The Best Pitchers in the MLB, According to the Data

Ron Winkler on April 23, 2026

Pitching is the backbone of baseball, and over the years, MLB has seen extraordinary pitchers redefine the game. From untouchable fastballs to the artistry of a well-placed curveball, these players have left an indelible mark on the history of the sport. This list dives into the top pitchers in MLB history, highlighting their achievements and why they’re considered the best by the numbers.

Don Sutton

Team(s): Los Angeles Dodgers, Houston Astros
Records Broken: 324 career wins, 58 career shutouts

Don Sutton’s longevity in the league showcased his remarkable consistency. With over 300 career wins and an incredible durability record of 23 consecutive seasons with at least ten wins, he became the definition of reliability on the mound.

Walter Johnson

Team(s): Washington Senators
Records Broken: 417 career wins, 110 shutouts

Walter Johnson is considered one of the original pitching legends of baseball. With a sidearm delivery and blazing speed, he dominated during the early 20th century. His 110 shutouts remain a record, showcasing his incredible durability and effectiveness.

Tom Seaver

Team(s): New York Mets, Cincinnati Reds
Records Broken: 3 Cy Young Awards, 311 career wins

Tom Seaver was the heart and soul of the New York Mets’ pitching staff during their 1969 World Series victory. Known as “Tom Terrific,” his ability to deliver in high-pressure situations set him apart from his peers. His remarkable control and mental toughness made him one of the greatest.

Bert Blyleven

Team(s): Minnesota Twins, Cleveland Indians
Records Broken: 3,701 strikeouts (5th-most all-time), 60 career shutouts

Bert Blyleven was a magician with his curveball, leading to a storied 22-year career. Consistency and precision were his trademarks, and his 60 shutouts remain a benchmark for excellence. He remains one of the most underrated players among the all-time greats.

Steve Carlton

Team(s): St. Louis Cardinals, Philadelphia Phillies
Records Broken: 329 career wins, 4 Cy Young Awards

Steve Carlton’s staggering career saw him become the first pitcher to win four Cy Young Awards. With a devastating slider and unparalleled control, Carlton dominated hitters across his 24-year career. He remains an icon in Phillies history as the pitcher who could take over a game single-handedly.

Roger Clemens

Team(s): Boston Red Sox, New York Yankees, Houston Astros
Records Broken: 7 Cy Young Awards (record), 354 career wins

Known as “The Rocket,” Roger Clemens combined fierce competitiveness with impeccable skill on the mound. His seven Cy Young Awards underline his ability to be dominant in both the American and National Leagues. Few pitchers have displayed the consistency that Clemens maintained throughout his career.

Justin Verlander

Team(s): Detroit Tigers, Houston Astros
Records Broken: 3 Cy Young Awards, 75 career WAR (Wins Above Replacement)

Justin Verlander continues to shine in modern baseball with remarkable consistency and dominance. A World Series champion and Cy Young winner in both leagues, Verlander’s career is defined by adaptability and longevity, showcasing why he’s among the best.

Max Scherzer

Team(s): Detroit Tigers, Washington Nationals
Records Broken: 3 Cy Young Awards, 2,000+ strikeouts

Max Scherzer’s unrelenting competitiveness, paired with incredible stamina, has made him one of baseball’s standout pitchers over the last decade. His historic World Series performance in 2019 with the Nationals exemplifies his ability to pitch under the brightest lights.

Randy Johnson

Team(s): Seattle Mariners, Arizona Diamondbacks
Records Broken: 5 Cy Young Awards, second-most career strikeouts (4,875)

Randy Johnson, also known as “The Big Unit,” was feared by hitters due to his towering presence and the intimidation of his 100 MPH fastball. His stellar performance in the 2001 World Series, where he led the Arizona Diamondbacks to victory, cemented his place in MLB lore.

Nolan Ryan

Team(s): California Angels, Houston Astros, Texas Rangers
Records Broken: 7 no-hitters, 5,714 career strikeouts (all-time record)

Nolan Ryan is synonymous with power pitching. With an unparalleled ability to deliver a fastball, he set an untouchable record for strikeouts. Ryan’s dominance across his 27-season career secured him as a legend of the game. His no-hitters and the sheer longevity of his achievements make him unparalleled in the MLB.

Greg Maddux

Team(s): Chicago Cubs, Atlanta Braves
Records Broken: 4 Cy Young Awards, 18 Gold Gloves

Greg Maddux is the epitome of precision pitching. Known for his control and game intelligence, Maddux consistently baffled hitters with his pinpoint accuracy. He is one of only 10 pitchers to have won 300 games and arguably the greatest finesse pitcher of all time.

