Who wins the 2019 AL Cy Young?
Houston Astros Gerrit Cole
2019 stats: 20-5 in 33 starts, 2.50 ERA, 326 strikeouts, .895 WHIP, 6.9 WAR
Wow, did Cole have a great season! He has always been a good solid pitcher, but this year he took the leap to an elite pitcher. He was one of two aces on his team and led the league in several key categories.
He led the league in ERA at 2.50 and in strikeouts with 326, 26 more than the closest pitcher. He was fourth in WAR at 6.9 and was second in wins and third in innings pitched at 212 1/3. He also led the league in ERA+ at 185 and this was his third All-Star season.
All of his statistics this year were career highs and the 29-year-old is just entering his prime. I feel like we can expect many more seasons like this from Cole. The only question is which team will it be for next year as he enters free agency after two seasons with the Houston Astros. Regardless of what team he pitches for, you can almost expect him to have another season like this, barring any unforeseen injury.
Our next finalists also had a great season for his team in a very competitive division, the AL East.