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MLB Awards Watch: Top 5 AL Cy Young candidates thru April

By Jordan Wevers

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2. Felix Hernandez – 5 GS, 4-0, 1.82 ERA, 36 K

Jennifer Buchanan-USA TODAY Sports

King’s Court has been in full session at Safeco Field in 2015. Hernandez narrowly missed out on his second Cy Young in 2014, but so far this season, he does not have Kluber nipping at his heels again after the month of April.

Yet to lose in 2015, King Felix is 3-0 at home and last impressed Seattle’s home crowd faithful with a 102 pitch shutout of the Minnesota Twins on April 24. Not even 30 years in age yet, Hernandez is approaching a number of impressive career milestones that should be conquered this season if his health stays intact.

And there is no evidence to suggest the contrary, as the right-hander’s body seems custom built for his chosen profession. Hernandez in 2015 is aiming for his 10th consecutive season with over 190 IP.

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    • By far the most well-known name on this list and as sure a Hall of Famer as there is active in the game today, Hernandez has it all. He strikes guys out at a high rate, he is consistent month-in-month-out and his plethora of plus pitches allows him to work deep into most ball games.

    Hernandez’s fifth and final start of April came against the Texas Rangers. He picked up his fourth victory, going 6.2 innings strong allowing five hits and two earned runs. He simultaneously passed Jamie Moyer for most innings pitched in Mariners franchise history.

    Hernandez cares deeply about his club and the city they represent, as the ace was almost apologetic to the fans when discussing his runner-up status last year to Kluber and felt like his 2014 performance was actually better than his 2010 one when he took home the hardware.

    With that added motivation behind him in 2015 and an offense now featuring a scary Nelson Cruz, it should equate to more run support and thus wins for Hernandez in 2015. Look for his name to be in this same conversation come September. The King’s track record speaks for itself.

    Next: Chris Archer

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