Ranking All 30 MLB Starting Rotations
By Max Rayman
20) Oakland Athletics
Projected 2020 Starting Rotation: Sean Manaea, Frankie Montas, Jesús Luzardo, Mike Fiers, A.J. Puk,
2019 Stats: W/L 68-37, 4.02 ERA, 4.57 FIP, 11.8 fWAR
Simply put, the Athletics rotation was hard to rank. They have a rising ace in Sean Manaea, and a reliable veteran in Mike Fiers. Throw in the teams 2019 breakout star Frankie Montas, as well as top pitching prospects A.J. Puk and Jesús Luzardo, and that’s a recipe for success. So what’s the problem?
For starters, last season Montas tested positive for a banned substance and was suspended 80 games because of that. That will undoubtedly affect his performance for the upcoming season. Manaea only appeared in five games last season due to a shoulder injury and will need to prove that he is fully healthy. While Luzardo and Puk have been thriving in the minors, neither are proven commodities at the major leagues. Mike Fiers is the team’s only consistent pitcher. Until the others prove themselves, the Athletics rotation cannot go any higher.
19) San Diego Padres
Projected 2020 Starting Rotation: Chris Paddack, Dinelson Lamet, Garrett Richards, Zach Davies, Joey Lucchesi
2019 Stats: W/L 41-59, 4.66 ERA, 4.38 FIP, 10.1 fWAR,
The Padres starting rotation has come a long way over the last few years and it is still improving. For the time being, Chris Paddack will lead the rotation. He is coming off of a stellar rookie season, in which he went 9-7, with a 3.33 ERA, and 153 strikeouts. His 3.95 FIP backs his current progress. Joining him is Garrett Richards, Zach Davies, Dinelson Lamet, and Joey Lucchesi.
In the wings is uber-prospect, MacKenzie Gore (fifth-best prospect in baseball according to MLB Pipeline). It is unclear if Gore will finally make his MLB debut this season. If he does, this rotation could move up the rankings.
18) Milwaukee Brewers
Projected 2020 Starting Rotation: Brett Anderson, Corbin Burnes, Adrian Houser, Josh Lindblom, Brandon Woodruff
2019 Stats: W/L 44-40, 4.40 ERA, 4.59 FIP, 8.7 fWAR
The Milwaukee Brewers lack a true ace, but Brandon Woodruff has all of the qualities to take over that role. Last season he went 11-3, with a 3.62 ERA, and 143 strikeouts in 121.2/3 innings. He missed time due to an injury but was able to be the team’s starter for the Wild Card match against the Nationals. In that game, Woodruff impressed, holding the Nats to one run across four innings. Now that he has extended time to recover, expect Woodruff to build upon his successful 2019 season.
Behind Woodruff is plenty of question marks. Brett Anderson, Andrian Houser, Josh Lindblom, and Corbin Burnes are projected to be the teams 2-5 starters. Josh Lindblom is the team’s wild card, having spent the last few years in the KBO. He was named the 2019 KBO MVP and looks to make a home with the Brew Crew. Corbin Burnes has been on fire since training camp started back up. He will be looking to turn a corner after a rough 2019.
17) Toronto Blue Jays
Projected 2020 Starting Rotation: Hyun-Jin Ryu, Matt Shoemaker, Tanner Roark, Trent Thornton, Chase Anderson
2019 Stats: W/L 26-68, 5.25 ERA, 4.90 FIP, 7.1 fWAR
The Toronto Blue Jays made a splash this past off-season by inking Hyun-Jin Ryu to a four-year deal, worth $80 million. The 33-year-old is coming off of a career year where he went 14-5, with a 2.32 ERA, and 163 strikeouts, while finishing second in NL Cy Young voting. He will help bolster a starting staff that was 22nd in ERA and 23rd in FIP in 2019. Ryu will need to prove he can stay fully healthy, as 2019 was the first time since 2014 that he threw over 150 innings in a season.
Joining him is workhorse Tanner Roark. While he is no longer the pitcher he once was, Roark will provide plenty of innings. Since 2016, Roark has thrown 160+ innings a season,
Chase Anderson, Trent Thorton, and Matt Shoemaker round out the rotation. Top pitching prospect Nate Pearson could make an appearance towards the end of the season.
16) Chicago White Sox
Projected 2020 Starting Rotation: Lucas Giolito, Gio Gonzalez, Dallas Keuchel, Reynaldo Lopez, Dylan Cease
2019 Stats: W/L 48-68, 5.30 ERA, 5.03 FIP, 9.6 fWAR
The rotation took a hit when top pitching prospect, Michael Kopech announced he was opting out of the upcoming season. However, the White Sox have the pitching depth to make up for Kopech’s absence.
Lucas Giolito is the ace of the rotation, finally breaking out in 2019. After posting a 6.13 ERA and 5.56 FIP in 2018, Giolito went 14-9, with a 3.41 ERA, and 228 strikeouts. Joining him is 2015 AL Cy Young winner Dallas Keuchel, veteran Gio Gonzalez, and Reynaldo Lopez. Dylan Cease is projected to be the team’s fifth starter. Keuchel and Gonzalez are both innings eaters who add veteran and playoff experience to a team looking to take the next step.