2023 Starting Pitcher Rankings – October
It’s time for the first rankings of 2023, but given how fresh we are off the regular season, I decided to go list only. I need a bit more time to put some commentary together and I know that this first run will change so much (even from now to the 2nd run) that spending 6-8 hours writing comments on everyone might be in vain at this juncture — and I’m not just talking about team changes, because those are inevitable part of offseason rankings. I look forward to the discussions in the comments and please feel free to make your case if you think someone absolutely deserves Top 150 consideration so they can be considered in the 2nd run that will come with commentary (due out in a month or so).
I did some loose tier breaks indicated by the red bars.
Edit 1 (Oct. 11th, 3:40 PM CT) — Cubs fans, I’m so sorry your guys all got knocked off the list somehow. Marcus Stroman, Justin Steele, Keegan Thompson, Hayden Wesneski, Drew Smyly, Kyle Hendricks, Adrian Sampson 샘슨 were all listed. Truly dumbfounded by one team getting merked somehow between yesterday & today. See, this is why I waited for commentary! Kenta Maeda was also a great inclusion who will be on the next list.
Edit 2 (Oct. 11th, 10:40 AM CT) — MacKenzie Gore and David Peterson were misses. They will be on the November list!
I will be making periodic edits to address things that come up from the comments. Please take a look at those before commenting to make sure your player/concern hasn’t already been addressed. They will be placed just above the list!
deGrom not in the top tier!?
I have some nerves about him. When I first started slotting, he was 1st! I moved him down as I do have legitimate worries about the continued injuries especially because he holds 2 of the biggest injury factors: heater in the upper-90s, slider in the 90s… the absolute worst pitches for your sustained health. Plus, it’s not like we’re waiting for the shoe to drop on his injury, they’ve been happening.
I won’t be surprised if he meanders back up the list, but I think his peak would be 6-7. His talent is 1000% unquestioned, but how many innings am I getting?