Ranking pitchers is inherently difficult because they always seem to be just one twinge away from a serious injury. We've already seen several important starters – most recently Kodai Senga and Lucas Giolito – come down with injuries this spring, leaving their return dates uncertain.

While availability is always the best ability, overpowering stuff has to be a close second. That's why the Braves' Spencer Strider tops this year's list. There's a little extra distance between him and the rest of the National League after the Brewers traded Corbin Burnes, but fantasy managers can still be happy with workhorses Zack Wheeler, Zac Gallen, Aaron Nola or Logan Webb heading their staffs.

The Dodgers have a pair of wild cards in Tyler Glasnow and Yoshinobu Yamamoto, with youngster Bobby Miller a potential breakout this season. Even with ace Sandy Alcantara out for the season, the Marlins can still trot out Jesus Luzardo and Eury Perez as potential SP1 candidates. Glasnow, Michael King and Eduardo Rodriguez are among the top offseason arrivals from the AL.

Speaking of the American League, Cy Young winner Gerrit Cole heads a deep group of impact starters with 200-strikeout potential. Toronto's Kevin Gausman led the league a year ago with 237 whiffs, with Burnes, Pablo Lopez, Luis Castillo, Dylan Cease and Framber Valdez also reaching the 200-K mark.

As for who could take the next step this season, Tarik Skubal, Grayson Rodriguez and Cole Ragans look like the top candidates. And there are a number of potential injury stashes in the AL with Shane Baz, Kyle Bradish, John Means, Max Scherzer, Jeffrey Springs and Jacob deGrom targeting mid- to late-season returns.

HOT STOVE UPDATES: MLB free agency: Ranking and tracking the top players available.

2024 fantasy baseball starting pitcher rankings

1. Spencer Strider, Braves NL1
2. Gerrit Cole, Yankees AL1
3. Corbin Burnes, Orioles AL2
4. Zack Wheeler, Phillies NL2
5. Kevin Gausman, Blue Jays AL3
6. Luis Castillo, Mariners AL4
7. George Kirby, Mariners AL5
8. Pablo Lopez, Twins AL6
9. Tyler Glasnow, Dodgers NL3
10. Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Dodgers NL4
11. Zac Gallen, Diamondbacks NL5
12. Aaron Nola, Phillies NL6
13. Logan Webb, Giants NL7
14. Max Fried, Braves NL8
15. Blake Snell, free agent
16. Freddy Peralta, Brewers NL9
17. Logan Gilbert, Mariners AL7
18. Jesus Luzardo, Marlins NL10
19. Framber Valdez, Astros AL8
20. Grayson Rodriguez, Orioles AL9
21. Tarik Skubal, Tigers AL10
22. Bobby Miller, Dodgers NL11
23. Eury Perez, Marlins NL12
24. Sonny Gray, Cardinals NL13
25. Joe Musgrove, Padres NL14
26. Dylan Cease, White Sox AL11
27. Tanner Bibee, Guardians AL12
28. Joe Ryan, Twins AL13
29. Zach Eflin, Rays AL14
30. Cole Ragans, Royals AL15
31. Justin Steele, Cubs NL15
32. Chris Bassitt, Blue Jays AL16
33. Jordan Montgomery, free agent
34. Michael King, Padres NL16
35. Chris Sale, Braves NL17
36. Hunter Greene, Reds NL18
37. Jose Berrios, Blue Jays AL17
38. Justin Verlander, Astros AL18
39. Merrill Kelly, Diamondbacks NL19
40. Mitch Keller, Pirates NL20
41. Bailey Ober, Twins AL19
42. Yu Darvish, Padres NL21
43. Braxton Garrett, Marlins NL22
44. Eduardo Rodriguez, Diamondbacks NL23
45. Walker Buehler, Dodgers NL24
46. Carlos Rodon, Yankees AL20
47. Shane Bieber, Guardians AL21
48. Cristian Javier, Astros AL22
49. Gavin Williams, Guardians AL23
50. Hunter Brown, Astros AL24
51. Nick Pivetta, Red Sox AL25
52. Aaron Civale, Rays AL26
53. Shane Baz, Rays AL27
54. Bryce Miller, Marines AL28
55. Bryan Woo, Mariners AL29
56. Brayan Bello, Red Sox AL30
57. Brandon Pfaadt, Diamondbacks NL25
58. Nathan Eovaldi, Rangers AL31
59. Shota Imanaga, Cubs NL26
60. Ryan Pepiot, Rays AL32
61. Kodai Senga, Mets NL27
62. Cristopher Sanchez, Phillies NL28
63. Kyle Bradish, Orioles AL33
64. Kutter Crawford, Red Sox AL34
65. Charlie Morton, Braves NL29
66. Kenta Maeda, Tigers AL35
67. Michael Wacha, Royals AL36
68. Nestor Cortes, Yankees AL37
69. Seth Lugo, Royals AL38
70. John Means, Orioles AL39
71. Andrew Abbott, Reds NL30
72. Max Scherzer, Rangers AL40
73. Marcus Stroman, Yankees AL41
74. Yusei Kikuchi, Blue Jays AL42
75. Triston McKenzie, Guardians AL43
76. Taj Bradley, Rays AL44
77. Edward Cabrera, Marlins NL31
78. Reid Detmers, Angels AL45
79. Nick Lodolo, Reds NL32
80. Reese Olson, Tigers AL46
81. Emmett Sheehan, Dodgers NL33
82. Griffin Canning, Angels AL47
83. MacKenzie Gore, Nationals NL34
84. Kyle Harrison, Giants NL35
85. Clayton Kershaw, Dodgers NL36
86. Luis Severino, Mets NL37
87. Garrett Whitlock, Red Sox AL48
88. Jon Gray, Rangers AL49
89. Sean Manaea, Mets NL38
90. Dean Kremer, Orioles AL50
91. Lance Lynn, Cardinals NL39
92. Jameson Taillon, Cubs NL40
93. James Paxton, Dodgers NL41
94. Louie Varland, MIn AL51
95. Casey Mize, Tigers AL52
96. Trevor Rogers, Marlins NL42
97. Chris Paddack, Twins AL53
98. Chase Silseth, Angels AL54
99. Dane Dunning, Rangers AL55
100. Tyler Wells, Orioles AL56