Derek Lowe

[Cowtipper]

Derek Lowe has pitched in the big leagues since 1997. In his 16-year career, he has gone 170-147 with 85 saves and a 3.92 ERA in 640 games (392 starts). The 39-year-old has been an All-Star twice and in 2002 with Boston, he finished third in AL Cy Young voting and 19th in MVP voting.

The righty has won at least 15 games five time, eclipsing the 20 victory margin once. He has led the league in wins once, games started four times, WAR for pitchers once and, when he was a closer, saves once and games finished once. Very defensively sound, Lowe has also led pitchers in fielding percentage five times. He has the 37th best pitcher fielding percentage of all-time. Among active pitchers, he is sixth in innings pitched, sixth in HR/9 IP ratio, sixth in batters faced and seventh in wins.

Lowe has also been a pretty solid postseason performer, despite his losing record. In 23 playoff games (12 starts), he is 5-7 with a 3.21 ERA. He has posted sub-3 ERAs in six different series, including 0.00 marks twice--and in the 2003 ALDS, he had a 0.93 ERA in 9.2 innings of work. He has one World Series ring to his name.

Statistically, Lowe is similar to Scott Sanderson, Kevin Millwood, Jim Lonborg, Dave Stewart, Mike Flanagan, John Burkett, Doug Drabek, Wilbur Wood, Bill Gullickson and Paul Splittorff. The Fan EloRater places him at #220, ahead of Rick Rhoden, Ed Morris and Tim Lincecum, but behind Bill Hutchinson, Jesse Haines and Larry Corcoran.

Career projections, using Bill James' Favorite Toy:

194 W
169 L
701 G
429 GS
156 GF
9 CG
3 SHO
85 SV
2902 IP
3001 H
1436 R
1294 ER
867 BB
1906 K
4.01 ERA

What do you think about Derek Lowe? When all is said and done, should he be a Hall of Famer? Did he have Hall of Fame potential?

[SamtheBravesFan]

Maybe he had Hall of Fame potential, but he shuffled between roles and didn't become a regular starter until he was 29 years old, so that puts him in a hole when it comes to his record. You can't really compare him directly to Eckersley or even Smoltz.

He was consistent as a starter, results-wise, until 2011 (where he will be vilified by Braves fans for years to come). Lowe gives up tons of hits, doesn't strike people out and has a low career ERA+ to boot (112). Only Warren Spahn could do something like that and be a Hall of Famer.

If Lowe had started his entire career, he would have a much better case, but this doesn't cut it.

[KCGHOST]

Good career, but not that good. I think what we want to know is what happened to him and that lady sports reporter he was seeing while he was with the Dodgers.

[Los Bravos]

Sam sums it up nicely.

[Cowtipper]

He got off to a fantastic start this year and ended up getting released because he stunk so bad.

That's baseball.

[Cougar]

Maybe he had Hall of Fame potential, but he shuffled between roles and didn't become a regular starter until he was 29 years old, so that puts him in a hole when it comes to his record. You can't really compare him directly to Eckersley or even Smoltz.

He was consistent as a starter, results-wise, until 2011 (where he will be vilified by Braves fans for years to come). Lowe gives up tons of hits, doesn't strike people out and has a low career ERA+ to boot (112). Only Warren Spahn could do something like that and be a Hall of Famer.

If Lowe had started his entire career, he would have a much better case, but this doesn't cut it.

Warren Spahn led the NL in K's four times, and finished his career with 2583 strikeouts in an age when batters tried hard not to strike out. Spahn shouldn't be in the same post as Derek Lowe.

[Bothrops Atrox]

Warren Spahn led the NL in K's four times, and finished his career with 2583 strikeouts in an age when batters tried hard not to strike out. Spahn shouldn't be in the same post as Derek Lowe.

And 12% above average isn't "low" either. Extremely low for a HOF case with his number of innings, of course. Which is what I am sure what you were getting at.

[Cowtipper]

Now that Lowe appears to be retired, here's his line:

176-157 W-L, 4.03 ERA, 1,722 K, 2 ASG.

Did he do enough to earn a courtesy vote?