Friday, May 29

The regular season is nearly into June, and while it's probably a little early to talk seriously about awards candidates, it's never too early to speculate a little bit. 

Especially around the Reds, which have legitimate candidates to get voting consideration for National League MVP, Cy Young and Rookie of the Year. 

Let's look at Cincinnati's potential candidates for some postseason hardware.

NL Cy Young Award: Chase Burns

Burns, in his second big league season, is 7-1 with a 1.96 ERA through 11 starts and finished May 4-0 with a 1.19 ERA in five starts. He entered Thursday ranked fourth in the NL in ERA and tied for fourth in strikeouts (72), tied for seventh in innings pitched (64 1/3) and tied for second in wins. He also was tied for third in the Majors in bWAR for pitchers (2.9) and ranked third in hits-per-nine innings (5.876).

Five times this season, Burns has pitched five or more innings with eight strikeouts and two or fewer runs allowed. He's allowed two or fewer runs in each of his past eight starts.

It's certainly not too early to think of the 23-year-old Burns as an All-Star candidate, but if he can keep up his current pace – and isn't given an innings limit too early in the season – he could get into the Cy conversation. There is plenty of stiff competition, namely from the Phillies' Cristopher Sánchez (6-2, 1.47 ERA), who didn't allow an earned run in five starts this month as part of a still-active 44 2/3 scoreless-innings streak.

Other contenders: Paul Skenes (Pirates), Jacob Misiorowski (Brewers), Chris Sale (Braves), Bryce Elder (Braves) and Shohei Ohtani (Dodgers)

Only Red to win NL Cy Young: Trevor Bauer (2020) | All-time winners

NL MVP: Elly De La Cruz

A two-time All-Star, De La Cruz is (so far) having his most-consistent season since debuting in 2023. His improvement as a right-handed hitter is a big reason he's batting .279 overall with an .855 OPS, 12 home runs and 37 RBIs while playing all 55 games. He entered Thursday leading all shortstops in extra-base hits (26, tied with CJ Abrams), total bases (113) and runs (38, tied with Zach Neto). 

Among NL leaders, De La Cruz was fifth in hits (62), sixth in total bases, tied for fifth in runs, tied for eighth in RBIs and ninth in homers. He already has as many homers off left-handed pitching (five) than he did all of last season.

If De La Cruz can get on a tear and help the Reds get back into the playoffs, his name would get checked on MVP ballots. But it will take a lot to unseat the Dodgers' Ohtani, the two-time reigning NL MVP. And if it's not Ohtani, there are plenty of other candidates.

Other contenders: Kyle Schwarber (Phillies), Matt Olson (Braves), James Wood (Nationals), Jordan Walker (Cardinals)

Last Red to win MVP: Joey Votto (2010) | All-time winners

NL Rookie of the Year: Sal Stewart

Stewart's first full big league season launched like a rocket, and he already won NL Rookie of the Month honors for March/April. Although his pace has slowed this month, the 22-year-old remains the NL rookie leader in home runs (12), RBIs (36), slugging (.473), OPS (.826), walks (31) and extra-base hits (21) while batting .256 with a .353 on-base percentage.

Because of his advanced knowledge of the strike zone and ability to hit to all sides of the field, Stewart is able to minimize slumps even as opposing pitchers have started to make adjustments. 

Other contenders: JJ Wetherholt (Cardinals), Nolan McLean (Mets), Konnor Griffin (Pirates)

Last Reds NL Rookie of the the Year: Jonathan India (2021) | All-time winners

De La Cruz has played 273 consecutive games, a streak that began July 30, 2024. He entered Thursday with the Major Leagues' third-longest active streak behind Matt Olson (838) and Pete Alonso (472).

• MLB's all-time consecutive games leaders

De La Cruz has been used as a designated hitter twice this season as a way for manager Terry Francona to get the 24-year-old off his feet for a partial break. Francona has indicated he has no immediate plans to give De La Cruz a full day of rest out of the starting lineup.

“I don’t think he needs it and believe me, if I thought so – as aggravated as he would be – I’d do it,” Francona said. “I just don’t think he needs it right now. We haven’t hit hot weather. We haven’t had a ton of sitting around. I think there’s a lot of factors that go into it.”

As the Reds’ bullpen tries to regain its footing again after a mostly rough three weeks of May, one reliever who has shown a lot of consistency is Sam Moll. The left-hander has a 2.55 ERA in 26 appearances this season, a big jump in performance from 2025, which saw him struggle and get demoted to Triple-A Louisville a couple of times.

“I think it’s just keeping it simple,” Moll said. “Obviously just executing pitches early in the season … when you’re not locating it can lead to walks and just free bases. So eliminating free bases has been big, just trying to attack the zone.”

Moll has 11 walks in 24 2/3 innings as his WHIP has dropped to 1.05 from last season's 1.42. He's worked scoreless over his last five appearances, totaling 5 2/3 innings – including back-to-back appearances Monday and Tuesday vs. the Mets.

On Tuesday during a 7-2 win, Moll replaced Burns in the sixth inning with one out and a runner on first base. He got Mark Vientos to ground into an inning-ending double play and finished 1 2/3 perfect innings of relief while topping out at 93.6 mph.

“That is huge for him,” Francona said. “But I do think the ball is coming out pretty good. There were some times last year and at Spring Training, there were some 89s and it was kind of flat. It looked crisp. That’s probably the best word I can give you. I look at the gun, we all do, but crisp is better than miles per hour.”

• Rhett Lowder threw a simulated game on Wednesday and is likely headed for a rehab assignment. Read more >>

• Andrew Abbott had another quality start, but it wasn't enough in Wednesday's loss to the Mets. Read more >>

• Hunter Greene has started throwing in the bullpen as his rehab progresses. Read more >>

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