Favorite Pitchers: 25 and Younger

by John Sickels on Mar 29, 2026 3:00 PM EDT

March 25, 2012; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Clayton Kershaw (22) throws against the Milwaukee Brewers in the first inning at Maryvale Baseball Park. Mandatory Credit: Rick Scuteri-US PRESSWIRE

25 and Younger: the Top Dozen Pitchers

I have been asked several times to rank the 25-and-younger crowd of major league players and where I see their careers going. Here are the Top 12. I am not including anyone who is still a technical rookie. There will be a separate alphabetical list for guys not in the top 12 later this afternoon.

Note that there is a lot of very promising young pitching in the majors right now. Don't freak out if your favorite is not on this Top 12 list...several of the guys I'll write up this afternoon were in consideration.

Top 12 PITCHERS, 25 and Younger

1) Clayton Kershaw, LHP, Los Angeles Dodgers: Age 24. Dramatically improved his command last year of overpowering stuff. Assuming he stays healthy he's got a good chance to be the best pitcher of his generation.

2) Stephen Strasburg, RHP, Washington Nationals: Age 23. Outstanding when healthy. Will he stay that way? That's the only concern.

3) Madison Bumgarner, LHP, San Francisco Giants: Age 22. Superb command. As with all of these guys, if he stays healthy he'll be a mainstay for a long time.

4) Tommy Hanson, RHP, Atlanta Braves: Age 25. Rock-steady performance record marred only by last season's health concerns.

5) Michael Pineda, RHP, New York Yankees: Age 23. At this stage I'm not sure what to make of the lower velocity reports this spring, so this ranking assumes he's healthy.

6) Mat Latos, RHP, Cincinnati Reds: Age 24. Were the Padres selling high here?

7) Jeremy Hellickson, RHP, Tampa Bay Rays: Age 25: He went to my high school so I'm obligated to like him. I'd like to see fewer walks this year.

8) Brandon Beachy, RHP, Atlanta Braves: Age 25. I don't think he was a fluke. What a terrific bit of scouting and development here by the Braves farm system.

9) Craig Kimbrel, RHP, Atlanta Braves: Age 24. Depending on how you value relievers as opposed to starters, you could rank him as high as three or four.

10) Neftali Feliz, RHP, Texas Rangers: Age 24: I love his arm, but the spike in his walk rate last year was notable, and I'm not really wild about this switch to starting.

11) Jhoulys Chacin, RHP, Colorado Rockies: Age 24. He needs to get the walks down, but I remain very impressed with his upside.

12) Mike Minor, LHP, Atlanta Braves: Age 24. I think he's going to take a huge step forward this year, so I'll take a bit of a gamble and rank him here. I'm not a fan of the Braves, so the placement of four Braves in this top dozen should not be considered a sign of bias.

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Read More: Clayton Kershaw (P - LOS), Neftali Feliz (P - TEX), Mat Latos (P - CIN), Jhoulys Chacin (P - COL), Tommy Hanson (P - ATL), Madison Bumgarner (P - SFG), Stephen Strasburg (P - WAS), Jeremy Hellickson (P - TAM), Craig Kimbrel (P - ATL), Mike Minor (P - ATL), Michael Pineda (P - NYY), Brandon Beachy (P - ATL), San Diego Padres, Texas Rangers, New York Yankees, Tampa Bay Rays, Washington Nationals, Colorado Rockies, San Francisco Giants, Cincinnati Reds, Atlanta Braves, Los Angeles Dodgers

Comments

Vance Worley

Worley is better than most of these pitchers.

Most arguments are really about context.

by SheaWasBettor21 on Mar 29, 2026 3:12 PM EDT reply actions

By a large margin in some cases.

Most arguments are really about context.

by SheaWasBettor21 on Mar 29, 2026 3:13 PM EDT up reply actions

Let's see a list and the cases for Worley over them then

by nixa37 on Mar 29, 2026 3:25 PM EDT up reply actions

more goes into this than just stats. but i am a worley fan and have been since he was in college

by John Sickels on Mar 29, 2026 3:23 PM EDT up reply actions

Agreed

Worley does have great FIP, K/BB ratios, which makes me like him a lot as a pitcher, but I do have a couple of concerns:

1.) If you take a look at the plate discipline numbers on Fangraphs, Worley has a lot of warts that could come into fruition this year. Hitters had an 87.2 percent contact rate against him last year (a seven percent increase from the year before) and his whiff rate went from 6.4 to 5.5 percent. Now, a lot of contact isn’t a bad thing if you’re a groundball pitcher, but he isn’t, as his FB/FB ratio was only 1.06 last year.

