MLB awards check-in: Three leading Cy Young candidates in each league

We're just over two months into the 2024 MLB season, and while it's still early, there's more than enough information to rank our three leading candidates for each Cy Young Award.

For our list, we selected candidates based on a player’s production and, to a lesser extent, team success. Expect to see some familiar names, a few breakout stars and a pair of teammates fighting for their respective league’s award. With that in mind, here are our three leading Cy Young Award candidates in each league.

(Statistics and records are through Sunday's games.)

American League Cy Young

1. Seth Lugo, Kansas City Royals

The Royals were simply hoping for some stability in their rotation when they signed Lugo to a three-year, $45M contract this past winter. Instead, they landed an ace, as Lugo has the lowest ERA in the American League ( 1.72 ) and the 14th-lowest WHIP (1.01). Even though he's had positive results, Lugo's underlying metrics show it still might be a long shot for him to win the Cy Young Award, considering his 3.69 expected ERA ranks 36th among starters.

2. Tanner Houck, Boston Red Sox

After posting a 5.01 ERA during an injury-plagued 2023 season, there was a chance Houck might not have a spot in the Red Sox starting rotation. Now, he looks like a staple of the group for years to come. In 78 innings, Houck has a 1.85 ERA, the second-lowest in the American League, along with 75 strikeouts. The right-hander also threw the only complete game shutout in the majors this season, which came in a 2-0 win over the Guardians on April 17.

3. Emmanuel Clase, Cleveland Guardians

A relief pitcher hasn't won a Cy Young Award since Eric Gagne did so in 2003, and while that probably won't change this season, Clase deserves some recognition. The two-time All-Star has a 0.31 ERA and an AL-leading 18 saves across 30 appearances this season, allowing just one earned run and two walks in that span.

National League Cy Young

1. Ranger Suarez, Philadelphia Phillies

The left-hander had shown flashes of brilliance in years past, but it appears he's finally put it all together this season. Through 12 starts, Suarez owns the lowest ERA (1.70) and WHIP (0.80) among starters and has the most wins (nine). It's worth noting that Suarez exited Saturday's win over the Cardinals with a left hand contusion after being hit by a comebacker, though it appears he's avoided any significant injury.

2. Shota Imanaga, Chicago Cubs

Arguably the best free-agent signing other than Shohei Ohtani , the two-time NPB All-Star Imanaga has had little trouble translating to MLB since joining the Cubs on a four-year, $53M deal. Before the Brewers tacked on seven runs across 4.1 innings in his last outing, Imanaga had a 0.84 ERA through his first nine career starts, the lowest of any pitcher since 1913. Another disastrous outing could spell the end of Imanaga's Cy Young campaign, but the 30-year-old should still be in the mix for an All-Star selection and NL Rookie of the Year honors.

3. Zack Wheeler, Philadelphia Phillies

Had Braves lefty Chris Sale not been shelled by the Oakland Athletics this past Saturday, the 35-year-old probably would've been listed here thanks to his phenomenal month of May. Nevertheless, Wheeler continues to be a model of consistency for Philadelphia and could finally earn his long-awaited Cy Young Award if Suarez and Imanaga stumble. Among National League starting pitchers this season, Wheeler is tied for first in WAR (2.2) while ranking fourth in ERA (2.32).