Top 10 starting pitchers in MLB right now

LOS ANGELES, CA - NOVEMBER 01: Clayton Kershaw #22 of the Los Angeles Dodgers throws a pitch during the third inning against the Houston Astros in game seven of the 2017 World Series at Dodger Stadium on November 1, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) /

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9. Robbie Ray

The Arizona Diamondbacks might be paying Zack Greinke nearly $35 million a year to lead their staff, but left-hander Robbie Ray is their representative on the list of top-ten pitchers in the league. The 26-year-old led the National League with 12.1 strikeouts per nine in 2017.

What was shaping up to be a potential Cy Young season for Ray was disrupted by a scary head injury suffered on a line drive back through the box. Before a trip to the DL, Ray had been 9-5 with 151 strikeouts in 118.2 innings. After missing a month recovering, Ray finished the year on an 8-0 tear with a 2.28 ERA and 13.9 strikeouts per nine in eight starts.

Ray dominated right-handed and left-handed batters to an equal degree in 2017. He held both to an OPS well below .700, and held righties to a .195 batting average. Ray’s slider and curveball are unhittable when he’s on, with both thrown in the mid-80s. His fastball also creates whiffs at a very high average thanks to its movement.

Entering 2018, Ray will look to stay healthy and make it through 200 innings for the first time in his career. His current career high is 174.1, set in 2016. If that happens, he will make the leap from extremely underrated starter to unquestioned ace of a very good staff.

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