Mar 27, 2025; Miami, Florida, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates starting pitcher Paul Skenes (30) celebrates with teammates after leaving the game against the Miami Marlins during the sixth inning at loanDepot Park. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images
Here are the SP and RP power rankings as the MLB season began:
Starting Pitchers:
OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA – SEPTEMBER 21: Tarik Skubal #29 of the Detroit Tigers pitches against the Oakland Athletics in the first inning at RingCentral Coliseum on September 21, 2023 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Brandon Vallance/Getty Images)
1. Tarik Skubal, Detroit Tigers: The 2024 AL Cy Young Award winner finished with 18 wins, a 2.39 ERA, and 228 strikeouts.
2. Chris Sale, Atlanta Braves
SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA – AUGUST 12: Chris Sale #51 of the Atlanta Braves pitches in the bottom of the first inning against the San Francisco Giants at Oracle Park on August 12, 2024 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images)
The 2024 NL Cy Young Award winner finished with 18 wins, a 2.38 ERA, and 225 strikeouts.
3. 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)
Wheeler enters 2025 after finishing 2024 with a 2.57 ERA and 224 strikeouts.
4. Paul Skenes, Pittsburgh Pirates
ST LOUIS, MISSOURI – JUNE 11: Paul Skenes #30 of the Pittsburgh Pirates delivers a pitch against the St. Louis Cardinals in the first inning at Busch Stadium on June 11, 2024 in St Louis, Missouri. (Photo by Dilip Vishwanat/Getty Images)
The 2024 NL Rooker of the Year posted a 1.96 ERA and 170 strikeouts in 133 innings.
5. Dylan Cease, San Diego Padres
Mar 16, 2025; Tempe, Arizona, USA; San Diego Padres pitcher Dylan Cease against the Los Angeles Angels during a spring training game at Tempe Diablo Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
Cease finished 2024 with a fourth-straight season of 200+ strikeouts and 165+ innings pitched.
6. Cole Ragans, Kansas City Royals
Mar 27, 2025; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Kansas City Royals starting pitcher Cole Ragans (55) pitches during the first inning against the Cleveland Guardians at Kauffman Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-Imagn Images
2024 was Ragans’ best season finishing with 32 starts and 223 strikeouts.
7. 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)
Gilbert finished a strong 2024 season with a 3.23 ERA and 220 strikeouts.
8. Garrett Crochet, Boston Red Sox
Mar 27, 2025; Arlington, Texas, USA; Boston Red Sox pitcher Garrett Crochet (35) throws a pitch in the first inning against the Texas Rangers at Globe Life Field. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-Imagn Images
Crochet joins Boston for the 2025 season after finishing 2024 with 209 strikeouts as a member of the Chicago White Sox.
9. Michael King, San Diego Padres
SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA – OCTOBER 01: Michael King #34 of the San Diego Padres throws a pitch against the Atlanta Braves during the first inning in Game One of the Wild Card Series at Petco Park on October 01, 2024 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Orlando Ramirez/Getty Images)
King posted a dominant 2024 season as a full-time starter finishing with 201 strikeouts.
10. Freddy Peralta, Milwaukee Brewers
MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN – MAY 11: Freddy Peralta #51 of the Milwaukee Brewers throws a pitch during the fifth inning against the St. Louis Cardinals at American Family Field on May 11, 2024 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
Peralta is coming off two straight seasons of 30+ starts and 200+ strikeouts.
Relief Pitchers:
OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA – MARCH 29: Emmanuel Clase #48 of the Cleveland Guardians reacts after the Guardians beat the Oakland Athletics at Oakland Coliseum on March 29, 2024 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
1. Emmanuel Clase, Cleveland Guardians: Clase finished 2024 with a third-straight 42+ save season.
2. Ryan Helsley, St. Louis Cardinals
KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI – AUGUST 09: Ryan Helsley #56 of the St. Louis Cardinals celebrates an 8-5 win against the Kansas City Royals at Kauffman Stadium on August 09, 2024 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Ed Zurga/Getty Images)
Helsley enters 2025 after finishing 2024 with a league-leading 49 saves.
3. Josh Hader, Houston Astros
HOUSTON, TEXAS – AUGUST 18: Josh Hader #71 of the Houston Astros reacts to the win over Chicago White Sox at Minute Maid Park on August 18, 2024 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Maria Lysaker/Getty Images)
Hader finished a strong 2024 season with 34 saves and 105 strikeouts.
4. Mason Miller, Athletics
OAKLAND, CA – APRIL 17: Mason Miller #19 of the Oakland Athletics pitches during the game against the St. Louis Cardinals at the Oakland Coliseum on April 17, 2024 in Oakland, California. The Athletics defeated the Cardinals 6-3. (Photo by Michael Zagaris/Oakland Athletics/Getty Images)
Miller had a fantastic 2024 season finishing with a 2.49 ERA, 28 saves, and 104 strikeouts.
5 Devin Williams, New York Yankees
TAMPA, FL – FEBRUARY 26: Devin Williams #38 of the New York Yankees pitches during spring training at George M. Steinbrenner Field on February 26, 2025 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by New York Yankees/Getty Images)
Williams missed a large chunk of last season but he is one of the best closers in baseball and is fully healthy entering the year.
6. Kirby Yates, Los Angeles Dodgers
Yates joins the Dodgers in 2025 after finishing last season with 33 saves as a member of the Rangers.
7. Robert Suarez, San Diego Padres
Suarez’s first full season as the Padres’ closer saw him reach 36 saves.
8. Raisel Iglesias, Atlanta Braves
Iglesias enters 2024 after finishing back-to-back seasons with 33+ saves and 68 strikeouts.
9. Bryan Abreu, Houston Astros
The best middle reliever in baseball, Abreu finished 2024 with 38 holds, one save, and 103 strikeouts.
10. Andres Munoz, Seattle Mariners
Munoz has had injury issues in the past, but when healthy, he has some of the nastiest stuff of any pitcher on the mound.
