Clayton Kershaw: Baseball Pitcher for the Los Angeles Dodgers - Strengths, Weaknesses, Height & more

Clayton Kershaw is an American professional baseball starting pitcher for the Los Angeles Dodgers of Major League Baseball (MLB). He has spent his entire major league career with the Dodgers since debuting in 2008. He is a ten-time All-Star, three-time National League (NL) Cy Young Award winner, the 2014 NL Most Valuable Player, and a World Series champion in 2020. His 2.48 career earned run average (ERA) and 1.00 walks plus hits per inning pitched rate (WHIP) are the lowest among starters in the live-ball era (minimum 1,000 innings pitched).

Kershaw was born in Dallas, Texas, and attended Highland Park High School, where he was a standout baseball player. He was named the Gatorade National High School Baseball Player of the Year in 2006. After high school, Kershaw signed with the Dodgers and began his professional career in the minor leagues.

Details about Clayton Kershaw’s Background:

Name: Clayton Edward Kershaw
Position: Starting Pitcher
Height: 6’4″
Weight: 226 lbs
Team: Los Angeles Dodgers
Age: 35
Nationality: American
Previous Clubs: None

Kershaw made his MLB debut on May 25, 2008. He had a solid rookie season, going 5-5 with a 4.10 ERA in 23 starts. He broke through as one of the top pitchers in the NL in 2011, when he led the league in wins (21), ERA (2.28), and strikeouts (248) to capture the pitching “triple crown.” He was selected to the first of four straight All-Star Games that year and won his first Cy Young Award as the best pitcher in the NL.

Kershaw continued to dominate for the Dodgers in the following years. He won the Cy Young Award again in 2013 and 2014, and he was named the NL MVP in 2014. He also helped the Dodgers win the World Series in 2020.

Kershaw is considered one of the greatest pitchers of all time. He is known for his excellent control, command, and ability to pitch to contact. He also has a good curveball and slider.

Kershaw is expected to continue to be a key player for the Dodgers for many years to come. He is one of the best pitchers in baseball and he is also a very good leader. He is also a popular player with fans and he is a good ambassador for the game.

Strengths & Weaknesses of Clayton Kershaw:

Clayton Kershaw is a professional baseball player who plays as a starting pitcher for the Los Angeles Dodgers. He is one of the best pitchers in the game, winning three Cy Young Awards and a World Series championship. Here are some points about his playing style:

Kershaw is a left-handed pitcher who relies on deception, movement, and changes of velocity. He has a consistent overhand delivery on all of his pitches, which makes it hard for the batter to pick up the ball. He also keeps the ball hidden until the last moment, adding to his deception.
Kershaw has four main pitches: a four-seam fastball, a slider, a curveball, and a changeup. His fastball averages around 91 mph, but he can reach up to 95 mph when needed. His slider is his most effective pitch, which he uses to induce swings and misses and ground balls. His curveball is his signature pitch, which he calls “Public Enemy No. 1”. It has a sharp downward break that often freezes or fools hitters. His changeup is his least used pitch, which he uses to keep hitters off balance and to neutralize right-handed batters.
Kershaw has excellent command and control of his pitches. He can locate his pitches in any part of the strike zone and can also pitch to the corners and edges. He rarely walks batters and often strikes them out. He has a career strikeout-to-walk ratio of 4.57, which ranks fourth among active pitchers. He also has a career WHIP of 1.00, which is the lowest among starters in the live-ball era.
Kershaw is a valuable player for the Dodgers because he can pitch deep into games and save the bullpen. He has pitched over 200 innings in seven seasons and has 27 complete games and 16 shutouts in his career. He is also a leader and mentor for his younger teammates and a role model for his fans. He is known for his competitive spirit, work ethic, and humanitarian work.

Tactical Role of Clayton Kershaw:

Clayton Kershaw is a pitcher for the Los Angeles Dodgers of Major League Baseball (MLB). His tactical role is to throw the ball from the pitcher’s mound to the catcher, with the aim of getting the batter out. He uses a variety of pitches, such as fastball, curveball, slider, and changeup, to deceive and overpower the hitters. He is considered one of the best pitchers in the history of baseball, having won three Cy Young Awards, one MVP Award, and one World Series title. He is also known for his charitable work and his leadership on and off the field.

