Dodgers: Pre-Spring Training NL West Positional Power Rankings

Starting Pitching

1. Dodgers

The best pitcher on planet earth wears Dodger blue. That should be a good enough argument to put them number 1. If you’re not yet convinced, Rich Hill has had a 3.02 ERA and 1.029 WHIP since joining the Dodgers. Alex Wood has finally emerged into the pitcher many expected him to be in 2017. Kenta Maeda has been terrific. Hyun-Jin Ryu when healthy could be the best 5^th starter in baseball. The Dodgers also have two young stars looming with Urias and Buehler. Depth is bountiful in La La land and the starting pitching is no exception

1. D-Backs

Zack Greinke is a top 10 pitcher in baseball. He leads the way for this young starting staff. Greinke is the only one above the age of 30. Robbie Ray showed Dodger fans how good he could be as he dominated the Dodgers last season. Taijuan Walker may have had a bad playoff start against the Dodgers but he still has the stuff to be a very good pitcher. If Patrick Corbin can remain healthy he is a very good option at number 4. Zack Godly has a very good breaking ball to complement his fastball and is a solid number 5 in a rotation.

1. Giants

I was going to go the Rockies here but I couldn’t get over the fact that they don’t have a legit number 1 starter. Madison Bumgarner suffered a freak injury and will be back with a vengeance in 2018. He could be a dark horse for the NL Cy Young. Johnny Cueto signed a big contract and flopped but he is a veteran who should be able to bounce back. Jeff Samardzija has had below average years but he eats innings. Stratton and Beede are both young and could prove a lot this season.

1. Rockies

Their lack of a legitimate ace has them down here. Jon Gray is a good pitcher he is just not what anyone would consider being an ace. But the front office in Colorado has picked up pitchers who could thrive in the hitter-friendly Coors field. Anderson throws a heavy fastball that produces a lot of ground balls. Aside from being a great story off the field has the perfect pitches to succeed in Colorado. The entire staff has the repertoire suited for the mile high city.

1. Padres

No point in discussing the dumpster fire they have going on in their starting rotation. Bottom line; their “ace” Clayton Richard had a 4.79 ERA last year.