The American League is full of quality pitchers.
You have Gerrit Cole, Nestor Cortes Jr., Shane McClanahan, Tyler Glasnow, Kevin Gausman, Alek Manoah, Shane Bieber, Lance Lynn, Lucas Giolito, Justin Verlander, Framber Valdez, Martin Perez, Shohei Ohtani, Luis Castillo, Logan Gilbert, George Kirby, Robbie Ray, and more.
Looking at those names, what Chicago White Sox starter Dylan Cease just achieved takes a new meaning.
Verlander took home the AL Cy Young unanimously this week, but White Sox ace Cease impressively finished second.
“He didn’t win it, but just the fact that Dylan Cease finished second to Justin Verlander for the AL Cy Young Award is one heck of a feat. Congrats to him,” White Sox reporter Chuck Garfien tweeted.
He didn’t win it, but just the fact that Dylan Cease finished second to Justin Verlander for the AL Cy Young Award is one heck of a feat. Congrats to him.
— Chuck Garfien (@ChuckGarfien) November 17, 2022
Cease finished higher in the voting than all those names, except for Verlander.
If it wasn’t for the Astros ace and his 1.75 ERA, Cease probably would have won.
The Best Season Of Cease’s Young Career So Far
In 32 starts and 184 innings covered, the right-hander had a 2.20 ERA and a 3.10 Fielding Independent Pitching (FIP).
Those numbers were good for a 4.4 Wins Above Replacement (WAR) output.
In those 184 frames, Cease struck out 227 hitters.
He cemented his place as the best starter in a quality White Sox rotation, and one of the best in the junior circuit.
Cease has managed to do something rare: he has improved for three consecutive seasons.
In 2019, he had a 5.79 ERA, but he managed to take it to 4.01 in 2020 and 3.91 in 2021.
What he did in 2022, however, represents the best season of his career.
He is still 26 years old, so he still should have several top seasons remaining in his right arm.
NEXT: New White Sox Manager Explains His Number Choice