Which Players Made This List?
We are now through the month of April in MLB and that means there have been players who have overachieved for everyone’s fantasy baseball teams. I have identified who I believe were the 10 biggest surprises for the month. There are five hitters and five pitchers on this list just to keep things fair and balanced. I know that I don’t have any of these players on any of my teams, but I wish I did.
I really don’t think these 10 players are going to make it through May without coming back down to earth though. There have been some very big surprises including one player who appeared to have their career ending sooner than later. I was honestly surprised by how well some of these players were last month. I didn’t think that some of them still had it in their bats and arms.
We will all have to wait and see what happens before now and the end of the month of May. It is possible that one or more of these players makes it through the surprises of May. As I said earlier, I don’t see that happening. When you are looking at the ever-changing world of fantasy baseball, however, anything is possible. I encourage you to add in the comments which players have surprised for your team. I know there are probably just as many disappointments so far this season, but for this list, I’m focusing on the positives. It’s time to take a look at my top 10 surprises from fantasy baseball during the month of April.
Andy Schmidt is a columnist/writer for RantSports. Follow him on Twitter @ASchmidtSports, like his Facebook page or add him to your network on Google.
10. Nate McLouth, Baltimore Orioles
McLouth hit .346 with two home runs and eight RBI after a 2012 season that saw him hit just .241 with seven home runs overall.
9. Hisashi Iwakuma, Seattle Mariners
Iwakuma was nearly unhittable with a 2-1 record and a 1.67 ERA. He added 37 strikeouts in 37 2/3 innings.
8. John Buck, New York Mets
Buck had nine home runs and 25 RBI in the month of April after hitting just 12 home runs for the entire 2012 season.
7. Jim Henderson, Milwaukee Brewers
Henderson has taken the closer’s role by storm with six saves and a 0.75 ERA. He hasn’t blown a single save chance yet and has 15 strikeouts in 12 innings.
6. Mark Reynolds, Cleveland Indians
Reynolds hit the ball with authority and on a consistent basis with a .301 batting average, eight home runs and 22 RBI. His career average is just .237.
5. Ervin Santana, Kansas City Royals
Santana is showing that he still has some life in his arm during a month where he went 3-1 with a 2.00 ERA to go with 31 strikeouts in 36 innings.
4. Vernon Wells, New York Yankees
Wells has been one of the biggest surprises out there with six home runs, 13 RBI and a .300 batting average. It may not last, but it has been an impressive turnaround.
3. Jhoulys Chacin, Colorado Rockies
Chacin was lights-out in his four starts before getting injured with a 3-0 record and 1.46 ERA. He hasn’t given up more than two runs in any start this season.
2. Daniel Nava, Boston Red Sox
Nava has been quite good with his four home runs and 16 RBI. He may not get as much playing time going forward but if he does, he is a solid player to have.
1. Clay Buchholz, Boston Red Sox
Buchholz was unhittable in April with a 5-0 record and 1.19 ERA. You can’t complain about a pitcher who had 39 strikeouts in 37 2/3 innings after he went 11-8 overall last season.
