We are not yet in the middle of the 2021 season, but we are very close. Enough time has passed, in fact, that anything “surprising” stops looking like it came out of nowhere. After half a season, a “surprise” starts to look like something normal.
Each team has someone who has made a great leap this year, going above what anyone would have imagined. So with that in mind, here’s a look at that player from each team who has been the most pleasant surprise so far.
This was the pitcher the Blue Jays dreamed of when they acquired Ray, someone efficient and healthy at the same time, which the southpaw hadn’t been in a long time. Now they need two or three others like him.
Mullins established himself as Baltimore’s starter last year, someone the Orioles could trust. But a superstar? Did Mullins himself imagine that?
Yes, we know: A Rays reliever is impressive, what a surprise. But Kittredge pitched eight innings last year. Now he is perhaps one of the best and most valuable relievers in the major leagues.
Red Sox: Nick Pivetta
For a team generally so surprising with these Red Sox, they don’t have many players who came out of nowhere. But Pivetta has become a stabilizer in the rotation, something few could have imagined.
People have been criticizing Sanchez and have been for a few years, but he is one of the few hitters the Yankees have not had to worry about this year.
Cleveland: Emmanuel Class
The Dominican didn’t pitch in 2020 and while he’s been a bit out of control, not allowing home runs in more than 30 innings is more than enough.
You don’t have a Sandy Koufax-style campaign every day, but the Royals don’t mind that.
He took all the headlines for his first inning, but he’s still the best hitter on this team.
There haven’t been many happy surprises for the Twins this year, but Buxton – though he hasn’t been able to stay healthy – has added power to his game and now inspires more fear.
White Sox: Carlos Rodón
Obviously, it was Yermín Mercedes for a good part of the year, but now that the Dominican has cooled down, it is Rodón, who has been the best starter in this monticular body. And he also pitched that game without a hit or run.
It’s surprising that Shohei Ohtani has remained healthy, but speaking of hitters, Walsh has been almost as good at the stick.
Has anyone else noticed that Kemp has an OPS + hovering around 150? Where did that come from?
The Astros knew that the Venezuelan had tremendous pitching, but who could have imagined that he would be a key piece of the rotation?
Mariners: Drew Steckenrider
Another reliever who arrives dominating. The Mariners, in fact, have several of them.
Let’s not forget that all teams in the majors waived Cuban Garcia last year.
Riley made noise coming to the majors, but that urge to swing everything hurt his natural talent in his first two seasons. He’s settled in and he’s been a monster for Atlanta this season.
Of all the young Marlins starters who were so excited, Rogers was rarely singled out as the one with the best chance to break through and be the best of the bunch.
With all the (completely understandable) attention given to Jacob deGrom, Walker’s rise to second-best starter on the team has received little attention. But Walker has looked fantastic.
Nationals: Kyle Schwarber
The Nationals were just hoping he would give a hand in the lineup, but his recent promotion has sent him straight to the leadership, something he never did for the Cubs.
In 2020, Suárez allowed nine runs in four innings. This year, amid the Phillies’ riotous bullpen, he has allowed three in 29 innings. That is called improving.
Brewers: Omar Narváez
As much as one wants to go with a pitcher, what Venezuelan Omar Narváez is doing is impressive, right?
Cardinals: Tyler O’Neill
The Cardinals had waited years for it to become something close to what we are seeing now. Will we see him at the Home Run Festival?
There are several nice surprises for the Cubs this year, but having a Kimbrel at this level has to be the best of all.
Frazier hit .230 in 2020. He’s hitting about 100 more points this year and has led the NL in hits at various points this season.
The D-backs, Red Sox, Mariners, Orioles and Astros waited a decade for the return of this Wade Miley. But it is the Reds who are reaping the rewards.
The D-backs probably weren’t expecting Smith to lead the team in hits this year, but right now they accept all the positive news possible.
It’s surprising enough that the Dominican star is playing for the Dodgers. But how about the fact that he has better slugging than Mookie Betts, Justin Turner and Cody Bellinger?
Probably any player on this team could be chosen, but Posey did not play in 2020, which makes his case even more surprising.
Pham had been unproductive since coming to San Diego, but in the past month he has been one of the Padres’ best hitters.
McMahon finally started production this year, while everything else seems to be falling apart.
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