From the start of the MLB season, 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 tore it up and made noise last week around the league, in no particular order.
Jake Irvin, Washington Nationals
Week’s Line: 13.3 IP, 1.35 ERA, 0.53 WHIP, 15 K, 10.13 K9, 2 QS
Let’s be real – the pitch profile isn’t sexy, and it was the Pirates and Rockies. But it was in Colorado, so I’ll give the man his flowers. Jake compiled the strikeouts this week in his two quality starts, but again this was to of the swingingest and missingest teams in the league. But, he did what he’s supposed to do against those teams and dropped a damn respectable week on us.
Tyler Mahle, Texas Rangers
Week’s Line: 13.0 IP, 0.00 ERA, 0.77 WHIP, 13K, 9.00 K9, 2 QS
I’m loving what I’m seeing from Mahle so far, and I think I’m back on board. The fastball doesn’t zip, but it sure moves – 18.6” inches of iVB and 10.6” of iHB – which makes it hard to anticipate and square up. He limited baserunners at home against both teams from the city of angels, and didn’t give up a single run. Texas is humming with deGrom, Eovaldi, and Mahle. This could be a team poised for a run.
MacKenzie Gore, Washington Nationals
Week’s Line: 6.0, IP, 3.00 ERA, 1.00 WHIP, 13 K, 19.50 K9, 1QS
I have loved Mac’s profile for years, but he just hasn’t put it together consistently – until now. His second game of 6.0 innings and 13 strikeouts came this week against the Rockies (I know, the Rockies), but it was in Coors, y’all. And, it wasn’t just the quality of competition he faced this week. Nick Pollack from Pitcherlist said of the start – and I quote – “This was the greatest command I have ever seen from Gore against RHB. Seriously, absolute PERFECTION.” I love this for Gore.
Merrill Kelly, Arizona Diamondbacks
Week’s Line: 11.7 IP, 1.54 ERA, 0.60 WHIP, 14 K, 10.81 K9, 1QS
Two starts (one cut short due to leg cramps), seven baserunners, mad strikeouts, and a win later, Merrill finds himself in my hottest column this week. After a slow start to the season (coming back from a 2024 season-ending injury, so no shocker), Kelly got it right this week, against the out-of-their-minds Cubs, no less. Kelly throws six pitches with regularity and commands the strike zone (which he gets right to) with the best of them. He’d have had two QS if it weren’t for the leg cramping.
Clay Holmes, New York Mets
Week’s Line: 11.0 IP, 1.64 ERA, 0.91 WHIP, 14 K, 11.45 K9, 1QS
I was excited to see what Holmes would do this year after taking the bus to Queens. Another Six-Pitch Johnny, Clay, has always mixed a high strikeout rate with a high groundball rate while limiting hard contact. I’m no doctor, but that’s a prognosis for success. And moving to a pitcher’s park (fifth-lowest park factor in MLB) would put that skillset on feature. This week? Well,just look at that line again. I felt bad for the Cardinals – Holmes’ fastball (peak of 23” iVB) and sweeper (20” average iHB) were pure filth.
Max Fried, New York Yankees
Week’s Line: 14.3 IP, 1.26 ERA, 0.77 WHIP, 9 K, 5.65 K9, 2 QS
Fried just continues to dominate for the Yanks, and he looks comfy as hell in the pinstripes. And man, do they need him, with Cole pulling a, well, um, Cole. The K9 isn’t flashy, but so what? The ERA and WHIP sizzled in two quality starts. Like Holmes, he excels in forcing ground balls and limiting hard contact, and that plays all day. Oh, and not to be outdone, Fried rolls with seven pitches – seven – highlighted by a nasty curveball (15% usage, 44% whiff rate, 36.4% put-away rate) and sweeper combo. I’m happy for you, Lou.
Zack Wheeler, Philadelphia Phillies
Week’s Line: 7.0 IP, 2.57 ERA, 0.71 WHIP, 13 K, 16.71 K9, 1QS
Blood. Red. Wheeler’s Statcast profile is absolutely sick. And of course it is, as he features a 95 MPH fastball varied in approach (split-finger, sinker), with elite extension (the distance between the front edge of the rubber and a pitcher’s release point – affecting how a pitch is perceived). Only one start this week, but DAMN – stupid-soft contact mixed with a CSW strike rate of 40%. FORTY PERCENT. Wheels was absolutely filthy in this one, and the hapless Marlins stood no chance.
Logan Webb, San Francisco Giants
Week’s Line: 6.0 IP, 1.50 ERA, 0.67 WHIP, 12 K, 18.00 K9, 1QS
Crazy to have such a dominant start, and end up with an L. But Webb is a San Franciscoan, so he’s used to it, right? Kidding. Despite striking out 12 batters and allowing only four Angels to reach base, his offense didn’t put a single run on the board for him. Logan was exceptionally cheesy, however, with a CSW strike percentage of 35%, featuring a changeup that absolutely cooked, with 11/14 whiffs (79%) and 3 called strikes. He even got Big Mike to fan twice.
Tarik Skubal, Detroit Tigers
Week’s Line: 12.0 IP, 1.50 ERA, 1.00 WHIP, 13 K, 9.75 K9, 1QS
He’s back, friends! And we had no doubt, right? RIGHT? After two shaky starts to the year, Skubal turned in a great line this week, bolstered by a phenomenal start at American Family on Monday. Going seven for the first time all season, Tarik went 60% whiffs on the changeup (9/15), while his four-seamer (29% CSW) and sinker (32%) CSW) were more than adequate. The velo is back up, he limits the free passes, and he’s difficult to square up. Cy Young number two incoming?
Landen Roupp, San Francisco Giants
Week’s Line: 12.0 IP, 4.50 ERA, 1.25 WHIP, 17 K, 12.75 K9, 1QS
I skipped down a few to feature Landen this week, so apologies to Yamamoto, Brown, and Henderson (who was criminally sent back to Nashville after his start). But I noticed something in his profile and was blown away – the swing and miss stuff. Specifically, the curve, which he features 40% of the time, has a whiff rate of 56.8%. So you’re telling me this kid is hitting 56% swings and misses on his favorite, most thrown pitch? Is that even allowed? (Checks notes, turns out it is). The Phillies got him, which I’ll call a bit of bad luck because they didn’t crush him, per se. But he looked sensational against the Halos, with the only damage coming via two solo shots. If he can limit the runs, this kid is going to be special.