San Diego Padres starting pitcher Blake Snell (4) Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

How this Padres pitcher continues to defy the odds

By Michael Carpenter | Last updated 9/18/23

Looking to become just the seventh player in MLB history to win the Cy Young Award in both the American League and the National League, San Diego Padres pitcher Blake Snell has been nearly unhittable in 2023.

Leading the MLB in ERA at 2.43, hits per nine at 6.0 and batting average against at .187, the 30-year-old is also the league leader in walks with 93.

His 93 walks are the most in the MLB since former Colorado Rockies pitcher Tyler Chatwood had 95 in 103.2 innings pitched in 2018, the same year Snell won his first Cy Young Award with the Tampa Bay Rays.

There has been one pitcher in MLB history who has thrown 100 or more innings with at least a 150 ERA+, 30% strikeout rate and 12% walk rate.

That would be Blake Snell this season, who's thrown 167 innings with a 169 ERA+, 31.4% strikeout rate and 13.4% walk rate.
— Brent Maguire (@bmags94) September 15, 2023

The last Cy Young Award winner to lead the MLB in walks was Chicago White Sox pitcher Early Wynn, who did it all the way back in 1959.

You rarely see a pitcher have success on the mound while allowing so many free base runners in modern baseball, but Snell has been an exception in this case.

Although he may have trouble with walking hitters, it's hard to penalize him when they aren't leading to runs.

With opposing teams having trouble capitalizing on the free base-runners, Snell has allowed three or fewer runs in 21 consecutive starts.

The former Cy Young winner has posted a 14-9 record with his league-leading 2.43 ERA and 217 strikeouts in 167 innings pitched while leading in numerous pitching categories.

Blake Snell continued his Cy Young campaign against the 1st place Dodgers.

He now sports a 1.31 ERA over his past 20 starts. pic.twitter.com/bemR4J6SN3
— MLB (@MLB) September 14, 2023

He will face some competition for the NL Cy Young, including from Atlanta Braves pitcher Spencer Strider and Chicago Cubs pitcher Justin Steele.

With Strider's season being mediocre outside of his high strikeout totals and with Steele only having a better record and fewer walks, Snell has done more than enough to bring home his second Cy Young Award in 2023.

A free agent after this season, not only does Snell have the chance to walk away with some hardware for his trophy cabinet, but he has also secured himself a healthy payday this offseason.

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