MLB Awards Watch: Top 5 NL Cy Young candidates through April

In terms of the MLB awards race, the first month of the season was a wild one for the National League with blowouts, comebacks, debuts, no-hitters and even near-no-hitters.  With all the money that went out this off-season to pitching, elite starters are as valuable as any position on the field.

Young pitching is pushing the old guard for the top of these ranks, with guys like Aaron Nola excelling in their first full season, while former Cy Young winner Zack Greinke struggles to find consistency in his new home. Greinke pitched to a 5.50 ERA through the end of April, a far cry from the sparkling 1.66 mark he finished last season with.

This is our list of the Top 5 candidates for the NL Cy Young award through April. It has both familiar faces and brand new combatants in the mix. All stats are current through games played on May 2.

Next: Honorable Mentions

• Jason Hammel was the National League ERA leader through the end of April, only allowing two runs across his 24 innings of work. While his pitching has been almost perfect for the NL Central leading Cubs, he ranks 35th in strikeouts. As the season goes on, if he can continue this he’ll obviously jump into the mix.
• After Johnny Cueto fell apart down the stretch for the Kansas City Royals following last seasons trade from the Cincinnati Reds, many teams were apprehensive about commiting long term to the 30-year-old. The Giants took the leap, and have been rewarded so far. Cueto went 4-1 in April with a 2.65 ERA.
• Carlos Martinez has started right where he left off after being shut down late last season with a shoulder injury. His 4-1 record with a 2.60 ERA has led the Cardinals while Adam Wainwright has struggled. Recently, news broke about a domestic violence case that has been brought against Martinez, throwing some dirt on his shiny start to the season.

Related Story: Top 5 AL Cy Young candidates thru April

• Lefty Gio Gonzalez was brilliant through five starts, carrying a 1.15 ERA through the end of the month. His low strikeout numbers will hurt him, as will the 2-1 record.
• Japanese-import Kenta Maeda got off to a great start in his first four outings, making Dodgers fans forget about Zack Greinke very quickly.  His 1.41 ERA through April was the best on the Dodgers.  His incentive-laden contract looks like it will still be a huge steal for a team that doesn’t need any financial help.

Next: Number 5

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

4. Stephen Strasburg – WAS

4-0, 36 IP, 2.25 ERA, 1.87 FIP, 8 BB, 40 K, 1.4 fWAR

Is this finally the year that Stephen Strasburg wins the Cy Young? The Nationals’ right-hander has always been thought of as a contender, but has never been able to put together a full season of dominance.  He came closest in 2014 when he threw 215 innings and led the league with 242 strikeouts, but came in 9th in voting as Clayton Kershaw took the award unanimously.

This year he’s out to prove that he can put it all together. It also happens to be his walk-year, and it’s perfect timing for Strasburg to be throwing like this.  He went 4-0 in April, and tied for the league lead in strikeouts.  He only allowed one home run, and 28 hits.

Strasburg has to prove he can stay healthy, but if he does, he has a great shot at the Cy Young this season.  If he can, he’ll go into free agency at 28 looking to score a gigantic contract.

Next: Number 3

3. Noah Syndergaard – NYM

2-1, 32.1 IP, 2.51 ERA, 1.40 FIP, 6 BB, 44 K, 1.5 fWAR

The New York Mets have an outstanding pitching staff. Combined, the starters went 12-5 in April with a 2.81 ERA. Leading the way was Noah Syndergaard – affectionately known as Thor – who pitched brilliantly in four starts.  He was fourth in the league in strikeouts, despite starting one fewer game than the rest of the leaders, and walked only four batters all month.

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Another 23-year old, Syndergaard came over from the Blue Jays with Travis d’Arnaud for former Cy Young award winner R.A. Dickey.  He’s picked up right where Dickey left off, and has a real shot at the award this season.

Syndergaard has hit 101 mph with both of his fastballs – easily leading the league in average velocity – and has touched 95 mph with his slider. His arsenal is almost untouchable, and now that he can command it, watch out.

Lighting up radar guns isn’t all the young Mets hurler can do, as he’s already worked two walks in his eight plate appearances. After hitting .209 last year, he could have a Silver Slugger in his future as well.

Next: Number 2

1. Jake Arrieta – CHC

5-0, 36 IP, 1.00 ERA, 2.85 FIP, 10 BB, 32 K, 0.9 fWAR

When legendary Oakland Raiders owner Al Davis once said “Just win, baby” he must have been speaking directly to Jake Arrieta. The Chicago right-hander and reigning Cy Young winner seems to be channeling those words, as he went 5-0 through April and pushed his streak to 18 starts without a loss. He’s 17-0 over that stretch, with two no-hitters.

It is those no-hitters that push Arrieta back to No. 1 on this list, as every time the 30-year old takes the hill he seems capable of doing something magical.  His first start to the year was seven shut out innings of two hit ball, and he matched that in his third when he went eight allowing just five hits.

Next: Top 5 NL ROY candidates thru April

His dominance has led to people questioning whether he will be part of the rumored upcoming PED suspensions, to which there doesn’t seem to be any substance. If anything comes out confirming these allegations, Arrieta would surely drop from the list. But as long as he’s never failed a drug test, we’re going to keep him on top.