Every season, pitchers take the mound with one goal in mind: domination. 

Some rely on sheer power, others on surgical precision, but only a select few will rise above the rest to stake their claim as the best in the game. 

As we head into the 2025 season, the race for the Cy Young award is as wide open as ever, with new challengers emerging and familiar names looking to cement their legacy. 

American League (AL) Cy Young Candidates

Tarik Skubal (Detroit Tigers)

Let’s start with one of the biggest names in the AL right now. Skubal turned heads in 2024 by winning the Cy Young unanimously, snagging the coveted pitching Triple Crown with league-leading wins, ERA, and strikeouts. His 18 wins, 2.39 ERA, and 228 strikeouts weren’t just pretty on paper — they practically screamed dominance from the mound. Adding to that, he has a wicked fastball-changeup combo that keeps hitters guessing from the first inning to the ninth.

The fact he accomplished all this before turning 28 suggests he could be headed for another huge year. Oddsmakers certainly think so, placing him at the top of the list to repeat.

Garrett Crochet (Boston Red Sox)

It’s not often a pitcher with Tommy John surgery in his recent past comes back and immediately dominates, but Garrett Crochet seems to be a different breed. After a notable trade to the Red Sox, he’s expected to be a key piece to their postseason hopes. Crochet piled up a career-best 209 strikeouts last season, and his elite whiff rate suggests he’ll keep making hitters look foolish at the plate.

As far as raw talent goes, Crochet’s got it in spades. He can blow away hitters with velocity and then drop a biting off-speed pitch that leaves them frozen. If he stays healthy and keeps that punch-out power, he may be the biggest threat to Skubal’s throne in 2025.

Cole Ragans (Kansas City Royals)

Cole Ragans might not be the first name you think of when you hear “Cy Young,” but the Royals’ lefty has proven he can hold his own against any lineup. He put up a 3.14 ERA last season while maintaining an impressive 29.3% strikeout rate — a testament to both his control and his swing-and-miss stuff.

One thing fans love about Ragans is his consistent performance, whether he’s pitching at home or on the road. That steadiness is a huge plus for a team trying to climb the ranks. Don’t overlook him just because he’s not a household name yet. In baseball, late bloomers often become award-season spoilers.

Jacob deGrom (Texas Rangers)

Of course, we can’t talk about elite pitching without mentioning Jacob deGrom. Yes, he’s been dealing with injuries, including Tommy John surgery, but when healthy, deGrom is still one of the game’s most intimidating pitchers. 

His fastball-slider combo is borderline unfair. Oddsmakers haven’t forgotten what he can do, and if he’s got a clean bill of health for a full season, look out.

Gerrit Cole (New York Yankees)

In 2023, Gerrit Cole picked up a Cy Young Award, and he’s always in the conversation for a reason. The man is a workhorse with multiple 200-inning seasons under his belt. 

After returning from an injury that sidelined him for part of 2024, he’s looking to reclaim his spot among the AL’s best.

AL Dark Horse Options

Shane McClanahan (Tampa Bay Rays)

Shane McClanahan quietly keeps piling up strong numbers. With a career ERA of 2.85 and a knack for racking up strikeouts, he’s already on a few radars. The main hurdle has been staying healthy, but if he manages a full campaign, he's a player whose fastball-slider combo could propel him into the Cy Young debate. The Rays know how to develop pitching, so don’t be shocked if McClanahan takes a leap.

Tanner Houck (Boston Red Sox)

When you think Red Sox pitching, Garrett Crochet might hog the spotlight now, but Tanner Houck is also worth your attention. In 2024, Houck solidified himself as a reliable starter, posting a 3.12 ERA over 30 starts and 178.2 innings. One of his greatest strengths is keeping the ball in the park, which is a huge factor in pitching success these days.

Houck’s WHIP of 1.142 was another bright spot — it means he doesn’t let many runners get on base. A guy who limits home runs and base runners? That’s a recipe for Cy Young chatter.

