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MLB Awards Watch: Dexter Fowler is having himself a season

By Brad Rowland

Apr 24, 2016; Cincinnati, OH, USA; Chicago Cubs outfielder Dexter Fowler (left) acknowledges the crowd after the Cubs defeated the Cincinnati Reds 9-0 at Great American Ball Park. Mandatory Credit: David Kohl-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 24, 2016; Cincinnati, OH, USA; Chicago Cubs outfielder Dexter Fowler (left) acknowledges the crowd after the Cubs defeated the Cincinnati Reds 9-0 at Great American Ball Park. Mandatory Credit: David Kohl-USA TODAY Sports /
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May 12, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Clayton Kershaw (22) throws in the first inning of the game against the New York Mets at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports
May 12, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Clayton Kershaw (22) throws in the first inning of the game against the New York Mets at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports /

NL Cy Young

  1. Clayton Kershaw, Los Angeles Dodgers – Kershaw is absolutely ridiculous. In 62 innings this season, the left-hander has 77 strikeouts and four walks. Yes, four walks. For good measure, he leads the NL in innings pitched with a lights-out 1.74 ERA, and nothing about that mark is fluky based on a 1.46 FIP, a completely reasonable .271 BABIP allowed and the aforementioned strikeout-to-walk rate. He’s the best pitcher on the planet. Still.
  2. Jake Arrieta, Chicago Cubs – If not for Kershaw’s lengthy track record, Arrieta would have a real argument in the “best pitcher alive” conversation, and he’s been even better over the last calendar year so. This season, Arrieta boasts an NL-leading 1.29 ERA in 56 innings, and if not for the difference in strikeout-to-walk ratio, Chicago’s ace would have a real case here. For me, it’s Kershaw fairly comfortably, but the ERA-only supporters will be giving Arrieta some real love.
  3. Jon Lester, Chicago Cubs – Isn’t it fitting that the Cubs would have two players on this list? Lester ranks within the top ten of NL pitchers in both fWAR (1.3) and bWAR (1.8) while sporting a pretty 1.88 ERA, and even if there is some luck involved (3.11 FIP, 91% strand rate), he is an elite number two option to be sure. Other pitchers, ranging from Noah Syndergaard to even Aaron Nola should get a look for this spot, but Lester takes the mantle until he regresses.

Next: AL Cy Young

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