Like fine wine, Toronto Blue Jays pitcher Kevin Gausman seems to get better with age, winning his first career Cy Young Trophy.
The 32-year-old right-hander was a finalist for the honor for the first time in the American League. He faces Gerrit Cole of the New York Yankees and Sonny Gray of the Minnesota Twins.
During an up-and-down season in Toronto, Gausman was the most consistent shooter in the rotation. He finished the season with a 12-9 record and the Jays’ best earned run average (3.16). He also led the entire American team with 237 strikeouts.
The player, who made his second All-Star Game appearance in 2023, has finished in the top 10 for Cy Young awards the past two years.
However, Cole is the favorite as he has dominated primarily due to best winning percentage (.789), earned run average (2.63) and innings spent on the mound (209.0). The 34-year-old ace has never won the Cy Young and has finished second twice.
This is a second nomination for Gray, another 30-year-old who has maintained an 8-8 record and a 2.79 ERA.