🌟 Blake Snell: A Two-Time Cy Young Ace on the Comeback
Early Life & Path to the Pros
Blake Ashton Snell was born on December 4, 1992, in Seattle, Washington, and honed his skills at Shorewood High School. There, he posted a remarkable senior season with a 9‑0 record, a 1.00 ERA, and 128 strikeouts over 63 innings. He trained at a facility owned by his father, a former minor-leaguer. Drafted by the Rays in the first round (52nd overall) in 2011, Snell reached MLB in 2016 (baseball-reference.com).
Rise with the Rays & Cy Young Brilliance
Emerging in 2018, Snell delivered a sensational season with the Rays—earning All-Star recognition, leading the AL in wins and ERA (1.89), and winning his first Cy Young Award. His performance drew praise when he tied an AL record by striking out the first seven batters in a game, en route to 12 strikeouts in six no‑run innings (en.wikipedia.org). In 2019, Snell signed a five‑year, $50M extension with Tampa Bay, then the biggest-ever for a pitcher pre-arbitration (as.com).
Transition to Padres & 2023 NL Cy Young
Snell was traded to the Padres ahead of 2021. After building momentum over his first two years there, he exploded in 2023: a 14–9 record, a league-best 2.25 ERA, and 234 strikeouts across 180 innings—earning a second Cy Young Award in the National League. He led the NL in ERA and finished second in strikeouts and wins, redefining modern power starting pitching despite a high walk rate (reuters.com). His style drew comparisons to greats, given his unmatched ERA achievement despite 5+ walks per nine innings (mccoveychronicles.com).
Giants & No-Hitter Magic
In March 2024, Snell signed a two‑year, $62M deal with the Giants, with an opt-out after year one. His season was rocky at first, hindered by groin and hamstring injuries, but he turned the corner by mid-season. On July 27 he struck out 15 batters over six hitless innings—an MLB record for six or fewer innings. Just days later, on August 2, 2024, he threw a no-hitter against the Reds: striking out 11 and allowing only three baserunners in a 3–0 win—the first time he'd ever pitched into the ninth inning. He finished the year 5–3 with a 3.12 ERA over 20 starts, then opted out of the contract (en.wikipedia.org).
Joining the Dodgers & 2025 Rehab Journey
Snell landed a five-year deal with the Dodgers for 2025, boosting their rotation ambitions. Unfortunately, shoulder inflammation sidelined him after just two starts. As of mid-2025, he was on the 60-day injured list but making steady progress in rehab: striking out four over two scoreless innings, then logging six shutout innings with seven strikeouts in a later outing. He is now cleared to return to the Dodgers’ rotation with some workload limits in place (cbssports.com).
Just ahead of his impending return, he is set to face his former club, the Rays, in a nostalgic matchup at Steinbrenner Field on August 2—a venue where he has previous spring training and minor-league experience (truebluela.com).
Career Snapshot
- Career stats (through April 2, 2025): 77–58 W-L, 3.18 ERA, 1,372 strikeouts over 1,105.2 innings (en.wikipedia.org).
- Highlights:
- 2Ă— Cy Young Award (2018, 2023)
- AL wins & ERA leader (2018); NL ERA leader (2023)
- Pitched first career no‑hitter (August 2024)
🧠Why He Matters
Blake Snell represents the modern evolution of elite starting pitching: he doesn't pace himself or eat innings—he aims to dominate. His two Cy Young seasons prove he can be elite in either league, and his ability to throw a no-hitter in his “mature” stage further underscores his resilience and talent (en.wikipedia.org, mccoveychronicles.com).
What’s Next
All eyes are on his return to the Dodgers in late July or early August. If healthy and effective, he could anchor their rotation again and reclaim dominance, providing the kind of performances that once made him the face of the Rays—and later the Padres and Giants. His return is also a symbolic homecoming, beginning with his first matchup against his old team.
TL;DR
Blake Snell is a left-handed ace bookended by two Cy Young Awards, a historic no-hitter, and a career punctuated by periods of dominance and injury setbacks. Heading into summer 2025, he’s primed to return with the Dodgers—ready to rewrite his next chapter in baseball history.
