MLB: Four Cy Young Dark Horses in the American League
Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
2016 saw a surprise Cy Young winner in the American League. Perhaps 2017 will offer more of the same. There are a number of emerging arms in the American League that could threaten the award for the first time.
Opening day is now just moments away. The MLB season opens Sunday night with a National League rivalry. The defending champion Chicago Cubs will take on the St. Louis Cardinals. A star studded pitching matchup of Jon Lester vs. Carlos Martinez should get the year off to an entertaining start.
Above all, opening day is attributed to aces. Each team tosses their most talented arm, or at least their most depended upon arm. Hitters are often still finding their timing at the season's start; it's really a time for the fresh arms to show off.
In honor of an ace-filled opening day, a Cy Young outlook is on the way. Predictions can bore us with the same cliché names, but maybe we'll see another unexpected Cy Young winner in 2017. No one foresaw the emergence of Rick Porcello last season, at least not to a Cy Young level. Of course Max Scherzer was no surprise on the National League side. The pool of Cy Young candidates is shallow as usual in the NL. Clayton Kershaw, Max Scherzer, Madison Bumgarner, or a Cubs pitcher should take the title.
The American League Cy Young race should be much more exciting. Yes, Chris Sale, David Price, Rick Porcello, Corey Kluber, Yu Darvish, and Felix Hernandez are the headliners. However, there's just as good of a chance a lesser considered AL pitcher sneaks the award this season.
Mandatory Credit: Jesse Johnson-USA TODAY Sports
28-year-old Garrett Richards has one of the most powerful arms in baseball. He's one of so few starting pitchers that can throw consistently in the upper 90s with his fastball. Unfortunately, a string of lengthy injuries forced Richards off the path as the Angels' ace. He suffered a freak knee injury towards the end of 2014 causing him to miss significant time. He was then victimized by the oh so common ligament tear in his right elbow, causing him to miss almost all of the 2016 season. Miraculously, Richards was somehow able to avoid Tommy John surgery to repair his elbow. 2017 will be a test for Richards and MLB in his interesting decision to forgo the surgery.
Stability is all that is in question for Garrett Richards entering the regular season. He has the mechanics, the repertoire, the intimidation–the makeup of an outstanding starting pitcher.
Richards relies mostly on his fastball and slider. I've already mentioned his velocity, but maybe more importantly, he is not afraid to pitch inside with the fireball. Combine his fastball with his wipeout slider, I don't know how anyone hits this guy. Richards also throws a changeup and a cutter, and has recently added a two-seam fastball to his repertoire.
A healthy season should guarantee a dominant season from the Angel ace (I still consider him their ace). If he can manage around 170-180 innings, he could very well post 200+ strikeouts and earn enough decisions to place him in Cy Young contention. Garrett Richards will rely heavily on his offense to help him in the win category.
Mandatory Credit: Allan Henry-USA TODAY Sports
Cleveland Indians' right-hander Danny Salazar is quietly on his way to becoming a top-tier MLB starter. He's pitched in the shadow of Cleveland's ace Corey Kluber, but Salazar certainly deserves more attention than he's received to this point. It didn't help that he was forced to three innings out of the bullpen last postseason due to an injury. A start or two from a healthy Salazar could have bolstered the Indians to a World Series victory, but that's just wishful thinking.
Danny Salazar contributes one of the games' nastiest changeups, more specifically, a split-change. The movement he creates on his split-change is impressive, and it poses as a major weapon and compliment to his mid-90s fastball. He's worked to develop a good curveball and slider. Salazar's repertoire gives hitters fits. He's uniquely better against left-handed hitters. Lefties posted a flat .200 batting average against him last season and slugged just .349.
Salazar's elite stuff produces its share of whiffs. He averaged 10.6 strikeouts per nine innings in 25 starts last season. He came closest to the 200 strikeout mark in 2015, falling just five strikeouts shy of the accomplishment. You'd have to think he'll eclipse that mark in the very near future.
The 27-year-old has Cy Young momentum. He's proven his dominance as a major league starter in a short time and he looks to only be improving season by season. Salazar also benefits nicely from his team's offense. We all know how much team success plays into Cy Young voting. The Indians should provide plenty of offense to help Salazar's win total. As a result, they should help him with his Cy Young resume. Don't be surprised if a Cleveland pitcher not named Corey Kluber wins the honor this season.
Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports
He didn't have a convincing spring, however, Astros' Lance McCullers is primed for a breakout season. After stocking their offense this offseason, the Houston Astros know they are a couple of elite starters away from finally making a postseason run. They'll rely heavily on Dallas Keuchel, but the expectations may be even higher for McCullers.
McCullers posted a 3.22 ERA in each of his first two big league seasons. He's displayed immediate dominance with his high velocity and knee-buckling curveball. His curveball may be the closest in competition to that of Clayton Kershaw's.
McCullers was on his way to an outstanding 2016 season until an elbow injury sidelined him for the rest of the season. He made 14 starts, pitching to a 6-5 record and was on pace for over 200 strikeouts. He's made his way back quickly and will be ready to start the Astros' second regular season game in 2017.
Lance McCullers is only 23 years old. It's tough to say he's ready for a Cy Young campaign, however, his lightning arm is capable of striking at any point. He's thrown only 206 innings in two seasons combined and he has not yet established himself as a consistent pitcher. That being said, it doesn't take long for some of MLB's youngest pitchers to adjust to big league hitting. Just look at the early success of Noah Syndergaard, and the instant success of the late great Jose Fernandez.
Lance McCullers is the wildcard of this list. He may still be a couple of seasons away from MLB's top-tier of pitching, we'll see. But brace yourself for the possibility of a Cy Young worthy season from McCullers in the coming season.
Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Marcus Stroman
Continuing the trend of overpowering arms, Blue Jays' Marcus Stroman could be Cy Young capable in 2017. Stroman has perhaps the most momentum of any MLB player entering the regular season. This of course because of his heroic performance for team USA in the World Baseball Classic Championship only two weeks ago.
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Stroman had his worst season to date in 2016, posting a losing record through a 4.37 ERA. He did however gain the experience of a full season. Stroman made 32 starts and pitched over 200 innings for the first time in his career. He's proven early on that he has a knack for big games, enduring multiple postseason starts and the aforementioned WBC experience at the young age of 25. Now it's a matter of whether or not he can sustain his success through the 162 game season.
Marcus Stroman's issue early in his career has revolved around being too amped up each start. Stroman brings a ton of energy to the mound, but his energy can often cause his command to stray if he doesn't get off to a good start. His repertoire is just as good as any of these other pitchers I've mentioned. Stroman throws a wipeout slider and can also light up the radar gun. His specific ability to command his repertoire has been the anchor to his potential.
Stroman is similar to Lance McCullers in the sense that he is on the verge of outstanding MLB success. It's just a matter of time until Stroman reaches his full potential. Perhaps 2017 is the year he will do it.
