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MLB: Power Ranking All 30 Major League Starting Rotations

By Nicholas Ian Allen

Feb 19, 2014; Port St Lucie, FL, USA; Washington Nationals starting pitcher Stephen Strasburg (37) chats with the pitchers including Doug Fister (58) (in blue) in spring training action at Space Coast Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Barr-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 19, 2014; Port St Lucie, FL, USA; Washington Nationals starting pitcher Stephen Strasburg (37) chats with the pitchers including Doug Fister (58) (in blue) in spring training action at Space Coast Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Barr-USA TODAY Sports /
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Sep 6, 2014; Cincinnati, OH, USA; Cincinnati Reds starting pitcher Johnny Cueto (47) pitches during the first inning against the New York Mets at Great American Ball Park. Mandatory Credit: Frank Victores-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 6, 2014; Cincinnati, OH, USA; Cincinnati Reds starting pitcher Johnny Cueto (47) pitches during the first inning against the New York Mets at Great American Ball Park. Mandatory Credit: Frank Victores-USA TODAY Sports /

21. player. 61. <p><strong>Projected Starting Rotation:</strong></p> <ul> <li>RHP Johnny Cueto (20-9, 2.25 ERA, 34 GS in 2014)</li> <li>*RHP Homer Bailey (9-5, 3.71 ERA in 23 GS in 2014)</li> <li>RHP Mike Leake (11-13, 3.70 ERA in 33 GS in 2014)</li> <li>RHP Anthony DeSclafani (2-2, 6.27 ERA, 13 G, 5 GS with Miami in 2014)</li> <li>RHP Jason Marquis (9-5, 4.05 ERA, 20 GS with San Diego in 2013)</li> <li>RHP Raisel Iglesias (0-3, 3.68 ERA, 6 G, 3 GS in 2014).</li> </ul>. 4th. NL Central. Cincinnati Reds

If not for that Kershaw guy, Johnny Cueto would have won the Cy Young Award in 2014 after winning 20 games and posting a 2.25 ERA in 34 starts, including four complete games and two shutouts.

The veteran right-hander allowed just 169 hits in a National League high 243.2 innings and 34 strikeouts. He tied for the NL and with 242 strikeouts and held opponents to a .194 average. He’s the obvious choice to start Opening Day (for the fourth straight season) and the unquestioned ace of the staff. The only question is whether or not this will be his final Opening Day in a Reds uniform for the soon to be free agent.

Dependable starter Mike Leake is back after another season of 30-plus starts and with a solid 3.70 ERA, but the rotation goes down quickly from there. Newcomer Anthony DeSclafani will fit into Mat Latos’ slot in the rotation after the two were swapped for one another in the off-season and 37-year old Jason Marquis is back in the big leagues after spending the majority of 2014 in the Phillies organization.

Homer Bailey had forearm surgery in September and will begin the season on the DL. Raisel Iglesias is expected to begin the season in the rotation in his place. Lefty Tony Cingrani will begin the year in the bullpen but has starting experience and prospects Michael Lorenzen and Robert Stephenson are candidates to pitch themselves into the rotation this season – especially if Cueto becomes trade bait this summer.

Next: 20. Boston Red Sox

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