The Cy Young Award is given to the best pitcher at the end of the season in each the American and National League. Last year’s winner was Max Scherzer who finished the 2013 season with a remarkable 21-3 record with a 2.90 ERA and 240 strikeouts.
Although it is only June, there have been some standout pitching performances, as aces are showing consistency and dominating the pitchers mound. Here’s a look at five of the top Cy Young contenders in the American League.
5. Sonny Gray, Oakland A’s
While this is only his first full season in the bigs, Sonny Gray is showing everyone why is one of the league’s most elite pitchers. The 24-year-old righty is Oakland’s ace and no matchup is too big for him to handle. Gray takes the mound with a certain confidence and poise that allows him to have continued success and impress in key situations.
He’s also a pretty good fielder, making plays and helping his cause in the mound. A Gold Glove looks to be in the young starter’s future as well.
In 12 starts this year, Gray is 6-1 with a 2.45 ERA and 65 strikeouts. He is also currently fifth among AL starters in ERA.
Gray will continue to be in talks for the Cy Young this year, and years to come. The youngster is just starting his career, and his future couldn’t be brighter.
4. Felix Hernandez, Seattle Mariners
They don’t call him King Felix for nothing. Hernandez is undoubtedly one of the best pitchers in all of baseball and has been one of the most consistent in his career. The King is only 28-years-old and has nine MLB seasons under his belt. He has been awarded the Cy Young once in his career, when he received the honor in 2010 as he posted a 13-12 record and 2.27 ERA.
This year Hernandez is 8-1 after 13 starts and has a 2.57 ERA, which is currently sixth in the AL.
Hernandez’s name is always mentioned as a Cy Young contender and this year is no different, especially considering the Mariners have been on a roll lately with their 31-28 record.
3. Mark Buehrle, Toronto Blue Jays
Buehrle was the first pitcher to reach 10 wins in the bigs this season, and has done so with the first place Blue Jays. He’s been considered as one of the most consistent throughout his career, and as of late that consistency has averaged about 13 wins per season. This year, however, Buehrle could potentially reach 20 wins for the first time in his career.
Through 12 starts this season, he’s posting an impressive 10-1 record and 2.10 ERA, which is currently third in the AL. Back in 2002, he had 19 wins with the White Sox.
The veteran lefty hasn’t missed a start in 14 years, and if he continues pitching the way he is now, the 35-year-old could take home the Cy Young Award.
2. Yu Darvish, Texas Rangers
The past two seasons have been great for Darvish and 2014 is shaping up to be another impressive season for the right-hander. After two years in the bigs, Darvish’s name has been tied to Rookie of the Year nominations as well as Cy Young contention, not to mention he’s made the All Star team in both 2012 and 2013.
Darvish is an important piece to the Texas Rangers roster and rotation, especially this year, but he is more than capable of rising to the challenge.
Through 10 starts this year, he is 5-2 with an ERA of 2.08. His record could be better than what it is, but the Rangers as a team have been struggling this season as they trail the AL West leading Oakland A’s by seven games.
That being said, Darvish is one of the best pitchers in the league right now and gives the Rangers the best chance to win. He’s been considered for this honor before, and if he keeps pitching the way he is, he’ll definitely win one in his career.
1. Masahiro Tanaka, New York Yankees
Yankees rookie Masahiro Tanaka is the best pitcher in the American League right now. When the Yankees signed him to a seven year $155 million contract back in January, there were many expectations for the 25-year-old, and he has lived up to every one.
Wearing the pinstripes and playing at Yankee Stadium is a big deal, and coming to the states from Japan to play American baseball can cause quite the culture shock, but Tanaka has eased into it with poise.
He has also become an important factor to the Yanks starting rotation as they are 10-2 when he starts and 20-27 when he doesn’t.
Not only is Tanaka a leading candidate for AL Rookie of the Year, but for the Cy Young as well. Through 12 starts this season, Tanaka is 9-1 with an AL-leading 2.02 ERA and 92 strikeouts.
Tanaka is an ace. When he starts a game the Yankees have a great chance of winning, and when on a losing skid there is no one they rather have on the mound than him. This is his first season in the bigs, he’s only made 12 starts, but he’s made a name for himself and has lived up to all the hype.