Dominican dominance: Cristopher Sánchez and Jhoan Durán shine in National League voting
The talent of the Dominican Republic continues to leave an indelible mark on Major League Baseball. On this occasion, pitchers Cristopher Sánchez and Jhoan Durán established themselves as fundamental pieces in the 2026 season, both achieving second place in the voting for the most prestigious individual awards in the National League.
Cristopher Sánchez: A historic season with the Phillies
For the second consecutive year, left-hander Cristopher Sánchez fell just short of the Cy Young Award. Despite a masterful campaign, the recognition was awarded unanimously to Jacob Misiorowski of the Milwaukee Brewers. Nevertheless, Sánchez’s numbers were, in many categories, superior to those of any other pitcher in the circuit.
- 18 wins and 7 losses record.
- 2.91 ERA with 231 strikeouts in 33 starts.
- Major League leader in wins and bWAR (8.1).
- Tied for the National League lead in starts (33) and quality starts (22).
Sánchez’s consistency was marked by a historic streak of 50.2 consecutive innings without allowing a run, the longest in Philadelphia Phillies history and one of the top five since 1893.
Jhoan Durán stands out in relief
For his part, closer Jhoan Durán, who also wears the Phillies uniform, reached second place in the inaugural voting for the National League Reliever of the Year Award. Although the award went to Mason Miller of the San Diego Padres, Durán’s work was decisive for the team.
The stellar relief pitcher closed the season with solid statistics, boasting a 1.82 ERA, 33 saves, and a 3.4 bWAR, reaffirming his status as one of the most dominant and reliable arms in high-pressure situations within the league.
These results not only honor the individual effort of both pitchers, but also underscore the depth of the Philadelphia Phillies’ pitching staff, who count on these two figures as fundamental pillars for the competitive challenges of the upcoming season.
