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MLB Power Rankings: Top 23 Free-Agent Pitchers. Read MLB Power Rankings: Top 23 Free-Agent Pitchers
MLB Power Rankings: Top 23 Free-Agent Pitchers
With the World Series behind us, it is time to look at the top players available in free agency. In this ranking, we will take a look at the top 23 pitchers who are slated to hit the free agent market. Who are the top pitchers available? Let’s dive in!
No. 23 - Zach Eflin
Following a strong showing in 2023 and 2024 with the Baltimore Orioles, Eflin took a major step back in 2025. During an injury-plagued campaign, the southpaw posted a hefty 5.93 ERA with a 1.42 WHIP. In 2023 and 2024, Eflin held a 3.50 and 3.59 ERA and a 1.02 and a 1.15 WHIP.
While he will face a tougher task to return to form, he continued to show elite command despite his rough campaign. Last summer, Eflin placed in the 98th percentile in BB%.
No. 22 - Tyler Mahle
Tyler Mahle missed time with a shoulder strain, but when active, the 31-year-old was very impressive. Through 86 2/3 innings of work, the veteran right-hander posted a strong 2.18 ERA and a 1.13 WHIP. While his 66 strikeouts were below average, Mahle showed great command of his pitches as he placed in the 87th percentile in overall Pitching Run Value.
While he has significant injury concerns, Mahle showed the upside to hold an SP3/SP4 role on a competing club.
No. 21 - Nick Martinez
Throughout his time with the Reds, Nick Martinez has bounced between the starting rotation and the bullpen. Last season, Martinez logged 165 2/3 innings to the tune of a 4.45 ERA and a 1.21 WHIP.
This was a sharp drop from the 3.10 ERA and the stellar 1.03 WHIP he held across 142 1/3 innings during the 2023 campaign. Despite his drop in overall metrics, the right-hander generated a 90th percentile hard-hitting average and a 74th percentile barrel rate, suggesting he is primed for a bounce-back in 2025.
No. 20 - Zack Littell
Zack Littell spent the 2025 season primarily with the Rays but did move to Cincinnati during the second half. With the Rays, the left-hander was quite effective, holding a 3.58 ERA with a 1.12 WHIP.
However, with Cincinnati, Littell posted a much higher 4.39 ERA. Overall, Littell struggled to keep the ball in the park, as shown by his 36 allowed home runs, the eighth-highest total in the sport last season.
No. 19 - Kenley Jansen
Despite spending time during the season with the non-competing Los Angeles Angels, the future Hall of Fame closer enjoyed another strong season, tallying 29 saves (fifth-most in the AL) with a 2.59 ERA and a 0.95 WHIP.
The right-hander punched out 57 hitters through 59 innings. Even though he will be entering his 17th MLB campaign, Jansen has tallied at least 27 saves in each of his last three seasons and continues to prove he can remain a top-tier closer in the majors.
No. 18 - Emilio Pagan
While there was speculation Emilio Pagan would not remain the team’s closer for the entire campaign, Pagan was the go-to night-inning option in Cincinnati throughout the 2025 season. In his age-34 season, Pagan enjoyed a massive campaign, tallying 32 saves with a 2.88 ERA and a 0.92 WHIP.
The right-hander generated a 91st percentile xERA and a 99th percentile xBA, suggesting he will remain an elite closer in 2026.
No. 17 - Tyler Rogers
While Tyler Rogers is not the lockdown ninth-inning option, the right-hander is one of, if not the most dominant, set-up pitchers in the game. In 2025, Rogers enjoyed another impressive season, posting a 1.98 ERA with a 0.94 WHIP.
Through 77 1/3 innings, Rogers struck out just 48 hitters but tallied at least 30 holds for the third-straight campaign.
No. 16 - Chris Bassitt
The 36-year-old has remained a workhorse of the Toronto Blue Jays. Following a bit of a down season in 2024, when he posted a 4.16 ERA with a 1.46 WHIP, the veteran took a step forward in 2025, logging 170 1/3 innings to the tune of a 3.96 ERA and a 1.33 WHIP.
