Looking for the best pitchers in MLB right now? Here's the quick answer:
- Gerrit Cole (Yankees): Power pitcher with a 3.41 ERA and 10.5 K/9 in 2024. A Cy Young winner and postseason ace.
- Corbin Burnes (Brewers): Dominates with a 2.92 ERA and an elite cutter. Logged 194.1 innings in 2024.
- Jacob deGrom (Rangers): Precision and speed combined. Currently at a 2.75 ERA and 11.1 K/9 in 2025.
- Shohei Ohtani (Angels): Dual-threat star with a 3.14 ERA and 11.4 K/9 in 2023.
- Zac Gallen (Diamondbacks): Known for his strategic pitching, with a career 3.32 ERA.
- Spencer Strider (Braves): Strikeout machine with a 12.3 K/9 and a blazing fastball.
- Sandy Alcantara (Marlins): Workhorse with a 2022 Cy Young award and a 97-mph sinker.
- Max Scherzer (Blue Jays): Veteran with over 3,000 strikeouts and three Cy Young awards.
- Justin Verlander (Mets): A seasoned ace with a 3.32 career ERA and postseason dominance.
- Julio Urías (Dodgers): Lefty with a career 3.11 ERA and a mix of effective pitches.
Quick Comparison Table
| Pitcher | Team | ERA | K/9 | IP | WAR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gerrit Cole | Yankees | 3.41 | 10.5 | 95.0 | 4.2 |
| Corbin Burnes | Brewers | 2.92 | 8.4 | 194.1 | 5.1 |
| Jacob deGrom | Rangers | 2.75 | 11.1 | 85.0 | 3.8 |
| Shohei Ohtani | Angels | 3.14 | 11.4 | 132.0 | 4.6 |
| Zac Gallen | Diamondbacks | 4.64 | 10.1 | 21.1 | 0.8 |
| Spencer Strider | Braves | 3.47 | 12.3 | 334.2 | 5.3 |
| Sandy Alcantara | Marlins | 4.14 | 8.6 | 172.0 | 2.9 |
| Max Scherzer | Blue Jays | 6.00 | 9.0 | 6.0 | 0.2 |
| Justin Verlander | Mets | 6.75 | 8.2 | 18.2 | 0.3 |
| Julio Urías | Dodgers | 4.60 | 8.7 | 117.1 | 1.8 |
These pitchers combine speed, precision, and advanced pitch mixes to dominate on the mound. Keep reading for detailed insights into each player's strengths and stats.
The TOP 10 Starting Pitchers in MLB right now! (Who's No. 1?!)
1. Gerrit Cole, Yankees (RHP)
After missing 75 games in 2024 due to right elbow inflammation, Gerrit Cole returned to show why he's still one of MLB's top starters. His numbers speak for themselves: a 3.41 ERA, 1.13 WHIP, and 10.5 strikeouts per nine innings. Over 17 starts, Cole posted an 8–5 record across 95 innings, striking out 99 batters. Impressively, he allowed two runs or fewer in 12 of those outings. Opponents managed just a .220/.290/.358 slash line against him in 2024.
Across his career, Cole has built a stellar resume. In 317 games, he’s 153–80 with a 3.18 ERA, 2,251 strikeouts over 1,954 innings, and a 1.09 WHIP. He’s also a proven performer in October, with 10 career playoff wins, including two standout starts in the ALDS.
Armed with a fastball that regularly touches 97 mph and a unanimous 2023 AL Cy Young Award to his name, Cole continues to define what it means to be an elite pitcher. His combination of power and precision remains unmatched.
2. Corbin Burnes, Brewers (RHP)
Milwaukee's ace, Corbin Burnes, brings a mix of power, precision, and the ability to rack up strikeouts.
In 2024, Burnes posted a 15–9 record with a 2.92 ERA, 181 strikeouts, and 194.1 innings pitched - ranking sixth in MLB for innings - across 32 starts. His cutter, which he uses for half of his pitches, averages an impressive 96.1 mph. This pitch has been a game-changer for him since he refined it in 2021. As pitching coach Chris Hook puts it, Burnes' four-seamer has essentially "become a cutter that he commands".
Opponents struggled against him, managing just a .226 batting average. Burnes also kept hard-hit balls to a minimum, with a 31.7% hard-hit rate (fourth-lowest in the league) and induced a 32.9% chase rate (sixth-best). He delivered 22 quality starts, tying for the second-most in MLB, and reached 1,000 career strikeouts in just 850.2 innings - a testament to his consistency and dominance. His 2024 accolades include being named the AL All-Star starter, AL Pitcher of the Month for September, and earning a spot on the All-MLB First Team.
Burnes attributes the movement on his cutter to a simple grip adjustment rather than any flashy tricks. With his unmatched command and devastating cutter, Burnes remains the cornerstone of Milwaukee's rotation and one of the most formidable pitchers in the game.
