If there is one thing that is clear from the Atlanta Braves and their other divisional opponents, it’s that the NL East is as deep as any division in baseball when it comes to the talent of each team’s starting rotation. So, with that thought in mind, let’s take a look at each team in particular, and rank the NL East starting rotations entering the 2023 season.
Ranking the 2023 NL East starting rotations
5. Washington Nationals
Projected 2023 Starting Rotation:
- RHP Stephen Strasburg
- LHP Patrick Corbin
- RHP Josiah Gray
- RHP Trevor Williams
- RHP Cade Cavalli/LHP MacKenzie Gore
Coming in at No. 5 are the Nationals, as their 2023 rotation will likely be among the bottom of the NL East, but that does not necessarily mean all will be bad for Washington in 2023. In fact, Washington should have one of baseball’s most exciting young arms make the rotation early in Cade Cavalli, a right-hander who currently ranks as the No. 55 overall prospect in the game according to MLB Pipeline.
4. Philadelphia Phillies
Projected 2023 Starting Rotation:
- RHP Zack Wheeler
- RHP Aaron Nola
- LHP Ranger Suarez
- RHP Taijuan Walker
- LHP Bailey Falter/LHP Cristopher Sanchez
The defending National League champions, Philadelphia comes in here at the No. 4 spot. The 1-2 combination of right-hander’s Zack Wheeler and Aaron Nola is as good as any in baseball, with the Phillies also having added a solid No. 4 starter during the offseason in Taijuan Walker, who comes to Philadelphia from the Mets.
3. Miami Marlins
Projected 2023 Starting Rotation:
- RHP Sandy Alcantara
- LHP Jesus Luzardo
- LHP Trevor Rogers
- RHP Johnny Cueto
- RHP Edward Cabrera/LHP Braxton Garrett
Miami’s 2023 starting rotation will be anchored by the reigning NL Cy Young award winner, Sandy Alcantara, who should be a candidate to contend for the award once again. The Marlins also have a collection of young arms that should be on the way such as prospect Eury Perez, adding to a mix that also added a key veteran recently in right-hander Johnny Cueto.
2. Atlanta Braves
Projected 2023 Starting Rotation:
- LHP Max Fried
- RHP Spencer Strider
- RHP Kyle Wright
- RHP Charlie Morton
- RHP Mike Soroka/RHP Ian Anderson/RHP Bryce Elder
Coming in at No. 2 is the Atlanta Braves, who are led by at-least one legit Cy Young candidate in Max Fried, with Spencer Strider also a name to watch for in that conversation in 2023. Simply put, the Braves starting rotation does not have many question marks aside from the No. 5 spot, which could see numerous names make a start there this season.
1. New York Mets
Projected 2023 Starting Rotation:
- RHP Max Scherzer
- RHP Justin Verlander
- LHP Jose Quintana
- RHP Kodai Senga
- RHP Carlos Carrasco/RHP David Peterson/RHP Tylor Megill
Claiming the No. 1 spot by a slim margin is the Mets, who despite losing both Jacob deGrom and Chris Bassitt during the offseason, replaced the two with defending AL Cy Young winner Justin Verlander and Jose Quintana. The Mets also signed right-hander Kodai Senga, who held a career 2.42 ERA across 11 seasons in Japan.