In one of the more closely contested Cy Young races in recent memory Milwaukee’s Corbin Burnes narrowly edged out Philadelphia’s Zach Wheeler for the NL award. Both pitchers received an identical number of first place votes (12) but it would be the Brewers breakout sensation who would earn the nod after securing 151pts to Wheeler’s 141.
The 27 year old right hander had an MLB low 2.43 ERA amongst qualifying starters, and racked up 234Ks in only 167IP in 2021. Burnes became the first Brewers pitcher to win the Cy Young since the club joined the NL in 1998. The former 4th round pick posted career bests in wins (11), strikeouts (234), innings pitched (167), and WHIP (0.94).
On the American League side of things, the Cy Young will be heading north of the border as Blue Jays ace Robbie Ray cruised to victory earning 29 out of a possible 30 first place votes. The one other player to receive a first place vote was Yankees workhorse Gerrit Cole.
The impending free agent (who earlier in the day turned down the Blue Jays qualifying offer) led all AL pitchers in WAR with a mark of 6.7. Ray set career bests in virtually every pitching category including ERA (2.84), WHIP (1.04), strikeouts (248), innings pitched (193.1), and BB/9.
Ray will now be one of the most sought after arms on the market. While the Jays haven’t closed the door on a reunion with the hard throwing lefty, their recent signing of Jose Berrios may spell the end of Ray in Toronto unless ownership is willing to open the vault this offseason.
With most of the major awards now handed out, baseball fans will have to wait just a bit longer to find out who will be taking home AL/NL MVP awards.