Phillies all-time best starting rotation based on WAR
By Edward Eng
Over the years, the Philadelphia Phillies have had many great pitchers who have started for them in their 141 years of existence. But have you ever wondered who the best pitchers were to have donned a Phillies uniform?
We will take a look at the five best starting pitchers of all time based on wins above replacement (WAR) who would make up the Phillies' all-time starting rotation. WAR takes into consideration all aspects of the game, so it gives an accurate measurement of a player’s overall impact. In this case, we'll be using fWAR (FanGraphs WAR).
Phillies all-time best starting rotation based on WAR
Before we dive into the prestigious list, let’s recognize a few honorable mentions who just barely missed the cut.
Being only one of two Phillies pitchers to have ever pitched a perfect game, Jim Bunning (31.2 fWAR) was certainly one of the best during his time in the MLB. Posting double-digits in wins in 13 of his 17 years in the big leagues, Bunning was named an All-Star seven times and finished as a runner-up to the NL Cy Young Award in 1967.
In his six seasons with the Phillies from 1964 to 1967 and 1970 to 1971, he posted a solid 89-73 record with a 2.93 ERA and ranks fifth on the Phillies all-time list with a 1.11 WHIP and eighth with 1,197 strikeouts. Bunning’s achievements have been deservedly recognized, and he was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1996.
Curt Simmons (33.5 fWAR) spent over 13 seasons with the Phillies organization from 1947 to 1960. The three-time All-Star sits fifth on the all-time wins list with 115, shutouts with 23, innings pitched with 1,939 2/3, and ninth in strikeouts with 1,052. However, the Phillies only managed to make the postseason once during his time with the club.
Finally, we have an active member among the group with current team ace Aaron Nola (34.5 fWAR) just narrowly missing out in the top five of all-time. A rare breed who has spent his entire career with just one ballclub, Nola has been the heart and soul of the Phillies for over a decade and still counting.
A former All-Star and Cy Young finalist, he currently finds himself the overall franchise leader in strikeout rate with 9.97 batters per nine innings and fourth all-time in strikeouts with 1,629. If he manages to keep up his excellence this season, Nola has a strong chance to crack the top five by the end of 2024.
Now, time for the Phillies all-time starting five based on WAR.