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Tampa Bay Rays Top 10 Pitching Seasons Ever

By Austin Reimann
ST. PETERSBURG, FL - JULY 15: Pitcher James Shields #33 of the Tampa Bay Rays checks a runner at first base against the Boston Red Sox July 15, 2012 at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, Florida. (Photo by Al Messerschmidt/Getty Images)
ST. PETERSBURG, FL - JULY 15: Pitcher James Shields #33 of the Tampa Bay Rays checks a runner at first base against the Boston Red Sox July 15, 2012 at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, Florida. (Photo by Al Messerschmidt/Getty Images) /
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ST. PETERSBURG, FL – SEPTEMBER 20: Pitcher Jeremy Hellickson #58 of the Tampa Bay Rays throws in relief against the Baltimore Orioles September 20, 2013 at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, Florida. The Rays won 5 – 4 in 18 innings. (Photo by Al Messerschmidt/Getty Images)
ST. PETERSBURG, FL – SEPTEMBER 20: Pitcher Jeremy Hellickson #58 of the Tampa Bay Rays throws in relief against the Baltimore Orioles September 20, 2013 at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, Florida. The Rays won 5 – 4 in 18 innings. (Photo by Al Messerschmidt/Getty Images) /

#6 Jeremy Hellickson’s 2011

Jeremy Hellickson’s first and only appearance comes in the top five. A phenomenal rookie year that resulted in Hellickson being named the Rookie of the Year was highlighted by 13 wins and a sub three earned run average. Jeremy Hellickson made a statement in his first full year in Tampa Bay.

Breakdown:

  • Record: 13-10
  • ERA: 2.95
  • IP: 189.0
  • ERA+:  128
  • K: 117
  • WAR: 4.3

Hellickson’s first year in the bigs was his best year to date. His 128 ERA+ ranks as the 10th best season in Rays history and his 4.3 WAR is 7th most in a single season for a Rays pitcher. As for his career year, Hellickson’s earned run average, 13 wins, ERA+, and innings pitched are all career bests.

His Rookie of the Year campaign helped lead the Rays to a Wildcard Game and a Division Series matchup with the Texas Rangers. His 2011 is especially impressive thanks to fact that he was a rookie pitching for a team looking to play in October.

He is the only Tampa Bay Rays pitcher to ever win the Rookie of the Year. In total, Hellickson would go on to win 40 games for the Rays over 5 seasons.

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