MLB All-Decade Team 1990s Pitchers – Pedro Martinez and Greg Maddux
Hall of Fame pitcher Pedro Martinez did not start his brilliant career in the MLB until 1992, but that is enough playing time for him to make this All-Decade team.
Martinez separates himself from other strikeout pitchers such as Randy Johnson and Roger Clemens during the 1990s by limiting his walks.
Those other pitchers picked up better walk numbers later in their careers, but Martinez’s SO/W number during the 1990s was almost a full number higher than the others. His FIP was under 3.00 and his WHIP averaged 1.07.
Johnson’s numbers were slightly better than Clemens during the 1990s. His FIP averaged 3.17 with a WHIP of 1.20.
The Braves had a cornerstone rotation of Maddux, Glavine and Smoltz. The best of this trio of starters during the 1990s was Greg Maddux.
Maddux might not have put up big strikeout numbers like Clemens, Johnson, and Martinez, but his strikeout per walk number was higher than all of them.
Furthermore, Maddux managed a better FIP and WHIP than those other players during the 1990s as well. He led the league in FIP five years in a row. He stayed on the mound too. He led the league in Innings Pitched five consecutive years (1991-95).
That’s our look back at the 1990s MLB all-decade team with more perspective and distance. What do you think? Were there any players you felt were left off? Comment below!