MLB ace rankings identify top starting pitchers for 2026 season

A new ranking of the top starting pitchers, or ‘aces’, for every Major League Baseball team has been released. For this assessment, an ace is defined as the most reliable pitcher a team can rely on for a decisive game, rather than being determined by salary or career accolades.

At the top of the rankings are standout performers such as Paul Skenes, noted for high strikeout rates, and Logan Gilbert. Other prominent names mentioned include Sandy Alcantara and Dylan Cease. In some organizations, such as the Mariners, Seattle, and St. Louis, the specific identity of the ace remains a subject of debate among multiple candidates.

At the lower end of the rankings are pitchers like Tomoyuki Sugano, Shota Imanaga, and J.T. Ginn. While Imanaga has been noted for his durability with the Chicago Cubs, and Ginn has shown promise for Oakland, they occupy the bottom tier of the league-wide ace comparison based on current season statistics.