What major pitching award did 2026 deadline candidate Robbie Ray win in 2021?

Robbie Ray won the American League Cy Young Award in 2021.

Ray earned the honor with the Toronto Blue Jays after a breakthrough season in which he led the American League in earned-run average, innings and WHIP. He went 13–7 with a 2.84 ERA over 32 starts and led all of MLB with 248 strikeouts.

The award marked a major turnaround. Ray had struggled badly in 2020, but improved his command and effectiveness in Toronto’s rotation the following year. He received 29 of 30 first-place votes, finishing comfortably ahead of Gerrit Cole. The Cy Young is a pitching award, unlike the Gold Glove, Silver Slugger and MVP, which recognize defense, hitting and overall value respectively.