Hobbies & Interests of Clayton Kershaw:

Kershaw enjoys playing ping-pong, golf, and video games in his spare time. He also likes to watch movies and TV shows, especially comedies and action thrillers. He is a fan of the Dallas Cowboys and the Texas Longhorns.
Kershaw loves spending time with his family and friends. He is married to Ellen Melson, whom he met in high school. They have three children: Cali Ann, Charley Clayton, and Cooper Ellis. He is close to his parents, Marianne and Christopher, and his sister, Marissa.
Kershaw is a devout Christian who trusts God and prays every day. He wears a cross necklace and has a tattoo of a cross on his right ankle. He believes that God has a plan for him and that everything happens for a reason. He also credits his faith for helping him overcome the challenges and obstacles he faced in his baseball career.
Kershaw is a philanthropist who is involved in significant humanitarian work. He and his wife founded Kershaw’s Challenge, a non-profit organization that aims to improve the lives of vulnerable children in Los Angeles, Dallas, Zambia, and the Dominican Republic. They help in raising funds for several charity foundations working in various countries. He has also received awards for his charity work, such as the Roberto Clemente Award and the Branch Rickey Award.

Net worth of Clayton Kershaw:

According to Celebrity Net Worth, Clayton Kershaw has a net worth of $110 million as of 2021. He earns most of his income from his baseball career, as well as from endorsements and sponsorships. His current contract with the Dodgers is a one-year deal worth $20 million, which includes a $5 million signing bonus and up to $5 million in performance bonuses. He has also signed lucrative contracts with the Dodgers in the past, such as a seven-year, $215 million extension in 2014 and a three-year, $93 million extension in 2018.

Personal life of Clayton Kershaw:

Clayton Kershaw is married to Ellen Melson, whom he met in high school. They started dating in 2003 and got married in 2010. They have three children: Cali Ann, born in 2015; Charley Clayton, born in 2016; and Cooper Ellis, born in 2020. They live in Studio City, California. Kershaw enjoys playing ping-pong, golf, and video games in his spare time. He also likes to watch movies and TV shows, especially comedies and action thrillers. He is a fan of the Dallas Cowboys and the Texas Longhorns.

Family of Clayton Kershaw:

Clayton Kershaw was born on March 19, 1988, in Dallas, Texas. His parents are Marianne (née Tombaugh) and Christopher George Kershaw, a musician who has won the Clio Award. His parents divorced when he was 10, and he was raised by his mother. Kershaw has one sibling, a sister named Marissa. He grew up in a baseball-loving family and started playing the sport at a young age. He attended Highland Park High School in Dallas, where he played both baseball and varsity football. He was a star player in high school and won the Gatorade National Player of the Year award for his baseball skills in 2006.

Height of Clayton Kershaw:

Clayton Kershaw is 6 feet 4 inches (193 cm) tall and weighs 225 pounds (102 kg). He bats left-handed and throws left-handed. He plays mainly as a starting pitcher, but he can also play other positions such as first base and outfield.

Contracts of Clayton Kershaw:

Clayton Kershaw was selected by the Los Angeles Dodgers in the first round (7th overall) of the 2006 MLB draft. He signed with the Dodgers for a $2.3 million signing bonus. He made his MLB debut on May 25, 2008, against the St. Louis Cardinals. He has been playing for the Dodgers ever since.

Kershaw has signed several contracts with the Dodgers throughout his career, such as:

A two-year deal worth $19 million in 2012.
A seven-year, $215 million extension in 2014, which made him the highest-paid pitcher in MLB history at that time.
A three-year, $93 million extension in 2018, after opting out of his previous contract.
A one-year, $20 million deal in 2021, which includes a $5 million signing bonus and up to $5 million in performance bonuses.

Brands Associated:

Clayton Kershaw has been associated with some major brands and endorsements throughout his career, such as:

Under Armour, a sports apparel company that sponsored him from 2010 to 2019.
Skechers, a footwear company that signed him to a multi-year partnership in 2019 to promote its first-ever baseball cleats.
Topps, a trading card company that featured him on its products.
Wilson Sporting Goods, a sports equipment company that provided him with gloves and other gear.

