MLB's Top Five Pleasant Surprises of the First Half

Remember last season’s Tampa Bay Rays?

They were the team that went from worst to first, ultimately coming up just short of the World Series title. I remember how America was rooting for them to win the competitive American League East against tough teams like the Yankees and Red Sox.

Well, this year has been no different, as there have been some pleasant surprises, including some great first half performances.

No. 5: Pablo Sandoval

Stats: .326 batting average, 13 home runs, 48 RBI

Sandoval was among the biggest all-star snubs, but never did I think the 22-year-old third baseman would statistically be the best third baseman in the National League.

Sandoval, an undrafted free agent who signed with the club in 2002, has become the Giants' big bat.

He leads the team in homers, batting average, and runs batted in. Without Sandoval, the Giants don’t score the runs, and aces like Tim Lincecum and Matt Cain might not have the win totals they do right now.

No. 4: Joe Mauer

Stats: .388 batting average, 15 home runs, 47 RBI

Joe Mauer has always been among the leaders in batting average not only among catchers, but in the entire league. His quest for .400 is not the biggest surprise—it's the power has come with it.

After missing about the first month of the season, Mauer has already set a career high in homers with 15—his previous high was 13—and he’s done it in only 60 games.

He’s already a lock for the batting title as soon as he gets the number of plate appearances to qualify for the lead, and he's making a strong case for American League MVP.

No. 3: Zach Greinke

Stats: 10-5, 2.12 ERA, 1.076 WHIP

Back in 2005, Greinke was the league leader in losses with 17.

He had been the kid coming in with all the hype, being named the Gatorade National Player of the Year in 2002 and minor league Player of the Year by Sporting News magazine. He drew comparisons to pitchers like Greg Maddux and Bret Saberhagen.

In 2006, Greinke left the team in spring training because of mental issues such as social anxiety disorder and depression. By then Greinke had gone from a star to a complete bust.

Now it’s 2009, and Greinke has 10 wins, plus a legitimate chance to start the All-Star Game and win the Cy Young Award.

I never would’ve thought Greinke would bounce back to the top. He’s been unhittable with his 1.076 WHIP, making hitters look foolish by throwing different pitches at different speeds.

No. 2: Aaron Hill and Adam Lind

Aaron Hill’s Stats: .298 batting average, 20 home runs, 59 RBI

Adam Lind’s Stats: .307 batting average, 19 home runs, 58 RBI

The young duo of Blue Jays hitters has been nothing short of outstanding. While Hill was robbed of a starting spot in the All-Star Game, Lind was snubbed and should be the 33rd player voted in.

Playing in Toronto, the two do not get much media exposure, which may be the reason they didn’t get the number of votes they deserved, but Hill and Lind are both among the leaders in runs batted in and home runs.

The Blue Jays' farm system coming into the season was ranked outside the top 10, but it has produced two young studs like Lind and Hill, who should be the face of this Toronto franchise for years to come.

No. 1: Ben Zobrist

Stats: .289 batting average, 17 home runs, 50 RBI

Early in the season, it was revealed that Rays second baseman Akinori Iwamura was out for season due to injury. It was a huge blow; Iwamura was part of the magical Rays run last season and was a huge part of the team.

That’s when America was introduced to Ben Zobrist, who has been the biggest surprise of the season.

Who expected the outfielder, playing second base, to be among the leaders in OPS, putting up All-Star numbers and earning a deserved spot to the All-Star Game in St. Louis? With the numbers he’s putting up, Zobrist is on pace for a 30-homer, 100-RBI season.

In fact, I wouldn’t be surprised if Zobrist is the starter at second base next season. Zobrist has been by far the biggest surprise of the 2009 season.