The Biggest Surprise and Disappointment for Each MLB Team Thus Far
The season is nearing the all-important summer months, and the strengths and weaknesses of each team are undeniable at this point, as we are now two and a half months into the season.
For each team, there are certain players who have fallen far short of expectations, as well as players who have far exceeded expectations to the joy of their respective teams.
So here are the one player who has surprised and one player who has disappointed for each MLB team here in the middle of June.
Arizona Diamondbacks
1 of 30
Biggest Surprise: SP Ian Kennedy (7-2, 3.23 ERA, 1.088 WHIP, 75 Ks, 94.2 IP)
Kennedy came to the Diamondbacks in the three-team trade that sent Curtis Granderson to the Yankees, Max Scherzer and Austin Jackson to the Tigers, and himself and Edwin Jackson to the D'Backs.
He was solid last year in his first full season in the majors, winning nine games and posting a 3.80 ERA over 32 starts. However, this season he has emerged as the legitimate ace of the staff, and teamed with Daniel Hudson, the Diamondbacks have one of the more promising young 1-2 punches in the majors.
Biggest Disappointment: 2B Kelly Johnson (.221 BA, 12 HR, 30 RBI, 37 R)
Johnson broke out in a big way last season, hitting .284 BA, 26 HR, 71 RBI to make him one of the top offensive second baseman in baseball.
While the power has still been there this season, the rest of his numbers have been abysmal. Most notably, his on-base percentage has fallen from an impressive .370 last season to just .294 this season, as his walks are down and his strikeouts are up. This is not a good trend for someone playing for their next contract.
Atlanta Braves
2 of 30
Biggest Surprise: SP Jair Jurrjens (8-2, 1.82 ERA, 1,000 WHIP, 46 Ks, 79 IP)
Jurrjens looked to be one of baseball's most promising young pitchers, winning 30 games before he turned 24 years old, but he took a big step back last season as he battled injuries to make just 20 starts and was average at best when he was in the rotation, going 7-6 with a 4.64 ERA.
This season, however, he has not only been the best pitcher on the Braves but arguably the best pitcher in the National League, as his 1.82 ERA leads the league and he already has more wins this season. It seems as though last year was an aberration, and he is back on the track to stardom.
Biggest Disappointment: 2B Dan Uggla (.183 BA, 8 HR, 18 RBI, 26 R) & RF Jason Heyward (.214 BA, 7 HR, 14 RBI, 19 R)
It is hard to pick just one disappointment for the Braves, as Uggla and Heyward are among the most disappointing players in all of baseball this season.
Uggla was the team's prized off season acquisition, while most expected Heyward to take the next step towards being the game's next great hitter. Instead, the pair have been liabilities in the lineup.
Still, the Braves are 38-28 in second place in the NL East, and they could be dangerous if these two turn things around.
Baltimore Orioles
3 of 30
Biggest Surprise: SP Zach Britton (6-4, 3.18 ERA, 1.232 WHIP, 47 Ks, 82 IP)
Britton, ranked by Baseball America as the 28th best prospect in all of baseball entering this season, broke camp with the big league club and made his major league debut April 3rd of this season.
After going 10-7 with a 2.70 ERA last season between Double-A and Triple-A, he hasn't missed a beat at the big league level and looks to be the best of a good crop of young, talented Orioles starting pitchers.
Biggest Disappointment: RF Nick Markakis (.242 BA, 5 HR, 26 RBI, 26 R)
A number of players are under performing for the Orioles' offense right now, with Derrek Lee, Brian Roberts, Mark Reynolds, and Luke Scott all hitting under .240 on the season. However, all of those players are on the down swing of their career.
Markakis, on the other hand, is 27 years old and just moving into his prime, and for all intents and purposes, he is the face of the Orioles franchise right now. Looking forward, if the Orioles hope to compete sometime soon, Markakis will need to continue to grow into a star.
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Boston Red Sox
4 of 30
Biggest Surprise: RP Alfredo Aceves (3-1, 3.29 ERA, 1.244 WHIP, 24 Ks, 41 IP)
In a bullpen that was supposed to be strengthened by the acquisitions of Bobby Jenks and Dan Wheeler, the 'pen has instead been an issue as both pitchers have posted ERAs over 6.50.
