Baseball's First-Year Phenoms

By Ellin Martens

Is the current crop of rookie hurlers the best in baseball history? Consider: Marlins righty Anibal Sanchez, 22, left, threw the first no-hitter since '04 last week--and he's not the top prospect on his team. The rooks have pitched some clubs into contention and look primed to pile up Cy Young awards. Here's the most dazzling of the baby-faced bunch.

JERED WEAVER

Record: 10-2

Where's the sibling love? The Angels' awesome righty, 24, is so good that the team cut older brother Jeff (now with the St. Louis Cardinals) to make room for him.

JONATHAN PAPELBON

Record: 35 saves

At 6 ft. 4 and 230 lbs., the Red Sox closer --who briefly sported a Mohawk-- can be pretty intimidating. Papelbon struck out the first two batters he faced in the majors, and despite recent shoulder woes, has an earned-run average under 1.00.

FRANCISCO LIRIANO

Record: 12-3

The Dominican fireballer, 22, has been so dominant that his return from injury makes the Twins a World Series threat.

JUSTIN VERLANDER

Record: 16-7

The Tigers' starter, 23, known for his ferocious curveball, is peaking at the right time for baseball's best team. In a stellar freshman class, he's the odds-on favorite to win Rookie of the Year.