The MLB 100 for Starting Pitchers

Who are the most productive starting pitchers in MLB history? That’s the question at the heart of our MLB 100 for Starting Pitchers project, which will be updated at the conclusion of each season.

Using data from 1901 through the present day, MLB Math has come up with an objective methodology, weighing a player’s longevity, average level of play, and peak performance to build a numbers-based hierarchy of every starting pitcher who has taken the mound (of various heights, of course).

The foundational cornerstone of the rankings is our Adjusted Game Score (AGS), which begins with Bill James’ Game Score metric and adjusts it by subtracting each score by 50 to make 0 rather than 50 the baseline delineator between positive and negative performances.

Those scores were calculated for every starting pitcher in MLB history (1901-present), including both regular-season and postseason performances. The idea is to reward different career paths by acknowledging that various trajectories can yield similar impacts.

For each featured player, you can see three different charts:

  1. Their season-by-season AGS progression, which essentially shows career arc and how each season stacks up against the rest of MLB history.
  2. A table of their top seasons, including the all-time ranks and their per-start effectiveness.
  3. A look at their career AGS relative to their starts made.

Now, let’s run through the honorable mentions closest to making the top-100 cutoff, note the top active players who fell short of the MLB 100, and then dive into the actual rankings.

Honorable Mentions: Corey Kluber (1,920), Roy Oswalt (1,926), Adam Wainwright (1,927), Tim Hudson (1,934), Zack Wheeler (1,939), Smoky Joe Wood (1,949), Tom Glavine (1,958), Jake Peavy (1,967), Carl Mays (1,969), Orel Hershiser (1,971)

Top Active Threats: Walker Buehler (1,014 AGS), Shane Bieber (1,145), Lance Lynn (1,213), Luis Castillo (1,279), Corbin Burnes (1,288), Blake Snell (1,453), Sonny Gray (1,572), Johnny Cueto (1,709), Aaron Nola (1,723), Zack Wheeler (1,939)

100. Jeff Pfeffer: 1,975 AGS

  • Teams: St. Louis Browns, Brooklyn Superbas, Brooklyn Robins, St. Louis Cardinals, Pittsburgh Pirates
  • Years: 1911-24
  • Career Stats: 2407.1 IP, 158-112, 2.77 ERA (113 ERA+), 1.210 WHIP, 836 K, 592 BB

99. Earl Moore: 1,983 AGS

  • Teams: Cleveland Blues/Napoleons/Naps, New York Yankees, Philadelphia Phillies, Chicago Cubs, Buffalo Buffeds
  • Years: 1901-14
  • Career Stats: 2776.0 IP, 163-154, 2.78 ERA (111 ERA+), 1.290 WHIP, 1403 K, 1108 BB

98. Wilbur Cooper: 1,987 AGS

  • Teams: Pittsburgh Pirates, Chicago Cubs, Detroit Tigers
  • Years: 1912-26
  • Career Stats: 3480.0 IP, 216-178, 2.89 ERA (116 ERA+), 1.226 WHIP, 1252 K, 853 BB

97. Dutch Leonard: 1,990 AGS

  • Teams: Boston Red Sox, Detroit Tigers
  • Years: 1913-25
  • Career Stats: 2192 IP, 139-114, 2.76 ERA (115 ERA+), 1.225 WHIP, 1160 K, 664 BB

96. Jon Lester: 1,995 AGS

  • Teams: Boston Red Sox, Oakland Athletics, Chicago Cubs, Washington Nationals, St. Louis Cardinals
  • Years: 2006-21
  • Career Stats: 2192 IP, 139-114, 2.76 ERA (115 ERA+), 1.225 WHIP, 1160 K, 664 BB

95. Claude Hendrix: 1,997 AGS

  • Teams: Pittsburgh Pirates, Chicago Chi-Feds, Chicago Whales, Chicago Cubs
  • Years: 1911-20
  • Career Stats: 2371.1 IP, 144-116, 2.65 ERA (113 ERA+), 1.189 WHIP, 1092 K, 697 BB

94. Bill Dinneen: 2,021 AGS

  • Teams: Washington Senators, Boston Nationals, Boston Americans, St. Louis Browns
  • Years: 1898-1909
  • Career Stats: 3074.2 IP, 170-177, 3.01 ERA (107 ERA+), 1.231 WHIP, 1127 K, 829 BB