2.) Very fastball reliant, which is fine if you have a plus fastball, but Worley doesn’t as it only averaged 90.2 MPH last year. He threw it 66 percent of the time and his slider about 22 percent. If he wants to prove that he’s not a fluke, than he’s going to have to develop a third pitch that he’s more confident in, because he won’t get away being a starter with a fastball that sits in the low 90’s.

3.) Has had pretty favorable BABIP numbers (sub. 300 in his two stints in the Majors). Doesn’t mean everything, but if the BABIP spikes, it could be something to watch out for.

Overall, Worley’s a good pitcher and in his spot in the rotation, he certainly is a luxury for the Phillies to have. But, to say he’s better than most pitchers on this list? I would say I would take Worley over Chacin (too inconsistent) and probably Minor (too unproven), but other than that, I take all the other guys over Worley at this point going forward.

Optioned to Fresno
A San Francisco Giants Minor League Blog

by objesguy on Mar 29, 2026 5:10 PM EDT up reply actions

You’ve probably already read this, but if not, it might be of some interest.

Its all about the []_[]
#FirePaulHolmgren

by philiafan14364 on Mar 29, 2026 6:10 PM EDT up reply actions

Thanks for passing that

I understand that I cannot look at such a small sample and make my evaluation on Worley solely on that. But, to me, a pitcher with his kind of strikeout numbers with such discrepancies in contact rate and swinging strike percentage is a bit of a mystery. I’m not saying he still can’t be a good pitcher, and I think he already is at a high level as it is. Worley has done a fantastic job as a pro. He a.) shows a lot of confidence for someone his age (seriously, he was an afterthought in the “dream” rotation last year and he was one of their best pitchers) and b.) he did a tremendous job getting himself in shape. Being from Sacramento, I actually saw him play and played against him, and he gained a TON of weight from high school to college. However, he got himself into shape and now is proving to be quite good. I think those two factors have played a huge role in his success.

But, to look at objective data, I’m interested to see if a pitcher, who gives up as much contact as he did last year, will be able to sustain the amount of success over a full career. It’s not just that his contact rate is a few points above league average, it’s over seven percent. Add that with the fact that he is not a groundball-heavy pitcher, and it makes you wonder. I just feel like in terms of the comment I was replying to above, the poster was saying “this guy is better than most of those guys” John listed above almost as if there wasn’t any doubt. Worley may end up being better (I’m very skeptical of Hellickson too), but to say it NOW after one year of data, where there is some questionable data available, to me is rash.

Optioned to Fresno
A San Francisco Giants Minor League Blog

by objesguy on Mar 30, 2026 1:57 AM EDT up reply actions

I would take MInor over worley in a heartbeat...

Worley will not be able to sustain his 2011 over the course of his career for numerous reasons. Minor is a hard throwing lefty who is superior in talent and his numbers will reflect that sooner than later….

"On [umpire] Jeff Kellogg taking a foul tip to the groin: ‘Two balls, one strike.’"

by James Westfall on Mar 30, 2026 12:30 PM EDT up reply actions

Not sure if serious.

"The bird is struggling out of the egg. The egg is the world. Whoever wants to be born, must first destroy a world."- Hermann Hesse, "Demian".

by Stupendous Man on Mar 29, 2026 4:02 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions

+1

by dbreer23 on Mar 29, 2026 5:07 PM EDT up reply actions

i wouldnt take that worley bird

Over one of the pitchers listed above, not even close.

by St.Steve on Mar 29, 2026 6:33 PM EDT up reply actions

Finally something that makes sense

Worley posted nice stats last year but I don’t think he even is in the conversation with the 12 guys posted here

by sportsfreak2744 on Mar 29, 2026 11:58 PM EDT up reply actions

+1

"On [umpire] Jeff Kellogg taking a foul tip to the groin: ‘Two balls, one strike.’"

by James Westfall on Mar 30, 2026 12:30 PM EDT up reply actions

Kershaw greatness and Strasburg warning

Enjoyed the list.

No doubt Kershaw is special. Not just Cy Young Award special but Hall of Fame probable.

Strasburg’s talent is off the charts. However, how many phenoms have been ruined by injury. Cautiously optimistic with him. Very cautious though.

Chacin is one that can look top of the rotation good then walk the house the next game. He kind of resembles Jorge De La Rosa to me. If Chacin can learn to control his stuff, he can be a dynamite pitcher. I’m not seeing no. 1 starter, but definitely no. 2 as a ceiling, with his likely floor that of a very good no. 3.

Hanson, Hellickson and Bumgarner, I’m high on each too.

Love Kimbrel.

Good stuff, John.

