Cleveland Indians: 2020 Season Recap and Awards

CLEVELAND, OHIO – SEPTEMBER 29: Starting pitcher Shane Bieber #57 of the Cleveland Indians pitches during Game One of the American League Wild Card Series against the New York Yankees at Progressive Field on September 29, 2020 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images)

Indians Cy Young: Shane Bieber

Not only was Shane Bieber the Indians’ best pitcher in 2020, but he was also by far the best in baseball.

Bieber became just the second Indian (Bob Feller, 1940) to win MLB’s pitching Triple Crown as he led the MLB in ERA (1.63), wins (8) and strikeouts (122).

The right-hander’s 122 strikeouts came in just 77.1 innings of work as he averaged 1.5 strikeouts per inning. He was the only pitcher in baseball, joining former Indian Trevor Bauer to strike out at least 100 batters in the shortened 2020 season.

Bieber’s monster season came in just his third season in the pros as the 25-year old California native was named an All-Star in 2019, finished fourth in AL Cy Young voting.

The right-hander is the clear favorite to take home the AL Cy Young in 2020 and may even receive consideration for the MVP Award as he figures to join Chicago’s Jose Abreu and the Yankees duo of DJ LeMahieu and Luke Voit among the finalists.

While Bieber’s season ended in disappointment as he gave up seven runs in the Indians 12-3 Game 1 Wild Card Series loss to the Yankees, his 2020 regular season campaign will go down as one of the best year’s by a starting pitcher in MLB History.

Honorable Mention: Brad Hand (2-1, 2.05 ERA, 16 SV’s)

Indians Cy Young: Shane Bieber

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