Spencer Strider of the Atlanta Braves leads the compilation of the top 150 MLB starters.
Atlanta Braves pitcher Spencer Strider has emerged as the leading figure among MLB’s top starters according to pre-season projections released last week. Strider, known for his powerful pitching, claimed the top spot in Eno Sarris’ rankings, indicating his potential for a Cy Young win this year after finishing fourth in 2023.
Eno Sarris compiled the rankings using data from Pitching Plus, a comprehensive set of statistics that evaluates a pitcher’s effectiveness based on the quality of their pitches (Stuff+) and their ability to locate them (Location+). The Pitching Plus metrics delve into pitch usage in various game situations to assign a value reflecting a pitcher’s performance, with 100 being the league average for all three categories.
The projections, including ERA and K-rate estimates, incorporate injury assessments which consider factors like a pitcher’s age, past time spent on the injured list, and fastball velocity—a significant indicator of potential elbow stress. Pitchers receive injury grades ranging from A to F based on these considerations.
Sarris’ list comprises 150 starters, correlating to the total number of starting pitchers across the MLB’s 30 teams. Notably, four of the five NL East teams boast at least four starters featured in the top 150. Alongside Strider, Max Fried, Chris Sale, Charlie Morton, Reynaldo Lopez, and Bryce Elder represent the Atlanta Braves’ pitching projections, with Sale and Morton receiving lower grades due to their age and injury history.
The comprehensive nature of the rankings underscores the anticipation surrounding the upcoming MLB season and the potential impact of standout pitchers like Spencer Strider on their respective teams’ performance.
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