+

The List 8/24 – Ranking The Top 100 Starting Pitchers Every Monday

Nick's weekly update of the top 100 starting pitchers.

We’re back in the regular groove of Monday afternoon updates of The List! As always, make sure to read the notes as there are many changes that have good reasons behind them.

As always, these ranks are based on a 12-teamer, 5×5 roto format. Adjust accordingly to your situation.

 

Ranking Notes

 

  • Next week will be the final week of the traditional “List” rankings as I’ll shift to a giant table showcasing future opponents and separating everyone in major tiers. I wish we had more time for the traditional List but that’s 2020 for ya.
  • Also, look at that Fringe Pitchers table. It’s ENORMOUS. So many talented pitchers who are just not given the chance or have health against them. I just wish they could all be dope.

 

  • Tier one is smaller this week as Max Scherzer imploded against the Marlins. You obviously shouldn’t be scared starting Scherzer, but Cole / Bieber / deGrom sure aren’t going to have a start like that.
  • Walker Buehler is the one knocking at the door as he finally woke up this past week. He’s over 90 pitches now and looking like the Top 5 arm we expected in the pre-season. To consider him something else moving forward wouldn’t be wise.

 

  • Tier two doesn’t have any major changes otherwise so onto Tier 3 where we get a good amount of arms rectifying their ranks from last week. Patrick Corbin’s velocity improved and I’m pulling him back up because of it. Chris Paddack’s fastball was as good as we’ve seen all season, and Lucas Giolito is having success with fastballs and changeups again. Still a little wary of the latter, but that’s alright.
  • Blake Snell and Tyler Glasnow are both up to speed with their pitch counts now and while I initially had Glasnow ahead, Snell’s 15%+ SwStr was the tiebreaker to favor him as the premier arm in Tampa Bay.

 

  • It pained me to drop Jack Flaherty so far down to Tier 4, but after lasting for just five outs and on a very short leash, I had to demote him. It’s going to take a moment before we get a chance at six frames again and we only have five weeks left!
  • Carlos Carrasco and Frankie Montas each took significant hits and for obvious reasons. Montas had the worst week after dealing with a back issue, leading to poor command across his repertoire. Carrasco’s last three starts have also come with poor command, especially with his slider and changeup. Here’s to hoping both can turn it around in a heartbeat.

 

  • I feel I should also mention Jose Berrios and his climb back to Tier 4. I need to take it a little slow as it was just one outing, but his curveball was on and if that sticks, so will his success.
  • German Marquez had the opposite – his slider disappeared completely. It’s the pitch that vaulted him in 2018 and earlier this season and I’m crossing my fingers it was just one of those days.

 

  • Tier 5 is where you’ll find the latest contenders for Spider-Man as these Tobys are doing their thing and we love it. Don’t expect a ton of strikeouts, but appreciate the Wins and Ratios and keep starting them religiously.
  • Yes, that includes Dustin MayIf people are still treating him as if he’s on the verge of being an ace, deal him. His approach just isn’t made for strikeouts.

 

  • Tier 6 is the final tier of arms that I’m thrilled to hold in all leagues. I’m a fan of Jordan Montgomery’s improvement in his rain-shortened start against Boston and heavily believe in a strong stretch ahead. Pablo Lopez has found his groove with fastball command, changeup whiffs, and cutters for strikes, and I’d love to see it continue. Then there’s Corbin Burnes who has a great schedule ahead, is stretched out, and has all the tools he needs for some legit strikeout games.
  • It may be too high for Sixto Sanchez and Triston McKenzie given their questionable playing time ahead, but their skill set speaks of a spot in Tier 4. They are both getting at least one more turn in the rotation and the chance they could stick for longer warrants their Top 50 spots.

 

  • Tier 7 and Tier 8 is where it gets tricky. To understand T7, I need to explain Tier 8 first. That’s where we have all the Cherry Bomb players, better yet, they could be labeled as a PEAS as they have the potential to breakout in a big way, but are too risky to chase right now.
  • That includes Luke Weaver even after Sunday’s start as his fastball isn’t quite as good as it needs to be. Spencer Turnbull and Garrett Richards are also closer than the rest to achieving their greatness, but there’s also Matthew Boyd who finally had success, but did so on the back of his changeup and not his signature slider. Weird.

