When you think of baseball immortality, pitchers often steal the show.
They command the game from 60 feet, 6 inches away, dictating tempo and dismantling lineups with nothing but precision and guts.
But who are the greatest pitchers of all-time? It’s a question that sparks endless debate among fans, analysts, and historians.
Some argue for career dominance pitchers who sustained excellence across decades.
Others champion peak brilliance, those who reached heights few could match, even if just for a few seasons.
This ranking considers both. We’ve evaluated the best pitchers of all time using career WAR (Wins Above Replacement), seven-year peaks, three-year peaks, five-year prime windows, and postseason success.
The result? A definitive list of the 100 greatest arms in baseball history, from deadball-era legends to today’s active aces.
Greatest Pitchers of All-Time
Whether you’re here to settle an argument or just appreciate greatness, this is your complete guide to the pitchers who defined America’s pastime.
Top 100 Greatest Pitchers of All-Time Rankings
| NAME | RNK | HOF | FROM | TO | WAR | WAR7 | WAR5C | WAR3 | CHWAR | JAWS | SCORE |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Walter Johnson | 1 | Y | 1907 | 1927 | 167.8 | 83.1 | 61.3 | 40.0 | 11.9 | 125.5 | 507.4 |
| Greg Maddux | 2 | Y | 1986 | 2008 | 106.7 | 55.5 | 43.8 | 27.4 | 20.0 | 81.1 | 431.7 |
| Randy Johnson | 3 | Y | 1988 | 2009 | 101.1 | 63.3 | 43.8 | 30.1 | 10.0 | 82.2 | 422.1 |
| Tom Seaver | 4 | Y | 1967 | 1986 | 110.1 | 56.7 | 40.9 | 28.8 | 17.9 | 83.4 | 403.9 |
| Lefty Grove | 5 | Y | 1925 | 1941 | 106.1 | 66.5 | 46.0 | 30.8 | 26.6 | 86.3 | 396.1 |
| Pedro Martinez | 6 | Y | 1992 | 2009 | 84.0 | 59.1 | 42.8 | 30.4 | 5.5 | 71.6 | 376.7 |
| Bob Gibson | 7 | Y | 1959 | 1975 | 89.4 | 55.9 | 42.5 | 30.5 | 19.7 | 72.7 | 371.4 |
| Phil Niekro | 8 | Y | 1964 | 1987 | 96.2 | 53.6 | 40.1 | 26.7 | 0.0 | 74.9 | 370.4 |
| Bob Feller | 9 | Y | 1936 | 1956 | 63.9 | 51.4 | 39.3 | 29.1 | 3.7 | 57.7 | 365.3 |
| Pete Alexander | 10 | Y | 1911 | 1930 | 120.2 | 67.2 | 46.2 | 33.6 | 17.1 | 93.7 | 365.2 |
| Warren Spahn | 11 | Y | 1942 | 1965 | 99.9 | 49.7 | 34.0 | 26.2 | 12.1 | 74.8 | 361.2 |
| Bert Blyleven | 12 | Y | 1970 | 1992 | 95.0 | 50.7 | 35.0 | 25.0 | 7.8 | 72.9 | 359.0 |
| Steve Carlton | 13 | Y | 1965 | 1988 | 90.5 | 51.6 | 31.8 | 29.2 | 15.7 | 71.1 | 355.5 |
| Roger Clemens | 14 | 1984 | 2007 | 139.6 | 65.7 | 41.4 | 31.9 | 33.9 | 102.7 | 354.5 | |
| Gaylord Perry | 15 | Y | 1962 | 1983 | 90.4 | 53.2 | 37.0 | 27.5 | 0.0 | 71.8 | 350.1 |
| Cy Young | 16 | Y | 1890 | 1911 | 168.0 | 79.7 | 56.6 | 38.9 | 15.9 | 123.9 | 341.9 |
