page_title: Scott Feldman
section_title: 2009: Breakout season
hierarchical_section_title: Scott Feldman / Major leagues / Texas Rangers (2005–2012) / 2009: Breakout season
caption_attribution_description: English: Scott Feldman in a conference on the mound; April 25, 2009
context_page_description: Scott Wynne Feldman is an American former professional baseball pitcher. He played in Major League Baseball for the Texas Rangers, Chicago Cubs, Baltimore Orioles, Houston Astros, Toronto Blue Jays and Cincinnati Reds.
  After going 25–2 in his first two years of college baseball, he was drafted in the 30th round by the Texas Rangers in 2003. Feldman had Tommy John surgery later that year. He followed it up with a minor league career in which he had a 2.70 ERA, and held batters to only 6.6 hits per 9 innings, pitching almost exclusively in relief.
  After pitching out of the bullpen while bouncing back and forth between Texas and its Triple-A affiliate in 2005–07, Feldman converted to a starter in 2008. He established himself in 2009 with a breakout season for the Rangers. He was 17–8, tied for 4th in the American League in wins, and tied the major league record with 12 victories on the road. As the Reds' Opening Day starter in 2017, he became one of 52 pitchers to have started Opening Day for at least three major league teams.
context_section_description: The Rangers decided that Feldman would begin 2009 as a middle reliever, and Kris Benson would be a starter. "Feldman makes us a better team in the bullpen", explained Washington. "He goes down there with better stuff than he had before."  Feldman was disappointed at the change.
  Within a month Benson was injured, however, and Feldman took his place in the rotation on April 25. "I'm excited", said Feldman. "I love starting." At the suggestion of pitching coach Mike Maddux, he changed his windup to a full windmill. He remained in the rotation thereafter.  In early May, Washington noted: "He has real life on his fastball, his slider is harder than it has been, his breaking ball is much crisper, and he's getting a good feel for his changeup. He's got four pitches he can throw over the plate."
  Feldman began the 2009 season 5–0.  He sported better mechanics and a different repertoire (a new and improved cut fastball), threw 1–2 mph harder, and kept the ball down — forcing more ground balls.  "Scott Feldman has been great since we put him in the starting rotation", said Manager Washington. "He always does what you need him to do, keep you in the ballgame."
  At the All Star break, despite not having moved into the starting rotation until nearly a month into the season, Feldman was 8–2, led the AL in won-lost percentage (.800), and was 9th in hits per nine innings (7.75) and walks + hits per inning pitched (1.18). "He's going to get better", said Nolan Ryan on July 20, noting Feldman's youth and his recent change in pitching style.
  On July 25, Feldman outpitched Kansas City All-Star and AL ERA leader Zack Greinke with eight innings of four-hit, shutout ball, leading the Rangers to a 2–0 victory.  "Feldman matched the best pitcher in baseball", Washington said. "I’m so happy for him. Two pitchers went at it pretty good, and our's won the battle."  The eight innings were Feldman's major-league high, as he mixed in a changeup, curveball, and slider with his fastball.
  As of the end of July, opposing batters were hitting .228 against Feldman (and only .217 in his starts), the fourth-lowest batting average in the league.  In his starts through the end of July he had a 3.04 ERA, and 12 of his 17 starts were quality starts.
  After he beat the Mariners on short (three days') rest at the beginning of August for the team lead in wins, Seattle manager Don Wakamatsu said:  "I thought Feldman was awfully tough. I have seen this kid, and he gets better every year.  I think you have to tip your hat."
  As of mid-August, Feldman's cut fastball was the most effective in the major leagues.  And it was the third-most-effective pitch overall, behind only Tim Lincecum's change-up and Clayton Kershaw's fastball.  While in 2008 he used his cutter 13.4% of the time, in 2009 he was throwing it 30.4% of the time.  The only starting pitchers who were throwing cutters more often were Brian Bannister, Doug Davis, and Halladay.
  The press began to take notice. On August 14 Matthew Berry of ESPN noted that: "since April 25, when Scott Feldman ... rejoined the Rangers' rotation, only Justin Verlander has more wins than Feldman's 12."  And two days later, Phil Rogers wrote for The Chicago Tribune: "Scott Feldman is creeping into consideration for the bottom of Cy Young ballots."
  On August 23, Feldman threw seven scoreless innings while allowing only four hits in a win over the Tampa Bay Rays. It was his 13th win of the season (tied for third in the AL) and put his season record at 13–4. It was Feldman's ninth road win of the season (bringing him to 9–1 on the road), tying him with Sabathia for best in the AL. The win put the Rangers two games ahead of the Rays in the AL wild card standings, and one game behind the Red Sox.  His career-high 11 strikeouts were the most by a Ranger since Matt Perisho struck out 12 in 1999 (see video of parts of Feldman's 11 strikeouts).  Commenting on Feldman's last strikeout, Carlos Peña said:  "I was on second base, and I saw a pitch that he made to B. J. [Upton], and I was like, 'Wow.' I thought to myself, 'That's unhittable right ther
caption: Feldman mound conference in April 2009.
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