EWB Best Season: (8) 2018 Saquon Barkley vs. (25) 2016 Noah Syndergaard

Our next matchup in the Empire Writes Back best season of the 2010’s tournament features the 8th seeded 2018 season of Saquon Barkley against the 25th seeded 2016 season of Noah Syndergaard.

Welcome back to the Empire Writes Back best season of the 2010’s tournament, as (8) 2018 Saquon Barkley matches up against (25) 2016 Noah Syndergaard.

First, we’ll start with the season Syndergaard had with the New York Mets in 2016.

Syndergaard finished the year with a 2.60 ERA, 1.14 WHIP and 218 strikeouts in 31 games for the Mets (30 starting), compiling a 14-9 record.

He also led the entire MLB in a couple of categories, leading the pack in fielding independent pitching (2.29) and home runs allowed per 9 innings (0.5). He was rewarded for his fine season with an all-star game appearance, the first of his young career.

Though many thought Syndergaard would be up there in the National League Cy Young award voting come the end of the season, he ended up finishing 8th, a good result but not what people thought would happen.

The flame throwing right-hander also finished 19th in the MVP voting.

Syndergaard’s season was nothing short of amazing, and he earned his nickname of Thor that season. It was topped off by an unbelievable performance in the NL Wild Card game against the San Fransisco Giants, but the Mets ultimately lost that game.

While Syndergaard definitely had an incredible season, the same could be said for Saquon Barkley and his rookie year for the New York Giants in 2018.

Barkley ran the football 261 times and totaled 1,307 yards rushing, 5 yards per attempt and 11 rushing touchdowns. He was also a huge factor in the Giants passing game as well, catching 91 passes for 722 receiving yards and 4 receiving touchdowns.

In total, Barkley had 2,028 yards from scrimmage, which led the entire NFL. At the end of the season, he was voted to the first pro bowl of his career. He was also named the Offensive Rookie of the Year for his impressive first year in the league.

The Giants were not very good in 2018, but Barkley was one of the bright spots for the team. He proved that the Giants did not waste the 2nd overall pick in the draft on a running back, as some people believe running backs should not be taken that high due to their often shorter NFL careers.

As for this matchup, I have to give the nod to Barkley here.

Syndergaard did have a very impressive season, don’t get me wrong. But Barkley led the league in something that is very hard to do and was a key cog in the Giants offense in his rookie season, and that’s what does it for me here.

Do you agree with my pick of Barkley? Or do you think Syndergaard should be the winner? Either way, be sure to vote on our Twitter, @empirewritesbck, to determine who advances to the next round.

Also, be on the lookout for future matchups, which are released every morning for the duration of the tournament.

In the mean time, check out the other cool pieces my fellow colleagues and I have written on this site.