Fansided

MLB: 5 biggest surprise performances of the 2015 season so far

By Ryan Phillips

May 4, 2015; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Astros starting pitcher Dallas Keuchel (60) delivers a pitch during the first inning against the Texas Rangers at Minute Maid Park. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports
May 4, 2015; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Astros starting pitcher Dallas Keuchel (60) delivers a pitch during the first inning against the Texas Rangers at Minute Maid Park. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports /
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May 15, 2015; Miami, FL, USA; Miami Marlins second baseman Dee Gordon (9) connects for a base hit during the first inning against the Atlanta Braves at Marlins Park. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports
May 15, 2015; Miami, FL, USA; Miami Marlins second baseman Dee Gordon (9) connects for a base hit during the first inning against the Atlanta Braves at Marlins Park. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports /

Dee Gordon, 2B, Miami Marlins

I have to ask the Marlins: where is Dee Gordon and what have you done with him? A trade to Miami has turned the 27-year-old from a largely frustrating second baseman to the second-coming of Ichiro.

Gordon has been a hitting machine since arriving in South Beach and has the ridiculous numbers to back that up. After Thursday night’s action he is leading all of baseball with a .386 batting average, and the second place hitter is 35 points behind him (Nelson Cruz, .351). He also tops the majors in hits (64), is seventh in on-base percentage (.416) and is third in WAR (2.6). Those are insane numbers for a guy whose career-best WAR was a 2.4 in 2014.

The Dodgers shipped Gordon out this winter to make room for Howie Kendrick. To be fair, Kendrick has been solid for Los Angeles, but he hasn’t been nearly as good as the man he replaced. That said, I don’t think anyone saw this kind of offensive output coming from Gordon. He is the prototypical leadoff hitter right now and is finally playing up to his potential.

Next: Aaron Harang

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