Fansided

MLB Awards Watch: Jordan Zimmermann shines in Detroit

By Brad Rowland

Apr 30, 2016; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Detroit Tigers starting pitcher Jordan Zimmermann (27) pitches to the Minnesota Twins in the third inning at Target Field. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Kluckhohn-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 30, 2016; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Detroit Tigers starting pitcher Jordan Zimmermann (27) pitches to the Minnesota Twins in the third inning at Target Field. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Kluckhohn-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
4 of 6
Next
Apr 30, 2016; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Detroit Tigers starting pitcher Jordan Zimmermann (27) pitches to the Minnesota Twins in the third inning at Target Field. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Kluckhohn-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 30, 2016; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Detroit Tigers starting pitcher Jordan Zimmermann (27) pitches to the Minnesota Twins in the third inning at Target Field. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Kluckhohn-USA TODAY Sports /

AL Cy Young

  1. Jordan Zimmermann, Detroit Tigers – Since arriving in Detroit, Jordan Zimmermann has allowed two earned runs. Two. Sometimes, it is that easy when discussing Cy Young candidates, and the soon-to-be 30-year-old right-hander boasts an insane 0.55 ERA in 33 innings (five starts) this season. There is every indication that this is unsustainable for Zimmermann (as it would be for everyone), but he has made a career out of defying expectations with spotless performance, and this early-season showing is no different.
  2. Jose Quintana, Chicago White Sox – At this moment, Jose Quintana leads all AL pitchers in fWAR. That is a real thing. I’ve always been in the tank for Quintana as a pitcher that was undervalued in baseball circles, but there are signs now that he is putting it all together, including a 9.39 K/9 strikeout rate in his first five starts. His 82.4% strand rate is probably coming down in the coming weeks, but Quintana is a legitimate front-line starter and it is time to take notice.
  3. Chris Sale, Chicago White Sox – Two White Sox pitchers? Yes, two of them. It certainly helps that Chicago is 18-8 with a significant cushion over the rest of the league in the standings, but Chris Sale doesn’t need any team-based assistance. The talented left-hander isn’t striking out hitters at the same rate as normal (7.89 K/9), but that is the only “knock” on Sale’s profile this season, and he continues to post strong overall numbers including a 1.66 ERA in six starts (43.1 innings).

Next: NL MVP

Home/Baltimore Orioles