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MLB Awards: AL and NL MVP, Cy Young, Rookie of the Year rankings after All-Star Game

By Justin Girshon

Diamondbacks outfielder Corbin Carroll (7) swings during the eighth inning against the PIrates during a game at Chase Field in Phoenix on July 8, 2023.
Diamondbacks outfielder Corbin Carroll (7) swings during the eighth inning against the PIrates during a game at Chase Field in Phoenix on July 8, 2023. /
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Jul 8, 2023; Houston, Texas, USA; Houston Astros starting pitcher Framber Valdez (59) delivers a pitch during the first inning against the Seattle Mariners at Minute Maid Park. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports
Jul 8, 2023; Houston, Texas, USA; Houston Astros starting pitcher Framber Valdez (59) delivers a pitch during the first inning against the Seattle Mariners at Minute Maid Park. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports /

AL Cy Young

1. Framber Valdez
2023 stats: 111.0 IP, 2.51 ERA, 3.86 xERA, 2.82 FIP, 2.99 xFIP, 3.31 SIERA, 3.2 fWAR

In 2023, Framber Valdez has done what he does best: go deep into games, force groundballs, keep the ball in the ballpark, and maintain a quality strikeout:walk ratio. Valdez’s 55.3 GB% is tied for the best, 0.57 HR/9 is the second-best and 20.3 K-BB% is the eighth-best among qualified pitchers in the AL.

In 2022, Valdez set an MLB record by pitching 25 consecutive starts. With a 2.82 ERA in an AL-leading 201.1 innings pitched, Valdez finished fifth in Cy Young Voting, when his teammate Justin Verlander won the award.

With Verlander now a Met, Valdez has stepped in brilliantly as the Astros’ ace, with his 2.51 ERA leading all qualified starters in MLB. Valdez has plowed through opposing hitters in the first half of the season, with a strong second half, Valdez could be the second Astro to win the Cy Young in the last two seasons.

2. Kevin Gausman
2023 stats: 115.2 IP, 3.03 ERA, 3.52 xERA, 2.45 FIP, 2.90 xFIP, 3.02 SIERA, 4.0 fWAR

After Robbie Ray won the Cy Young in 2021, the Blue Jays opted to let him walk in free agency to the Mariners on a five-year, $115 million contract. To counter, Toronto signed Gausman to a very similar five-year, $110 million contract.

So far, moving on from their former Cy Young has proved to be a great move for the Blue Jays, as Gausman significantly outpitched Ray in 2022 and has set himself up to contend for the 2023 Cy Young.

Gasuman’s 3.03 ERA stems from his elite combination of command and swing-and-miss stuff, as his 26.4 K-BB% leads the AL. Anchored by his elite strikeout and walk rates, Gausman leads the AL in xFIP and SIERA, but if he wants to win his first Cy Young he’ll have to keep up with Valdez in terms of innings pitched and get his ERA within Valdez’s vicinity.

3. Nathan Eovaldi
2023 stats: 117.2 IP, 2.83 ERA, 3.39 xERA, 3.18 FIP, 3.64 xFIP, 3.81 SIERA, 2.9 fWAR

The Texas Rangers became the first team since the 1951 Dodgers to have six players from the same time all on the field during the All-Star game. Five players were around the diamond and one player was pitching.

That pitcher wasn’t Jacob deGrom, who you’d think would’ve been the pitcher had you known that stat before the season — it was Nathan Eovaldi.

Eovaldi has been a revelation for a Texas Rangers team off to one of the best starts in MLB, as he’s pitched an AL-best 117.2 innings to a 2.83 ERA (third-best in the AL). Throughout his career, Eovaldi has pitched to a “bulldog” mentality, going deep into games and doing whatever it takes to help his team win. If his second half of the season is anything like his first half, Eovaldi will propel himself into the Cy Young race.

Honorable mentions: Sonny Gray, Gerrit Cole

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