2019 MLB Season: Handing out the hardware

By David Hill | Oct 1, 2019

ANAHEIM, CALIFORNIA - SEPTEMBER 14: Mike Trout #27 of the Los Angeles Angels looks on from the dugout during the first inning of the MLB game against the Tampa Bay Rays at Angel Stadium of Anaheim on September 14, 2019 in Anaheim, California. The Rays defeated the Angels 3-1. (Photo by Victor Decolongon/Getty Images) /

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(Photo by Alex Trautwig/MLB via Getty Images) /

National League Cy Young: Jacob deGrom

After winning the NL Cy Young award last year, Jacob deGrom stepped up once again, using a strong final month of the season to make himself a contender for the award.

For most of the season, the award appeared to belong to Hyun-Jin Ryu. However, as Ryu faltered down the stretch and missed time due to injury, deGrom continued to be the dominant force he had been over the past few years.

Once again, run support issues reared their ugly head. Nonetheless, deGrom had an excellent campaign, belying his rather pedestrian 11-8 record. He posted a 2.43 ERA and a 0.971 WHiP, striking out 255 batters in his 204 innings. deGrom led the National League in strikeouts and WHiP, and paced the league with his 7.3 bWAR.

These days, a pitcher’s win-loss record does not matter nearly as much when it comes to the Cy Young award. No matter how well a pitcher does, if their team does not score, they cannot get the win. That realization helped deGrom to the award last year, and it may well do the same once the votes are tallied again this year.

Jacob deGrom is the defending NL Cy Young winner. He may well hold that title again next year.

Also considered: Ryu, Max Scherzer, Jack Flaherty, Stephen Strasburg

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