Ranking the Top 10 Staring Pitchers in MLB: May 2024
Sportsgrid Staff
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10. Jon Gray, Texas Rangers
2024 Stats: 2-1, 2.08 ERA, 2.42 FIP and 1.7 fWAR over 52 innings pitched
The defending World Series champions have stayed competitive, thanks in part to the resurgence of Jon Gray. After being moved to the bullpen last postseason, Gray has capitalized on the numerous injuries to Rangers pitchers, posting a 2.35 FIP over nine games, eight of which have been starts.
Even if Gray's performance regresses, he has provided crucial support to the Rangers during a period when many other starting pitchers are injured, something manager Bruce Bochy surely appreciates.
This post by Tim Kelly appeared first on Just Baseball.
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1. Ranger Suárez, Philadelphia Phillies
2024 Stats: 8-0, 1.37 ERA, 2.69 FIP and 1.8 fWAR over 59 innings pitched
Ranger Suárez has been a versatile asset for the Phillies in recent seasons, excelling as both a reliable No. 3 starter and a high-leverage reliever, particularly during the playoffs.
In 2024, Suárez has emerged from the shadows with a phenomenal start. He boasts a complete-game shutout and leads baseball with a 0.722 WHIP. Additionally, Suárez's fielding remains top-notch, with two defensive runs saved.
Even with many strong contenders on the team, Suárez is a standout candidate for his first All-Star appearance in 2024.
This post by Tim Kelly appeared first on Just Baseball.
2. Shota Imanaga, Chicago Cubs
2024 Stats: 5-0, 0.96 ERA, 2.30 FIP and 1.6 fWAR over 46 2/3 innings pitched
At 30 years old, Shota Imanaga is an MLB rookie, joining the Cubs from Japan on a complex four-year contract signed this past offseason. He's not only the early frontrunner for NL Rookie of the Year but is also in the conversation for the NL Cy Young Award.
Though he hasn't pitched as many innings as some other top starters, Imanaga boasts a 0.96 ERA through his first eight MLB starts, the best in the league with no one else below 1.34. His remarkable 432 ERA+ is also the highest among all starting pitchers.
Even if Imanaga transitions to a No. 2 starter role, the Cubs seem to have found a gem in this Japanese lefty.
3. Tarik Skubal, Detroit Tigers
2024 Stats: 5-0, 2.02 ERA, 2.04 FIP and 1.8 fWAR over 49 innings pitched
Tarik Skubal was arguably the best pitcher in baseball post-Fourth of July last year, and he has continued his stellar performance into 2024. With a 2.04 FIP, he leads all qualified starters, and his 1.8 fWAR ties him for the top spot among all pitchers.
The main question for Skubal is whether he can maintain this level of performance. His career-high in innings pitched (149 1/3) was set in 2021, and he totaled just under 200 innings combined over the 2022 and 2023 seasons. If he remains healthy, he is projected to pitch nearly 100 more innings than the 80 1/3 he pitched in the MLB last season.
There's no doubt that when Skubal is on the mound, he's one of the best pitchers in the game.
4. Tanner Houck, Boston Red Sox
2024 Stats: 3-5, 2.17 ERA, 2.20 FIP and 1.9 fWAR over 58 innings pitched
While Crawford's dominance has been surprising, Tanner Houck's performance is even more unexpected.
After recording a 5.01 ERA and 4.43 FIP over 106 innings last year, Houck has emerged as one of the top starters in 2024. He's thrown a complete-game shutout and allowed just one home run in his first eight starts this season.
It's still uncertain if Houck can maintain this level of excellence throughout the year, but his success has been a major boost for Alex Cora's team, which initially appeared to have a weak starting rotation.
5. Kutter Crawford, Boston Red Sox
2024 Stats: 2-2, 2.24 ERA, 2.68 FIP and 1.8 fWAR over 52 1/3 innings pitched
Drafted by the Red Sox in the 16th round of the 2017 MLB Draft, Kutter Crawford had a solid season last year, posting a 4.04 ERA and 3.83 FIP over 129 1/3 innings. However, no one expected him to pitch at an ace level this season.
Yet, Crawford has exceeded expectations, ranking fourth in the league with a 0.34 HR/9 and tying for the top fWAR in baseball at 1.8. Remarkably, there’s a legitimate argument that he hasn't even been the best pitcher on his own team.
