Rum Bunter’s 2016 National League Cy Young Award Winner

Oct 2, 2016; Cincinnati, OH, USA; Chicago Cubs starting pitcher Kyle Hendricks throws against the Cincinnati Reds during the first inning at Great American Ball Park. Mandatory Credit: David Kohl-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 2, 2016; Cincinnati, OH, USA; Chicago Cubs starting pitcher Kyle Hendricks throws against the Cincinnati Reds during the first inning at Great American Ball Park. Mandatory Credit: David Kohl-USA TODAY Sports

As we continue to dish out our 2016 Major League Baseball awards here at Rum Bunter next on the docket in the 2016 National League Cy Young Award.

Now that the 2016 Major League Baseball regular season has ended eyes can be pointed toward the offseason. The offseason includes, first and foremost, postseason play, free agency, trades, and award. Due to this here at Rum Bunter we are dishing out our 2016 awards for Major League Baseball.

So far Kris Bryant and Mike Trout have been named the MVPs of each league. Now, it is time to name Rum Bunter’s 2016 National League Cy Young Award winner. And that player is Chicago Cubs’ right handed starting pitcher Kyle Hendricks.

In 2016 Kyle Hendricks was absolutely dominant. Entering the season Hendricks had been a solid middle of the rotation starting pitcher. In 260 1/3 career innings pitched he owned a 3.49 ERA, 3.34 FIP, 3.46 xFIP, and a 4.8 WAR. However, in 2016 he took the next step and was the best pitcher in the National League.

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Hendricks pitched a career high 190 innings in 2016. In these 190 innings he posted a Major League low 2.13 ERA to go along with averaging 8.05 K/9, 2.08 BB/9, 0.71 HR/9, and he owned a 0.98 WHIP. Hendricks also owned a 3.20 FIP and a 3.59 xFIP.

All season long Hendricks stifled opposing hitters. He held opposing hitters to just a 25.8 percent hard contact rate and he was effective against both right and left handed hitters. He held left-handed hitters to a .217 average, .339 slugging percentage, and a .269 wOBA.

Kyle Hendricks was even better against right-handed hitters. He held right-handed hitters to just a .196 batting average, .305 slugging percentage, and a .243 wOBA against. He allowed six home runs to left-handed hitters, and nine against right-handed hitters. His overall batting average against was just .205, which was the third lowest in the league.

His walk rate ranked sixth lowest in the National League, his home run rate was the fifth lowest, and his strikeout rate was thirteenth highest. And his 4.5 WAR ranked sixth highest among National League pitchers. Furthermore, his 0.98 WHIP was the second lowest in the league.

In 2016 Kyle Hendricks allowed less runs than any other starting pitcher in the National League. Furthermore, he allowed the second fewest base runners per nine innings pitched. Due to these reasons, Hendricks is Rum Bunter’s 2016 National League Cy Young Award winner.

Next: Pirates Arbitration Breakdown: Jeff Locke

Entering the 2016 season had someone told you a member of the Cubs would win the National League Cy Young Award you would not have been surprised. After all, they do have 2015 winner Jake Arrieta and one of the best left-handed starters in the game in Jon Lester. However, not many people would have guessed it would by Kyle Hendricks.

The emergence of Kyle Hendricks in 2016 just adds to the insanely talented core of the Chicago Cubs. With players such as a Arrieta, Lester, Hendricks, Kris Bryant, Anthony Rizzo, Addison Russell, Willson Contreras, and Kyle Schwarber their core is one of the best in Major League history.

The Chicago Cubs, man. They are going to be really good for a really long time. Due to this, it really sucks that the Pirates are in the same division as the Cubs.

Honorable mention: Marlins SP Jose Fernandez, Mets SP Noah Syndergaard

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