A few weeks ago, I listened to a podcast show. In the show, an analyst indicated that a pitcher has been the most durable over the last 7 seasons. The analyst kept saying that the pitcher has been one of the best pitchers in the majors.
While listening to the podcast show, I began to think about a question. Who are the most reliable pitchers over the last 7 seasons? And, how well did they pitch over the last 7 seasons?
To understand a little bit more, I decided to check on the great Fangraphs website.
From 2017 to 2023, there are 12 pitchers who threw at least 1000 innings. Gerrit Cole led the majors with 1279.2 innings. After making it into the big leagues in 2013, Cole has been one of the most trustworthy pitchers in the majors. From 2017 to 2023, there were 5 seasons that Cole tossed at least 200 innings. And we have to remember that the 2020 season was a shortened one. Last season, Cole was outstanding. He owned a 2.63 ERA and a 0.98 WHIP over 209 innings. Unanimously, Cole became the 2023 AL Cy Young award winner.
Aaron Nola is the other pitcher who threw at least 1200 innings over the last 7 seasons. Nola was selected by the Phillies in the first round of the 2014 draft and the next year, he made his MLB debut. It’s Nola’s 10th season in the majors. From 2017 to 2023, there were 3 times that Nola threw 200+ innings in a single season. Last season, he made 32 starts for the Phillies and tossed 193.2 innings.
It hasn’t been easy for Patrick Corbin over the last 3 seasons. From 2021 to 2023, he finished each season with an ERA over 5. However, he can eat innings. From 2017 to 2023, Corbin threw more than 1100 innings and last year, he ate 180 innings for the Nationals.
In addition, Jose Berrios threw 1155 innings over the last 7 seasons. He made 32 starts for the Blue Jays last year, posting a 3.65 ERA and a 1.19 WHIP in 189.2 innings.
Moreover, we can’t ignore two Cy Young award winners. Max Scherzer and Zack Greinke each tossed more than 1130 innings over the last 7 seasons. Max Scherzer won the 2017 NL Cy Young award and back then, he threw 200.2 innings with a 2.51 ERA and a 0.90 WHIP. In 2018, Scherzer tossed 220.2 innings, leading the majors. Additionally, from 2017 to 2019, Zack Greinke threw 200+ innings each season. In particular, he had a great season in 2019, posting a 2.93 ERA and a 0.98 WHIP over 208.2 innings.
Finally, Kyle Gibson threw 1100+ innings from 2017 to 2023 and 5 other pitchers tossed 1000+ innings.
When we look at the leaderboard of innings pitched from 2017 to 2023, there’s little doubt to show how great Gerrit Cole is. He’s one of the best pitchers in the majors and he has been so reliable. At the same time, Aaron Nola is very reliable in the Phillies rotation. Nonetheless, Cole began the 2024 season on the IL and he probably won’t be able to eat 200+ innings again this season. But we can keep an eye on the Phillies rotation and the Cardinals rotation. Aaron Nola and Zack Wheeler are two durable starters for the Phillies. The Cardinals have Lance Lynn and Kyle Gibson in the rotation and they both have shown their durability. In the 2024 season, it’ll be worth watching if they can throw more innings and pitch effectively.
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