93. Orval Overall: 2,031 AGS

  • Teams: Cincinnati Reds, Chicago Cubs
  • Years: 1905-13
  • Career Stats: 1535.1 IP, 108-71, 2.26 ERA (121 ERA+), 1.161 WHIP, 935 K, 551 BB

92. Dean Chance: 2,043 AGS

  • Teams: Los Angeles Angels, California Angels, Minnesota Twins, Cleveland Indians, New York Mets, Detroit Tigers
  • Years: 1961-71
  • Career Stats: 2147.1 IP, 128-115, 2.92 ERA (119 ERA+), 1.212 WHIP, 1534 K, 739 BB

91. Jim Maloney: 2,044 AGS

  • Teams: Cincinnati Reds, California Angels
  • Years: 1960-71
  • Career Stats: 1849 IP, 134-84, 3.19 ERA (115 ERA+), 1.259 WHIP, 1605 K, 810 BB

90. Bob Veale: 2,064 AGS

  • Teams: Pittsburgh Pirates, Boston Red Sox
  • Years: 1962-74
  • Career Stats: 1926.0 IP, 120-95, 3.07 ERA (113 ERA+), 1.320 WHIP, 1703 K, 858 BB

89. Bret Saberhagen: 2,076 AGS

  • Teams: Kansas City Royals, New York Mets, Colorado Rockies, Boston Red Sox
  • Years: 1984-2001
  • Career Stats: 2562.2 IP, 167-117, 3.34 ERA (126 ERA+), 1.141 WHIP, 1715 K, 471 BB

88. Frank Tanana: 2,083 AGS

  • Teams: California Angels, Boston Red Sox, Texas Rangers, Detroit Tigers, New York Mets, New York Yankees
  • Years: 1973-93
  • Career Stats: 4188.1 IP, 240-236, 3.66 ERA (106 ERA+), 1.270 WHIP, 2773 K, 1255 BB

87. J.R. Richard: 2,114 AGS

  • Teams: Houston Astros
  • Years: 1971-80
  • Career Stats: 1606 IP, 107-71, 3.15 ERA (108 ERA+), 1.243 WHIP, 1493 K, 770 BB

86. Joe McGinnity: 2,115 AGS

  • Teams: Baltimore Orioles, Brooklyn Superbas, New York Giants
  • Years: 1899-1908
  • Career Stats: 3441.1 IP, 246-142, 2.66 ERA (121 ERA+), 1.188 WHIP, 1068 K, 812 BB

85. Early Wynn: 2,135 AGS

  • Teams: Washington Nationals, Cleveland Indians, Chicago White Sox
  • Years: 1939-63
  • Career Stats: 4,564.0 IP, 300-244, 3.54 ERA (107 ERA+), 1.329 WHIP, 2334 K, 1775 BB

84. Sid Fernandez: 2,151 AGS

  • Teams: Los Angeles Dodgers, New York Mets, Baltimore Orioles, Philadelphia Phillies, Houston Astros
  • Years: 1983-97
  • Career Stats: 1866.2 IP, 114-96, 3.36 ERA (111 ERA+), 1.144 WHIP, 1743 K, 715 BB

83. Jeff Tesreau: 2,152 AGS

  • Teams: New York Giants
  • Years: 1912-18
  • Career Stats: 1679 IP, 119-72, 2.43 ERA (115 ERA+), 1.145 WHIP, 880 K, 572 BB

82. Stephen Strasburg: 2,187 AGS

  • Teams: Washington Nationals
  • Years: 2010-2022
  • Career Stats: 1470 IP, 113-62, 3.24 ERA (127 ERA+), 1.096 WHIP, 1723 K, 394 BB

81. Dave McNally: 2,190 AGS

  • Teams: Baltimore Orioles, Montreal Expos
  • Years: 1962-75
  • Career Stats: 2730 IP, 184-119, 3.24 ERA (106 ERA+), 1.214 WHIP, 1512 K, 826 BB

80. Yu Darvish: 2,194 AGS

  • Teams: Texas Rangers, Los Angeles Dodgers, Chicago Cubs, San Diego Padres
  • Years: 2012-present
  • Career Stats: 1706.0 IP, 110-88, 3.58 ERA (118 ERA+), 1.136 WHIP, 2007 K, 544 BB

