(Photo by David Berding/Getty Images)
We are approaching the end of the first month of the 2023 MLB season.
Time really flies.
We have seen some impressive performance in the first month, like the Pittsburgh Pirates, the Baltimore Orioles, and the Texas Rangers making a statement.
We have also witnessed some impressive pitching performances and some unexpected aces take a step forward in their careers.
To prove our point, here are the leaders in ERA and strikeouts in the early going.
Sonny Gray and Zac Gallen are off to tremendous starts on the mound.
(MLB x @SorareMLB) pic.twitter.com/pvmYJiiG9D
— MLB (@MLB) April 28, 2023
You could say that Arizona Diamondbacks pitcher Zac Gallen had already entered ace status last year, when he finished with numbers worthy of Cy Young consideration.
However, it’s a bit surprising to see Minnesota Twins righty Sonny Gray leading both leagues with a sparkling 0.62 ERA.
He has been the only qualified hurler to post a sub-1.00 ERA.
Of course, no one can sustain that kind of dominance, but with the increased usage of his cutter and being in the best form of his career, it’s not crazy to think he can finish with an ERA lower than 3.00 when all is said and done.
He hasn’t been the most consistent or dominant pitcher over the course of his career, but he has been very, very good.
Let’s not forget he has a career 3.50 ERA.
He only had two really bad seasons: one with the Oakland Athletics in 2016 and one with the New York Yankees in 2018.
He has been excellent the rest of his MLB tenure, but not quite ace-like.
That appears to be changing as we speak.
The Twins couldn’t be more thrilled.
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