MLB · 7 months ago

2025 MLB Opening Day: Ranking the Top 10 Pitchers Taking the Ball

Paul Connor

Host · Writer

10. Logan Webb, San Francisco Giants
Few pitchers embody consistency quite like Logan Webb. The Giants’ ace has logged more innings (612.3) over the past three seasons than anyone in baseball, all while maintaining a sharp 3.22 ERA.

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1. Tarik Skubal, Detroit Tigers
Tarik Skubal broke out in a big way last season, seizing the spotlight as one of the premier pitchers in baseball. The lefty captured the AL Cy Young and pitching Triple Crown behind an 18-4 record, 2.39 ERA, and 228 strikeouts over 192.0 IP. Skubal didn’t slow down in October either, posting a 2.37 ERA and fanning 20 batters across three postseason starts. Dominance, personified.

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2. Paul Skenes, Pittsburgh Pirates
Paul Skenes delivered on every ounce of hype—and then some. In one of the most electrifying rookie campaigns in recent memory, the 21-year-old phenom went 11-3 with a dazzling 1.96 ERA, striking out 170 batters across 133.0 innings. Armed with triple-digit heat and a devastating slider, Skenes proved nearly untouchable. Whatever 2025 brings, it's clear: the California native is a must-watch every time he takes the bump.
3. Chris Sale, Atlanta Braves
Last season served as a resounding reminder: Chris Sale is still as dominant as ever when healthy. The veteran southpaw, approaching his 36th birthday, enjoyed a resurgence with Atlanta, leading the National League in wins (18), ERA (2.38), and strikeouts (228), en route to a long-overdue first Cy Young Award.
4. Zack Wheeler, Philadelphia Phillies
Steady, durable, and consistently elite — Zack Wheeler continues to quietly go about his business. The right-hander is coming off another standout season, finishing with a sub-3.00 ERA for the fourth time in five years while pitching 200 innings.
5. Garrett Crochet, Boston Red Sox
Boston’s prized offseason acquisition, Garrett Crochet, is on the cusp of ace status after posting a 3.58 ERA with 209 strikeouts over 146 innings for the White Sox last year. Now backed by a more talented Red Sox roster, the hard-throwing lefty has all the tools to elevate his game even further in 2025.
6. Cole Ragans, Kansas City Royals
Cole Ragans emerged as the Royals' ace last season. Fueled by a lethal fastball/changeup mix, the left-hander struck out 223 batters over 186.1 innings en route to a 3.14 ERA. His breakout campaign earned him a well-deserved three-year, $13.25 million extension, as Kansas City aims to build on last season’s surprising success.
7. Logan Gilbert, Seattle Mariners
Logan Gilbert embraced the workhorse role in 2024, leading all of baseball with 208.0 innings pitched while compiling a 3.23 ERA and 220 strikeouts. The 6’6” right-hander has now made at least 32 starts in each of the last three seasons, cementing himself as one of the most dependable and durable arms in the game.
8. Michael King, San Diego Padres
Acquired in last year’s blockbuster deal that sent Juan Soto to the Yankees, Michael King quickly proved to be a revelation in San Diego’s rotation. Making a seamless transition to a full-time starting role, the 29-year-old delivered a stellar campaign, finishing 13-9 with a 2.95 ERA and 201 strikeouts over 173.2 innings. With Yu Darvish beginning 2025 on the injured list and Joe Musgrove (Tommy John Surgery) out for the year, King’s presence atop the Padres’ rotation is more crucial than ever.
9. Hunter Greene, Cincinnati Reds
Everything clicked for Hunter Greene in 2024. The Reds’ fireballer took a significant step forward, finishing with a 2.75 ERA, 1.02 WHIP, and a dominant 169:57 K:BB ratio in 150.1 innings. With elite velocity and rapidly improving command, the 25-year-old looks ready to graduate from “potential ace” to “undisputed frontline force."
10. Logan Webb, San Francisco Giants
Few pitchers embody consistency quite like Logan Webb. The Giants’ ace has logged more innings (612.3) over the past three seasons than anyone in baseball, all while maintaining a sharp 3.22 ERA.

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1. Tarik Skubal, Detroit Tigers
Tarik Skubal broke out in a big way last season, seizing the spotlight as one of the premier pitchers in baseball. The lefty captured the AL Cy Young and pitching Triple Crown behind an 18-4 record, 2.39 ERA, and 228 strikeouts over 192.0 IP. Skubal didn’t slow down in October either, posting a 2.37 ERA and fanning 20 batters across three postseason starts. Dominance, personified.

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2025 MLB Opening Day: Ranking the Top 10 Pitchers Taking the Ball

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