THREE EARLY CY YOUNG CANDIDATES

It's never too early to start speculating on who may end up with the Shoeless Joe S9 AL/NL Cy Young Awards. Here's three candidates for each league who have as good as shot as any to capture the award.










AL

Wesley Douglass, OKC

This guy has been straight money this season for the Redhawks. The 7-0 record is impressive enough, but the 1.22 ERA is simply amazing. He's got a ways to go, especially since they're in the always tough AL West. But Douglass' start must not go unnoticed.

Al Lopez, PAW

Lopez has beek OK so far in his career, but he's taken it to a whole new level here in S9. A 9-1 record and a 2.15 ERA has meant everything to the Pawtucket Fire Cats. He's already thrown a no-hitter so far in his career. Can he add a Cy Young Award as well?

Louis Bunch, LV

Yeah, Las Vegas isn't having the greatest season so far here in S9. So it only makes what Bunch has done even more impressive. Competing in the tough AL West, and he's gone 8-2 with a 2.27 ERA. His microscopic 0.93 WHIP is one of the league's best. Even though he's 33 years old, there are absolutely no signs of Bunch slowing down.


ONE MORE: Rene Howry, NY (7-1, 2.44 ERA)


NL

Ajax Hosmer, SEA

He doesn't blow you away with the amount of wins he has, but Ajax refuses to give up runs. Period. His 2.11 ERA is on pace for a career best. There's no standout candidate so far, so we'll throw Ajax into that role.

Rudy Dingman, PHI

If I was a betting man, I would take this guy. Dingman already has 3 of these awards in his collection, and there's no doubt he can make a run for #4. A 7-4 record with a 2.82 ERA won't "wow" you, but he's as solid as they come.

Ken Owens, MNT

Now, the darkhorse selection. Owens has been superb this season, going 5-1 with a 2.74 ERA. He's held the opposition to a microscopic .195 BA, which is one of the league's best. He's young, so we expect some bumps in the road. But the future is very bright for Mr. Owens.


ONE MORE: Terrell McCartin, PHI (7-4, 2.84 ERA)