Ranking the 30 best starting pitchers
Every year at this time, fans start making lists of players and pitchers to follow or to draft in their fantasy leagues.
I have established a list of my Top 30 starters for the coming season. The list is based upon each pitcher's chances for wins, quality starts, ERA, WHIP and strikeouts.
As in all rankings, a case can be made to include different pitchers or change the ranking order. In my estimation, many factors contribute to these rankings. For example, I factor in their team's offensive lineup, their home park, their league and division, their career history, proclivity to injury and much more.
There will likely be more than 215 starting pitchers during the season. In my opinion, these are the cream of the crop -- a list of 30 starting pitchers, with their 2014 stats, and another eight who easily could have been included.
30. Jeff Samardzija, White Sox: 7-13, 2.99 ERA, 1.07 WHIP, 202 SO
29. Jacob deGrom, Mets: 9-6, 2.69 ERA, 1.14 WHIP, 144 SO
28. Alex Wood, Braves: 11-11, 2.78 ERA, 1.14 WHIP, 170 SO
27. Sonny Gray, Athletics: 14-10, 3.08 ERA, 1.19 WHIP, 183 SO
26. Julio Teheran, Braves: 14-13, 2.89 ERA, 1.08 WHIP, 186 SO
25. Tyson Ross, Padres: 13-14, 2.81 ERA, 1.21 WHIP, 195 SO
Video: ARI@SD: Ross fans eight over six strong frames
24. Hyun-Jin Ryu, Dodgers: 14-7, 3.38 ERA, 1.19 WHIP, 139 SO
23. Gerrit Cole, Pirates: 11-5, 3.65 ERA, 1.21 WHIP, 138 SO
22. Alex Cobb, Rays: 10-9, 2.87 ERA, 1.14 WHIP, 149 SO
21. Carlos Carrasco, Indians: 8-7, 2.55 ERA WHIP, 0.99, 140 SO
20. Jake Arrieta, Cubs: 10-5, 2.53 ERA, 0.99 WHIP, 167 SO
Video: Outlook: Arrieta could approach elite level in '15
19. Garrett Richards *, Angels: 13-4, 2.61 ERA, 1.04 WHIP, 164 SO
18. Jose Fernandez **, Marlins: 4-2, 2.44 ERA, 0.95 WHIP, 70 SO
17. Hisashi Iwakuma, Mariners: 15-9, 3.52 ERA, 1.05 WHIP, 154 SO
16. Matt Harvey ***, Mets: 9-5, 2.27 ERA, 0.93 WHIP, 191 SO in 2013
15. Jordan Zimmermann, Nationals: 14-5, 2.66 ERA, 1.07 WHIP, 182 SO
Video: MIA@WSH: Zimmermann completes no-hitter
14. Cole Hamels, Phillies: 9-9, 2.46 ERA, 1.15 WHIP, 198 SO
13. Adam Wainwright, Cardinals: 20-9, 2.38 ERA, 1.03 WHIP, 179 SO
12. Yu Darvish, Rangers: 10-7, 3.06 ERA, 1.26 WHIP, 182 SO
11. Zack Greinke, Dodgers: 17-8, 2.71 ERA, 1.15 WHIP, 207 SO
10. Madison Bumgarner, Giants: 18-10, 2.98 ERA, 1.09 WHIP, 219 SO
Video: Outlook: Sky is the limit for MadBum in 2015
9. Jon Lester, Cubs: 16-11, 2.46 ERA, 1.10 WHIP, 220 SO
8. Stephen Strasburg, Nationals: 14-11, 3.14 ERA, 1.12 WHIP, 242 SO
7. Max Scherzer, Nationals: 18-5, 3.15 ERA, 1.18 WHIP, 252 SO
6. Johnny Cueto, Reds: 20-9, 2.25 ERA, 0.96 WHIP, 242 SO
5. David Price, Tigers: 15-12, 3.26 ERA, 1.08 WHIP, 271 SO
Video: MIN@DET: Price dominates Twins to help Tigers clinch
4. Corey Kluber, Indians: 18-9, 2.44 ERA, 1.09 WHIP, 269 SO
3. Chris Sale, White Sox: 12-4, 2.17 ERA, 0.97 WHIP, 208 SO
2. Felix Hernandez, Mariners: 15-6, 2.14 ERA, 0.92 WHIP, 248 SO
1. Clayton Kershaw, Dodgers: 21-3, 1.77 ERA, 0.86 WHIP, 239 SO
(On my bubble) Cliff Lee, Phil Hughes, Yordano Ventura, Masahiro Tanaka, R.A. Dickey, Lance Lynn, Jered Weaver, Chris Tillman.
* Returning from patellar tendon surgery (hopes to be ready for start of season)
** Returning from Tommy John surgery (midseason return anticipated)
*** Returning from Tommy John surgery (hopes to be ready for start of season)