Washington Nationals starter John Lannan was named to the Major League Baseball Topps rookie All Star Team. Lannan finished the 2008 baseball season with a record of 9-15. But ignore that. No pitcher could possibly have a winning record on that team, they stunk, completely.
Lannan was recognized because in 31 starts, despite the 9-15 record, he posted a 3.91 ERA and struck out 117 batters and pitched 182 innings.
Lannan led all big league rookies and tied for eighth in the National League with 21 quality starts, which was the third-highest total by a Washington pitcher and tied for the fifth-highest rookie total in the past 23 years, beginning with the 1986 season. He finished high among this season’s freshman in wins (tied for sixth), ERA (fourth) and starts (tied for third), while also ranking among the top rookies with 182 innings (fifth), 112 strikeouts (fifth) and a .252 opponents’ batting average (third).
And Lannan’s record could’ve been a whole lot better. Seven times this season, Lannan turned in a quality start — pitching at least six innings while surrendering no more than three earned runs — but ended up with a loss.
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