The 2026 MLB season is heating up, and the Starting Pitcher Power Rankings are a testament to the incredible talent on the mound. This season, the rankings have been a rollercoaster, with new names rising to the top and others falling. Here's a deep dive into the latest rankings and the stories behind them.
Cristopher Sánchez: The Rising Star
Cristopher Sánchez, a lanky left-hander for the Phillies, is making waves with his stellar performance. Sánchez's complete-game shutout on Saturday extended his scoreless streak to 29 2/3 innings, the longest active streak in the Majors. His three-pitch mix, led by a sterling changeup, is holding the opposition to a .148 batting average and inducing a 49% whiff rate. Sánchez is a legitimate ace, and his rise to the top of the rankings is well-deserved. The question now is whether he can catch Grover Alexander's 41-inning mark, the longest scoreless streak by a Phillies pitcher since 1911.
Jacob Misiorowski: The Flame-Throwing Righty
Misiorowski, a right-hander for the Brewers, is another pitcher with an impressive streak. His 24 1/3 innings of scoreless innings are the third-longest in the Majors. Misiorowski's fastball velocity is up to 99.7 mph, making him the hardest-throwing starting pitcher to ever live, according to MLB.com's Mike Petriello. His ability to throw 254 pitches over 100 mph is absurd, and his strikeout rate of 39.3% is among the highest in the league. Misiorowski is a force to be reckoned with, and his rise in the rankings is a testament to his talent.
Cam Schlittler: The Velocity King
Schlittler, a 25-year-old for the Yankees, is leading the field in ERA and FIP, with a 1.35 ERA and 1.83 FIP. His fastballs over 90% of the time, the highest rate of any qualified starting pitcher, are overwhelming hitters with premium velocity and three distinct fastball shapes. Schlittler's ability to keep the ball in the strike zone and confuse hitters with his diverse pitches is a recipe for success. His rise in the rankings is a testament to his consistency and talent.
Shohei Ohtani: The Two-Way Wonder
Ohtani, a two-way star for the Dodgers, has fallen from the top spot, but his performance on the mound remains impressive. His 0.82 ERA is the lowest among all pitchers to throw at least 40 innings this season, and opponents are hitting just .159 against him. Ohtani's lethal fastball/sweeper combo is a key to his success, and his ability to throw those two pitches 71.4% of the time is a testament to his versatility.
Paul Skenes: The Defending Cy Young Winner
Skenes, the defending NL Cy Young Award winner, is pitching better in 2026 than he did in 2025. His 2.09 expected ERA clears last year's 2.65 mark, and he's holding the opposition to a .158 batting average. Skenes' ability to keep hitters off-balance and his consistent performance make him a force to be reckoned with. His rise in the rankings is a testament to his talent and consistency.
Chris Sale: The Unstoppable Lefty
Chris Sale, a left-hander for the Braves, is proving that age is just a number. At 37, Sale owns a 1.96 ERA, the seventh lowest among qualified starters. His unorthodox slot and classic fastball/slider combo are keeping hitters off-balance, and his ability to allow two runs or fewer while completing six innings in seven of his nine starts is a model of consistency. Sale's performance is a testament to his talent and experience.
Chase Burns: The Simple Ace
Chase Burns, a 23-year-old for the Reds, is pitching like an ace, despite Terry Francona's reluctance to label him as such. Burns' simple approach, with 93% of his pitches being four-seamers or sliders, is working. His average fastball velocity of 98.1 mph and hard bullet slider with a 51.7% whiff rate are a force to be reckoned with. The Reds' success since May 1, with three of their six wins coming in Burns' starts, is a testament to his talent.
Zack Wheeler: The Post-Surgery Comeback
Zack Wheeler, a 35-year-old for the Phillies, is back to his old self after thoracic outlet decompression surgery. His velocity ticked up in his last start, and his four-seamer averaged 96.3 mph against the Pirates. Wheeler's ability to bounce back from injury and his consistent performance make him a force to be reckoned with. His rise in the rankings is a testament to his talent and resilience.
Dylan Cease: The Strikeout King
Dylan Cease, a right-hander for the Blue Jays, is baseball's premier strikeout artist, with 84 batters fanned in 57 1/3 innings. His 35.1% strikeout rate is in the 97th percentile of MLB. Cease's ability to strike out hitters and his expanded arsenal make him a force to be reckoned with. His rise in the rankings is a testament to his talent and consistency.
Davis Martin: The Feel-Good Story
Davis Martin, a 29-year-old right-hander for the White Sox, is the biggest surprise in baseball. With a 1.61 ERA and a 268 ERA+, Martin has pitched at a rate 168% better than league average. His ability to pound the strike zone, confuse hitters with a three-fastball mix, and wield a plus changeup make him a force to be reckoned with. Martin's rise in the rankings is a testament to his talent and consistency.
In conclusion, the 2026 MLB season is full of surprises and rising stars. The Starting Pitcher Power Rankings are a testament to the incredible talent on the mound, and the stories behind each pitcher's rise are as fascinating as their performances. As the season continues, we can expect more surprises and rising stars to emerge, making the MLB even more exciting.