Phil Niekro

Team(s): Milwaukee/Atlanta Braves, New York Yankees, Cleveland Indians, Toronto Blue Jays
Key Records: 318 career wins; over 3,300 strikeouts; 121 career shutouts

Known for mastering the knuckleball, Phil Niekro confused batters across three decades. Known affectionately as “Knucksie,” Niekro pitched remarkable complete games and remains one of the most durable pitchers in league history, boasting an astonishing 24-year career.

Fergie Jenkins

Team(s): Chicago Cubs, Texas Rangers, Boston Red Sox, Philadelphia Phillies
Key Records: First Canadian inducted into the Hall of Fame; seven consecutive 20-win seasons

Praised for his control and stamina, Jenkins was a model of efficiency on the mound. He showcased uncanny consistency, striking out over 3,000 batters while specializing in complete games, finishing with 49 career shutouts.

Pedro Martinez

Team(s): Montreal Expos, Boston Red Sox, New York Mets, Los Angeles Dodgers, Philadelphia Phillies
Key Records: 3x Cy Young Winner; 2,827 career strikeouts

Pedro Martinez dominated an era of slugging power hitters with precision and finesse. Boasting the highest winning percentage (.687) of the modern era, Pedro consistently turned out breathtaking performances, highlighted by his 1999 season with a mind-blowing 2.07 ERA.

Bob Gibson

Team(s): St. Louis Cardinals
Key Records: 1.12 ERA in 1968; two-time Cy Young Winner

Bob Gibson’s fiery competitiveness turned him into one of the most intimidating pitchers in MLB history. Known for his historic 1968 season, Gibson set a standard with a 1.12 ERA, the lowest in the live-ball era.

Curt Schilling

Team(s): Philadelphia Phillies, Arizona Diamondbacks, Boston Red Sox
Key Records: 11-2 postseason record; co-MVP of the 2001 World Series

Schilling’s ruthless approach to big moments made him a legend. Known for his historic performances, including the “Bloody Sock Game” in 2004, Schilling was a postseason stalwart renowned for his consistency under pressure.

CC Sabathia

Team(s): Cleveland Indians, Milwaukee Brewers, New York Yankees
Key Records: 251 career wins; 3,093 strikeouts

A workhorse in every sense, Sabathia combined power and precision into a deadly package. His career durability, highlighted by leading the Yankees to the 2009 World Series, made him a fan favorite across his storied career.

Zack Greinke

Team(s): Kansas City Royals, Los Angeles Dodgers, Arizona Diamondbacks, Houston Astros, Milwaukee Brewers
Key Records: Cy Young Winner (2009); 2.93 career ERA over 3,000+ strikeouts

Known for his uncanny pitch control and versatility, Greinke remains a consistent presence in modern baseball. His Cy Young-winning 2009 season was a masterclass in command and composure.

John Smoltz

Team(s): Atlanta Braves, Boston Red Sox, St. Louis Cardinals
Key Records: Only player in history with 200 wins and 150 saves

Smoltz’s transition from dominant starter to elite closer cemented his legacy as one of the most versatile pitchers the game has seen. His postseason brilliance remains unparalleled, pitching in more playoff games than almost any other starter in history.

Clayton Kershaw

Team(s): Los Angeles Dodgers
Key Records: 3 Cy Young Awards; Career ERA of 2An error occurred during generation. Please try again or contact support if it continues.

Known for his devastating curveball and precise command, he has led the league in ERA multiple times and remains a model of pitching excellence. His contributions were pivotal in helping the Dodgers secure the 2020 World Series title, further cementing his legacy. Beyond his on-field success, Kershaw’s work ethic and leadership have made him a respected figure in baseball, while his charitable efforts have also left a significant impact off the field.

Jim Bunning

Team(s): Detroit Tigers, Philadelphia Phillies, Pittsburgh Pirates, Los Angeles Dodgers
Records Broken: 2,855 career strikeouts; 7-time All-Star; threw a perfect game in 1964

Jim Bunning was a model of consistency throughout his career. Known for his stellar control and durability, Bunning became the first pitcher since Cy Young to achieve 1,000 strikeouts in both the American and National Leagues. His historic perfect game on Father’s Day in 1964 stands as one of MLB’s iconic moments. A member of the Baseball Hall of Fame, Bunning’s career highlights are a testament to his elite pitching mastery.

