Throughout the decades, the sport of baseball has seen some elite talents take the mound. While the game has evolved over the years stylistically, there’s still something to be said about the art of pitching. It’s a craft — where you pair repetition, physicality, and psychology when trying to get the batter out. At-bats almost function as mini challenges themselves. In regards to this piece, we’ll break down the top 25 starting pitchers in MLB history.
25. Tommy John
Long before his name became the two most feared words in baseball, Tommy John was a very accomplished pitcher. John’s career began in 1963 with the Indians. After two seasons in Cleveland, John joined the White Sox and posted back-to-back 14-win seasons. Following a seven-year stint with the Sox, John went to Los Angeles — the place where he would eventually become synonymous with pitching injuries. After a stellar start to his tenure with the Dodgers in which he went 40-15 with a 2.89 ERA, John injured his UCL and underwent what is now known as Tommy John surgery.
John missed all of the ’75 season but miraculously returned to pitch the best baseball of his career from ’77-80. In ’77, John won 20 games with the Dodgers and finished runner-up for the Cy Young. His final year in LA resulted in an eighth-place finish. John then joined the Yankees and proceeded to go 43-18 in his first two seasons — finished second for the Cy in Year 1 and fourth in Year 2. John pitched through 1989 and retired at the age of 46. In total, John won 288 games.
24. CC Sabathia
A fan favorite across baseball, CC Sabathia went from an intriguing talent to a future Hall of Famer in the latter half of his career. Sabathia debuted with the Indians in 2001 and went 17-5 as a 20-year-old. The hard-throwing lefty compiled 81 wins over his first six seasons and earned two All-Star nods. In 2007, Sabathia won the AL Cy Young after going 19-7. However, it was the following season that Sabathia’s legend began to grow. Following a trade to Milwaukee mid-season, Sabathia went 11-2 with seven complete games and three shutouts down the stretch with the Brewers. He parlayed his sensational performance with the Brewers into a big contract with the Yankees in the offseason. The big lefty promptly led the AL in wins in back-to-back seasons — 40 wins overall — and finished in the top-4 of Cy Young voting his first three years in New York. Across 19 seasons, Sabathia fanned 3,093 batters and won 251 games.
23. Curt Schilling
Curt Schilling didn’t have the look of a superstar through the first eight years of his career. Schilling joined the Phillies in 1992 following three seasons in Baltimore and one year in Houston. He was very good in ’92 — 14 wins, 2.35 ERA, 0.990 WHIP — but it wasn’t until ’97 that he established himself as one of the game’s best. That season, Schilling whiffed an MLB-best 317 hitters and finished fourth for the Cy Young. Before the ’97 season, Schilling’s career-high in SO was 186. Schilling threw 15 complete games and fanned 300 the following season, but he wouldn’t become a legend for another five years. In 2001, Schilling combined with Randy Johnson to form one of the greatest one-two punches in league history.
In his first full season with the Diamondbacks, Schilling went 22-6 with a 2.98 ERA and 293 SO — he and Johnson shared World Series MVP honors. In ’02, Schilling went 23-7 with 316 SO. He finished runner-up for the Cy Young both seasons, placing behind Johnson both seasons. Then, in ’04, the ‘bloody sock’ game occurred while Schilling was with the Red Sox. Following a 21-6 season and a third Cy Young runner-up finish, Schilling took the mound in the ALCS with an injured ankle — a visible injury due to blood seeping through Schilling’s sock. His heroic performance in Game 6 kept Boston’s season alive and paved way for the franchise to end its historic World Series drought a few weeks later.
22. Roy Halladay
Roy Halladay overcame adversity and became one of the best pitchers of his era. After debuting with the Blue Jays in 1998, Halladay spent time in both the starting rotation and bullpen in ’99. However, the Hall of Famer struggled immensely in Spring Training ahead of the 2001 season and was demoted to Class A. Halladay flipped a switch while in the Minors and thrived upon returning to the Majors. A 19-7 showing in ’02 was followed by a Cy Young campaign in ’03 — Halladay went 22-7. The ace would remain in Toronto through ’09 and posted three more top-5 Cy Young finishes. Halladay was traded to Philadelphia ahead of the ’10 season and he thrived instantly. The star won his second Cy in ’10 — a season that included a perfect game in May and a no-hitter in the NLDS. He would finish second for the Cy in ’11, but injuries derailed his career after that.