However, Aceves has stepped up for the team, making 13 relief appearances to go along with three spot starts. Making things even sweeter, he left the Yankees this past off season to sign with the Red Sox.
He will be a valuable arm moving forward if the Red Sox hope to make their bullpen a strength.
Biggest Disappointment: SP John Lackey (4-5, 7.41 ERA, 1.647 WHIP, 29 Ks, 51 IP)
It looked as though this honor would go to Carl Crawford early on, as he struggled to get his average over the Mendoza line. However, now that he has turned things around, attention can be turned to the Red Sox underachieving and overpaid "ace".
Lackey came over from the Angels prior to last season, signing a hefty five year, $82.5 million deal in the process. After posting a 14-11 record and a subpar 4.40 ERA, many expected him to bounce back this season, but instead he has gone in the other direction. The team will need him to figure things out sooner rather than later.
Chicago Cubs
5 of 30
Biggest Surprise: 2B Darwin Barney (.295 BA, 1 HR, 25 RBI, 33 R)
The Cubs entered spring training with very few roster spots undecided, but Barney managed to snag one in what was intended to be a utility infield role, with Blake DeWitt and Jeff Baker sharing the starting duties in a platoon role.
However, the 25 year-old rookie has taken over as the team's everyday second baseman, and he and shortstop Starlin Castro have served as catalysts atop the Cubs lineup so far this season.
Biggest Disappointment: OF Tyler Colvin (.105 BA, 2 HR, 8 RBI, 5 R)
Colvin was one of the bright spots in what was a disappointing 2010 for the Cubs, as he forced his way onto the roster with a strong spring training and went on to hit 20 home runs in just 358 at bats.
This season has been a different story, as he has struggled mightily at the plate, earning a demotion to Triple-A, and he has had trouble finding at bats since being called back up. He is still just 25 years old, but this is far from the season the Cubs expected out of their young outfielder.
Chicago White Sox
6 of 30
Biggest Surprise: UT Brent Lillibridge (.273 BA, 7 HR, 12 RBI, 19 R)
Lillibridge came to the White Sox as part of the deal that sent Javier Vazquez to the Braves prior to the 2009 season, and he looked to be a bust after hitting just .194 BA, 3 HR, 27 RBI over 273 big league at bats prior to this season.
However, he has served as the White Sox primary utility man this year, and he has not only played good defense all over the diamond but has also given the team a boost with his bat while others in the lineup have struggled.
Biggest Disappointment: DH Adam Dunn (.180 BA, 7 HR, 29 RBI, 19 R)
Dunn was one of the most coveted hitters in this past winter's free agent class, and the Sox looked to have greatly improved their lineup when they added the burly slugger for $56 million over four years.
However, he has been nothing short of a disaster, displaying none of his usual power while doing just as much striking out with a league-high 84 times so far this year. Dunn actually has the same number of home runs as Lillibridge, but the Sox have given gim 112 more at-bats and $11.57 million more.
Cincinnati Reds
7 of 30
Biggest Surprise: RP Logan Ondrusek (3-2, 1.87 ERA, 1.099 WHIP, 27 Ks, 33.2 IP)
The Reds returned almost their entire team from last season's NL Central title run, and perhaps the most notable player not to return was All-Star setup man Arthur Rhodes, who signed with the Rangers and seemingly left a void at the back end of the Reds bullpen.
However, Ondrusek has stepped into the vacated setup role nicely, and he joins Nick Masset and Francisco Cordero to form one of the better late-inning trios in baseball right now.
Biggest Disappointment: P Aroldis Chapman (2-0, 6.92 ERA, 2.000 WHIP, 15 Ks, 20 BB, 13 IP)
Chapman took the baseball world by storm when he was called up last season, as he wowed everyone with his fastball that consistently registered in the triple digits and got results with a 2.03 ERA and 19 strikeouts in 13.1 innings.
This season, however, he has struggled mightily with control and was demoted to Double-A, and the struggles have only continued from there. Time will tell if he can re-capture the form that made him one of the most promising young talents in all of baseball.
