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Who is playing out of their mind for your team?
With the baseball season entering the home stretch, this is a great time to review which players have had the most surprising years on each team -- either for good or bad seasons. Here are our picks.
Credit: Charles LeClaire / USA TODAY Sports -
Arizona Diamondbacks: Zack Godley
Position: RHP
Notable statistics: 2.86 ERA, 94.1 IP, 3.4 WAR
Summary: Acquired in the trade that sent Miguel Montero to the Cubs, Godley has always looked the part of an innings eater. This season, he's acted the part by averaging more than six innings per attempt. He won't keep his ERA under 3.00 heading forward, but he should settle in as a positive contributor thanks to his three-pitch mix and groundball-heavy tendencies.
Credit: USATSI -
Atlanta Braves: Dansby Swanson
Position: SS
Notable statistics: .213/.287/.3212, 324 AB, -0.2 WAR
Summary: The no. 1 pick in the 2015 draft and the gem of the Shelby Miller trade, Swanson hit the ground running upon being promoted to the majors last August. Yet his first full rookie season has went horribly, and he was recently demoted to the minors. Swanson still profiles as a quality starting shortstop, one who'll draw unwise comparisons to Derek Jeter due to his inside-out swing and jack-of-all-trades skill set. Consider him the Braves shortstop of the future, even if he's not their shortstop of the present.
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Baltimore Orioles: Chris Tillman
Position: RHP
Notable statistics: 8.10 ERA, 66.2 IP, -1.9 WAR
Summary: Normally a reliable, if unremarkable fixture at the front of the Baltimore rotation, Tillman has had a nightmare walk year. Things began going left in the spring, when he missed April due to shoulder woes. His numbers have been horrible all season, and to make matters worse he's lost velocity. Tillman has gained back some of the missing oomph as the season has progressed, but he's gone from a candidate for a multi-year contract to someone who'll probably settle for a make-good one-year deal.
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Boston Red Sox: Rick Porcello
Position: RHP
Notable statistics: 4.70 ERA, 145.2 IP, 0.1 WAR
Summary: Porcello won last year's American League Cy Young Award in large part due to his 22-4 record. So far in 2017, he's sitting at 4-14. Porcello has fallen back into the trap that made him so frustrating during his Detroit days: he's posting good strikeout-to-walk numbers while proving too hittable otherwise -- to wit, he's currently sporting a career-worst 1.6 homers-per-nine rate. He'll need to get things right before the postseason rolls around.
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Chicago Cubs: Ben Zobrist
Position: 2B/OF
Notable statistics: .225/.317/.368, 280 AB, 0.4 WAR
Summary: Most everyone had to know that Zobrist could start to decline about halfway through the four-year contract he signed with the Cubs the winter before last. It sure seems like that decline has started a bit early, however. Zobrist turned 36 in May and has continued to lose a step. He can still work a count and put the bat on the ball, but his ability to regain his power will determine whether he'll spend the second half of his contract on the bench.
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Chicago White Sox: Tim Anderson
Position: SS
Notable statistics: .237/.258/.361, 388 AB, -0.5 WAR
Summary: Anderson is supposed to be a building block for the White Sox, who awarded him a six-year deal worth $25 million in the spring. Alas, his worrisome approach at the plate has sabotaged his offensive production. Anderson has struck out more than 10 times for every walk he's taken, and isn't hitting for the high average he needs in order to be a plus contributor. He won't turn 25 until next June, and he has all the athleticism and pedigree necessary to turn into a good player. But man, does that extension look less smart than it did when it was signed.
Credit: USATSI -
Cincinnati Reds: Scooter Gennett
Position: UTL
Notable statistics: .292/.342/.540, 291 AB, 1.6 WAR
Summary: Gennett spent parts of four seasons with the Brewers, during which he appeared in 456 games and homered 35 times. In 91 games with the Reds, he's already homered 18 times -- and yes, that includes his four-homer game from June. Previously thought of as a platoon second baseman, at best, Gennett has seen some action in the outfield as well as at third base. The Reds have unearthed some other solid role players in recent years -- Eugenio Suarez and Adam Duvall, for instance -- and Gennett might be the latest. Not bad for a late-March waiver claim.