| Robin Roberts | 17 | Y | 1948 | 1966 | 86.2 | 53.0 | 42.6 | 27.1 | 7.3 | 69.6 | 339.1 |
| Justin Verlander | 18 | 2005 | 2025 | 82.1 | 50.3 | 31.0 | 24.1 | 27.2 | 66.2 | 338.2 | |
| Clayton Kershaw | 19 | 2008 | 2025 | 80.5 | 47.2 | 36.3 | 23.0 | 6.8 | 63.9 | 337.8 | |
| Christy Mathewson | 20 | Y | 1900 | 1916 | 104.0 | 63.4 | 45.2 | 30.2 | 36.2 | 83.7 | 336.4 |
| Curt Schilling | 21 | 1988 | 2007 | 79.6 | 49.8 | 36.3 | 25.4 | 23.3 | 64.7 | 334.4 | |
| Fergie Jenkins | 22 | Y | 1965 | 1983 | 84.4 | 50.1 | 36.5 | 25.3 | 0.0 | 67.3 | 333.6 |
| Max Scherzer | 23 | 2008 | 2025 | 76.5 | 46.7 | 34.9 | 22.0 | 11.3 | 61.6 | 326.5 | |
| Mike Mussina | 24 | Y | 1991 | 2008 | 83.0 | 44.5 | 28.2 | 21.9 | 13.7 | 63.8 | 324.6 |
| Zack Greinke | 25 | 2004 | 2023 | 77.5 | 45.2 | 26.8 | 25.2 | 2.3 | 61.4 | 308.3 | |
| Roy Halladay | 26 | Y | 1998 | 2013 | 64.3 | 51.3 | 34.0 | 25.3 | 0.0 | 57.8 | 302.7 |
| Satchel Paige | 27 | Y | 1927 | 1965 | 46.3 | 27.0 | 35.0 | 14.6 | 0.0 | 36.7 | 301.6 |
| Nolan Ryan | 28 | Y | 1966 | 1993 | 81.8 | 43.4 | 27.5 | 21.8 | 0.7 | 62.6 | 300.9 |
| Juan Marichal | 29 | Y | 1960 | 1975 | 63.0 | 49.8 | 37.1 | 27.2 | 3.5 | 56.4 | 295.0 |
| Jim Palmer | 30 | Y | 1965 | 1984 | 68.9 | 47.0 | 30.7 | 22.6 | 19.3 | 58.0 | 292.7 |
| David Cone | 31 | 1986 | 2003 | 62.4 | 43.7 | 30.7 | 21.0 | 11.0 | 53.1 | 291.5 | |
| Tom Glavine | 32 | Y | 1987 | 2008 | 80.8 | 36.6 | 25.2 | 18.6 | 25.7 | 58.7 | 288.2 |
| Carl Hubbell | 33 | Y | 1928 | 1943 | 68.4 | 45.6 | 37.3 | 25.6 | 22.4 | 57.0 | 286.8 |
| Sandy Koufax | 34 | Y | 1955 | 1966 | 49.0 | 48.7 | 40.8 | 29.1 | 32.2 | 48.9 | 286.6 |
| Hal Newhouser | 35 | Y | 1939 | 1955 | 63.3 | 50.5 | 40.9 | 28.7 | 12.5 | 56.9 | 286.3 |
| Bret Saberhagen | 36 | 1984 | 2001 | 59.0 | 43.1 | 30.5 | 25.0 | 7.3 | 51.1 | 278.4 | |
| Dave Stieb | 37 | 1979 | 1998 | 56.7 | 44.7 | 35.9 | 22.6 | 0.0 | 50.7 | 277.7 | |
| Johan Santana | 38 | 2000 | 2012 | 51.6 | 44.2 | 35.6 | 23.3 | 0.0 | 47.9 | 277.4 | |
| Luis Tiant | 39 | 1964 | 1982 | 66.5 | 44.7 | 28.2 | 22.8 | 2.6 | 55.6 | 272.9 | |
| Don Drysdale | 40 | Y | 1956 | 1969 | 67.2 | 42.1 | 29.9 | 21.0 | 17.9 | 54.7 | 267.7 |
| CC Sabathia | 41 | 2001 | 2019 | 62.5 | 38.8 | 30.4 | 19.5 | 6.2 | 50.7 | 266.9 | |
| Jim Bunning | 42 | Y | 1955 | 1971 | 59.6 | 47.9 | 31.7 | 24.8 | 0.0 | 53.8 | 266.1 |
| Ed Walsh | 43 | Y | 1904 | 1917 | 66.0 | 59.9 | 48.1 | 32.4 | 4.7 | 63.0 | 265.5 |
| John Smoltz | 44 | Y | 1988 | 2009 | 69.1 | 37.3 | 24.0 | 18.6 | 24.9 | 53.2 | 264.4 |
| Joe Williams | 45 | Y | 1905 | 1932 | 6.6 | 6.6 | 46.0 | 6.6 | 0.0 | 6.6 | 262.3 |
| Dennis Eckersley | 46 | Y | 1975 | 1998 | 62.4 | 38.3 | 27.7 | 19.9 | 8.2 | 50.4 | 252.5 |
