The Race for the NL Cy Young: Who Will Take Home the Prize?

Every year, Major League Baseball gives out one of its most prestigious awards,the Cy Young. It goes to the best pitcher in each league, honoring the players who dominate on the mound, striking out batters and keeping runs off the scoreboard. In the National League, five pitchers are making their case for the award this season. Each of them has the talent, but only one can come out on top.

1. Paul Skenes, SP, Pittsburgh Pirates

2024 Stats: 11-3, 1.96 ERA, 170 K, 0.95 WHIP

The Pittsburgh Pirates struck gold with Paul Skenes. After winning National League Rookie of the Year, this California native has become baseball's newest pitching sensation. His 100+ mph fastball and wicked slider leave batters shaking their heads as they walk back to the dugout.

This season brings new tests for Skenes. The Pirates protected their star last year, limiting him to just 133 innings. Now they'll expect him to throw close to 200 innings, a big jump that will test his stamina. Plus, hitters around the league have had time to study his pitches and look for weaknesses.

Despite having only one season under his belt, Skenes shows the mental toughness of a veteran. He stays cool when the pressure is highest, perhaps his greatest strength besides that blazing fastball. With strong coaching and his incredible work ethic, he has the tools to avoid the "sophomore slump" that trips up many young stars. Pirates fans can't wait to see what their ace will do next. If Skenes builds on his amazing rookie season, he might add a shiny Cy Young trophy to his collection.

2. Zack Wheeler, SP, Philadelphia Phillies

2024 Stats: 15-7, 2.98 ERA, 215 K, 1.04 WHIP

At 34 years old, Zack Wheeler isn’t showing signs of slowing down. In fact, he’s proving that age is just a number. While younger stars often grab the headlines, Wheeler continues to be one of the best pitchers in baseball and the clear leader of the Phillies' rotation. Last season, he struck out 215 batters and kept his ERA under 3.00. His fastball still reaches 97 miles per hour, and his slider might be better than ever. But what really makes him special is how he prepares. Between starts, Wheeler sticks to a strict routine that keeps his arm strong and his body ready through the long season.

Staying sharp for a full season isn’t easy, especially for pitchers in their mid-30s. Fatigue, minor injuries, and the pressure of big games can take a toll. But Wheeler has learned how to manage it all. His years of experience help him stay calm, stay prepared, and stay in control. Wheeler may not be the flashiest name in the Cy Young race, but his consistency, leadership, and ability to step up in the biggest moments make him a serious contender. If he keeps pitching like this, that long-awaited Cy Young Award might finally be within reach.

3. Chris Sale, SP, Atlanta Braves

2024 Stats: 18-3, 2.38 ERA, 225 K, 1.01 WHIP

Chris Sale's comeback was one of the biggest stories in baseball last season. After several injury-filled years with the Red Sox, he found a fresh start with the Braves. The result? A Cy Young Award, a Comeback Player of the Year trophy, and a reminder to everyone that Sale can still dominate.

What makes Sale so tough on hitters is his unusual sidearm delivery and fierce competitiveness. He doesn't overpower with pure speed anymore, but he's learned how to outsmart batters with precision and movement. His simplified approach puts less stress on his arm, which helps him stay on the field and stay effective. Health remains his biggest obstacle. Years of injuries and a unique pitching motion have taken a toll. That’s why the Braves are carefully managing his workload. Their medical staff plays a key role in keeping him strong through the long season.

Now, all eyes are on him to see if he can do it again. Some wonder if last season was just a one-time bounce-back or the start of a new chapter. Either way, he’s motivated to prove he’s still one of the best arms in the game.

4. Corbin Burnes, SP, Arizona Diamondbacks

2024 Stats: 15-9, 2.92 ERA, 230 K, 1.00 WHIP

Corbin Burnes joins the Diamondbacks this season after signing a huge $210 million contract. Arizona fans can't wait to see his famous cutter in action. This deadly pitch helped Burnes strike out 230 batters last year while keeping his ERA below 3.00. As the new ace in Arizona, expectations are sky-high for the talented right-hander. Switching teams always comes with pressure, but Burnes faces even more as Arizona's highest-paid player ever. The desert heat will test him too, as pitching in 100+ degree temperatures differs greatly from his previous stops in Milwaukee and Baltimore.

What makes Burnes so valuable is his reliability. Over the past three seasons, he's made at least 30 starts each year while maintaining elite performance. This durability is rare in modern baseball, where many top arms frequently visit the injured list. Burnes takes pride in answering the bell every fifth day, giving his team a chance to win each time he takes the mound.

As the season unfolds, Burnes has a chance to prove he's worth every penny of that massive contract. His remarkable durability, combined with his elite performance, makes him a serious contender for the Cy Young award.

5. Blake Snell, SP, Los Angeles Dodgers

2024 Stats: 5-3, 3.12 ERA, 145 K, 1.05 WHIP

Blake Snell brings electric stuff to the World Series champion Dodgers rotation this season. When he's on his game, few pitchers can match his dominance, just ask the Cincinnati Reds, who failed to get a single hit against him during his no-hitter last August. With a mid-90s fastball and a slider that falls off the table, Snell has the pure talent to shut down any lineup in baseball.

The challenge for Snell has never been ability, it's availability. Last season, he made just 20 starts due to various injuries, continuing a career-long pattern. For someone with Cy Young-caliber talent, these constant health setbacks have prevented him from reaching his full potential.

Snell's ability to miss bats is what makes him so dangerous. His fastball and devastating slider keep hitters off balance throughout games. With two Cy Young Awards already on his shelf, one from 2018 with Tampa Bay and another from 2023 with San Diego, Snell now chases a third with the defending champion Dodgers behind him. If he stays healthy for a full season, he could become the first pitcher ever to win the award with three different franchises.

Who Will Win?

The race for the National League Cy Young features five distinct stories. A rookie sensation trying to avoid the sophomore slump. A veteran workhorse seeking recognition. A comeback player hoping to repeat. A $210 million man adapting to new surroundings. And a former winner struggling to stay healthy. All five pitchers have the talent to claim baseball's top pitching prize. As the season unfolds, fans will watch eagerly to see who can overcome their challenges and rise to the top of the National League pitching ranks.