2003–2009 · P

Brandon Webb

6' 3", 230 lbs·Lived to 47·Bats R / Throws R

Cy Young AwardAll-Star

The Almanac's Take

Webb's sinker was a thing of beauty — a pitch that dove so sharply hitters looked foolish swinging over it. His 2006 Cy Young season featured a microscopic 2.54 ERA and 16 wins, built almost entirely on that devastating two-seamer that generated groundball after groundball.

The numbers tell the story of dominance cut short. Webb posted a 122 ERA+ across seven seasons, with four consecutive years of sub-3.50 ERAs from 2005-2008. His 1065 strikeouts in 1320 innings show he wasn't just a pitch-to-contact artist — that sinker set up his other offerings perfectly.

Shoulder problems ended his career at 30, robbing baseball of what could have been a Hall of Fame trajectory. Webb's peak was Hall-worthy; his longevity wasn't. That makes his three All-Star selections and Cy Young award feel both impressive and incomplete.

Career Highs

2.84

Best ERA · 2003

Most W · 2008

194

Most K · 2007

1.132

Best WHIP · 2006

Career Arc · OPS

6 seasons

Career Arc · ERA

7 seasons

Statistical Comps

Framber Valdez

100%

2025 season

K/9 8.8 · BB/9 3.2 · HR/9 0.70 · SP · FB 94.2 mph · Whiff% 25

Max Fried

100%

2024 season

K/9 8.6 · BB/9 2.9 · HR/9 0.67 · SP · FB 93.8 mph · Whiff% 22

Career · Hitting

7 seasons

Year	Team	G	AB	RBI	AVG	OPS	OPS+
2003	AZ	29	50	0	.100	.255	34
2004	AZ	35	64	4	.094	.228	30
2005	AZ	33	62	2	.097	.208	28
2006	AZ	33	73	9	.151	.349	45
2007	AZ	34	73	3	.082	.204	27
2008	AZ	34	67	11	.149	.371	50
2009	AZ	1	2	0	.000	.000	0
Career		199	391	29	.113	—	—

Career · Pitching

7 seasons

Year	Team	G	IP	W	L	ERA	ERA+	SO	WHIP
2003	AZ	29	180.7	10	9	2.84	155	172	1.151
2004	AZ	35	208.0	7	16	3.59	124	164	1.505
2005	AZ	33	229.0	14	12	3.54	121	172	1.258
2006	AZ	33	235.0	16	8	3.10	146	178	1.132
2007	AZ	34	236.3	18	10	3.01	148	194	1.189
2008	AZ	34	226.7	22	7	3.30	131	183	1.196
2009	AZ	1	4.0	0	0	13.50	32	2	2.000
Career		199	1319.7	87	62	—	—	1065	—

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