79. Jack Powell: 2,246 AGS

  • Teams: Cleveland Spiders, St. Louis Perfectos, St. Louis Cardinals, St. Louis Browns, New York Yankees
  • Years: 1897-1912
  • Career Stats: 4389 IP, 245-255, 2.97 ERA (106 ERA+), 1.217 WHIP, 1621 K, 1021 BB

78. David Price: 2,269 AGS

  • Teams: Tampa Bay Rays, Detroit Tigers, Toronto Blue Jays, Boston Red Sox, Los Angeles Dodgers
  • Years: 2008-2022
  • Career Stats: 2143.2 IP, 157-82, 3.32 ERA (123 ERA+), 1.162 WHIP, 2076 K, 562 BB

77. Dwight Gooden: 2,270 AGS

  • Teams: New York Mets, New York Yankees, Cleveland Indians, Houston Astros, Tampa Bay Devil Rays
  • Years: 1984-2000
  • Career Stats: 2800.2 IP, 194-112, 3.51 ERA (111 ERA+), 1.256 WHIP, 2293 K, 954 BB

76. CC Sabathia: 2,273 AGS

  • Teams: Cleveland Indians, Milwaukee Brewers, New York Yankees
  • Years: 2001-19
  • Career Stats: 3577.1 IP, 251-161, 3.74 ERA (116 ERA+), 1.259 WHIP, 3093 K, 1099 BB

75. Ron Guidry: 2,283 AGS

  • Teams: New York Yankees
  • Years: 1975-88
  • Career Stats: 2392 IP, 170-91, 3.29 ERA (119 ERA+), 1.184 WHIP, 1778 K, 633 BB

74. Mel Stottlemyre: 2,284 AGS

  • Teams: New York Yankees
  • Years: 1964-74
  • Career Stats: 2661.1 IP, 164-139, 2.97 ERA (112 ERA+), 1.219 WHIP, 1257 K, 809 BB

73. Madison Bumgarner: 2,291 AGS

  • Teams: San Francisco Giants, Arizona Diamondbacks
  • Years: 2009-23
  • Career Stats: 2209.1 IP, 134-124, 3.47 ERA (110 ERA+), 1.155 WHIP, 2070 K, 544 BB

73. Steve Rogers: 2,298 AGS

  • Teams: Montreal Expos
  • Years: 1973-85
  • Career Stats: 2837.2 IP, 158-152, 3.17 ERA (116 ERA+), 1.232 WHIP, 1621 K, 876 BB

71. Red Ames: 2,374 AGS

  • Teams: New York Giants, Cincinnati Reds, St. Louis Cardinals, Philadelphia Phillies
  • Years: 1903-19
  • Career Stats: 3198 IP, 183-167, 2.63 ERA (109 ERA+), 1.229 WHIP, 1702 K, 1034 BB

70. Hal Newhouser: 2,390 AGS

  • Teams: Detroit Tigers, Cleveland Indians
  • Years: 1939-55
  • Career Stats: 2993 IP, 207-150, 3.06 ERA (130 ERA+), 1.311 WHIP, 1796 K, 1249 BB

69. Billy Pierce: 2,440 AGS

  • Teams: Detroit Tigers, Chicago White Sox, San Francisco Giants
  • Years: 1945-64
  • Career Stats: 3306.2 IP, 211-169, 3.27 ERA (119 ERA+), 1.260 WHIP, 1999 K, 1178 BB

68. Mike Cuellar: 2,515 AGS

  • Teams: Cincinnati Reds, St. Louis Cardinals, Houston Astros, Baltimore Orioles, California Angels
  • Years: 1959-77
  • Career Stats: 2808 IP, 185-130, 3.14 ERA (109 ERA+), 1.197 WHIP, 1632 K, 822 BB

67. Johan Santana: 2,550 AGS

  • Teams: Minnesota Twins, New York Mets
  • Years: 2000-12
  • Career Stats: 20252.2 IP, 139-78, 3.20 ERA (136 ERA+), 1.132 WHIP, 1988 K, 567 BB

