The Toronto Blue Jays ‘ residence opener is that this Friday, and their new addition to the rotation, Dylan Stop, has carried out effectively in camp, placing him in line to contend for his first AL Cy Younger Award.
The Blue Jays signed Stop to a 7-year, $210 million deal, and it was the most important free-agent signing in franchise historical past.
He’s considered as an elite worth guess to complete excessive within the voting, and betting odds have positioned him round +3000 to win, which signifies a excessive worth.
What makes Stop a contender for Cy Younger?
A number of vital elements make Stop a powerful contender for the AL Cy Younger Award. For starters, he’s a top-tier strikeout pitcher who has demonstrated his elite expertise by efficiently registering 200 or extra strikeouts from 2021 to 2025 (5 seasons in a row).
The 30-year-old veteran ace additionally had a powerful season in 2022, the place he was the runner-up within the AL Cy Younger voting. He showcased how he is able to performing effectively in high-leverage conditions by recording 227 strikeouts and an virtually no-hitter in opposition to the Minnesota Twins on September 3.
Stop can also be established as a sturdy starter who has led the majors in begins throughout 2021-2024. As effectively, throughout that span, he demonstrated reliability by recording 32 or extra begins. These are robust indicators that may assist increase his possibilities of being chosen for the award.
However other than his previous success, in spring coaching this season, he has showcased a dominant fastball and slider which have touched 97 mph. As well as, he recorded a 0.93 ERA, 0.93 WHIP, and 12 strikeouts throughout 9.2 innings.
Transitioning to a brand new group not solely gives him with a brand new ambiance, however it additionally helps to tighten his recreation with stable protection behind him.
With a powerful protection, this could assist Stop with reducing his ERA and batting common on balls in play (BABIP).
Whereas his numbers final season had been unsatisfactory due to his excessive ERA of 4.55 and an 8-12 document, the defensive unit of the San Diego Padres was not robust. That is what contributed to Stop’s unfavourable numbers in 2025.
