Zack Wheeler finishes a close second in NL Cy Young Award voting

Despite putting together one of the finest seasons in Philadelphia Phillies history, Zack Wheeler fell short in his quest to win the 2021 National League Cy Young Award, finishing in second place in voting.

Milwaukee’s Corbin Burnes captured the award, posting a 2.43 ERA, 1.63 FIP, 176 ERA+ and 7.5 fWAR in 2021, all of which were best among National League starting pitchers. Burnes did throw 46 1/3 less innings than Wheeler’s 213 1/3 this season, but his dominance over the innings that he did pitch ultimately won out.

That said, Wheeler finished within 10 points of Burnes:

Via the @officialBBWAA, here is the full breakdown on NL Cy Young Award voting. Zack Wheeler finishes second to Corbin Burnes, and closer than some expected. pic.twitter.com/4yr3l0Sz8O

— Tim Kelly (@TimKellySports) November 17, 2021

Two writers from each NL city got a vote. Both writers from Philadelphia that voted on this award — Todd Zolecki of MLB.com and Scott Lauber of The Philadelphia Inquirer — gave their first place vote to Wheeler.

Even without a Cy Young Award, Wheeler realized the front-line potential that he flashed in five seasons with the New York Mets during his first All-Star campaign. Wheeler led baseball in innings pitched and strikeouts, while finishing in a tie for the most complete games (three) and complete-game shutouts (two) in the sport.

The 7.3 fWAR that Wheeler posted in 2021 has only been topped by three Phillies in the last 50 years, two of whom are in the Hall of Fame:

In the last 50 years, only a few Phillies pitchers have topped the 7.3 fWAR (@fangraphs' version of WAR) that Zack Wheeler now has in 2021.

Steve Carlton (1972, 1980, 1982, 1983)

Curt Schilling (1997, 1998)

Roy Halladay (2011)

— Tim Kelly (@TimKellySports) September 29, 2021

Wheeler is the first Phillie since 2018 to be a finalist for the NL Cy Young Award, as his current teammate Aaron Nola finished third in voting that season. The late Roy Halladay remains the last Phillie to capture the NL Cy Young Award, as the Hall of Famer won it in 2010.

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