Jaime Garcia is the Rodney Dangerfield amongst major league pitchers, as he didn't get much respect, at least from me, on draft day that he deserved after a solid rookie season in 2010. Garcia made a splash last year going 13-8 with a 2.78 ERA, a 1.32 WHIP, and a 132-64 K/BB rate.
Coming into this season, I felt he wasn't a big strikeout pitcher as his K/9 rate was just 7.27. But this season, he is striking out almost 9 batters per nine innings, although his walk rate is up as well. Like last year, he is limiting hitters to a SLG% just over .300.
Last night, he pitched 7 perfect innings before giving up a walk and a single in the 8th, but he was able to hold it together and maintain the shutout. He gave up just 2 hits and a walk while striking out 8 in his complete game shutout of the Brewers.
For the season, he is now 4-0 with a 1.99 ERA, 0.97 WHIP and a 44-11 K/BB rate. I am not sure if he is a top 20 starter this year, but if he keeps pitching like this, he will certainly be in the discussion for top 20 in 2012.