Five pitchers who could win their first Cy Young Award

Through 11 starts, Fried is 7-0 with with 67 strikeouts — the second pitcher to go 7-0 or better with 67 or more strikeouts and a sub-1.30 ERA in his first 11 starts. The other one was Hall of Famer Pedro Martinez for the Montreal Expos.

LHP Jesus Luzardo, Philadelphia Phillies

Another southpaw starter enjoying a career year with a new franchise, Luzardo is a surprising Cy Young Award candidate. 

Luzardo, who was acquired in the offseason by Philadelphia in a rare in-division trade with the Miami Marlins, became the third Phillies pitcher to go unbeaten with a sub-2.00 ERA through his first 10 outings (all starts) of a season, joining Ranger Suárez  (2024) and Hall of Famer Grover Alexander (1913).

Additionally, the lefty (5-0, 2.14 ERA) has 6+ strikeouts in all but two games this season, including back-to-back outings with 10 strikeouts in his past two starts.

Since ERA became an official stat in both leagues in 1913, he’s just the second lefty to go undefeated with a sub-2.00 ERA and at least 10 K’s per nine innings through his first 10 starts of a season, according to OptaSTATS. The other was Hall of Famer Randy Johnson with the Seattle Mariners in 1995.

RHP Hunter Greene, Cincinnati Reds

Before being sidelined for two weeks with a groin injury, Greene (4-2, 2.54 ERA) was off to the hottest start of his career. Through his first 45 2/3 innings, he had an eye-popping 35 percent strikeout rate and a 4.5 percent walk rate for a K-BB% of 30.1 percent this season.

Though he didn't have his best showing in his return from the injured list on May 23 against the Cubs (two strikeouts in four innings), Greene remains in the Cy Young Award race. 

In his first four starts, the former All-Star had a 0.98 ERA with 31 strikeouts and four walks. He’s just the fifth starter since 1901 to strike out 30-plus batters, issue fewer than five walks and allow no more than three runs over the first four starts of a season.

The Reds (27-28) are hovering around .500, hurting Greene's chances for the Cy Young, but if he continues to dominate, he could finish the season as a finalist for the honor.

RHP Paul Skenes, Pittsburgh Pirates

Skenes, who was named the NL Jackie Robinson Rookie of the Year by the Baseball Writers’ Association of America in 2024, finished his stellar debut season third in the voting for the NL Cy Young Award. 

He led the NL in strikeouts per nine innings (11.5), strikeout percentage (33.1%), walks and hits per inning pitched (0.95), strikeout rate minus walk rate (26.8%) and ERA among pitchers with 130 or more frames.

So far, the 2024 All-Star starter (3-5, 2.36 ERA) has carried that momentum into this season. Skenes ranks top 10 in the National League in strikeouts (70) and ERA (2.36) and boasts one of just eight complete games thrown this season. 

Like Greene, the former LSU standout's chances of securing the Cy Young Award are hindered by his team's lack of wins (the Pirates are 19-36), but his dominance should keep him in the conversation. 

RHP Hunter Brown, Houston Astros

Despite a hiccup in his most recent start against the Tampa Bay Rays on May 21, this ace is among the best pitchers in baseball.

Brown (6-3, 2.04 ERA) entered that game with a 1.43 ERA and was coming off of eight innings of one-run ball in a pitching duel against Jacob deGrom and the division rival Texas Rangers.

If not for the brilliance of Fried, Brown — who starts Tuesday against the A's — would likely be a two-time American League Pitcher of the Month this season.

MLB.com's David Adler released his latest pitcher power rankings on May 22, and despite his rough showing against the Rays, Brown nabbed the No. 1 spot.

"Brown is emerging as a Cy Young contender before our eyes," Adler wrote. "After a breakout 2024 season, he's been incredible in 2025."

After drawing comparisons to veteran starter Justin Verlander early in his career, the Detroit native is beginning to perform like the pitcher he grew up idolizing, too. 

And, like Verlander, Brown could be on pace for a Cy Young season with the Astros.