His strikeout production remains pedestrian (49th percentile) but has continued to generate weak contact (80th percentile hard-hit rate) and groundballs (70th percentile GB rate).
No. 15 - Brad Keller
Brad Keller enjoyed a career resurgence with the Chicago Cubs last summer. After posting a hefty 5.44 ERA with a 1.53 WHIP across 41 1/3 innings of work in 2024, the right-hander turned in his best season of his MLB career, logging 69 2/3 innings to the tune of a 2.07 ERA and a 0.96 WHIP.
Keller was typically deployed as a high-leverage reliever, but would occasionally see a save opportunity late in the season. He placed in the 93rd percentile in both xERA and xBA.
No. 14 - Justin Verlander
Despite pitching in his 20th MLB season, Justin Verlander was still a serviceable depth starting pitcher and showcased that he could continue to pitch at a high level. With the Giants, Verlander posted a 3.85 ERA with a 1.36 WHIP, an improvement compared to the 5.48 ERA he held in 2024.
However, unlike some of the names above, the 42-year-old could face some regression, as he holds a higher 4.24 xERA with a hefty .255 xBA.
No. 13 - Lucas Giolito
Following a stint with injuries, Lucas Giolito finally returned to the bump in 2025. With the Red Sox, Giolito was surprisingly effective, holding a 3.41 ERA with a 1.29 WHIP. While his 19.7% K% was the lowest since his 2018 season (and the second-lowest of his career), Giolito’s ERA was his best since his All-Star season in 2019.
However, like Verlander, Giolito’s underlying metrics suggest regression could come next summer, as he placed in the 12th percentile in xERA and the 14th percentile in xBA.
No. 12 - Ryan Helsley
Following a dominant 2024 season, many would have expected Helsley to be much higher on this list. However, in 2025, the former All-Star closer took a massive step back, posting a 4.50 ERA and 1.54 WHIP. He tallied just 21 saves.
The season prior, Helsley posted an elite 2.04 WRA and a 110 WHIP with an eye-catching 49 saves. While his stock has dropped substantially over the past calendar year, he held a promising 3.90 xERA, suggesting he could be in the mix for a bounce-back in 2026. However, he may have to prove his ability to close before he becomes a sure-fire ninth-inning option once again.
No. 11 - Merrill Kelly
Merrill Kelly enjoyed a productive start to this season with the Diamondbacks, logging a 3.22 ERA and a strong 1.06 WHIP across his first 128 2/3 innings of work. However, when he moved to Texas in the second half, the veteran took a step back, posting a 4.23 ERA and a 1.25 WHIP, which hindered his late-season stock.
Overall, through seven MLB seasons, the 37-year-old has posted a 3.77 ERA and a 1.20 WHIP, suggesting he could remain a viable SP4 on a competing club.
No. 10 - Luke Weaver
Due to Devin Williams’ struggles, Luke Weaver was often called on to be the team’s primary high-leverage option. While he did struggle at times himself, he finished the campaign with a solid 3.62 ERA and an elite 1.02 WHIP across 63 2/3 innings.
Much of these struggles showed in the second half, as he posted a dominant 2.91 ERA in the first half, compared to a much higher 4.40 ERA. However, given his 3.02 xERA, Weaver could be poised for a true breakout in 2026.
No. 9 - Devin Williams
Devin Williams had a very disappointing season debut in the Bronx. After posting an elite 1.25 ERA with a 0.97 WHIP in 2024, Williams had high expectations as a Yankee.
However, the 31-year-old fell flat, posting a 4.79 ERA with a 1.13 WHIP. However, he continued to flash elite strikeout upside, with a 97th percentile K% (34.7). Additionally, he is due for massive positive regression, as suggested in his 96th percentile xBA (.195) and 85th percentile xERA (3.09).