3. Jacob deGrom, Rangers (RHP)
Jacob deGrom, the ace of the Texas Rangers, continues to dominate with his precise control and blazing fastball. So far in the 2025 season, he’s recorded a 2.75 ERA and a 0.98 WHIP over 13 starts. Across 85 innings, he’s racked up 105 strikeouts and holds a 13-4 record, including eight quality starts. Opponents are hitting just .198 against him, and he’s allowed two or fewer runs in 10 of his 13 outings.
After dealing with injuries in 2024, deGrom has returned to form as one of the most skilled pitchers in the game. His four-seam fastball averages 97 mph, while his slider, which generates a 34% whiff rate, ranks as one of the most effective in the league - third-highest in MLB. With a career 2.52 ERA over 1,435 innings and two Cy Young Awards under his belt, deGrom’s mix of speed and precision remains unmatched. His 6.8 strikeout-to-walk ratio is the best among all active starters.
Next up: Atlanta’s rising star, Spencer Strider.
4. Shohei Ohtani, Angels (RHP)
Switching gears from deGrom's precision to Ohtani's raw power:
In 2023, Ohtani posted a 10–5 record with a 3.14 ERA across 23 starts. He held opponents to a .184 batting average and racked up 167 strikeouts in just 132 innings.
Ohtani’s arsenal is headlined by his triple-digit fastball - he was the only AL starter to throw 40 pitches at 100 mph in 2022 - and his devastating splitter, which limited hitters to a .087 average in 2021 (minimum 110 plate appearances).
By the end of 2023, Ohtani’s career numbers stood at 38–19 with a 3.01 ERA over 86 appearances. That year alone, he pitched 132 innings, struck out 167, and recorded a 1.06 WHIP. His career totals include 481.2 innings pitched, 608 strikeouts, and a 1.08 WHIP.
During the 2023 World Baseball Classic, Ohtani shined with a 2–0 record and a 1.86 ERA.
Next up: Arizona's ace, Zac Gallen.
5. Zac Gallen, Diamondbacks (RHP)
Zac Gallen leads Arizona’s rotation with a methodical, almost chess-like approach to pitching.
As of early 2025, Gallen holds a 1-2 record with a 4.64 ERA and an impressive 10.1 K/9 (24 strikeouts). His career stats are equally impressive: a 54-37 record, a 3.32 ERA, 909 strikeouts, and a 1.14 WHIP.
"He's playing chess - setting you up for not just the next pitch but the one after that", said Royals first baseman Vinnie Pasquantino.
Gallen’s arsenal includes a four-seamer, cutter, changeup, and curveball, all backed by a closer-like mentality right from the first inning. This approach helped him achieve a 44.1-inning scoreless streak in late 2022.
Up next: Atlanta’s strikeout phenom, Spencer Strider.
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6. Spencer Strider, Braves (RHP)
After undergoing UCL surgery on April 12, 2024, Spencer Strider made a strong comeback in April 2025, quickly reestablishing himself as Atlanta’s strikeout machine - a performance reminiscent of his outstanding 2023 season. Back in 2023, Strider set an Atlanta record with 281 strikeouts and led MLB in wins, powered by his blazing 98 mph fastball and devastating slider.
"It felt like you were facing the closer there for eight innings." – Skip Schumaker, Miami Manager
Strider’s ability to deceive hitters is enhanced by his 7.08-foot extension and a low release point, which effectively cuts down hitters' reaction time. Since May 30, 2022, among starters with at least 100 innings, he leads MLB in several key metrics: strikeout rate (39.2%), FIP (1.87), batting average against (.173), expected batting average (.175), and expected slugging percentage (.269).
Strider’s approach is straightforward: attack the strike zone. This earned him a 40.1% whiff rate in 2023 - numbers that rival elite relievers - all while pitching deep into games. His career numbers, including a 3.47 ERA and 1.07 WHIP over 334.2 innings, further highlight his dominance.
Up next: Sandy Alcantara, the Marlins' workhorse ace.
7. Sandy Alcantara, Marlins (RHP)
Sandy Alcantara stands out for his mix of power and endurance, even after Spencer Strider's recent dominance. Returning in 2025 from Tommy John surgery, Alcantara allowed just two runs over 4⅔ innings in his Opening Day outing.
His 2022 Cy Young season was a masterclass in durability. He led MLB with 228.2 innings pitched and recorded 14 starts of at least eight innings. However, his 2023 season was less stellar, finishing 7-12 with a 4.14 ERA over 28 starts before undergoing surgery on October 6.
Alcantara's arsenal includes a blazing 97-mph sinker, a deceptive changeup, and a sharp slider, making him a force on the mound. Prior to surgery, he maintained a 3.14 ERA and a 3.78 K/BB ratio across 93 starts. During his Cy Young season, he was especially dominant at LoanDepot Park, posting a 1.64 ERA.
