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MLB power rankings: Ranking the Cy Young candidates without leagues

By Sam Peebles

May 10, 2022; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Houston Astros starting pitcher Justin Verlander (35) delivers a pitch against the Minnesota Twins during the first inning at Target Field. Mandatory Credit: Nick Wosika-USA TODAY Sports
May 10, 2022; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Houston Astros starting pitcher Justin Verlander (35) delivers a pitch against the Minnesota Twins during the first inning at Target Field. Mandatory Credit: Nick Wosika-USA TODAY Sports /
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Cy Young
Aug 30, 2022; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Atlanta Braves starting pitcher Max Fried (54) throws against the Colorado Rockies in the first inning at Truist Park. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports /

6. player. 17. . SP. Atlanta Braves. Max Fried

Max Fried does not have some of the flashy Strikeout numbers like some of other pitchers on this list with 8.2 strikeouts-per-9 innings, and having 149 total strikeouts which would place him 13th in the NL.

However, he has been very good in every other aspect of his game. Fried is currently fourth in all of MLB for pitchers with an fWAR of 4.9, he leads the league in limiting home runs, with only allowing 0.4-per-9 innings, and is tied for 4th among qualified starters in the MLB with 1.54 walks-per-9 innings.

Fried has also been very good at preventing runs in general. He has an ERA of 2.48 (167 ERA+), which is good for eighth in MLB among qualified starters.

Fried does not have all the flashy stats that can win a Cy Young award, but he has easily been one of the top pitcher in MLB with his overall body of work.

40. . SP. San Francisco Giants. Carlos Rodon. 5. player

Much like a few other players on this list, Rodon does not have near the innings that the others do with 157.1 at the time of this writing.

Even with the lack of innings, he leads the NL in Strikeouts. That in itself with garner him some down votes at a minimum.

Rodon also is tied for second in MLB in fWAR, showing that even with his lack of innings, his overall body of work has been exceptional. Like Fried, he has had success in limiting the HR, being 4th in MLB.

Rodon’s ERA is 2.92, so that may hurt his Cy Young votes. However, his FIP has been an exceptional at 2.33 which is 2nd to only Kevin Gausman in MLB.

Rodon does struggle a bit with walks, having the second highest on this list with a 2.69. However, he is first in the NL in strikeouts-per-9 innings so his K/BB ratio is still top 7.

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