MLB's most surprising performers this season
Toronto Blue Jays left-hander J.A. Happ recorded his major-league leading 17th victory on Wednesday against the New York Yankees. Several hours later, Boston Red Sox catcher Sandy Leon went 2-for-4 and earned five total bases against the Baltimore Orioles, while hammering his sixth home run of the year in just 133 at-bats.
Nobody could have predicted such stellar campaigns from either player, but both have become revelations. Every year, it seems Major League Baseball is chock-full of these surprising seasons, and 2016 has been no different.
Here are MLB's five most surprising performers of the year so far.
Sandy Leon, Red Sox
| Year | GP | 2B | HR | AVG/OBP/SLG |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 | 41 | 2 | 0 | .184/.238/.202 |
| 2016 | 43 | 12 | 6 | .383/.435/.639 |
When the Red Sox announced their Opening Day roster for 2016, Leon was not among the list of 25. Boston chose to employ a catching duo of Ryan Hanigan and Blake Swihart, while the 27-year-old Leon began the year at Triple-A Pawtucket. A plethora of injuries has given Leon the chance to shine in front of manager John Farrell, and he's delivered, earning the most playing time of his big-league career, while posting personal bests in at-bats, extra-base hits, home runs, RBIs, and OPS.
J.A. Happ, Blue Jays
| Year | W-L | IP | ERA | WHIP | SO |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 | 11-8 | 172 | 3.61 | 1.27 | 151 |
| 2016 | 17-3 | 150.1 | 3.05 | 1.14 | 133 |
When the Blue Jays announced Happ would be returning to Toronto for a second stint on a three-year, $36-million contract last November, the signing didn't come with much fanfare. Things have certainly changed - the 33-year-old has put himself in Cy Young contention, while helping the Blue Jays move into first place atop the AL East standings. Since the All-Star break, Happ is a perfect 5-0 with a 2.13 ERA, limiting opposing hitters to a .183 average.
Brad Miller, Rays
| Year | GP | 2B | HR | AVG/OBP/SLG |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 | 144 | 22 | 11 | .258/.329/.402 |
| 2016 | 111 | 21 | 25 | .265/.320/.530 |
The Seattle Mariners may be shaking their heads after trading away the 26-year-old Miller in the prime of his career this past offseason, for Nathan Karns and two others. After a disastrous April, where he ended the month hitting .185/.254/.354 with 19 strikeouts in 65 at-bats, Miller has become baseballs's biggest power threat at shortstop - although he's recently transitioned to first base to accommodate Matt Duffy - belting 11 home runs with an .OPS of 1.117 since the All-Star break.
Jonathan Villar, Brewers
| Year | GP | 2B | SB | AVG/OBP/SLG |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 | 53 | 7 | 7 | .284/.339/.414 |
| 2016 | 114 | 28 | 46 | .297/.381/.432 |
Talk about a steal. Villar was not an everyday player with the Houston Astros, while the rebuilding Milwaukee Brewers needed a shortstop after trading Jean Segura to the Arizona Diamondbacks. Enter Villar, who is second in the big leagues in stolen bases behind only Billy Hamilton, and leads the Brewers in a number of offensive categories including at-bats, runs scored, hits, doubles, stolen bases, and walks. Not a bad pick-up when you consider the Astros only received minor-league pitcher and former 35th-round draft choice Cy Sneed in exchange.
Kyle Hendricks, Cubs
| Year | W-L | IP | ERA | WHIP | SO |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 | 8-7 | 180 | 3.95 | 1.16 | 167 |
| 2016 | 11-7 | 140 | 2.19 | 1.01 | 124 |
The Chicago Cubs are purveyors of a rotation consisting of reigning NL Cy Young winner Jake Arrieta, along with Jon Lester and John Lackey, yet it's Hendricks who owns the team's best ERA and WHIP. Hendricks rarely walks hitters, allowing just 93 across 68 appearances (67 starts), and has been an exceptional find for Chicago since coming over in a trade for Ryan Dempster in 2012. Hendricks is a dark horse for the NL Cy Young, and his durability (two complete games this season) provides an already dangerous Cubs squad with another weapon for Joe Maddon's vast arsenal.