With the action for the season ramping up with each passing day, the hype is real. And for fans preparing to make the most of baseball’s return the expectations are high. Especially from big players on mega contracts and from big market teams. And one player falling in the perfect overlap of all these circumstances seems to be Gerrit Cole of the New York Yankees; with some fans declaring him as the favorite to pick up this year’s Cy Young in the AL.

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Gerrit Cole saw an early exit from the post season last year with the New York Yankees. Getting knocked out in the AL Wild Card game against arch-rivals the Boston Red Sox; Cole will be looking to help his team in the post-season come 2022. And if he manages some individual laurels along the way too, it is bound to only add to his already illustrious career record.

Gerrit Cole voted as favorite for Cy Young

While fan expectations don’t necessarily mean a performance is coming; it sure is indicative of the skillset you have shown in the past. And for Gerrit Cole, it seems that has been significant enough to command a swathe of fans that think of him as being capable enough to be the best in the league over the season.

In a League rife with pitching talent, including the likes of Jacob DeGrom, Max Scherzer, and even pitching contemporary Trevor Bauer set to mark his return, the fans have certainly reposed tremendous faith in Cole’s talents. And so too have the New York Yankees.

Cole signed on with the pinstripes for a record deal in 2019 that saw him turn into one of the top earners in MLB. With a 9-year $324 million contract Cole has shown all the ingredients of being a championship pitcher before, and this truly could be the year he takes the leap into Cy Young-winning form. With his time in the 2021 season shortened, he will be only too glad to mark his return and if possible win some trophies along the way.

And while Cole’s focus may remain on winning the pennant with the New York Yankees. But not many can deny that the Cy Young would be a great pick up along the way. And surely if Cole is in league-beating form, that would certainly bode well for the New York Yankees too.

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But what do you think? Could Cole be set to capture the Cy Young as he takes on the challenge this year? Or do you think there is another talent in the AL waiting to break out and win the trophy?