As the 2025 MLB season progresses, a select group of starting pitchers has risen above the rest, showcasing a dominant combination of stuff, durability, and a knack for stifling opposing lineups. Based on a combination of current performance, recent historical dominance, advanced metrics, and league perception, here’s a ranking of the top 10 starting pitchers in MLB right now.
Ranking the Top 10 Starting Pitchers
10. Framber Valdez (Houston Astros)
Framber Valdez is considered a top pitcher in MLB due to his consistent performance, particularly his ability to generate ground balls, his development of an elite pitch repertoire, and strong supporting statistics.
Valdez’s FIP (Fielding Independent Pitching) indicates that his performance is largely backed up by his underlying metrics, suggesting he’s not simply benefiting from good luck or defense. His consistent ability to induce ground balls significantly limits opposing offenses’ ability to hit for power and helps his defense turn double plays.
It is worth noting that while Valdez is known for inducing a high number of ground balls, his strikeout rates are not always elite compared to other top-tier pitchers. However, his overall effectiveness makes him a valuable asset to the Houston Astros rotation.
9. Joe Ryan (Minnesota Twins)
Minnesota Twins ace Joe Ryan is considered one of MLB’s top pitchers for several key reasons, notably his effectiveness in the 2025 season so far and his refined pitching arsenal.
Ryan has an elite fastball, despite a perceived lack of elite velocity. Its effectiveness stems from a combination of deceptive mechanics, strategic elevation, and excellent metrics. His fastball has a +19 run value, which is near the top of MLB. Opponents are also hitting .193 against it with a .337 slugging percentage, and it has a 26.2 percent whiff rate.
Ryan consistently demonstrates excellent command. He has a low walk rate and the confidence to throw his secondary pitches for strikes or induce chases, even when behind in the count.
8. Max Fried (New York Yankees)
Max Fried has been a valuable addition for the New York Yankees, who have won a majority of his starts. Fried has consistently provided at least six innings of work. His cutter has been particularly effective, limiting opponent batting average and slugging percentage.
Fried’s combination of control, diverse arsenal, groundball effectiveness, and consistent results solidifies his position as a top-tier pitcher in MLB. He has played his part in trying to keep the Yankees’ heads above water during a tough stretch of the season.
7. Jacob deGrom (Texas Rangers)
Jacob deGrom has made a strong return in 2025 despite past injuries. He has a 2.86 ERA through 23 starts and he had a career-best streak of consecutive starts allowing no more than two runs earlier in the season. He was named an All-Star for the fifth time. His ability to stay healthy is a key factor moving forward.
While deGrom has shown some recent vulnerability, particularly with home runs allowed in late July and early August, his overall performance, durability given his history, and continued elite per-inning production make him a top-tier pitcher in the 2025 season. The Texas Rangers are relying on deGrom to help keep their playoff hopes alive.
6. Hunter Brown (Houston Astros)
Hunter Brown has been consistent for the Astros in 2025 and he has been in the top 10 of MLB in ERA for basically the entire season. Brown has allowed two or fewer earned runs in most of his starts this season, contributing to the Astros maintaining their division lead despite rotation injuries.
Brown’s significant improvement in limiting hard contact, diversifying and sharpening his pitches, and improving his command have propelled him into the conversation as one of the top pitchers in MLB this season. Brown and the previously mentioned Valdez will be relied on heavily to get the Astros back to the World Series.
5. Cristopher Sánchez (Philadelphia Phillies)
Cristopher Sánchez is having a breakout season for the Philadelphia Phillies. He has posted a 2.45 ERA and 157 strikeouts in just over 150 innings of work, with a notable improvement since June. Sánchez recently threw a 12-strikeout complete game and was named an All-Star in 2025.
Sánchez’s blend of increased fastball velocity, a standout changeup, improved strikeout numbers, and elite groundball rates has established him as one of the best pitchers in baseball this season, making him a strong contender for the NL Cy Young Award.
4. Garrett Crochet (Boston Red Sox)
Garrett Crochet has transitioned into a front-line starter for the Boston Red Sox. Entering Thursday, he leads the AL in innings pitched and ranks among the league leaders in strikeouts and ERA. Crochet recently threw the first complete game shutout of his career. His performance has significantly contributed to Boston’s success.
Crochet’s ability to consistently dominate hitters with his velocity and refined pitch arsenal, combined with his high strikeout and low walk rates, has placed him firmly in the AL Cy Young conversation in 2025. While his injury history is something worth noting, his current performance demonstrates ace-level talent.
3. Zack Wheeler (Philadelphia Phillies)
Despite a recent slight dip in form, Zack Wheeler remains a top-tier pitcher, leading the NL in strikeouts and ranking among the leaders in ERA and WHIP. A consistent performer since joining the Phillies in 2020, Wheeler has overcome prior injury concerns to become an innings-eating ace.
Wheeler is one of the Phillies’ greatest free agent signings in franchise history, and his career ERA with Philadelphia demonstrates his sustained excellence. He has been particularly dominant at Citizens Bank Park this season, boasting a 2.19 ERA and a 10.8 strikeout-to-walk ratio over 12 starts. Wheeler is aiming for his first career Cy Young Award after finishing as the runner-up twice in the past four seasons.
2. Paul Skenes (Pittsburgh Pirates)
The Pittsburgh Pirates‘ young phenom Paul Skenes has quickly ascended to the top echelon of MLB pitching. After a stellar rookie season where he finished third in Cy Young voting, Skenes continues to impress in 2025.
He is potentially on track to become the first Rookie of the Year pitcher to win the Cy Young the following season since Dwight Gooden in 1985. Skenes leads the Majors with a 2.13 ERA at this point of the season. He recorded his second consecutive All-Star Game start for the NL, making him the first pitcher ever to start the All-Star Game in each of his first two big-league seasons.
1. Tarik Skubal (Detroit Tigers)
The reigning AL Cy Young Award winner, Tarik Skubal, has cemented his status as the game’s premier starting pitcher in 2025. Following a pitching Triple Crown season in 2024, Skubal has arguably improved, boasting an elite strikeout rate, a minimized walk rate, and a lower batting average allowed.
His incredible strikeout-to-walk ratio is among the best all-time. He recently recorded a 13-strikeout shutout on fewer than 100 pitches, capping it with a 102.6 MPH strikeout pitch, the fastest by any starting pitcher since pitch tracking began in 2008. His durability is also a major asset as the Detroit Tigers push for a playoff spot.
Main Image: Bill Streicher-Imagn Images
