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Bold predictions: Picking MLB’s major award winners in 2023

By West Jones

SEATTLE, WASHINGTON - JUNE 19: Mike Trout #27 of the Los Angeles Angels gestures after hitting a two-run home run in the fourth inning against the Seattle Mariners at T-Mobile Park on June 19, 2022 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Alika Jenner/Getty Images)
SEATTLE, WASHINGTON - JUNE 19: Mike Trout #27 of the Los Angeles Angels gestures after hitting a two-run home run in the fourth inning against the Seattle Mariners at T-Mobile Park on June 19, 2022 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Alika Jenner/Getty Images) /
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Tampa Bay Rays pitcher Shane McClanahan
Aug 24, 2022; St. Petersburg, Florida, USA; Tampa Bay Rays starting pitcher Shane McClanahan (18) throws a pitch against the Los Angeles Angels in the first inning at Tropicana Field. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-USA TODAY Sports /

American League Cy Young: Shane McClanahan, Tampa Bay Rays

Shane McClanahan isn’t the most well-known Shane pitching in the American League (that would be 2020 Cy Young winner Shane Bieber of the Cleveland Gurdians) or the most well-known pitcher on his own team (that would be the electric, but oft-injured Tyler Glasnow). McClanahan does however have exceptional stuff and he continues to get better at his craft.

He burst on the MLB scene in 2021 and pitched great during his rookie campaign. Any thoughts of a sophomore slump were quickly put to rest as McClanahan not only lit up the radar gun but posted ace level numbers throughout the entire 2022 season. Only a slight neck issue late in the season kept him from putting up even greater statistics.

In 28 games started in 2022, McClanahan pitched 166.1 innings, struck out 194, walked only 38, and posted a 2.54 ERA along with a 0.93 WHIP. His batting average against was .194 for all batters and an even more impressive .193 against right-handed hitters despite himself being left-handed.

McClanahan played around with his pitch mix some last year and relied more on his split finger, changeup, and curveball more and a little less on his fastball that sits at 96 mph and his power slider. This shows that he is already tapping into being a pitcher and not just a thrower. The Rays expect McClanahan to be the frontline starter on a talented team. This could be the recipe for greater success and allow McClanahan to bring home a Cy Young award at the end of the season.

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