In Major League Baseball (MLB), the starting pitcher plays a pivotal role in the success of any team. From setting the tone in the opening innings to maintaining control through the late stages of a game, the starting pitcher is often regarded as the most influential player on the field. As such, when rankings are released to determine who the best starting pitcher is, it generates considerable interest, not just among fans and analysts, but also within the baseball community itself.
For the Detroit Tigers, their ace, who has consistently been one of the more dominant pitchers in the league, is often part of these debates. However, in a season where many baseball pundits have been scrutinizing the performances of the top-tier pitchers in MLB, it seems that the Tigers’ star is once again denied first place in the starting pitcher rankings. This scenario, while frustrating for Tigers fans, presents an opportunity to evaluate why he isn’t securing that coveted top spot, and more importantly, what factors influence the rankings of starting pitchers in MLB.
The Tigers’ Star: A Brief Overview
Before diving into the reasons why Detroit’s ace isn’t ranked first, it is important to recognize the incredible performances that have put him on the map as one of the top pitchers in baseball. Over the years, the Tigers’ star has shown remarkable consistency, possessing a repertoire of pitches that is the envy of many. His fastball, slider, and changeup all play off each other, keeping hitters off-balance and allowing him to rack up strikeouts while limiting hard contact. On top of this, his ability to go deep into games has been a major asset for the Tigers, a team that has often found itself in need of length from its starting pitchers.
This pitcher, whether or not he is the ace of the Tigers, has established himself as a highly effective force in MLB. His career ERA, WHIP (walks plus hits per inning pitched), and strikeout-to-walk ratio are indicative of a pitcher who knows how to command the strike zone and prevent runs. On any given day, his stuff is unhittable, and when he’s on, he can shut down even the most potent lineups in the game.
However, despite these stellar performances, the fact remains that he does not often receive the recognition as the best starting pitcher in the league, as seen in his omission from the top spot in recent rankings.
Ranking Starting Pitchers: The Factors at Play
To understand why the Tigers’ ace might be denied the first-place position in these rankings, it is essential to analyze the criteria and factors that go into evaluating a starting pitcher in MLB. Rankings are rarely based on a single metric; rather, they are the result of a multifaceted assessment of a pitcher’s performance, including statistical achievements, team success, and, sometimes, intangible qualities like leadership and composure under pressure.
1. Statistical Excellence: ERA and Advanced Metrics
Traditionally, one of the most important measures of a pitcher’s dominance is their earned run average (ERA). The lower the ERA, the fewer runs a pitcher allows over a given period, which indicates strong performance. A sub-3.00 ERA, for example, is often seen as elite. However, in modern baseball, ERA alone is not enough to secure the top ranking among pitchers. Advanced statistics like Fielding Independent Pitching (FIP), Wins Above Replacement (WAR), strikeouts per nine innings (K/9), and WHIP are increasingly important in evaluating a pitcher’s true value.
FIP, for instance, isolates the events that a pitcher controls (strikeouts, walks, and home runs) and removes the influence of fielding and luck, offering a better sense of how well a pitcher actually performed. WHIP, meanwhile, gives an indication of how effective a pitcher is at preventing base runners, with lower numbers being more desirable. While the Tigers’ ace may excel in some of these areas, it’s possible that other pitchers are outperforming him in key statistics, which could influence their higher rankings.
2. Consistency and Longevity
While dominance over a short stretch is impressive, sustained excellence over an entire season is often what separates the best from the rest. This brings us to the issue of consistency and durability. Over the course of a 162-game season, starting pitchers who can consistently go deep into games and avoid injury become invaluable assets to their teams. Many of the pitchers who occupy the top spots in MLB starting pitcher rankings have demonstrated the ability to perform at a high level year in and year out.
The Tigers’ ace may have dealt with injury concerns in the past, or his overall durability might be seen as a question mark compared to other top-tier pitchers who have had prolonged periods of dominance without major setbacks. If a pitcher consistently faces injuries or struggles to stay on the mound, even if they’re dominant when healthy, they may be seen as less reliable than someone who is consistently available.
3. The Context of Team Success
The performance of a starting pitcher is, of course, heavily influenced by the success of their team. A pitcher’s win-loss record is often seen as a reflection of how effective they’ve been in helping their team win games, although this statistic has become less important in modern evaluation due to its volatility. A pitcher might perform admirably, only to see their team fail to provide enough run support to secure a win.
In the case of the Tigers, the franchise has faced challenges in recent seasons. The team has undergone rebuilding phases, which has meant that their pitching staff, while talented, often struggles to win games due to inconsistent offensive production or defensive mishaps. For a pitcher to be considered the best in the game, they typically need to be surrounded by a team that can convert their strong outings into victories.
Additionally, pitchers on playoff-contending teams or teams that reach the World Series tend to receive more attention, especially in national media. Their performances are magnified under the spotlight, and these players often earn higher rankings because they are seen as “clutch” or “reliable” in high-leverage situations.
4. Competition and the Depth of MLB’s Starting Pitcher Pool
Another important consideration is the sheer depth of talent at the starting pitcher position in MLB. The league is filled with elite pitchers, many of whom are capable of putting up historic numbers or performing in critical moments. The competition for the top spot is fierce, with pitchers like Jacob deGrom, Gerrit Cole, and Max Scherzer (to name a few) consistently challenging for that position.
In any given year, there might be multiple pitchers who are putting up elite numbers across the board. Some pitchers are also able to generate exceptional strikeout rates, while others are more adept at controlling the game through pinpoint command or by inducing weak contact. The sheer number of exceptional talents can make it difficult for one pitcher to consistently sit at the top of the rankings.
5. Intangibles and Reputation
Finally, a key factor in rankings that is sometimes difficult to quantify is the intangible qualities that a pitcher brings to the table. Leadership, mental toughness, and the ability to handle pressure are highly valued in MLB, particularly among the elite pitchers. A pitcher who can consistently deliver in high-pressure moments, whether that’s in a playoff race or in a crucial regular-season game, is often ranked higher than someone who might have better traditional stats but lacks those intangibles.
Reputation, too, plays a role in ranking pitchers. Established stars, especially those with a history of postseason success, are often given the benefit of the doubt when it comes to rankings. For a pitcher like the Tigers’ ace, while his talent is undeniable, he may not have accumulated the same level of accolades or recognition in high-leverage situations compared to other top pitchers in MLB.
