2018 Positional Top 10: Starting Pitcher
Matt Linder
The sheer quantity of ace-caliber pitchers in the big leagues right now is remarkable. Trying to trim down the list and pick the top ten was not easy. Keep in mind, this is a ranking of the ten best pitchers in baseball for the 2018 season, not of career accomplishments nor future projection. Enjoy!
1. Clayton Kershaw
The top spot is a toss up between the four best pitchers in the game, but Kershaw’s overall body of work earns him the crown. Despite missing time for the second consecutive season due to back issues, Kershaw led the league with a 2.31 ERA across 175 innings in 2017. This is not a list of career accomplishments, but rather a look ahead to who will perform best in the upcoming season. With that being said, when splitting hairs, I am going to give the top spot to the man who has put together an all-time great seven-year stretch of dominance.
2. Max Scherzer
The two time defending NL Cy Young award winner is right on Kershaw’s tail for the title of best pitcher in baseball. He missed a portion of time in 2017 with neck issues, but was still able to lead the NL in strikeouts with 268 over 200.2 innings. At 33 years old, he is not showing any signs of slowing down.
3. Chris Sale
Although Sale finished behind Corey Kluber for the AL Cy Young in 2017, I expect the southpaw to be more effective this season because he is younger and less injury prone than Kluber. In Sale’s first season with the Red Sox, he led the AL in innings pitched (214.1) and strikeouts (308!!), but he did fade down the stretch. He has been an All-Star every year since 2012 and I have no reason to believe that streak won’t continue through 2018.
4. Corey Kluber
The man who beat Chris Sale for the AL Cy Young led the league in both ERA (2.25) and WHIP (.869). Kluber missed a few starts due to a back issue, but when on the mound, his combination of pinpoint command and a wipeout slider simply mows through a lineup.
5. Stephen Strasburg
After the top four, the list becomes much more difficult. Since every pitcher left in the ranking has some flaw, I am going with Strasburg at number five. When healthy, he might have the nastiest arsenal of pitches in the game… just ask the 22 Cubs hitters he struck out in his two NLDS starts last year. Strasburg biggest problem is his inability to stay off the DL; he has not pitched 200 innings since 2014. He still threw 175 innings with 204 strikeouts last season and his stuff is too mind-boggling to ignore.
6. Justin Verlander
After struggling in 2014 and 2015, it appeared to be the beginning of the end for the former MVP and Cy Young winner. But a velocity resurgence in 2016 has revitalized his career. Astros acquired Verlander at the trade deadline last season, and all he did was lead them to a World Series title. He will turn 35 years old this year, but he seems to have turned back the clock. His dominant postseason is unforgettable and for that reason, he earned the sixth spot in the ranking.
7. Luis Severino
Severino was the breakout pitcher of 2017. He went from having a 5.83 ERA in 2016 to finishing third in the AL Cy Young voting last season. Severino struck out 230 batters in 193 innings. He is only 24 years old, but he already established himself as the clear ace of the Yankees rotation. Expect the Yankees to be cautious with him this year, since he blew past his previous career high in innings during the team’s deep playoff run.
8. Noah Syndergaard
Since I largely ignored Strasburg’s injury history because of the eye-popping ability, I will do the same with Syndergaard. The man referred to as “Thor” possesses a triple-digits fastball, devastating slider and sniper-like control. However, he only threw 30.1 innings last year because of a lat tear. He looks like he’s back to 100% this spring and I anticipate a Cy Young caliber year for the flame-throwing 25 year old.
9. Jacob deGrom
Thor’s co-ace and fellow long-maned pitcher, Jacob deGrom, earned the ninth spot in the ranking because of his consistently excellent performance over the past four seasons. At only 29 years old, he is in the midst of his prime and poised for another strong season. In 2017, deGrom threw a career high 201.1 innings and fanned 239 hitters. Like with most pitchers, injuries are a concern since he missed significant time in 2016.
10. Zack Greinke
Coming off a season in which he logged 202.1 innings, and struck out 215 batters with a 3.20 ERA, Greinke earned the final spot on the list. At 34 years old, the Diamondbacks’ ace uses a deep array of pitches to keep opposing batters off balance. His combination of 200-inning reliability and Cy Young award level success makes him one of the best pitchers in baseball.
Also Considered:
Madison Bumgarner - Giants
Kyle Hendricks - Cubs
Carlos Carrasco - Indians
Yu Darvish - Cubs
Jake Arrieta - Phillies
Jose Quintana - Cubs
Carlos Martinez - Cardinals
Please check back again tomorrow for my top 10 catchers in 2018.
