MLB Position Power Rankings: Predicting Top 10 Stars at Each Position for 2019

Max ScherzerNick Wass/Associated Press

Top 10 Starting Pitchers

1. Max Scherzer, Washington Nationals—9.1 WAR
2. Chris Sale, Boston Red Sox—8.7 WAR
3. Justin Verlander, Houston Astros—8.2 WAR
4. Corey Kluber, Cleveland Indians—7.7 WAR
5. Jacob deGrom, New York Mets—7.2 WAR
6. Aaron Nola, Philadelphia Phillies—7.0 WAR
7. Walker Buehler, Los Angeles Dodgers—6.6 WAR
8. Blake Snell, Tampa Bay Rays—6.3 WAR
9. German Marquez, Colorado Rockies—5.9 WAR
10. Gerrit Cole, Houston Astros—5.8 WAR

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Mets ace Jacob deGrom was historically good in 2018.

However, historically good seasons are historically difficult to duplicate. DeGrom belongs in the conversation, but what he did last year doesn’t automatically earn him the No. 1 spot.

That instead goes to Max Scherzer, who has been consistently excellent and remarkably durable for six years running. During that span, he’s gone 107-40 with a 2.81 ERA and 0.98 WHIP while averaging 270 strikeouts in 219 innings. The scary thing is, he might still be getting better, as he set career bests in strikeouts (300) and strikeouts per nine innings (12.2) last season.

Likewise, Chris Sale, Justin Verlander and Corey Kluber all lost out to Blake Snell for AL Cy Young honors last season, yet all three still rank ahead of him. Remember, we’re projecting what’s going to happen in 2019, not ranking guys based on 2018 performance. Track record plays a role.

Aaron Nola led all pitchers with 10.5 WAR last season after entering 2018 with just 6.0 WAR for his career. For all the flashy additions the Phillies have made on the offensive side, Nola remains their most important player as the leader of the rotation.

Looking for a pitcher who is ready to take the next step?

NL West foes Walker Buehler and German Marquez both look primed to join the ranks of the game’s elite.

Buehler posted a 1.62 ERA, 0.77 WHIP and a .137 opponents’ batting average in a dominant month of September that could serve as a springboard to a run at NL Cy Young. Meanwhile, Marquez finished fourth in the NL with 230 strikeouts while posting better peripherals than breakout teammate Kyle Freeland.

The final spot goes to Gerrit Cole, who will once again join Verlander in giving the Astros a pair of AL Cy Young candidates.

Notably absent from this list is Clayton Kershaw. The Dodgers ace is already dealing with shoulder inflammation this spring, and he’s averaged just 25 starts the past three seasons. When he’s on the mound, he’s still one of the best around. But he’s a reasonable bet to miss 10 or so starts, which makes it hard to project him for an elite-level WAR.

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