Sporting News names Zack Greinke, Tim Lincecum AL, NL pitchers of the year

One former Royals ace describes current K.C. ace Zack Greinke(notes) as a "complete pitcher."

Kansas City Royals right-hander Zack Greinke and San Francisco Giants right-hander Tim Lincecum(notes) are Sporting News' 2009 pitchers of the year, as selected by a panel of 31 major league general managers and assistant GMs.
 
The two aces dominated the major league leader boards this season, though a lack of run support prevented each from making a run at the 20-win plateau.
 
Greinke went 16-8 with a major league-best 2.16 ERA in 33 starts and finished second in the American League with 242 strikeouts. His six complete games ranked second in the majors behind Blue Jays ace Roy Halladay's(notes) nine. And only Halladay (four) had more shutouts than Greinke (three).
 
"He's a complete pitcher—great flow, command of all his pitches and he pitches inside—the best I've seen in a long time at that," former Royals ace Bret Saberhagen told Sporting News. "If he got better run support, he'd have 20 wins." 

Tim Lincecum goes back-to-back as SN's top hurler in the NL.

Lincecum, SN's NL pitcher of the year in 2008, was 15-7 with a 2.48 ERA in 32 starts. His 261 strikeouts led the National League and ranked second in the majors behind Tigers right-hander Justin Verlander's(notes) 269. Lincecum tied for the National League lead with four complete games and two shutouts.
 
"Tim has been the most dominant young pitcher in baseball the last two years," right-hander Russ Ortiz(notes) told SN. "As he learns the game more, he'll be even more fun to watch."
 
Sporting News will unveil its award winners throughout the week on sportingnews.com. On Wednesday, Phillies left-hander J.A. Happ(notes) and White Sox third baseman Gordon Beckham(notes) were named SN's 2009 rookies of the year. The upcoming schedule:
 
• Thursday morning: Player of the year, all-star teams 

• Friday morning: Comeback players of the year, relievers of the year
 
SN's entire 3-page awards package can be found in the new issue of the magazine, which arrives later this week at all Barnes & Noble, Borders and Hudson Retail outlets. 

Chris Bahr is Sporting News' baseball editor. E-mail him at cbahr@sportingnews.com.

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