What happened: Jacob Misiorowski won the 2026 National League Cy Young Award following a dominant campaign that culminated in a World Series title. The honor follows his selection as an NL Cy Young finalist earlier this month. Over the course of the season, he posted a major-league-best 1.80 ERA and recorded the fastest pitch in World Series history at 103.5 mph.
Why it matters: The award validates a historic year in which Misiorowski established himself as one of baseball's premier strikeout pitchers. He led all major league pitchers with 67 three-pitch strikeouts while anchoring his club's championship rotation. The breakthrough sets high expectations as he prepares to lead the pitching staff into the 2027 season.
By the numbers: 1.80: Major-league-leading ERA in 2026. 252: Total strikeouts recorded during the championship season. 103.5: Miles per hour on his World Series fastball, the fastest in tracking history. 67: Three-pitch strikeouts thrown in 2026, the most in MLB.
What to watch: Misiorowski and his rotation turn their focus to title defense preparations ahead of the 2027 season.