Verlander, Justin (1983-…), ranks among the most dominant pitchers in Major League Baseball (MLB). Before being traded to the Houston Astros in 2017, Verlander had spent his entire career with the Detroit Tigers. In 2011, he was named the Most Valuable Player of the American League (AL). He won the Cy Young Award as the league’s best pitcher in 2011, 2019, and 2022. After the 2022 season, Verlander signed with the New York Mets. In 2023, Verlander returned to Houston when the Mets traded him to the Astros.
Verlander pitches right handed. His overpowering fastball and precise control have made him one of the leading strikeout pitchers in the big leagues. Verlander has led the AL in strikeouts five times—in 2009 (269), 2011 (250), 2012 (239), 2016 (254), and 2018 (290). He led the league in earned run average in 2011 (2.40) and in 2022 (1.75). Verlander led the AL in victories in 2009 (19), 2011 (24), 2019 (21), and 2022 (18). He threw no-hitters in 2007, 2011, and 2019.
Justin Brooks Verlander was born on Feb. 20, 1983, in Manakin-Sabot, Virginia. He attended Old Dominion University from 2001 to 2004. As a pitcher for Old Dominion, Verlander set season and career strikeout records. He was drafted by Detroit as the second selection in the first round of the 2004 MLB amateur draft. Verlander spent most of the 2005 season in the minor leagues. He joined the Tigers as a full-time starting pitcher in 2006 and was voted the AL Rookie of the Year.
