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 29, 2017; Bronx, NY, USA; New York Yankees right fielder Aaron Judge (99) hits a home run in the seventh inning against the Baltimore Orioles at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Noah K. Murray-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 29, 2017; Bronx, NY, USA; New York Yankees right fielder Aaron Judge (99) hits a home run in the seventh inning against the Baltimore Orioles at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Noah K. Murray-USA TODAY Sports /

New York Yankees: Aaron Judge

There are a handful of players who could earn the title of biggest surprise for the Yankees, who are themselves one of MLB’s biggest April surprises with a 15-8 record. Starting pitchers Michael Pineda and Luis Severino have combined to go 5-2 with an ERA near 3.00 and 70 strikeouts in only 55.2 innings. Pineda has finally been able to consistently command and locate his fastball, while Severino’s work with Hall of Famer Pedro Martinez on a changeup this offseason is paying huge dividends.

Pineda and Severino are wonderful surprises for a team that was supposed to have trouble with starting pitching, but the biggest surprise for the Yankees by far is right fielder Aaron Judge. The biggest man in MLB batted .303/.411/.750 in April with 10 home runs and 20 RBI, putting himself right up there with teammate Gary Sanchez for hottest start to a career. Judge has become a force at the plate, and the rest of the league has not yet figured out his revamped swing. Anything near the strike zone has been sent a long, long way by the 6-foot-7 outfielder.

The Yankees have also gotten a scorching start from second baseman Starlin Castro, who hit .352/.398/.549 with five home runs and 16 RBI in April. Castro delivered a big two-run home run to tie the game for the Yankees last Friday in a crazy comeback win over the Orioles. He has always had five-tool talent, but was hampered by his own laziness and mental shortcomings. There will be a bit of a regression for Castro and Judge, but this Yankee lineup is firing on all cylinders and playing with an incredible energy.

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