As the debate intensifies over who should take home the National League Cy Young Award, strong opinions continue to surface. For Bryce Harper, the answer is clear—his teammate Zack Wheeler deserves the honor.
Wheeler's Stellar Performance
Wheeler's recent outing against the Milwaukee Brewers was nothing short of impressive. The right-hander delivered seven strong innings, allowing just one run on four hits. He struck out six of the 24 batters he faced, demonstrating his command and skill on the mound. This performance has further lowered Wheeler's ERA to an impressive 2.56.
His stats don't just stand out in isolation. Wheeler is currently second in the National League in key pitching metrics such as innings pitched, ERA among qualified pitchers, Wins Above Replacement (WAR), and generic pitcher wins. Such metrics underscore his consistently high level of performance throughout the season.
A Historical Perspective
This year marks Wheeler's second appearance in the top five of Cy Young voting, having narrowly missed out in 2021. Back then, he fell short to Corbin Burnes by a mere 10 points—a loss that still resonates with his advocates. Bryce Harper is one such supporter, staunchly believing that Wheeler was unjustly denied the award in the past.
"Yeah, I mean, he's Cy Young. It's not even a question now, just the way he's kind of throwing, the way he's been doing it all year long. He deserves it—he deserved it three years ago, or two years ago, too, and they robbed him of it, so he deserves it this year, no doubt," Harper remarked.
Competition on the Horizon
Standing firmly in Wheeler's path to the Cy Young is Chris Sale of the Atlanta Braves. Sale boasts a lower ERA and a higher WAR than Wheeler, making him a formidable contender for the award. However, Wheeler's advocates point to his durability; he has pitched 14 more frames than Sale this season, showcasing his resilience and stamina.
Matt Snyder, a respected sports analyst, supports Wheeler's case for the Cy Young, noting his role as the cornerstone of the Phillies' pitching rotation. "He's the ace of the best team in the league and has helped hold that rotation up through injuries and inconsistency here in the last two months," Snyder said. This sentiment captures Wheeler’s integral role in his team’s success, particularly in a season riddled with challenges.
The Ace of the Phillies
Wheeler is more than just a statistical marvel; he embodies the resilience and reliability that every team covets in an ace pitcher. Known for his durability and skill, Wheeler has been the linchpin holding up the Phillies' rotation amidst a season plagued by injuries and inconsistent performances from other starters.
The debate over the National League Cy Young Award may continue to rage, but for those who have closely followed his career—and this season in particular—Zack Wheeler is the clear choice. His performance, resilience, and contribution to his team make him not just a candidate, but perhaps the most deserving recipient of the Cy Young Award this year.