MLB's 10 Biggest Surprises from the Early Season

There certainly hasn't been a shortage of surprises in the MLB so far this year.

Numerous young guns like Bryce Harper have emerged while some veteran stars like Albert Pujols have experienced some early struggles.

Just as shocking has been the shakeup atop the standings of multiple divisions, as some large market teams find themselves looking up from the bottom of the standings.

Here's a look at who has had the biggest shock-value in the young season.

1. The Success of the Baltimore Orioles

Raise your hand if you picked the Baltimore Orioles to be at the top of the American League East standings.

If your hand is up, you're probably lying.  

Honestly, who could have predicted this hot start by a Baltimore club that hasn't had a winning season since 1997?

It has all started on the mound for the O's, with closer Jim Johnson, who is tied for the lead in the AL with 16 saves, to go with a 0.84 ERA. Meanwhile, starting right-hander Jason Hammel has gone 6-1 while keeping his WHIP down at 1.13.  

Outfielder Adam Jones' performance hasn't been much of a surprise, but it has earned him a six-year contract extension and put his team on pace to win 97 games—certainly a surprise from a team that lost 93 just last season.

2. The NL East-Leading Washington Nationals

The Washington Nationals' strong start comes in just behind that of the Orioles, and this is why:

Much like the recent triumph of the previously success-starved Tampa Bay Rays, the success of the Nationals seems like it has been a long time coming.  

After consecutive 100-plus loss seasons, the Nats collected top draft picks, much like the Rays, and are now beginning to reap the benefits.  

Washington finished only one game under .500 last year, so their hot start is less surprising than the Orioles. 

Nonetheless, it is a bit of a shock to see the Nationals atop the National League East, which has been dominated by the likes of Atlanta and Philadelphia for so long.  

It has been all about pitching so far, as Washington leads the MLB in ERA as the only team below 3.00 at 2.95, while also accruing the lowest batting average against at .220.  

However, the offense currently ranks No. 24 in runs scored, so it will be interesting to see if the run production can keep up enough to support Stephen Strasburg, Gio Gonzalez and company.  

3. Cleveland's Strong Start

The Cleveland Indians won't wow you with their play, but they continually find ways to win ballgames—and when it comes down to it, that's what good teams do. And that's also why they call them the "WINdians."

Offensively, shortstop Asdrubal Cabrera has been as good as expected and second baseman Jason Kipnis has been a pleasant surprise, providing some solid run production.

The Tribe has also relied heavily on the resurgence of veteran right-hander Derek Lowe, who has posted a 3.25 ERA on his way to a 6-3 record.

The story of the year, however, has been the dominance of closer Chris Perez, who is tied for the AL lead with 16 saves to go along with a minuscule 1.09 WHIP. 

This is a true testament to how many close victories the Indians have had on the year.

They will have to continue this trend of finding ways to win games if they expect to make the playoffs, even in the weak AL Central.

4. Phil Humber's Perfect Game

I can proudly make a claim that not many people can make: I knew the name Phil Humber before he pitched the 21st perfect game in MLB history.

This is because I remember him shutting down Stanford in the 2003 College World Series title game back when he was at Rice University.  

Somehow, though, Humber, a virtual unknown, mowed down the Seattle hitters one after another until he was immortalized among a group of all-time greats including Cy Young, Sandy Koufax, Catfish Hunter and Randy Johnson.  

What makes that performance even more surprising is the fact that it is still his only win on the year and only No. 12 for his career.

His next next outing, he was shelled, giving up three home runs to the Boston Red Sox, but on that day—on April, 21—Humber was the man.

5. Albert Pujols' Struggles

"The Machine" has been malfunctioning much more than usual early in this season.

Going to a new team isn't easy, especially when transitioning across leagues. Becoming accustomed to a new league, with new teams, new ballparks and new pitchers—and all in a new city—is a rough obstacle even Albert Pujols must work to overcome.

But, if anybody can handle it, Pujols certainly could, or so we thought.

However, Pujols struggled uncharacteristically to start his career as an Anaheim Angel. 