If you have any questions, comments or criticisms feel free to reach out to me at mattlinder2@gmail.com
The sheer quantity of ace-caliber pitchers in the big leagues right now is remarkable. Trying to trim down the list and pick the top ten was not easy. Keep in mind, this is a ranking of the ten best pitchers in baseball for the 2018 season, not of career accomplishments nor future projection. Enjoy!
 |
| Mark J. Terrill - AP |
1. Clayton Kershaw
The top spot is a toss up between the four best pitchers in the game, but Kershaw’s overall body of work earns him the crown. Despite missing time for the second consecutive season due to back issues, Kershaw led the league with a 2.31 ERA across 175 innings in 2017. This is not a list of career accomplishments, but rather a look ahead to who will perform best in the upcoming season. With that being said, when splitting hairs, I am going to give the top spot to the man who has put together an all-time great seven-year stretch of dominance.
 |
| Icon Sportswire |
2. Max Scherzer
The two time defending NL Cy Young award winner is right on Kershaw’s tail for the title of best pitcher in baseball. He missed a portion of time in 2017 with neck issues, but was still able to lead the NL in strikeouts with 268 over 200.2 innings. At 33 years old, he is not showing any signs of slowing down.
 |
| Getty Images |
3. Chris Sale
Although Sale finished behind Corey Kluber for the AL Cy Young in 2017, I expect the southpaw to be more effective this season because he is younger and less injury prone than Kluber. In Sale’s first season with the Red Sox, he led the AL in innings pitched (214.1) and strikeouts (308!!), but he did fade down the stretch. He has been an All-Star every year since 2012 and I have no reason to believe that streak won’t continue through 2018.
 |
| cleveland.com |
4. Corey Kluber
The man who beat Chris Sale for the AL Cy Young led the league in both ERA (2.25) and WHIP (.869). Kluber missed a few starts due to a back issue, but when on the mound, his combination of pinpoint command and a wipeout slider simply mows through a lineup.
 |
| Pablo Martinez Monsivais - AP |
5. Stephen Strasburg
After the top four, the list becomes much more difficult. Since every pitcher left in the ranking has some flaw, I am going with Strasburg at number five. When healthy, he might have the nastiest arsenal of pitches in the game… just ask the 22 Cubs hitters he struck out in his two NLDS starts last year. Strasburg biggest problem is his inability to stay off the DL; he has not pitched 200 innings since 2014. He still threw 175 innings with 204 strikeouts last season and his stuff is too mind-boggling to ignore.
 |
| Ted S. Warren - AP |
6. Justin Verlander
After struggling in 2014 and 2015, it appeared to be the beginning of the end for the former MVP and Cy Young winner. But a velocity resurgence in 2016 has revitalized his career. Astros acquired Verlander at the trade deadline last season, and all he did was lead them to a World Series title. He will turn 35 years old this year, but he seems to have turned back the clock. His dominant postseason is unforgettable and for that reason, he earned the sixth spot in the ranking.
 |
| Kevin Sousa - USA Today Sports |
7. Luis Severino
Severino was the breakout pitcher of 2017. He went from having a 5.83 ERA in 2016 to finishing third in the AL Cy Young voting last season. Severino struck out 230 batters in 193 innings. He is only 24 years old, but he already established himself as the clear ace of the Yankees rotation. Expect the Yankees to be cautious with him this year, since he blew past his previous career high in innings during the team’s deep playoff run.
 |
| Adam Hunger - USA Today Sports |
8. Noah Syndergaard
Since I largely ignored Strasburg’s injury history because of the eye-popping ability, I will do the same with Syndergaard. The man referred to as “Thor” possesses a triple-digits fastball, devastating slider and sniper-like control. However, he only threw 30.1 innings last year because of a lat tear. He looks like he’s back to 100% this spring and I anticipate a Cy Young caliber year for the flame-throwing 25 year old.
 |
| Brad Mills - USA Today Sports |
9. Jacob deGrom
Thor’s co-ace and fellow long-maned pitcher, Jacob deGrom, earned the ninth spot in the ranking because of his consistently excellent performance over the past four seasons. At only 29 years old, he is in the midst of his prime and poised for another strong season. In 2017, deGrom threw a career high 201.1 innings and fanned 239 hitters. Like with most pitchers, injuries are a concern since he missed significant time in 2016.
 |
| Norm Hall- Getty Images |
10. Zack Greinke
Coming off a season in which he logged 202.1 innings, and struck out 215 batters with a 3.20 ERA, Greinke earned the final spot on the list. At 34 years old, the Diamondbacks’ ace uses a deep array of pitches to keep opposing batters off balance. His combination of 200-inning reliability and Cy Young award level success makes him one of the best pitchers in baseball.
Also Considered:
Madison Bumgarner - Giants
Kyle Hendricks - Cubs
Carlos Carrasco - Indians
Yu Darvish - Cubs
Jake Arrieta - Phillies
Jose Quintana - Cubs
Carlos Martinez - Cardinals
Please check back again tomorrow for my top 10 catchers in 2018.
If you have any questions, comments or criticisms feel free to reach out to me at mattlinder2@gmail.com
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