Cleveland Indians
8 of 30
Biggest Surprise: SS Asdrubal Cabrera (.302 BA, 12 HR, 42 RBI, 41 R)
The entire Indians team falls under the surprise category this season, and a number of players are exceeding expectations, but Cabrera has to be the biggest surprise by far.
He has shown fantastic potential since being called up as a 21-year-old in 2009, but he entered this season with just 18 career home runs and a single-season high of 68 RBI. He already has 12 long balls this season, and his 42 RBI are good for ninth-best in the American League.
Biggest Disappointment: SP Fausto Carmona (3-8, 5.71 ERA, 1.327 WHIP, 54 Ks, 86.2 IP)
For as well as the Indians have performed this season, especially from a pitching stand point, it is shocking that one of their few proven commodities in Carmona has struggled.
With guys like Justin Masterson, Josh Tomlin, and Mitch Talbot pitching well as well as a fantastic bullpen, the team needs their ace to pitch like he can if they want to remain in the AL Central race.
Colorado Rockies
9 of 30
Biggest Surprise: 1B Todd Helton (.319 BA, 9 HR, 29 RBI, 29 R)
Helton has had a phenomenal career, but at the age of 37 and coming off the worst season of his career in which is hit just .256 BA, 8 HR, 37 RBI, it seemed as though his days of being a difference maker were behind him.
He has enjoyed a major turn around this season though, as he already has more home runs than he did last year, and he looks to have more than enough left in the tank to be a significant producer this season.
Biggest Disappointment: SP Ubaldo Jimenez (1-7, 4.63 ERA, 1.375 WHIP, 62 Ks, 72 IP)
Jimenez was absolutely dominant to open the season last year, but his 2011 season has gotten off to a much different start, and he has been far from an ace.
He has stared to turn things around with a 1.69 ERA in three June starts, but there is no denying that he has been a disappointment so far this season, falling well short of expectations.
*Special mention to Ian Stewart who was hitting .064 with zero home runs before he was finally demoted.
Detroit Tigers
10 of 30
Biggest Surprise: C Alex Avila (.297 BA, 9 HR, 35 RBI, 24 R)
After spending just two seasons in the minors, Avila was pegged as the Tigers catcher of the future, and the future became now when he was handed the job to open the 2010 season. However, he hit just .228 BA, 7 HR, 31 RBI, and he ended up splitting time with Gerald Laird.
This season has been a different story entirely, as Avila leads all AL catchers in batting average, on-base percentage, slugging, and RBI. Look for him to make the AL All-Star team come July.
Biggest Disappointment: DH Magglio Ordonez (.172 BA, 1 HR, 5 RBI, 4 R)
Ordonez is 37 years old, and his days of being a top flight power hitter and run producer are well behind him, but he looked fine at the plate last season, hitting .303 BA, 12 HR, 59 RBI. That was enough for the Tigers to re-sign him for one year at $10 million.
That was $10 million wasted dollars to this point, as he has done absolutely nothing. After a poor start, he has spent a month on the disabled list with an ankle injury, and he will be hard pressed to find at bats once he returns to the lineup after his poor early showing.
Florida Marlins
11 of 30
Biggest Surprise: 3B Greg Dobbs (.307 BA, 2 HR, 21 RBI, 18 R)
Third base has been a position of constant change over the past several seasons for the Marlins, and it appeared it would be more of the same this season as some combination of Wes Helms, Greg Dobbs, Emilio Bonifacio, and Donnie Murphy was set to hold down the position.
However, the 32-year-old Dobbs, who joined the Marlins this year after averaging a .260 BA, 4 HR, 23 RBI line in seven seasons between the Mariners and Phillies, has brought some stability to the position, as he has been a revelation offensively.
Biggest Disappointment: SS Hanley Ramirez (.210 BA, 4 HR, 17 RBI, 30 R)
The fact that the Marlins have managed a 32-32 record so far this season is certainly a surprise, but when you take into account the fact that their superstar shortstop has been terrible, it is downright incredible.