He failed to put a single ball over the outfield fence during the entire month of April and saw his batting average dip as far down as .228 in early May. The "slugger" even saw his slugging percentage fall below .270.

All numbers unbecoming for a future Hall of Famer. 

Now, though, Pujols appears to be coming out of his horrid slump, belting four homers in his last six games.

Perhaps "The Machine" finally found a solid mechanic in Los Angeles.

6. The Cardinals' Offensive Dominance Without Pujols

While Pujols has struggled in Anaheim, the Cardinals he left back in St. Louis haven't missed him much.

Without the three-time NL MVP, St. Louis has used the scoring-by-committee method, boasting 10 players with more than 10 runs scored.

Thanks to the excellent team effort, the defending World Champions are second in the MLB in runs scored, batting average, and on-base percentage.  

The Cardinals replaced a nine-time All-Star in Pujols with a resurgent Carlos Beltran.

Much to the dismay of Met fans, Beltran was hampered by injuries during the end of his stint in New York, but has seemingly found new life back in the Midwest.  

The 35-year-old Puerto Rican currently leads the NL in home runs and RBI, and has played a huge part in replacing the production lost in the departure of Pujols.

7. The Struggling Red Sox

The recent plight of the Boston Red Sox has been well documented.

Let's start with Boston's epic collapse at the end of last season. Next, it was out with Terry Francona and in with Bobby Valentine.

And it has been far from a smooth ride for the new Sox skipper. Off the field, it has been downright ugly and Valentine was among the first to admit it.  

On the field, just as Cleveland has found ways to win games thus far, the Sox has found ways to lose them.  

Eighteen of Boston's 24 losses have been by three runs or less which, to me, means one thing: Things aren't as bad as they seem.

With a little luck (and perhaps a little better pitching), the Red Sox could easily find their way back to the top of the highly competitive NL East.  

As Sox fans know, it's a long season, and things are far from over.

8. The Phaltering Phillies

The script has truly been flipped in the NL East.

While the Nationals are perched atop the division, last year's division champs, winners of a league-high 102 games a year ago, are in the cellar.

The Phillies have seriously missed the services of their two biggest offensive stars, Chase Utley and Ryan Howard, who have yet to see the field this season.  

Catcher Carlos Ruiz and right fielder Hunter Pence have led the offensive charge in their stead, but it hasn't quite been enough.

Things should be different offensively once Utley and Howard return, however.

Unfortunately, the injury bug may have just bit the Phillies again as right-hander Roy Halladay left his start on Sunday with soreness in his shoulder.

But, as strong as Cole Hamels and Cliff Lee have been, it shouldn't be too much of an issue.

There is still plenty of time left in the season for the Phillies to regain their health and return to winning ways.

9. The Emergence of Gio Gonzalez

Left-hander Gio Gonzalez has been somewhat of an unsung hero for the Nationals thus far.

While all the attention is on Harper and Strasburg, Gonzalez has gone from being a solid starter to become a dominant force on the Nationals' pitching staff.

After earning his seventh win on Sunday night, Gonzalez now has a league-leading 79 strikeouts.

The Hialeah, Fla., native spent four years in Oakland before making the move cross-country to the nation's capital.

It is safe to say the move has served him well, as he has posted an incredible 0.94 WHIP to go with a 2.04 ERA.

At this point, Gonzalez is likely the surprise player of the year.

10. Josh Hamilton's Smoldering Start

OK, so Josh Hamilton hitting the cover off the ball isn't a huge surprise.

The guy is good. I call him the "Comeback Player of Sports History." The No. 1 draft pick turned drug addict, turned MVP.

The fact that he is playing so well isn't a surprise, but the fact that anyone could be hitting as well as he has been, comes as a surprise.

He leads the majors with 20 home runs and 53 RBI and, frankly, no one is even close to him in either category.

Not to mention the fact that he blasted four home runs in a single game.

He is a legitimate Triple Crown threat—so legitimate sports fans have been asking the question, "Who is a bigger Triple Crown threat? Hamilton or Kentucky Derby and Preakness winner I'll Have Another?" 

Now, when was the last time you heard a baseball player being directly compared to a champion racehorse?