Morristown Born Rick Porcello Wins First Cy Young Award

Chester native Rick Porcello's breakout season earned him the 2016 American League Cy Young Award on Wednesday.

The award is handed to the most outstanding pitcher in the league by the Baseball Writers Association of America.

The Boston Red Sox ace, 27, led the majors with 22 wins in 2016, compiling career highs with a 3.15 ERA and 189 strikeouts in 223 innings.

Porcello, the former Seton Hall Prep standout, beat out Detroit Tigers righty Justin Verlander and righty Corey Kluber of the AL Champion Cleveland Indians.

He was the fourth Red Sox pitcher to win the award –Jim Lonborg (1967), Roger Clemens (1986, 1986, 1991) and Pedro Martinez (1999, 2000.)

Not only was this the first Cy Young award for the Morristown-born Porcello, but according to CBS Sports, it was the first time he received any Cy Young votes in his eight-year career.

Porcello was drafted by the Tigers in 2007. He made his MLB debut on April 9, 2009 at the age of 20.

The 6-foot-5 hurler signed with Boston in 2015 and pitched to 9-15 record with a 4.92 ERA.

For his career, Porcello has 107 wins and a 4.20 ERA.

Regional Editor Mike Carragi contributed to this article.

Photo by Keith Allison via Flickr