Royals’ Seth Lugo voted runner-up for Cy Young award. Two KC pitchers finished top-4

The Kansas City Royals elevated their starting rotation with the addition of right-handed veteran Seth Lugo for 2024.

Lugo posted a 16-9 record with a 3.00 ERA in 33 starts. He made his first All-Star appearance and finished with a 5.3 WAR (wins above replacement). Lugo pitched a career-high 206 ⅔ innings and emerged as the Royals’ front-line ace.

On Wednesday, Lugo finished second in American League Cy Young voting. He finished with 93 total points behind Detroit Tigers star Tarik Skubal.

Skubal earned 210 points to win the award. He received a unanimous 30 first-place votes after receiving the pitching Triple Crown (first in wins, strikeouts and ERA) this season.

The AL Cy Young Award is presented by the Baseball Writers’ Association of America (BBWAA). Lugo received 14 second-place votes and nine third-place votes. Cleveland Guardians closer Emmanuel Clase (66 points) finished in third place.

The BBWAA awards seven points for first place, four points for second place, three points for third place, two points for fourth place and one point for fifth place.

Royals left-handed starter Cole Ragans finished fourth in the AL Cy Young Award voting. Ragans received 48 points, including three second-place votes and six third-place votes.

Lugo presented a compelling Cy Young résumé. He ranked highly among qualified AL pitchers in multiple categories including quality starts (T-1st, 22), wins (T-2nd, 16) and WHIP (7th, 1.09).

Lugo also won the 2024 AL Rawlings Gold Glove. He joined teammate Bobby Witt Jr. as the lone Royals to receive the honor this year.

The Royals leaned on Lugo throughout the season. He pitched in several important games as the club marched to the MLB postseason. Lugo earned his 50th career win against the Los Angeles Dodgers in June. He later pitched in the clinching game of the AL Wild Card Series against the Baltimore Orioles.

Lugo will return to the starting rotation in 2025. He is expected to maintain his front-line status alongside Ragans. His leadership, alongside teammate Michael Wacha, was important in building a strong culture in the clubhouse.

The Royals had three different pitchers win the Cy Young Award. The trio includes Zack Greinke, David Cone and Brett Saberhagen (twice). Greinke is the last Royals pitcher to receive the honor (2009).