National League (NL) Cy Young Candidates

Paul Skenes (Pittsburgh Pirates)

Paul Skenes had a tremendous rookie season with the Pirates, striking out batters in bunches and posting an eye-catching ERA. Already a favorite for the 2025 Cy Young in the NL, he’s known for mechanical consistency that keeps him ahead in counts.

As a young pitcher with top-tier stuff, his potential is through the roof. The Pirates have been looking for that franchise ace they can build around, and Skenes has already shown he can be that guy.

Zack Wheeler (Philadelphia Phillies)

Zack Wheeler is no stranger to Cy Young talk. He’s been nominated before and consistently shows an ability to rack up strikeouts while logging serious innings. In 2024, he struck out 224 batters over 200 innings, showing he’s not just a workhorse — he’s the kind of ace teams count on to go deep into games.

The Phillies rely on Wheeler to anchor their rotation, and with their offense looking solid, he could rack up wins. If he stays healthy, he’s a top-tier candidate, without question.

Chris Sale (Atlanta Braves)

Yes, Chris Sale still knows how to dominate hitters, and he proved it in 2024 by taking home the NL Cy Young. Some people had their doubts about the veteran going back to the NL, but his performance left no doubt: 26 out of 30 first-place votes is a statement.

Given what he showed last year, there’s no reason to think Sale can’t remain in contention. The only knock might be age and some mileage on that arm, but if he’s healthy, he’s lethal on the mound.

Corbin Burnes (Arizona Diamondbacks)

Corbin Burnes had what some called a “down year” in 2024 — and he still finished fifth in AL Cy Young voting. That tells you just how high the bar is for him. Now, he’s with the Diamondbacks, where he’ll likely top a rotation that’s as deep as any in the game.

If he replicates his usual levels of dominance, it might look like the steal of the offseason. Burnes has the craftiness, the velocity, and the track record to stay in the thick of the Cy Young race.

Yoshinobu Yamamoto (Los Angeles Dodgers)

Transitioning from international play to MLB is never easy, but Yamamoto seemed to find his groove late last season. With pinpoint control and tricky off-speed pitches, he gives hitters plenty of headaches. Now the question is whether he can hold that form over a full slate of starts.

If he does, watch out. The Dodgers have a knack for maximizing pitchers’ strengths, and Yamamoto’s potential is sky-high. Think of him as a sleeping giant who might wake up and dominate an entire league.

NL Dark Horse Candidates

MacKenzie Gore (Washington Nationals)

MacKenzie Gore had a surge toward the end of 2024 that got people talking. His rising strikeout numbers are a big reason for the optimism. Dominant pitchers in this league often rely on that ability to fan opposing hitters, and Gore’s swing-and-miss stuff could make him a serious contender.

He’s still on the younger side, but there’s a clear upward trend in his performance. If he can turn those late-season flashes of brilliance into a full season of consistency, the Cy Young conversation might have a new entrant.

Hunter Greene (Cincinnati Reds)

Hunter Greene is already known for his high-octane fastball, and last year it felt like he finally put it all together. He’s openly stated goals for 2025 that include winning the Cy Young, logging 180+ innings, and finishing with a sub-3 ERA. That’s a tall order, but his talent is undeniable.

With top-tier velocity and a fearlessness on the mound, Greene has the ingredients to become an NL powerhouse. If the Reds give him run support and he stays healthy, the dream season might just materialize.

Who Will Wear the Crown?

Predicting the Cy Young Award is never an exact science. One injury here, a surprise performance there, and the entire landscape can shift. But that’s the beauty of baseball: it keeps us guessing, game after game. 

With so much talent on the mound, the 2025 Cy Young race is shaping up to be one of the most exciting in recent memory. By the time we get to the final stretch of the season, the Cy Young conversation could look completely different. Until then, all we can do is sit back, watch, and enjoy the ride.