Ranking pitchers is inherently difficult because they always seem to be just one twinge away from a serious injury. We've already seen several important starters – most recently Kodai Senga and Lucas Giolito – come down with injuries this spring, leaving their return dates uncertain.
While availability is always the best ability, overpowering stuff has to be a close second. That's why the Braves' Spencer Strider tops this year's list. There's a little extra distance between him and the rest of the National League after the Brewers traded Corbin Burnes, but fantasy managers can still be happy with workhorses Zack Wheeler, Zac Gallen, Aaron Nola or Logan Webb heading their staffs.
The Dodgers have a pair of wild cards in Tyler Glasnow and Yoshinobu Yamamoto, with youngster Bobby Miller a potential breakout this season. Even with ace Sandy Alcantara out for the season, the Marlins can still trot out Jesus Luzardo and Eury Perez as potential SP1 candidates. Glasnow, Michael King and Eduardo Rodriguez are among the top offseason arrivals from the AL.
Speaking of the American League, Cy Young winner Gerrit Cole heads a deep group of impact starters with 200-strikeout potential. Toronto's Kevin Gausman led the league a year ago with 237 whiffs, with Burnes, Pablo Lopez, Luis Castillo, Dylan Cease and Framber Valdez also reaching the 200-K mark.
As for who could take the next step this season, Tarik Skubal, Grayson Rodriguez and Cole Ragans look like the top candidates. And there are a number of potential injury stashes in the AL with Shane Baz, Kyle Bradish, John Means, Max Scherzer, Jeffrey Springs and Jacob deGrom targeting mid- to late-season returns.
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