The Cleveland Guardians have a Cy Young contender but it’s not who you think

The Cleveland Guardians’ very own Emmanuel Clase is in the AL Cy Young hunt.

If I told you there was a Cy Young candidate on the roster, would you instantly think that it’s Shane Bieber? What about Cal Quantrill or Triston McKenzie? All very talented pitchers, but none of whom are in the Top 5 for the AL Cy Young Award, at least according to ESPN’s odds.

No according to the ESPN odd makers for the AL Cy Young, it’s closer Emmanuel Clase who is the top Guardians player. He’s currently fifth and has a long way to go before he becomes a viable Cy Young candidate, but his performance this season is extremely impressive.

Among all relievers with at least 17 saves, Clase is first among ERA, tied for first with the least runs given up, second in the league in fewest walks issues, and third in the league in most innings pitched.

Relievers have won the AL Cy Young Award before

Unless Emmanuel Clase has a huge final few weeks of the season, I can see him ending up just shy of the award, but that doesn’t mean there’s no chance he wins at all. The award has had a few relievers win it, Sparky Lyle in ’77, Rollie Fingers in ’81, Willie Hernandez in ’84, and Dennis Eckersley in ’92.

The NL version of the Cy Young also has a few relievers to have held it, Mike Marshall in ’74, Bruce Sutter in ’79, Steve Bedrosian in ’87, Mark Davis in ’89, and Eric Gagne in ’03.

Nine players isn’t a lot, considering the award has been handed out every year since 1956 but it’s proof that people do pay attention to relievers. Namely closers. A middle reliever is unlikely to ever win the award, which should make all of Bryan Shaw’s fans very sad.

Or happy.

Bieber himself is climbing into the race, so it very well could see one of the two Guardians pitchers end up in the Top 5, or even, an unexpected Cy Young victory.