Mickey Lolich

Team(s): Detroit Tigers, New York Mets, San Diego Padres
Records Broken: 2,832 career strikeouts; World Series MVP in 1968

Mickey Lolich had a reputation as an innings-eater with incredible endurance. He shined brightest on baseball’s biggest stage, winning three games in the 1968 World Series and earning MVP honors. His performance during that series remains one of the most dominant in postseason history. Lolich’s left-handed pitching, combined with his ability to deliver clutch performances, earned him a lasting legacy.

Mike Mussina

Team(s): Baltimore Orioles, New York Yankees
Records Broken: 2,813 career strikeouts; 5-time All-Star; 7-time Gold Glove winner

Nicknamed “Moose,” Mike Mussina combined intelligence and precision during his two-decade career in the MLB. Despite never winning a Cy Young Award, Mussina’s steady excellence earned him a place in Cooperstown. With 270 wins and a career earned run average (ERA) of 3.68, Mussina thrived, particularly in the ultra-competitive American League East. His mastery of the strike zone and defensive prowess solidify his place among the all-time greats.

Cy Young

Team(s): Cleveland Spiders, St. Louis Perfectos, Boston Americans
Records Broken: 511 career wins (all-time record); 2,803 strikeouts; First-ever perfect game in the American League

Cy Young is the gold standard of pitching, with his name synonymous with excellence (thanks to the Cy Young Award). Known for his staggering 511 career wins, Young’s durability and longevity remain unmatched. His ability to dominate for 22 seasons set the foundation for how great pitching is measured. To this day, his achievements remain untouchable.

Robin Roberts

Team(s): Philadelphia Phillies, Baltimore Orioles, Houston Astros, Chicago Cubs
Records Broken: 286 career wins; 6 consecutive 20-win seasons; 5-time MLB wins leader

Robin Roberts was the heart and soul of the Philadelphia Phillies during the 1950s. Known for his pinpoint accuracy and complete-game dominance, Roberts was a workhorse, often pitching over 300 innings in a season. His remarkable consistency, along with his six consecutive 20-win seasons, made him a respected figure in the MLB and an irreplaceable anchor for the Phillies during his tenure.

Whitney Ford

Team(s): New York Yankees
Records Broken: 236 career wins; 2.75 ERA; World Series record for most career wins (10)

Whitey Ford, known as “The Chairman of the Board,” was a standout ace for the Yankees during their golden era. A six-time World Series champion, Ford excelled on the biggest stages. His remarkable control and poise under pressure made him a postseason legend, earning him a 10-8 record in World Series play. Ford remains the Yankees’ all-time wins leader and one of the most recognized figures in baseball.

Warren Spahn

Team(s): Boston/Milwaukee Braves, New York Mets, San Francisco Giants
Records Broken: 363 career wins (most by a left-hander); 13-time All-Star; 17 seasons with double-digit wins

Warren Spahn is often regarded as the greatest left-handed pitcher of all time. With a career spanning over 20 seasons, Spahn combined durability, intelligence, and remarkable composure. His 363 wins are still the most for any left-handed pitcher in MLB history. Known for his impeccable mechanics and mastery over slow curves, Spahn was a true craftsman of the game.

Eddie Plank

Team(s): Philadelphia Athletics, St. Louis Terriers
Records Broken: 326 career wins; First left-handed pitcher to reach 300 wins

Eddie Plank was a trailblazer for left-handed pitchers in the early twentieth century. Known for his smooth delivery and exceptional control, Plank dominated hitters with his well-placed pitches. A key figure during the Philadelphia Athletics’ success, he was the reliable backbone of their pitching rotation. His accomplishments remain influential in shaping the role of left-handed pitchers.

Lefty Grove

Team(s): Philadelphia Athletics, Boston Red Sox
Records Broken: 300 career wins; 2-time Triple Crown winner; 9-time ERA leader

Lefty Grove dominated the MLB during the 1920s and 1930s as one of the most imposing pitchers of his era. His ability to win the Triple Crown twice underscores his excellence in strikeouts, wins, and ERA. Grove’s dominance was highlighted by his impeccable control and velocity, making him a nightmare for hitters throughout his career. His nine ERA titles illustrate his unmatched consistency on the mound.

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Posted by Ron Winkler

Ron Winkler is your go-to guy for matter-of-fact commentary on all things TV, movies, history, sports, and nostalgia. Ron firmly believes that everyone is entitled to their own opinion, and he's here to give you his unfiltered take.

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