Our latest edition of Starting Pitcher Power Rankings has familiar faces at the top and the bottom, but a lot of shuffling in between. While the top two slots remain unchanged, featuring a pair of left-handers primed to win their first Cy Young Award, there are three hurlers on the list who were not ranked at all in our last poll and a Phillies right-hander who made a big jump.
Here are the latest rankings, voted on by our MLB.com panel, which considered a combination of track record, season-long performance, and recent success.
1. Tarik Skubal, Tigers (Last poll: 1)
Skubal, who is the MLB co-leader with Atlanta's Chris Sale in wins (15) and ERA (2.58), remains atop our rankings. His 193 strikeouts are also just four behind Sale and the Padres' Dylan Cease for the MLB lead in that category. Nothing seems to be slowing the Skubal train down -- if his final month of the season is anything like the first five, he'll be the man to beat for the American League Cy Young Award.
2. Chris Sale, Braves (2)
Sale's resurgent season marches on. The 35-year-old left-hander continues to burnish his case for winning the NL Cy Young Award, which would be the first Cy Young honor of his illustrious 14-year career (he finished among the top five in AL Cy Young voting five times). He hasn't given up more than two earned runs in any of his last 14 starts (86 innings), over which he has a 2.20 ERA with 24 walks and 116 strikeouts.
3. Zack Wheeler, Phillies (8)
Wheeler, who vaulted five spots in our poll, remains one of the most consistently excellent pitchers in the game. Even when others pitch brilliantly to garner headlines, the veteran right-hander quietly takes care of business for Philadelphia. He's done that to the point where he's within striking distance of an ERA title -- he'll enter his next start with a 2.74 ERA. In five August starts, Wheeler has posted a 1.97 ERA, striking out 37 while walking only five.
4. Hunter Greene, Reds (7)
Even though he's sidelined with right elbow inflammation and his timeline for a return to the mound is uncertain, Greene took a big step forward in 2024, elevating his status among the best starters in MLB. The 25-year-old flamethrower had a historic stretch of six starts over which he yielded only two runs over 37 2/3 innings (0.48 ERA) from June 30-August 3. That run truly put Greene in the upper echelon of starters this season.
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5. Framber Valdez, Astros (not ranked)
Valdez has been a significant reason why the Astros were able to turn things around in mid-June. As Valdez began a hot streak on the mound, Houston began one in standings as well. Since June 18th ,the Astros have turned a nine-game deficit into AL West into leading by three-and-a-half games . Over same span ,Valdez posted an era(earned run average)of just under three .In particular ,over last three starts he struck out twenty-six batters while walking only three .
6.Blake Snell ,Giants(3)
Snell was nearly unhittable—and actually did so once—during tremendous five-start stretch posting less than one era striking out forty-one batters while walking ten.Since then continued good though not incredible pitching from July ninth through August second resulting overall average little above two .However struggled recently against Mariners walking six batters over laborious three innings .
7.Logan Webb ,Giants(not ranked )
Webb built reputation workhorse this year leading major league baseball total innings pitched surpassing previous high set last year.From end July through third week August maintained exceptional form helping Giants remain competitive wild card contention posting below one earned run average during period .
8.Seth Lugo,Royals(not ranked )
Lugo faced challenges past months entering July impressive sub-three era yet continued providing valuable innings including complete game gem late July allowing single run showing no signs fatigue .Early August another strong performance conceding minimal runs showcasing resilience despite difficulties encountered later part season .
9.Michael King ,Padres(ninth position previously held )
Transitioning full-time starter role debut season San Diego played crucial part team’s successful run late summer maintaining stellar form posting impressive figures minimal walks substantial strikeouts notable performance mid-August seven scoreless frames Pirates demonstrating consistency reliability rotation .
10.Logan Gilbert ,Mariners( tenth previously held )
Despite rough outing against Dodgers conceding multiple runs Gilbert rebounded delivering strong performances notably recent six scoreless innings Tampa Bay fanning highest number batters per game thus far season highlighting potential contributing factor Mariners’ campaign success
Others receiving votes: Bryan Woo(Mariners), Paul Skenes(Pirates), Bryce Miller(Mariners), Hunter Brown(Astros), Jack Flaherty(Dodgers), Bowden Francis(Blue Jays), Tanner Houck(Red Sox), Spencer Schwellenbach(Braves)
Voters: Chris Begley ,Theo DeRosa ,Travis Miller,Brian Murphy,Efrain Ruiz Shanthi Sepe-Chepuru Tom Vourtsis Andy Werle
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