Some pitchers were just built differently. While the league around them was playing checkers, these guys were throwing 99 mph chess pieces with movement that didn’t make sense in their era.
Whether it was filthy breaking stuff, funky mechanics, or a revolutionary approach to pitching, these former MLB hurlers would fit in perfectly with today’s pitching labs, data tracking, and velocity-obsessed world. Here are 20 former MLB pitchers who were way ahead of their time.
20. Dave Stieb
Stieb was one of the nastiest sliders of the 1980s, and his bulldog mentality never let up. With better run support and modern analytics, his greatness would’ve been impossible to ignore.
19. Luis Tiant
With his twisting, turning delivery and nasty stuff, Tiant would’ve been a Pitching Ninja favorite. In today’s game, his deception would leave hitters frozen and fans in awe.
18. Kevin Brown
Brown threw hard, had movement, and looked like he was mad at the baseball. His power-sinker would be a dream pitch in the modern game full of launch angles.
17. Mike Scott
When his splitter was on, hitters had no shot. In today’s world, that pitch would’ve been studied frame-by-frame on every pitching breakdown account.
16. JR Richard
At his peak, JR Richard was a terrifying mix of size and velocity. He threw like a modern-day ace before velocity became king.
15. Bret Saberhagen
Saberhagen’s control and smarts were off the charts. If you gave him access to today’s pitch sequencing tools, he’d carve up lineups like a surgeon.
14. Dave McNally
McNally was cool, calm, and way more methodical than most pitchers of his time. His ability to adjust and mix pitches would thrive in today’s more cerebral approach to pitching.
13. Mike Mussina
Mussina’s ability to out-think hitters was elite, and he mixed speeds before it was trendy. He’d thrive in today’s game with pitch clocks and strategic pitching zones.
12. Dennis Martínez
“El Presidente” had excellent command, poise, and a killer curve. Today’s emphasis on spin rate would shine a massive spotlight on his breaking ball.
11. Rick Sutcliffe
Sutcliffe had the frame and fastball to be a modern workhorse. With modern strength training and pitch design, he’d be even nastier today.
10. Tommy John
Before he underwent surgery, Tommy John was an elite contact manager. In an era obsessed with ground balls and soft contact, he’d be celebrated for his efficiency and pitch-to-contact skill.
9. Fernando Valenzuela
Fernandomania would be even bigger today thanks to his unique delivery, ridiculous screwball, and massive fan appeal. He was must-see TV before we even had MLB Network.
8. Frank Tanana
Tanana started his career blowing hitters away and ended it with finesse and feel. That adaptability would make him a legend in today’s matchup-driven game.
7. Wilbur Wood
A knuckleballer who started 49 games in one season? That kind of durability and trickery would make him a cult icon today.
6. Ron Guidry
“Louisiana Lightning” had a wipeout slider and elite strikeout stuff before it was fashionable. In a modern bullpen or ace role, he’d be a strikeout king.
5. Don Newcombe
Newcombe could pitch, hit, and dominate in any situation. In today’s game, he’d be praised as the ultimate two-way athlete long before Ohtani fever hit.
4. Bob Welch
Welch had command, movement, and a fearless approach. In today’s analytics-driven league, he’d be one of the most efficient and respected arms in baseball.
3. Dwight Gooden
Gooden’s raw stuff as a teenager was already future-of-baseball material. With modern pitch design and sports science, he’d be absolutely untouchable.
Read More: The Ultimate List: The 30 Greatest Pitchers to Ever Take the Mound
2. Sandy Koufax
Koufax had elite velocity and devastating off-speed stuff in an era where that combo was unheard of. With modern medical care and pitch tracking, he’d break every metric.
Read More: Ranking the 15 Best Pitchers in MLB History
1. Satchel Paige
Satchel Paige pitched with jaw-dropping flair, control, and confidence long before radar guns existed. In today’s MLB, he’d be an all-time great and social media legend wrapped into one.
Read More: 15 Former MLB Pitchers Who Could Still Dominate Today
