MLB · 6 months ago

Cy Young Long Shots: 5 Pitchers Making Early Cases

Sportsgrid Staff

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Honorable Mention – Hunter Greene, Cincinnati Reds (+600)
Hunter Greene has exploded out of the gates in 2025, rapidly transforming from a long-shot candidate into a legitimate contender for the NL Cy Young. Entering the season at +1000 odds, he’s moved to the third-shortest line behind only Paul Skenes and Zach Wheeler. Greene’s 1.31 ERA, 1.83 FIP, and 10.02 K/9 speak for themselves, but it’s not just the numbers — his overpowering fastball-slider combo looks even sharper on the mound than it does on paper. The 24-year-old is proving he’s more than just potential, and if he keeps this pace up, he won’t just be in the Cy Young conversation — he might be leading it.

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Max Fried, New York Yankees (+1800)
Max Fried is making quite the first impression in pinstripes. He’s posted a 1.56 ERA through three starts across 17.1 innings, allowing just three earned runs and punching out hitters at a near-elite clip with almost 11 K/9. His most dominant performance came against the Tigers, where he struck out 11 in seven scoreless innings without issuing a walk. Fried has been a Cy Young contender before — finishing second in 2022 — and now, with Gerrit Cole sidelined for the year, he has the opportunity to become the ace of the Yankees' staff. If he continues to pitch at this level while helping carry New York toward October, he could find himself firmly in the Cy Young race again.

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Shota Imanaga, Chicago Cubs (+2000)
Shota Imanaga is starting to turn heads in Chicago with an impressive early showing. While his most recent start against Texas was rocky, the Japanese left-hander was nearly unhittable in previous outings versus the Padres and Diamondbacks — two potent lineups. With Justin Steele on the injured list, Imanaga steps into a leadership role in the Cubs' rotation. He’s shown flashes of ace potential, with a devastating fastball-splitter combination that can dominate when he's locked in. To truly contend for Cy Young honors, he’ll need to improve his command of the long ball, but he has all the tools to anchor the Cubs' playoff push and make a serious run at the award.
Nathan Eovaldi, Texas Rangers (+3000)
Veteran righty Nathan Eovaldi delivered one of the early highlights of the 2025 season with a masterclass complete-game shutout against the Reds, throwing just 99 pitches and giving up only four hits. That outing was a perfect display of his efficiency and control, and through three starts this year, he’s backed it up with a 2.29 ERA and a league-leading 0.7 fWAR in the AL. With deGrom’s innings likely to be carefully managed, Eovaldi’s experience and consistency will be vital for a Rangers team aiming to repeat their 2023 World Series glory. His past accolades, including a top-five Cy Young finish in 2021, show he’s capable — and now with his odds climbing from +8000 to +3000, he’s making an early case for another run at the award.
Jesus Luzardo, Philadelphia Phillies (+3000)
Jesus Luzardo is trying to shake off his injury-plagued past, and if his early 2025 form is any indication, he’s on the right track. The left-hander has been electric in his first two starts, striking out 19 over 12 innings while posting a gaudy 41.3% strikeout rate. His velocity is up, his breaking stuff looks sharp, and the change of scenery from Miami to Philadelphia may be just what he needed to tap into his full potential. Luzardo has always had the stuff — his issue has been staying healthy. But if he can maintain this pace and remain in the Phillies’ rotation throughout the season, there’s no doubt he can challenge teammates like Wheeler and Sánchez in the Cy Young race.
Kris Bubic, Kansas City Royals (+3500)
Kris Bubic has emerged as one of the biggest surprises of the 2025 season. After starting the year off the Cy Young odds board, he’s now rocketed into the mix at +3500 thanks to a dominant start. In just 12.2 innings, he’s given up only one run and struck out 16 batters — good for an 11.37 K/9 and a 0.71 ERA. Bubic was effective in a relief role last year while recovering from Tommy John surgery, and it’s clear he’s carried that success into the rotation. His ability to generate weak contact, miss bats, and command the zone makes him a fascinating long shot. The Royals already have a top-tier Cy Young candidate in Cole Ragans, but Bubic’s early dominance suggests he might not be far behind if he can maintain this form.
Honorable Mention – Hunter Greene, Cincinnati Reds (+600)
Hunter Greene has exploded out of the gates in 2025, rapidly transforming from a long-shot candidate into a legitimate contender for the NL Cy Young. Entering the season at +1000 odds, he’s moved to the third-shortest line behind only Paul Skenes and Zach Wheeler. Greene’s 1.31 ERA, 1.83 FIP, and 10.02 K/9 speak for themselves, but it’s not just the numbers — his overpowering fastball-slider combo looks even sharper on the mound than it does on paper. The 24-year-old is proving he’s more than just potential, and if he keeps this pace up, he won’t just be in the Cy Young conversation — he might be leading it.

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Max Fried, New York Yankees (+1800)
Max Fried is making quite the first impression in pinstripes. He’s posted a 1.56 ERA through three starts across 17.1 innings, allowing just three earned runs and punching out hitters at a near-elite clip with almost 11 K/9. His most dominant performance came against the Tigers, where he struck out 11 in seven scoreless innings without issuing a walk. Fried has been a Cy Young contender before — finishing second in 2022 — and now, with Gerrit Cole sidelined for the year, he has the opportunity to become the ace of the Yankees' staff. If he continues to pitch at this level while helping carry New York toward October, he could find himself firmly in the Cy Young race again.

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Cy Young Long Shots: 5 Pitchers Making Early Cases

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