So much for the sophomore jinx.
Jacob Misiorowski led the majors in strikeouts and ERA, hit 105.5 mph on the radar gun, helped bring a championship to Milwaukee, and Wednesday he earned a much-deserved cherry on top: a unanimous National League Cy Young award. Cam Schlittler, who led the American League in ERA and has become one of the game’s best in just his second season, unanimously won the American League Cy Young Award.
Misiorowski beat out Atlanta’s Chris Sale and Philadelphia’s Cristopher Sánchez. Schlittler edged out Toronto’s Dylan Cease and Cleveland’s Parker Messick.
MLB also announced the winners of the inaugural NL and AL Reliever of the Year Award. Mason Miller of the Padres and Louis Varland of the Blue Jays were crowned the winners. Miller, the unanimous winner, beat Jhoan Duran of the Phillies and Trevor Megill of the Brewers. Varland beat out Bryan Baker of the Rays and Cade Smith of the Guardians.
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Misiorowski, 24, struck out 252 in 174 2/3 innings, pitched to a 1.80 ERA and led MLB in strikeout rate (37.9 percent), WHIP (0.80) and opponents’ batting average (.157). Per MLB.com, he is one of three pitchers to strike out 250 with a WHIP as low as 0.80. The others are Justin Verlander (2019) and Pedro Martinez (2000). He went 16-5.
He threw the 105.5 mph fastball to Pete Crow-Armstrong on June 26, tied for the third-fastest pitch in the Statcast era, which started in 2008. Ben Joyce threw 105.5 for the Angels in September 2024. The only two faster pitches were thrown by Aroldis Chapman (105.8 mph in 2010 and 105.7 mph in 2016).
Misiorowski faced the Mets twice this season. He allowed one unearned run in four innings on July 20 and two earned runs over six innings on August 27. Combined, he struck out 12 and walked three. The Brewers won both games.
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Schlittler, 25, went 14-6 with a 1.95 ERA and struck out 239 in 193 2/3 innings. His ERA was the lowest for a Yankee since Ron Guidry‘s 1.74 when he won the 1978 Cy Young. He was great at home (6-4, 2.98 ERA, 110 strikeouts, 84 2/3 innings), but found an absurd level on the road (8-2, 1.16 ERA, 129 strikeouts, 109 innings).
The Yankees selected Schlittler out of Northeastern University in the seventh round of the 2022 draft, 11 picks after the Mets selected Jonah Tong. He beat the Mets on May 15 with nine strikeouts over 6 2/3 innings. He allowed a home run to Juan Soto.
Misiorowski is the fourth Brewer to win the award, following Corbin Burnes (2021), Pete Vuckovich (1982) and Rollie Fingers (1981). Schlittler is the seventh Yankee: Gerrit Cole (2023), Roger Clemens (2001), Guidry (1978), Sparky Lyle (1977), Whitey Ford (1961) and Bob Turley (1958).
Miller, 28, went 5-2 with a 1.67 ERA and 0.90 WHIP. He struck out 129 in 70 innings, saved 38 games in 41 chances, and made his second All-Star team. Varland, 28, went 5-6 with a 1.27 ERA and a 1.00 WHIP. In 78 innings (71 games), he struck out 97, saved 35 games in 37 opportunities, and was named to his first All-Star team.