Ramirez is a career .307 hitter, and he has never batted below .292 since taking over as the Marlins everyday shortstop in 2006. All that points to him turning things around before the season is over, at least to a point. Regardless, he has been bad, and a recent back injury has only added to concerns.
Houston Astros
12 of 30
Biggest Surprise: 1B Brett Wallace (.304 BA, 4 HR, 19 RBI, 24 R)
Wallace had been one of baseball's top hitting prospects since the Cardinals took him with the 13th overall pick in the 2008 draft, and he was involved in the trade that sent Matt Holliday to the Cardinals and then indirectly in the deal that sent Roy Oswalt to the Phillies this past season.
The latter deal finally gave him his first shot at a big league job, as the Astros plugged him in at first base after trading Lance Berkman. After hitting .222 over 144 at bats last season, he has been great this year, and while his run production numbers are hurt by the poor lineup around him, he has backed up his lofty prospect status.
Biggest Disappointment: SP Brett Myers (2-6, 5.03 ERA, 1.403 WHIP, 63 Ks, 87.2 IP)
Myers was among the NL's top pitchers last season despite pitching for a terrible team, as he went 14-8 with an impressive 3.14 ERA. The Astros re-signed him to a two-year deal worth $23 million because of that, and worst case scenario he would be a great trading chip.
Instead, he has been nothing but disappointing this season.
Chances are pretty good he'll be moved, and the Yankees are a popular destination in a rumors, but the Astros may have to take a slightly less impressive return than they had hoped in such a deal.
Kansas City Royals
13 of 30
Biggest Surprise: CF Melky Cabrera (.277 BA, 9 HR, 41 RBI, 39 R)
Realistically, the entire Royals outfield could crack this list, as Jeff Francoeur has 9 HR and 40 RBI while Alex Gordon is enjoying the best season of his career with a .285 BA, 7 HR, 36 RBI line.
However, the honor goes to Cabrera, who was once a top prospect with the Yankees, and was the key piece of the trade that sent Javier Vazquez to the Yankees. In his one season in Atlanta, he hit an uninspired .255 and was released at season's end. After receiving little free agent interest, he signed a one-year deal with the Royals for $1.25 million, and that has been a steal.
Biggest Disappointment: CP Joakim Soria (9 Saves, 4.97 ERA, 1.379 WHIP, 23 Ks, 29 IP)
The Royals have been poor at best the past several years, but one consistent bright spot has been the play of Soria, who has been one of baseball's best closers year in and year out since debuting in 2007.
With a career ERA of 2.01 entering the season, it is strange to see him struggle, and he may be suffering through some of the disinterest that plagued Zack Greinke last year.
Los Angeles Angels
14 of 30
Biggest Surprise: SP Tyler Chatwood (3-4, 4.20 ERA, 1.547 WHIP, 39 Ks, 75 IP)
On the surface, Chatwood's numbers don't exactly jump off the page at you, but when you take into account the fact that he made his big league debut earlier this season and is still just 21 years old, they are slightly more impressive.
The 2008 second round pick went 13-9 with a 2.84 ERA last season in 26 minor league starts between three different levels, reaching Triple-A. That was enough to earn him a rotation spot to open the 2011 season.
Omitting his last stats, when he was roughed up for five runs in 3.2 innings, his ERA is an even more impressive 3.79.
Biggest Disappointment: LF Vernon Wells (.189 BA, 4 HR, 13 RBI, 21 R)
After enjoying a career renaissance last season with 33 home runs, the Blue Jays sold high on Wells and somehow found a taker for what was widely believed to be one of the most immovable contracts in all of baseball.
Not to the Angels apparently, as they dealt catcher Mike Napoli and outfielder Juan Rivera for the opportunity to take on Wells and the $81 million he is owed over the next four seasons. He has been a whole lot of nothing at the plate thus far to the point that he is a liability.
Los Angeles Dodgers
15 of 30
Biggest Surprise: CF Matt Kemp (.331 BA, 20 HR, 56 RBI, 45 R)
While Kemp had already flirted with stardom in the past and most expected him to bounce back from a poor 2010 season, he has arguably the best offensive numbers in all of baseball right now, and I doubt many people saw that coming.
