This spring, the World Baseball Classic saw two of the best pitchers joining forces: Paul Skenes and Tarik Skubal, both wearing Team USA jerseys. While Skubal didn’t stay with the team long, their brief collaboration showed their potential to dominate the game.
As we look towards the 2026 baseball season, discussions about pitching aces are on everyone’s minds. Who exactly qualifies as an ace today? This question has fueled debates for years, and we’re diving back in with insights from various experts in the game.
For seven years, experts from scouting and analytics have participated in a survey to rank pitchers. This time, we asked a panel of 20 professionals—executives, scouts, and analysts—to assess 90 pitchers. Each assessed pitchers based on a grading system, ranking them from 1 to 5, which helped us compile this list of top-tier pitchers.
In our rankings, we organized pitchers into five tiers. The best pitchers, or “Inner Circle” players, earned a score of 100. Here’s a breakdown:
- Tier 1 (100) — The Inner Circle: The cream of the crop.
- Tier 2 (99.5 to 90) — Aces: Reliable pitchers throughout the season and postseason.
- Tier 3 (89.5 to 80) — The Doorstep Knockers: Pitchers who are close to ace status.
- Tier 4 (79.5 to 60) — No. 2s and No. 3s: Solid pitchers with fewer highs.
- Tier 5 (59.5 and below) — No. 4s and No. 5s: Good enough for the majors but a step below the elite.
Injuries play a significant role in these rankings. Notably, pitchers recovering from major surgeries are not included. Therefore, big names like Gerrit Cole and Zack Wheeler, who are currently healing, are absent from this year’s list. Should they return to form, they could easily make a comeback in future rankings.
This year’s expert opinions highlight some rising stars. For instance, Tatsuya Imai, a 27-year-old from Japan who signed with the Houston Astros, brought excitement after a remarkable NPB season with a 1.92 ERA. While there are concerns regarding whether he can sustain that success in the MLB, many scouts believe he has the potential to be a steal for Houston.
Meanwhile, pitchers like Zac Gallen and Merrill Kelly, previously struggling, have returned to form after signing short-term deals with the Arizona Diamondbacks. Their performances will be scrutinized this season as they strive to hold their ground in a competitive league.
Looking at the tier levels, some young talents like Tanner Bibee and Logan Webb are drawing attention. Bibee struggled last year with consistency, yet scouts remain optimistic about his future. Webb, on the other hand, has been a steady performer, leading the National League in innings over the past three seasons. However, some panelists feel he’s not quite ace material yet.
The rankings reflect the diverse landscape of pitching in baseball today. As new talents emerge and veterans continue to adapt, debates around who truly deserves the ace label will grow even more heated. With the season approaching, all eyes will be on these pitchers to see who can rise to the occasion.
For more detailed stats and updates on pitchers, visit FanGraphs.
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