Many people might remember his postseason struggles more, especially since they were so shocking and occurred more recently, but it’s important not to forget just how dominant Cleveland Guardians closer Emmanuel Clase was in the 2024 regular season.
He wasn’t only elite: he was historically dominant, with a 0.61 ERA in 74.1 innings pitched.
Clase is now the owner of the Guardians’ all-time record for saves in a season and for a whole career, and he is 26 years old.
These accolades helped him do something no reliever has achieved since 2008: earn a place among the three finalists for the AL Cy Young award.
“2024 AL Cy Young Award finalists: Emmanuel Clase (CLE), Seth Lugo (KC), Tarik Skubal (DET),” MLB Network posted on X.
2024 AL Cy Young Award finalists:
Emmanuel Clase (CLE)
Seth Lugo (KC)
Tarik Skubal (DET) pic.twitter.com/df3bcgQNZU— MLB Network (@MLBNetwork) November 11, 2024
Yes, a 0.61-ERA season is ridiculous and should earn Clase the AL Cy Young award… in any year that isn’t 2024.
That’s the most disappointing part of it: Clase deserves the award but probably won’t get it because Detroit Tigers’ lefty Tarik Skubal just won the AL Pitching Triple Crown, and it’s hard to top that.
That doesn’t take anything away from Clase, though.
He saved 47 games in 50 opportunities, he allowed just five earned runs in the entire regular season (fewer than one per month!), and he conceded just 39 hits in his 74.1 innings.
No, he wasn’t a strikeout machine even though he got a solid 66.
Impeccable command led to just 10 walks and tons of weak groundballs, though, and that’s the root of his success.
Well, that and a 101-mph cutter.
Clase will try to leave behind a nightmarish postseason and return to his regular season form in 2025.
He got a well-deserved place among the best three pitchers in the junior circuit, though, and that’s something to be proud of.
NEXT: Guardians Nominate Star For Notable Award