He is currently third in batting average, first in home runs, and second in RBI in the National League, making him a legitimate Triple Crown candidate. Throw in 14 steals and he looks to be a shoe in to at least post a 30-30 season.
Biggest Disappointment: SS Rafael Furcal (.212 BA, 1 HR, 5 RBI, 7 R)
Currently in the middle of his second trip to the disabled list this season, Furcal has managed to play in only 17 games so far this season, and he has not been much of a factor in the short time he has been on the field.
Furcal is a difference maker and one of the best catalysts in baseball when healthy. He is playing for a contract this year and could come back strong from his recent oblique injury if he can get healthy, but for now, he has been nothing but a disappointment.
Milwaukee Brewers
16 of 30
Biggest Surprise: SP Shaun Marcum (7-2, 2.68 ERA, 1.015 WHIP, 83 Ks, 90.2 IP)
The addition of Marcum this off-season fell a bit under the radar, as the talk of the winter for the Brewers was the deal they pulled off to land Royals ace Zack Greinke. With Marcum coming off a solid 13-8 season with the Blue Jays, he figured to be a very good third starter behind Greinke and Yovani Gallardo.
Instead, he has been by far the team's best pitcher and among the best in all of baseball so far this season. He ranks in the top 10 in the NL in a bevy of categories including wins, ERA, Ks, IP, and WAR.
Biggest Disappointment: 3B Casey McGehee (.225 BA, 4 HR, 24 RBI, 20 R)
McGehee was a pleasant surprise last season, improving on his 2009 numbers that landed him a fifth place finish in NL Rookie of the Year voting. His line of .285 BA, 23 HR, 104 RBI made him one of baseball's most productive third baseman in 2010.
This year, however, he has scuffled, leaving the Brewers without a consistent RBI threat to back their dynamic duo of Ryan Braun and Prince Fielder.
Minnesota Twins
17 of 30
Biggest Surprise: RP Glen Perkins (0-1, 1.59 ERA, 1.191 WHIP, 22 Ks, 22.2 IP)
Perkins, who went 12-4 as a starter back in 2008 but entered the season with a career 4.81 ERA, was coming off his first season as a reliever in which he posted a 5.82 ERA in 21.2 innings.
This season, however, Perkins has been the team's most reliable arm as the rest of the bullpen has struggled mightily, and he looks to have found a niche as a late-inning setup man.
Biggest Disappointment: C Joe Mauer (.235 BA, 0 HR, 4 RBI, 2 R)
You could very well put the Twins as a whole in this spot, but the team has lost its identity without their superstar catcher on the field. While generally I try to shy away from calling an injured player a disappointment, as it is out of their control, in this case Mauer fits the bill, as the entire team has suffered because of it.
He has missed a handful of games each season, developing a bit of an injury history, but he has only appeared in nine games this year, as a leg injury landed him on the 60-day disabled list. How he comes back will dictate how the remainder of the Twins season goes.
New York Mets
18 of 30
Biggest Surprise: RP Jason Isringhausen (1-0, 2.91 ERA, 1.154 WHIP, 19 Ks, 21.2 IP)
While the career-year of Jose Reyes may qualify as a surprise, he is playing for a contract, so it is not all that shocking to see him putting up huge numbers. Dillon Gee and his 7-0 record are also a pleasant surprise.
However, the biggest surprise has to be Isringhausen, who has not pitched in the majors since 2009, and that was just a nine game stint with the Rays. At 38 years old, his career looked to be over, but he has comeback as one of the Mets' most reliable relievers.
Biggest Disappointment: 3B David Wright (.226 BA, 6 HR, 18 RBI, 23 R)
A number of players are struggling for the Mets, including Jason Bay (.207 BA) and Mike Pelfrey (5.11 ERA), but Wright is by far the most concerning struggle.
With a good deal of the Mets current lineup set to depart in free agency or expected to be traded, Wright looked to be the cornerstone for the team to rebuild around, but the 28 year old has struggled to get things going this year and has been at the center of trade rumors himself.
