San Diego Padres pitcher Blake Snell has been awarded his second Cy Young Award, this time in the National League. This is an impressive achievement considering that Snell previously won the AL Cy Young while playing for the Tampa Bay Rays in 2018. At 30 years old, Snell becomes the seventh player, and the second left-hander, to win the award in both leagues.
In the 2023 season, Snell showcased his dominance on the mound, finishing with a 14-9 record and an MLB-leading 2.25 ERA. He pitched 180 innings and gave up the fewest hits per nine innings, with an average of 5.8. Snell’s ability to limit hits while leading the league in walks is a remarkable feat, as only Bob Turley and Early Wynn have achieved this before. Furthermore, Snell also excelled in opponent slugging percentage and strikeout percentage, ranking first and second, respectively.
One notable aspect of Snell’s performance is his efficiency. He averaged the fewest innings per start (5.6) of any Cy Young winner, surpassing his own record from 2018 when he averaged 5.8 innings. Snell’s ability to make an impact in a shorter amount of time demonstrates his effectiveness on the mound. As a result of his outstanding season, Snell received 28 of the 30 first-place votes, beating out Logan Webb of the San Francisco Giants and Zac Gallen of the Arizona Diamondbacks. Spencer Strider of the Atlanta Braves and Justin Steele of the Chicago Cubs rounded out the top-five in the voting.
Cole Earns Unanimous Cy Young Honors
New York Yankees pitcher Gerrit Cole has secured his first Cy Young Award unanimously. Cole, a six-time All-Star, had consistently finished in the top five for the award in previous years, establishing himself as one of the league’s premier pitchers.
In the 2023 season, Cole posted impressive numbers, going 15-4 with an AL-leading 2.63 ERA. He also led the league in innings pitched, with 209, and fewest hits allowed per nine innings, with an average of 6.8. Cole’s dominance on the mound is further highlighted by leading the league in WHIP, with a remarkable 0.981.
This accolade holds extra significance for Cole as he becomes only the second No.1 overall pick to win the Cy Young Award, after David Price in 2012. Despite finishing as the runner-up for the AL Cy Young in 2019 and 2021, Cole’s consistently strong performances have finally earned him the prestigious honor.
In the voting process, Cole received all 30 first-place votes, surpassing Sonny Gray of the Minnesota Twins and Kevin Gausman of the Toronto Blue Jays. Kyle Bradish of the Baltimore Orioles and Luis Castillo of the Seattle Mariners rounded out the top-five in the voting.
Blake Snell and Gerrit Cole’s exceptional performances in the 2023 season have earned them the prestigious Cy Young Awards in their respective leagues. Snell’s ability to limit hits while leading in walks and opponent slugging percentage showcases his dominance on the mound. On the other hand, Cole’s impressive statistics in innings pitched, fewest hits allowed, and WHIP solidify his status as one of the league’s elite pitchers. These awards are a testament to their skill, dedication, and consistent performances throughout the season.
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