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MLB: Picking the top 5 rotations coming into the 2023 season

ByJack McKenney|
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 07: Gerrit Cole #45 of the New York Yankees in action against the Minnesota Twins at Yankee Stadium on September 07, 2022 in the Bronx borough of New York City. The Yankees defeated the Twins 7-1. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 07: Gerrit Cole #45 of the New York Yankees in action against the Minnesota Twins at Yankee Stadium on September 07, 2022 in the Bronx borough of New York City. The Yankees defeated the Twins 7-1. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)
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HOUSTON, TEXAS – NOVEMBER 05: Framber Valdez #59 of the Houston Astros reacts after the third out against the Philadelphia Phillies during the fourth inning in Game Six of the 2022 World Series at Minute Maid Park on November 05, 2022 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
HOUSTON, TEXAS – NOVEMBER 05: Framber Valdez #59 of the Houston Astros reacts after the third out against the Philadelphia Phillies during the fourth inning in Game Six of the 2022 World Series at Minute Maid Park on November 05, 2022 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)

2. Houston Astros

Framber Valdez, Christian Javier, Lance McCullers Jr., Luis Garcia, Jose Urquidy/Hunter Brown

It’s amazing how you can lose both Justin Verlander and Gerrit Cole, yet still maintain one of the best rotations in baseball.

Despite the recent loss of Verlander, the Astros still have arguably the best rotation in the game. The group is headlined by Framber Valdez and Christian Javier, both of whom made incredible strides last year. Valdez made MLB history last season, throwing 25 consecutive quality starts, breaking Jacob deGrom’s previous record of 24. Valdez finished the 2022 season at 17-6 with a 2.82 ERA, finishing fifth in Cy Young voting, earning him his first All-Star appearance. Meanwhile, Javier was incredible in the 2022 postseason, posting a 0.71 ERA over 12.2 innings. Javier pitched a career-high 144 innings this year, lowering his ERA to a career-low of 2.54. It’s no surprise he’s MLB.com’s preseason pick to be the AL Cy Young winner.

Similar to Tyler Glasnow, Lance McCullers Jr. came back late in the regular season, posting a terrific 2.27 ERA over 47 innings. McCullers did have a rocky postseason, most notably in Game 3 of the World Series where he surrendered five homers in just 4.1 innings pitched.

It was rather a quiet postseason for Luis Garcia, who received just over 5.2 innings during this postseason. The former AL ROY candidate is a testament to just how deep this pitching staff is. With Verlander gone, it’s time for Garcia to take the next step and pitch some important playoff innings.

Another guy who is fully capable of this role is the ever-reliable veteran Jose Urquidy, who would likely be a top three starter on most ball clubs. However, in this deep group, he’s in the number five spot. While Urquidy isn’t flashy, he’s incredibly consistent and durable.

By far the most intriguing pitcher on this staff is rookie Hunter Brown.

The top prospect displayed incredible stuff in his September call-up, showcasing a 97-98 mph rising fastball, paired with a nasty 12-6 curve. What exactly will Brown’s role be? Will he be able to earn starts and compete for innings within this deep group or will we see him out the bullpen like we did this postseason?

The Houston Astros pitching staff is truly a machine. Even after losing Justin Verlander, Charlie Morton, and Gerrit Cole, they’ve still managed to maintain a World Series-caliber rotation.

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