The 2026 MLB season is in full swing, and the NL Cy Young Award race is already heating up. With the season still in its early stages, it's fun to speculate on who might be the front-runners for this prestigious award. However, the question remains: who deserves the title of the 'greatest' Cy Young Award candidate this year?
One thing that immediately stands out is the sheer talent and diversity of this year's contenders. Paul Skenes, Shohei Ohtani, Jacob Misiorowski, and Mason Miller are all pitching monsters in their own right, each bringing something unique to the table. Skenes, with his sub-2.00 ERA, is on a mission to become the first man to achieve this feat in three straight seasons since Grover Cleveland Alexander. Ohtani, the superhuman, has transformed into a force to be reckoned with, with an ERA under 1.00 and an impressive strikeout ratio. Misiorowski, another freak of nature, is launching fastballs at 100 mph or swifter, while Miller, the official Most Unhittable Pitcher, has struck out 40 hitters in just 72 at-bats.
What makes this race particularly fascinating is the sheer dominance of these pitchers. Skenes, with his 1.98 ERA, has been on a mission to become the first man to achieve a sub-2.00 ERA in three straight seasons since Alexander. Ohtani, on the other hand, has an ERA under 1.00 and has allowed fewer runs all season than he once drove in in one game. Misiorowski, with his 14.1 strikeouts per nine innings, is on pace to roll up the greatest strikeout ratio of any starter in history. Miller, with his 84 strikeouts and nine hits, is a force to be reckoned with, and could realistically be the first reliever to win a Cy Young since Eric Gagne in 2003.
From my perspective, the 'right' choice for the Cy Young Award is a tough one. Skenes, with his freakish talent, is a strong contender, but his success is still relatively early in the season. Ohtani, with his superhuman abilities, is a force to be reckoned with, but his dominance is not as consistent as Skenes'. Misiorowski, with his incredible strikeout ratio, is a dark horse contender, but his success is still relatively early in the season. Miller, with his incredible dominance, is a strong contender, but his success is still relatively early in the season.
What many people don't realize is that the Cy Young Award is not just about the numbers. It's about the impact these pitchers have on their teams and the game as a whole. Skenes, Ohtani, Misiorowski, and Miller are all making a significant impact on their teams, and their success is not just a result of their individual talent, but also of their ability to lead and inspire their teammates.
If you take a step back and think about it, the Cy Young Award is not just about the statistics. It's about the impact these pitchers have on the game, and the legacy they leave behind. Skenes, Ohtani, Misiorowski, and Miller are all making a significant impact on the game, and their success is not just a result of their individual talent, but also of their ability to lead and inspire their teammates.
In my opinion, the Cy Young Award is not just about the statistics, but also about the impact these pitchers have on the game. Skenes, Ohtani, Misiorowski, and Miller are all making a significant impact on the game, and their success is not just a result of their individual talent, but also of their ability to lead and inspire their teammates. The 'right' choice for the Cy Young Award is a tough one, but one thing is for sure: these pitchers are all making a significant impact on the game, and their success is not just a result of their individual talent, but also of their ability to lead and inspire their teammates.
