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In 2023, Clase established himself as a force within the Guardians' bullpen. He recorded one of the most impressive relief seasons, allowing only five earned runs over 74.1 innings pitched. This performance placed him among the top relief pitchers in the sport’s history, particularly notable since only a handful of relievers who have pitched at least 50 innings have sustained such low ERAs post-1947.
Furthermore, Clase successfully converted 47 out of 50 save opportunities, a feat that underscored his reliability and effectiveness. His performance subsequently earned him recognition as an American League Cy Young finalist, a rare point of distinction for relievers, further showcasing the historical significance of his season.