Fansided

10 biggest MLB surprises in 2015: Hitters

By Connor Muldowney

Aug 26, 2015; Detroit, MI, USA; Detroit Tigers right fielder J.D. Martinez (28) celebrates his two run home run in the fifth inning against the Los Angeles Angels at Comerica Park. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 26, 2015; Detroit, MI, USA; Detroit Tigers right fielder J.D. Martinez (28) celebrates his two run home run in the fifth inning against the Los Angeles Angels at Comerica Park. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports /
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Sep 2, 2015; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Blue Jays third baseman Josh Donaldson (20) hits a double against Cleveland Indians in the fourth inning at Rogers Centre. Mandatory Credit: Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 2, 2015; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Blue Jays third baseman Josh Donaldson (20) hits a double against Cleveland Indians in the fourth inning at Rogers Centre. Mandatory Credit: Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports /

Everyone knows that Josh Donaldson is a solid hitter. Coming into the 2015 season, the Toronto Blue Jays acquired the third basemen with the hope he would showcase his power in a much more hitter-friendly park than O.Co Coliseum in Oakland.

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    • The 29-year-old third baseman played his first four years in the majors with the Athletics and performed well on the big stage.

    During his career-best season in 2014, Donaldson hit .255 with 29 homers and 98 RBI while leading the Athletics offensively. He was evolving into one of the American League’s most dangerous hitters, but he wasn’t considered more than ‘on the cusp’ of stardom.

    All that changed in Toronto in 2015. Through the middle of September, Donaldson has been the most dangerous batter in the Blue Jays’ vaunted lineup — which says a lot seeing as they have the best offense in baseball.

    Donaldson is hitting .301, a career-high, with 39 home runs, also a career-high, and 120 RBI — you guessed it, all three are the best of his five-year stay in the majors. He has gone from underrated star for the Athletics to top hitter on the best hitting team in the game today.

    Who would have thought Donaldson would be a serious MVP candidate this late in the 2015 season?

    Next: 5. J.D. Martinez

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