Asides from making picks regarding the champions, the individual awards also play an important part in the season recognizing the best performances in the MLB. The Cy Young is the annual award forthe best pitchers both from the American League and the National League.

This honor started to take place in 1956, paying tribute to the Hall of Famer pitcher Cy Young, who died in the previous year. Many unforgettable players were distinguished since then, and withthe 2021 campaigngetting underway, we’ll take a look at the potential best pitchers from both leagues.

AL – Gerrit Cole (New York Yankees)

Gerrit Cole is among the strongest candidates for getting the first Cy Youngin his career. The New York Yankees granted him the best contract ever for a pitcher in the league, and that explains a lot the talent he has. He amassed 1,430 strikeouts so far, with a 101-55 win-loss record and an earned run average of 3.19.

Despite the three-time MLB All-Star already accomplished important marks, like in 2019 when he ended as the strikeout leader of the season, Cole still couldn’t achieve the recognition as the best pitcher of the year. This season may be an opportunity for him to deserve it, in a year in which the Yankees will need to have a good finish as well.

AL – Lucas Giolito (Chicago White Sox)

With a fastball clocked as high as 100 miles per hour, Giolito is a much younger pitcher who impressed a lot since he came into baseball’s elite level. His name got into the White Sox‘s history for becoming the 19th player to throw a no-hitter, in a game against the Pittsburgh Pirates in which he accomplished more than 10 strikeouts.

He may seem like a less likely candidate on this list, but he shouldn’t be disregarded in the race for this award. Giolito still finds himself in an early stage of his career, but he couldbe the surprise in2021.

AL – Shane Bieber (Cleveland Indians)

Bieber moved up fast in the MLB, as only in his second year in the league he got called up to the All-Star Game, and in 2020, he received the Cy Young award.

Indians’ No. 57 had an impressive breakout season last year, in which he earnedrecognition as the best pitcher of the American League in great fashion. Bieber claimed a Triple Crown by being the AL’s leader in wins, earned run average, and strikeouts. Will he claim the Cy Young for the second time in a row?

NL -Jacob deGrom (New York Mets)

One of the most dominating pitchers in the entire MLB, deGrom immediately had an impact in the league, becoming the Rookie of the Year in his debut season. Later on, he took part in three All-Star eventsand got the Cy Young award in back-to-back seasons in 2018 and 2019.

deGrom finished as the strikeouts leader in the NL in the last two seasons, despite he couldn’t grab the best pitcher of the year trophy in 2020. Needless to say, he is an obvious contender for this year’s award.deGrom has everything to win itonce again.

NL – Trevor Bauer (Los Angeles Dodgers)

In the unforgettable 2020 season in which the Dodgers won the World Series, Trevor Bauer was unstoppable playing for the Cincinnati Reds. He became the first pitcher in that franchise’s history to win the Cy Young award.

Bauer led the NL in earned run average, made it to the All-MLB First Team, and called the attention of that season’s champions. The Dodgers secured the best pitcher of 2020 for the upcoming seasons looking to fight for thesecond title in a row.

NL – Max Scherzer (Washington Nationals)

Scherzer is not only one of the best pitchers at the moment, but one of the greatest in baseball’s history as well. His rèsumè speaks for itself. Asides from being named anAll-Starseven times, he is the pitcher with the most Cy Young awards on this list, as he earned it three times.

The 36-year-old has two no-hitters in his long career, and even though the last time he was awardedthe best pitcher of the league award, the veteran led the Nationals to the World Series title in 2019.

Season after season, some youngsters make the most of every single plate appearance they have, and all of a sudden, you start watching young kids all over the world rocking their jerseys.

This season won’t be the exception to that rule, as there’s no shortage of talent and young stars when it comes to MLB. That’s why today, we’re going to let you know about the top 5 players 25 orunder ahead of the 2021 campaign.

The 5 Best MLB Players 25 Or Under

Honorable Mention:Ozzie Albies, Vladimir Guerrero Jr, Mike Soroka, Gleyber Torres, Rafael Devers.

5. Juan Soto

Juan Soto continues to make strides in The Big Show. While not considered an elite defender, his outs above average prove that he’s way better than most people think. Still, there’s no doubt that his swing is his biggest trait.

Soto is already one of the most feared and respected sluggers in the league. He was barely old enough to drink when he led the Washington Nationals to the World Series title a couple of years ago.

4. Ronald Acuña Jr

While some may consider him disrespectful, Ronald Acuña Jr is one of the few players that’s making baseball fun to watch again. He’s fierce, relentless, and it seems like he’s always on the verge of making the highlights.