 

  • Okay, so back to Tier 7, I currently feel more confident starting these names than the risky upside plays in Tier 8. Dylan Cease and Elieser Hernandez also have the Cherry Bomb label, but they have been less volatile as of late and make for better options. Same goes for Framber Valdez who I don’t believe in long term as his sinker is questionable, but I can’t deny his string of success any longer.
  • You may be confused about Brad Keller and Dakota Hudson hanging around at 58 and 59. Keller’s new curveball is causing fits that have helped him hold a 0.00 ERA through three starts. Hudson’s slider and curveball have improved from last year and he could find himself in the Tier 5 of Spider-Man arms soon enough. They’re safer than Tier 8 and the boring Tobyof Tier 10 and 11.

 

  • Before #10 is Tier 9, where I made a mini-grouping of other volatile arms, but ones I like a little less and can mostly be considered as stashes. Tarik Skubal is an arm I am excited about long-term, but he needs more time to polish his stuff and get properly stretched out. Josh Lindblom isn’t there with his velocity, nor his secondary stuff to get the whiffs yet. And you’re on your own dealing with Jon Gray.
  • I’m very cautious with Rich Hill as well. He’s been sitting at just 88 mph in his first two starts, has already hit the IL a second time, and isn’t stretched out to go the 5/6 innings you want. Be careful.

 

  • Alright, Tier 10 for real now. We have some fun names here starting with Kyle Freelandwho has proven himself worthy of your consideration despite the rough Colorado schedule. There’s also Merrill Kelly demanding the same attention, though I don’t think his success lasts for long. Tyler Mahle is much of the same energy, though, as he has a start slated for this weekend and could be a good short term option.
  • I had to give dramatic drops to Griffin Canning, Mike Minorand Ross StriplingCanning’s command has struggled lately and he’s a ticking clock given how PRP injections are usually not long-term solutions for elbow trouble. Minor’s fastball is still coming with depressed velocity as his changeup isn’t what it was last year, and Stripling hasn’t hit an 8% SwStr across any of his last five starts. These arms are not trending in the right direction.

 

  • The final two tiers are two sets of boring arms that could help as streamers. Tier 11 begins with Alex Youngwho is now stretched out for the Diamondbacks and has enough in his repertoire to make you a satisfied fantasy manager. Justus Sheffield follows fresh off a start with the best changeup he’s had in the majors. It may not stick, but it’s an exciting moment.
  • While we don’t know the fate of Touki Toussaint after his week relief appearance, we do know Zach Davies will continue to get chances in the rotation as long as his changeup is locked in. So far so good there and we can give him a Vargas Rule label, just like with Adam Wainwrightwho has shown few signs of slowing down despite the team’s long layover.

 

  • And lastly, there’s Tier 12. I think JT Brubaker deserves a little more attention with a solid sinker and well-spotted slider, though he’s only to be used against weaker lineups. There’s also Kwang-Hyun Kim joining The List as he could be a decent Toby for the Cardinals as he continues to establish himself as a starter.
  • We have a quartet of Giants arms joining The List this week between Logan Webb, Trevor Cahill, Tyler Anderson, and Johnny CuetoEach present something different – Webb has a good fastball and could get enough from his secondary stuff to be a decent streamer, Anderson just threw a CG and could have another in him, Cahill just had another excellent CSW evening with phenomenal changeups, and Cueto somehow makes it work every so often.

 

Fringe Pitchers I Considered

 

All right, now that the notes are at the top and you understand where I’m coming from, let’s get to The List:

