2019 MLB season: AL CY Young Awards Predictions

AL CY Young Awards Predictions

5. Mike Minor, Texas Rangers

Similar to Giolito, Mike Minor has an average velocity of 93 mph- lower than Giolito’s even- on his fastball, yet he generates many swinging strikes with it. Once again, it is due to the fact that when it is added to the assortment of other pitches he throws, it becomes enhanced.

Those other pitches include an 86 mph circle-change, an 87 mph slider, and an 82 mph knuckle curve. This vast array of movement and spin rate allows the fastball, which also has movement, to appear as if it is moving faster than it actually is. Pitching a lot of the time is a huge illusion in which he who knows how to manipulate the zone and execute his pitch where he needs to will succeed.

He currently sports a 3.08 ERA- remarkably low when taking the juiced ball into consideration- an ERA+ of 167, and a FIP of 3.90. These are ravishing marks and will assuredly be recognized by many teams in the offseason, beckoning to requisition his services from the Texas Rangers with a sole year of control left.

Overall, the process of pitching is rotating towards those who can truly spin the ball, although 98 mph can help. Jacob deGrom may win another Cy Young in 2019, this can mainly be ascribed to his newfound slider that has been more of a weapon than ever before this season. Minor is one more fine example of this trend.