In the face of his collapsing squad, Ryan's pitching performances are sensational, earning him a potential Cy Young Award.

In the midst of a challenging season for the Minnesota Twins, one shining beacon of consistency has been pitcher Joe Ryan. Despite a recent setback against the Athletics, where he failed to complete five innings for the first time this season, Ryan's overall performance has been nothing short of spectacular.

Ryan, who was initially a Triple-A prospect with a low-90s fastball and no other reliable pitch when he was acquired by the Twins in 2021, has transformed into a top-tier starter. His fastball now averages 94 mph, and he throws four other pitches, each with a sub-.250 batting average allowed.

The 27-year-old right-hander has been a key factor in the Twins' success when he takes the mound. When Ryan is on the mound, the Twins have played like an 85-win team, compared to a 72-win pace when he is not pitching. This consistency has earned him a place among the American League's top five in several categories, including ERA, opponents' batting average, walks and hits per inning pitched, strikeout rate, walk rate, wins above replacement, and win probability added.

Ryan's impressive statistics have put him on track for a top-five Cy Young finish and possibly the best season by a Twins starter since Santana. His ERA of 2.77, along with his 12 wins and 159 strikeouts versus 28 walks in 143 innings, speak volumes of his performance. Moreover, his ERA in his past 20 outings stands at 2.48, with a remarkable 2.34 ERA in his past 10.

Despite the uncertainty and potential trade speculation, Ryan has continued to pitch at a high level for the Twins' makeshift rotation. Manager Baldelli has praised Ryan's ability to handle pressure and perform consistently, even in increasingly difficult circumstances.

However, Ryan's season was cut short by a shoulder strain in August, ending his 2024 campaign prematurely. Trade speculation surrounding Ryan is expected to increase this winter, particularly after the Pohlad family pulled the Twins off the market amid more payroll cuts.

As the Twins navigate through their struggles, one thing is clear: Joe Ryan has proven himself to be a legitimate Cy Young Award contender, delivering consistent performances despite poor run support and shaky defense. His journey from a Triple-A prospect to a potential Cy Young winner is a testament to his resilience and talent.

In the face of his collapsing squad, Ryan's pitching performances are sensational, earning him a potential Cy Young Award.