Leading 3 MLB Teams’ Leading Pitchers: Power Rankings for the 2024 Season

As we edge closer to the 2024 Major League Baseball (MLB) season, anticipation builds around which teams will dominate and which players will emerge as leaders. Pitching, often considered the backbone of a team’s success, will play a crucial role in determining the fate of the clubs.

This season promises a thrilling display of talent, with veterans and newcomers alike vying for the spotlight.

In our power rankings, we spotlight the top three MLB teams and their leading pitchers, whose exceptional skills and performance are expected to light up the season and captivate baseball enthusiasts around the globe.

Gerrit Cole, New York Yankees

At 33, Gerrit Cole enters the 2024 MLB season at the pinnacle of his career, fresh off a spectacular 2023 season where his performance solidified his position as one of the premier pitchers in the game. Cole compiled an impressive 15-4 record over 209 innings pitched, boasting a remarkable 2.63 ERA, 3.16 FIP, and striking out 222 batters, all contributing to a substantial 5.2 WAR.

Although Cole was a noteworthy runner-up for the AL Cy Young Award in both the 2019 and 2021 seasons, with strong arguments favoring his win in 2019 over then-teammate Justin Verlander, he shattered any previous barriers in 2023. His achievement last season was nothing short of historical, leading the American League in ERA, complete-game shutouts, ERA+ with 165, WHIP at 0.981, H/9 with an average of 6.8, and total innings pitched.

This landmark season not only marked his emergence as a leading figure in pitching but also underscored his invaluable contribution to the New York Yankees’ aspirations for dominance.

Zack Wheeler, Philadelphia Phillies

Zack Wheeler steps into the 2024 season at 34 years old, already having proven himself as an invaluable asset to the Philadelphia Phillies. With a 2023 season boasting a record of 13-6, 192 innings pitched, a 3.61 ERA, 3.15 FIP, and 212 strikeouts, Wheeler has solidified his reputation as a top-tier pitcher, rounding off the season with an impressive 5.9 WAR. His performance over the first four years following his acquisition under a seemingly modest five-year, $118 million deal has been nothing short of exceptional. Wheeler’s tangible contributions include a cumulative 43-25 record, a standout 2.90 FIP, and a league-leading 19.3 WAR among starting pitchers during this period.

This strategic investment by the Phillies not only reflects Wheeler’s unwavering consistency and skill but also highlights the success of the team’s financial commitments—drawing favorable comparisons to Bryce Harper’s notable 13-year, $330 million contract. Wheeler’s influence extends beyond the regular season, with a stellar postseason record that includes a 2.42 ERA across 63.1 innings in the last two years. This postseason prowess cemented his rank above competitors, notably Strider, and justified his upcoming three-year, $126 million extension, which aligns his compensation with the top five pitchers in the league.

Despite the inherent risks associated with long-term investments in power pitchers of his age, Wheeler’s phenomenal performance has made the idea of him concluding his career outside of Philadelphia an almost inconceivable notion, also highlighting the intricate dynamics of MLB parlay betting strategies when considering pitcher performance and team dynamics.

Spencer Strider, Atlanta Braves

Spencer Strider strides into the 2024 season at the young age of 25, coming off an extraordinary 2023 season that catapulted him into the upper echelon of pitchers in Major League Baseball.

His 2023 season statistics are phenomenal, with a 20-5 record, 186.2 innings pitched, a 3.86 ERA, 2.85 FIP, and a staggering 281 strikeouts, accumulating a 5.5 WAR.

Over the past two seasons, Strider has not only tied for the league lead in wins (31) but also dominated the field in strikeouts (483) and ranked second in WAR (10.4), making him one of the most electrifying pitchers in the game. His dominance on the mound is a blend of classical pitching wisdom and modern statistical marvel, making it clear — that Strider is an exceptional talent.

His incredible performance comes at an exceptional value for the Atlanta Braves, secured by a six-year, $75 million contract that stretches through the 2028 season and includes a $22 million club option for 2029. This deal is a testament to the Braves’ strategic financial management, securing top-tier talent like Strider on terms that are overwhelmingly favorable to the team.

Despite the remarkable achievements and a contract that underscores his value, there looms a shadow of concern regarding Strider’s health, particularly due to his history with Tommy John surgery. Questions about his physical durability remain, but as of now, Strider stands tall as one of the premier starters in baseball, with financial terms that compare him to pitchers with significantly less impact, underscoring the Braves’ shrewd negotiation and foresight in securing his arm for the franchise’s foreseeable future.