| Ted Lyons | 47 | Y | 1923 | 1946 | 71.5 | 38.6 | 23.8 | 18.6 | 0.0 | 55.1 | 252.0 |
| Wilbur Wood | 48 | 1961 | 1978 | 50.3 | 47.2 | 39.1 | 29.9 | 0.0 | 48.8 | 251.9 | |
| Eddie Plank | 49 | Y | 1901 | 1917 | 91.5 | 48.2 | 33.3 | 22.8 | 24.1 | 69.9 | 250.7 |
| Jacob deGrom | 50 | 2014 | 2025 | 47.9 | 38.1 | 29.1 | 22.1 | 6.1 | 43.0 | 250.7 | |
| Frank Tanana | 51 | 1973 | 1993 | 57.6 | 38.4 | 30.7 | 23.2 | 0.0 | 48.0 | 250.6 | |
| Stan Coveleski | 52 | Y | 1916 | 1928 | 60.3 | 52.9 | 40.3 | 26.5 | 15.0 | 56.6 | 248.0 |
| Wes Ferrell | 53 | 1927 | 1941 | 61.2 | 46.2 | 30.2 | 23.3 | 0.0 | 53.7 | 247.5 | |
| Kevin Appier | 54 | 1989 | 2004 | 54.7 | 43.3 | 32.3 | 23.3 | 1.8 | 49.0 | 245.0 | |
| Don Sutton | 55 | Y | 1966 | 1988 | 67.0 | 34.5 | 22.6 | 18.3 | 12.0 | 50.8 | 243.5 |
| Dwight Gooden | 56 | 1984 | 2000 | 53.0 | 36.1 | 29.2 | 22.1 | 7.0 | 44.6 | 243.3 | |
| Rick Reuschel | 57 | 1972 | 1991 | 69.7 | 43.0 | 31.1 | 21.4 | 4.3 | 56.4 | 242.8 | |
| Orel Hershiser | 58 | 1983 | 2000 | 56.3 | 37.3 | 28.7 | 20.6 | 13.2 | 46.8 | 239.1 | |
| Mark Buehrle | 59 | 2000 | 2015 | 59.3 | 35.7 | 23.5 | 17.3 | 4.8 | 47.5 | 239.0 | |
| Willie Foster | 60 | Y | 1923 | 1937 | 47.1 | 35.0 | 35.2 | 21.0 | 0.0 | 41.1 | 239.0 |
| Felix Hernandez | 61 | 2005 | 2019 | 50.2 | 38.6 | 27.6 | 19.5 | 0.0 | 44.4 | 237.6 | |
| Dizzy Dean | 62 | Y | 1930 | 1947 | 45.6 | 40.7 | 34.6 | 22.1 | 15.2 | 43.2 | 237.2 |
| Tim Hudson | 63 | 1999 | 2015 | 58.2 | 37.5 | 27.1 | 20.1 | 1.5 | 47.9 | 237.0 | |
| Ron Guidry | 64 | 1975 | 1988 | 48.1 | 38.0 | 28.7 | 21.4 | 17.5 | 43.1 | 235.9 | |
| Frank Viola | 65 | 1982 | 1996 | 47.2 | 41.3 | 28.9 | 22.2 | 8.1 | 44.3 | 235.6 | |
| Mickey Lolich | 66 | 1963 | 1979 | 48.3 | 38.6 | 30.3 | 21.6 | 0.9 | 43.5 | 235.5 | |
| Chuck Finley | 67 | 1986 | 2002 | 58.1 | 39.7 | 25.9 | 22.0 | 0.0 | 48.9 | 235.5 | |
| Cole Hamels | 68 | 2006 | 2020 | 59.3 | 36.6 | 27.7 | 18.5 | 6.3 | 48.0 | 235.4 | |
| Cliff Lee | 69 | 2002 | 2014 | 43.5 | 40.0 | 30.1 | 22.8 | 2.5 | 41.8 | 235.3 | |
| Dazzy Vance | 70 | Y | 1915 | 1935 | 60.1 | 51.2 | 36.6 | 28.3 | 1.0 | 55.7 | 235.2 |
| Early Wynn | 71 | Y | 1939 | 1963 | 61.1 | 35.0 | 23.9 | 19.3 | 8.0 | 48.1 | 232.8 |
| Chris Sale | 72 | 2010 | 2025 | 57.1 | 41.8 | 26.9 | 19.2 | 6.9 | 49.5 | 232.4 | |
| Roy Oswalt | 73 | 2001 | 2013 | 50.1 | 38.0 | 25.5 | 19.6 | 5.9 | 44.1 | 231.6 | |
| Bullet Rogan | 74 | Y | 1918 | 1938 | 61.5 | 35.7 | 30.7 | 18.7 | 0.0 | 48.6 | 231.6 |
| Vida Blue | 75 | 1969 | 1986 | 45.4 | 38.7 | 21.0 | 22.5 | 4.8 | 42.1 | 231.0 | |
| Rube Waddell | 76 | Y | 1897 | 1910 | 58.3 | 51.2 | 43.6 | 29.4 | 18.8 | 54.8 | 228.8 |
| Tommy John | 77 | 1963 | 1989 | 62.0 | 34.4 | 20.9 | 16.6 | 11.1 | 48.2 | 228.5 | |