New York Yankees
19 of 30
Biggest Surprise: SP Bartolo Colon (5-3, 3.10 ERA, 1.072 WHIP, 72 Ks, 78.1 IP)
Colon, who is now 38 years old, hadn't pitched in the majors since 2009 and has really not been an effective big league starter for an entire season since his Cy Young year of 2005.
While it remains to be seen if he can hold up for a whole season, he has been a godsend for this year for a Yankees team whose biggest concern entering the season was the 3-4-5 spots in their rotation.
Biggest Disappointment: DH Jorge Posada (.226 BA, 6 HR, 20 RBI, 14 R)
While technically Nick Swisher has been just as bad with a .221 BA, 5 HR, 27 RBI line and more was expected out of him than Posada, it is Posada who qualifies as the team's biggest disappointment.
As much for his offense as for becoming a distraction when he pulled himself from the lineup after justifiably being dropped in the lineup, the long time Yankee has been more trouble than he's worth this season in what is almost certainly his last year in the Bronx.
Oakland Athletics
20 of 30
Biggest Surprise: LF Josh Willingham (.235 BA, 10 HR, 41 RBI, 25 R)
While his batting average leaves something to be desired, Willingham has given the Athletics something they have sorely lacked the past several season: a power bat to serve as a run producer in the middle of the lineup.
He is currently eleventh in the AL in RBI on a team that can't score runs, with the next highest total on the team Hideki Matsui at 25. Despite his poor average, Willingham is hitting .354 with runners in scoring position, as he has come through when it counts.
Biggest Disappointment: 1B Daric Barton (.216 BA, 0 HR, 17 RBI, 25 R)
With all but two regulars hitting under .250, there are a bevy of names to choose from as the most disappointing, but the honor goes to Barton.
Rushed to the majors at the age of 21 back in 2007, Barton seemed to turn a corner in his development last season when he hit .273 BA, 10 HR, 57 RBI while posting a .393 on-base percentage and leading the AL with 110 walks. However, he has given no indication that those steps forward were anything more than a mirage, and he looks to have taken a couple steps back in fact.
Philadelphia Phillies
21 of 30
Biggest Surprise: CP Ryan Madson (15 Saves, 2.17 ERA, 1.172 WHIP, 32 Ks, 29 IP)
Madson has been among the league's best setup men for years now, but he has always had mixed results when forced into the closer's role.
This season, however, he has flourished after injuries to Brad Lidge and Jose Contreras forced him into the role once again. On a team whose offense has fallen short of expectations, the bullpen has been relied upon even more than expected, and Madson has answered the call.
Biggest Disappointment: LF Raul Ibanez (.250 BA, 8 HR, 32 RBI, 31 R)
While he has turned things around of late, Ibanez was in a career-worst slump to open the season, and even though his average has climbed back to respectability, he still has an on-base percentage of just .300.
At 39 years old, his decline is not a surprise, but it still comes as a bit of a disappointment for a team that is suddenly struggling to get consistent production from the corner outfield spots, an area of strength in past seasons.
Pittsburgh Pirates
22 of 30
Biggest Surprise: CP Joel Hanrahan (17 Saves, 1.47 ERA, 1.043 WHIP, 28 Ks, 30.2 IP)
The Pirates as a whole have been a surprise this season, sitting at 32-33 overall on the season, and the starting rotation as a whole has been a fantastic surprise, with four of the five starters posting ERAs under 4.00.
However, the biggest shocker has been Hanrahan, who is a perfect 17-of-17 on saves for the low price of $1.4 million this season. He could be on his way to an All-Star appearance, and if the Pirates decide to make him available at the trade deadline, he could fetch a stellar package of prospects.
Biggest Disappointment: 3B Pedro Alvarez (.208 BA, 2 HR, 10 RBI, 12 R)
There is a new found sense of optimism in Pittsburgh, as they have built a good core of homegrown players that could make them competitive in the NL Central very soon. However, they will need Alvarez to anchor the middle of their order if they want to take the next steps as a team.
He has been shelved with a quad injury for a good portion of the season, but he was struggling even before the injury, and the 24 year old will be counted on to take some of the run production pressure off of Neil Walker once he returns.
