MLB Awards: Top 5 NL Cy Young candidates through June

5. Jacob deGrom – 16 GS, 8-6, 2.30 ERA, 102 K, 2.63 WAR

Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

Dwight Gooden won consecutive Rookie of the Year and Cy Young awards with the New York Mets from 1984-85. Jacob deGrom has an outside shot at replicating that very special feat, but he will have to be extremely sharp in the second half of the season to have a chance.

He’s been great so far in 2015, with the colloquial ‘sophomore slump’ not being close to mentioned in the same breath as deGrom’s name.

A case could me made for a few other pitchers in this spot. Madison Bumgarner (8-5, 3.34) is one, but Cole Hamels (5-6, 3.02) is possibly more deserving of consideration than the Giants’ ace. Hamels future is very cloudy though and he could easily be playing in the American League at this time next month.

The Mets are in a position to make the postseason. While their rotation is carrying them more so than their bats from strong outings by Matt Harvey and on occasion from Bartolo Colon, Jon Niese and rookie Noah Syndergaard, there’s no doubt deGrom is leader of the pack.

Next: Number 4