The 2026 MLB season is around the corner, and while everyone’s talking about the usual favorites for the Cy Young, Tarik Skubal and Paul Skenes, a group of under-the-radar pitchers could quietly dominate the voting. These dark horses might not all be household names yet — but by the end of the season, they could steal the spotlight.
Here are the top dark horse candidates for both leagues:
NL Dark Horses
1. Justin Steele – Chicago Cubs
Steele isn’t flashy, but he’s dangerous. A lefty with elite command, he can deliver a full season of steady dominance. If he stays healthy and the Cubs contend, Steele could quietly rack up strikeouts and WAR, making him a sleeper MVP for pitchers.
Why he’s a sleeper: 200 innings, low ERA, and under-the-radar excellence. Perfect for voters who love consistency over hype.
2. Logan Webb – San Francisco Giants
Webb already flirted with Cy Young glory in 2025, finishing top-five in NL voting while leading the league in innings and strikeouts. He combines ace-level stuff with remarkable durability.
Why he’s a sleeper: Webb can quietly dominate without headlines — the type of pitcher voters can’t ignore once stats like ERA+ and WAR start piling up.
3. David Peterson – New York Mets
Peterson is entering a contract year, which always motivates big performances. He flashed brilliance in 2025, including an All-Star nod, and could put together a full-season breakout.
Why he’s a sleeper: High-spin fastball, devastating curve, and trade buzz all make him a perfect sleeper pick for the NL Cy Young.
AL Dark Horses
1. Gavin Williams – Cleveland Guardians
Williams is one of the most exciting young arms in the AL. He has the velocity, command, and strikeout-to-walk ratio to dominate over 200 innings.
Why he’s a sleeper: He can quietly lead the league in key stats, giving voters a compelling narrative without the hype.
2. Garrett Crochet – Boston Red Sox
When healthy, Crochet is electric. His strikeout stuff is top-tier, and 2026 could be the year he finally puts together a full, consistent season.
Why he’s a sleeper: Elite K/BB ratio, high-leverage innings, and voters love a bounce-back story.
3. Seth Lugo – Kansas City Royals
Lugo brings veteran savvy and a complete pitch mix. He may not be a household name, but if he leads the Royals rotation and stays consistent, he could quietly climb the Cy Young ladder.
Why he’s a sleeper: Craftiness, experience, and team context make him the perfect under-the-radar candidate.
The Last Word
The 2026 Cy Young races in both leagues aren’t just about the big-name aces. Steele, Webb, Peterson, Williams, Crochet, and Lugo all have the tools to quietly dominate. Whether it’s command, durability, strikeouts, or contract-year motivation, these pitchers could shock the voting and steal headlines by season’s end.
MLB fans should watch these under-the-radar stars closely — because dark horses make the biggest noise.