10 Most Disappointing MLB Starting Pitchers in 2013 [So Far]

Ian Kennedy has been one of the Arizona Diamondbacks' most reliable starters over the past three seasons. The right-hander has averaged a 115 ERA+ and 3.07 K/BB during that period--including a Cy Young-worthy 137 ERA+ campaign in 2011. Yet in 2013, Kennedy has not been himself. In 72.3 innings, the 28 year-old has hurled a 5.72 ERA (vs. 4.43 xFIP), and 2.35 K/BB. With prospects like Randall Delgado, Archie Bradley, David Holmberg, and Andrew Chafin waiting in the wings, Kennedy's future with the team very much depends on his 2013 production.

Brandon Morrow came off a fruitful, but injury plagued 2012, where he pitched to the tune of a 144 ERA+ with a solid 2.63 K/BB. The 28 year-old was primed to be an ace among many in the 2013 Toronto Blue Jays rotation, but like fellow rotation-mates Mark Buehrle and R.A. Dickey, Morrow has too been a dud. The right-hander's 76 ERA+ is his lowest career rate, and his 4.60 xFIP (vs. 5.63 ERA) and .302 BABIP (vs. career .293 BABIP) suggest the shlacking is for real.

Most people screamed "fluke" after Jason Hammel posted a by far career best 122 ERA+ and 8.6 K/9 in 2012. While few expected a repeat, the 30 year-old has actually looked worse in 2013 than he did from 2009 to 2011 (average 100 ERA+, 2.34 K/BB). Hammel has posted a dismal 5.43 ERA (vs. 4.67 xFIP), and mere 2.00 K/BB. The right-hander's newfound ability to strike out batters in 2012 has evaporated this season (from 8.6 K/9 to 6.6 K/9). With Freddy Garcia pitching well, it's possible Hammel might get bumped when Wei-Yin Chen returns from the disabled list.

Mark Buehrle has constantly outperformed his peripherals. Despite owning a career 4.22 xFIP, the 34 year-old also owns a career 3.86 ERA (and 119 ERA+). Yet, Buehrle's luck has swung the other way in 2013. To-date, the veteran left-hander has hurled an ugly 5.42 ERA (vs. 4.43 xFIP), with a 2.29 K/BB.  Even though Buehrle is striking out more a few more batters than usual (career 5.1 K/9 vs. 5.9 K/9 in 2013), he's simply getting hit harder (career 1.02 HR/9 vs. 1.36 HR/9 in 2013), and more often (career 9.4 Hits/9 vs. 10.2 Hits/9 in 2013). Considering his BABIP is stable (career .292 BABIP vs. .305 BABIP in 2013), Buehrle's departure from consistency might be permanent.

After Jarrod Parker posted a 113 ERA+ over 181.3 innings last season for the Oakland Athletics, most critics labeled the A's as the winner of the trade that sent Trevor Cahill and Craig Breslow to the Arizona Diamondbacks for Parker, Ryan Cook, and Collin Cowgill. Considering Parker won't be a free agent until 2018, that still might be the case--but until then, the 24 year-old will have to pitch a little bit better than a 4.68 ERA (vs. 4.66 xFIP), and 1.83 K/BB. More specifically, the right-handed Parker must work on his worrisome bout with gopheritis (0.55 HR/9 in 2012 vs. 1.44 HR/9 in 2013), in order to get his ERA back to his 2012 levels (he posted a 3.47 ERA).

Wade Miley's .81 ERA vs. xFIP differential so far might seem nominal--at least compared to his list mates--but considering the 26 year-old's ERA and xFIP were 3.33 and 3.75, respectively, in 2012, this season has been a major let down. Even though Miley has sported a massively improved GB% (from 43.3% in 2012 to 52.0% in 2013), his lack of swings and misses (from 8.5% SwStr% in 2012 vs. 6.9% SwStr% in 2013) and regressed control skill set (from 1.71 BB/9 in 2012 to 3.03 BB/9 in 2013) has made him a heck of a lot more vulnerable. If the southpaw could rediscover his control, he might be able to rekindle his prior year's success.

