Is Tarik Skubal the best pitcher in baseball?

TL;DR

Tarik Skubal is being considered as the best pitcher in baseball, boasting high projections and strong fWAR rankings. However, he currently trails other pitchers like Cam Schlittler and Max Fried in fWAR this season.

Key points

Tarik Skubal has the highest projections across Steamer and ZiPS.
He finished second in fWAR to Chris Sale in 2024.
Skubal is currently trailing Cam Schlittler and Max Fried in fWAR this season.

Tarik SkubalDetroit TigersPaul SkenesChris Sale

DETROIT, MI - APRIL 23: Tarik Skubal (29) of the Detroit Tigers delivers a pitch during an MLB game against the Milwaukee Brewers on April 23, 2026 at Comerica Park in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) | Icon Sportswire via Getty Images A simple one this morning. There are many pitchers in baseball. Is Tarik Skubal the best? A reason to say yes: he has the highest projections for a single pitcher across Steamer and ZiPS. He also (barely) led Paul Skenes in fWAR last year, and finished second to Chris Sale in fWAR in 2024. A reason to say no: well, I’m not going there. I think definitively saying he isn’t is too tough a sell. He is *not* the pitching fWAR leader right now, trailing both Cam Schlittler (and his ridiculous video game numbers through seven starts) and Max Fried of the Yankees. That said, he’s still top five in FIP- and top seven in xFIP- among anyone that’s thrown 20 innings so far (142 pitchers), and he actually has one fewer start than Schlittler and Fried, so… Anyway, what say you? Tarik Skubal, currently the best pitcher in MLB? If not, who is. And yeah, the Braves get to face him today.

Q&A

What are Tarik Skubal's current fWAR rankings compared to other pitchers?

Tarik Skubal is currently ranked behind Cam Schlittler and Max Fried in fWAR, but he finished second to Chris Sale in 2024.

How does Tarik Skubal's performance compare to Paul Skenes?

Tarik Skubal barely led Paul Skenes in fWAR last year, indicating a competitive performance between the two pitchers.

What metrics indicate Tarik Skubal's pitching effectiveness?

Skubal ranks top five in FIP- and top seven in xFIP- among pitchers who have thrown at least 20 innings this season.

Is Tarik Skubal the best pitcher in baseball?

TL;DR

Key points

Q&A

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