San Diego Padres
23 of 30
Biggest Surprise: OF Chris Denorfia (.306 BA, 4 HR, 10 RBI, 21 R)
Once a top prospect with the Reds, Denorfia made his big league debut back in 2005 but did not receive any substantial playing time until last season, his first as a member of the Padres.
Over 284 at bats last season, he hit a respectable .271 BA, 9 HR, 36 RBI, and he has been even better this season. For an offensively challenged team like the Padres, it is always a plus to get solid contributions for a 30-year-old journeyman outfielder.
Biggest Disappointment: 2B Orlando Hudson (.217 BA, 0 HR, 7 RBI, 9 R)
The Padres looked to have greatly improved their middle infield situation when the picked up Hudson and Jason Bartlett this past off season, and while Bartlett has been decent, Hudson has been an absolute disaster.
While he has played error-free defense, he has also missed significant time with a groin injury, and when he has been in the lineup, he has been terrible with the bat. At 33 years old, his decline could be a swift one.
San Francisco Giants
24 of 30
Biggest Surprise: RF Nate Schierholtz (.263 BA, 4 HR, 19 RBI, 18 R)
It is hard to find someone who is exceeding expectations on the Giants, as their lineup has been a disaster and their pitching has been fantastic, just as everyone expected. However, Schierholtz has been a pleasant surprise so far this season.
With an abundance of outfielders, it has been Schierholtz that has posted the best numbers of the group, and he has already hit more home runs and recorded more RBI than he did last season in 90 more at bats.
Biggest Disappointment: 1B Aubrey Huff (.234 BA, 8 HR, 34 RBI, 20 R)
The Giants have struggled to find offense this season, but Huff was counted on perhaps more than anyone after leading the team in most categories last season.
He was brought back this year on a two year, $22 million deal to once again lead the offense, but he has struggled to make consistent contact and his BB/K ratio is a career worst.
Seattle Mariners
25 of 30
Biggest Surprise: SP Michael Pineda (6-4, 2.72 ERA, 1.040 WHIP, 80 Ks, 82.2 IP)
There was no question that Pineda would eventually be a great starter, as he was one of baseball's best pitching prospects, but no one could have guessed he would be so good, so soon.
At just 22 years old, Pineda has emerged as the Mariners best starter this season, putting up better numbers than even Felix Hernandez, and he will run away with AL Rookie of the Year honors if he can keep it up.
Biggest Disappointment: 3B Chone Figgins (.190 BA, 1 HR, 13 RBI, 20 R)
Figgins is a shell of the player he was as a member of the Angels when he was among the league's best table setters, but he has taken his struggles to a new level this season.
Although his average dropped 39 points last season from his 2009 season, he was still a difference maker on the base paths with a good eye at the plate. This season, his strikeouts are up, and he has only stolen eight bases. Just an all-around disappointment.
St. Louis Cardinals
26 of 30
Biggest Surprise: RF Lance Berkman (.317 BA, 16 HR, 46 RBI, 40 R)
Berkman looked to be on the down-swing of a great career last season, when he struggled mightily in Houston before being dealt to the Yankees, where it was more of the same.
When the Cardinals signed him to play right field this off-season, it raised more than a few eyebrows, as the 35-year-old had not played outfield regularly in five seasons. He has answered all the doubters, however, and he has been among baseball's most productive hitters.
Biggest Disappointment: CP Ryan Franklin (1 Save, 7.23 ERA, 1.690 WHIP, 16 Ks, 23.2 IP)
After ranking among baseball's most reliable closers the past three seasons, Franklin imploded to open his 2011 campaign, as he recorded just one save before losing closing duties.
The team has found a reliable replacement in Fernando Salas, so things are not as bad as the could be, but Franklin has been absolutely useless this season, and that has hurt a bullpen that is already thin with Kyle McClellan moving to the rotation.
Tampa Bay Rays
27 of 30
Biggest Surprise: RF Matt Joyce (.328 BA, 10 HR, 34 RBI, 37 R)
Joyce is coming off of a good season last year, when he hit 10 home runs and drove in 40 runs in just 216 at bats. However, he has taken full advantage of the departure of Carl Crawford and has been among the American League's top hitters this season.