21. Grover Alexander
More than 100 years ago, this man dominated baseball. Spending the first seven years of his career in Philadelphia, Alexander averaged 27 wins per season with the Phillies. He led baseball in wins each of his final four seasons with the club — 27, 31, 33, and 30 wins — and won the Triple Crown the final three seasons. From 1915-17, Alexander went 94-35 with 608 SO and a 1.54 ERA. The Hall of Famer won 373 games and retired with a 2.56 ERA across 20 seasons.
20. Don Sutton
Unless you are a Dodgers fan or grew up in the 1960s or ’70s, Don Sutton may not be a familiar name. However, the Hall of Famer deserves more praise than he receives. Sutton was an instant star upon his arrival in Los Angeles. As a 21-year-old rookie in 1966, Sutton posted a 2.99 ERA across 35 starts. Despite performing rather well through the first six years of his career, Sutton didn’t earn his first All-Star nod until Year 7. Beginning in ’72, Sutton finished in the top-5 of Cy Young voting five years in a row. His ’72 season was his best — compiling 19 wins with a 2.08 to go along with nine shutouts. The definition of a workhorse, Sutton never missed his turn in the rotation over 756 starts. Sutton finished his career with a 3.26 ERA, 324 wins, and 3,574 SO.
19. Steve Carlton
There is a reason why Steve Carlton is considered one of the greatest left-handed pitchers in MLB history. Utilizing a great fastball and disappearing slider, Carlton thrived in the Majors for over 20 years. A 10-time All-Star, Carlton spent the first seven years of his career with the Cardinals. The lefty earned three All-Star nods while in St. Louis and won 20 games in his final season, but he became a legend in Philadelphia. In 1972, Carlton’s first year with the Phillies, the ace won the National League Triple Crown — 27 wins, 1.97 ERA, and 310 strikeouts — and his first Cy Young. He added a second Cy in ’77, a third in ’80, and a then-record fourth Cy in ’82. At the age of 37, Carlton went 23-11 with a 3.10 ERA and a league-high 286 SO. After 24 seasons, Carlton retired with 329 wins and 4,136 SO.
18. Tom Glavine
A two-time Cy Young winner being somewhat overshadowed by his teammates sounds absurd, but that was the case with Tom Glavine. A key cog in Atlanta’s historic rotation, Glavine overcame a mediocre four-year stretch at the beginning of his career and eventually became one of the league’s top arms. Glavine went 33-41 with a 4.29 ERA in his first four seasons. Then, he finished in the top-3 of Cy Young voting three years in a row. In 1991, Glavine won 20 games and threw nine complete games en route to winning the Cy. In ’92, 20 wins and a runner-up finish. In ’93, 22 wins and a third-place finish. As a 32-year-old in ’98, Glavine won his second Cy thanks to a 20-6 record and 2.47 ERA. Overall, Glavine won 305 games over 22 years and was the World Series MVP in 1995.
17. Zack Greinke
Here is an ace who has seen his career overshadowed by three all-time greats who thrived in the same era. Greinke was a first-round pick in 2002 and made his way to the Majors two years later. Debuting as a 20-year-old, Greinke finished fourth for the AL Rookie of the Year. Greinke’s second season was ugly — he posted a 5.80 ERA and went 5-17 — but he soon tapped into his potential. In 2009, Greinke won the AL Cy Young after winning 16 games with a 2.16 ERA. The future Hall of Famer didn’t match that production for a few years, but upon joining the Los Angeles Dodgers he enjoyed the best stretch of his career. From 2013-15, Greinke went 51-15 with a 2.30 ERA. His ’15 season was spectacular. Finishing second for the NL Cy, Greinke went 19-3 with a minuscule 1.66 ERA. The ace is 21 strikeouts shy of 3,000 and has 225 wins to his name.
16. John Smoltz
John Smoltz would appear on a list ranking the best relievers of all time, as well — that is how good he was. In the opening act of his career, Smoltz was a part of the three-headed monster that propelled Atlanta into perennial contention. After a tough debut season as a 21-year-old (5.48 ERA in 12 starts), Smoltz became an ace over the next 10 years. From 1989-1999, Smoltz won 155 games with a 3.29 ERA and over 2,000 strikeouts. In 1996, Smoltz won a career-high 24 games and fanned 276 batters en route to winning the NL Cy Young. Injuries led to his second act as a star closer. From 2002-04, Smoltz notched 144 saves and finished as high as third for the Cy. The Hall of Famer made his way back to the rotation in ’05 and posted two top-7 Cy Young finishes over the next three seasons.
