Are there any clear favorites among this year’s candidates? In the American League, a potential Hall of Famer returned after missing the entire 2021 season and just cemented his legacy. In the National League, a rising ace turned in a season reminiscent of workhorses from a bygone era. Don’t crown them yet, though. There are four other pitchers who stepped up when teams needed them most and who were basically immune for extended stretches. They deserve to be here just the same. Sandy Alcantara, 27, is the Marlins’ first Cy Young winner after pitching 228 2/3 innings in MLB – the highest total for any pitcher since Justin Verlander’s 223 in 2019 and the highest in the NL since Clayton Kershaw’s 232 2/3 in 2019. 2015. Alcantara’s six complete games were the most in MLB in six years and more than any team in MLB has thrown in 2022. Alcantara’s one-season anomaly saw him throw eight or more innings in 14 of his 32 starts and total 23 2/3 more innings than his next closest competitor (the Phillies’ Aaron Nola). But there was quality to go along with the quantity. His ERA (2.28), expected ERA (2.92), strikeouts (207) and quality starts (24) were all in the NL top five. Interestingly, Alcantara bolstered his late innings arsenal, giving him the presence of a starting ace and bullpen anchor all rolled into one. His 98.6 mph four-strikeout in the eighth inning or later was the eighth-highest average in MLB in those innings, his 98.6-mph slugger was tied for fourth-highest, his 90.5-mph slider was sixth-highest and the change at 92.5 mph was the highest. Born in the Dominican Republic, Alcantara’s strong record with the Marlins (3.48 ERA and 122 ERA+ in 78 starts from 2018-21) had attracted only limited national attention prior to 2022. But the young man with an old acceptance of The responsibility to go deep into the races took his performance to another level in 2022, and now it’s known. American League Finalist