66. Babe Adams: 2,560 AGS

  • Teams: St. Louis Cardinals, Pittsburgh Pirates
  • Years: 1906-26
  • Career Stats: 2995.1 IP, 194-140, 2.76 ERA (118 ERA+), 1.092 WHIP, 1036 K, 430 BB

65. Nap Rucker: 2,574 AGS

  • Teams: Brooklyn Superbas, Brooklyn Dodgers, Brooklyn Robins
  • Years: 1907-16
  • Career Stats: 2375.1 IP, 134-134, 2.42 ERA (119 ERA+), 1.175 WHIP, 1217 K, 701 BB

64. Roy Halladay: 2,584 AGS

  • Teams: Toronto Blue Jays, Philadelphia Phillies
  • Years: 1998-2013
  • Career Stats: 2749.1 IP, 203-105, 3.38 ERA (131 ERA+), 1.178 WHIP, 2117 K, 592 BB

T62. Jack Chesbro: 2,605 AGS

  • Teams: Pittsburgh Pirates, New York Yankees, Boston Red Sox
  • Years: 1899-1909
  • Career Stats: 2896.2 IP, 198-132, 2.68 ERA (110 ERA+), 1.152 WHIP, 1265 K, 690 BB

T62. Felix Hernandez: 2,605 AGS

  • Teams: Seattle Mariners
  • Years: 2005-19
  • Career Stats: 2729.2 IP, 169-136, 3.42 ERA (117 ERA+), 1.206 WHIP, 2524 K, 805 BB

61. Vic Willis: 2,678 AGS

  • Teams: Boston Beaneaters, Pittsburgh Pirates, St. Louis Cardinals
  • Years: 1989-1910
  • Career Stats: 3996 IP, 249-205, 2.63 ERA (117 ERA+), 1.209 WHIP, 1651 K, 1212 BB

T59. Mike Mussina: 2,712 AGS

  • Teams: Baltimore Orioles, New York Yankees
  • Years: 1991-2008
  • Career Stats: 3562.2 IP, 270-153, 3.68 ERA (123 ERA+), 2813 K, 785 BB

T59. Jerry Koosman: 2,712 AGS

  • Teams: New York Mets, Minnesota Twins, Chicago White Sox, Philadelphia Phillies
  • Years: 1967-85
  • Career Stats: 3839.1 IP, 222-209, 3.36 ERA (110 ERA+), 1.259 WHIP, 2556 K, 1198 BB

58. Andy Messersmith: 2,740 AGS

  • Teams: California Angels, Los Angeles Dodgers, Atlanta Braves, New York Yankees
  • Years: 1968-79
  • Career Stats: 2230.1 IP, 130-99, 2.86 ERA (121 ERA+), 1.143 WHIP, 1625 K, 831 BB

57. Jacob deGrom: 2,779 AGS

  • Teams: New York Mets, Texas Rangers
  • Years: 2014-present
  • Career Stats: 1367.0 IP, 84-57, 2.52 ERA (156 ERA+), 0.994 WHIP, 1666 K, 308 BB

56. Zack Greinke: 2,791 AGS

  • Teams: Kansas City Royals, Milwaukee Brewers, Los Angeles Angels, Los Angeles Dodgers, Arizona Diamondbacks, Houston Astros
  • Years: 2004-23
  • Career Stats: 3389.1 IP, 225-156, 3.49 ERA (121 ERA+), 1.171 WHIP, 2979 K, 762 BB

55. Kevin Brown: 2,809 AGS

  • Teams: Texas Rangers, Baltimore Orioles, Florida Marlins, San Diego Padres, Los Angeles Dodgers, New York Yankees
  • Years: 1986-2005
  • Career Stats: 3256.1 IP, 211-144, 3.28 ERA (127 ERA+), 1.222 WHIP, 2397 K, 901 BB

54. Carl Hubbell: 2,868 AGS

  • Teams: New York Giants
  • Years: 1928-43
  • Career Stats: 3590.1 IP, 253-154, 2.98 ERA (130 ERA+), 1.166 WHIP, 1677 K, 725 BB

53. Cole Hamels: 2,892 AGS

  • Teams: Philadelphia Phillies, Texas Rangers, Chicago Cubs, Atlanta Braves
  • Years: 2006-20
  • Career Stats: 2698 IP, 163-122, 3.43 ERA (123 ERA+), 1.183 WHIP, 2560 K, 767 BB