No. 8 - Robert Suarez
Robert Suarez has served as San Diego’s closer for the past two seasons and has been very reliable, tallying at least 36 saves in each season. In 2025, Suarez posted the 40-save mark for the first time in his career and held an elite 0.90 WHIP.
However, with the Padres now having Mason Miller under contract, Suarez will likely need to find a new club for the 2026 season if he wants to remain a ninth-inning option.
No. 7 - Zac Gallen
The 30-year-old took a step back last season but still enters free agency as one of the top starting pitchers. In 2025, Gallen posted a much higher 4.83 ERA and a 1.26 WHIP compared to the 3.65 ERA he had in the previous year.
However, under the hood, the right-hander generated 4.27 xERA with an above-average 44.4% ground-ball rate, suggesting there could be some positive regression coming his way next season. He is also a true workhorse, logging at least 190 innings in his last three seasons.
No. 6 - Tatsuya Imai
Earlier this week, Tatsuya Imai was officially posted for MLB free agency. Imai is coming off two All-Star campaigns in the NPB. The 27-year-old relies on a fastball in the 95 mph range and a slider while also utilizing a splitter against lefties.
Last season, he had a strong 1.92 ERA, 0.89 WHIP, and 178:45 K:BB in 163 2/3 innings. He will be one of the top pitchers on the market when looking at strikeout upside.
No. 5 - Michael King
Michael King appeared primed for a true breakout season in 2025 after his impressive debut season as a full-time starter in 2024. In 2024, King held a 2.95 ERA with a 1.19 WHIP through a career-high 173 2/3 innings.
Unfortunately, injuries hindered his 2025 season. However, when active, King showed impressive upside, posting a 3.4 ERA with a near-identical 1.20 WHIP. When healthy, King is a borderline front-of-the-line starter.
No. 4 - Ranger Suarez
Ranger Suarez enjoyed one of his best seasons of his eight-year MLB career in 2025. Through a career-high 157 1/3 innings of work, Suarez posted a 3.20 ERA with a 1.22 WHIP.
This was his best mark since his 2021 season, where he held a 1.36 ERA. This is reason to believe his production is legit, as he placed in the 84th percentile in xERA and generated a 90th percentile Pitching Run Value. Expect the Phillies to attempt to bring him back due to their lack of depth in their starting rotation.
No. 3 - Dylan Cease
Dylan Cease is often known for his inconsistency. After posting a high 4.58 ERA back in 2023, Cease turned in one of the best performances in 2024, holding a 3.47 ERA with a 1.07 WHIP across 189 1/3 innings. During this campaign, he racked up 224 punchouts.
However, in 2025, Cease regressed, posting a 4.55ERA with a 1.33 WHIP. Despite the stark drop in performance, Cease will be a highly sought-after pitcher, as his 3.43 xERA suggests his 2024 projection is more likely to come in the upcoming summer.
No. 2 - Edwin Diaz
Without a doubt, Edwin Diaz will be the most sought-after reliever on the open market. The 31-year-old is coming off another dominant campaign, posting an elite 1.63 ERA with a 0.87 WHIP over 66 1/3 innings. He also placed in the 99th percentile in both xERA and xBA.
Since 2022, Diaz has tallied at least 28 saves in two seasons and held an ERA below 1.65 and a WHIP under 1.000 in two seasons. Expect Diaz to be the sure-fire ninth-inning option wherever he chooses to sign this winter and once again contend for the most saves in the major leagues.
No. 1 - Framber Valdez
Rounding out this list is former Houston Astro Framber Valdez. While he had about a year ot his third in 2025, he will still hold the top spot on our list. Through eight MLB seasons, the left-hander has held a strong 3.36 ERA with a 1.20 WHIP.
While he has never been the elite strikeout pitcher like other names on the list, his 97th percentile ground-ball rate allows him to be one of the sport’s top workhorse pitchers. Since 2022, Valdez has logged at least 192 innings in all but one season. He has the durability to be an ace of any staff.
