Mar 27, 2025; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; Philadelphia Phillies pitcher Zack Wheeler (45) throws a pitch during the first inning against the Washington Nationals at Nationals Park. Mandatory Credit: Reggie Hildred-Imagn Images
The first week of the 2025 season has passed. Numerous players are off to a hot start. Below is a breakdown of the top ten starting pitchers heading into week 2.
1. MacKenzie Gore, Washington Nationals
Mar 27, 2025; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; Washington Nationals pitcher MacKenzie Gore (1) throws a pitch during the fourth inning against the Philadelphia Phillies at Nationals Park. Mandatory Credit: Reggie Hildred-Imagn Images
In one start, Gore has 13 strikeouts and no runs surrendered.
2. Jesus Luzardo, Philadelphia Phillies
Mar 29, 2025; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; Philadelphia Phillies pitcher Jesus Luzardo (44) throws a pitch during the first inning against the Washington Nationals at Nationals Park. Mandatory Credit: Reggie Hildred-Imagn Images
In one start, Luzardo has 11 strikeouts.
3. Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Los Angeles Dodgers
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – DECEMBER 27: Yoshinobu Yamamoto speaks to the media during an introductory press conference at Dodger Stadium on December 27, 2023 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)
Through two starts, Yamamoto has 14 strikeouts.
4. Jeffrey Springs, Athletics
Mar 28, 2025; Seattle, Washington, USA; Athletics starting pitcher Jeffrey Springs (59) pitches to the Seattle Mariners during the first inning at T-Mobile Park. Mandatory Credit: Steven Bisig-Imagn Images
In his first start, Springs went six innings, giving up no runs and striking out nine batters.
5. Nathan Eovaldi, Texas Rangers
Mar 27, 2025; Arlington, Texas, USA; Texas Rangers pitcher Nathan Eovaldi (17) throws a pitch in the first inning against the Boston Red Sox at Globe Life Field. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-Imagn Images
Eovaldi has nine strikeouts in six innings pitched.
6. Zack Wheeler, Philadelphia Phillies
PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA – JULY 9: Zack Wheeler #45 of the Philadelphia Phillies throws a pitch in the top of the first inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Citizens Bank Park on July 9, 2024 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)
In his first start, Wheeler had eight strikeouts in six innings pitched.
7. Hunter Greene, Cincinnati Reds
CINCINNATI, OHIO – APRIL 22: Hunter Greene #21 of the Cincinnati Reds pitches in the first inning against the St. Louis Cardinals at Great American Ball Park on April 22, 2022 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images)
Greene’s first start saw him go five innings while striking out eight batters.
8. Logan Gilbert, Seattle Mariners
SEATTLE, WASHINGTON – MARCH 30: Logan Gilbert #36 of the Seattle Mariners throws a pitch during the first inning against the Boston Red Sox at T-Mobile Park on March 30, 2024 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Alika Jenner/Getty Images)
In his first start, Gilbert went seven innings, surrendering one run and striking out eight hitters.
9. Ryan Pepiot, Tampa Bay Rays
Mar 28, 2025; Tampa, Florida, USA; Tampa Bay Rays starting pitcher Ryan Pepiot (44) throws a pitch during the first inning against the Colorado Rockies at George M. Steinbrenner Field. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement Neitzel-Imagn Images
Pepiot has eight strikeouts in six innings.
10. Carlos Rodon, New York Yankees
Mar 27, 2025; Bronx, New York, USA; New York Yankees starting pitcher Carlos Rodon (55) pitches against the Milwaukee Brewers during the third inning at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images
In his Opening Day start, Rodon had seven strikeouts in 5.1 innings.
