommy Hanson
Justin Masterson
Jesse Litsch
Aaron Laffey
Ian Kennedy
Joakim Soria
John Lannan
Collin Balester
Greg Reynolds
Jordan Zimmerman
Scott Olsen

I took the liberty of bolding the names of a few of the standouts...I wasn't sure what I would find when I made the list, but I am sure there has to be at least one charactoristic among all these players that have allowed them to find success at the major league level at sucha young age. I mean, look at the top 10 names on the list. Those guys have to be good for a few more Cy Young awards. Most of these names project to be at least a #3 starter and some as certified aces, if they are not already. I think it is safe to say we are seeing a changing of the guard in pitching right before our eyes.