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; San Francisco, CA, USA; San Francisco Giants starting pitcher Matt Cain (18) pitches the ball against the San Diego Padres during the first inning at AT&T Park. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 29, 2017; San Francisco, CA, USA; San Francisco Giants starting pitcher Matt Cain (18) pitches the ball against the San Diego Padres during the first inning at AT&T Park. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports /

San Francisco Giants: Matt Cain

If teams like the Daimondbacks and Rockies are the biggest upside surprisers downside surpriser in the league. The Giants went 9-17in April, and are now 39-59 since last year’s All-Star Game, the worst record in the league in that time period. They started this season with-priced closer Mark Melancon and ended it in the same way. Some things never change for the Giants,

Around the diamond and up and down the rotation, the Giants have disappointed so far this year. Surprisingly, Matt Cain has been very good so far. The veteran right-hander who has battled injuries for years, went 2-0 with a 2.30 ERA in 27.1 innings. It was his best start to the year for Cain since injuries first began bothering him in 2013.

Cain’s body is finally allowing him to contribute to the Giants like they envisioned when signing him to a long-term contract. He has been able to finish his pitches and bring the ball down in the strike zone, allowing him to avoid hard-hit balls despite lost velocity. Cain is getting one of the highest groundball rates of his career. While the rest of the roster continues to underachieve, Cain cannot be given any of the blame, which is a nice change.

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