The Best Pitchers In Chicago Cubs History

Ranker Baseball
Updated March 1, 2025 51 items
Ranked By
2.2K votes
325 voters
Voting Rules
Vote up the top pitchers to take the mound for the Cubs

The best pitchers in Chicago Cubs history are all part of a long legacy of stellar pitching that stretches back to the early days of the sport. Whether they were starters who became a key part of a winning pitching rotation or relievers who filled out the back end of the pitching staff, all of these players have been integral to the Cubs becoming a successful franchise.

Former stars like Carlos Zambrano and Kerry Wood appear below, as well as Hall of Fame starting pitchers like Ferguson Jenkins and Greg Maddux. Of course, there is Rick Reuschel, who began his lengthy career as part of the Boston roster.

So vote up the top pitchers in Cubs history. Help choose the players who contributed the most to the franchise over the years and those who helped the team win games when it mattered.

Most divisive: Paul Minner
Over 300 Ranker voters have come together to rank this list of The Best Pitchers In Chicago Cubs History
Ranked by
  • Ferguson Jenkins
    1
    Age: 82
    152 votes

    Cubs career: 1966-1973, 1982-1983

    Cubs WAR: 52.9

    • Birthplace: Chatham-Kent, Canada
    • Nationality: Canada
    • Team: Boston Red Sox, Philadelphia Phillies, Chicago Cubs, Texas Rangers
    • Position: Starting pitcher, Pitcher
  • Greg Maddux
    2
    Age: 59
    155 votes

    Cubs career: 1986-1992, 2004–2006

    Cubs WAR: 33.7

    • Birthplace: San Angelo, Texas, USA
    • Nationality: United States of America
    • Team: Los Angeles Dodgers, San Diego Padres, Los Angeles Dodgers, Chicago Cubs, Atlanta Braves
    • Position: Pitcher
  • Kerry Wood
    3
    Age: 47
    125 votes

    Cubs career: 1998, 2000-2008, 2011-2012

    Cubs WAR: 25.5

    • Birthplace: Irving, Texas
    • Nationality: United States of America
    • Team: Chicago Cubs
    • Position: Relief pitcher, Pitcher
  • Lee Smith
    4
    Dec. at 25 (1957-1983)
    93 votes

    Cubs career: 1980-1987

    Cubs WAR: 19.0

    • Birthplace: Jamestown, Louisiana
    • Nationality: United States of America
    • Team: Chicago Cubs, Boston Red Sox, St. Louis Cardinals, New York Yankees, Baltimore Orioles
    • Position: Pitcher
  • Mordecai Brown
    5
    Dec. at 71 (1876-1948)
    80 votes

    Cubs career: 1904-1912, 1916

    Cubs WAR: 46.8

    • Birthplace: Nyesville, Indiana
    • Position: Pitcher
  • Jake Arrieta
    6
    Age: 39
    106 votes

    Cubs career: 2013-2017

    Cubs WAR: 20.1

    • Birthplace: Farmington, Missouri
    • Nationality: American
    • Team: Baltimore Orioles, Chicago Cubs, Philadelphia Phillies, San Diego Padres
    • Position: Pitcher