11/03/2024

Dominant since 2019?


A couple of days ago, we just took a look at the hitters who have performed well since 2019. After reviewing the hitters’ performances, I guess it might be reasonable to review the pitchers’ performances.

 

So, I decided to check on the great Fangraphs website to review the pitchers’ performances from 2019 to 2024. Let’s see which pitchers have been dominant.

 

Strikeouts (2019~2024)

Player

SO

Gerrit Cole

1241

Aaron Nola

1182

Zack Wheeler

1094

Luis Castillo

1068

Charlie Morton

1053

Kevin Gausman

1024

Dylan Cease

1016

Corbin Burnes

Max Scherzer

958

 

From 2019 to 2024, Gerrit Cole is the only pitcher who threw more than 1200 strikeouts over these 6 seasons. In particular, he threw 326 strikeouts in 2019. At the same time, Aaron Nola has been a reliable starter for the Phillies and from 2019 to 2024, he struck out more than 1100 batters. Zack Wheeler threw 1094 strikeouts over these 6 seasons and 5 other pitchers each threw 1000+ batters.

 

Earned Run Average (2019~2024, min IP:700)

Player

ERA

Gerrit Cole

2.98

Max Scherzer

2.99

Shane Bieber

3.02

Max Fried

3.06

Zack Wheeler

3.14

Corbin Burnes

3.21

 

Secondly, let’s take a look at the ERA leaders. Gerrit Cole and Max Scherzer each have an ERA below 3 from 2019 to 2024. Cole tossed 971.1 innings over these 6 seasons. During these 6 seasons, there are 3 times that he finished the season with an ERA below 3. In the meantime, Max Scherzer has a 2.99 ERA in these 6 years and there are 3 times that he finished the season with an ERA below 3. Unfortunately, Shane Bieber only tossed 12 innings in 2024 and he had to undergo Tommy John surgery. However, he was a dominant starter when he was healthy. Bieber has a 3.02 ERA from 2019 to 2024, in particular, he was outstanding in 2020, posting a 1.63 ERA. Max Fried has an ERA below 3.10 in these 6 seasons.

 

Walks and hits per inning pitched
(2019~2024, min IP:700)

Player

WHIP

Gerrit Cole

1.00

Max Scherzer

1.02

Logan Gilbert

1.06

Corbin Burnes

1.07

Zack Wheeler

1.07

Yu Darvish

1.08

Shane Bieber

1.08

Zac Gallen

1.13

 

In addition, let’s look at WHIP. Gerrit Cole owns a 1.00 WHIP in these 6 seasons. There are 3 times that he finished a season with a WHIP below 1. In the meantime, Max Scherzer finished 2 seasons with a WHIP below 1 in these 6 years. From 2019 to 2024, Scherzer’s WHIP is 1.02. Moreover, Logan Gilbert made his MLB debut in 2021, so far in his career, his WHIP is 1.06. In particular, Gilbert owns a 0.89 WHIP in 2024. Furthermore, Corbin Burnes won the 2021 NL Cy Young award. However, an interesting thing is that back in 2019, he owned a 1.84 WHIP. But he has become a great starter in the majors. He finished the season with a WHIP below 1 in 2021 and 2022 each. Zack Wheeler has a 1.07 WHIP from 2019 to 2024 as well.

 

Wins above replacement
(2019~2024, min IP:700)

Player

fWAR

Zack Wheeler

29.3

Gerrit Cole

24.7

Aaron Nola

23.2

Kevin Gausman

21.5

Corbin Burnes

21.3

Max Scherzer

21.0

Sonny Gray

20.3

Luis Castillo

19.9

 

Finally, let’s look at wins above replacement. Zack Wheeler threw 1024.2 innings from 2019 to 2024 and his WAR is 29.3. Meanwhile, Gerrit Cole tossed 971.1 innings and owns a 24.7 WAR. Furthermore, Aaron Nola threw 1052.1 innings in these 6 seasons and his WAR is 23.2. At the same time, 4 other pitchers each have a WAR over 20.


Looking at these 6 seasons, we can clearly see several pitchers who have been dominant. Gerrit Cole is a Cy Young award winner and he surely is an elite starter. Additionally, Zack Wheeler and Aaron Nola have been teammates for 5 seasons. They haven’t won any Cy Young awards, but they have been quite consistent.

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