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Cleveland Indians: Nick Goody
Position: RHP
Notable statistics: 2.23 ERA, 40.1 IP, 1.0 WAR
Summary: When the Indians traded a player to be named later to the Yankees for Goody last December, few took note. Why would they? Goody had seemed like another Quad-A reliever whose stuff missed bats about as often as it collided with barrels. Yet he's quietly excelled in the Cleveland bullpen behind a simple approach: fastballs up, sliders down and away, and each pitch about half the time. It's also worth noting the Indians seemingly worked with Goody to lower his hand slot, perhaps allowing him to repeat his arm action better.
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Colorado Rockies: Mark Reynolds
Position: 1B
Notable statistics: .282/.369/.513, 380 AB, 1.1 WAR
Summary: Ian Desmond missing the beginning of the season turned out to be a blessing in a sense, because it allowed Reynolds to demonstrate that there's life left in that old bat of his. Reynolds is hitting for more power and taking more walks than he has since 2012. That he's doing that without a huge spike in strikeouts, which has always been the weakest link of his offensive game, is impressive. It's been nearly a decade since Reynolds homered in the postseason. Maybe that'll change come October.
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Detroit Tigers: Miguel Cabrera
Position: 1B
Notable statistics: .256/.343/.415, 352 AB, 0.1 WAR
Summary: Cabrera has to be more banged up than anyone knows, right? As it stands, this would be the worst offensive season of his career. What's more is that it's going to snap a 13-year streak during which Cabrera hit for at least a 130 OPS+. The Tigers have to hope that next season will bring with it a hearty and hale Cabrera -- he's under contract through 2023.
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Houston Astros: Charlie Morton
Position: RHP
Notable statistics: 3.78 ERA, 95.1 IP, 1.0 WAR
Summary: Signed to a two-year deal during the winter, Morton has thus far proven to be a wise investment for a few reasons. Foremost, he's sporting the best strikeout-to-walk ratio of his career. Additionally, his fastball is clocking in at 96 mph -- the highest of his career. Morton has dealt with durability issues for years, and that makes him a risky proposition heading into the second year of his contract. But so far, so good.
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Kansas City Royals: Whit Merrifield
Position: 2B
Notable statistics: .294/.333/.488, 367 AB, 3.3 WAR
Summary: Remember when the Royals had a spring competition at the keystone? Merrifield has made that but a distant memory behind some strong all-around play. In addition to hitting .294, he's fielded second base well, and has stolen 17 bases on 19 tries. Merrifield has experience all around the diamond, which figures to come in handy for a Royals team that'll need to rework its lineup this winter.
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Los Angeles Angels: J.C. Ramirez
Position: RHP
Notable statistics: 4.03 ERA, 129.2 IP, 1.7 WAR
Summary: Prior to joining the Angels in June 2016, Ramirez had tumbled through a few organizations as a reliever without much success. It's shocking, then, that he's established a foothold in the majors as a starter. Ramirez's transformation seems rooted in a philosophy change: he's taken to throwing more breaking balls and sinkers than ever before -- and it's worked for him. We'll see if it continues to work as a mid-rotation arm.
Credit: Kirby Lee, Kirby Lee-USA TODAUSATSIY Sports -
Los Angeles Dodgers: Chris Taylor
Position: UTL
Notable statistics: .312/.378/.550, 333 AB, 3.9 WAR
Summary: Acquired in a minor trade in June 2016, Taylor has been one of the biggest surprises of the season. He entered the year hitting .234/.289/.309 for his career, with just one home run in 291 at-bats. Taylor has since homered 15 times in 333 at-bats, all the while providing a spark for the Dodgers at five different positions -- mostly left and center fields and second base.
Credit: USATSI -
Miami Marlins: Brad Ziegler
Position: RHP
Notable statistics: 6.10 ERA, 31 IP, -0.9 WAR
Summary: The Marlins signed Ziegler to a two-year deal worth $16 million during the winter to help shore up their bullpen. He's done no such thing. He's toting a strikeout-to-walk ratio that would the second-worst of his career, and his ERA is higher than the sum of his previous two seasons combined. With a 38th birthday coming in October, Ziegler will have to prove he can still be effective sooner or later -- otherwise there won't be an opportunity for later.
