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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 9, 2015; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia Phillies starting pitcher Aaron Harang (34) pitches during the first inning against the New York Mets at Citizens Bank Park. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
May 9, 2015; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia Phillies starting pitcher Aaron Harang (34) pitches during the first inning against the New York Mets at Citizens Bank Park. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports /

Aaron Harang, SP, Philadelphia Phillies

Raise your hand if you knew Aaron Harang was still pitching in the big leagues. Put your hands down liars. The 37-year-old San Diego native is still out there slinging it and has been lights-out so far this season.

Harang has made nine starts for the Phillies in 2015 and has been outstanding in each. He is 4-3, but has a 1.82 ERA, 0.98 WHIP and has allowed just 12 earned runs in 59.1 innings. He is also tied for the National League lead in WAR among pitchers with a mark of 2.4. Even if that number doesn’t improve over the rest of the season, it would be his highest WAR since 2007.

Harang posted a WAR of -0.6 in 2013 and pretty much everyone left him for dead. He’s a guy whose style shouldn’t hold up as he ages because he relies on raw stuff to get people out. As that stuff has naturally diminished, his effectiveness should as well. That’s why his start to this season has been so remarkable.

Additionally, Harang is an extreme flyball pitcher playing his home games at a home run-friendly park, yet has only allowed two round-trippers. His ERA at Citizens Bank Ballpark is also an absurdly low 0.61.

No one knows if Harang can keep this up over the rest of the season, but with the Phillies struggling, he could be a nice piece to deal at the trade deadline.

Next: Wil Myers

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