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The Best Young Starters Of 2019

By Connor Byrne | August 19, 2019 at 6:56pm CDT

We’re nearing the end of the 2019 regular season, a campaign which has featured plenty of valuable contributions from young starters. By my count, no fewer than 10 starters age 25 or younger have excelled this year. Several of them could continue helping their teams’ causes once the postseason rolls around in a couple months. In alphabetical order, let’s take a look at the best of the bunch…

Jose Berrios, RHP, Twins (age: 25; team control: eligible for arbitration after 2019; scheduled for free agency after 2022):

  • This has been the third straight quality season for Berrios, who has amassed 157 2/3 innings of 3.37 ERA/3.92 FIP ball with 8.56 K/9 and 2.17 BB/9. Aside from a rough debut in 2016, Berrios has been among the most impressive young starters in the game throughout his career.

Shane Bieber, RHP, Indians (age: 24; team control: eligible for arbitration after 2021; scheduled for free agency after 2024):

  • Bieber was terrific over a 114 2/3-inning debut in 2018, but he has been downright spectacular this year. While Bieber won the MVP of the All-Star Game, which was held in his team’s city of Cleveland, he has been even more impressive in meaningful action. Bieber owns a 3.27 ERA/3.32 FIP with 11.09 K/9 against 1.83 BB/9 in 162 1/3 frames of action. Only four starters have outdone Bieber’s K/BB ratio of 6.06.

Walker Buehler, RHP, Dodgers (age: 25; team control: eligible for arbitration after 2020; scheduled for free agency after 2024):

  • Buehler, whose fastball averages just under 97 mph, is one of the few starters to outperform Bieber in K/BB ratio (6.38). His 10.57 K/9 and 1.66 BB/9 have helped him log a sterling 3.31 ERA/3.00 FIP over 141 1/3 innings, thus aiding Buehler in replicating the phenomenal production he posted during his 137 1/3-frame rookie campaign a year ago.

Jack Flaherty, RHP, Cardinals (age: 23; team control: eligible for arbitration after 2020; scheduled for free agency after 2023):

  • One of the youngest starters on this youth-laden list, Flaherty was superb across 151 innings last year and has followed that up properly this season. While Flaherty owned an unattractive 4.90 ERA as recently as July 2, he has caught fire since then. In his most recent eight starts, Flaherty has yielded a mere five earned runs on 25 hits with 61 strikeouts and 14 walks in 50 1/3 innings. Flaherty now owns a 3.46 ERA/4.02 FIP and 10.39 K/9 against 2.89 BB/9 through 140 1/3 innings this season.

Lucas Giolito, RHP, White Sox (age: 25; team control: eligible for arbitration after 2020; scheduled for free agency after 2023):

  • As we covered in greater detail back in May, Giolito has figured it out this season. The former can’t-miss prospect was a disaster as recently as last year, but the 2019 version has recorded a nearly matching 3.41 ERA/3.37 FIP with 11.48 K/9 and 3.22 BB/9 in 142 2/3 innings. Giolito’s success has come thanks in part to a dramatic increase in velocity – after averaging 92.8 mph on his fastball in 2018, he’s up to 94.5 this season.

German Marquez, RHP, Rockies (age: 24; team control: signed through 2023 for a guaranteed five years and $43MM):

  • The hard-throwing Marquez doesn’t get nearly enough recognition, largely because he pitches in Colorado, but the fact that he’s able to succeed despite calling Coors Field home should earn him extra credit. He was an absolute strikeout machine in 2018, when he punched out 230 hitters in 196 innings en route to a 3.77 ERA/3.40 FIP. That convinced the Rockies to lock up Marquez at set prices for the foreseeable future. Good move on their part. Although Marquez hasn’t been as effective this season, any team would take the 4.71 ERA/3.95 FIP, 9.16 K/9 against 1.77 BB/9, and 50 percent groundball rate he has put up over 168 frames.