15. G****** Perry
The first pitcher to win a Cy Young in both leagues, G****** Perry checks in at No. 15. Perry was incredibly durable throughout his 22-year career. From 1966 to 1980, Perry started no fewer than 32 games. During that stretch, the Hall of Famer won 265 games and posted a 2.87 ERA. Perry won the American League Cy Young in 1972 as a member of the Cleveland Indians. In addition to winning 24 games (with 16 losses), Perry finished with a 1.92 ERA and threw 29 complete games. Perry won his second CY in 1978 at the age of 39. Pitching for San Diego, Perry went 21-6 with a 2.73 ERA. Overall, the ace won 314 games, struck out 3,534 batters, and pitched 303 complete games.
14. Jim Palmer
Here is a man who turned down a scholarship offer to play basketball at UCLA in 1963 — one year before John Wooden’s dynasty began. Palmer instead signed with Baltimore and debuted two years later at the age of 19. In ’66, a 20-year-old Palmer threw a complete game shutout in the World Series against the Los Angeles Dodgers. After an injury limited him to nine starts between ’67-68, Palmer returned to the mound in ’69 and proceeded to dominate for more than a decade. Palmer won 20 or more games eight times in the ’70s and claimed three AL Cy Youngs. In 19 years with the O’s, Palmer notched 268 wins and became the first pitcher to win a World Series game in three different decades.
13. Max Scherzer
While there have been many star pitchers over the past 15-20 years, three men stand above the rest — and Max Scherzer is one of those men. Nicknamed Mad Max, Scherzer’s intensity on the mound has become a trademark for the future Hall of Famer. Scherzer was a solid pitcher through the first five years of his career (52-42, 3.88 ERA) but nobody could have expected what was to come. Beginning with his sixth season (2013), Scherzer finished in the top-5 of Cy Young voting seven seasons in a row. He went 39-8 over his final two years with the Tigers and won his first Cy Young. Upon joining Washington, Scherzer won back-to-back CY’s in his second and third seasons with the club. While he has been slowed down by injuries in recent years, Scherzer is closing in on 3,500 strikeouts and has won two World Series.
12. Justin Verlander
When his career comes to an end, Justin Verlander will be considered one of the best pitchers of all time. The No. 2 overall pick in 2004, Verlander debuted for the Detroit Tigers in ’05 and quickly became one of the best pitchers in baseball. With a dominant fastball and a lethal curve, Verlander went 35-15 in his first two full seasons in Detroit. As his command improved, the flamethrower became an elite strikeout pitcher. In 13 years with the Tigers, Verlander led baseball in wins twice, strikeouts four times, and started 30 or more games 10 times. In 2011, Verlander won the American League Cy Young and MVP after going 24-5 with a 2.40 ERA and 250 SO — winning the Triple Crown. Verlander only enhanced his resume after being traded to Houston. The ace won two CY’s (2019 and 2022) and two World Series with the Astros.
11. Bob Gibson
When thinking of the most intimidating pitchers in baseball history, Bob Gibson is on the shortlist. A superb athlete — he excelled at basketball, as well — Gibson became a star in his third season with the Cardinals. As a 26-year-old, Gibson won 15 games, threw five shutouts, and posted a sub-3.00 ERA en route to his first All-Star nod. His 1968 season is arguably the greatest performance we’ve seen from a pitcher. Earning his first of two Cy Young Awards, Gibson went 22-9 with an absurd 1.12 ERA and led MLB with 13 shutouts and 268 strikeouts. As a result of his dominance, which also resulted in an MVP in ’68, MLB lowered the mound in ’69. Gibson finished his 17-year career (all with St. Louis) with 251 wins, 3,117 SO, and a 2.91 ERA.
10. Clayton Kershaw
No disrespect to Justin Verlander and Max Scherzer, but Kershaw is the best pitcher of the last 20 years. The longtime Los Angeles Dodgers ace made a career from being highly consistent. Early on, he had a mid-to-upper 90s fastball where he’d utilize all quadrants of the strike zone. As his velocity dipped, Kershaw developed a devastating 12-to-6 curveball and a lethal wipeout slider. A 10-time All-Star and a 3-time Cy Young Award winner, Kershaw has led the National League in ERA on five occasions. Through 16 seasons, Kershaw has accumulated a microscopic 2.48 ERA to go along with 210 wins. The only reason he isn’t even higher on this list is due to his inexplicable 4.49 postseason ERA.
