Arrieta Becomes First Former Key to Win Cy Young

FREDERICK, Md. -On Wednesday night, former Frederick Keys pitcher, Jake Arrieta, was named the winner of the National League Cy Young Award. A member of the orange and black in 2008, Arrieta becomes the first former Keys player to take home a Cy Young Award. He beat out Dodgers starters Zach Greinke and Clayton Kershaw, receiving 17 of 30 first-place votes.

Turning in a career-year, Arrieta, 29, went 22-6 with a 1.77 ERA over 33 starts. He finished the regular season as the MLB's leader in wins and tied for the big league lead in complete games (four) and shutouts (three). The right-hander also led the NL in fewest hits per nine innings (5.9), batting average against (.185), and placed second in ERA and innings pitched (229). The highlight of Arrieta's season came at Los Angeles on August 30, when he threw the first no-hitter of his career.

Arrieta's second-half was nothing short of remarkable. Going 12-1 with a 0.75 ERA in 15 starts, the Texan posted the lowest ERA after the all-star break in Major League history. In 107.1 innings, he surrendered just nine earned runs and held opponents to a .148 average following the midsummer classic. Additionally, Arrieta won 11 of his final 12 starts and did not suffer a regular season defeat after July 25.

After being drafted by the Orioles in the fifth round of the 2007 draft out of TCU, Arrieta began his career with the Keys the following season. In 20 starts, he went 6-5 with a 2.87 ERA in 113 innings. The 2.87 ERA is tied for the fifth-best in a single season by a Keys pitcher. Frederick's opening day starter that year, Arrieta was a midseason and postseason all-star selection, while he pitched in the Futures Game and for Team USA at the Summer Olympics in Beijing, helping lead his team to a bronze medal.

Currently, the Keys are auctioning off Arrieta's jersey from his first professional season. The jersey is autographed in the back, while fans can make bids by visiting here. Bidding ends on November 30, while money raised from the jersey auction will benefit Frederick Keys Care. 

The Frederick Keys kickoff their 2016 season on Thursday, April 7 against the Myrtle Beach Pelicans on the Grand Strand, while the home opener is scheduled for one week later on April 14 at 7:00 p.m against Lynchburg. Ticket plans for 2016 are already on sale, while all plan holders will receive a Manny Machado and Jonathan Schoop double bobblehead. For ticket information fans can call 301-815-9900 or visit frederickkeys.com.