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MLB: Will We Ever See Another Pitcher Reach 300 Wins?

By Benno Martens

May 21, 2016; Cincinnati, OH, USA; Seattle Mariners starting pitcher Felix Hernandez (34) throws against the Cincinnati Reds during the second inning at Great American Ball Park. Mandatory Credit: David Kohl-USA TODAY Sports
May 21, 2016; Cincinnati, OH, USA; Seattle Mariners starting pitcher Felix Hernandez (34) throws against the Cincinnati Reds during the second inning at Great American Ball Park. Mandatory Credit: David Kohl-USA TODAY Sports /
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The zero percent club

May 18, 2016; Kansas City, MO, USA; Boston Red Sox starting pitcher David Price (24) delivers a pitch in the first inning against the Kansas City Royals at Kauffman Stadium. Boston won 5-2. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports
May 18, 2016; Kansas City, MO, USA; Boston Red Sox starting pitcher David Price (24) delivers a pitch in the first inning against the Kansas City Royals at Kauffman Stadium. Boston won 5-2. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports /

There are a number of pitchers who, based on just the eye test, one would assume have at least an outside chance of reaching 300 wins before they hang up their spikes. According to the Favorite Toy calculation, though, the following three have no shot at all: Justin Verlander, David Price, and Rick Porcello.

Verlander leads this group with 160 career wins, and he’s only 33 years old, but he’s now five years removed from his MVP/Cy Young season in 2011, and his numbers have slipped. The righty dealt with arm problems in 2015, and though he has experienced a resurgence of sorts in 2016, he does not have the dominant ball club behind him that he once had.

Related Story: The 5 biggest outlier seasons by active MLB hitters

Price is in his ninth big league season at the age of 30 and has 110 wins. Playing for a few middling Tampa Bay Rays teams prevented that number from being higher, but last season he won 18 and has six through his first nine starts in 2016. Pitching for a Red Sox club loaded with young talent that looks as though it could be a perennial contender could improve his outlook.

Porcello may seem like an odd name to have in the mix, but prior to a disastrous 2015 that saw him go 9-15 in Boston, he was among those pitchers that Favorite Toy gave a chance to reach 300 wins. Only 27 years old, with seven wins in his first nine starts this season, and having the same team behind him that Price does, Porcello could put his name back into contention by year’s end.

Next: So you're saying there's a chance?

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