Ranking the Top 5 Starting Pitchers in the AL Central for 2015

2. Chris Sale, Chicago White Sox

Aug 24, 2014; Bronx, NY, USA; Chicago White Sox starting pitcher Chris Sale (49) pitches during the first inning against the New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Anthony Gruppuso-USA TODAY Sports

Chris Sale is the future of pitching, and do not let the fact that he resembles a broomstick with arms detract from that. The 6’6 left-hander has aged like wine, progressively getting better every year. His first full season, 2012, was immaculate, going 17-8 with a 3.05 ERA. 2013 showed a less wins, going 11-14, but an almost identical ERA with 3.07.

In 2014 a flexor muscle injury sideline Sale for a little over a month, which makes it hard to compare his numbers to his peers. For his sample size, though, his 2014 may have been his best season yet: 12-4 record, 2.17 ERA, 208 strikeouts, and 174 IP. Sale captured his third straight All Star appearance and placed third in AL Cy Young voting. For missing a month, Chris Sale still managed to wear the pants in the Windy City. His career has been a continuous buildup and with an expanding repertoire, Sale’s ceiling is incredibly high. It also doesn’t hurt that Jeff Samardzija is there to help, and a legitimate offense now resides on the South Side of Chicago.