Continuing my mini-series on Cy Young dark horses (you can find the American League edition here) we are moving on to the National League where I am highlighting three different pitchers I believe are primed for big seasons. Each of these pitchers has had small track records of success, but they remain under the radar despite their impressive stuff.
1. Michael King, San Diego Padres
Michael King already had his breakout campaign in 2024, but he's looking to take that next step into the category of elite pitching talent. King got his "starter audition" during the second half of 2023 with the Yankees before being shipped off to San Diego in the Juan Soto trade. Since August of the 2023 season, King has established himself as one of the most consistent starters in baseball.
During his time as a starter, King has quietly put up some of the best numbers in the game. He has logged 210.2 innings while posting a 2.73 ERA, 3.15 FIP, 1.17 WHIP, 20.4 K-BB%, and 5.3 fWAR. Minimum 200 innings, his ERA ranks third in all of baseball — not just the National League — in that time frame.
Despite entering 2024 with concerns about how he would adjust to a full season starter's workload, King delivered 170.1 innings over 30 starts, solidifying himself as San Diego's true number two starter behind Dylan Cease. Among all qualified National League starters last year, King's 2.95 ERA, 3.33 FIP, 1.19 WHIP, 19.0 K-BB%, and 4.0 fWAR all ranked within the top ten.
While he has put up above-average strikeout numbers, King's success really comes from his ability to limit damage. He led all National League starters in both average exit velocity (85.6) and hard-hit% (29.6) allowed, while finishing fifth in barrel% (6.1).
King has a deep arsenal that features a fastball, sinker, changeup, and a sweeper — all of which he uses at least 15% of the time, and he also throws a cutter-like slider he flashes roughly 6% of the time.
MICHAEL KING
— MLB (@MLB) October 2, 2024
10 STRIKEOUTS#POSTSEASON DOMINATION 👑 pic.twitter.com/w8B1yNizvE
Because of his wide repertoire of offerings paired with his ability to induce both whiffs and soft contact, King has what it takes to remain as a solid starter in today's game.
Now that he has a full season under his belt out of the rotation, the 29-year-old right hander can take another step forward. He received 14 points in last year's Cy Young vote (1 third place, 4 fourth place, 3 fifth place), and if his numbers continue to trend in their current direction, there's no reason why there shouldn't be some first place votes next to his name in 2025.