52. Sam McDowell: 2,907 AGS

  • Teams: Cleveland Indians, San Francisco Giants, New York Yankees, Pittsburgh Pirates
  • Years: 1961-75
  • Career Stats: 2492.1 IP, 141-134, 3.17 ERA (112 ERA+), 2453 K, 1312 BB

51. David Cone: 2,908 AGS

  • Teams: Kansas City Royals, New York Mets, Toronto Blue Jays, New York Yankees, Boston Red Sox
  • Years: 1986-2003
  • Career Stats: 2898.2 IP, 194-126, 3.46 ERA (121 ERA+), 1.256 WHIP, 2668 K, 1137 BB

50. Bill Donovan: 2,927 AGS

  • Teams: Washington Senators, Brooklyn Superbas, Detroit Tigers, New York Yankees
  • Years: 1898-1918
  • Career Stats: 2964.2 IP, 185-139, 2.69 ERA (106 ERA+), 1.245 WHIP, 1552 K, 1059 BB

49. Hippo Vaughn: 2,941 AGS

  • Teams: New York Yankees, Washington Senators, Chicago Cubs
  • Years: 1908-21
  • Career Stats: 2730 IP, 178-137, 2.49 ERA (119 ERA+), 1.201 WHIP, 1416 K, 817 BB

48. Lefty Grove: 2,943 AGS

  • Teams: Philadelphia Athletics, Boston Red Sox
  • Years: 1925-41
  • Career Stats: 3940.2 IP, 300-141, 3.06 ERA (148 ERA+), 1.278 WHIP, 2266 K, 1187 BB

47. Dazzy Vance: 2,945 AGS

  • Teams: Pittsburgh Pirates, New York Yankees, Brooklyn Robins, Brooklyn Dodgers, St. Louis Cardinals, Cincinnati Reds
  • Years: 1915-35
  • Career Stats: 2966.2 IP, 197-140, 3.24 ERA (125 ERA+), 1.230 WHIP, 2045 K, 840 BB

46. Eddie Cicotte: 2,954 AGS

  • Teams: Detroit Tigers, Boston Red Sox, Chicago White Sox
  • Years: 1905-20
  • Career Stats: 3226 IP, 209-148, 2.38 ERA (123 ERA+), 1.154 WHIP, 1374 K, 827 BB

45. Vida Blue: 2,956 AGS

  • Teams: Oakland Athletics, San Francisco Giants, Kansas City Royals
  • Years: 1969-86
  • Career Stats: 3343.1 IP, 209-161, 3.27 ERA (108 ERA+), 1.233 WHIP, 2175 K, 1185 BB

44. Ed Reulbach: 2,975 AGS

  • Teams: Chicago Cubs, Brooklyn Superbas, Newark Pepper, Boston Braves
  • Years: 1905-17
  • Career Stats: 2632.1 IP, 182-106, 2.28 ERA (123 ERA+), 1.143 WHIP, 1137 K, 892 BB

43. Gerrit Cole: 3,032 AGS

  • Teams: Pittsburgh Pirates, Houston Astros, New York Yankees
  • Years: 2013-present
  • Career Stats: 1954 IP, 153-80, 3.18 ERA (130 ERA+), 1.089 WHIP, 2251 K, 500 BB

42. Chris Sale: 3,116 AGS

  • Teams: Chicago White Sox, Boston Red Sox, Atlanta Braves
  • Years: 2010-present
  • Career Stats: 1958.1 IP, 138-83, 3.04 ERA (140 ERA+), 1.044 WHIP, 2414 K, 455 BB

41. Luis Tiant: 3,121 AGS

  • Teams: Cleveland Indians, Minnesota Twins, Boston Red Sox, New York Yankees, Pittsburgh Pirates, California Angels
  • Years: 1964-82
  • Career Stats: 3486.1 IP, 229-172, 3.30 ERA (114 ERA+), 1.199 WHIP, 2416 K, 1104 BB

40. Doc White: 3,208 AGS

  • Teams: Philadelphia Phillies, Chicago White Sox
  • Years: 1901-13
  • Career Stats: 3041 IP, 189-156, 2.39 ERA (113 ERA+), 1.121 WHIP, 1384 K, 670 BB