RankPitcherBadgesChange
1Gerrit ColeT1
Aces Gonna Ace
Strikeout Upside
Quality Starts
-
2Shane Bieber
Aces Gonna Ace
Strikeout Upside
Quality Starts
-
3Jacob deGrom
Aces Gonna Ace
Strikeout Upside
Quality Starts
-
4Walker Buehler
T2
Aces Gonna Ace
Strikeout Upside
Quality Starts
+6
5Max Scherzer
Aces Gonna Ace
Strikeout Upside
Quality Starts
-1
6Sonny Gray
Aces Gonna Ace
Strikeout Upside
Quality Starts
-1
7Trevor Bauer
Aces Gonna Ace
Strikeout Upside
Quality Starts
Cherry Bomb
+2
8Aaron Nola
Aces Gonna Ace
Strikeout Upside
Quality Starts
-1
9Yu Darvish
Aces Gonna Ace
Strikeout Upside
Quality Starts
+4
10Clayton Kershaw
Aces Gonna Ace
Strikeout Upside
Quality Starts
+2
11Lance Lynn
Aces Gonna Ace
Strikeout Upside
Quality Starts
-
12Luis Castillo
Aces Gonna Ace
Strikeout Upside
Quality Starts
-6
13Kenta Maeda
Aces Gonna Ace
Strikeout Upside
Quality Starts
+2
14Zac Gallen
Aces Gonna Ace
Strikeout Upside
Quality Starts
+2
15Blake Snell
T3
Aces Gonna Ace
Injury Risk
Strikeout Upside
+8
16Dinelson Lamet
Aces Gonna Ace
Strikeout Upside
+4
17Aaron Civale
Aces Gonna Ace
Strikeout Upside
Quality Starts
Ratio Focused
Streaming Option
+4
18Jesús Luzardo
Ace Potential
Strikeout Upside
+6
19Tyler Glasnow
Aces Gonna Ace
Strikeout Upside
Low Ips
-2
20Chris Paddack
Aces Gonna Ace
Strikeout Upside
Quality Starts
+6
21Patrick Corbin
Aces Gonna Ace
Strikeout Upside
Quality Starts
+10
22Brandon Woodruff
Ace Potential
Injury Risk
Strikeout Upside
Quality Starts
-3
23Julio Urías
Ace Potential
Strikeout Upside
Quality Starts
+4
24Lucas Giolito
Aces Gonna Ace
Strikeout Upside
Quality Starts
+6
25Max Fried
Ace Potential
Strikeout Upside
+3
26Jack Flaherty
T4
Aces Gonna Ace
Strikeout Upside
Quality Starts
Playing Time Question
-12
27Zack Wheeler
Strikeout Upside
Quality Starts
+5
28Zack Greinke
Aces Gonna Ace
Quality Starts
-3
29Dylan Bundy
Ace Potential
Strikeout Upside
Cherry Bomb
-
30Carlos Carrasco
Aces Gonna Ace
Strikeout Upside
Quality Starts
-22
31Germán Márquez
Ace Potential
Strikeout Upside
Cherry Bomb
-9
32Frankie Montas
Ace Potential
Strikeout Upside
Quality Starts
-14
33José Berríos
Ace Potential
Strikeout Upside
Quality Starts
+6
34Lance McCullers Jr.
Ace Potential
Injury Risk
Strikeout Upside
Low Ips
-1
35Hyun Jin Ryu
T5
Ace Potential
Injury Risk
Quality Starts
Ratio Focused
+2
36Kyle Hendricks
Ace Potential
Quality Starts
Ratio Focused
-2
37Dustin May
Low Ips
Playing Time Question
Ratio Focused
-2
38Randy Dobnak
Quality Starts
Toby
Ratio Focused
+9
39Dallas Keuchel
Toby
Ratio Focused
+1
40Jordan Montgomery
T6
Ace Potential
Strikeout Upside
Streaming Option
Stash Option
+4
41Pablo López
Ace Potential
Strikeout Upside
Cherry Bomb
Streaming Option
+8
42Casey Mize
Ace Potential
Strikeout Upside
Playing Time Question
Stash Option
+14
43Sixto Sánchez
Ace Potential
Strikeout Upside
Playing Time Question
+UR
44Corbin Burnes
Ace Potential
Strikeout Upside
Low Ips
Playing Time Question
Cherry Bomb
Streaming Option
+17
45Triston McKenzie
Ace Potential
Strikeout Upside
Playing Time Question
+UR
46Kevin Gausman
Ace Potential
Quality Starts
Toby
Ratio Focused
Streaming Option
+5
47Masahiro Tanaka
Injury Risk
Strikeout Upside
Cherry Bomb
Ratio Focused
-6
48Chris Bassitt
Strikeout Upside
Toby
Ratio Focused
Streaming Option
-6
49Dylan Cease
T7
Ace Potential
Strikeout Upside
Low Ips
Cherry Bomb
+22
50Elieser Hernández
