Phillies' 2.50 ERA Cy Young candidate tabbed as 'the best' starting pitcher in MLB

Tarik Skubal and Paul Skenes are highly regarded as the two best starting pitchers in baseball. 

Skenes won last year's NL Cy Young Award with the Pittsburgh Pirates, but an ace from the Philadelphia Phillies looks primed to take home the honor in 2026. 

Following Ranger Suarez's departure to the Boston Red Sox in free agency and the possibility that Zack Wheeler starts the season on the injured list, left-hander Cristopher Sanchez is preparing to be the Phillies' Opening Day starter. 

The Athletic lists Sanchez as one of MLB's top aces heading into the season, and a baseball executive is particularly high on his ceiling. 

MLB exec on Sanchez: 'The best in the game' 

"Sánchez caused a lot of buzz last spring when his fastball velocity jumped into the mid-90s. He lived up to the hype during the season, bullying hitters with that fastball while mixing in enough changeups and sliders to keep opponents off balance," The Athletic wrote Thursday.

“I think he’s the best in the game right now,” an MLB executive told The Athletic.

Sanchez finished second in NL Cy Young voting after posting a 2.50 ERA with 212 strikeouts in 202 innings. His 58.5% ground ball rate was among MLB's best, thanks to a 46% usage rate with his sinker. 

Skubal and Skenes may have the edge right now, but Sanchez is knocking on the door, and the Phillies are reaping the benefits. 

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