39. Robin Roberts: 3,260 AGS

  • Teams: Philadelphia Phillies, Baltimore Orioles, Houston Astros, Chicago Cubs
  • Years: 1948-66
  • Career Stats: 4688.2 IP, 286-245, 3.41 ERA (113 ERA+), 1.170 WHIP, 2357 K, 902 BB

38. Mickey Lolich: 3,304 AGS

  • Teams: Detroit Tigers, New York Mets, San Diego Padres
  • Years: 1963-79
  • Career Stats: 3638.1 IP, 217-191, 3.44 ERA (104 ERA+), 1.227 WHIP, 2832 K, 1099 BB

37. Catfish Hunter: 3,356 AGS

  • Teams: Kansas City Athletics, Oakland Athletics, New York Yankees
  • Years: 1965-79
  • Career Stats: 3449.1 IP, 224-166, 3.26 ERA (104 ERA+), 1.134 WHIP, 2012 K, 954 BB

36. Addie Joss: 3,460 AGS

  • Teams: Cleveland Bronchos, Cleveland Naps
  • Years: 1902-10
  • Career Stats: 2327 IP, 160-97, 1.89 ERA (143 ERA+), 0.968 WHIP, 920 K, 364 BB

35. Chief Bender: 3,464 AGS

  • Teams: Philadelphia Athletics, Baltimore Terrapins, Philadelphia Phillies, Chicago White Sox
  • Years: 1903-25
  • Career Stats: 3017 IP, 212-127, 2.46 ERA (112 ERA+), 1.113 WHIP, 1711 K, 712 BB

34. Phil Niekro: 3,510 AGS

  • Teams: Milwaukee Braves, Atlanta Braves, New York Yankees, Cleveland Indians, Toronto Blue Jays
  • Years: 1964-87
  • Career Stats: 5404 IP, 318-274, 3.35 ERA (115 ERA+), 1.268 WHIP, 3342 K, 1809 BB

33. Bob Feller: 3,515 AGS

  • Teams: Cleveland Indians
  • Years: 1936-56
  • Career Stats: 3827 IP, 266-162, 3.25 ERA (122 ERA+), 1.316 WHIP, 2581 K, 1764 BB

32. John Smoltz: 3,555 AGS

  • Teams: Atlanta Braves, Boston Red Sox, St. Louis Cardinals
  • Years: 1988-2009
  • Career Stats: 3473 IP, 213-155, 3.33 ERA (125 ERA+), 1.176 WHIP, 3084 K, 1010 BB

31. Mordecai Brown: 3,575 AGS

  • Teams: St. Louis Cardinals, Chicago Cubs, St. Louis Terriors, Brooklyn Tip-Tops, Chicago Whales
  • Years: 1903-16
  • Career Stats: 3172.1 IP, 239-130, 2.06 ERA (138 ERA+), 1.066 WHIP, 1375 K, 673 BB

30. Jim Bunning: 3,594 AGS

  • Teams: Detroit Tigers, Philadelphia Phillies, Pittsburgh Pirates, Los Angeles Dodgers
  • Years: 1955-71
  • Career Stats: 3760.1 IP, 224-184, 3.27 ERA (116 ERA+), 1.179 WHIP, 2855 K, 1000 BB

29. Whitey Ford: 3,603 AGS

  • Teams: New York Yankees
  • Years: 1950-67
  • Career Stats: 3170.1 IP, 236-106, 2.75 ERA (133 ERA+), 1.215 WHIP, 1956 K, 1086 BB

28. Don Drysdale: 3,938 AGS

  • Teams: Brooklyn Dodgers, Los Angeles Dodgers
  • Years: 1956-69
  • Career Stats: 3432 IP, 209-166, 2.95 ERA (121 ERA+), 1.148 WHIP, 2486 K, 855 BB

27. Curt Schilling: 3,948 AGS

  • Teams: Baltimore Orioles, Houston Astros, Philadelphia Phillies, Arizona Diamondbacks, Boston Red Sox
  • Years: 1988-2007
  • Career Stats: 3261 IP, 216-146, 3.46 ERA (127 ERA+), 1.137 WHIP, 3116 K, 711 BB

