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MLB Awards Predictions

By Brad Rowland

Mar 24, 2015; Surprise, AZ, USA; Los Angeles Angels outfielder Mike Trout bats against the Texas Rangers in a spring training game at Surprise Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 24, 2015; Surprise, AZ, USA; Los Angeles Angels outfielder Mike Trout bats against the Texas Rangers in a spring training game at Surprise Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports /
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Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Clayton Kershaw throws a pitch against the St. Louis Cardinals in the first inning during game four of the 2014 NLDS baseball playoff game at Busch Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Scott Rovak-USA TODAY Sports
Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Clayton Kershaw throws a pitch against the St. Louis Cardinals in the first inning during game four of the 2014 NLDS baseball playoff game at Busch Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Scott Rovak-USA TODAY Sports /

NL Cy Young

  1. Clayton Kershaw, Los Angeles Dodgers – Clayton Kershaw has taken the ball 60 times over the past two seasons. He has put together nine complete games over that timeframe while striking out more than a batter per inning (comfortably) and for the grand finale, Kershaw’s ERA has been under 2.00 in back-to-back years. Why wouldn’t he be the front-runner? There are, of course, many worthy pitchers in the National League, but Kershaw has been, far and away, the best pitcher in baseball over the past four seasons, and without any injury or performance issue of note, he’s the runaway choice.
  2. Stephen Strasburg, Washington Nationals – It is amazing that Strasburg is viewed, at least in some circles, as a disappointment. The now 26-year-old pitcher has struck out 10.34 batters per 9 innings over the body of his career, and with a 3.02 cumulative ERA in 649.1 innings, Strasburg is firmly a member of the elite class among starters. Still, the former number one overall pick has yet to put everything together in one complete package, and this could be the year. Strasburg posted a career-low 1.80 BB/9 walk rate last season, and if he can replicate that, the ERA uptick needed for a Cy Young run should follow.
  3. Madison Bumgarner, San Francisco Giants – Prior to his now-legendary performance in Game 7 of the 2014 World Series, there was a case to made for Bumgarner as the best World Series pitcher of all-time. Of course, the Cy Young is not a postseason honor, and the 25-year-old lefty must channel his October greatness if he wants to be included in the race for the honor. Bumgarner does have back-to-back seasons with a sub-3.00 ERA and more than 200 innings, however, and if he somehow build upon his majestic run to the 2014 title, the Giants could have a Cy Young candidate.

Next: AL Cy Young

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