30 Days of MLB Rankings: Starting Pitchers 30-21

Check out my previous rankings from this series:

Catchers 30-21 | Catchers 20-11  | Catchers 10-1  | First Base 30-21 | First Basemen 20-11 | First Basemen 10-1 | Second Basemen 30-21 | Second Basemen 20-11 | Second Basemen 10-1 | Third Basemen 30-21 | Third Basemen 20-11 | Third Basemen 10-1 | Shortstop 30-21 | Shortstops 20-11 | Shortstop 10-1  | Left Field 30-21 | Left Field 20-11 | Left Field 10-1  | Center Field 30-21 | Center Field 20-11  | Center Field 10-1  | Right Field 30-21 | Right Field 20-11  | Right Field 10-1 | Designated Hitter 15-1 | Relief Pitcher 30-16 | Relief Pitcher 15-1

Also, it’s worth mentioning that this list is simply the best pitcher on each team and not the top thirty starting pitchers. Stephen Strasburg and Patrick Corbin are arguably top-ten pitchers, but because Max Scherzer is on the Nationals, neither of those two will appear on this ranking.  

30. Matthew Boyd, Detroit Tigers

2019: 32 games, 185.1 IP, 9-12 record, 4.56 ERA, 1.23 WHIP, 238 Strikeouts

As a pitcher, Matthew Boyd is such an odd case. By default, he earns the spot as the Tigers’ best pitcher for 2020. Boyd has the makeup to be a solid pitcher; however, he needs to work on limiting home runs. Last year, the lefty allowed an AL-leading 39 home runs, causing his ERA to rise.  

29. Joe Musgrove, Pittsburgh Pirates

2019: 32 games, 170.1 IP, 11-12 Record, 4.44 ERA, 1.22 WHIP, 157 Strikeouts

Through four years into his MLB career, Joe Musgrove has been the epitome of league-averageness. While he doesn’t strike out a ton of hitters, Musgrove keeps the ball in the park, forcing ground balls. Chris Archer had been their ace, but had a horrific season in 2019, posting an ERA of 5.19. 

28. Brad Keller, Kansas City Royals

2019: 28 games, 165.1 IP, 7-14 Record, 4.19 ERA, 1.36 WHIP, 122 Strikeouts

After a great rookie year in 2018, Brad Keller took a minor step back last year. Keller’s most significant issue is that he doesn’t strike out a ton of hitters, but does struggle at allowing walks. However, at age 24, he still has a lot of time to improve. If Keller struggles, veteran Danny Duffy would be the Royals’ ace in 2020.  

27. Marco Gonzales, Seattle Mariners

2019: 34 games, 203.0 IP, 16-13 Record, 3.99 ERA, 1.31 WHIP, 147 Strikeouts

A left-handed arm, Marco Gonzales, isn’t anything special but earns the Mariners’ nod by default in an otherwise weak rotation. Yusei Kikuchi struggled in his first MLB season in 2019, while Justus Sheffield hasn’t gotten the opportunity to play an entire season. Gonzales has an above-average fastball, but a weak curveball at a -3.6 w/CB last season per FanGraphs.  

26. Sandy Alcantara, Miami Marlins

2019: 32 games, 197.1 IP, 6-14 Record, 3.88 ERA, 1.32 WHIP, 151 Strikeouts

In his first full MLB season, Sandy Alacantara had a solid season at age 23. Alcantara showed a few flashes of greatness as he had two complete-game shutouts in 2019; no other pitcher had more than one. Alcantara has a great fastball that hits up to 98, but his slider needs some work. At age 24, he should only continue to get better for Miami.  

25. Julio Teheran, Los Angeles Angels

2019: 33 games, 174.2 IP, 10-11 Record, 3.81 ERA, 1.32 WHIP, 162 Strikeouts

After spending the first nine years of his career with the Braves, Julio Teheran was traded to the Angels. Teheran has never been near the top ten of MLB pitchers but is always an above-average option. Shohei Ohtani, who appeared on the DH list, could be the Angels’ ace but hasn’t pitched since 2018 as he’s coming back from Tommy John Surgery. 

24. Eduardo Rodriguez, Boston Red Sox

2019: 34 games, 203.1 IP, 19-6 Record, 3.81 ERA, 1.33 WHIP, 213 Strikeouts

After Chris Sale underwent season-ending Tommy John Surgery, Eduardo Rodriguez projects to be the Red Sox’s ace in 2020. E-Rod does a great job at striking out batters but needs to work on his command. Last year, the southpaw allowed an AL-leading 75 base on balls in 203.1 innings.  

23. Jeff Samardzija, San Francisco Giants

2019: 32 games, 181.1 IP, 11-12 Record 3.52 ERA, 1.11 WHIP, 140 Strikeouts

At age 35, Jeff Samardzija is still a solid option. Besides 2018, where he missed most of the year due to injury, Samardzija’s strikeout numbers were the worst of his career in 2020, as he relied on yielding ground balls. Johnny Cueto has only made 13 starts the past two seasons but is now healthy and could return to all-star form.  

22. Jon Gray, Colorado Rockies 

2019: 26 games, 150.0 IP, 11-8 Record, 3.84 ERA, 1.35 WHIP, 150 Strikeouts

While Gray’s numbers are worse than some of the guys below him, it has to be taken into account that he has to pitch in Coors Field. Despite playing in an extreme hitters ballpark, Gray had a solid year in 2019. His slider was the main reason for his success as he recorded a w/SL of 13.9 last year, per FanGraphs. 

21. John Means, Baltimore Orioles

2019: 31 games, 155.0 IP, 12-11 Record, 3.60 ERA, 1.14 WHIP, 121 Strikeouts

As part of an otherwise atrocious Baltimore rotation, John Means had a great year in 2019 in his first full season as he earned an all-star nod. A left-handed pitcher, Means has great control, limiting walks, and helping to lower his WHIP. He has an above-average fastball, and elite changeup, but needs to work on his curveball. 

Come back tomorrow for part two of my starting pitchers ranking!

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