There’s been a major shakeup in Sportsnaut’s MLB Pitcher Power Rankings as five new faces have made the list. A potential NL Cy Young candidate has fallen out of the top five while an under-the-radar free-agent signing has cracked the top 10. Check out where the top pitchers fall in the latest rankings.
1. Paul Skenes (Previously: 4)
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Pittsburgh Pirates ace Paul Skenes is back to being the best pitcher in baseball. He leads all of MLB in ERA (1.94), ERA+ (219), and home runs per nine (0.438), while topping the NL in hits per nine (6.250) and FIP (2.32). He’s well on his way to capturing his first Cy Young award.
2. Tarik Skubal (Previously: 2)
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Unless Tarik Skubal crashes and burns, the Detroit Tigers pitcher is winning his second consecutive American League Cy Young award. He leads MLB in WHIP (0.860), walks per nine (1.300), strikeouts per walk (8.905) and FIP (2.13), while topping the AL in bWAR for pitchers (5.4), strikeouts per nine (11.580), and strikeouts (187).
3. Garrett Crochet (Previously: 6)
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If not for Skubal, Boston Red Sox’s Garrett Crochet would be the favorite for the AL Cy Young. The southpaw is sporting a 2.24 ERA, 4.8 bWAR, 183 strikeouts, 183 ERA+ and 2.48 FIP.
4. Nathan Eovaldi (Previously: Not ranked)
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If Nathan Eovaldi had enough innings to qualify, he would lead baseball in ERA (1.38), WHIP (0.838) and ERA+ (269). The Texas Rangers right-hander has allowed just 17 earned runs in 111 innings across 19 starts.
5. Cristopher Sanchez (Previously: Not ranked)
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Cristopher Sanchez has overtaken teammate Zack Wheeler as the best pitcher on the Philadelphia Phillies. In a nationally televised game on ESPN’s “Sunday Night Baseball” on Aug. 3, Sanchez was dominant against one of the best teams in the league — holding the Tigers scoreless over eight innings, allowing just five hits and striking out six. Last month, he struck out 12 in a complete-game win over the Red Sox. He also leads all of baseball in pitcher bWAR at 6.0.
6. Zack Wheeler (Previously: 1)
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Wheeler has hit a bump recently. In five starts since his complete-game one-hitter against the Cincinnati Reds, Wheeler has seen a dip in velocity and struggled with his command. He’s given up 15 earned runs in 28 2/3 innings. Despite that, he has a 5.1 bWAR, 2.68 ERA, 0.926 WHIP and leads baseball in strikeouts with 189.
7. Hunter Brown (Previously: 3)
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Hunter Brown has carried a Houston Astros staff that has been beset by injuries this season. The right-hander leads baseball in hits per nine with 6.205, and is sporting a 2.51 ERA, 164 ERA+ and 2.90 FIP. He has a 2.19 ERA in two August starts.
8. Yoshinobu Yamamoto (Previously: Not ranked)
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Another staff decimated by injuries, Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto has remained relatively unscathed and is having the best season of his young career. A first-time All-Star, Yamamoto has a 2.51 ERA, 166 ERA+ and 2.90 FIP with a 1.041 WHIP while striking out 10.3 per nine innings. In his last four starts, he’s given up just four earned runs while striking out 30.
9. Joe Ryan (Previously: Not ranked)
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Joe Ryan remained in Minnesota despite the Twins shipping out 11 teammates. He’s emerged as one of the best pitchers in baseball, with a 2.79 ERA, 0.922 WHIP, 152 ERA+, and 3.19 FIP.
10. Matthew Boyd (Previously: Not ranked)
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Matthew Boyd was a fantastic free-agent signing for the Chicago Cubs in the offseason. The left-hander made his first All-Star appearance this year at age 34, posting a 2.45 ERA, 156 ERA+ and 3.13 FIP with a 1.047 WHIP.
**Pitchers who fell out: Jacob deGrom, Max Fried, Ranger Suarez, Logan Webb and Kris Bubic**
Matt Higgins worked in national and local news for 15 years. He started out as an overnight production assistant … More about Matt Higgins