I kind of disagree here.
94mph fastball vs. 98mph fastball, yea there is 4mph difference but if you can't locate your pitches than what does it matter? At both of those speeds, both can over power a hitter and so I think that is all that matters. I will say that I expected more from Lincecum's curveball, maybe it has been the starts that I have seen him but I ddin't come away overly impressed...Lincecum has given up 6hr's in 8 starts, why? Because he can't locate that 98mph fastball all the time. Now to be fair, I haven't seen nearly enough of Gallardo and so it is way too early to make this comparison but soon we will know who the better "pitcher" is. Kyle Farnsworth throws 100mph, the guy is far from dominant and reliable. Speed does not always = success.
You guys are comparing Lincecum to guys that have one pitch similar to his.. That is what I don't get...
Lincecum has a fastball that moves, Gallardo's doesn't. As they say in the show you can get away with mislocating a pitch if it moves but you can't if it doesn't. His Breaking ball is better and his change up may be his best pitch. The kids top three pitches are hall of fame pitches, as scouts would call them, and his struggle is the ability to find the strike zone at all times. He is young and will learn to pitch...
As I said you can't teach raw talent. A fastball with movement and a nasty curve ball with a sick change is hard to find. He has given up 6 HR's because he tends to over throw his curve ball in situations leaving it over the heart of the plate. His fastball hasn't gotten hit as hard as his curve ball but he is young and should learn to not overthrow the pitch.
Gallardo is absolutely filthy as well but he still doesn't have the raw stuff and he will not strike out as many people in the big leagues as he did in the minors. He didn't get a shit load of swings and misses tonight but he does seem to jam a lot of hitters. His stuff is very good but not as good as Lincecum.
ANd if I am a GM and had to pick one today to be on my team for years to come Ill take Lincecum for that fact...
Also his delivery is unconventional which is a plus