R.A. Dickey was one of the few bright spots for the New York Mets last season. Over 233.6 innings, the knuckleballer hurled a magnificent 2.73 ERA (vs. 3.26 xFIP), and 4.26 K/BB--and even took home a Cy Young award. Looking to revamp their farm system, the Mets cashed in Dickey's sterling season by trading him to the Toronto Blue Jays for Travis d'Arnaud, Noah Syndergaard,  Wuilmer Cecerra, and John Buck. But to-date, the Blue Jays haven't received an ace performance from Dickey. His 4.66 ERA vs. 4.46 xFIP, and poor control (from Mets career average 2.2 BB/9 to 3.7 BB/9 in 2013) is indicative of his struggles. Yet, the biggest red flag is the 38 year-old's dip in velocity. Despite averaging 77.1 MPH in 2012, Dickey's average knuckleball has clocked in at 74.6 MPH this season--which is slower than the pitch even was with the Minnesota Twins in 2009. While the veteran has a lot of resolve, Dickey has some pretty big hurdles ahead of him to turn 2013 around.

After two years of hopeful development from 2010 to 2011 (combined 88 ERA+, 2.70 K/BB), New York Mets hurler Jonathon Niese finally turned a corner in 2012. The left-hander posted a 112 ERA+, and 3.16 K/BB, and his 3.64 xFIP supported his 3.40 ERA breakout. But in 2013, Niese has struggled mightily with his control. Despite owning a respectable 2.7 BB/9 over the past three seasons, the 26 year-old has seen that rate spike to a whopping 4.1 BB/9. In addition, his strikeout rate has dropped considerably too, going from a three-year combined 7.6 K/9 to a mere 5.1 K/9 rate this season. Considering Niese's BABIP has stayed consistent (.315 BABIP from 2010 to 2012 vs. .315 BABIP in 2013), the southpaw's bout with walks appears to be the decisive factor in whether his 2013 season will be a step forward or back.

It might not seem fair to lump the injured Roy Halladay in a list with healthy, slumping pitchers, but as according to Halladay himself, his shoulder discomfort didn't occur until after his April 24 start. Regardless, even though Halladay was not nearly as bad as his seasonal 8.65 ERA (vs. 4.18 xFIP) would lead you to believe, it's likely his reign as a top major league starting pitcher is over. The usually pinpoint control artist (career 1.9 BB/9) dipped to a below league average 3.49 BB/9 (from April 3, 2013 to April 24, 2013). In addition, Halladay's sinker has also lost a step. Despite averaging around 92.70 MPH in 2011, and 91.15 MPH in 2012, the 36 year-old averaged a dramatically slower 90.45 MPH sinker in 2013 (from April 3, 2013 to April 24, 2013). For whatever it's worth, the righty's sinker stooped to an average of 89.87 MPH post-April 24, 2013. It will be interesting to see how Halladay performs once he comes back from shoulder surgery (whenever that may be).

Although it might not be a huge accomplishment, Lucas Harrell was the Houston Astros best starting pitcher in 2012. Harrell's 106 ERA+ tied "ace" Wandy Rodriguez--but Harrell pitched 63 more innings--and trumped the likes of Bud Norris (86 ERA+), J.A. Happ (83 ERA+), and Jordan Lyles (79 ERA+). But 2013 has not been as kind to Harrell. The 28 year-old has posted a dismal 4.97 ERA (vs. 4.89 xFIP), 1.11 K/BB, and 1.15 HR/9 (vs. 0.60 HR/9 in 2012). Harrell's BABIP is in line with his career rate (career .310 BABIP vs. .320 BABIP in 2013), so the right-hander is simply getting hit harder than he was in 2012. He might have the Texas Rangers, Oakland Athletics, and Los Angeles Angels to thank for that.