He looks on his way to his first All-Star appearance, and he has been huge for a Rays team that lost two of its top offensive threats in Crawford and Carlos Pena. Closer Kyle Farnsworth has also been a big surprise with 14 saves and a 1.48 ERA.
Biggest Disappointment: DH Manny Ramirez (.059 BA, 0 HR, 1 RBI, 0 R)
When the Rays inked former Red Sox Johnny Damon and Ramirez this off season, it provided for a good story line if nothing else, and looking to replace a good amount of departed offense, the team counted on Ramirez to be a producer in the middle of the order.
However, after playing just five games, Ramirez called it quits after he once again came under fire from the MLB's drug policy, choosing retirement over serving an 100-game suspension.
Texas Rangers
28 of 30
Biggest Surprise: SP Alexi Ogando (7-0, 2.10 ERA, 0.898 WHIP, 60 Ks, 81.1 IP)
After mulling over the option of moving Neftali Feliz to the rotation and Ogando to the closer's role, the Rangers instead chose to do it the other way around, and Ogando has been nothing short of spectacular in his first season as a starter.
After posting a 1.30 ERA in 41.2 innings as a rookie reliever last season, Ogando currently leads the AL in ERA+ and WHIP, and the 27 year old looks to have a promising future in the rotation.
Biggest Disappointment: 2B Ian Kinsler (.231 BA, 7 HR, 23 RBI, 40 R)
Kinsler looked to be on his way to passing Chase Utley as the top offensive second baseman after a .319 BA, 18 HR, 71 RBI, 26 SB season back in 2008. He followed that up with a precipitous drop in his batting average the following season to .253, but he also joined the 30-30 club with 31 HR and 31 SB.
Last season, injury struck, and he was limited to just 103 games, but he looked to get back on track to putting his offensive game all together this season. That has not been the case, however, and he has struggled to a terrible average, despite an adequate .349 on-base percentage.
Toronto Blue Jays
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Biggest Surprise: RF Jose Bautista (.338 BA, 21 HR, 42 RBI, 52 R)
Bautista was the biggest surprise of the 2010 season, as he came out of nowhere to launch 54 home runs at the age of 29 in his first full season as a starter.
Many believed this was a Brady Anderson-type fluke and he would return to earth this season, but he has been even better this year, as his average is up 78 points from .260 last season, and he has a 58-35 strikeout-to-walk ratio. That has given him an AL-best .489 on-base percentage.
Biggest Disappointment: SP Kyle Drabek (4-5, 5.70 ERA, 1.789 WHIP, 48 Ks, 72.2 IP)
Drabek was the key return in the trade that sent Roy Halladay from the Blue Jays to the Phillies, and he made his big league debut last season with a respectable 4.76 ERA in three starts after a 14-9 season at Double-A.
When the Jays dealt Shaun Marcum to the Brewers this off-season, it was thought to be in part because they felt Drabek was ready to step into a middle-of-the-rotation spot. There is still time to turn it around, and there is little question Drabek will be a solid starter down the road, but he has certainly been a disappointment so far this season.
Washington Nationals
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Biggest Surprise: 1B Mike Morse (.300 BA, 10 HR, 36 RBI, 20 R)
Morse was once a top prospect of the Seattle Mariners, but never got the chance for regular at bats until he joined the Nationals. Last season, he went .289 BA, 15 HR, 41 RBI over 266 at bats and gave the Nationals a low-cost bat off the bench.
This season, however, he has been thrust into a starting role after Adam LaRoche went down with an injury, and he has responded with the best numbers of his career at the age of 29.
Biggest Disappointment: CF Rick Ankiel (.204 BA, 1 HR, 9 RBI, 15 R)
Ankiel was added this off-season as the Nationals looked for ways to replace the power that was lost with the departure of Adam Dunn, and while he has not posted great averages during his career, he did have 53 home runs over four seasons entering this year.
This year, his average has been worse than ever, and he has only left the yard once this season. All in all, a whole lot of nothing for the $1.5 million that the Nationals are paying him this season.
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