We’re starting to understand better who the top contenders are for the 2023 NL Cy Young Award. Last year’s winner, Sandy Alcantara, has completely fallen off the map after his spectacular 2022 campaign. Entering the second half, he’s 3-8 with a 4.64 ERA despite throwing a complete game shutout back in April. Instead, some new faces are emerging out of the gates. Unlike the AL, where prominent names are in the race, it’s becoming a tight one on the other side, and it’ll be like that for a while.
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2023 NL Cy Young Race: NL Favorites
Zac Gallen, Arizona Diamondbacks
[#Dbacks Statistical Leaders]
Thru 07/18/23RHP Zac Gallen (130 K) is on pace to become the 7th different ARZ pitcher to record 200+ K in a single-season.
OF Corbin Carroll (26 SB) needs four more SB to become the 7th different ARZ player to record 30+ SB in a single-season. pic.twitter.com/gPIqW2zekk
— Arizona Diamondbacks | Stats & Info (@DbacksStatsInfo) July 18, 2023
Gallen first caught the eye of fans last season after he went 12-4 with a 2.54 ERA. This season, he’s played a vital role in the Diamondbacks contending in the NL West. However, the gap has tightened for the right-hander of late. His ERA is up more after allowing four runs in back-to-back starts to end June and begin July. In his last five starts, Gallen has three victories against only two losses, and he’s sporting a 3.66, 1.41 HR/9, and 24.2% swinging strikeout rate. Gallen undoubtedly faces competition from a deep NL pitching field.
Blake Snell, San Diego Padres
Lowest earned run average in MLB since May 23 (minimum of 40 innings):
0.68- Blake Snell
1.70- Jordan Montgomery
1.79- Joe Musgrove
2.36- Taijuan Walker
2.37- Jose Berrios (Allowing 1 ER in 5.1 IP to help his @BlueJays beat ARI 7-2 tonight)
2.50- Brayan Bello
2.60- Framber Valdez pic.twitter.com/nFhVkkzxnE— StatsCentre (@StatsCentre) July 15, 2023
It’s time to highlight the lefty in San Diego. Snell is having his best season in a Friars uniform since his AL Cy Young-winning season 2018. Despite a 6-7 record, he has a 2.85 ERA, and his 32.4% strikeout rate trails only Spencer Strider (38.9%) for the lead. Snell still has issues with the free pass; his 12% walk rate is the highest amongst pitchers. But opposing batters are hitting for an NL-leading .197 average. If Snell continues to perform as he has, he could be in the conversation to become the seventh player in MLB history to win the award in both leagues.
Spencer Strider, Atlanta Braves
Spencer Strider is pretty good. pic.twitter.com/mbw79Tjbe6
— Codify (@CodifyBaseball) July 11, 2023
Strider had a rocky month of June. Allowing 13 runs in nine innings against the New York Mets and Detroit Tigers. He did bring the runs down in his last four starts before the All-Star break. He went 4-0 with a 1.38 ERA and struck 39 in 26 innings. Strider also leads the NL in expected fielding independent pitching (xFIP), a good indicator of his effectiveness on the mound. If Strider can increase his strikeout rate to above 40%, he could become the second qualified starting pitcher to finish with that rate since Shane Bieber in the short 2020 season.
Honorable Mentions: Justin Steele, Clayton Kershaw, Marcus Stroman, Mitch Keller
Photo Credit: © Kevin Sousa-USA TODAY Sports
Players mentioned:
Sandy Alcantara, Zac Gallen, Blake Snell, Spencer Strider, Shane Bieber, Justin Steele, Clayton Kershaw, Marcus Stroman, Mitch Keller
