Few roles in sports are as iconic or influential as that of the starting pitcher. Armed with blazing fastballs and filthy breaking pitches, the greatest hurlers in baseball history have left their mark through skill, endurance, and sustained excellence.
In this list, we rank the 30 all-time best pitchers—taking into account their career accomplishments, peak dominance, postseason heroics, and lasting impact on the game.
30. Juan Marichal
Marichal’s signature high leg kick and pinpoint control made him one of the most dominant pitchers of the 1960s. The San Francisco Giants’ ace posted a 2.89 career ERA and won 243 games.
29. Justin Verlander
A modern workhorse with three Cy Young Awards and multiple no-hitters, Verlander has consistently dominated over two decades and remains a force even in his late 30s.
28. Mordecai “Three Finger” Brown
Brown’s unique grip, the result of a childhood accident, gave him an unhittable curveball. His 2.06 career ERA ranks among the best in MLB history.
27. Tom Glavine
A master of finesse, Glavine was a key part of the Atlanta Braves’ rotation in the ’90s, earning two Cy Young Awards and over 300 wins.
26. Jim Palmer
The Baltimore Orioles’ legend won three Cy Young Awards and never allowed a grand slam in his career.
25. Don Drysdale
Known for his intimidating presence on the mound, Drysdale was a fierce competitor who helped the Dodgers to multiple championships.
24. Steve Carlton
One of the greatest left-handers ever, Carlton won four Cy Young Awards and recorded over 4,000 strikeouts.
23. Max Scherzer
A strikeout machine with three Cy Young Awards, Scherzer has been a dominant force in the modern era with multiple postseason heroics.
22. Bob Feller
Feller lost prime years to military service but still managed to record 266 wins and a blazing fastball that made him a legend.
21. Pedro Martinez
At his peak, Martinez was nearly unhittable. His 1999 and 2000 seasons rank among the best ever, and he finished with three Cy Young Awards.
20. Roy Halladay
Known for his durability and pinpoint accuracy, Halladay won two Cy Young Awards and pitched a perfect game in the playoffs.
19. Fergie Jenkins
The first Canadian Hall of Famer, Jenkins posted six straight 20-win seasons and was one of the most consistent pitchers of his era.
18. John Smoltz
The only pitcher with 200 wins and 150 saves, Smoltz excelled as both a starter and reliever.
17. Robin Roberts
A dominant pitcher in the 1950s, Roberts led the league in wins for four straight seasons.
16. Whitey Ford
The Yankees’ ace won six World Series titles and is the franchise’s all-time leader in wins.
15. Clayton Kershaw
One of the most dominant pitchers of the 21st century, Kershaw has three Cy Young Awards and a career ERA below 2.50.
14. Bob Gibson
Gibson’s 1.12 ERA in 1968 led to MLB lowering the mound. He was a fierce competitor and a two-time Cy Young winner.
13. Sandy Koufax
Koufax’s peak was one of the most dominant stretches ever. Despite retiring early, he won three Cy Young Awards and was nearly untouchable in the postseason.
12. Greg Maddux
A control artist, Maddux won four straight Cy Young Awards and is one of the smartest pitchers in baseball history.
11. Tom Seaver
Seaver was the heart of the “Miracle Mets” and won three Cy Young Awards, cementing his place as an all-time great.
10. Nolan Ryan
The strikeout king, Ryan holds the all-time record with 5,714 Ks and threw seven no-hitters, an untouchable mark.
9. Carl Hubbell
Hubbell’s screwball baffled hitters in the 1930s, and he famously struck out five future Hall of Famers in a row in the 1934 All-Star Game.
8. Satchel Paige
A legend of the Negro Leagues, Paige’s true career numbers are unknown, but his dominance is undisputed.
7. Lefty Grove
A 300-game winner with a fiery temperament, Grove led the league in ERA nine times.
6. Randy Johnson
At 6’10”, the “Big Unit” was an intimidating force, winning five Cy Young Awards and striking out over 4,800 batters.
5. Christy Mathewson
A legend of the early 1900s, Mathewson’s mastery of the “fadeaway” pitch made him nearly unhittable.
4. Roger Clemens
Clemens won seven Cy Young Awards and was a power pitcher with an unmatched work ethic and intensity.
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3. Walter Johnson
With over 400 wins and a blazing fastball, Johnson dominated in an era before modern training techniques.
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2. Cy Young
The all-time leader in wins with 511, Young’s dominance is so legendary that the award for pitching excellence is named after him.
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1. Mariano Rivera
Though a closer, Rivera’s impact cannot be ignored. With the best postseason resume in history, a record 652 saves, and an unhittable cutter, Rivera is the greatest pitcher of all time.
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