This older page keeps its original criteria and votes. Seasonal editions use separate pages.
Votes do not carry between phases. Write in a new player to build support for an honorable mention and an evidence-based review. All-time and fantasy rankings remain separate.Saved 2026-08-12 snapshot, not a live ranking. A current, subjective ranking balancing 2026 performance, dominance, workload, command, and established ace quality. Tarik Skubal and Paul Skenes lead a deep group that also includes rising young stars and proven veterans.
Skubal combines elite run prevention, frontline strikeout ability, dependable workload, and broad consensus as one of baseball’s premier aces.
MLB’s 2026 power rankings identify him as an AL ERA leader, while multiple 2026 rankings place him among the sport’s top starters.Skenes pairs extraordinary stuff with dominant early-career results and remains a consensus-level ace despite a less settled 2026 campaign.
Sports Illustrated cites his historic early dominance, while ESPN and other rankings place him in the top ace tier.Wheeler’s long record of excellence and leading recent pitcher WAR keeps him near the top even as age introduces some uncertainty.
ESPN reports that Wheeler leads pitchers in WAR since 2021, supporting his elite sustained value and ace standing.Misiorowski has overwhelming velocity, elite contact suppression, and a rapidly growing case as the National League’s most electric young ace.
MLB rankings highlight his.147 batting average allowed, while Bleacher Report cites his 103-plus mph velocity and homerless streak.Yamamoto combines elite results, major-league adaptation, championship pedigree, and premium projection, with workload as the main limitation.
ESPN and Just Baseball emphasize his elite first two MLB seasons, two World Series titles, and extraordinary contract status.Three independent write-ins unlock an honorable mention. The 10 strongest active mentions are shown; inactive mentions archive after 12 months. This legacy player snapshot has no verified phase. Use a separate seasonal page.
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The five criteria create the AI baseline. The community adjustment is then added or subtracted to produce the current published score.
| Criterion | #1Tarik Skubal | #2Paul Skenes | #3Zack Wheeler | #4Jacob Misiorowski | #5Yoshinobu Yamamoto |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 97 | 94 | 92 | 96 | 93 | |
| 94 | 99 | 93 | 97 | 92 | |
| 93 | 88 | 92 | 83 | 86 | |
| 94 | 92 | 91 | 87 | 95 | |
| 98 | 98 | 97 | 95 | 96 | |
| AI baseline scoreWeighted criteria result | 95.1 | 94.2 | 92.6 | 92.2 | 92.0 |
| Community adjustmentVote-share influence | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
| Current published scoreBaseline + community | 95 | 94 | 93 | 92 | 92 |
The five criteria create the AI baseline. The community adjustment is then added or subtracted to produce the current published score.
| Criterion | #1Tarik Skubal | #2Paul Skenes | #3Zack Wheeler | #4Jacob Misiorowski | #5Yoshinobu Yamamoto |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 97 | 94 | 92 | 96 | 93 | |
| 94 | 99 | 93 | 97 | 92 | |
| 93 | 88 | 92 | 83 | 86 | |
| 94 | 92 | 91 | 87 | 95 | |
| 98 | 98 | 97 | 95 | 96 | |
| AI baseline scoreWeighted criteria result | 95.1 | 94.2 | 92.6 | 92.2 | 92.0 |
| Community adjustmentVote-share influence | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
| Current published scoreBaseline + community | 95 | 94 | 93 | 92 | 92 |
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Left-handed starter
Right-handed starter
2026 MLB season
2026 MLB season
AL ERA leader cited
Historic early dominance cited
Ace-level consensus
Frontline ace
Scores combine current 2026 results, strikeout and command indicators, workload, durability, and broader ace consensus from official statistics and reputable rankings. The list reflects evidence available through September 8, 2026.