What players have been the biggest surprises this year?

[Qb]

What individuals have had the most unexpected performance thus far this season (good or bad)? I can think of a few: JJ Hardy of Milwaukee, Jack Cust with Oakland, Pujols & Rolen slumping in STL and Carlos Zambrano not looking at all like a guy pitching for a mega-contract.

Anyone got some more (particularly in the AL, as I don't follow it as closely being in an NL city)?

[Blzer]

Re: What players have been the biggest surprises this year?

Well there's some kid named Francoeur who has 2/3 of his RBI total coming with two outs and runners on base (not necessarily in scoring position). Surprised me how much he has committed to going to right field this year.

[soltrain]

Re: What players have been the biggest surprises this year?

Jermaine Dye and Paul Konerko are both AWFUL.

edit - But John Danks has looked great.

[Qb]

Re: What players have been the biggest surprises this year?

Well there's some kid named Francoeur who has 2/3 of his RBI total coming with two outs and runners on base (not necessarily in scoring position). Surprised me how much he has committed to going to right field this year.

Francoeur put up some good numbers over the last 1.5 years, but the knock on his has always been a lack of patience/discipline, which often goes hand-in-hand with using the whole field. I haven't seen him play much with more and more Braves games moving to SportSouth. I used to watch them a lot on TBS, now it seems like they're only on once or twice a week.

Jermaine Dye and Paul Konerko are both AWFUL.

edit - But John Danks has looked great.

The Pale Hose has certainly struggled at the plate since Thome went down. Just the other day I read that with him in the lineup they were averaged approx four walks/game and without they're under two. Amazing that one guy can have that much of an effect on a team's mentality.

Didn't Danks just win last night?

I though of one I didn't mention from my hometown Bucs, Ryan Doumit. He's doing his best Freddy Sanchez impression since returning from the minors, hitting around .400 in 80-90 ABs, but doesn't have a full-time position and consequently gets left out of the lineup more than he should with a struggling offensive team. Sounds way too familiar...

[Stu]

Re: What players have been the biggest surprises this year?

For the Red Sox, my biggest surprise has been Hideki Okajima. I thought he might contribute, but not like this. He gave up a HR on his first career MLB pitch and hasn't allowed a run since.

[Qb]

Re: What players have been the biggest surprises this year?

For the Red Sox, my biggest surprise has been Hideki Okajima. I thought he might contribute, but not like this. He gave up a HR on his first career MLB pitch and hasn't allowed a run since.

I'll be the Yankees wish they would have signed him as opposed to Igawa...

[mjb2124]

Re: What players have been the biggest surprises this year?

For the Pirates:

Tom Gorzelanny. I knew he had the stuff and the talent, but I didn't think he'd come along this quickly. Very pleasant surprise.

Adam LaRoche. I never thought he'd struggle this bad. It looks like he got his mechanics straightened out within the last week so I expect some good things from him.

Zach Duke. He's been very average outside of his 2005 season. He led MLB in giving up hits per IP last year and is doing the same this year. A guy who some once considered a top of the rotation starter looks nothing more than a middle/back of the rotation guy.

[ExtremeGamer]

Re: What players have been the biggest surprises this year?

Josh Hamilton of the Reds, what a start for him, glad to see him landing on his feet and producing.

JJ Hardy of Milwaukee, monster year so far.

Gil Meche of KC, huge contract for a #3/4 starter, who's ERA has been atomic this season on a very bad team.

[BatsareBugs]

Re: What players have been the biggest surprises this year?

J.J. Hardy
Barry Bonds
Josh Beckett
Brad Penny

[ExtremeGamer]

Re: What players have been the biggest surprises this year?

After today's performance, let me add Fausto Carmona of the Indians. Always had great stuff in the minors, last year had his head messed up going from starter to closer. This year, he's 5-1 and has beaten Santana twice in a month.

[dkgojackets]

Re: What players have been the biggest surprises this year?

For Florida

Josh Willingham has really been getting it done at the plate, making up for Cabrera's injured side and slumping performance. Offense as a whole has been impressive.

On the other hand, the pitching has been awful in every aspect. The bullpen is a huge mess and the only person in the rotation performing adequately is Sergio Metire. Yeah everyone's been hurt but even Willis and Olsen are really stinking it up.

[ehh]

Re: What players have been the biggest surprises this year?

For the Yanks....

Good: Posada. Who'd ever think this guy would be leading the AL in batting average with a .375 clip on May 17th?

Bad: Abreu, Cano, most of the Yankee line up besides A-Rod, Jeter and Posada. Rivera too, the worst start of his career. The Yanks strength & conditioning coach. Phew, that guy mighta had the worst start to the year outta anybody!

[KmK]

Re: What players have been the biggest surprises this year?

Adrian Gonzales is having a great year so far, very dangerous bat.

[skitch]

Re: What players have been the biggest surprises this year?

A thread about biggest surprises, and only one person mentions Josh Hamilton?

[dkgojackets]

Re: What players have been the biggest surprises this year?

A thread about biggest surprises, and only one person mentions Josh Hamilton?

not enough reds fans