Top 30 Cy Young Award Winners of all-time
By Jason Evans
22. Johan Santana 2004
The Rule V draft has led to some success stories. Roberto Clemente was one of the first. Guys like Shane Victorino and Josh Hamilton have had success. Even this season, guys like Delino Deshields and Odubell Herrerra have contributed to their teams in a big way.
One of the best Rule V picks ever was Johan Santana. He was selected by the Marlins and then traded to the Twins for Jared Camp. (Yeah I’ve never heard of him either).
All Santana did was become the best lefty in the game and 2004 was one of his best.
Santana finished second in WAR among AL players at 8.7. He won 20 games which was second in the AL. Santana led the league in WHIP at 0.92 and Hits/9 with 6.15.
Johan struck out 265 which led the American League. Pedro Martinez was second (more on him later) 38 behind Santana.
Santana had an ERA+ of 182 (average is 100)
He was second in WPA at 5.7 just behind teammate Joe Nathan.
The crazy part of Santana’s season? Didn’t even make the All-Star team.
Santana would go on to continue being one of the best lefties in the game reaching the All-Star team four times and being traded to the Mets in a blockbuster deal before the 2008 season. Johan would throw the Mets lone no-hitter in 2012 after coming back from a shoulder injury. The injuries would take their toll and he hasn’t been in the majors since 2012.