MLB Awards Watch: Top 5 NL Cy Young candidates through April
By Gavin Lee
5. Vince Velasquez – PHI
4-1, 31.1 IP, 1.44 ERA, 2.46 FIP, 10 BB, 39 K, 0.9 fWAR
When the Astros dealt Vincent Velasquez this offseason in a massive package for right handed reliever Ken Giles, they thought they were dealing a good, but not great, starting pitcher who had the talent to be a number three guy in a few years if he put it all together. After all, he’d never ranked higher than No. 75 on a prospect list, and Baseball America left him off their pre-2015 list entirely.
Instead, Velasquez has become the Phillies’ ace immediately, going 4-1 for the upstart club and striking out 39 batters in his 31.1 innings. For his part, Giles has struggled in Houston, being torched for 10 runs in his first 10 innings.
Velasquez has run his fastball up to 98 mph this year and has touched 100 in the past. His average velocity ranks 6th in the NL, sitting at a healthy 94.3 mph. His ability to pile up strikeouts with the fastball-curve combo will let him continue his pursuit of the Cy, in just his first full season as a Major Leaguer. At 23-years-old, Velasquez pairs with Aaron Nola to give the Phillies a lot to like in their young rotation.
Next: Number 4