Predicting the 2022 MLB award winners
By David Hill
American League Cy Young winner – Justin Verlander
The Houston Astros had no idea what to expect from Justin Verlander this year. After all, he missed most of the past two seasons due to the pandemic and Tommy John surgery, making him a major question mark.
It turns out that he had one of the best seasons of his career. The 39 year old posted a league leading 1.75 ERA and a 0.829 WHiP, striking out 185 batters with just 29 walks. Not only did he lead the league in ERA and WHiP, but he also allowed the fewest hits per nine innings (6.0) and led the AL in wins (18).
In the end, this should result in Verlander earning his third Cy Young award. He would move into a tie for fifth all time and further cement his Hall of Fame legacy.
*apologies to Dylan Cease, Shohei Ohtani
National League Cy Young winner – Sandy Alcantara
This one should not even be close.
Alcantara had already earned some notice as a solid arm, being named an All Star in 2019. However, it was not until this past season when he began to get the attention he deserved. Alcantara had a breakout campaign, posting a 2.28 ERA and a 0.980 WHiP in his major league leading 228.2 innings, striking out 207 batters with 50 walks. Not only did he fire six complete games, but he alone had more complete games than any other team combined this season.
At this point, he is a throwback, one of the few true top of the rotation arms capable of firing nine innings left in the game. As he is locked up through 2027, he will be a key part of the Marlins’ rebuilding efforts. At 27 years old, this showing could just be the beginning.
*apologies to Max Fried, Aaron Nola