It’s never too early to start tracking the Cy Young race. The sample sizes are still limited, but there’s already enough data to see which pitchers are separating from the field. Whether it’s overpowering stuff or elite command, these arms have stood out early.
National League
1. Mason Miller, San Diego Padres
7 G, 7.1 IP, 0.00 ERA, 19 K, 1 BB
The National League Cy Young race has been underwhelming to start the season, which opens the door for a non-traditional candidate. That brings a reliever like Mason Miller into the conversation.
There may not be a more dominant arm in baseball right now. Miller has struck out 19 of the 24 batters he’s faced to begin the season, an absurd rate even in a small sample.
Relievers rarely factor seriously into the Cy Young race, with Eric Gagne the last to win the award. Miller’s early pace puts him in that type of territory, but the challenge will be sustaining that level of dominance over a full season.
2. Eduardo Rodriguez, Arizona Diamondbacks
3 GS, 18 IP, 0.50 ERA, 11 K, 5 BB
In the World Baseball Classic Final, Rodríguez looked like one of the best pitchers in the world, shutting down Team USA to help secure the title. He’s carried that momentum into the regular season, allowing just one run across his first three outings.
The underlying profile, however, raises some questions. Rodríguez doesn’t currently feature a pitch grading out as above average, which makes this level of early success difficult to project over a full season.
Still, the results matter. Even with regression likely, his start has been strong enough to earn early consideration in the National League Cy Young race.
3. Christopher Sánchez, Philadelphia Phillies
3 GS, 16.1 IP, 1.65 ERA, 23 K, 4 BB
Sánchez has continued to establish himself as one of the best command pitchers in the game following his 2025 breakout. His raw stuff doesn’t stand out in the traditional sense, but his 6-foot-6 frame and low vertical approach angle create a look hitters have struggled to solve.
Whatever the cause, the results have held. Opponents still haven’t adjusted, and it’s led to another strong stretch to open the season for Sánchez.
4. Bryce Elder, Atlanta Braves
3 GS, 17.2 IP, 1.02 ERA, 16 K, 5 BB
Elder wasn’t expected to be part of the Atlanta Braves’ rotation a few weeks ago, but he’s taken the opportunity and made the most of it. Through three starts, he’s pitching with noticeably better feel and command.
The current metrics don’t fully support a sustained breakout, but the early results are hard to ignore. For now, Elder has been one of the most best pitchers in the National League.
5. Sandy Alcantara, Miami Marlins
4 GS, 30.1 IP, 2.67 ERA, 22 K, 6 BB
Despite a rough outing against Detroit in which he allowed seven runs, Alcantara looks much closer to his 2022 Cy Young form after a difficult 2025 season coming off Tommy John surgery.
Last year, he posted an ERA north of 5.00 across 31 starts, largely due to diminished swing-and-miss ability, especially against left-handed hitters. Early this season, that’s started to change. An increased reliance on his changeup against lefties has helped restore his strikeout profile and overall effectiveness.
The results have followed. Alcantara has worked at least seven innings in each of his first three starts, a reminder of the durability and workload that have long defined him. If that version is back, he quickly becomes a legitimate factor in the Cy Young race.
Honorable Mentions
Braxton Ashcraft, Pittsburgh Pirates
Mitch Keller, Pittsburgh Pirates
Randy Vazquez, San Diego Padres
American League
1. Jose Soriano, Los Angeles Angels
4 GS, 27 IP, 0.33 ERA, 31 K, 9 BB
Soriano has the kind of raw arsenal that can push a starter into the upper tier. His upper-90s sinker and plus splitter have been the driving force behind that early success, forming a pitch mix that’s been difficult for hitters to handle.
Through four outings, Soriano has been dominant. Three have been scoreless, and he allowed just one run in the other, a clear sign of how nasty his stuff has been to start the season.
2. Michael Wacha, Kansas City Royals
3 GS, 21 IP, 0.43 ERA, 17 K, 5 BB
Perhaps the most underrated pitcher in the game right now, Wacha is in his age-34 season and as steady as anyone. He leans on a deep mix, headlined by one of the best changeups in the league, to consistently keep hitters off balance.
Some of Wacha’s numbers suggest regression could be coming, but so far he has earned the right to be near the top of this conversation. It will be interesting to see where he stands in a month or two.
3. Taj Bradley, Minnesota Twins
4 GS, 21.2 IP, 1.25 ERA, 29 K, 8 BB
After losing Pablo López to injury, it looked like the Twins would lean heavily on Joe Ryan to absorb that production. Instead, Taj Bradley has emerged as one of the early breakout arms in the league.
He struggled last season, but a noticeable jump in velocity has fueled a potential resurgence for the young right-hander. His strikeout and walk rates have both taken significant steps forward after ranking in the bottom half of the league a year ago.
That combination is encouraging, and it gives this early breakout a much more sustainable feel.
4. Max Fried, New York Yankees
4 GS, 28 IP, 1.93 ERA, 20 K, 5 BB
Fried has quietly been one of the most impactful pitchers in baseball this decade, posting the lowest ERA since 2020 among pitchers with at least 500 innings.
He limits barrels, avoids free passes, and consistently generates ground balls, a combination that keeps him out of trouble and difficult to square up. Come October, the Yankees will benefit greatly by having a profile like this at the top of their rotation.
5. Cam Schlittler, New York Yankees
4 GS, 21.2 IP, 2.49 ERA, 30 K, 1 BB
Since making his debut in July of last year, Schlittler has emerged as one of the most effective pitchers in the sport. He’s striking out more than 10 hitters per nine innings while issuing just one walk, a major step forward from where he was a year ago.
What makes Schlittler especially intriguing is how he attacks hitters. He relies on a fastball-heavy approach, throwing some version of it over 90% of the time, including a four-seamer with elite ride and an above-average sinker.
He’s also added a cutter modeled after Corbin Burnes, giving him another weapon to keep hitters off balance. If the command gains hold and he stays healthy, he could accelerate up these rankings quickly.
Honorable Mentions
Kevin Gausman, Toronto Blue Jays
Bryan Woo, Seattle Mariners
Parker Messick, Cleveland Guardians
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