With legendary pitchers such as Max Scherzer, Clayton Kershaw and Justin Verlander fading from the top, a new generation of young starters and some veterans has risen to prominence and the competition for the title of "best pitcher" has never been more intense. Here's a list of the best pitchers of the 2025 season as voted by MLB players:

1. Tarik Skubal (Tigers)
Schubal was elected by a landslide, more than double the number of votes cast in second place. After undergoing flexor tendon surgery in August 2022, he returned in July 2023 and has since delivered 2.51 ERAs over 272.1 innings and delivered 330 strikeouts to just 49 drives. In the 2024 season, he won the Triple Crown of the American Union pitchers with a 2.39 ERA, 228 strikeouts and 18 wins, and was unanimously elected as the winner of the Cy Young Award.

"It's hard not to pick Skubal, who was the best pitcher last year," said one American League first baseman. In the playoffs, he conceded just five points on 19 innings and made 20 strikeouts, almost single-handedly taking the Tigers into Game 5 of the American League Divisional Series.

2. Zack Wheeler (Phillies of the Phillies )
Since joining the Phillies in 2020, Wheeler has consistently ranked among the top pitchers. Over the past five seasons, he has averaged 829.1 innings and has a 2.94 ERA. In the past four seasons, he has been ranked in the top 10 of the National League Yang Awards three times, and in 2024 he ranked second with a 2.57 ERA and 224 strikeouts.

"He's just as good on the big field," one American League starting pitcher commented. In the playoffs, he pitched 70.1 innings, Wheeler had a low ERA of 2.18, and delivered 77 strikeouts and only 14 of them.

3. Paul Skenes (Pirates)
The 2023 draft pick was quickly proven worthy, with a 1.96 ERA in 133 innings in his rookie year, 170 strikeouts, a 33.1% strikeout rate, and a 6.2% retention rate. He dominated the field with a 98.8mph four-seam speedball and a 94mph signature "Splinker," winning the National League Rookie of the Year and finishing in the top three in the Celerian Awards.

"His ball speed and control were incredible," one American League third baseman admired. This spring, Skins also showed off his new carter.

4. Chris Sale (Warriors)
It's surprising that he won the Syyan Award for the first time at the age of 35, but what is even more surprising is that he can return to the top. After leaving the injury-ridden Red Sox years, Searle switched to the Warriors in the 2024 season to win the National League pitcher treble (2.38 ERAs, 225 strikeouts, 18 wins).

"He's just amazing," one National League third baseman commented. Searle's 95mph speedball with a lethal slider and a speedball has a 32.1 percent strikeout rate and a 5.6 percent clearance rate.

5. Jacob deGrom (Rangers)
Despite his injuries in recent years, De Grom is well regarded by his peers. After undergoing surgery with Tommy John in June 2023, he returned in September to complete three starts. Since 2020, he has a 2.10 ERA on 265.1 innings, a 41.5% strikeout, and a 4.2% drive.

"He's the best pitcher when he's healthy," said one League of Nations rescue pitcher. De Grom is in good form this spring and is expected to have a crucial season.

Other voted pitchersEmmanuel Clase, Gerrit Cole (not injured at the time of voting), Corbin Burnes, Garrett Crochet, Blake Snell, Logan Gilbert, Jhoan Duran, Dylan Brown. Dylan Cease, Sandy Alcantara, Tyler Glasnow, Shane McClanahan, Max Fried, Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Shohei Ohtani, Nathan Jovaldi Eovaldi), Justin Verlander