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6. Tyler Glasnow, Los Angeles Dodgers
2024 Stats: 6-1, 2.53 ERA, 2.51 FIP and 1.7 fWAR over 57 innings pitched
Tyler Glasnow set a new career-high in innings pitched last year with the Tampa Bay Rays at just 120. The Dodgers evidently believe they've found a way to harness Glasnow's dominant performances while keeping him healthy, and the early results are impressive.
Amidst a season with numerous talented pitchers on the injured list, Glasnow has emerged as a dominant workhorse. He leads baseball with 73 strikeouts and ranks third among all starters with 57 innings pitched.
If the Dodgers have indeed adjusted Glasnow's mechanics or training regimen to keep him healthy for over 150 innings a season, it would be a significant development.
7. Seth Lugo, Kansas City Royals
2024 Stats: 6-1, 1.66 ERA, 3.27 FIP and 1.3 fWAR over 59 2/3 innings pitched
Seth Lugo excelled as a reliever with the New York Mets earlier in his career, which may have prevented him from getting an extended opportunity to showcase his skills as a starter. However, after a strong performance with the Padres in 2023, Lugo secured a three-year, $45 million free-agent deal with the Royals, which is proving to be very team-friendly.
As of now, Lugo leads MLB with 59 2/3 innings pitched. His 1.66 ERA and 247 ERA+ are the best among AL pitchers. If Lugo continues to pitch at an ace level, the Royals could potentially improve from 56 wins in 2023 to making the postseason in 2024.
8. Dylan Cease, San Diego Padres
2024 Stats: 5-3, 2.45 ERA, 2.33 FIP and 1.8 fWAR over 55 innings pitched
Dylan Cease joined the Padres in mid-March but has seamlessly continued the form that made him the runner-up for the AL Cy Young Award with the Chicago White Sox in 2022.
Cease ranks in the top five among all pitchers in FIP (2.27), H/9 (3.8), and fWAR (1.7).
The Padres lost reigning NL Cy Young Award winner Blake Snell from their starting rotation last year.
With Joe Musgrove now on the injured list due to right elbow inflammation, the Padres may still lack the starting pitching depth needed for a playoff run in 2024. However, the last-minute addition of Cease has been crucial for their rotation.
9. Zack Wheeler, Philadelphia Phillies
2024 Stats: 4-3, 2.53 ERA, 2.72 FIP and 1.6 fWAR over 53 1/3 innings pitched
Since Zack Wheeler joined the Philadelphia Phillies in 2020, he's arguably been the second-best pitcher in baseball, trailing only Gerrit Cole of the New York Yankees. In the early part of the 2024 season, Wheeler has looked determined to capture the elusive National League Cy Young Award.
However, his quest faced a setback on Mother's Day when he allowed six hits and six earned runs in a start at LoanDepot Park against the struggling Miami Marlins.
Without this disappointing outing, Wheeler would likely be in the top half of this list, if not at the very top. Nevertheless, Wheeler boasts a 2.53 ERA, 2.75 FIP, and 1.6 fWAR over 53 1/3 innings pitched. It’s expected that Wheeler will quickly rebound and make a serious run at the NL Cy Young Award.
10. Jon Gray, Texas Rangers
2024 Stats: 2-1, 2.08 ERA, 2.42 FIP and 1.7 fWAR over 52 innings pitched
The defending World Series champions have stayed competitive, thanks in part to the resurgence of Jon Gray. After being moved to the bullpen last postseason, Gray has capitalized on the numerous injuries to Rangers pitchers, posting a 2.35 FIP over nine games, eight of which have been starts.
Even if Gray's performance regresses, he has provided crucial support to the Rangers during a period when many other starting pitchers are injured, something manager Bruce Bochy surely appreciates.
This post by Tim Kelly appeared first on Just Baseball.
Stay ahead of the game and elevate your sports betting experience with SportsGrid.
1. Ranger Suárez, Philadelphia Phillies
2024 Stats: 8-0, 1.37 ERA, 2.69 FIP and 1.8 fWAR over 59 innings pitched
Ranger Suárez has been a versatile asset for the Phillies in recent seasons, excelling as both a reliable No. 3 starter and a high-leverage reliever, particularly during the playoffs.
In 2024, Suárez has emerged from the shadows with a phenomenal start. He boasts a complete-game shutout and leads baseball with a 0.722 WHIP. Additionally, Suárez's fielding remains top-notch, with two defensive runs saved.
Even with many strong contenders on the team, Suárez is a standout candidate for his first All-Star appearance in 2024.
This post by Tim Kelly appeared first on Just Baseball.