It’s hard to put into words just how good Acuña Jr can be. He’s improved on every aspect of his game on a yearly basis and is one of the most athletic players out there. He’ll be an MVP candidate for years to come.

3. Cody Bellinger

How many players can brag about playing a huge role in a World Series championship? Well, Cody Bellinger definitely can. In fact, most people find it hard to believe that he’s just 25 years old considering how good he’s been for some years now.

Not only Bellinger is one of the best defenders in his position while also giving the Los Angeles Dodgers a lot of versatility due to his ability to play at the first base as well. He’s also a power hitter and there aren’t any kinds of flaws in his game.

2. Shane Bieber

Shane Bieber had already put the world on notice during his 2019 campaign but he definitely took it up a notch in the shortened season, taking home the American League Cy Young award.

The Cleveland Indians star has one of the best strikeout-to-walk ratios in the Majors and his four-pitch repertoire maked him just impossible to read for the average hitter. Also, he’s shown his durability with multiple complete games and shutouts.

1. Fernando Tatis Jr

And, obviously, Fernando Tatis Jr has to be at the top of this list following his outstanding campaign in 2020. He’s the most entertaining player to watch in all baseball right now and his upside seems unlimited.

Tatis Jr significantly improved his defense while being one of the best offensive players in the world as well. He was an MVP candidate for most of last year and it’s only getting started, and that’s why the San Diego Padres tied him up with a massive contract extension.

Lemahieu is a great signing for the Yankees and one of the best bargains in the MLB, getting paid $15 million every season, something curious knowing the big contracts some players have signed in recent years. Well, DJ is not the only one having relatively cheap contracts and not even the least paid star in the Majors.

In fact, there are more players that are pretty big deals for their respective teams and are getting paid the minimum salary. Of course, there are several reasons for that; players that blossomed into stars way earlier than expected. It raises a lot of eyebrows when people find out how little some players are paid and now it’s time to go through the seven stars that get paid very little compared to their impact on the game.

7. Juan Soto – $6.5 million

Juan Soto is one of those players that made an instant impact on the league. He signed as an international free agent in 2015. He made his MLB debut three years later, and in 2019, he played a key role in the Washington Nationals’ first-ever World Series. This kid is only 22 right now and he’s set to leave a big mark on the Nats and the league. Last season he led the league in average with .351 and is one of the most promising players in the Majors.

6. Rafael Devers – $4.8 million

Rafael Devers is another young player that has become a very good asset in the league. He was one of the few good things the Boston Red Sox had last season and he’s ready to compete with his team this year. He finished last season with 11 home runs, 43 RBIs and 32 runs for the Sox, who found a gem in Devers.

5. Lucas Giolito – $3.9 million

Lucas Giolito is one of the best pitchers in the Majors, no doubt about it. His career record is 31-29 but that doesn’t define who this player is as a pitcher. The White Sox were lucky when they sent Adam Eaton to Washington in 2016 in exchange for Giolito and a series of players. This man has more strikeouts (495) than innings pitched (489.0), so that would explain how good he really is.

4. Walker Buehler – $2.7 million

The Los Angeles Dodgers know their future is secured even after Clayton Kershaw decides to retire from the game since they have Walker Buehler. This man has been terrific for the Dodgers, although he’s making only $2.7 million. In his career, he’s won 24 and lost only nine games with Los Angeles. In 365.2 innings pitched, he’d struck out 420 hitters.

3. Pete Alonso – $575,000

Pete Alonso is one of the players of the future for the New York Mets. This first baseman has been a big deal for the Metropolitans, winning the ROY award and becoming an All-Star in two seasons with the Mets. This guy is something special and he proved that last year. Alonso finished the shortened season with 16 HRs and 35 RBIs for the New Yorkers, confirming he’s one the best young players in the Majors.

2. Fernando Tatis Jr – $575,000

This kid has taken the league and the world by storm with the San Diego Padres. Fernando Tatis Jr was the biggest revelation in the shortened 2020 MLB season that saw his club going to the postseason and competing until the Los Angeles Dodgers and their experience took care of them. Last season he finished with 17 HRs and 45 RBIs, hinting about what the future will be like for the Padres.

1. Shane Bieber – $575,000

This is something incredible, but still possible. Shane Bieber has been around for two years now and the right-handed has enchanted everybody around the league with the formerly known as Cleveland Indians. Bieber has won 34 games and lost 14 in his career while achieving things that other players can’t during their entire careers. He has won the Cy Young award, the Triple Crown, is an All-Star and All-Star Game MVP. This dude is the real deal, but his contract isn’t.