Top 5 AL Cy Young Award Contenders for 2025

What Is The Cy Young Award?

The Cy Young Award is named after Cy Young, one of the greatest pitchers ever. He won 511 games in his career, more than any other pitcher in history.

Every year since 1956, baseball writers vote for the best pitcher in each league. Winning a Cy Young Award is one of the highest honors a pitcher can receive.

1. Tarik Skubal, LHP, Detroit Tigers

2024 Stats: 20-5, 2.43 ERA, 228 strikeouts, 0.94 WHIP, 186 innings pitched

Tarik Skubal was last year's AL Cy Young winner. Can he repeat this amazing achievement? Skubal was baseball's biggest breakout star in 2024, bursting onto the scene as one of the game's best pitchers. He throws a fastball that can reach 100 miles per hour and has a terrific changeup that fools batters. Last season, he led the American League in wins, ERA, and strikeouts - the "Triple Crown" of pitching. This year, Skubal forms a powerful one-two punch with Jack Flaherty in the Tigers' rotation.

2. Garrett Crochet, LHP, Boston Red Sox

2024 Stats: 6-12, 2.57 ERA, 237 strikeouts, 1.01 WHIP, 176 innings pitched

Garrett Crochet is only 25 years old and just had his first season as a starting pitcher after beginning his career in the bullpen as a relief pitcher. During the offseason, Crochet was traded to the Boston Red Sox, where he'll be their ace pitcher. He throws an amazing 100 mph fastball paired with a devastating slider that batters struggle to hit. Despite having over 200 strikeouts last year, his win-loss record (6-12) suffered because he played on a subpar White Sox team. Expect that record to improve a lot with the stronger Red Sox behind him.

3. Logan Gilbert, RHP, Seattle Mariners

2024 Stats: 9-12, 3.23 ERA, 220 strikeouts, 0.88 WHIP, 208.2 innings pitched

Logan Gilbert has been getting better every year with the Seattle Mariners. He is known for his excellent control, meaning he doesn't walk many batters. Gilbert throws four different pitches well, which keeps hitters guessing. He pitched the most complete games in the American League last year, showing he can finish what he starts. The Mariners are excited to have him leading their pitching staff.

4. Cole Ragans, LHP, Kansas City Royals

2024 Stats: 11-9, 3.14 ERA, 223 strikeouts, 1.14 WHIP, 186.1 innings pitched

Cole Ragans had an incredible breakout season for the Royals last year. This left-handed pitcher racked up more than 200 strikeouts with his elite slider and great fastball. Ragans earned the honor of being the Royals' opening day starter and is clearly their ace pitcher. The big question this year: can Ragans take his game to the next level and challenge for the Cy Young Award?

5. Jacob deGrom, RHP, Texas Rangers

2024 Stats: Out with Injury - 1.69 ERA in 10.1 innings pitched

Jacob deGrom is considered one of the best pitchers of his generation. Now 36 years old, deGrom will have to prove he is still among baseball's elite arms. He missed most of the last two seasons after undergoing Tommy John surgery, pitching only 41 innings. Is deGrom ready for a bounce-back year in 2025? When healthy, no pitcher is more dominant, but staying healthy remains a big question mark at this stage of his career.