26. Rube Waddell: 3,971 AGS

  • Teams: Louisville Colonels, Pittsburgh Pirates, Chicago Cubs, Philadelphia Athletics, St. Louis Browns
  • Years: 1897-1910
  • Career Stats: 2961.1 IP, 193-143, 2.16 ERA (135 ERA+), 1.102 WHIP, 2316 K, 803 BB

25. Sandy Koufax: 4,191 AGS

  • Teams: Brooklyn Dodgers, Los Angeles Dodgers
  • Years: 1955-66
  • Career Stats: 2324.1 IP, 165-87, 2.76 ERA (131 ERA+), 1.106 WHIP, 2396 K, 817 BB

24. Juan Marichal: 4,226 AGS

  • Teams: San Francisco Giants, Boston Red Sox, Los Angeles Dodgers
  • Years: 1960-75
  • Career Stats: 3507 IP, 243-142, 2.89 ERA (123 ERA+), 1.101 WHIP, 2303 K, 709 BB

23. Fergie Jenkins: 4,361 AGS

  • Teams: Philadelphia Phillies, Chicago Cubs, Texas Rangers, Boston Red Sox
  • Years: 1965-83
  • Career Stats: 4500.2 IP, 284-226, 3.34 ERA (115 ERA+), 1.142 WHIP, 3192 K, 997 BB

22. Ed Walsh: 4,460 AGS

  • Teams: Chicago White Sox, Boston Braves
  • Years: 1904-17
  • Career Stats: 2964.1 IP, 195-126, 1.82 ERA (146 ERA+), 1.000 WHIP, 1736 K, 617 BB

21. Justin Verlander: 4,553 AGS

  • Teams: Detroit Tigers, Houston Astros, New York Mets
  • Years: 2005-present
  • Career Stats: 3415.2 IP, 262-147, 3.30 ERA (129 ERA+), 1.125 WHIP, 3416 K, 952 BB

20. Cy Young: 4,568 AGS

  • Teams: Cleveland Spiders, St. Louis Perfectos, St. Louis Cardinals, Boston Americans, Boston Red Sox, Cleveland Naps, Boston Rustlers
  • Years: 1890-1911
  • Career Stats: 7356 IP, 511-315, 2.63 ERA (138 ERA+), 1.130 WHIP, 2803 K, 1217 BB

19. Max Scherzer: 4,581 AGS

  • Teams: Arizona Diamondbacks, Detroit Tigers, Washington Nationals, Los Angeles Dodgers, New York Mets, Texas Rangers
  • Years: 2008-present
  • Career Stats: 2878.0 IP, 216-112, 3.16 ERA (133 ERA+), 1.078 WHIP, 3407 K, 756 BB

18. Greg Maddux: 4,591 AGS

  • Teams: Chicago Cubs, Atlanta Braves, Los Angeles Dodgers, San Diego Padres
  • Years: 1986-2008
  • Career Stats: 5008.1 IP, 355-227, 3.16 ERA (132 ERA+), 1.143 WHIP, 3371 K, 999 BB

17. Jim Palmer: 4,606 AGS

  • Teams: Baltimore Orioles
  • Years: 1965-84
  • Career Stats: 3948 IP, 268-152, 2.86 ERA (125 ERA+), 1.180 WHIP, 2212 K, 1311 BB

16. Warren Spahn: 15.081

  • Teams: Boston Braves, Milwaukee Braves, New York Mets, San Francisco Giants
  • Years: 1942-65
  • Career Stats: 5243.2 IP, 363-245, 3.09 ERA (119 ERA+), 1.195 WHIP, 2583 K, 1434 BB

15. Pedro Martinez: 4,705 AGS

  • Teams: Los Angeles Dodgers, Montreal Expos, Boston Red Sox, New York Mets, Philadelphia Phillies
  • Years: 1992-2009
  • Career Stats: 2827.1 IP, 219-100, 2.93 ERA (154 ERA+), 1.054 WHIP, 3154 K, 760 BB

14. Bert Blyleven: 4,746 AGS

  • Teams: Minnesota Twins, Texas Rangers, Pittsburgh Pirates, Cleveland Indians, California Angels
  • Years: 1970-92
  • Career Stats: 4970 IP, 287-250, 3.31 ERA (118 ERA+), 1.198 WHIP, 3701 K, 1322 BB

