These ten pitchers are top-tier Cy Young candidates for the 2025 season.
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The MLB season is underway, and you shoud expect these ten pitchers to be in contention for their respective Cy Young awards.
Pittsburgh Pirates SP Paul Skenes
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Skenes was the top overall pick in the 2023 MLB Draft with a ton of hype out of LSU, and he’s only surpassed expectations. He was arguably the best pitcher in the NL last year as a rookie, and has the best natural stuff in the league. A 100+MPH fastball coupled with a phenomenal mix of breaking pitches and great control mean that Skenes is the favorite in the NL to win the Cy Young.
Los Angeles Dodgers SP Blake Snell
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The Dodgers have assembled, on paper, one of the greatest rotations in MLB history. Snell wasn’t even the headline offseason acquisition in the rotation, but his pedigree speaks for itself. The lefty is already a two-time Cy Young winner, and the Dodgers tend to get the most out of their pitchers.
Cincinnati Reds SP Hunter Greene
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In many ways, Greene is a discount Paul Skenes, offering a huge frame and great stuff. He was tremendous last year, is one of the premier power pitchers in the game, and could put up Cy Young numbers this year.
Philadelphia Phillies SP Zack Wheeler
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Wheeler has been knocking on the door of a Cy Young for a while, and the veteran innings eater has to be considered. Not only is he very effective, but he works deep into games on a routine basis, increasing his value.
Los Angeles Dodgers SP Yoshinobu Yamamoto
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Yamamoto, one of three Japanese sensations in the Dodgers rotation when everyone is healthy, had a solid rookie year last year. Expect Yamamoto, who might have the best splitter in the game, to take the leap from star to truly dominant this year and contend for the Cy Young.
Seattle Mariners SP Logan Gilbert
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Gilbert is one of the very best strikeout pitchers in all of baseball, striking out a whopping 220 hitters last year. If the Mariners can get him a bit more run support, he will be a top-flight Cy Young contender this year. W-L record still matters to some voters.
Houston Astros SP Framber Valdez
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Valdez has been a consistent All-Star caliber starter for the Astros for the last five years. He’s received Cy Young votes before, and a small step forward would have him right in the thick of the Cy Young race this year.
Kansas City Royals SP Cole Ragans
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Ragans is the prototypical swing-and-miss pitcher that Major League teams covet. He led the AL in K/9 last year, and is showing great stuff once again early in this year. The Royals should win the AL Central, and that would make Ragans a contender to win the Cy Young.
Boston Red Sox SP Garrett Crochet
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Crochet has always had one of the most live arms of any lefty in the league, dating back to to his time as a reliever for the White Sox. Despite playing for a White Sox team that was the worst team of all time in 2024, Crochet looked phenomenal in his first year as a starter. He could be known as the best lefty in the big leagues very soon after his offseason move to the Red Sox.
Texas Rangers SP Jacob DeGrom
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Here’s the thing about Jacob DeGrom. He’s oft-injured, but when healthy, arguably no right-handed starting pitcher in the history of baseball has been more dominant than he has. The two-time Cy Young winner looks healthy once again, and was dominant in his first start this year. We’re talking about one of the greatest handful of pitchers in baseball history. When he’s healthy, he’s the favorite.