With the MLB 2025 season's opener in late March, it's time to focus the spotlight on the league's most dominant starting pitchers.

These five aces have something to prove heading into 2025. Some want to take the next step after a breakout year, stage a comeback, or pursue Cy Young accolades.

Tarik Skubal (LHP, Detroit Tigers)

Top 5 Starting Pitchers Heading Into the 2025 MLB Season Top 5 Starting Pitchers Heading Into the 2025 MLB Season
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  • 2024 Stats: 18-4, 192 IP, 2.39 ERA, 228 Ks, 5.9 fWAR
  • 2025 ZiPS Projection: 13-7, 170 IP, 2.74 ERA, 196 Ks, 5.2 fWAR

The pack leader, Tarik Skubal, comes into 2025 as the best of the starting pitchers in Major League Baseball. Having just completed a Cy Young-caliber season, Skubal is in his prime and with no indication that he is losing steam.

With pinpoint control and top-tier strikeout material, he leads a Tigers rotation that might make another playoff run. Skubal's return to the mound to join Jack Flaherty should provide Detroit with its best 1-2 rotation combination in more than a decade.

Zack Wheeler (RHP, Philadelphia Phillies)

  • 2024 Stats: 16-7, 200 IP, 2.57 ERA, 224 Ks, 5.4 fWAR
  • 2025 ZiPS Projection: 13-7, 175 IP, 3.28 ERA, 184 Ks, 4.2 fWAR

Zack Wheeler has been the epitome of consistency and dominance in the National League. With 24.7 fWAR league-leading since 2020, Wheeler has set the bar as the gold standard for pitching in the modern era. His command, durability, and power to dominate well into games have him as a legitimate yearly Cy Young candidate.

Although he came up just short of the award last year, Wheeler is still the best of the NL bunch and a nightmare to face for hitters in the league.

Corbin Burnes (RHP, Arizona Diamondbacks)

  • 2024 Stats: 15-9, 194 IP, 2.92 ERA, 181 Ks, 3.7 fWAR
  • 2025 ZiPS Projection: 14-7, 181 IP, 2.97 ERA, 179 Ks, 3.8 fWAR

Now leading the Diamondbacks' rotation, Corbin Burnes heads into the season with great expectations in a new setting. Despite his strikeout totals decreasing in recent seasons, Burnes is still one of the most versatile pitchers in the game.

A dominant late-season run in 2024, including a 1.29 ERA over his last six starts, demonstrates he's still capable of overpowering hitters. Burnes' tactical development on the mound will be crucial to Arizona's postseason aspirations.

Paul Skenes (RHP, Pittsburgh Pirates)

  • 2024 Stats: 11-3, 133 IP, 1.96 ERA, 170 Ks, 4.3 fWAR
  • 2025 ZiPS Projection: 8-6, 151 IP, 3.25 ERA, 181 Ks, 3.7 fWAR

Paul Skenes was a rookie sensation last year, winning the NL Rookie of the Year and placing third in Cy Young voting. Now in his second season, Skenes hopes to reach 150 innings pitched and prove himself as an ace of the future.

Armed with electric talent and unshakable poise, the 22-year-old phenom could become the first pitcher since Dwight Gooden in 1985 to follow up a Rookie of the Year season with a Cy Young award.

Garrett Crochet (LHP, Boston Red Sox)

  • 2024 Stats: 6-12, 146 IP, 3.58 ERA, 209 Ks, 4.7 fWAR
  • 2025 ZiPS Projection: 12-6, 135 IP, 2.93 ERA, 169 Ks, 4.0 fWAR

Garrett Crochet might have had a losing record in 2024, but the stats don't begin to tell the tale. His 35.1% strikeout rate led all pitchers with 140 or more innings, illustrating his raw mastery on the mound.

With the Red Sox now, Crochet needs to ramp up the workload without sacrificing elite efficiency. If he can remain healthy and devour more innings, he has a chance to jump into AL Cy Young talks by year's end.