13. Don Sutton: 5,147 AGS

  • Teams: Los Angeles Dodgers, Houston Astros, Milwaukee Brewers, Oakland Athletics, California Angels
  • Years: 1966-88
  • Career Stats: 5282.1 IP, 324-256, 3.26 ERA (108 ERA+), 1.142 WHIP, 3574 K, 1343 BB

12. Gaylord Perry: 5,164 AGS

  • Teams: San Francisco Giants, Cleveland Indians, Texas Rangers, San Diego Padres, New York Yankees, Atlanta Braves, Seattle Mariners, Kansas City Royals
  • Years: 1962-83
  • Career Stats: 5350 IP, 314-265, 3.11 ERA (117 ERA+), 1.181 WHIP, 3534 K, 1379 BB

11. Clayton Kershaw: 5,283 AGS

  • Teams: Los Angeles Dodgers
  • Years: 2008-present
  • Career Stats: 2742.2 IP, 212-94, 2.50 ERA (156 ERA+), 1.010 WHIP, 2968 K, 678 BB

10. Eddie Plank: 5,352 AGS

  • Teams: Philadelphia Athletics, St. Louis Terriers, St. Louis Browns
  • Years: 1901-17
  • Career Stats: 4495.2 IP, 326-194, 2.35 ERA (122 ERA+), 1.119 WHIP, 2246 K, 1072 BB

9. Steve Carlton: 5,413 AGS

  • Teams: St. Louis Cardinals, Philadelphia Phillies, San Francisco Giants, Chicago White Sox, Cleveland Indians, Minnesota Twins
  • Years: 1965-88
  • Career Stats: 5217.2 IP, 329-244, 3.22 ERA (115 ERA+), 1.247 WHIP, 4136 K, 1833 BB

8. Bob Gibson: 5,524 AGS

  • Teams: St. Louis Cardinals
  • Years: 1959-75
  • Career Stats: 3884.1 IP, 251-174, 2.91 ERA (127 ERA+), 1.188 WHIP, 3117 K, 1336 BB

7. Pete Alexander: 5,798 AGS

  • Teams: Philadelphia Phillies, Chicago Cubs, St. Louis Cardinals
  • Years: 1911-30
  • Career Stats: 5190 IP, 373-208, 2.56 ERA (135 ERA+), 1.121 WHIP, 2198 K, 951 BB

6. Randy Johnson: 6,103 AGS

  • Teams: Montreal Expos, Seattle Mariners, Houston Astros, Arizona Diamondbacks, New York Yankees, San Francisco Giants
  • Years: 1988-2009
  • Career Stats: 4135.1 IP, 303-166, 3.29 ERA (135 ERA+), 1.171 WHIP, 4875 K, 1497 BB

5. Roger Clemens: 6,516 AGS

  • Teams: Boston Red Sox, Toronto Blue Jays, New York Yankees, Houston Astros
  • Years: 1984-2007
  • Career Stats: 4916.2 IP, 354-184, 3.12 ERA (143 ERA+), 1.173 WHIP, 4672 K, 1580 BB

4. Christy Mathewson: 6,528 AGS

  • Teams: New York Giants, Cincinnati Reds
  • Years: 1900-16
  • Career Stats: 4788.2 IP, 373-188, 2.13 ERA (136 ERA+), 1.058 WHIP, 2507 K, 848 BB

3. Tom Seaver: 6,764 AGS

  • Teams: New York Mets, Cincinnati Reds, Chicago White Sox, Boston Red Sox
  • Years: 1967-86
  • Career Stats: 4783 IP, 311-205, 2.86 ERA (127 ERA+), 1.121 WHIP, 3640 K, 1390 BB

2. Nolan Ryan: 7,697 AGS

  • Teams: New York Mets, California Angels, Houston Astros, Texas Rangers
  • Years: 1966-93
  • Career Stats: 5386 IP, 324-292, 3.19 ERA (112 ERA+), 1.247 WHIP, 5714 K, 2795 BB

1. Walter Johnson: 8,731 AGS

  • Teams: Washington Senators
  • Years: 1907-27
  • Career Stats: 5914.1 IP, 417-279, 2.17 ERA (147 ERA+), 1.061 WHIP, 3509 K, 1363 BB