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 /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
23 of 30
Next
Apr 18, 2017; San Diego, CA, USA; San Diego Padres center fielder Manuel Margot (7) follows through during the sixth inning against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Petco Park. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 18, 2017; San Diego, CA, USA; San Diego Padres center fielder Manuel Margot (7) follows through during the sixth inning against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Petco Park. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports /

San Diego Padres: Manuel Margot

By this point of the season, it has become painfully obvious that the Padres are one of the worst teams in the league. They have a run differential of -31 and do not have a starting pitcher with an ERA below 4.00. Their Opening Day starter currently has a 5.82 ERA, and their offense ranks 14th in the NL with an OPS of .686.

Wil Myers has continued hitting at an All-Star level, and may finally put together a whole season of elite production. He was one of the best hitters in the league in the first half last year, but slumped in the second half. Rookie Manuel Margot has given the Padres a surprising amount of offense through the month of April.

Margot has had his growing pains, and his .261/.293/.405 line in April ended down precipitously from its highest points of the first two weeks of the season. Margot’s approach will come around at the plate, and he is still only 22 for most of this season. He has time to tighten his strike zone and take a more disciplined approach to hitting. Margot has wowed in the outfield — that part of his game is already among the best in the game. The potential is still there for this young center fielder to develop into an All-Star caliber leadoff man.

Home/MLB