MLB Starting Pitcher Rankings: Who Are Baseball’s 11 True Aces in 2024?

The title of “ace” is the most sacred in baseball. It’s not just about a good season or a flashy arsenal; it’s an aura of dominance, a guarantee of a fight every fifth day, and the unwavering trust of a franchise. In an era defined by bullpen games and inning limits, the true ace is a relic of supreme value. But who, right now, belongs in that rarefied air? We consulted MLB scouts and executives to separate the perennial Cy Young contenders from the rising stars and identify the 11 pitchers who are the sport’s true aces.

The Unquestioned Kings: The Top Tier

This elite group operates on a different plane. They are the faces of pitching, the ones whose starts are must-watch events. Their consistency and sheer stuff place them in a category of their own.

Spencer Strider, Atlanta Braves: Before his season-ending injury, Strider was the most dominant force in the sport. The conversation starts with him because, when healthy, he possesses the most devastating single pitch in baseball—a fastball that hums at 99 mph with ridiculous carry, paired with a slider that disappears. He redefines the term “strikeout artist.” His absence is a blow to the game, but his standing when at full strength is unimpeachable.

Corbin Burnes, Baltimore Orioles: The model of pristine, multi-pitch command. Burnes’s cutter is a modern marvel, but it’s his surgical precision with his entire arsenal—curveball, slider, changeup—that makes him a nightmare. Now anchoring a World Series contender in Baltimore, he continues to be the pitcher others study for how to dominate without always needing overpowering velocity.

Zack Wheeler, Philadelphia Phillies: The consummate big-game pitcher. Wheeler combines premium velocity with a diverse five-pitch mix and impeccable control. His performance in the 2022 postseason cemented his ace status, proving he elevates his game when the lights are brightest. He is the steady, overpowering engine of the Phillies’ championship aspirations.

Tyler Glasnow, Los Angeles Dodgers: Pure, unadulterated stuff. At 6’8″ with a fastball that seems to jump from the heavens and a breaking ball that falls off a cliff, Glasnow is a physical unicorn. Now with the Dodgers and showing durable form, he has translated his immense potential into sustained, top-of-the-rotation dominance.

The Established Elite: Consistency is King

These pitchers have long-term track records of excellence. They may not always have the flashiest ERA, but their bodies of work and respected arsenals make them the pillars any team would covet.

Gerrit Cole, New York Yankees: The reigning American League Cy Young winner. While injury has sidelined him to start 2024, Cole’s recent body of work—a masterclass in power pitching and execution—keeps him firmly on this list. He remains the gold standard for durability and ace-level production when on the mound.

Max Fried, Atlanta Braves: The premier left-handed ace in baseball. Fried’s combination of a heavy, sinking fastball, a devastating curveball, and Gold Glove-caliber defense is a unique and winning formula. He thrives under pressure and has consistently been the stabilizing force for Atlanta’s dynasty.

Aaron Nola, Philadelphia Phillies: The model of durability and late-breaking movement. Nola’s trademark knuckle-curve is one of the sport’s best swing-and-miss weapons, and his ability to eat 200 innings annually is a dying art. He and Wheeler form the most formidable one-two punch in the National League.

Pablo López, Minnesota Twins: The artist formerly known as a “stuff” guy has fully blossomed. López added a devastating sweeper to an already excellent changeup and fastball combination, transforming into a Cy Young finalist. He is the cerebral, dominant force at the heart of Minnesota’s rotation.

The New Guard: Ascending to Ace Status

This trio has forcefully knocked on the door and kicked it down. They have either claimed a Cy Young or delivered ace-level performance that has the entire league on notice.

Tarik Skubal, Detroit Tigers: The breakout star of 2024 and perhaps the leading AL Cy Young candidate. Skubal’s transformation is rooted in a ferocious fastball up in the zone and a wipeout splitter. He exudes confidence and has the pure stuff to dominate any lineup, establishing himself as the new face of pitching in Detroit.

Logan Webb, San Francisco Giants: The ground-ball maestro. In an era of strikeouts, Webb dominates by generating weak contact with one of the best sinker-changeup combinations in MLB. His incredible consistency and ability to work deep into games every start is a throwback virtue that defines his ace status.

Zac Gallen, Arizona Diamondbacks: The cool-handed leader of the NL champions. Gallen’s pinpoint command and four-pitch mix, highlighted by a plus curveball, allow him to dictate at-bats. He steps up in big moments and has been the steadying force for Arizona’s rise.

Knocking on the Door: The Next in Line

The line between ace and very good starter is thin. These pitchers have the tools and have shown flashes, but need either a full season of dominance or a key refinement to join the elite.

• George Kirby, Seattle Mariners: Perhaps the best command artist in the game. His walk rate is historically low. To ascend, scouts want to see him miss more bats in crucial counts.
• Luis Castillo, Seattle Mariners: Possesses undeniable ace “stuff” with his electric fastball-changeup combo. Consistency from start to start is the final hurdle.
• Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Los Angeles Dodgers: After a rocky start, his elite pedigree and diverse arsenal have shone through. A full season of MLB dominance will cement his place.
• Freddy Peralta, Milwaukee Brewers: His stuff is absolutely ace-caliber. Proving he can handle a 180+ inning workload is the last box to check.
• Chris Sale, Atlanta Braves: A resurgent force, showing he still has the vicious slider and competitive fire. Maintaining health over a full season is the key.

The Future of the Ace

The definition of an ace is evolving, but its essence remains. It’s not just about ERA or strikeouts; it’s about bearing the weight of a franchise’s expectations and delivering, start after start. The pitchers on our list blend historic stuff with mental fortitude and proven performance.

Looking ahead, the health of stars like Cole and Strider will be paramount, while the continued rise of Skubal signals a potential changing of the guard. The pursuit of pitching perfection is relentless, and these 11 aces represent the current pinnacle. They are the rare talents who transform a game from a contest into a must-see event, reminding us why the starting pitcher, in all his dominance, remains the most captivating figure on the diamond.

Source: Based on news from ESPN.