Chris Paddack, RHP, Padres (age: 23; eligible for arbitration after 2021; scheduled for free agency 2024):

  • Paddack has had a tough time over three August starts, but the former top prospect has nonetheless lived up to his pre-MLB billing this year. The rookie has registered a 3.44 ERA/4.21 FIP with 9.47 K/9 and 2.03 BB/9 in his first 115 major league innings. If you’re a fan of WHIP, Paddack’s minuscule 0.98 mark ties him with Astros stars Gerrit Cole and Zack Greinke for fourth among those who have tossed 100-plus innings in 2019.

Mike Soroka, RHP, Braves (age: 22; eligible for arbitration after 2020; scheduled for free agency after 2024):

  • We arrive at the youngest starter on this list, someone who’d have a better shot at NL Rookie of the Year honors if not for the exploits of Mets first baseman Pete Alonso and Padres shortstop Fernando Tatis Jr. But Soroka will definitely get some votes in his own right, especially considering he’s the premier starter on a team with legitimate World Series aspirations. The sinker-reliant Soroka has managed a brilliant 2.41 ERA/3.29 FIP with 7.15 K/9, 2.21 BB/9 and a groundball percentage of 54.0 through 134 2/3 innings this season.

Injury omissions:

None of the Yankees’ Luis Severino, the Angels’ Shohei Ohtani or the Astros’ Lance McCullers Jr. have thrown a pitch this season because of injuries. The 25-year-old Severino, who could still take the mound sometime in the next couple months, may be the most enticing pitcher of the trio. He was a true ace from 2017-18, a 384 2/3-inning span in which he pitched to a 3.18 ERA/3.01 FIP with 10.53 K/9 against 2.27 BB/9. Ohtani, also 25, only racked up 51 2/3 frames during his debut season in 2018, but the two-way star wowed then with a 3.31 ERA/3.57 FIP and 10.97 K/9 against 3.83 BB/9. And McCullers, yet another 25-year-old, combined for 453 2/3 innings of 3.67 ERA/3.24 FIP ball with 10.1 K/9, 3.53 BB/9 and a strong 54.6 percent groundball rate from 2015-18 before joining Ohtani in undergoing Tommy John surgery last fall.

Honorable mentions:

No disrespect to the Braves’ Max Fried (25) or the Cardinals’ Dakota Hudson (24), but they’re overshadowed by better teammates in Soroka and Flaherty, respectively.

Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.

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View Comments (56)

Comments

  1. Judge Judy

    3 years ago

    No Domingo German????

    Reply
    • mkeyankee

      3 years ago

      or Brandon Woodruff? This list is alright but looks like it was thrown together in 5 minutes just to post and get paid.

      Reply
      • Cam

        3 years ago

        And you clearly spent less than 5 minutes reading it, because you missed the very first paragraph that said “25 or younger”. Woodruff is 26.

        Don’t throw stones from your cardboard box.

        Reply
        • Bocephus

          3 years ago

          ouch, that’s gonna leave a serious mark.

    • AZPat

      3 years ago

      25 or younger. He’s too old

      Reply
  2. DrCrawdad2009

    3 years ago

    I thought you might include Domingo German.

    Reply
    • DrCrawdad2009

      3 years ago

      Never mind. He is 27

      Reply
  3. chuckster

    3 years ago

    No German feels kinda disrespectful. Woodruff has been good too prior to IL stint

    Reply
    • JDGoat

      3 years ago

      He hasn’t really been that great outside of W-L record which is out of his control.

      Reply
    • PopeMarley

      3 years ago

      Read the article bruh. WTF

      Reply
  4. slugger82685

    3 years ago

    Did you all not read the article? He was listing starters age 25 and younger

    Reply
    • Cam

      3 years ago

      I’m surprised most of the people here can read, period.

      Reply
      • sufferfortribe

        3 years ago

        Hahahaha.

        Reply
  5. CLKR

    3 years ago

    Marquez needs to get out of Colorado…

    Reply
  6. TroyVan

    3 years ago

    I would have given Spencer Turnbull honorable mention. But, I get it. His numbers lie because he’s on a bad team. He’s pretty good though!

    Reply
    • aamatho18

      3 years ago

      And he’s not 25 or younger.

      Reply
      • TroyVan

        3 years ago

        Dang. I did not think he near as old as 26. Maybe he’ll make honorable mention for best rookie pitcher.

