MLB Projections: Top 10 pitchers for the 2020 season
3. Max Scherzer, Washington Nationals
And now we come to the pièce de résistance; the big three if you will. We start off with Mad Max Scherzer, who since joining the Washington Nationals in 2015 has had one of the most magical runs for a starter in the history of the game.
In that time span, Scherzer a 79-39 (.669 W-L%) record with a 2.74 ERA and 1371 strikeouts. That especially impressive when you consider that Max has had five straight sub-3 ERA seasons; he’s also punched out 248 or more batters in each of those seasons.
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Now, the STEAMER system projects Scherzer to have a 14-9 record with a 3.19 ERA and 267 strikeouts. That would be a bit of a drop-off for Mad Max that, quite honestly, I agree with. He is 35-years-old and turning 36 during the season, so it would only be natural to see a slight decline.
2. Gerrit Cole, New York Yankees
After two magical seasons in Houston, Gerrit Cole established himself as arguably the best pitcher in baseball. One which resulted in the richest contract — a 9-year, $324M deal — for a pitcher in the history of the game.
Now, the STEAMER MLB projections system does expect a bit of a drop-off from where Cole was last season, but that’s to be expected for a player jumping in to one of the harshest environments in the sport. Steamer expects Cole to post a 15-8 record with a 3.17 ERA and a league-leading 280 strikeouts.
The Yankees would welcome that with open arms and thensome, especially considering all the bad news they’ve gotten this offseson.
1. Jacob deGrom, New York Mets
The STEAMER system projects 2x NL Cy Young award winner Jacob deGrom to be the best pitcher in baseball and, frankly, I agree. Once regarded as the third best pitcher in his own staff, deGrom has come a long way to prove all the nay sayers.
Now, he’s set up more than ever to be the best pitcher in the game and I wouldn’t be shocked if he secured himself a third straight Cy Young Award.
Steamer projects deGrom to post a 14-9 record with a 3.04 ERA and 258 strikeouts. I think those numbers are conservative and deGrom should have no problem winning more games and allowing fewer runs.
Those are you top 10 pitchers in the game according to the Steamer system. Disagree? Leave us a comment with your reactions!