Strikeout Upside
Low Ips
Playing Time Question
Cherry Bomb
Streaming Option
+20
51Adrian Houser
Strikeout Upside
Playing Time Question
Streaming Option
-3
52Ryan Yarbrough
Toby
Ratio Focused
+1
53Anthony DeSclafani
Strikeout Upside
Toby
+14
54Sean Manaea
Injury Risk
Ratio Focused
+14
55Cristian Javier
Strikeout Upside
Low Ips
Cherry Bomb
+18
56Yusei Kikuchi
Ace Potential
Strikeout Upside
Cherry Bomb
Toby
Streaming Option
+1
57Brad Keller
Toby
Streaming Option
+37
58Dakota Hudson
Toby
Streaming Option
+21
59Framber Valdez
Strikeout Upside
Cherry Bomb
Streaming Option
+33
60Chad Kuhl
Ace Potential
Injury Risk
Strikeout Upside
Low Ips
Playing Time Question
Cherry Bomb
-2
61Luke Weaver
T8
Ace Potential
Strikeout Upside
Quality Starts
Cherry Bomb
Ratio Focused
+14
62Garrett Richards
Ace Potential
Injury Risk
Strikeout Upside
Cherry Bomb
Streaming Option
-16
63Spencer Turnbull
Ace Potential
Strikeout Upside
Cherry Bomb
Streaming Option
-25
64Andrew Heaney
Ace Potential
Injury Risk
Strikeout Upside
Cherry Bomb
-14
65Matthew Boyd
Ace Potential
Strikeout Upside
Cherry Bomb
+20
66Robbie Ray
Ace Potential
Injury Risk
Strikeout Upside
Low Ips
Cherry Bomb
-2
67John Means
Ace Potential
Strikeout Upside
Quality Starts
-2
68Tarik Skubal
T9
Ace Potential
Strikeout Upside
Low Ips
Playing Time Question
Cherry Bomb
-5
69Josh Lindblom
Ace Potential
Injury Risk
Quality Starts
Playing Time Question
Cherry Bomb
Toby
Ratio Focused
-17
70Rich Hill
Injury Risk
Strikeout Upside
Low Ips
Playing Time Question
Cherry Bomb
+UR
71Jon Gray
Strikeout Upside
Cherry Bomb
+7
72Kyle Freeland
T10
Cherry Bomb
Toby
Ratio Focused
Streaming Option
-3
73Tyler Mahle
Strikeout Upside
Playing Time Question
Streaming Option
+UR
74Nathan Eovaldi
Strikeout Upside
Toby
Streaming Option
+9
75Merrill Kelly
Toby
Streaming Option
-1
76Griffin Canning
Ace Potential
Injury Risk
Cherry Bomb
-21
77Mike Minor
Ace Potential
Quality Starts
Ratio Focused
-17
78Ross Stripling
Ace Potential
Strikeout Upside
Playing Time Question
Cherry Bomb
-42
79Spencer Howard
Ace Potential
Strikeout Upside
Playing Time Question
Stash Option
+5
80Alex Young
T11
Playing Time Question
Toby
Streaming Option
+15
81Justus Sheffield
Strikeout Upside
Cherry Bomb
Streaming Option
+18
82Alex Cobb
Toby
Streaming Option
+8
83Taijuan Walker
Toby
Streaming Option
+13
84Brady Singer
Strikeout Upside
Quality Starts
Ratio Focused
Streaming Option
-2
85Zach Davies
Toby
Streaming Option
+12
86Touki Toussaint
Ace Potential
Strikeout Upside
Low Ips
Playing Time Question
Cherry Bomb
-27
87Adam Wainwright
Toby
Streaming Option
+UR
88JT Brubaker
T12
Playing Time Question
Toby
Streaming Option
+UR
89Kwang Hyun Kim
Toby
Streaming Option
+UR
90Ryan Castellani
Strikeout Upside
Playing Time Question
Cherry Bomb
Streaming Option
-14
91Kyle Gibson
Strikeout Upside
Low Ips
Cherry Bomb
-14
92Asher Wojciechowski
Strikeout Upside
Cherry Bomb
Streaming Option
+1
93Zach Eflin
Toby
Streaming Option
-6
94Brandon Bielak
Playing Time Question
Ratio Focused
Streaming Option
-14
95Logan Webb
Toby
Streaming Option
+UR
96Trevor Cahill
Playing Time Question
Toby
Streaming Option
+UR
97Tyler Anderson
Toby
Streaming Option
+UR
98Johnny Cueto
Toby
Ratio Focused
Streaming Option
+UR
99Patrick Sandoval
Strikeout Upside
Playing Time Question
Cherry Bomb
Streaming Option
-8
100Marco Gonzales
Toby
Streaming Option
-

