From MLB.com
Posted: Monday, July 12, 2010 4:01 pm

ANAHEIM -- From the time he was drafted No. 1 overall in the 2007 First-Year Player Draft out of Vanderbilt, it was just a matter of when, not if, David Price would announce his arrival as a dominant force for the Tampa Bay Rays.

That time has come, with an exclamation mark.

There has not been a more consistently effective starter in the American League in 2010 than the 6-foot-6 southpaw who leads the league in victories (12) and ERA (2.42) through 17 first-half starts. The numbers and the stuff made him the logical candidate to start for the AL as it tries to maintain its firm grip on the National League in Tuesday night's All-Star Game at Angel Stadium.

"David Price has really come into his own," Angels All-Star center fielder Torii Hunter said. "You'd have to say, looking at his numbers, he's been the best starter in our league, right there with our own Jered Weaver."

At 24, he will be the youngest pitcher to start in the Midsummer Classic since 23-year-old Dwight Gooden of the Mets earned the nod for the NL in 1988. Price will be the youngest in the AL since the Royals' Bret Saberhagen, also 23, in '87.

Price is among a select group of six pitchers under 25 to combine at least 12 wins with an ERA below 2.50 and 100 strikeouts heading into the All-Star break. Roger Clemens (15-2, 2.48 ERA, 146 strikeouts in 1986) is the most recent to hold that distinction. Price is the youngest to be leading either the AL or NL in wins and ERA at the All-Star break since 23-year-old Scott Erickson with Minnesota in 1991, when the right-hander had 12 wins and a 1.83 ERA.

In 142 1/3 innings in his first two seasons with the Rays, Price was 10-17 with in 28 appearances, 24 as a starter, with a 4.36 ERA. He gave a preview of things to come in the 2008 postseason, helping drive the Rays to the World Series with a 1.59 ERA in five appearances, all in relief.

Price's most recent outing, a winning decision over Boston at home on Wednesday, left a distinct impression on Red Sox hitters.

"He was overpowering," center fielder Mike Cameron said. "He was just overpowering everybody and he made pitches when he had to."

Price allowed two runs on eight hits and a walk while striking out 10 in 7 2/3 innings. He relied almost exclusively on an explosive fastball, around which the balance of his quality repertoire -- slider, changeup, curveball -- revolves.

"I felt good with it," Price said. "For the most part, I was locating it well. ... Until they hit it, I wasn't going away from it."

Price will be rested and revved for the first pitch in the Tuesday twilight -- never prime-time for hitters, but especially so when a man with Price's size can bring his fastball in at 97 mph.