What happened: Jacob Misiorowski won the 2026 National League Cy Young Award on Thursday, capping a season that also featured a World Series championship. He posted an MLB-best 1.80 ERA and totaled 252 strikeouts during the campaign. During the postseason run, he delivered a 103.5 mph fastball, the fastest pitch ever tracked in World Series history.
Why it matters: The honor caps a dominant calendar year that paired baseball's top individual pitching trophy with a World Series ring. Misiorowski set the pitch-tracking era record for the most pitches thrown at 100 mph or faster in a single season since 2008. His combination of league-leading run prevention and record velocity positions him at the forefront of the National League rotation hierarchy entering 2027.
By the numbers: • 1.80: Lowest ERA across MLB in 2026 • 252: Strikeouts recorded during the season • 103.5: Peak velocity in mph, the fastest pitch tracked in World Series history • 2008: Start of the pitch-tracking era, with Misiorowski setting the single-season mark for 100+ mph pitches
What to watch: Awards announcements conclude this week ahead of winter roster activity, with Misiorowski positioned as the reigning Cy Young winner heading into the 2027 season.