As we move closer to the start of the 2023 season, the time to make predictions for how the year will play out is drawing nearer as well.
As we all know, starting pitching is an important part of any contending ballclub.
There are some teams, like the New York Yankees, Philadelphia Phillies, Milwaukee Brewers, and New York Mets who have elite starting rotations.
There are other teams, such as the St. Louis Cardinals, Chicago White Sox, and Boston Red Sox whose rotations pale in comparison to some of the elite staffs.
But a few MLB analysts on MLB Network had a debate over which rotation had the best stuff, rather than who was best, and they had a couple of interesting takes.
Which starting rotation has the nastiest stuff?#MLBNHotStove | @adnansvirk pic.twitter.com/4I7m3yv7qS
— MLB Network (@MLBNetwork) January 22, 2023
The Brewers were the first team that was mentioned.
Milwaukee has former Cy Young Corbin Burnes at the top of its rotation along with Brandon Woodruff and Freddy Peralta.
Burnes had a 40% whiff rate against his slider, curveball, and changeup in 2022.
He is the only pitcher in baseball with three such pitch types.
Woodruff held opposing hitters to a .184 average against his four-seam fastball, which is a career low.
He also had a 54% whiff rate against his changeup, which was the best in all of baseball.
Another team that was mentioned was the defending World Series champion Houston Astros, who have Framber Valdez, Cristian Javier, and Lance McCullers Jr. in their rotation.
Valdez led all American League pitchers with a -11-run value against his curveball.
There are plenty of elite rotations in baseball, which should help carry their respective teams through the 2023 season.
