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MLB Power Rankings: Top 25 players in the game today

By Joshua Sadlock

ANAHEIM, CA - APRIL 09: Los Angeles Angels center fielder Mike Trout (27) during an at bat in the second inning of a game against the Milwaukee Brewers played on April 9, 2019 at Angel Stadium of Anaheim in Anaheim, CA. (Photo by John Cordes/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
ANAHEIM, CA - APRIL 09: Los Angeles Angels center fielder Mike Trout (27) during an at bat in the second inning of a game against the Milwaukee Brewers played on April 9, 2019 at Angel Stadium of Anaheim in Anaheim, CA. (Photo by John Cordes/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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BRONX, NY – APRIL 16: Chris Sale #41 of the Boston Red Sox pitches during the game between the Boston Red Sox and the New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium on Tuesday, April 16, 2019 in the Bronx borough of New York City. (Photo by Alex Trautwig/MLB Photos via Getty Images)
BRONX, NY – APRIL 16: Chris Sale #41 of the Boston Red Sox pitches during the game between the Boston Red Sox and the New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium on Tuesday, April 16, 2019 in the Bronx borough of New York City. (Photo by Alex Trautwig/MLB Photos via Getty Images) /

15. Chris Sale

Boston Red Sox left-hander Chris Sale has not looked like himself at all this year. The seven-time All-Star is off to the worst star of his career in his age-30 season. The Red Sox cannot feel great about their decision to sign their ace to a five-year extension worth nearly $150 million this spring. Sale is 0-4 with an 8.50 ERA through his first four starts and has struck out only 14 men in 18 innings, while allowing 23 hits and five home runs.

Despite the terrible start, there are very few pitchers in the league with Sale’s track record. He is the active MLB leader in strikeouts per-nine and strikeout-to-walk ratio. In 10 seasons, Sale is 103-66 with a 2.96 ERA. He has led the league in strikeouts per-nine three times and has a 300-strikeout season to his name along with six top-five finishes in the AL Cy Young vote. Sale has just been incredibly consistent.

Sale has somehow managed to elevate his game since coming to the AL East. He finished his first two seasons with the Red Sox with a 29-12 record and 2.56 ERA in 372.1 innings with 545 strikeouts and a WHIP of 0.924. Sale has also held opposing hitters to a .196/.250/.324 line in that time period.

Since landing on the injured list with shoulder soreness and inflammation last season, Sale’s velocity has dropped off precipitously. He did manage to pitch well after being activated at the end of the regular season but struggled again in the playoffs. The velocity is down again to start this season, but ticked back up in his most recent outing. It’s far too early to write Sale off, and he maintains his status as one of the league’s best arms for now.

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