10 pitchers who have surprised in 2015

Mark Lowe

Relievers, unless they are guys like Mariano Rivera can be a bit inconsistent year to year. One year, a guy can dominate. The next year, they get hurt. The next, they just cant locate a certain pitch like they did the year before.

Mark Lowe was always known as a guy with a pretty big arm, but just unable to put it all together. Per Fangraphs, Lowe’s average fastball is a little over 95 MPH with a slider that approaches 87 on average. This year though, he was able to put it all together.

The Mariners signed him as a free agent in the off-season and he was able to make the squad and be a stable cog in a bullpen that had some issues.

In 34 games for the Mariners, he posted a 1.00 ERA. He struck out 47 in 36 innings while walking 11 and allowing just 31 hits.

The Mariners were able to flip Lowe for three minor-leaguers from the Toronto Blue Jays as they looked to fortify their bullpen for the stretch run.

Lowe’s struggled with the Jays giving up five runs in 10.1 innings with the Jays after only allowing six with the Mariners. Maybe it’s some regression kicking in, or maybe it’s the move from a pitcher’s to a hitter’s park.

Whatever it is, no one expected this kind of production from Lowe this year.

These 10 pitchers have each reached surprising levels of success this season. Each have played important roles on their teams, and some may even help lead their teams to October this season. It goes to show, you never know where you’re going to get that next pitcher from.