17 MLB Pitchers Who Thought They Were Untouchable

Pitchers need confidence to survive on the mound, but some cross the line from swagger to straight-up delusion. Whether they were throwing heat, brushing guys off the plate, or spouting off in interviews, these pitchers carried themselves like nobody could touch them.

Some had the talent to back it up, others, not so much. But they all walked around like the rules didn’t apply to them. Here are MLB pitchers who thought they were absolutely untouchable.

17. Marcus Stroman

Apr 11, 2025; Bronx, New York, USA; New York Yankees starting pitcher Marcus Stroman (0) delivers a pitch during the first inning against the San Francisco Giants at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images
Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images

Stroman loves his swagger almost as much as he loves pitching. The confidence is loud, the tweets are more audible, and he never backs down from a mic.

16. Jonathan Papelbon

Washington Nationals pitcher Jonathan Papelbon against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field
Mark J. Rebilas / Imagn Images

Papelbon strutted around the mound like he was closing out the World Series every night. That intensity sometimes crossed into chaos — ask Bryce Harper.

15. Dallas Braden

Dallas Braden throws against the Detroit Tigers during a MLB game at the Oakland Coliseum on May 19, 2010
CLIFFORD OTO/THE STOCKTON RECORD / USA TODAY NETWORK

Braden had one perfect game and rode that high with a serious attitude. He once told A-Rod to stay off his mound — and meant it like it was sacred ground.

14. Trevor Bauer

Jun 28, 2021; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Trevor Bauer (27) pitches against the San Francisco Giants in the first inning at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Richard Mackson-Imagn Images
Richard Mackson-Imagn Images

Bauer pitched like a mad scientist and talked like one, too. His confidence was sky-high, and he made sure to let fans, hitters, and MLB itself know it.

13. Pedro Martinez

October 16, 2009; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Philadelphia Phillies starting pitcher Pedro Martinez (45) throws during the first inning of game two of the 2009 NLCS against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-Imagn Images
Christopher Hanewinckel-Imagn Images

Pedro had the stuff to back up every ounce of his cockiness. From calling the Yankees his daddy to launching inside fastballs with no remorse, he was never afraid of anyone.

12. Jack McDowell

Jul 14, 1991; Milwaukee, WI, USA; FILE PHOTO; Chicago White Sox pitcher Jack McDowell in action against the Milwaukee Brewers at Milwaukee County Stadium. Mandatory Credit: RVR Photos-USA TODAY Sports
RVR Photos-USA TODAY Sports

“Black Jack” pitched with swagger and a touch of rage. He famously gave fans the finger walking off the mound — subtlety was never his thing.

11. Zack Greinke

Zack Greinke
Photo by Keith Allison

Greinke doesn’t do emotions like most guys, but he’s still one of the quirkiest and most confident pitchers ever. Whether calling his pitches or fielding like a shortstop, he moves to his beat.

10. Roger Clemens

New York Yankees pitcher (22) Roger Clemens pitches in the first inning against the Pittsburg Pirates at Yankee Stadium.
Mark J. Rebilas / Imagn Images

Clemens pitched like a man possessed and acted like he owned every inch of the diamond. He threw inside with purpose and never apologized for anything.

9. Carlos Zambrano

Miami Marlins pitcher Carlos Zambrano pitches in the eighth inning against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field.
Mark J. Rebilas / Imagn Images

Zambrano had ace-level stuff and hothead-level confidence. If something didn’t go his way, he let the whole stadium know it — loudly.

8. Dontrelle Willis

August 03, 2011; Houston, TX, USA; Cincinnati Reds pitcher Dontrelle Willis (50) delivers a first inning pitch against the Houston Astros at Minute Maid Park. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-Imagn Images
Troy Taormina-Imagn Images

The D-Train had a funky delivery and a ton of flair. Even when his stuff declined, the swagger never left the station.

7. Curt Schilling

Boston Red Sox starting pitcher (38) Curt Schilling delivers a pitch against the Colorado Rockies during game 2 of the 2007 World Series at Fenway Park.
Tom Szczerbowski / Imagn Images

Schilling wasn’t shy about his confidence — or his opinions. From the bloody sock to the press conferences, he always acted like the main character.

6. Noah Syndergaard

Aug 27, 2023; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Cleveland Guardians starting pitcher Noah Syndergaard (34) delivers a pitch against the Toronto Blue Jays in the fourth inning at Rogers Centre. Mandatory Credit: Dan Hamilton-Imagn Images
Dan Hamilton-Imagn Images

Thor came into the league throwing thunder and letting hitters know about it. The long hair, high heat, and bigger-than-life energy made him feel untouchable — even when the results didn’t.

5. Dennis Eckersley

51 Dennis Eckersley, Athletics, 1992 Xxx Zx22916 51 Dennis Eckersley, Athletics, 1992
USA TODAY

Eck’s mound presence was unmatched, and his glare could kill. Add in his brutal honesty on TV later, and you know he never doubted himself for a second.

4. Jose Lima

Aug 20; 2004; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Dodger starter Jose Lima (27)  pitched eight innings and allowed one earned run on seven hits while strikeing out six without a walk during 3-2 11-inning victory over the Atlanta Braves at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee/Image of Sport-USA TODAY Sports
Kirby Lee/Image of Sport-USA TODAY Sports

Lima Time was more than just a nickname — it was a full-blown performance. He might get shelled, but he still strutted like he was throwing a no-no.

3. Max Scherzer

Mar 29, 2025; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Blue Jays starting pitcher Max Scherzer (31) delivers a pitch against the Baltimore Orioles in the first inning at Rogers Centre. Mandatory Credit: Dan Hamilton-Imagn Images
Dan Hamilton-Imagn Images

Scherzer pitches like every batter insulted his family. The death stares, mound stomps, and mid-game rants all scream “don’t mess with me.”

2. Bob Gibson

May 1974; Chicago, IL, USA; FILE PHOTO; St. Louis Cardinals pitcher Bob Gibson (45) delivers a pitch during the 1968 season against the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field. Mandatory Credit: Malcolm Emmons-Imagn Images
Malcolm Emmons-Imagn Images

Gibson was the original intimidator. He stared down hitters like he was about to fight them and backed it up with devastating stuff.

Read More: 20 MLB Pitchers Who Never Lacked Confidence

1. Randy Johnson

Apr 13, 2009; Los Angeles, CA, USA; San Francisco Giants starter Randy Johnson (51) pitches during the 2009 Opening Day game against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium. The Dodgers defeated the Giants 11-1. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee/Image of Sport-Imagn Images
Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

The Big Unit didn’t just pitch — he terrorized. His glare, his velocity, and the whole vibe screamed one thing: don’t even think about crowding the plate.

Read More: Ranking the 15 Most Melodramatic MLB Pitchers Ever

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