MLB Cy Young Leaders: The Three Front-Runners in Each League

MLB Cy Young Leaders: The Three Front-Runners in Each League

We’re just over two months into the 2024 MLB season, and while it’s still early, there’s more than enough information to rank our three leading candidates for each Cy Young Award.

For our list, we selected candidates based on a player’s production and, to a lesser extent, team success. Expect to see some familiar names, a few breakout stars and a pair of teammates fighting for their respective league’s award. With that in mind, here are our three leading Cy Young Award candidates in each league.

The Royals were simply hoping for some stability in their rotation when they signed Lugo to a three-year, $45M contract this past winter. Instead, they landed an ace, as Lugo has the lowest ERA in the American League (1.72)and the 14th-lowest WHIP (1.01). Even though he’s had positive results, Lugo’s underlying metrics show it still might be a long shot for him to win the Cy Young Award, considering his 3.69 expected ERA ranks 36th among starters.
After having a 5.01 ERA during an injury-plagued 2023 season, Houck faced the possibility of losing his job in the Red Sox starting rotation. He appears to be a member of the group for the foreseeable future. In 78 innings, Houck has a 1.85 ERA, the second-lowest in the American League, and 75 strikeouts. The right-hander also recorded the only complete game shutout in the majors this season, a 2-0 victory over the Guardians on April 17.
A relief pitcher hasn’t won the Cy Young Award since Eric Gagne in 2003, and while that’s unlikely to change this season, Clase deserves some praise. The two-time All-Star has a 0.31 ERA and an AL-leading 18 saves in 30 appearances this season, allowing only one earned run and two walks.
The left-hander had shown flashes of greatness in previous seasons, but it looks he’s finally put it all together this year. Suarez has the lowest ERA (1.70) and WHIP (0.80) of any starter after 12 starts, as well as the most victories (9). It’s worth mentioning that Suarez departed Saturday’s game over the Cardinals with a left hand contusion after getting struck by a comebacker, but he looks to have escaped serious injury.

Other than Shohei Ohtani, the two-time NPB All-Star Imanaga has had minimal issue adjusting to MLB after signing with the Cubs on a four-year, $53 million contract. Before the Brewers scored seven runs in 4.1 innings in his most recent start, Imanaga had a 0.84 ERA in his first nine career starts, the lowest of any pitcher since 1913. Another bad appearance could ruin Imanaga’s Cy Young quest, but the 30-year-old could still be considered for All-Star and National League Rookie of the Year honours.

Had Braves lefty Chris Sale not been shelled by the Oakland Athletics on Saturday, the 35-year-old would have been included here after a stellar month of May. Nonetheless, Wheeler is a model of consistency for Philadelphia and may ultimately win his long-awaited Cy Young Award if Suarez and Imanaga falter. Wheeler is tied for first in WAR (2.2) and fourth in ERA (2.32).