Power Players Poll of the Week

Author:
SI Staff
Publish date:
May 27, 2010

Power Players Poll of the Week

Phil Hughes

Who'll hit the most home runs this year? Which pitcher will have the most strikeouts? Those questions and others will be posed by SI.com over the next two months in a series of poll galleries with a ballot on the last frame. This week's question: Who'll win the AL Cy Young award? After earning the fifth spot in the starting rotation in spring training, former reliever Phil Hughes has been masterful for the world champions, going 5-0 with a 2.25 ERA and 42 strikeouts through his first seven starts. But can the 23-year-old blue chipper keep up his ridiculous pace?

David Price

The left-hander and former No. 1 overall draft pick has already logged more than 50 innings this season, posting a 6-1 record with a 1.81 ERA and 44 strikeouts. More importantly, Price has helped lead the Rays to the top of the AL East standings with the best record in baseball.

Matt Garza

Another of the Rays talented young starters, Garza is 5-1 with a 2.38 ERA and 48 strikeouts while Tampa Bay had notched victories in six of his eight starts in 2010. Can he win the Cy Young if he doesn't even prove to be the best starter on his own team?

Jered Weaver

At 6-foot-7, Weaver is an intimidating presence on the mound, which has helped make him the American League leader in strikeouts (60) so far in 2010. Throw in a 3.40 ERA and only 15 walks over 55.2 innings, and Weaver is a hot candidate for Cy Young.

Zack Greinke

Greinke is a deceiving 1-4 in 2010, considering he's got a better ERA in his losses (3.38) and no-decisions (1.67) than in his lone win (4.50). He's also racked up 50 strikeouts with only 11 walks and has an overall ERA of 2.72. If he can get better run support, his record will improve and he will have a chance at a second straight AL Cy Young award.

Andy Pettitte

Who says old guys can't dominate? At 37, Pettitte has been almost unhittable so far this season, going 5-0 with a 1.79 ERA (good for second in the AL) through seven starts, despite battling elbow concerns.

Felix Hernandez

King Felix started the season hot, posting a 2-1 record with 31 strikeouts and a 2.23 ERA in the month of April. His May has been a disappointment, but last year's Cy Young-runner-up should again find his groove.

Justin Verlander

After some shaky starts early this season, Verlander has won his last three decisions, including shutting out the Yankees over 6.2 innings. He led the Major Leagues in strikeouts with 269 in 2009 -- will the flame-thrower bring the heat again in 2010?