April’s 10 most surprising players
Article By smcneal.tsn on 28th April, 2010
Three-plus weeks into the season, it is surprising that Zack Greinke doesn't have a win, Albert Pujols has more strikeouts than walks and the Red Sox haven't figured out they need Jason Varitek to play more. But enough with not-so-pleasant surprises.
The top 10 pleasant surprises (among players):
So far, Livan Hernandez has rewarded the Nats for taking a chance on him. Livan Hernandez, SP, Nationals
Washington signed Jason Marquis to a two-year, $15 million deal to lead its young rotation. Conversely, Hernandez didn't have a job when spring training began, and he had to settle for a minor league deal. Marquis lasted 8 1/3 innings (three starts) and posted a 20.52 ERA before going on the disabled list. Hernandez has worked at least seven innings in each of his first four starts and has a 0.87 ERA. Go figure.
After he beat the Cubs at Wrigley Field on Tuesday, Hernandez told reporters he is using the offseason snub as motivation. "I want to show the people that I'm not done," he said. "I do everything they asked me to do. I pitch every five days; I haven't missed a start for 14 years. No matter what happens, no matter how you feel, I'm always there."
Hernandez averaged an MLB-best 220 innings over the past decade. Listed at 35, he says he wants to pitch "for a long time." Don't be surprised when he someday is called the righthanded Jamie Moyer.
Kelly Johnson, 2B, Diamondbacks
Major leaguers don't like to be snubbed. Or, in Johnson's case, dumped. The Braves preferred Martin Prado at second base, so they non-tendered Johnson, who was snatched by Arizona two weeks later. Good move by the Diamondbacks.
Johnson is showing the Braves what they are missing. Displaying better patience at the plate, he hit seven homers in his first 19 games -- he finished with eight in 106 games last year -- and raised his OBP nearly 100 points.
Jose Guillen, DH, Ro...
Read Complete Article at Latest Sporting News Articles for MLB
The top 10 pleasant surprises (among players):
So far, Livan Hernandez has rewarded the Nats for taking a chance on him. Livan Hernandez, SP, Nationals
Washington signed Jason Marquis to a two-year, $15 million deal to lead its young rotation. Conversely, Hernandez didn't have a job when spring training began, and he had to settle for a minor league deal. Marquis lasted 8 1/3 innings (three starts) and posted a 20.52 ERA before going on the disabled list. Hernandez has worked at least seven innings in each of his first four starts and has a 0.87 ERA. Go figure.
After he beat the Cubs at Wrigley Field on Tuesday, Hernandez told reporters he is using the offseason snub as motivation. "I want to show the people that I'm not done," he said. "I do everything they asked me to do. I pitch every five days; I haven't missed a start for 14 years. No matter what happens, no matter how you feel, I'm always there."
Hernandez averaged an MLB-best 220 innings over the past decade. Listed at 35, he says he wants to pitch "for a long time." Don't be surprised when he someday is called the righthanded Jamie Moyer.
Kelly Johnson, 2B, Diamondbacks
Major leaguers don't like to be snubbed. Or, in Johnson's case, dumped. The Braves preferred Martin Prado at second base, so they non-tendered Johnson, who was snatched by Arizona two weeks later. Good move by the Diamondbacks.
Johnson is showing the Braves what they are missing. Displaying better patience at the plate, he hit seven homers in his first 19 games -- he finished with eight in 106 games last year -- and raised his OBP nearly 100 points.
Jose Guillen, DH, Ro...
Read Complete Article at Latest Sporting News Articles for MLB
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