Fansided

MLB Awards Watch: Max Scherzer dominates the National League

By Brad Rowland

Washington Nationals pitcher Max Scherzer (31) pitches in the sixth inning during the game against the Milwaukee Brewers at Miller Park. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports
Washington Nationals pitcher Max Scherzer (31) pitches in the sixth inning during the game against the Milwaukee Brewers at Miller Park. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
5 of 7
Next
Oakland Athletics starter Sonny Gray (54) delivers a pitch against the Los Angeles Angles at Angel Stadium of Anaheim. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Oakland Athletics starter Sonny Gray (54) delivers a pitch against the Los Angeles Angles at Angel Stadium of Anaheim. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /

AL Cy Young

  1. Sonny Gray, Oakland Athletics – Vanderbilt alert! Gray isn’t the only Vandy alum on the list (we’ll get there), but it helps that the talented right-hander leads the American League with a sparkling 1.60 ERA in 95.2 innings. It is fairly unlikely that Gray can keep that pace, but with a 4-to-1 strikeout to walk ratio, his ascension into the world of top-flight starters appears to be complete.
  2. Chris Archer, Tampa Bay Rays – Archer leads the American League in fWAR (3.1) on the strength of a 2.00 ERA and an absurd strikeout rate of 11.30 batters per 9 innings. If not for the rock-bottom ERA from Gray, he would likely have pole position right now, and any concern about Archer not being able to live up to his considerable stuff has faded away after his dominant start to 2015.
  3. David Price, Detroit Tigers – Price is perhaps the most recognizable name on this list to the casual fan, and he is still performing at an “ace” level in Detroit. Price isn’t dominating in the world of strikeouts to the level of some others (7.99 K/9) but his command is always something to behold, and the left-hander has a 2.44 ERA that looks to be completely sustainable. Lastly, he went to Vanderbilt, and things are going well in Nashville right now.

Next: NL MVP

Home/MLB