AL CY Young Awards Predictions
4. Charlie Morton, Tampa Bay Rays
Charlie Morton is a prime example of what spin rate can do for a pitcher, given the right arm it can revolutionize him. Morton routinely hits 95 mph with his fastball and not much less with his sinker. His knuckle-curve and slider are both so sharp that they routinely buckle the knees of opponents. When these two weapons come together, they form something that is purely formidable.
Morton has been the anchor, the only remaining peg of consistency in the potentially playoff-bound rays rotation. It has been a year of fits and starts for the rest of the bunch. High upside and much promise are followed by injuries and disappointment, except for when Morton is on the mound.
Morton’s 2.76 FIP is startling, enough for him to lead the American League in that category. He has also once again outdone himself in terms of strikeouts and innings, seemingly defying the concept of age. As Morton gets older he seems to improve, while his ex-Astros teammate Dallas Keuchel could barely find a job.
Morton K/9 marks always vacillated in between an uninspiring 5.8 to 7.2, however, since he arrived in Houston and now Tampa Bay, his K/9 has never been bellow 10, improving every season. Astoundingly he has also kept his home run surrendered total to 13 this season- a nearly miraculous feat in this current environment.