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Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports via Imagn Images

5 Greatest Philadelphia Phillies Pitchers of All Time

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Eric W. Bolin | Last updated Apr 16, 2026 9:22 AM ET

Much like the top five hitters in Phillies history, the top five pitchers, save one, come from the post-World War II era. Three of those five have come since the franchise won its first World Series in 1980.

The Phillies have had a number of high-quality pitchers, especially starters, throughout their nearly 150-year history, but for whatever reason, many didn’t play with the club for long.

Those names won’t be here (see ya, Curt Schilling). Instead, we gave credit for extended stays in Philadelphia, not because they were more deserving for sticking around, but because we included only the statistics they measured while in a Phillies uniform.

Disagree with the picks? Go ahead. Just don’t think you can swap up No. 1 for anyone else.

5. Aaron Nola

His 2025 season notwithstanding, Nola has been rock solid near the top of the Phillies’ rotation for the last 12 years. A first-round pick in 2014, Nola debuted the next season and by his third year was already Philadelphia’s ace. In 2018, he led all of MLB in WAR (9.7) after going 17-6 with a 2.37 earned-run average and 0.975 WHIP with 224 strikeouts in 212 1/3 innings to finish third in National League Cy Young Award voting.

He’s finished in the top 10 in the voting two times since and carries a 3.83 ERA and 1.148 WHIP over 288 starts, the fifth-most by any pitcher in franchise history.

4. Cole Hamels

Philadelphia Phillies starting pitcher Cole Hamels and catcher Carlos Ruiz celebrate a victory against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium.Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports via Imagn Images

Hamels ranks in Philadelphia’s top five in most starting pitching statistical categories, including wins and strikeouts. He was never considered the best pitcher in the National League, but still finished in the top eight in Cy Young voting four times in his 10 seasons with the Phillies, also earning four All-Star nods.

He left Philadelphia via trade in 2015, playing five more seasons with three other teams. His final game as a Phillies pitcher, though? Hamels no-hit the Chicago Cubs on July 25, six days before being dealt to the Texas Rangers.

3. Grover Alexander

Alexander already cracked this list for another team, but it was in Philadelphia where he had his best years. He joined the Phillies in 1911 and proceeded to lead the National League in wins five times in his seven seasons with the club. He led the NL in ERA three times, complete games five times, hits three times, strikeouts five times, and innings pitched six times.

Alexander’s best year, his rookie season, saw him finish third in MVP voting. But he left Philadelphia for the Cubs in 1918. Had he stayed and put up the numbers with the Phillies he managed in Chicago, he’d have been tops on this list.

2. Robin Roberts

In the 1950s, few pitchers in all of baseball could claim to be as consistently great as Roberts. He made the All-Star team every year from 1950 to 1956, finishing top-seven in MVP voting five times.

His best season was in 1952 when he finished second after going 28-7 with 30 complete games with a 2.59 ERA, 1.021 WHIP, and leading the league in strikeout-to-walk ratio at 3.29. Roberts was elected to the Hall of Fame in 1976 upon playing 19 Major-League seasons, 14 of which came in Philadelphia.

1. Steve Carlton

A statue of Philadelphia Phillies great Steve Carlton is seen outside Citizens Bank Park.Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports via Imagn Images

Carlton was a good pitcher his first seven years in the majors with St. Louis, making three All-Star games. But his career in a Phillies uniform was better than good. Carlton won the Cy Young Award in 1972, his first season with the club, and proceeded to win the honor three more times before leaving the city in 1986.

Over those 14 years, Carlton led the NL in strikeouts five times, WAR three times and ERA once. He played his final three years in the bigs with five teams, but remains a Phillies legend.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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