9. Pedro MartÃnez
MartÃnez virtually sits in a category all by himself. At 5’11” and 170 pounds, he was a dominant performer throughout his career. The torque and rotation he was able to generate were simply otherworldly considering his small frame. If firing high 90s fastballs wasn’t impressive enough, MartÃnez had an assortment of off-speed pitches to pull from. Of course, it was the famed curveball that made him a dynamic ace for over a decade.
8. Tom Seaver
Known affectionately as “Tom Terrific,” Seaver’s career spanned two decades, during which he showcased ridiculous skill, determination, and consistency. With a devastating repertoire of pitches and impeccable command, he baffled hitters and dominated opposing lineups with ease. Seaver’s career highlights include three Cy Young Awards, 311 career wins, a career 2.86 ERA, and induction into the Baseball Hall of Fame with one of the highest voting percentages in history. To this day, Mets fans still look back at his time with the franchise as a major high point.
7. Roger Clemens
Clemens was as competitive as they come. “The Rocket” had just that — a powerful fastball that had considerable life and movement. There was an intimidation factor whenever he took the mound. Clemens didn’t just want to win the at-bat…he wanted to take your soul in the process. Clemens won a whopping 354 games throughout his illustrious career. He also won seven Cy Young Awards and two World Series rings in the process.
6. Randy Johnson
Imagine standing in the box getting ready to face Randy Johnson. If you’re a left-handed batter, you’re going up against a 6’10” monster who essentially threw over 100 miles per hour with a semi-sidearm release. As a right-handed batter, you’d be treated to that velocity along with a backfoot slider which was deemed nearly unhittable. All the while, you’ve got the long-striding Johnson bearing down on you with his immense wingspan — making the 60-feet 6-inches look a whole lot closer to you by the time the ball is released. Throw in the 303 career wins and five Cy Young Awards, and you’re left with an all-time great.
5. Greg Maddux
Maddux approached the game akin to a surgeon operating on a patient. He was downright clinical with his decision-making. Maddux manipulated the ball as well as anyone with his variety of grips. Even though he wasn’t overpowering with his velocity, no one came close to exacting the movement he got with the baseball. The ball danced like a knuckleball but still possessed enough bite and velocity to bear down on hitters. Efficient, accurate, and wildly consistent, Maddux won four Cy Young Awards in a row during the early-to-mid ’90s. He also is widely considered to be the best fielding pitcher ever — evidenced by a mind-blowing 18 Gold Gloves.
4. Walter Johnson
“The Big Train” dominated the sport like few others, setting records and leaving a lasting legacy that still reverberates through the annals of the game. With his imposing stature and overpowering fastball, Johnson struck fear into the hearts of batters throughout his illustrious career, which spanned from 1907 to 1927. His remarkable consistency and durability set him apart, as evidenced by his staggering 417 wins. Johnson’s prowess on the mound earned him two MVP awards and countless accolades, cementing his status as one of the greatest pitchers of all time.
3. Cy Young
Over his remarkable tenure in the game from 1890 to 1911, Young redefined the art of pitching. With a remarkable 511 career wins, a feat that remains unmatched, Young’s dominance on the mound was nothing short of legendary. His durability was equally impressive, with an astonishing 815 complete games. Young’s legacy extends far beyond his statistics; his influence on the game helped shape the modern era of baseball and continues to inspire generations of players. Inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in its inaugural class, Cy Young’s name remains synonymous with excellence in pitching
2. Nolan Ryan
Ryan is the archetype flamethrower. In terms of being able to consistently throw the ball with high velocity for long durations of time, Ryan is the man. He pitched a whopping 27 years in the Big Leagues. During this time, he notched eight All-Star appearances, 5,714 strikeouts, and 324 career wins. Some players might have better ERAs or more Cy Young Awards. However, Ryan’s ability to terrify hitters in the box with his stuff is perhaps the most underrated skill he brought to the table. Stats don’t tell the whole story here with how good Ryan was.
1. Sandy Koufax
Koufax was a unique talent. He pitched like he had a fastball that would top out at 88 miles per hour — meaning he’d paint the corners and aim to deceive hitters by changing speeds regularly. Yet, he had some of the best stuff we’ve ever seen. He paired a fastball routinely sitting in the high 90s/touching 100 miles per hour with the best curveball ever constructed. Oh yeah — and he’s a lefty to top it off. There are questions as to whether older players could perform at a high level versus current competition. There are no questions regarding Koufax… he’d dominate if he were pitching in 2024.