Other Top 25 lists: OF | 1B | C
These rankings are based on projected cumulative value over the next 5 years. Pitchers currently pitching in the Minors have been excluded.
| Rank | Player | Birth Date | Career Mode |
| 1 | Clayton Kershaw | 3/19/1988 | Growth |
| 2 | Felix Hernandez | 4/8/1986 | Prime |
| 3 | Tim Lincecum | 6/5/1984 | Prime |
| 4 | Justin Verlander | 2/20/1983 | Prime |
| 5 | Cole Hamels | 12/27/1983 | Prime |
| 6 | Tommy Hanson | 8/28/1986 | Growth |
| 7 | Jon Lester | 1/7/1984 | Prime |
| 8 | David Price | 8/26/1985 | Growth |
| 9 | Zack Greinke | 10/21/1983 | Prime |
| 10 | Stephen Strasburg | 7/20/1988 | Growth |
| 11 | Josh Johnson | 1/31/1984 | Prime |
| 12 | Matt Cain | 10/1/1984 | Prime |
| 13 | CC Sabathia | 7/21/1980 | Slight Decline |
| 14 | Dan Haren | 9/17/1980 | Prime |
| 15 | Roy Halladay | 5/14/1977 | Decline Soon |
| 16 | Cliff Lee | 8/30/1978 | Decline Soon |
| 17 | Jered Weaver | 10/4/1982 | Prime |
| 18 | Jordan Zimmermann | 5/23/1986 | Growth |
| 19 | Madison Bumgarner | 8/1/1989 | Growth |
| 20 | Ubaldo Jimenez | 1/22/1984 | Prime |
| 21 | Yovani Gallardo | 2/27/1986 | Growth |
| 22 | Mat Latos | 12/9/1987 | Growth |
| 23 | Jaime Garcia | 7/8/1986 | Growth |
| 24 | Michael Pineda | 1/18/1989 | Growth |
| 25 | Adam Wainwright | 8/30/1981 | Prime |
I think Clayton Kershaw has separated himself from the rest of the SP in the league with his combination of youth and dominance. His K/9 is on the rise and his control has improved markedly. Barring injury there’s really only one SP in baseball who could replace him atop this list anytime soon and his name starts with a STRASBURG!
Phillies aces Roy Halladay and Cliff Lee are the old men of the list. There’s a chance neither of them will even be pitching in the majors 5 years from now, but both will be good enough and are so dependable over the next 2-4 years that their cumulative value still exceeds that of some younger aces.
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No Ian Kennedy after this breakout season? He’s only 26 and had injury issues the whole time with Yanks. First full healthy season and he has developed into the pitcher the Yankees thought he would be when they drafted him.
I’m not sure where Derrick would rank Kennedy if he expanded the list but if I were to add on, Kennedy would definitely be one of the next guys. Kennedy has definitely taken a step forward this year and if he can keep it up next year, he would easily crack the top part of this list.
Kennedy was just outside my top 30 — this was his breakout season but xFIP (3.49) demonstrates that he benefited from some good fortune this year. If his ERA was in the mid 3′s rather than sub-3, and the bullpen blew a couple more of his starts so he only had 18 wins would we like him as much?
It’s also hard to get terribly excited about a guy who has an average FB velocity of 90 or less…There’s a good chance we see some pretty serious regression next year. He’s a guy I’d definitely be looking to sell-high on this winter in keeper leagues.
What about Matt Moore after that dominant performance in game 1?
That was a great start by Moore but is anyone seriously saying he’s a Top 25 SP after only a handful of innings in the majors? It probably won’t be long before he makes this list but let’s see him pitch next year before we get carried away with his value.
Moore looks like a legit Ace. Look for him to be on this list next year at this time.
Justin Verlander is without a doubt the best on this list now and the next 5 years. The guy is 28 and still getting better with his slider and curve. He throws 100 in the 7 inning and beyond. It will be Kershaw and Verlander 1 and 2 for years to come.
Personally I like Verlander more than Kershaw but I know Derrick likes Kershaw’s youth. Verlander and Kershaw will definitely be two of the best pitchers for the next few years.
Verlander is a stud, no doubt. But to declare that he will be the top SP in 5 years is a little bold for my blood. Let’s think back to who a few of the top SP were 5 years ago 2006 pre-season: Johan Santana, Pedro Martinez, Jake Peavy, Roy Oswalt, Roy Halladay, Ben Sheets, Randy Johnson, Chris Carpenter, Carlos Zambrano, Rich Harden, Mark Prior, Felix Hernandez, Dontrelle Willis, John Smoltz, Mark Buehrle, Jason Schmidt, Andy Pettitte, Josh Beckett, Barry Zito, John Patterson, Bartolo Colon, Roger Clemens…..
Top pitcher 5 years from now! Stephen Strasburg