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MLB power rankings: Top 25 current players

By Joshua Sadlock

April 8, 2017; Anaheim, CA, USA; Los Angeles Angels center fielder Mike Trout (27) celebrates after he hits a two run home run against the Seattle Mariners in the seventh inning at Angel Stadium of Anaheim. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
April 8, 2017; Anaheim, CA, USA; Los Angeles Angels center fielder Mike Trout (27) celebrates after he hits a two run home run against the Seattle Mariners in the seventh inning at Angel Stadium of Anaheim. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports /
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Apr 7, 2017; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Washington Nationals starting pitcher Max Scherzer (31) pitches during the first inning against the Philadelphia Phillies at Citizens Bank Park. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 7, 2017; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Washington Nationals starting pitcher Max Scherzer (31) pitches during the first inning against the Philadelphia Phillies at Citizens Bank Park. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports /

12. Max Scherzer

SP, Washington Nationals

  • Career Stats: 126-70, 3.38 ERA, 1,898 SO, 10.0 SO/9, .231 BAA, 2x 20-game winner
  • Career Accolades: 2x Cy Young, 4x All-Star, 2x no-hitter, 20-K game

No starting pitcher in Major League Baseball has come closer to matching Clayton Kershaw’s continued dominance over the past four seasons than Max Scherzer. Since the 2013 season, Scherzer is 74-28 with a 2.94 ERA, 1,049 strikeouts, 10.6 K/9, two no-hitters, more than a few near no-hitters, and a 20-strikeout game. He is a threat to throw a no-hitter every time he takes the mound.

Scherzer is something else to watch on the mound — pacing around, ranting and raving, and pumping fastballs, sliders, and changeups past MLB’s best hitters. He has already come close to living up to his seven-year, $210-million contract with the Nationals. Few pitchers in baseball can match his combination of biting stuff and exceptional command.

The knock on Scherzer early in his career was that he did not pitch deep into games. Before signing with Washington, he had thrown only one career complete game and had only two 200-inning seasons in his first seven years in the big leagues. With the Nationals, Scherzer has completely shed that label. He led baseball in complete games and shutouts in 2015 and has led the National League in games started the past two years, throwing over 225 innings each year.

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