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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 20, 2015; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Astros starting pitcher Dallas Keuchel (60) pitches against the Oakland Athletics in the top of the first inning at Minute Maid Park. Mandatory Credit: Thomas B. Shea-USA TODAY Sports
May 20, 2015; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Astros starting pitcher Dallas Keuchel (60) pitches against the Oakland Athletics in the top of the first inning at Minute Maid Park. Mandatory Credit: Thomas B. Shea-USA TODAY Sports /

Dallas Keuchel, SP, Houston Astros

The Houston Astros are currently running away with the American League West and a big part of that has been their pitching staff. The Astros currently rank eighth in baseball with a 3.47 ERA. And Dallas Keuchel has been the team’s best pitcher so far this year.

The 27-year-old Keuchel is 6-0 with a 1.67 ERA and a 0.97 WHIP. He leads all MLB pitchers with a WAR of 2.9 and has allowed just 12 earned runs and 43 hits in 64.2 innings. He has been absolutely dominant and while he has always been talented, what we’re seeing out of the lefty this year is above and beyond what anyone expected.

Keuchel had a very good 2014 season as he went 12-9 with a 2.93 ERA and a 1.18 WHIP. He reached the 200-innings mark for the first time in his career and posted an excellent WAR of 5.1. But this year he has taken it to a new level and has the look of a true ace at the top of Houston’s rotation.

The Astros have been baseball’s biggest surprise this season, and Keuchel’s dominance has been a huge part of their ascendance.

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