Credit: USATSI -
Milwaukee Brewers: Jonathan Villar
Position: 2B
Notable statistics: .216/.276/.336, 324 AB, -0.3 WAR
Summary: One of last season's breakout surprises, Villar has failed to build upon his 2016. Instead, he's been a mess. He's hitting for less average and power, he's walking less, he's striking out more, and he's been less potent on the basepaths. Villar turned down a long-term extension during the winter, content to bet on himself for the long haul. As of right now, he's losing -- and losing big.
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Minnesota Twins: Byron Buxton
Position: CF
Notable statistics: .218/.290/.309, 275 AB, 2.1 WAR
Summary: Formerly one of baseball's top prospects, the 23-year-old Buxton has yet to show he can hit. For his career, he's hitting .219/.281/.363 in some 775 plate appearances. There's no denying that Buxton is a tremendous fielder and baserunner, but at some point he has to do more consistent damage at the plate.
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New York Mets: Michael Conforto
Position: OF
Notable statistics: .292/.394/.564, 319 AB, 3.4 WAR
Summary: Terry Collins' at-times unusual handling of Conforto has obscured a very important fact: dude can hit. Conforto ought to crack the 1,000-plate appearance mark for his career within the next couple weeks. Assuming he doesn't suffer through a slump, he'll likely do so while sporting an OPS+ over 120 for his career. That's pretty good. Also good: the fact he's more than doubled his career home-run total this season.
Credit: Brad Mills, Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports -
New York Yankees: Aaron Judge
Position: OF
Notable statistics: .299/.424/.627, 378 AB, 5.3 WAR
Summary: It's a good time to be a young New York outfielder. Judge's flirtation with being the best hitter in baseball was unexpected. Hence him sliding to the 32nd pick in the 2013 draft, hence everyone wondering if he'd make the Opening Day roster after a rough introduction to the majors last season, hence him making this list. Judge has been a sensation all year long, and he seems en route to becoming a national face for the sport due to his size, strength, and employer.
Credit: USATSI -
Oakland Athletics: Chad Pinder
Position: UTL
Notable statistics: .264/.315/.521, 163 AB, 1.3 WAR
Summary: This spot would've belonged to Yonder Alonso, but the A's traded him to the Mariners over the weekend. Pinder, then, gets the square. Pinder has performed well in a small sample, showcasing surprising pop for someone who homered 15 times in more than 500 plate appearances in the Pacific Coast League. He's played all over, and should continue to get looks for a team that -- frankly -- could use a bright side or five.
Credit: USATSI -
Philadelphia Phillies: Maikel Franco
Position: 3B
Notable statistics: .230/.285/.407, 405 AB, -0.5 WAR
Summary: There was a time when Franco looked like a future middle-of-the-order hitter. He's since suffered through a disappointing 2016 (relative to a stellar 2015) and a grisly 2017. Franco is hitting for far less power than expected, and doesn't make up for it by hitting for average or drawing a ton of free passes. Add in his below-average defense and looming arbitration eligibility, and his age-25 season could be a make-or-break year for him.
Credit: USATSI -
Pittsburgh Pirates: Trevor Williams
Position: RHP
Notable statistics: 4.47 ERA, 98.2 IP, 0.8 WAR
Summary: The payout on former instructor Jim Benedict, Williams has proven to be a solid big-league starter over the course of the season. He's not flashy -- he won't lead a staff in strikeouts, or even groundball rate -- but he gets outs using a modest arsenal. Williams does have a nice beard, so give him credit for that, too.
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San Diego Padres: Kirby Yates
Position: RHP
Notable statistics: 3.49 ERA, 38.2 IP, 0.4 WAR
Summary: Claimed off waivers in late April, Yates has put together a surprisingly strong effort for someone who entered the season with a carer 5.25 ERA and 1.8 home-run-per-nine rate. Always blessed with a deceptive delivery, Yates shifted on the rubber, and that's seemed to help his otherwise pedestrian stuff play up. Whether or not he continues to perform like this -- and note he recently gave up six runs in an appearance in which he recorded one out -- he's been more than worth the waiver claim.
