Mat Latos.

BY ROB SHAW
sportsnet.ca

The headlines are that Stephen Strasburg will need Tommy John surgery, hence, putting an end to his rookie campaign. Truth is, as good as Strasburg has been, there are several other rookies that have been equally, if not more impressive. Here's a look at the many rookie hurlers that have made an impact this season.

Mike Minor, SP, Braves

With a perfect 2-0 record and remarkable 22:4 strikeout-to-walk ratio, Mike Minor is now the top dog when it comes to pitching prospects now that Strasburg will be sidelined for at least 12 months. A big difference here is that Minor pitches for a contender and the Braves have scored 30 runs in his three starts. The 22-year old Vanderbilt alumnus is a must-start in fantasy leagues every time he takes the mound.

Barry Enright, SP, Diamondbacks

Winning four straight decisions is a pretty impressive feat when you consider that Barry Enright pitches for the floundering Arizona Diamondbacks. Perhaps more impressive is the fact that Enright has yet to allow more than three earned runs in a single start this season. The 24-year-old hurler is a player to keep an eye on as the .231 opposing batting average tells us the hitters have yet to catch up to his stuff.

Jeremy Hellickson, SP, Rays

The Rays are trying to limit his innings, so he won't gather many more starts this season, but at 3-0, the cat is out of the bag for Jeremy Hellickson. The 23-year old right-hander was a fourth round pick in 2005, and has a 25:4 strikeout-to-walk ratio. His 2.05 ERA and 0.76 WHIP are lights out, but he has also yet to pitch to the Yankees or Red Sox.

Jon Niese, SP, Mets

One of the few positives of the New York Mets season is the fine pitching of rookie Jonathan Niese. The Mets southpaw is fresh off a string of five consecutive starts in which he allowed just one earned run. Even though he allowed seven runs to cross the dish in his most recent appearances, that was largely a result of poor defence, as he still had his way with the opposition, striking out a career-high eight batters.

Wilton Lopez, RP, Astros

A failed attempt at starting last season resulted in a move to the bullpen and the 27-year-old right-hander has significantly increased his value. His record stands at 5-0, but more indicative of his prowess in the late innings is his 2.88 ERA and astonishing 40:5 strikeout-to-walk ratio. Lopez even picked up his first career save this season, perhaps a sign of things to come for the hard-throwing control pitcher.

Jaime Garcia, SP, Cardinals

He has somehow gone a bit under the radar because he lacks the dominant stuff of some of the harder throwing aces, but Jaime Garcia has found a recipe for success with a 2.33 ERA and 12-6 record for a Cardinals squad looking to make the postseason. Though he may not be considered a strikeout pitcher, he does not lack in strikeouts with 118 already on the season in 146.2 innings. He has not allowed an earned run in each of his last three starts and will likely contend with Mat Latos for the Rookie of the Year Award.

Mat Latos, SP, Padres

While Strasburg regularly got all the attention, Mat Latos has been as dominant, if not more so in his rookie campaign. The 22-year old hurler owns a 13-5 record, 2.29 ERA, 0.97 WHIP, and a strikeout per inning. Since the All-Star break, Latos has been no worse than Cy Young himself with a 3-1 record and 1.88 ERA in seven starts.

Daniel Hudson, SP, Diamondbacks

All he ever needed was a chance to pitch. However, with the White Sox making a run for the playoffs with a veteran staff, Hudson remained in the Minor leagues and was only called up for spot starts. A mid-season trade to the Diamondbacks opened the door to opportunity, and Hudson has responded with a 3-1 record and 1.72 ERA in five starts. A strikeout artist who finally has recovered his control, Hudson is a tough draw for the opposition.

John Axford, RP, Brewers

Trevor Hoffman's struggles led to his opportunity, and Axford hit the ground running in the closer's role. Axford has racked up 19 saves this season with a 2.58 ERA and 57 K's in just 45.1 innings. The Ontario native who had undergone Tommy John surgery early in his career has proven to be a legitimate closer in the Majors.

Henry Rodriguez, RP, A's

This 23-year-old Venezuelan has surrendered just three hits and no runs in his past eight appearances. Though he pitches in the unheralded position of middle relief, Rodriguez will certainly earn a promotion, as the opposition is hitting just .194 off him in 17.1 innings of work.

Alex Sanabia, SP, Marlins

A 21-year-old phenom, Alex Sanabia follows in the long line of young Marlins pitching talents. Though his disastrous outing at San Francisco a few weeks back lifts his ERA to 3.62, Sanabia has won his past three decisions and has allowed two runs or fewer in all but one appearance. Though he won't accumulate many strikeouts, Sanabia keeps the ball in the yard and rarely surrenders a walk.

Mike McClendon, RP, Brewers

This 25-year-old middle reliever is not projected to have as much potential as most of the people on this list. However, when it comes to results, McClendon has been very impressive. The 6'5 hurler has made three long relief appearances and over eight innings he has allowed just three hits and one run.

Jonny Venters, RP, Braves

One of the best relievers in baseball this season, Jonny Venters owns a 4-2 record, one save, and a 1.76 ERA through 66.1 innings. The 25-year-old southpaw has been a godsend for Bobby Cox and the Braves, as he averages more than a strikeout per inning, while limiting the opposition to a ridiculous .184 average this season. He may have hit a rookie wall in recent days, as his ERA has spiked a bit since the All-Star break.

Felix Doubront, RP, Red Sox

A 22-year-old southpaw, Felix Doubront has offered the Red Sox an extra arm in their chase for the AL East Division. Though he had mixed results a few months back as a starting pitcher, Doubront has rebounded as a reliever, with five straight shutout innings en route to his first two career saves.

Travis Wood, SP, Reds

Though he got rocked in his most recent start against the Giants, Wood had won four straight starts, all on the road before the bump in the road. Wood has had many fine starts this season, including a nine inning one-hit no-decision against the Phillies. Overall, his record is 4-2 through 10 starts with a 3.38 ERA. His most impressive statistic has to be the .191 batting average against, which helps translate into a 0.98 WHIP.

Chris Sale, RP, White Sox

It's very impressive that in the same season that Chris Sale was drafted, he has already been pushed to the Major Leagues. The 21-year old has pitched in middle relief and so far, the opposition has racked up just three hits and a run against him in 7.1 innings. Though he may be a starting pitcher down the line, the White Sox may consider him as a closer for next season.

Drew Storen, RP, Nationals

Drafted in the same round of the same draft as Stephen Strasburg, this reliever is still hurling for the Nationals. Once the Nationals traded Matt Capps to the Twins, Storen was used as a part-time closer and he nailed his first two opportunities before getting blasted against the Cardinals on Friday night. Even though his ERA went up nearly a whole run, Storen has a solid 3.24 ERA and 1.20 WHIP.

Francisco Rodriguez, RP, Angels

The Angels have found another Francisco Rodriguez, and this one will enjoy the better 2010 season. Rodriguez has allowed just one run to score in his past seven innings of work. At 27 years old, he is a bit older than most rookies, and he lacks the high ceiling. Nonetheless, he has offered decent middle relief for the Angels this season with a 3.70 ERA, and he may even earn a save or two now that Brian Fuentes has been traded.