20 Former MLB Pitchers Who Were Way Ahead of Their Time

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

Dave Stieb
Wikipedia

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

Luis Tiant
Flickr

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

Kevin Brown
Wikipedia

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

Mike Scott
Wikipedia

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

JR Richard
Wikipedia

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

Bret Saberhagen
Flickr

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

Dave McNally
Wikipedia

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

Mike Mussina
Flickr

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

Dennis Martínez
Wikipedia

“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

Rick Sutcliffe
Wikimedia Commons

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

Tommy John
Wikipedia

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

Fernando Valenzuela
Flickr

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

Frank Tanana
Flickr

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

Wilbur Wood
Flickr

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

Ron Guidry
Flickr

“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

Don Newcombe
Wikimedia Commons

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

Bob Welch
Wikipedia

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

Dwight Gooden
Flickr

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

Sandy Koufax
Wikimedia Commons

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
Wikimedia Commons

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

Related Articles
Oct 16, 2024; New York City, New York, USA; MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred before game three of the NLCS for the 2024 MLB playoffs at Citi Field. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images
Rob Manfred Pushes a Salary Cap to Support Worst MLB Owners
As MLB's CBA nears expiration, Rob Manfred pushes a salary cap that may benefit the league's worst owners...
Read More
Jul 8, 2025; Baltimore, Maryland, USA; New York Mets outfielder Juan Soto (22) connects on a single during the fourth inning against the Baltimore Orioles at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. Mandatory Credit: Mitch Stringer-Imagn Images
Yankees Announcer Rips Juan Soto for Tone-Deaf All-Star Game Comments
Juan Soto's reaction to missing the All-Star Game drew sharp criticism from Yankees announcer Michael...
Read More
Jul 3, 2023; London, United Kingdom; John McEnroe and Chris Fowler in the ESPN booth on Centre Court during the Novak Djokovic (SRB) and Pedro Cachin (ARG) match at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club. Mandatory Credit: Susan Mullane-USA TODAY Sports
Tennis Fans Deserve More Than John McEnroe Behind the Mic
John McEnroe’s outdated commentary and careless broadcasting are doing tennis no favors, it's time for...
Read More

As an Amazon Associate, The Quick Report earns from qualifying purchases.

Part of the Castaway Studios media network.