Sizing up the contenders for this year's AL Cy Young

Established on this day in 1956 to honor the Hall of Fame right-hander who died the year prior, the Cy Young Award is handed out annually to the best pitchers in each league.

Originally awarded to the single best pitcher in the majors, the format changed to its current representation in 1967, rewarding the top pitcher in each respective league.

Related: Sizing up the contenders for this year's NL Cy Young

New York Yankees right-hander Bob Turley was the first American Leaguer to win the award in 1958, and since then 42 different pitchers have claimed the honor.

With pitchers and catchers set to report to spring training in two weeks, here are the top candidates to win the AL Cy Young Award in 2016:

Dallas Keuchel, Astros

What better place to start than with the reigning AL Cy Young winner? Keuchel led the AL in wins (20), innings pitched (232), WHIP (1.02), second in ERA (2.48), and fifth in strikeouts. The 28-year-old has improved in each of his four seasons in the majors, and with the backing of a loaded offense and deeper pitching staff, Keuchel could become the first back-to-back winner since Pedro Martinez in 1999-2000.

Sonny Gray, Athletics

A disastrous final month in which he posted a 6.84 ERA cost Gray any realistic shot at winning his first Cy Young Award. The 26-year-old boasts back-to-back 200-plus innings campaigns and is working on improving his conditioning to have enough left in the tank for the final stretch this season. Even despite the late season dip, Gray finished third in ERA, and opponent batting average.

Marcus Stroman, Blue Jays

Stroman's desire to be great is undeniable. The right-hander turned what was initially believed to be a lost season following knee surgery into a remarkable comeback, and was even handed the ball for the crucial start in Game 5 of the AL Division Series. Thrust into the ace role following the departure of David Price, all eyes will be on Stroman in 2016, and judging by his early success, that's exactly where he wants them.

Felix Hernandez, Mariners

Hernandez tailed off to end last season and finished with a 3.53 ERA - the third-worst mark of his career. With a revamped lineup and overhauled front office "King Felix" should be more motivated than ever to win. The right-hander has hit the 200-inning plateau in each of the last eight seasons and is just a year removed from finishing second in AL Cy Young voting.

Chris Sale, White Sox

Sale has finished in the top five in Cy Young voting in each of the past three seasons and struck out a franchise-best 274 batters in 2015. The left-hander also led the AL in strikeouts per nine innings, and second in strikeout-to-walk ratio while making a career-high 31 starts. He became the first pitcher since 1900 to strike out 10 batters in seven consecutive outings.

David Price, Red Sox

Price enters the 2016 campaign with astronomical expectations after agreeing to a record deal with the Red Sox. The 30-year-old is coming off a year in which he finished first in the AL in ERA and fifth in WHIP, while striking out 225 and finishing second in Cy Young voting. A move to hitter-friendly Fenway Park could work against Price, though the left-hander owns a 1.95 ERA and 0.95 WHIP in 11 career starts there.

Chris Archer, Rays

The next great Rays pitcher has arrived as Archer finished fifth in AL Cy Young voting following a career year. The 27-year-old made a league-high 34 starts while finishing with the second-most strikeouts. Archer allowed two or less runs in 22 of his starts, with 10 of those being scoreless. He's improved in each of his four years in the majors.

Corey Kluber, Indians

Don't let the 16 losses fool you, Kluber was his dominant self last season despite not being rewarded in the win column. The 2014 AL Cy Young winner finished third in strikeouts and WHIP while his 5.44 strikeout-to-walk rate was the best of his five seasons in the majors. The Indians improved their defense and offense this winter, which should help Kluber's numbers improve this season.