        Reply
  7. davengmusic

    3 years ago

    Yordan Alvarez

    Reply
    • Cam

      3 years ago

      Since when was he a starting pitcher?

      Reply
      • Orangejedi23

        3 years ago

        Stros fans think he can pitch too.

        Reply
  8. joedirte4life

    3 years ago

    Soroka will win a Cy Young one day

    Reply
    • RunDMC

      3 years ago

      That is the floor for Maple Maddux. Hopefully he gets more rings than plaques.

      Reply
  9. astick

    3 years ago

    No mad max! Lol z. Crazy lists. Indontb know if this is joke or not. Lol. No j Verlander.

    Reply
    • Brandon Sans

      3 years ago

      Here it is. The dumbest comment ever posted on this site. All other submissions can go home.

      Reply
      • jorge78

        3 years ago

        Badda Bing!

        Reply
      • bravesfan88

        3 years ago

        And that’s truly saying something!!

        Reply
  10. javier

    3 years ago

    i would put Zac Gallen and Cal Quintrel in there

    Reply
    • javier

      3 years ago

      Quintrill*

      Reply
      • astick

        3 years ago

        I would not put him their.

        Reply
      • Dan Rogers

        3 years ago

        *Quantrill

        I’d spell his name right before I asked for him to be placed on any list…especially one he doesn’t belong on.

        Reply
  11. Melchez

    3 years ago

    What about lasagna?

    Reply
    • Bocephus

      3 years ago

      What about that wunderkind in AAA???

      Reply
    • rule-5-draft-dodger

      3 years ago

      Only with a glass of Chianti on the side

      Reply
  12. akabobert

    3 years ago

    No Tyler Glasnow?

    Reply
    • Henry Limpet

      3 years ago

      Nope. Not even Willie Tyler and Lester.

      Reply
  13. Codeeg

    3 years ago

    No Felix Hernandez?

    Reply
  14. Dan Rogers

    3 years ago

    I really thought Jamie Moyer would’ve made the cut

    Reply
  15. sufferfortribe

    3 years ago

    Civale?

    Reply
    • JDGoat

      3 years ago

      He’s only had four appearances.

      Reply
  16. jorge78

    3 years ago

    Children please!

    Reply
  17. jdodson1822

    3 years ago

    Canning?

    Reply
  18. Melchez

    3 years ago

    Big Sexy?

    Reply
    • Questionable_Source

      3 years ago

      Kevin Nash?

      Reply
  19. metnoxious

    3 years ago

    Wow Syndegard is actually a few weeks younger than German. Of course being from the Dominican German could be 52 for all we know.

    Reply
    • jdodson1822

      3 years ago

      So he looks good for his age?

      Reply
  20. joedirte4life

    3 years ago

    Rube Waddell?

    Reply
  21. Bill Smith

    3 years ago

    Shout-out to Zac Gallen & Luke Weaver.

    Reply
  22. mlb1225

    3 years ago

    Where is (insert player who doesn’t qualify for this list)?

    Reply
  23. titanic struggle

    3 years ago

    Luis Castillo?! Hellloooo…

    Reply
    • jstamped

      3 years ago

      25 and under list.

      Reply
  24. MT in Baltimore

    3 years ago

    Why the omission of John Means??

    Reply
  25. Questionable_Source

    3 years ago

    I can’t believe you left off Baker Mayfield.

    Reply
  26. etplante

    3 years ago

    No mention of Domingo German? Dude is leading the MLB in WINS!!

    Reply
    • rule-5-draft-dodger

      3 years ago

      Domingo German is 27 and has been pitching professionally since 2010. Yes, he has finally figured it out, but NO he is not young by the definition of 25 or under.

      Reply
  27. Judd_Skinner

    3 years ago

    Yep, let’s omit the guy that’s the number 2 starter on the second best team in the NL and 14-4 record and 3.84 ERA just because we couldn’t possibly have 2 write-ups for the lowly Braves. However, we will give the injured Luis Severino a write-up because, YANKEES!

    Reply
  28. chubbbz28

    3 years ago

    We really not gonna put Lebron on this list huh?

    Reply

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