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MLB Awards Watch: How good is Chris Archer?

By Brad Rowland

Tampa Bay Rays starting pitcher Chris Archer (22) is congratulated by teammates after he pitched the fourth inning against the Toronto Blue Jays at Tropicana Field. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Tampa Bay Rays starting pitcher Chris Archer (22) is congratulated by teammates after he pitched the fourth inning against the Toronto Blue Jays at Tropicana Field. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /
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Washington Nationals starting pitcher Max Scherzer (31) throws to the St. Louis Cardinals during the second inning at Nationals Park. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports
Washington Nationals starting pitcher Max Scherzer (31) throws to the St. Louis Cardinals during the second inning at Nationals Park. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports /

NL Cy Young

  1. Max Scherzer, Washington Nationals – It must be noted that Scherzer has been scratched from his upcoming start as a result of a thumb injury, but given his performance to this point, that shouldn’t penalize him from any (way-too-early) Cy Young consideration. The former Tigers right-hander has a 1.26 ERA in four starts with the Nats, and Scherzer’s control has been spot-on to the tune of only 1.26 walks per 9 innings. Skeptics will point to his 1-2 “record” with his new team, but at this point, we should all agree that pitcher wins aren’t what counts in this space. Scherzer is a stud.
  2. Zack Greinke, Los Angeles Dodgers – The biggest knock on Greinke has been his inability to go extremely deep into games (26.2 innings in four starts), but when he is out there, he is electric. Greinke sports a 1.35 ERA in those outings, and while he hasn’t been the prolific strikeout artist that Scherzer has been, the results are inarguable. Clayton Kershaw gets the attention and with good reason, but Zack Greinke is an elite number two guy.
  3. Johnny Cueto, Cincinnati Reds – Cueto had a fantastic season in 2014, and he is still pitching at that level. In fact, the right-hander has a better strikeout rate than Scherzer (9.93 K/9 to 9.10 K/9), and Cueto is always in full control when it comes to limiting free passes (1.55 BB/9). It feels as if Johnny Cueto still lacks respect nationally as an ace-level pitcher, but given his recent pedigree, that should change if this stellar level continues for another full season.

Next: AL Cy Young

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