The MLB’s latest Starting Pitcher Power Rankings have just dropped, and it’s aching the baseball fans. There’s a brand-new No. 1 who’s shaking things up, and fans on social media are slamming the league.
We’ve got a breakout ace who’s truly stepping into Cy Young territory this season.
Last time around, reigning Cy Young winner Tarik Skubal was holding the top spot. But this time, all eyes are on Hunter Brown from the Houston Astros.
Though he is really coming into his own this year, after a breakout 2024 season, he’s been absolutely on fire in 2025. As of now, Brown is tied for the American League lead with six wins and boasts an impressive 2.04 ERA.
But MLB fans on social media do not like the timing of prioritizing him over the rest of the stars.
There’s a new name at the top of the Pitcher Power Rankings pic.twitter.com/Vv2RlNVzbd
— MLB Network (@MLBNetwork) May 22, 2025
Hunter’s performance against the Tampa Bay Rays marked a rare low point in an otherwise impressive season. Entering the game with a 1.43 ERA over his first nine starts, the right-hander faced an unforgiving ballpark environment at Steinbrenner Field.
Brown surrendered five runs, including three home runs. But this did not compare with his previous outings, in which he had only allowed two homers over 56 ⅔ innings.
His struggles resulted in a disappointing 8-4 loss for the Houston Astros. Name a worse day than this to be named as the top starting pitcher in the league.
MLB Fans Berate League Over No. 1 Pick In Pitcher Power Rankings
From the outset, it was clear that Brown was not in his usual form. He opened the game while throwing a hefty 29 pitches in the first inning alone.
He allowed two runs as the Rays seemed to capitalize on his early mistakes. The game’s turning point came in the fifth inning when Brown allowed back-to-back homers to Josh Lowe and Brandon Lowe.
All of this was too unsettling for the fans.
“He literally got fried yesterday this is embarrassing,” a fan commented.
He literally got fried yesterday this is embarrassing
— SkoobyBev (@SkoobyBev) May 22, 2025
“He just got owned yesterday….” another fan wrote.
He just got owned yesterday….
— Teach (@Roboteach7) May 22, 2025
“Brown has been dominant but Skubal’s K-BB rate is absurdly good,” a third fan added.
Brown has been dominant but Skubal’s K-BB rate is absurdly good.
— DetroitSportsNation (@detsportsnation) May 22, 2025
“He just got lit up by the Rays, lol,” another comment read.
He just got lit up by the Rays, lol
— Alex OHIO STATE NATIONAL CHAMPS (@DFWAlex2289) May 22, 2025
“He emerges after his worst start? Irony,” a fan wrote.
He emerges after his worst start? Irony
— Sam Schwartz (@Mr_FAOSchwartz) May 22, 2025
“Yeah, he sure looked like #1 yesterday vs one of the worst offenses in baseball,” a user commented.
Yeah, he sure looked like #1 yesterday vs one of the worst offenses in baseball
— Eric Buhler (@TheBigE89) May 22, 2025
“LAME! No one would choose Hunter Brown over Skubal. By no one, I mean NOBODY!” another user quipped.
LAME! No one would choose Hunter Brown over Skubal. By no one, I mean NOBODY!
— (@bparsons22) May 22, 2025
“Didn’t he just have one of the worst outings of any SP this season?” a fan questioned.
Didn’t he just have one of the worst outings of any SP this season?
— iceball8314 (@iceball8314) May 22, 2025
Despite the recent struggle, Brown is putting out impressive numbers in the MLB. He racked up 71 strikeouts over 61 2/3 innings pitched. Additionally, he’s also allowing the fewest hits per nine innings (just 5.2!) of any qualified starter.
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