There’s nothing quite like watching a pitcher who makes world-class hitters look completely lost at the plate. Some guys just had that rare mix of velocity, movement, and intimidation that made every at-bat feel like a hopeless chore.
This list is dedicated to the flamethrowers, the artists, the nightmares on the mound who delivered pitch after pitch that batters couldn’t touch. From vintage legends to modern aces, these are the most unhittable pitchers in baseball history.
19. Johan Santana
When Santana was on, hitters barely stood a chance. His changeup was absolutely filthy, and he made some of the best bats in the league look like Little Leaguers.
18. Dwight Gooden
For a stretch in the ’80s, Doc was the definition of overpowering. He combined ridiculous velocity with a hammer curve that just vanished.
17. Justin Verlander
Even deep into his 30s, Verlander still makes hitters flail at fastballs and whiff on sliders. His command and competitiveness just take his stuff to another level.
16. Sandy Koufax
Koufax’s dominance in the 1960s was almost unfair. His fastball-curveball combo was so nasty it practically made batters give up before stepping in.
15. Pedro Martinez
Pedro made a living embarrassing sluggers in the height of the steroid era. His changeup alone should’ve been illegal.
14. Nolan Ryan
Ryan threw pure gas for 27 seasons and holds the all-time strikeout record for a reason. Hitters knew the heat was coming and still couldn’t touch it.
13. Randy Johnson
The Big Unit’s terrifying presence and explosive slider made him a walking strikeout machine. Lefties had nightmares about that arm slot.
12. Shohei Ohtani
Ohtani’s pitching repertoire looks like it was created in a lab. His splitter and fastball combo makes even seasoned hitters look foolish.
11. Max Scherzer
Scherzer’s intensity is matched only by how filthy his stuff is. When he’s locked in, it’s a very long day for the guys in the batter’s box.
10. Jacob deGrom
When healthy, deGrom delivers pitches that don’t even seem real. Triple-digit heat with precision and secondary stuff that falls off the table? Good luck.
9. Bob Gibson
Gibson pitched like he was angry at you for even showing up. His 1968 season is still one of the most dominant pitching displays ever.
8. Chris Sale
At his peak, Sale’s delivery looked like a slingshot of doom. Lefties in particular never had a prayer against that slider.
7. Tom Seaver
Seaver’s fastball bore in, and his breaking stuff kept hitters frozen. He was relentless and precise, and that combo was brutal.
6. Greg Maddux
Maddux didn’t need to throw hard to be unhittable. He out-thought and out-executed everyone with laser focus and surgical command.
5. Roger Clemens
Clemens was pure power, with a bulldog mentality and the stuff to back it up. His splitter and fastball combo were an absolute menace.
4. Steve Carlton
Lefty’s slider looked like it broke out of a different dimension. He was so dominant at times, he basically carried entire pitching staffs by himself.
3. Mariano Rivera
Everyone knew the cutter was coming and still couldn’t do anything about it. Rivera made a living breaking bats and breaking hearts.
Read more: Ranking The Top 10 Curveballs Made MLB’s Greatest Hitters Look Silly
2. Clayton Kershaw (Prime Version)
Yes, he’s already on the list—but prime Kershaw deserves his spot. That run from 2011–2017 was one of the most dominant stretches in pitching history.
Read more: Ranking the 15 Most Calculated Pitchers to Ever Step on the Mound
1. Sandy Koufax (Peak Years)
Also already listed, but peak Koufax from 1963–1966 was on another planet. He wasn’t just unhittable—he was untouchable, unforgettable, and unstoppable.
Read more: 10 Reasons the MLB Should Say NO to the Golden At-Bat Proposal
