The next aces: 5 young starters who could become stars

Through the first month, a few pitchers have separated themselves from the pack. There's the usual suspects, Max Scherzer and Jacob deGrom; there's resurgent performances from former Cy Young winners in Rick Porcello and Justin Verlander; and there's an incredibly dominant Gerrit Cole, rejuvenated by joining the reigning World Series champions.

But lying just beyond the top five in the FanGraphs WAR table is a lesser known budding ace in Dylan Bundy. Long touted as a top prospect, the 25-year-old has previously struggled with injuries but has been the lone bright spot of the Baltimore Orioles rotation. Bundy headlines a group of five pitchers who are on the cusp of entering the upper echelon:

Dylan Bundy, Orioles

Bundy is likely the most well known on the list after being the fourth overall pick by the Orioles in 2011. In fact, he and Kevin Gausman were long heralded as future saviors in Baltimore. Fortunately for the Orioles, Bundy has arrived in full bloom this season. Despite turning in a bad start against the Tampa Bay Rays his last time out, the right-hander is striking out 28.4 percent batters he faces compared to a 6.5 percent walk rate. Bundy has made strides to induce more groundballs and, consequently, is allowing fewer home runs.

Sean Manaea, Athletics

Coming over as part of the Ben Zobrist deal that helped the Kansas City Royals win the World Series, Manaea has done nothing but shove this season, throwing the only no-hitter of the campaign thus far. After tossing nine no-hit frames against the Boston Red Sox - the hottest team in the American League - the lefty carried another no-hitter into the fourth inning in his next start against the Astros. His strikeout rate is not especially high, but he's walking fewer batters, and generating fewer swings on pitches that finish in the zone thanks to a deceptive delivery.

Blake Snell, Rays

In a season where there seems to be diminishing reason to watch the Rays, Snell has been nails. Aside from getting tagged with five earned runs against the New York Yankees early in the season, the 25-year-old southpaw has been nearly untouchable. Over his last three starts (20 2/3 inning), Snell has walked one batter and struck out 24. His four-game win streak is a huge reason why the Rays are hovering around .500 despite opening the season on a 1-8 skid.

Nick Pivetta, Phillies

Through five starts Pivetta has been impressive. Striking out one batter per inning and while walking less than one batter per start, the 25-year-old is arriving at a crucial time for the Philadelphia Phillies. Aiding his development is the presence of bonafide aces Aaron Nola and Jake Arrieta, which has insulated the young starter from pressure despite playing in big-market Philly. Pivetta is getting ahead of hitters early and often, throwing a first-pitch strike in 70 percent of plate appearances (4th best among qualified starters). Perhaps he will become victim of the ambush if hitters catch on to that pattern, but Pivetta has the tools to counter with adjustments of his own.

Reynaldo Lopez, White Sox

The second best prospect piece to come over in the deal that sent Adam Eaton to the Washington Nationals, there's little question that Lopez has outshone Lucas Giolito. The 24-year-old earned a spot in the rotation, and while he's surrendering free passes at a very high clip, Lopez is working effectively from the stretch, stranding 86.2 percent of runners. That, along with his 1.78 ERA, is likely not sustainable, but if his walk rate drops down to his career norm and the groundball rate stays at 34.1 percent or improves to the rates he posted in the minors, Lopez's arrival could mean the grooming of a new ace for the Chicago White Sox.

(Pictures courtesy: Getty Images)