Teams with Clayton Kershaw played:

Clayton Kershaw has played for the following teams in his baseball career:

Highland Park Scots (high school)
Gulf Coast League Dodgers (minor league)
Great Lakes Loons (minor league)
Jacksonville Suns (minor league)
Los Angeles Dodgers (major league)

Awards & Achievements of Clayton Kershaw:

Awards and honors of Clayton Kershaw:

National League Cy Young Award (2011, 2013, 2014).
National League Most Valuable Player (2014).
National League ERA leader (2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2017).
National League strikeout leader (2011, 2013, 2015).
National League wins leader (2011, 2014).
Roberto Clemente Award (2012).
Branch Rickey Award (2013).
Warren Spahn Award (2011, 2013, 2014, 2017).
MLB All-Star (2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018).
Gold Glove Award for pitcher (2011).
World Series champion (2020).

Records and milestones of Clayton Kershaw:

Lowest career WHIP among starters in the live-ball era (since 1920): 1.00.
Lowest career ERA among active pitchers: 2.44.
Most consecutive MLB seasons leading in ERA: four (tied with Lefty Grove and Greg Maddux).
Most consecutive scoreless innings pitched in postseason: 28.
Most strikeouts in a postseason game: 15 (tied with Bob Gibson and Kevin Brown).
Youngest pitcher to throw a no-hitter: 22 years and 250 days old.
Youngest pitcher to win three Cy Young Awards: 26 years old .
Youngest pitcher to reach 2,000 strikeouts: 29 years and 55 days old.
Pitching triple crown: led the National League in wins (21), ERA (2.28), and strikeouts (248) in 2011.

Statistics of Clayton Kershaw:

Year	W	L	ERA	WHIP	K
2008	5	5	4.10	1.21	138
2009	8	5	2.79	1.02	242
2010	13	8	2.91	1.04	212
2011	21	5	2.28	1.02	248
2012	14	13	2.53	1.12	223
2013	16	9	1.83	0.93	270
2014	21	3	1.77	0.86	239
2015	16	7	2.13	1.00	301
2016	11	4	1.69	0.73	172
2017	18	4	2.31	1.01	202
2018	9	9	2.73	1.02	155
2019	16	5	3.03	1.04	185
2020	6	2	2.16	0.84	62
2021	22	3	2.21	0.86	255
2022	12	4	2.54	1.08	175
Career	210	86	2.48	1.00	3298

Statistics of Clayton Kershaw

Scouting Report of Clayton Kershaw:

Tool	Grade	Description
Fastball	70	Kershaw has a plus-plus fastball that ranges from 91 to 95 mph and can touch 99 mph on occasion. He has excellent command and movement on his heater, which he can locate in any part of the strike zone. He uses his fastball to set up his secondary pitches and to challenge hitters in any count.
Slider	70	Kershaw has a plus-plus slider that is his most effective pitch. He throws it around 88 to 91 mph with sharp lateral break and depth. He can throw it for strikes or as a chase pitch out of the zone. He uses his slider to induce swings and misses and ground balls from both left-handed and right-handed batters.
Curveball	65	Kershaw has a plus curveball that he calls “Public Enemy No. 1”. He throws it around 72 to 75 mph with a big downward break that often freezes or fools hitters. He can throw it for strikes or as a put-away pitch out of the zone. He uses his curveball mainly against left-handed batters and as a change of pace from his fastball and slider.
Changeup	45	Kershaw has an average changeup that he rarely uses. He throws it around 83 to 86 mph with a slight fade and drop. He uses it to keep hitters off balance and to neutralize right-handed batters. He does not throw it within the zone too much and prefers to rely on his other pitches.

Scouting Report of Clayton Kershaw

FAQs about Clayton Kershaw:

How old is Clayton Kershaw?

Clayton Kershaw is 35 years old as of 2021. He was born on March 19, 1988, in Dallas, Texas.

What is Clayton Kershaw’s nationality?

Clayton Kershaw is an American citizen. He has German ancestry from his father’s side and English ancestry from his mother’s side.

What is Clayton Kershaw’s position and number?

Clayton Kershaw plays mainly as a starting pitcher for the Los Angeles Dodgers. He wears the number 22 on his jersey.

What is Clayton Kershaw’s college education?

Clayton Kershaw did not attend college. He was drafted by the Los Angeles Dodgers in the first round (7th overall) of the 2006 MLB draft out of Highland Park High School in Dallas, Texas. He signed with the Dodgers for a $2.3 million signing bonus. He made his MLB debut on May 25, 2008, against the St. Louis Cardinals at the age of 20.