2021 has been the year of the no-hit, no-run in MLB, as six different pitchers have thrown one.
Joe Musgrove, Carlos Rodon, John Means, Wade Miley, Spencer Turnbull, and Corey Kluber have joined a privileged list in MLB history with historic performances.
But, who are the best pitchers currently active that haven’t been able to navigate a full game without allowing any hits?
Since Justin Verlander, Max Scherzer, Lucas Giolito, and Clayton Kershaw all have at least one no-hitter, they are out of this exercise.
Other talented hurlers, such as Walker Buehler, Trevor Bauer, Tyler Glasnow, Jake Flaherty, and others are very, very good, just not quite as dominant as the three names you are about to see.
Without further ado, here are the three best active pitchers without a no-hitter:
3. Shane Bieber, Cleveland Indians
Shane Bieber, the Cleveland Indians’ ace, has a legitimate case for being the best pitcher in MLB right now.
He won the Cy Young Award in the American League last year with a phenomenal 1.63 ERA and a 2.07 Fielding Independent Pitching, or FIP.
He also struck out a whopping 41.1 percent of the batters he faced in 2020.
This year, he has been excellent, with a 3.17 ERA and a 2.83 FIP.
He just hasn’t been as dominant as he was in the shortened 2020 campaign.
With his powerful knuckle curve in pinpoint command, it would not be a surprise if Bieber completes the feat and throws a no-hitter one of these days.
In July 24, 2019, Bieber lost a no hit bid in the seventh inning, so he has come relatively close to the accomplishment.
A no-hitter isn’t something that one can easily predict, but if that could be possible, Bieber would be one of the best candidates given his extraordinary talent on the mound.
2. Gerrit Cole, New York Yankees
There is no question that, in 2021, no pitcher in MLB has been as dominant and consistent as Gerrit Cole of the New York Yankees.
He is the current leader in Wins Above Replacement, or WAR, among pitchers with 2.6.
However, for as good and dominant he has been in his career (especially since he moved to Houston in 2018), Cole hasn’t had the pleasure of throwing a no-hitter.
For his career, Cole has a 3.14 ERA and a 3.04 FIP, with successful stints in Pittsburgh and Houston before landing in New York.
Cole fired a one-hit shutout with the Astros in 2018 and has come relatively close to a no-hitter in other occasions, but he still doesn’t have one in his already impressive resume.
He is as dominant as they come, though, so don’t be surprised if he completes the feat with the Yankees in 2021.
1. Jacob deGrom, New York Mets
Jacob deGrom is, arguably, the best and most dominant pitcher in baseball.
The most obvious thing that is going to happen this year is Jacob deGrom won't allow a hit through nine innings but the Mets don't score a run.
Or….
Jacob deGrom throws a no-hitter and drives in the only run of the game.
— D.J. Short (@djshort) May 20, 2021
He is currently rehabbing a sore right side, but will return to the Mets’ rotation next week.
Right now, he has a microscopic 0.68 ERA and a 1.06 FIP in 40 innings, striking out 14.63 hitters per nine innings pitched.
For his career, deGrom has a 2.54 ERA and is well on his way to the Hall of Fame.
Yet, he hasn’t been able to toss a no-hitter yet.
He came close on August 2, 2014: his no-hit bid was lost in the seventh frame.
He has the best chance of throwing the next no-hitter among active MLB pitchers.
NEXT: Are The Cubs Contenders Or Pretenders In 2021?Pitchers with no-hitters this season:
– Joe Musgrove
– Carlos Rodon
– John Means
– Wade Miley
– Spencer TurnbullActive pitchers who have never thrown a no-hitter:
– Jacob deGrom
– Shane Bieber
– Gerrit Cole
– Zack Greinkehttps://t.co/bD1kyatLKn— NYT Sports (@NYTSports) May 20, 2021