Next: Max Scherzer, New York's veteran strikeout king.
8. Max Scherzer, Toronto Blue Jays (RHP)
After dominating as Miami's ace, Max Scherzer transitioned to the Toronto Blue Jays in 2025. In his first 45 pitches with the team, he posted a 6.00 ERA, 1.00 WHIP, and a .273 opponents' batting average. While this is a limited sample size, his career speaks volumes: three Cy Young Awards, a 2.59 ERA, and over 3,000 strikeouts solidify his place among MLB's best.
Up next: Justin Verlander, another seasoned pitcher with an impressive track record.
9. Justin Verlander, Mets (RHP)
Justin Verlander steps in as a key figure in the Mets' rotation, following Max Scherzer. While his start to the season has been shaky - posting a 0–1 record, 6.75 ERA, and 1.77 WHIP over 18.2 innings - these numbers stand in stark contrast to his impressive career stats: a 3.32 ERA, 1.13 WHIP, 262–148 record, and 3,433 strikeouts across 3,434.1 innings.
In 2022, Verlander dominated the league, leading in ERA (1.75), WHIP (0.83), and opponents’ batting average (.186). These achievements highlight his knack for bouncing back and thriving under pressure. His postseason track record is equally stellar, featuring a 0.56 ERA that earned him the 2017 ALCS MVP, 26 consecutive scoreless innings in elimination games, and the most Division Series wins, with a 2.38 ERA over 11 appearances.
Beyond the stats, Verlander provides a steadying presence in the Mets' clubhouse, balancing the team’s mix of young talent and high-energy players.
10. Julio Urías, Dodgers (LHP)
Closing out the top 10 is Dodgers' left-hander Julio Urías, the only lefty on this list. His pitching arsenal includes a 93.7 mph fastball (thrown 45% of the time), a curveball (30%), a changeup (16%), and a cutter (9%). Urías' career stats highlight his effectiveness on the mound: a 60-25 record (.706 winning percentage), 3.11 ERA, 1.105 WHIP, and 710 strikeouts. He also boasts a 3.68 strikeout-to-walk ratio and a 39.2% weak contact rate.
In 2023, Urías recorded a 4.60 ERA over 117.1 innings in 21 starts. Despite this, his career 134 ERA+ shows he consistently performs above league average. With his knack for limiting baserunners and generating weak contact, Urías remains one of the top left-handed starters in baseball.
Performance Stats Comparison
Let's take a look at how the top 10 pitchers of 2025 performed. Here’s a breakdown of their key stats for the season:
| Pitcher | Team | ERA | K/9 | IP | WAR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gerrit Cole | Yankees | 3.41 | 10.5 | 95.0 | 4.2 |
| Corbin Burnes | Brewers | 2.92 | 8.4 | 194.1 | 5.1 |
| Jacob deGrom | Rangers | 2.75 | 11.1 | 85.0 | 3.8 |
| Shohei Ohtani | Angels | 3.14 | 11.4 | 132.0 | 4.6 |
| Zac Gallen | D-backs | 4.64 | 10.1 | 21.1 | 0.8 |
| Spencer Strider | Braves | 3.47 | 12.3 | 334.2 | 5.3 |
| Sandy Alcantara | Marlins | 4.14 | 8.6 | 172.0 | 2.9 |
| Max Scherzer | Blue Jays | 6.00 | 9.0 | 6.0 | 0.2 |
| Justin Verlander | Mets | 6.75 | 8.2 | 18.2 | 0.3 |
| Julio Urías | Dodgers | 4.60 | 8.7 | 117.1 | 1.8 |
Summary
Today’s MLB pitching scene is all about speed, movement, and smart pitch selection. The pitchers in our top 10 combine near-100 mph fastballs with exceptional accuracy. These key traits - power, precision, and a mix of pitches - are why these players dominate on the mound.
Three main trends stand out: high velocity is a game-changer, a diverse pitch mix makes a difference, and data plays a major role in managing pitch selection and workloads. For example, Gerrit Cole and Spencer Strider consistently hit 97–99 mph, while Corbin Burnes pairs high-spin curveballs (2,700–2,900 rpm) with cutters clocking in at 93–95 mph.
But it’s not just about speed. Each pitcher excels in either pinpoint command or the depth of their pitch arsenal. Many of these pitchers regularly reach 99 mph and complement their fastballs with pitches like cutters, splitters, and high-spin curveballs. They also post impressive strikeout rates - Strider leads the pack with 12.3 K/9 - and use analytics to fine-tune their performance.
Modern MLB pitching thrives on a mix of international influences and advances in mechanics. This blend of power, precision, and refined techniques defines today’s elite pitchers.