Let’s take a look at some of the best starting pitchers in the country so far this college baseball season. I say some because there are countless deserving names left off this list — it’s actually insane.
1. Kyson Witherspoon, Oklahoma
Oklahoma’s junior right-hander Kyson Witherspoon has been pretty dominant as the Sooners’ ace this season. He uses five pitches in his arsenal and has great command. Witherspoon’s fastball sits in the upper 90s, and it shows with an ERA just over 2 and over 70 strikeouts.
2 & 3. Joey Volini and Jamie Arnold, Florida State
Florida State’s junior left-hander Jamie Arnold proved himself to be one of the best pitchers in college baseball last season — and it still holds true. A lefty with proven success and great stuff, Arnold has become an incredible one-two punch with redshirt junior left-hander Joey Volini for the Noles. Both have to be on this list, if not headline it.
Arnold is now sitting around a 2.40 ERA with over 55 strikeouts, and Volini is also hovering around 2.40, but with over 70 strikeouts. FSU is hard to beat with Volini or Arnold on the mound.
4. Kade Anderson, LSU
Sophomore lefty Kade Anderson emerged as a premier arm this season for LSU. He has a great four-pitch mix and was named National Player of the Week after striking out 14 in a complete game shutout against Oklahoma in a pitcher’s duel against Witherspoon. Anderson has an ERA just over 3.45 but has upwards of 80 strikeouts so far this season.
5. Liam Doyle, Tennessee
Tennessee junior left-hander Liam Doyle leads the entire country in strikeouts. He has over 90 strikeouts so far and has done it against some of the best hitters in the country. Doyle has an elite fastball with velocity and incredible spin. He’s turned it up to another level this year for the Volunteers and it shows with his numbers: around a 2.50 ERA and the nation’s best strikeout pitcher.
6. Joseph Dzierwa, Michigan State
Junior lefty Joseph Dzierwa has been incredible on the mound for Michigan State. He is 6-foot-8 for one, and the only guy on this list with a sub-2 ERA sitting around 1.65 right now and over 65 strikeouts.
7. Pico Kohn, Mississippi State
Senior lefty Pico Kohn at Mississippi State is another left-hander pitcher with 70 strikeouts and holds just over a 3.20 ERA.
8. Aidan Knaak, Clemson
Clemson’s sophomore right-hander Aidan Knaak was one of the best pitchers in the country last year and has continued to improve. He has an incredible changeup and is even adding more weapons this year. He’s got over 65 strikeouts and a sub-4 ERA to show for it.
9. Brennan Stuprich, Southeastern Louisiana
Redshirt senior right-hander Brennan Stuprich at Southeastern Louisiana has incredible numbers — an ERA sitting around 2.30 this season and he ranks in the top three nationally in strikeouts with over 85.
10. Zach Root, Arkansas
And finally, junior left-hander Zach Root at Arkansas. He’s got a 3.60 ERA for one of the best teams in the country and over 65 strikeouts. Root has a great pitch mix and can really locate. It’s been on display all season.
This was an impossible list to make because there were many top prospects that were left off this list. Junior right-hander Tyler Bremner at UC Santa Barbara is definitely one of the best arm talents in the country. Iowa’s Cade Obermueller, Florida’s Liam Peterson, Louisville’s Patrick Forbes, Texas A&M’s Ryan Prager led his team to the finals last year, Alabama’s Riley Quick, DBU’s James Ellwanger and so many more.