Colorado Rockies’ Prospects Report
&
Rockies Analyst

by Mjay424 on Mar 29, 2026 3:27 PM EDT reply actions

chacin's floor is much lower than a very good #3...

his inability to find the strike zone is alarming….his floor is closer to an average #4 if he cant figure it out…also the dramatic drop in K/9 from 2010 to 2011 makes his control even more important..

"On [umpire] Jeff Kellogg taking a foul tip to the groin: ‘Two balls, one strike.’"

by James Westfall on Mar 29, 2026 4:22 PM EDT up reply actions

Did Jordan Zimmermann warrant consideration on your list?

by limozeen on Mar 29, 2026 3:47 PM EDT reply actions

Not eligible

Despite being 25 at the moment, this is his age 26 season. Assuming John is keeping the same rules as he did for the hitters, that makes him ineligible.

by nixa37 on Mar 29, 2026 3:56 PM EDT up reply actions

yeah this

by John Sickels on Mar 29, 2026 5:01 PM EDT up reply actions

Ah, sorry then. I wasn’t sure if he was 25 either, so I just looked him up on ESPN and saw he was.

by limozeen on Mar 30, 2026 4:27 PM EDT up reply actions

Jordan Zimmermann

Yeah, I’m mildly freaked. Sorry! I know he’s got to be close to appearing on this list.
I’d definitely argue that Z should be ahead of Chacin right now, but thanks for this list!
I like it and appreciate your work.

by staugmarc on Mar 29, 2026 3:48 PM EDT reply actions

Zim counts as 26.

by John Sickels on Mar 29, 2026 5:02 PM EDT up reply actions

Dan Hudson?

by CaptainCanuck on Mar 29, 2026 3:48 PM EDT via mobile reply actions

I second this. Was Hudson close to making the cut?

"The bird is struggling out of the egg. The egg is the world. Whoever wants to be born, must first destroy a world."- Hermann Hesse, "Demian".

by Stupendous Man on Mar 29, 2026 4:03 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions

Really surprised hudson didn't make it

I could see a pretty strong case being made for Trevor Cahill too.

Buried Treasure - What if everything goes right?
Buried Treasure - Andrew McCutchen's trade value

by KentuckyPirate on Mar 29, 2026 4:55 PM EDT up reply actions

oh yeah. I love hudson.

by John Sickels on Mar 29, 2026 5:02 PM EDT up reply actions

brett anderson

when he’s on (and healthy) his stuff is absolutely nasty. he’ll be oakland’s new ace if he comes back strong.

Snoochies

by guessatomo on Mar 29, 2026 4:17 PM EDT reply actions

more guys are coming later

Ease back. Good list, I bet nixa approves.

by St.Steve on Mar 29, 2026 4:18 PM EDT reply actions

I'm not sure I'd rank Hanson that high

I’m glad John included Minor though. I think he’s poised for a huge breakout this year.

by nixa37 on Mar 29, 2026 4:32 PM EDT up reply actions

John

Who are you a fan of other than Minnesota?

by brent in Korea on Mar 29, 2026 4:47 PM EDT via mobile reply actions

Twins fans unite!

Where’s Liam Hendricks?! (<— sarcasm). I agree that Hanson appears too high on the list.

by OneTool on Mar 29, 2026 4:52 PM EDT reply actions

I look forward to reading your next article

FAVORITE PITCHERS: 49 and Older….

"On [umpire] Jeff Kellogg taking a foul tip to the groin: ‘Two balls, one strike.’"

by James Westfall on Mar 29, 2026 4:53 PM EDT reply actions

Satchel Paige!

by dbreer23 on Mar 29, 2026 5:16 PM EDT up reply actions

Felix Hernandez

does he not count because it’s technically his age 26 season or just not on the list?

by 200tang on Mar 29, 2026 4:59 PM EDT reply actions

Age 26 season

by nixa37 on Mar 29, 2026 5:00 PM EDT up reply actions

John's Favorite Player was in the news today...

“Orioles claimed infielder Zelous Wheeler off of waivers from the Brewers”

"On [umpire] Jeff Kellogg taking a foul tip to the groin: ‘Two balls, one strike.’"

by James Westfall on Mar 29, 2026 5:32 PM EDT reply actions

I got a Fever

And the only cure
Is more Zelous Wheeler

by John Sickels on Mar 29, 2026 5:34 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs

Nice

Baseball players are smarter than football players. How often do you see a baseball team penalized for too many men on the field? ~Jim Bouton, 1988

by Lyle on Mar 30, 2026 5:57 PM EDT up reply actions

WTF?

How are people complaining about where pitchers are ranked on this list? John has said that this is not a list of best players, they are his favorite players! How can you tell someone that a certain player is too high or should be higher when it’s a ranking of favorites? You all are ridiculous!

by Boxkutter on Mar 29, 2026 6:11 PM EDT reply actions