Fansided

MLB Awards Watch: Cy Young races

By Nicholas Ian Allen

Apr 15, 2017; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Red Sox starting pitcher Chris Sale (right) delivers to the Tampa Bay Rays during the first inning at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: Winslow Townson-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 15, 2017; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Red Sox starting pitcher Chris Sale (right) delivers to the Tampa Bay Rays during the first inning at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: Winslow Townson-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
7 of 10
Next
Apr 23, 2017; Milwaukee, WI, USA; St. Louis Cardinals pitcher Mike Leake (8) pitches in the first inning against the Milwaukee Brewers at Miller Park. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 23, 2017; Milwaukee, WI, USA; St. Louis Cardinals pitcher Mike Leake (8) pitches in the first inning against the Milwaukee Brewers at Miller Park. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports /

4. Mike Leake, St. Louis Cardinals

Perhaps the most surprising name on our list, Mike Leake is off to an outstanding start in 2017. Coming into this season, Leake had posted a solid 73-64 record and 3.99 ERA across seven years in the big leagues. He had never recorded an ERA lower than 3.37 in a full season, and had never earned a vote in any Cy Young race, but the 29-year old right-hander has been a dependable starter with an active streak of five straight seasons in which he has made 30 starts or more.

The Cardinals right-hander has posted a 1.32 ERA so far in 2017, which ranks fifth in the big leagues and is second behind Milwaukee Brewers starter Chase Anderson (1.13) for second among qualified starters in the National League. Leake has already reached 1.0 WAR this year, which is tied for seventh in baseball to date.

Leake is 3-1 this year, meaning he has been on the mound for one-third of St. Louis’ victories so far. The Arizona State product has yet to allow more than two runs in a start this season, and has held hitters to just 20 hits and four walks — which equates to a 0.878 WHIP — in 27.1 innings. Opponents are hitting just .200 against him, and have produced a hard contact rate of 18.8 percent, which is the third lowest in baseball.

Leake has yet to allow a home run and has struck out 20 hitters total and 19.2 percent of the batters he has face this season, which is a career-high strikeout rate and three percent better than his career average.

Home/MLB