What Defines an Ace in 2025? Analyzing Modern Success for Star Pitchers

As we progress deeper into the 2025 Major League Baseball (MLB) season, the landscape of what constitutes an “ace” pitcher has dramatically evolved compared to previous decades. The expectations for starting pitchers today are starkly different from those of 10, 20, or even 40 years ago. This transformation raises the question: What does success look like for today’s top pitchers?

The Changing Nature of Pitching

Historically, fans who grew up in eras dominated by 20-game winners often find it hard to reconcile the current state of pitching. The complete game, once a staple of a pitcher’s repertoire, has nearly vanished; in fact, no pitcher has thrown more than one nine-inning complete game this season. Furthermore, the pitch count has become a critical aspect of managing pitchers, with 100 pitches now considered a maximum limit. In contrast, pitchers routinely surpassed 110 pitches in previous decades.

For context, in 1985, 20-year-old Dwight Gooden had an extraordinary season, going 24-4 with a 1.53 ERA, leading the National League with 16 complete games and 268 strikeouts. In comparison, current stars like Paul Skenes and Tarik Skubal, who are leading the league in various metrics, exhibit a very different approach to pitching.

Modern Aces: Skenes and Skubal

Paul Skenes, a frontrunner for the NL Cy Young Award, boasts an impressive 2.03 ERA, leading the National League in strikeouts and Wins Above Replacement (WAR). Despite these accolades, his win-loss record stands at a modest 10-10. Similarly, Tarik Skubal is favored to win the AL Cy Young Award for the second consecutive year, but he has only 13 wins and may not reach 200 innings pitched, mirroring his previous season’s performance.

The stark contrast becomes even more evident when comparing their statistics to those of past aces. In 2025, there have been only 12 complete game shutouts across the entire league, with no pitcher achieving more than one. The only pitcher on track to win 20 games this season is Max Fried, who has 17 wins but may only make two additional starts.

Evaluating Aces Across Decades

To better understand what defines an ace in 2025, it is essential to compare the current season with those from previous decades. This analysis spans 50 years, examining the average statistics of the top 12 aces from each decade, selected based on metrics such as WAR, innings pitched, ERA, and ERA+.

The 1970s: Durability and Wins

In 1975, the average ace had a record of 20-12, with a 2.69 ERA and an average of 288 innings pitched. Durability was paramount; aces completed 51% of their starts, averaging 7.8 innings per outing. The expectation was clear: if you were an ace, you were expected to finish what you started.

The 1980s: Secondary Pitch Mastery

By 1985, the average ace’s record was 18-8, with a 2.54 ERA and 248 innings pitched. The era shifted to emphasize secondary pitches, as the hitters became increasingly powerful. Aces like Dwight Gooden and John Tudor showcased impressive secondary pitches, which became crucial in countering the rising offensive output.

The 1990s: Surviving the PED Era

In 1995, the average ace recorded a 16-7 record with a 2.99 ERA. This period was marked by the offensive surge attributed to performance-enhancing drugs (PEDs), which forced pitchers to adapt their strategies. The average strikeouts per nine innings increased to 7.4, highlighting the need for aces to be more dominant amidst the changing landscape.

The 2000s: Strikeouts Over Walks

In 2005, the average ace had a record of 16-8 with a 2.82 ERA. A significant shift occurred as pitchers began to focus on striking out batters rather than just limiting walks. The strikeout-to-walk ratio increased to 4.0, illustrating a new trend in pitcher management and strategy.

The 2010s: The Rise of High Strikeout Rates

By 2015, the average ace’s record stood at 17-8, with a 2.56 ERA and a strikeout rate exceeding one per inning. This era saw the emergence of pitchers like Clayton Kershaw and Max Scherzer, who dominated with a combination of power and precision.

Defining an Ace in 2025

As of 2025, the average ace has a record of 13-6, a 2.65 ERA, and 174 innings pitched. Notably, aces are now expected to excel in shorter outings, often lasting only six or seven innings. For instance, Skenes has pitched beyond seven innings only three times this season.

Despite the decreased workload, the expectation for dominance remains. The current crop of aces has allowed no runs or just one run in 171 out of 346 starts, demonstrating their effectiveness even in shorter appearances.

Conclusion

The landscape of pitching in Major League Baseball has transformed significantly over the decades. While the days of multiple 20-game winners may be behind us, the achievements of pitchers like Paul Skenes and Tarik Skubal should not be diminished. Their success in today’s game, marked by different metrics and expectations, showcases the evolution of what it means to be an ace in 2025.

Key Facts

– **Current Aces**: Paul Skenes and Tarik Skubal leading the league in various metrics.
– **Complete Games**: Only 12 complete game shutouts in 2025, with no pitcher achieving more than one.
– **Aces’ Average Stats**: 13-6 record, 2.65 ERA, 174 innings pitched in 2025.
– **Historical Context**: Aces from previous decades had significantly higher innings pitched and win totals.
– **Shift in Expectations**: Modern aces are expected to dominate in shorter outings rather than complete games.

Source: www.espn.com