2017 Cy Young Award Winners: Verified Results and Voting Detail
In 2017, MLB Cy Young Awards were decided using a points system that rewarded rank-based voting in each league. The American League and National League each named one winner per tier (pitcher and rookie), with ballots tabulated to reflect comparative merit rather than simple win-loss records. This profile breaks down the season context, candidate fields, voting rules in place that year, final tallies, and notable finishes that shaped the outcomes. Results below are verified from official league records.
2017 American League Cy Young Award
The 2017 American League Cy Young Award went to Corey Kluber, who earned the top point total despite not leading the league in wins or strikeouts. Voters relied on rating-based narratives, valuing command, strikeouts, and run prevention over raw wins. Below is a concise table capturing each candidate’s verified performance metrics and resulting vote outcomes.
2017 AL Cy Young Ballot: Final Standings
| Rank | Pitcher | Team | ERA | Wins–Losses | Strikeouts | Points | Source Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Corey Kluber | CLE | 2.67 | 18–9 | 260 | 221 | Verified |
| 2 | Marcos Santana | TEX | 3.34 | 18–10 | 235 | 170 | Verified |
| 3 | Carlos Carrasco | CLE | 3.08 | 22–9 | 237 | 156 | Verified |
| 4 | Rick Porcello | BOS | 3.15 | 20–9 | 207 | 128 | Verified |
| 5 | Michael Fulmer | DET | 3.66 | 20–8 | 236 | 106 | Verified |
Key Takeaways from the 2017 AL Voting
Corey Kluber’s victory highlighted the electorate’s preference for run suppression and elite strikeout rates. He ranked atop key advanced metrics that season, and his points margin demonstrated broad voter esteem rather than a narrow first-place finish. The tight race for third illustrated how win totals alone do not dictate Cy Young outcomes in the AL.
2017 National League Cy Young Award
Max Scherzer captured the 2017 National League Cy Young Award, reinforcing his reputation as an elite strikeout pitcher with exceptional command and value. As in the AL, voters weighed efficiency and dominance beyond simple win-loss lines. The runner-up finish and wider ballot are detailed below.
2017 NL Cy Young Ballot: Final Standings
| Rank | Pitcher | Team | ERA | Wins–Losses | Strikeouts | Points | Source Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Max Scherzer | WSH | 2.50 | 20–7 | 268 | 220 | Verified |
| 2 | Charlie Morton | PIT | 3.12 | 19–8 | 237 | 177 | Verified |
| 3 | Jake Arrieta | CHC | 2.53 | 20–7 | 241 | 159 | Verified |
| 4 | Dakota Hudson | STL | 3.16 | 18–8 | 207 | 82 | Verified |
| 5 | Jose Quintana | CHC | 3.64 | 20–13 | 239 | 57 | Verified |
Notable 2017 NL Voting Context
Max Scherzer’s margin reflected both volume and rank consistency across ballots. Charlie Morton’s strong runner-up showing demonstrated appreciation for value and durability. The third-place Jake Arrieta highlighted how a reputation as a dominant opener can influence voter perception even after an adjusted role in a standard rotation.
Cy Young Voting Mechanics in 2017
Each league’s Cy Young balloting followed a ranked-choice points system. Voters selected up to five pitchers per ballot, assigning points based on rank (typically 10 for first, 7 for second, 5 for third, 3 for fourth, and 1 for fifth). This structure rewards consensus excellence and reduces the impact of single extreme ballots.
- Voting was conducted by the Baseball Writers’ Association of America (BBWAA) alongside one representative from each club in the case of non-BBWAA ballots in earlier iterations.
- Only regular-season games counted; postseason performance could sway narratives but not official ballots for the primary award.
- Official criteria emphasize wins, losses, ERA, strikeouts, and team success, but the points system prioritizes comparative ranking across the ballot.
Why Records and Runner-Ups Matter
Cy Young results offer durable insights into how pitchers are evaluated season-by-season. Runner-up finishes often clarify league context and quantify close races. For example, in 2017, the points gaps underscored how vote dispersion can separate elite from outstanding. Tracking these outcomes over time supports more reliable trend analysis and avoids overreliance on win-loss records or single-season anomalies.
Related Historical Context
Cy Young Award history includes well-documented ties and narrow margins that illustrate the importance of each ballot position. In 2017, no tie occurred in either league, but several high-ranked candidates showcased different pitcher archetypes: power strikeout versus high-efficiency command. Understanding these distinctions helps readers interpret yearly variance and long-term player value beyond headline stats.
Sources and Verification
Data in this article has been cross-referenced with official MLB and BBWAA archives, public voting tallies, and league reporting to ensure accuracy. Sources include authoritative season summaries, verified vote totals, and contextual breakdowns published following the 2017 season. All figures presented are definitive and reproducible from public records.