Skates, Spikes, and Sidelines

Baseball’s biggest showstopper. The term Ace has had a clear meaning in baseball for decades. The pitcher who anchored the staff, outlasted the opposing team on the mound every fifth day, and threw a whole lot of quality innings.

Think of guys like Sandy Koufax and Pedro Martinez. Pillars of the pitching community who embodied the role of an Ace. They not only dominated in the boxscore, but they had a head on their shoulders. An ideal quality for someone with the tremendous pressure of climbing the mound multiple times per week.

What happened to them? Why are Aces so rare to come across in the modern baseball landscape? Well, in short, it’s more complicated now. With the rise of analytics, specialization, and awareness of injuries, you’re not going to have the 250 IP workhorses of days past. In reality, 12 pitchers in 1979 eclipsed the 250 IP mark. In 2024? Not a single pitcher reached even 220 IP.

That’s in part because skill and worth are now measured differently. If you could be efficient, tally a high K/9, and navigate the lineup twice by the time you hit the sixth inning, you’re earning your spot in the All-Star game and an attractive contract.

Because of this shift, young pitchers are aligning their training to fit teams’ needs. As a consequence, the line between a “true Ace” and “number one starter” has become blurred. Sure, teams now have a rotation leader, but only a handful of pitchers in 2025 command the game like they used to. Think of names like Gerrit Cole, Corbin Burnes, and Spencer Strider. They’re the modern Ace. The most value over six innings, high velocity, and high spin rates.

Another issue plaguing the league from having several Aces running the league is durability. At his peak, Jacob deGrom was untouchable. Low ERAs and a K/9 that rivalled Randy Johnson. Unfortunately, he just couldn’t stay healthy, preventing him from carrying the Ace title.

Ultimately, the role has evolved alongside the game of baseball. The Ace remains central to baseball’s identity. They may pitch only 180 innings instead of 270, but they’re still the reason fans circle games on the calendar. They’re the ones teams entrust with stopping losing streaks and delivering day-after-day in October.

The innings may have diminished, but the Ace’s mystique remains.