MLB Awards Watch: Here comes Mike Trout (again)

July 26, 2015; Anaheim, CA, USA; Los Angeles Angels right fielder Kole Calhoun (56) congratulates center fielder Mike Trout (27) after hitting a grand slam home run in the sixth inning against the Texas Rangers at Angel Stadium of Anaheim. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports /

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Washington Nationals starting pitcher Max Scherzer (31) pitches against the Pittsburgh Pirates during the fourth inning at PNC Park. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports /

NL Cy Young

Max Scherzer, Washington Nationals – I’m staying with Scherzer. His strikeout-to-walk numbers are just criminal, with 10.45 K/9 and just 1.01 (!) BB/9 in 20 starts. He doesn’t even rank among the top three in NL ERA, but a 2.33 mark is just fine, and that number could easily dwindle with the way he has pitched. The casual (or traditional) fan won’t like it, but Scherzer has been better than everyone else.
Zack Greinke, Los Angeles Dodgers – Greinke proved that he was, indeed, human this week, allowing two runs in his last start to snap a scoreless innings streak. Still, the right-hander holds an absurd 1.37 ERA in late July, and even with an unsustainable 88.9% strand rate, that is startlingly impressive. Greinke is the leader in the clubhouse in terms of actual perception, and he’s earned it.
Jacob deGrom, New York Mets – deGrom has been the best pitcher for the Mets this season, even if no one realizes it. The young right-hander holds a 2.05 ERA (2nd in NL) in 19 starts, and he has struck out more than a batter per inning. There is a case to be made that he is the most anonymous of New York’s young pitchers, but for two seasons, he has been an All-Star hurler who has earned a seat at the Cy Young table.

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