Fansided

Each MLB team’s most surprising player from April

By Joshua Sadlock

Apr 3, 2017; Milwaukee, WI, USA; Milwaukee Brewers first baseman Eric Thames (7) hits a double to drive in two runs in the fifth inning against the Colorado Rockies at Miller Park. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 3, 2017; Milwaukee, WI, USA; Milwaukee Brewers first baseman Eric Thames (7) hits a double to drive in two runs in the fifth inning against the Colorado Rockies at Miller Park. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports /
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Apr 25, 2017; Arlington, TX, USA; Minnesota Twins starting pitcher Ervin Santana (54) throws during the first inning against the Texas Rangers at Globe Life Park in Arlington. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 25, 2017; Arlington, TX, USA; Minnesota Twins starting pitcher Ervin Santana (54) throws during the first inning against the Texas Rangers at Globe Life Park in Arlington. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports /

Minnesota Twins: Ervin Santana

Ervin Santana went 4-0 with a 0.77 ERA in the month of April, and did not allow more than a single run in any of his four starts. He leads MLB in ERA, WHIP, and hits per nine. Opponents are batting a measly .116 against Santana with a .376 OPS. This ridiculous start is completely out of the blue for a pitcher who has always been among the most consistent mid-rotation starters in the game, but never an ace.

Santana has been one of the best in MLB at generating weak contact this season. He has piled up weak ground and popouts all year, and is not necessarily just getting lucky on hard-hit balls being hit right at fielders. Opponents are batting .049 against his slider this year, and have not done much better against his fastball.

Of course, Santana is due for some sort of regression to the mean. His low ERA has been helped out by facing the Royals once and the White Sox twice, but he has shut down the Indians and Rangers in his last two starts. If he can continue living on the edges and the lower third of the strike zone, Santana will continue getting plenty of weak contact.

The Twins have a young ballclub and rotation, and Santana’s reliability could help them surpass expectations after a disastrous 2016 season. Miguel Sano has rebounded after a down year, and Byron Buxton is showing signs of finally being able to handle MLB pitching.

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