| Mark Langston | 78 | 1984 | 1999 | 50.3 | 41.7 | 26.9 | 22.4 | 0.0 | 46.0 | 227.2 | |
| Martin Dihigo | 79 | Y | 1923 | 1945 | 22.7 | 22.7 | 26.5 | 14.0 | 0.0 | 22.7 | 226.5 |
| Whitey Ford | 80 | Y | 1950 | 1967 | 56.9 | 33.3 | 23.7 | 17.1 | 42.4 | 45.1 | 226.2 |
| Zack Wheeler | 81 | 2013 | 2025 | 40.2 | 34.5 | 27.7 | 18.7 | 5.0 | 37.4 | 223.6 | |
| Dick Redding | 82 | 1911 | 1932 | 2.9 | 2.9 | 36.0 | 2.9 | 0.0 | 2.9 | 223.5 | |
| Gerrit Cole | 83 | 2013 | 2025 | 43.2 | 34.4 | 24.5 | 19.8 | 6.9 | 38.8 | 221.5 | |
| Billy Pierce | 84 | 1945 | 1964 | 53.2 | 38.6 | 26.4 | 20.3 | 3.9 | 45.9 | 220.5 | |
| Brad Radke | 85 | 1995 | 2006 | 45.3 | 36.4 | 27.0 | 18.7 | 0.0 | 40.9 | 219.4 | |
| Kenny Rogers | 86 | 1989 | 2008 | 50.7 | 35.2 | 19.7 | 18.3 | 6.7 | 43.0 | 218.2 | |
| Mordecai Brown | 87 | Y | 1903 | 1916 | 58.3 | 40.8 | 35.7 | 24.0 | 25.4 | 49.6 | 217.1 |
| Sam McDowell | 88 | 1961 | 1975 | 41.9 | 42.0 | 26.7 | 23.0 | 0.0 | 42.0 | 216.6 | |
| Joe McGinnity | 89 | Y | 1899 | 1908 | 57.9 | 51.9 | 43.6 | 30.0 | 12.2 | 54.9 | 216.6 |
| Adam Wainwright | 90 | 2005 | 2023 | 44.9 | 33.8 | 25.6 | 18.8 | 7.6 | 39.4 | 216.1 | |
| Jimmy Key | 91 | 1984 | 1998 | 49.1 | 36.9 | 22.0 | 18.7 | 6.8 | 43.0 | 215.8 | |
| Jerry Koosman | 92 | 1967 | 1985 | 53.9 | 37.9 | 18.4 | 19.4 | 11.7 | 45.9 | 215.1 | |
| Curt Davis | 93 | 1934 | 1946 | 38.6 | 30.7 | 30.2 | 18.7 | 2.4 | 34.7 | 214.6 | |
| Kevin Brown | 94 | 1986 | 2005 | 68.0 | 46.3 | 36.7 | 23.8 | 15.6 | 57.2 | 214.1 | |
| Mariano Rivera | 95 | Y | 1995 | 2013 | 56.2 | 28.7 | 18.4 | 13.5 | 29.4 | 42.5 | 213.6 |
| Red Ruffing | 96 | Y | 1924 | 1947 | 68.7 | 33.8 | 23.5 | 18.2 | 29.0 | 51.3 | 213.5 |
| Bucky Walters | 97 | 1934 | 1950 | 53.3 | 37.5 | 25.5 | 21.2 | 14.6 | 45.4 | 212.6 | |
| Red Faber | 98 | Y | 1914 | 1933 | 65.0 | 41.5 | 32.4 | 26.7 | 2.3 | 53.3 | 212.5 |
| Larry Jackson | 99 | 1955 | 1968 | 52.1 | 35.1 | 24.1 | 18.5 | 0.0 | 43.6 | 212.4 | |
| David Wells | 100 | 1987 | 2007 | 53.6 | 30.8 | 19.8 | 14.1 | 7.2 | 42.2 | 211.1 |
Frequently Asked Questions About the Greatest Pitchers of All-Time
- How are pitcher rankings calculated?
These rankings evaluate pitchers across four main categories: Career WAR (total Wins Above Replacement), seven-year peak performance (WAR7), three-year peak (WAR3), and five-year prime value (WAR5C). Postseason success also factors into the final Player Score, with adjustments made for different eras to ensure fair comparisons between modern aces and deadball legends.
- Who is the greatest pitcher in MLB history?