Labels Legend

Aces Gonna Ace
Ace Potential
Holly
Toby
Cherry Bomb
Spice Girl
Vargas Rule
Streaming Option
QS Bonus
Wins Bonus
Strikeouts Bonus
Ratios Bonus
Rotation Spot Bonus
Team Context Effect
Stash Option
Injury Risk
Playing Time Question

Photo by Randy Litzinger/Icon Sportswire | Adapted by Justin Paradis (@freshmeatcomm on Twitter)

Nick Pollack

Founder of Pitcher List. Creator of CSW, The List, and SP Roundup. Worked with MSG, FanGraphs, CBS Sports, and Washington Post. Former college pitcher, travel coach, pitching coach, and Brandeis alum. Wants every pitcher to be dope.

16 responses to “The List 8/24 – Ranking The Top 100 Starting Pitchers Every Monday”

  1. Greg says:

    If Pineda is starting when eligible to return August 31, where would he rank?

  2. micah.mclain@gmail.com says:

    Thanks for this every week! Any thought on Urquidy ROS?

  3. Kyle says:

    Thanks for everything you and the staff do, Nick! Do you think you need to change the badges on Lindblom, or are you still holding out hope? At this point, I think the “Ratio Focused” and “Quality Starts” badge can be removed.

  4. lester says:

    Would you drop Lugo for Corbim Burnes?

  5. Rocket says:

    Hard to believe it but we are close to the halfway point of the season and the last “traditional list” of the year. Great job with “The List”. I guess your reward is even more work trying figure who is going to throw on what days and what the match ups will be. Really like your tier 6 options. This is where I would look for potential long term adds. I am a little more confident that Montas at #34 will right the ship, hopefully in his next outing.

    I think Sandy Alcantara will throw this week and I am really not expecting much short term coming back from COVID and a lighter pitch count in his first few outings. I noticed you note him as a top 50 arm which I completely concur. What do you think his ceiling will be this year once he is stretched out? I am planning on stashing him for a playoff run.

    Very sad about Pearson. Some talk that the Blue Jays will shut him down for the year. At this point, I think they should 100% be cautious with him. I wonder if this will influence the Padres not to show us Gore this year.

  6. Don't be a Hader says:

    I’m doing a side by side of Luzardo and another guy…
    This guy’s got 3.99 ERA v. 3.67; 0.99 WHIP v. 1.37, and 34Ks v 27, and the same 2 W’s as Luzardo…yet he’s only Top 90? Hint…he’s had to face the Twins 3 times, and Luzardo none.
    Why no love for Duffy?

    • Nick Pollack says:

      I had Duffy in the Top 75 until I saw he’s enduring forearm issues. I put him in the Fringe pitchers!

  7. BBHHI says:

    Nick,

    Is it just me or has the AL become a waste zone….. past top 15, just feels weak.

  8. Sam says:

    Where would Schmidt and Urquidy each rank if they slotted into their teams respective rotations?

    • Nick Pollack says:

      I’m not a big fan of either right now.

      We just don’t know enough about Urquidy’s workload and polish. I prefer his ability over what I’ve seen of Schmidt, who doesn’t seem to carry a high ceiling from what I’ve watched/read.

      I’ll know better when I get to watch them in the bigs in 2020!

  9. Elliot says:

    What do we think Clevinger will be like when he comes back? Will he need stretching out? Will he be a good candidate to deliver QSs? I’ve been offered him for Hosmer and really don’t know what to haha

  10. steve says:

    What about the Clev-dog?

  11. Ryan says:

    Hi! Any update on this week’s The List??

  12. KB24 says:

    Will there be an SP100 update for this week? I’m interested in where Clevinger will fall now. Thanks!

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Account / Login