Credit: USATSI -
San Francisco Giants: Hunter Pence
Position: OF
Notable statistics: .251/.295/.370, 343 AB, -0.7 WAR
Summary: Typically, players entering their mid-30s are expected to decline. Pence's descent has come quicker and harder than most, however. Remember that Pence had posted an OPS+ above 100 in every season of his 11-year career -- or that his OPS+ hadn't dipped below 115 since 2012. Now consider that his OPS+ this season is 76. The Giants will have to hope Pence rebounds -- he's under contract through next season for more than $18 million.
Credit: USATSI -
Seattle Mariners: Ben Gamel
Position: OF
Notable statistics: .303/.353/.434, 346 AB, 1.5 WAR
Summary: Gamel didn't receive much of a shot with the Yankees before he was dealt to the Mariners in August 2016. Yet he's made the most of his opportunity this season, thanks to doing a little bit of everything at the plate. The biggest concern for Gamel, beyond his long hair, is his devil-may-care approach in the outfield that could lead to some injuries.
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St. Louis Cardinals: Tommy Pham
Position: OF
Notable statistics: .314/.401/.507, 290 AB, 3.9 WAR
Summary: Speaking of outfielders making the most of their chances, Pham had been known for his glove work and durability woes entering the season. He's since pieced together more than a half season of strong work at the plate, which has seen him do it all: hit for average and power, draw walks, and even steal bases. Factor in Pham's defensive versatility, and he's a good player who would be receiving more attention if the Cardinals were in a better state.
Credit: USATSI -
Tampa Bay Rays: Logan Morrison
Position: 1B
Notable statistics: .251/.362/.534, 363 AB, 2.8 WAR
Summary: The Rays caught flak when they chose Morrison over Chris Carter during the offseason. They deserve some credit now. Morrison has already eclipsed his previous career-high in home runs, and has a chance to top his previous high in doubles, too. He's getting on base more often than he has since a 62-game cameo in 2010 as well, making this by far his most productive offensive season. A free agent at year's end, he's positioned himself to receive a multi-year deal this go around -- likely with a team other than the Rays.
Credit: USATSI -
Texas Rangers: Rougned Odor
Position: 2B
Notable statistics: .217/.254/.421, 437 AB, 0.6 WAR
Summary: The Rangers signed Odor to a six-year extension worth $49.5 million over the offseason. Right now, that's looking like a regrettable decision. Odor had always hit-hit-hit behind a grip-it, rip-it approach. Unfortunately, his aggressiveness makes it difficult to be a plus contributor when he's not hitting for average. To wit, his 73 OPS+ is tied for the worst mark all-time for a player who 1) recorded more than 300 plate appearances in a season; and 2) did so while boasting an ISO over .200. Brutal.
Credit: USATSI -
Toronto Blue Jays: Justin Smoak
Position: 1B
Notable statistics: .299/.376/.590, 385 AB, 3.5 WAR
Summary: Once a top prospect, Smoak had struggled through a largely unnoteworthy career until this season. Now, Smoak has made an All-Star team and set a new career-high in home runs while nearly homering more times in 2017 (31) than he had in any previous two seasons combined (39, in 2012-13, being the current high). The Blue Jays look smart for signing Smoak to a two-year deal worth $8.5 million last year -- that deal already looks like a bargain, just one year in.
Credit: Dan Hamilton / USA TODAY Sports -
Washington Nationals: Matt Albers
Position: RHP
Notable statistics: 2.23 ERA, 40.1 IP, 1.2 WAR
Summary: Although Albers had been a productive reliever before this season -- in fact, last year's poor showing for the White Sox was the first time in some while he'd disappointed from an ERA perspective -- this marks the first time he's missed bats and pounded the zone with any consistency. Back in 2011, Albers struck out 9.5 batters per nine while walking 4.3; this year, he's fanning 9.6 per nine and walking just 2.9. The Nationals haven't had many bright sides in their bullpen this year, yet Albers certainly qualifies as one.
Credit: USATSI
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