By Jonathan Lee

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1. Justin Verlander, DET – 236.1
2. Cliff Lee, PHI – 228.8
3. Clayton Kershaw, LAD – 227.3
4. Tim Lincecum, SF – 226.6
5. Yu Darvish, TEX – 225.7
6. Brandon Morrow, TOR – 223
7. Roy Halladay, PHI – 222.3
8. Zack Greinke, KC – 220.6
9. Felix Hernandez, SEA – 220.6
10. Yovani Gallardo, MIL – 208.9

This season’s list of top projected strikeout pitchers basically looks like a Cy Young ballot with a couple of notable exceptions. Most of these pitchers marry power stuff with the durability to throw 200+ innings to rack up gaudy punchout totals.

Justin Verlander (236.1) is forecasted to be the leader averaging nearly exactly one strikeout per inning pitched. Cliff Lee (228.8) follows closely behind combined strikeout stuff with impeccable control. NL West aces Clayton Kershaw (227.3) and Tim Lincecum (226.6) will terrorize batters on the West Coast all season.

The first surprising name is Yu Darvish (225.7). It is difficult to project Japanese pitchers coming over to the Major Leagues, but Darvish is an aggressive power pitcher with a deep repertoire of pitches. He was an extremely dominant strikeout man in Japan, and AccuScore expects that to continue in America. Brandon Morrow (223) is probably the “worst” pitcher on this list, but that has never been for a lack of stuff. Morrow had four double-digit K games last season, and struck out 17 batters two seasons ago.

Roy Halladay (222.3), Zack Greinke (220.6), and Felix Hernandez (220.6) are likely to rack up gaudy totals, and be top contenders for the Cy Young in either league. Yovani Gallardo (208.9) has averaged more Ks than innings in his career.