34. Bill Gullickson

In the early 1980s, the Montreal Expos featured a young, powerful starting rotation that was among the best in the National League. Central to that group was Bill Gullickson. Picked second overall in the 1977 draft, the tall right-hander arrived in French Canada with high expectations. Unlike many top prospects of his time, Gullickson not only met these expectations but also became known for his durability and aggressive pitching, making him one of the most underrated pitchers of his era.

His debut in the major leagues in 1980 was an exceptional example of rookie performance. Gullickson completely overwhelmed National League hitters, finishing with a 10–5 record and an impressive 3.00 ERA. The most memorable moment of his rookie season occurred on September 10, when he set a rookie record by striking out 18 Chicago Cubs at Stade Olympique—a remarkable display of skill that contributed to his second-place finish behind Steve Howe for the National League Rookie of the Year Award.

While old-school baseball card collectors focused mainly on Gullickson’s wins and losses, modern analytics show that his underlying efficiency was even more impressive than previously recognized. In the strike-shortened 1981 season, he was possibly the most effective pitcher in the Senior Circuit, with a 2.80 ERA. Although the official box scores credited him with seven wins, he quietly led the National League with a remarkably low 2.11 FIP (Fielding Independent Pitching)—demonstrating how he truly mastered the game independent of defensive support.

He then became a key, high-volume pitcher, recording over 220 innings in back-to-back seasons. In 1984, Gullickson demonstrated exceptional control, issuing only 39 walks in 225.2 innings, leading the National League with a mere 1.5 walks per nine innings.

Heavy workloads reduced his strikeout rates, leading the small-market Expos to trade him to the Reds in December 1985 as part of a multi-player deal. Gullickson then had a productive journeyman career, including a stint in Japan and a 20-win season with the Tigers.  Gullickson appeared in 195 games (186 starts), with a 72–61 record, a 3.44 ERA, and a 1.20 WHIP. He pitched 1,273.1 innings, with 33 complete games, nine shutouts, and 654 strikeouts.