With a week remaining in spring training, one pitcher who could radically enhance any rotation remains unsigned. The addition of Jordan Montgomery to a handful of rotations (ahem, Houston) would immediately rewrite this group, just as the absence of a pitcher like Gerrit Cole to start the season keeps the Yankees from being ranked here. The Dodgers will inevitably cobble together a contending staff, but these rankings aren’t about Q-ratings, spending or even tandem stars. There are three other days to cover.
The best rotations have standouts at No. 1 and No. 2 (at least), hog innings and aren't well-rounded. They’re well-lopsided. Here is a look at the top five rotations in the majors based on those standards — elite innings up top, reliable innings toward the back ... and also the Cardinals. ’s projected innings for 2024 help illustrate the percentage each rotation for its club.
1. Phillies
People are also reading…
Zack Wheeler, RHP
Aaron Nola, RHP
Ranger Suarez, LHP
Taijuan Walker, RHP
Cristopher Sanchez, LHP
The duo that ousted the Cardinals from the 2022 playoffs remains the steadiest one-two punch atop a rotation in baseball and maybe the best until Max Scherzer and Jacob deGrom are healthy in Texas. There’s also depth here, with two other starters expected to provide at least 150 innings.
FanGraphs projected innings pitched: 833
Percentage of teams’ innings: 57.1%
2. Braves
Spencer Strider, RHP
Max Fried, LHP
Charlie Morton, RHP
Chris Sale, LHP
Bryce Elder, RHP
Strider, poised to strike for a Cy Young Award, and Fried challenge the Phillies duo, and they’re followed by veterans with upside. If Chris Sale, acquired from Boston, thrives in a new spot and remains healthy, Atlanta has the makings of the finest October-ready rotation in the majors. If.
FanGraphs projected innings pitched: 766
Percentage of teams’ innings: 52.5%
3. Mariners
Luis Castillo, RHP
George Kirby, RHP
Logan Gilbert, RHP
Bryce Miller, RHP
Bryan Woo, RHP
The best rotation along the West Coast may be the most underrated rotation. FanGraphs projects three members — Castillo, Kirby and Gilbert — could pitch 190 innings, and each has the stuff to lead other rotations. They miss bats, they shoulder innings and there is youthful upside here.
FanGraphs projected innings pitched: 828
Percentage of teams’ innings: 56.8%
4. Diamondbacks
Zac Gallen, RHP
Merrill Kelly, RHP
Eduardo Rodriguez, LHP
Brandon Pfaadt, RHP
Ryne Nelson, RHP
All Arizona did this offseason was take the rotation that bested titans Philadelphia and Los Angeles to win the National League pennant and add a new look, one of the best lefties available in Rodriguez. In 2019, he went 19-6 with 213 strikeouts in 203 1/3 innings. He could be a No. 1. The D-Backs have him No. 3.
FanGraphs projected innings pitched: 812
Percentage of teams’ innings: 55.7%
5. Padres
Yu Darvish, RHP
Dylan Cease, RHP
Joe Musgrove, RHP
Michael King, RHP
Jhony Brito, RHP
The spring trade for White Sox ace Cease vaults San Diego into the mix — and could, if cuteness catches up with the Dodgers, be the move that wins the west. And he’s not the only newcomer to watch: King, acquired from the Yankees in the Juan Soto trade, should shine with first starter chance.
FanGraphs projected innings pitched: 755
Percentage of teams’ innings: 51.8%
And the Cardinals
Sonny Gray, RHP*
Miles Mikolas, RHP
Kyle Gibson, RHP
Lance Lynn, RHP
Steven Matz, LHP
A completely overhauled rotation made up of five starters, all of them signed by the Cardinals at some point as free agents, begins with a bedrock of innings and is betting big that the day-to-day consistency and dogged durability topped by Gray’s ascension to ace will carry them in the NL Central.
FanGraphs projected innings pitched: 818
Percentage of teams’ innings: 56.1%
* Had an injury of note during spring training that could delay start of season.
— Derrick Goold