As the 2025 MLB season progresses, several starting pitchers have delivered exceptional performances, capturing the attention of fans and analysts alike. From established aces reaffirming their dominance to emerging talents making significant impacts, these pitchers have set the tone for excellence on the mound. Let’s take a look at who’s tearing it up and making noise around the league, in no particular order.
Cole Ragans, Kansas City Royals
Week’s Line: 13.2 IP, 1.32 ERA, 0.59 WHIP, 21 Ks, 14.32 K/9, 2 QS
As if Cole’s first start of the week against the Twins wasn’t enough, he fought through a hamstring cramp to deliver 7.2 innings (should have been a CG) of brilliance on the road in Cleveland, racking up double digit strikeouts in each. Oh. And he didn’t walk a single batter in either game. Not one.
Hunter Greene, Cincinnati Reds
Week’s Line: 15.2 IP, 0.00 ERA, 0.51 WHIP, 15 Ks, 8.88 K/9, 2 QS
Almost as dazzling as Ragans last week was Greene, who’s making the case for best pitcher in baseball in the early goings of 2025. If not for the lower K/9 (because chicks dig the strikeouts), he may have been top dawg. Nonetheless, Greene’s pitch effectiveness carried him through two dominant starts – the first at San Francisco and the second versus Pittsburgh. And both featured multiple pitches over 100 MPH. He’s been sooo fun to watch.
Hayden Wesneski, Houston Astros
Week’s Line: 13.0 IP, 3.46 ERA, 0.62 WHIP, 15 Ks, 10.38 K/9, 2 QS
Two quality starts from the former Cubs top prospect, going 7.0 against the Mariners and then 6.1 against the Halos. Maybe you can attribute to weak opposition (though LAA has been playing pretty well), or you can say that Hayden was just filthy last week – I’d accept either. His iVB and iHB (ability to move the ball) was elite, though, so I’ll lean on the latter.
Garrett Crochet, Boston Red Sox
Week’s Line: 13.0 IP, 1.38 ERA, 0.85 WHIP, 16 Ks, 11.08 K/9, 1 QS
Of course a near no-hitter against your former team lands you on this list (broken up by the prospect you were traded for, btw). And while this was against the hapless White Sox (in the battle of pink laundry), it was still nasty nonetheless. His first start of the week wasn’t as dazzling, but he recovered nicely. Crochet’s fastball variation (fastball, cutter, sinker) is fascinating to me, and the key to his success. Please stay healthy.
Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Los Angeles Dodgers
Week’s Line: 6.0 IP, 0.00 ERA, 0.50 WHIP, 9 Ks, 13.50 K/9, 1 QS
The splitter was sooo filthy and effective in this one, with 7 whiffs on 15 swings. And his fastball? 18” of iVB? WHAT? Elite. This was a master class at the expense of the Cubs, who have been damn hot lately. If you watched this game, you had to feel for Chicago. He’s up to six innings in his last two starts, so let’s hope he stays healthy because baseball is so much better with Yamamoto in it.
Kevin Gausman, Toronto Blue Jays
Week’s Line: 8.0 IP, 0.00 ERA, 0.50 WHIP, 10 Ks, 11.25 K/9, 1 QS
It was the four-seamer for Gaus against the Red Sox (13 whiffs on 34 offerings, with great spin and iVB) as the splitter wasn’t super effective at missing bats. For the game, he induced 17 swinging strikes en route to a CSW rate of 32%, which is very tasty. And lots of soft contact in this one as well, which Gausman has always excelled at. I don’t love the stuff, and it will eventually catch up. But kudos to Kev on this one.
Max Fried, New York Yankees
Week’s Line: 7.0 IP, 0.00 ERA, 0.71 WHIP, 11 Ks, 14.14 K/9, 1 QS
Max Fried threw seven different pitches at the Tigers last week. Seven. Ok, so it was only one slider, but take that out and it was still six effective pitches. And like Yamamoto vs. the Cubs, Fried was pure filth against Detroit. 20” of iVB on the four-seamer and 23” of iHB on the sweeper is just disgusting and unfair. The whiff rates were all astronomical, and he finished the game with a CSW rate of 37%. No wonder more than half the batters he unceremoniously retired were via the punchout.
Logan Gilbert, Seattle Mariners
Week’s Line: 10.2 IP, 1.69 ERA, 0.66 WHIP, 14 Ks, 12.35 K/9
Gilbert hasn’t produced a QS since opening day at home against the Athletics, but his starts have all been quality – including his 10.2 innings from last week. He limited baserunners against both Texas teams, and is missing bats with the best of them (CSW rate north of 30% in each). It helps that both matchups were in Seattle, arguably the most friendly pitcher environment in baseball.
Shane Smith, Chicago White Sox
Week’s Line: 12.0 IP, 1.50 ERA, 0.83 WHIP, 8 Ks, 6.75 K/9, 2 QS
Out of nowhere comes Shane Smith, who may very well be a homer entry this week (sue me), bot so what. Kid had a very good week with two QS and no wins to show for it (he was on the other end of the Crochet almost no-hitter). Good speed and pitch shape on the four-seamer, and a changeup that coooooked were the keys for Smith last week, who is a converted reliever. Keep it up, Shane.
Nick Pivetta, San Diego Padres
Week’s Line: 7.0 IP, 0.00 ERA, 0.57 WHIP, 10 Ks, 12.86 K/9
Last but not least, Mr. Pivetta. Yes, it was against the Rockies. But Colorado had previously been Nick’s bugaboo (0-5 against them). Four baserunners in seven innings is always going to be impressive to me, however, and this wasn’t just the case of a pitching against bad offensive team in a pitcher friendly ballpark. Pivetta’s fastball was sensational (maxing out at 2,503 spin rate with an average of 21” of iVB), collecting 10 whiffs on 24 offerings. Ain’t nobody hitting that cheese effectively.
