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
4 of 30
Next
Apr 15, 2017; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Red Sox first baseman Mitch Moreland watches his double against the Tampa Bay Rays during the fourth inning at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: Winslow Townson-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 15, 2017; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Red Sox first baseman Mitch Moreland watches his double against the Tampa Bay Rays during the fourth inning at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: Winslow Townson-USA TODAY Sports /

Boston Red Sox: Mitch Moreland

Mitch Moreland — christened Mitchy Twobags by Red Sox fans — has made it much easier to forget that David Ortiz is off enjoying retirement instead of terrorizing the American League. Moreland leads all of Major League Baseball with 12 doubles, and is hitting .273/.360/.477 with 11 RBI.

Moreland’s presence in the lineup and his ability to be more than the platoon bat the Red Sox envisioned when they signed him has allowed Hanley Ramirez to permanently slide into the DH slot. This has allowed the Red Sox to have Moreland’s excellent defense in the lineup every day, while allowing Ramirez to focus solely on hitting and staying healthy.

Moreland won the 2016 Gold Glove for Texas, and his defense has been as good as advertised. It has been his bat that has been a very nice surprise. Moreland eventually fell out of favor with the Rangers because of his inconsistent approach at the plate and limited on-base skills. Over the past four years, he batted .247/.308/.437. Moreland still exhibits fairly wide platoon splits, but has shown more power against southpaws so far this year.

That Chris Sale has been great is not a surprise for the Red Sox, but his level of dominance is a surprise. Sale has a 1.19 ERA through five starts and has 52 strikeouts and only six walks in 37.2 innings. He has struck out over 10 in four straight starts, but is only 1-2 on the year because the Red Sox have not been able to support him. Sale got out of Chicago, but apparently some things never change.

Home/MLB