Get ready for a baseball debate that’s hotter than a 100-mph fastball—who truly reigns as the best starting pitcher in the MLB today? As spring training kicks into high gear, ESPN’s Buster Olney has unleashed his 2026 positional rankings, and the starting pitcher category is already sparking fiery discussions. But here’s where it gets controversial: the battle between Tarik Skubal and Paul Skenes has left even the sharpest baseball minds scratching their heads. And this is the part most people miss—it’s not just about stats; it’s about legacy, longevity, and the intangible dominance that makes hitters whisper, ‘There’s nothing I can do.’
Olney’s annual series, which surveys industry insiders, dives deep into the 2026 season’s top talent. But let’s be clear: this isn’t about predicting future stars or career arcs—it’s about who’s right now at the pinnacle of their game. Over the next two weeks, we’ll dissect every position, starting with the aces of the mound. Here’s the lineup: relievers (2/17), catchers (2/18), first basemen (2/19), second basemen (2/20), third basemen (2/23), shortstops (2/24), corner outfielders (2/25), center fielders (2/26), and designated hitters (2/27).
The Skubal vs. Skenes debate is a statistical tug-of-war. Skenes boasts a jaw-dropping 217 ERA+ from last season, while Skubal trails slightly at 187. But flip the script to strikeout rates, and Skubal’s 32.2% whiff rate edges out Skenes’ 29.5%. Command? Skubal’s 4.4% walk rate is microscopic, though Skenes isn’t far behind at 5.7%. One evaluator even argues Skenes’ control of the running game gives him the edge—but Skubal’s allowed just six steals in 13 attempts over the past two seasons, compared to Skenes’ 10 in 13. Is this enough to crown Skenes, or does Skubal’s left-handed advantage and back-to-back Cy Young awards seal the deal?
Here’s the twist: when hitters face these two, there’s no trash talk, no bravado—just silence. ‘You can get something to swing at against most pitchers,’ one AL coach admitted. ‘But with Skubal and Skenes, it’s just different.’ So, who takes the crown? Olney places Skubal at No. 1, citing his southpaw edge and longer dominance, but Skenes isn’t far behind at No. 2. Do you agree, or is this ranking a swing and a miss?
The rest of the top 10 includes Yoshinobu Yamamoto, whose playoff heroics and .183 opponent batting average make a case for higher placement, but his limited regular-season innings keep him at No. 3. Garrett Crochet (No. 4) and Cristopher Sanchez (No. 5) round out the top five, with Crochet’s 255 strikeouts and Sanchez’s breakout 2025 season earning their spots. Hunter Brown (No. 6), Max Fried (No. 7), Logan Webb (No. 8), Chris Sale (No. 9), and Jacob deGrom (No. 10) complete the list, each bringing unique strengths to the mound.
Honorable mentions like Blake Snell, Zack Wheeler, and Gerrit Cole remind us of the thin line between greatness and injury. Who do you think deserves a spot in the top 10? And is Olney’s ranking fair, or is it time to reshuffle the deck? Let’s hear your take in the comments—this debate is far from over.
