MLB Awards Watch: Top 5 NL ROY candidates through August
By Tim Haberin
5. Noah Syndergaard
Aug 25, 2015; Philadelphia, PA, USA; New York Mets starting pitcher Noah Syndergaard (34) pitches during the first inning against the Philadelphia Phillies at Citizens Bank Park. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
Noah Syndergaard did not have a very good August, posting a 4.79 ERA over six starts, but there is still a whole lot to like about his rookie campaign. Overall, the tall right-hander owns a 3.31 ERA in 122.1 innings pitched. He allows fewer than a hit per inning, walks just 2.1 per nine and strikes out hitters at a shiny 9.5 K/9 rate.
The New York Mets are one of the hottest clubs in baseball right now, and with the franchise appearing very likely to clinch its first postseason berth in a good while, even more eyes will be fixed on the team’s young starters. Syndergaard’s rotation-mate Jacob deGrom took home the NL ROY hardware last season, finishing the year with a 2.69 ERA and 3.35 K/BB ratio. It should be interesting to see how Syndergaard’s numbers stack up after another month.
He will need to have an eye-popping September to bring the Mets a second straight ROY award, something that might prove difficult in light of the team’s plan to give him some extra rest down the stretch. But Syndergaard’s exploits are demonstrating precisely why fans at Citi Field are so excited about not only this year, but years to come as well.
Next: Rookie #4