Walter Johnson tops the list as the greatest pitcher of all-time. The “Big Train” accumulated 167.8 career WAR between 1907 and 1927, combining extraordinary longevity with peak dominance that few have matched. His 507.4 Player Score reflects both his sustained excellence and his elite seven-year peak of 83.1 WAR.
- Which modern pitchers rank among the all-time greats?
Greg Maddux (ranked 2nd), Randy Johnson (3rd), and Pedro Martinez (6th) lead the modern era. Among active pitchers as of 2025, Justin Verlander ranks 18th all-time, followed by Clayton Kershaw at 19th and Max Scherzer at 23rd—all with legitimate Hall of Fame credentials.
- Does this list include relief pitchers?
Yes. Mariano Rivera is the highest-ranked relief specialist at 95th, though he’s the only pitcher used almost exclusively out of the bullpen to crack the top 100. The methodology naturally favors starters due to their higher WAR accumulation, but Rivera’s postseason dominance (29.4 Championship WAR) and unmatched consistency earn him a spot among baseball’s elite arms.
- Who are the best pitchers of all time by peak performance?
Pedro Martinez owns one of the greatest peaks in baseball history, with a WAR7 of 59.1 and a WAR3 of 30.4—numbers that rival anyone on this list. Sandy Koufax’s short but brilliant career produced a remarkable WAR3 of 29.1, while Ed Walsh’s deadball dominance shows in his staggering WAR3 of 32.4.
- Are Negro League pitchers included in these rankings?
Absolutely. Legends like Satchel Paige (27th), Joe Williams (45th), Bullet Rogan (74th), and Martin Dihigo (79th) appear throughout the list. Their inclusion honors the extraordinary talent that competed outside Major League Baseball during segregation, though limited statistical records mean some rankings may not fully capture their brilliance.
Conclusion:
The greatest pitchers of all-time share a common thread: they made hitting look impossible when they had it working.
From Walter Johnson’s blazing fastball to Greg Maddux’s surgical precision, these 100 pitchers represent the pinnacle of baseball mastery.
This ranking balances career value with peak dominance, rewarding both the workhorses who gave you 200 innings every season and the flamethrowers who reached heights most can only dream of.
Whether you favor longevity or brilliance, championship pedigree or pure stuff, this list captures the full spectrum of pitching greatness.
As active stars like Verlander, Kershaw, and Scherzer continue building their legacies, they’re chasing immortality alongside names like Seaver, Martinez, and Johnson.
That’s the beauty of this list: it’s both history and a living document, honoring the past while leaving room for the next generation of aces to make their case.
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