MLB Pitcher Power Rankings: Zack Wheeler climbs to No. 1 as three new faces crack list
A new No. 1 sits atop Sportsnaut's MLB Pitcher Power Rankings as three fresh faces make the list. Check out how the rankings shake out.
**All stats as of Friday, July 4**
1. Zack Wheeler (Previously: 3)
Credit: Eric Hartline-Imagn Images
Philadelphia Phillies ace Zack Wheeler moved up to the top spot in the MLB Pitcher Power Rankings after his dominant month of June. He allowed only two earned runs in five starts and 31 innings, posting a 0.58 ERA. Wheeler also struck out 42 during that span while allowing just seven walks, earning him National League Pitcher of the Month honors.
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2. Tarik Skubal (Previously: 1)
Credit: Lon Horwedel-Imagn Images
Tarik Skubal's Baseball Savant page tells the story of why the reigning American League Cy Young winner remains one of baseball's elite pitchers. The Detroit Tigers ace ranks in the top 7% in whiff percentage (33.3) and fastball velocity (97.5), top 5% in chase rate (34.7) and strikeout percentage (33.4), top 4% in average exit velocity (85.8), and top 2% in walk percentage (3.4). Add in his 2.15 ERA, 4.0 bWAR, 0.835 WHIP, and 138 strikeouts in 109 innings, and you have a dominant force.
3. Hunter Brown (Previously: 4)
Credit: Erik Williams-Imagn Images
Houston Astros pitcher Hunter Brown will challenge Skubal for the AL Cy Young award. Brown earned AL Pitcher of the Month honors after allowing just four earned runs in 30 1/3 innings across five starts while striking out 39. He leads all of baseball in ERA (1.82), ERA+ (223), and hits per nine innings (5.625).
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4. Paul Skenes (Previously: 2)
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The reigning NL Rookie of the Year continues putting up electric numbers for the struggling Pittsburgh Pirates. Paul Skenes leads the NL in ERA (2.03), WHIP (0.835), hits per nine (5.838), and ERA+ (209), while tying with Wheeler for pitching bWAR (4.4).
5. Jacob deGrom (Previously: Not ranked)
Credit: Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images
Finally healthy for the first time in years, Jacob deGrom is showing why the Texas Rangers handed him a five-year, $185 million contract before the 2023 season. In 17 starts, the two-time Cy Young winner is 9-2 with a 2.13 ERA, 179 ERA+, 3.08 FIP, and 0.888 WHIP. His fastball velocity also ranks in the top 10% of baseball at 97.2 mph.
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6. Garrett Crochet (Previously: 6)
Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images
Garrett Crochet has been a strikeout machine this season. The Boston Red Sox ace leads all of baseball with 144 strikeouts, including four double-digit strikeout games. Despite the Red Sox's down year, Crochet has delivered everything they hoped for when they traded for him, sporting a 3.5 bWAR, 2.34 ERA, 1.040 WHIP, 179 ERA+, and 2.55 FIP.
7. Max Fried (Previously: 7)
Credit: Nick Turchiaro-Imagn Images
Max Fried has anchored a depleted New York Yankees rotation with Gerrit Cole and Luis Gil on the shelf. Fried is tied with Skubal for the AL lead in wins with 10, while posting a 2.13 ERA, 188 ERA+, 3.02 FIP, and 0.939 WHIP.
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8. Ranger Suarez (Previously: Not ranked)
Credit: Mady Mertens-Imagn Images
Ranger Suarez missed the first month due to lower back soreness and surrendered seven earned runs in 3 2/3 innings in his season debut. Since then, he's allowed just nine earned runs in ten starts. Suarez has a 2.00 ERA, 212 ERA+, 2.88 FIP, 1.000 WHIP, and 3.2 bWAR. Are the Phillies really going to let him walk in free agency at season's end?
9. Logan Webb (Previously: Not ranked)
Credit: Sergio Estrada-Imagn Images
Logan Webb eats up innings. The San Francisco Giants starter leads the NL with 113 2/3 innings pitched and a 2.32 FIP. He also carries a 2.61 ERA in 18 starts with 127 strikeouts, a 148 ERA+, and 1.144 WHIP.
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10. Kris Bubic (Previously: 5)
Credit: Peter Aiken-Imagn Images
Rounding out the list is Kansas City Royals pitcher Kris Bubic. He ranks in the top ten among all pitchers in bWAR (3.3), ERA (2.25), home runs per nine (0.469), and FIP (2.66).
**Pitchers who fell out: Carlos Rodon, MacKenzie Gore, and Nathan Eovaldi**
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