Some pleasant surprises, some disappointments

[Zagi-CRO]

After half-season some players are very pleasant surprises while some of them are dissapoitments.
Who is the first player on your mind mentioned as surprise or dissapoitment?

My votes for 'pleasant surprises':
Nelson Cruz Rangers
Justin Upton D'backs
Marco Scutaro Blue Jays
Adam Lind Blue Jays
Adam Jones Orioles
Aron Hill Blue Jays
Ben Zobrist Rays
Shin-Soo Choo Indians
Russel Branyan Mariners
Jon.Broxton Dodgers
Chad Billingsley Dodgers
Zack Greinke Royals
Heath Bell Padres
Josh Johnson Marlins
Matt Palmer Angels


My votes for 'dissapoitments':
David Ortiz RedSox
Mike Aviles Royals
Vladimir Guerrero Angels
Khalil Greene Cards
Pat Burrell Rays
Carlos Delgado Mets
Geovanny Soto Cubs
Milton Bradley Cubs
Carlos Quentin WSox
Josh Hamilton Rangers
Jose Reyes Mets
Jose Guillen Royals
Brandon Webb D.backs
Jeremy Bonderman Tigers
C.M. Wang Yankees
Jose Valverde Astros
Dont.Willis Tigers
J.J.Putz Mets
Fausto Carmona Indians
Arm. Gallarraga Tigers
Franc. Liriano Twins
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Please state your opinion!

[brewcrew82]

I'm not one to make homer posts, but to add a couple of Brewers to the list of disappointments may I add JJ Hardy and Manny Parra. Whilst neither are superstars, many in Milwaukee expected alot more from them than they have delivered. On the other side of the coin, Mark DiFelice has been a pleasant surprise.

Also, no mention of David Ortiz being a disappointment this year?

[Domenic]

I think Russell Branyan has to be the biggest surprise thus far this season. He's hitting .313/.415/.611 with 15 HR in 198 at-bats, doing most of his work in the pitcher's haven known as Safeco Field. I previously may have said Scutaro, but his numbers have been coming back to earth of late.

I agree with brewcrew82 in regards to David Ortiz. Everyone in that line-up seems to be hitting, except for Ortiz - he had to offseason to recover from his injury, has been getting a ton of rest, and claims to be healthy. The Red Sox would be running away with the AL right now if he was swinging even a medicore stick.

[Lafferty Daniel]

I think Adam Jones is the biggest surprise. Knew he'd be very good in a couple of years, but didn't think he'd be this polished now.

Also very surprised how well Ben Zobrist is doing.

[DodgerBlue8188]

Billingsly shouldn't even be on that list. If you followed the Dodgers last year you knew what he was capable of.

[wu-tang clan]

Yeah, Liriano has been a huge disappintment this year. He usually only goes 6 innings per start and his ERA is around 6 I believe. Sadly, I don't think he'll ever return to form. He can't throw his best pitch, his slider, the reason why he needed Tommy John surgery, anymore like he used to and his fastball tops out about 4-5 MPH lower. His changeup has improved though and he's starting to change speeds on his fastball. Plus, he's only 25. I didn't expect Carlos Quentin to have a season like last year but he's had a pretty bad year so far. Like Liriano, he's only 25.

Justin Upton isn't really a huge surprise as he got a bunch of hype. Adam Jones is awesome though, he looks like a true 5 tool player. And what hasn't been said about my guy Zack Greinke? Having the best year of any pitcher so far.

[steveironcity]

For my Homer pick, Andy Laroche is having a suprising year so far, especially after how bad he played last year.


Stats so far this year-
.289- 2 HR 29 RBI

[Francoeurstein]

For my Homer pick, Andy Laroche is having a suprising year so far, especially after how bad he played last year.


Stats so far this year-
.289- 2 HR 29 RBI

Thats actually dissapointing considering he is a cleanup hitting 1st baseman that is expected to hit 20-30 bombs a year.

[Biggtone23]

Thats Adam, Andy is a third basemen. Picked up from the Dodgers in the Bay-Manny trade.

[Francoeurstein]

Oh how did I misread that!? Especially since he is an ex-brave... I'm ashamed :(

[STLCards2]

My votes for 'dissapoitments':

Khalil Greene Cards
Dont.Willis Tigers

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Please state your opinion!

Wait a second - you actually though Willis and Greene would be good? :think:

Can't argue with the rest of your picks, however.

[Erik Bedard]

Not sure how Dontrelle Willis can still disappoint anyone. People would have to actually expect something of him for that to happen.

I gotta say Luke Scott for my homer surprise choice. Nobody saw him having a 161 OPS+ at this point in the season. Also, Brad Bergesen deserves a shoutout too.

[Zagi-CRO]

On the other side of the coin, Mark DiFelice has been a pleasant surprise.
Also, no mention of David Ortiz being a disappointment this year?

Yes, I agree with you. Ortiz IS a disappointment.

[bob]

Yes, I agree with you. Ortiz IS a disappointment.
Yea i wasnt expecting him to have a great season, but i certainly wasnt expecting him to have stats that many pitchers would be ashamed of. Hell he's not even the best hitting Ortiz, that honour goes to HOU pitcher Russ Ortiz.

[Zagi-CRO]

Billingsly shouldn't even be on that list. If you followed the Dodgers last year you knew what he was capable of.

ok, Chad had a very good 2008 season but he even improved his form this year.

[Zagi-CRO]

These are my choice for the pleasant AL surprise /by teams:

Boston
Wakefield 10-3 4.30 the first time All-Star

LA Angels
Palmer 7-1 5.10 A great rookie season for Matt
Rivera 0.305 14HR's!

Minnesota
Slowey 10-3 the twins's ace, right now

Ch. WhiteSox
Alexea Ramirez 0.273 10Hr's

Cleveland Indians
Shin-Soo Choo 0.301 12Hr's
Asdrubal Cabrera 0.304

Kansas City
Alberto Callaspo 0.304

Detroit Tigers
Rick Porcello 8-6 4.14

Oakland Ath
Josh Outman 4-1 3.58
Andrew Bailey 8 SV IP 45.1 52 SO 2.18

Toronto Blue Jays
Ricky Romero 6-3 2.85
Scott Richmond 6-4 3.66
Adam Lind 0.310 20Hr's

Texas Rangers
Nelson Cruz 0.266 20Hr's

Seattle Mariners
Russel Branyan 0.293 20 HR's

Baltimore Orioles
Brad Bergessen 5-2 3.53
Adam Jones 0.308 12Hr's

[Tenorman]

And my "homer post" for biggest disappointment is, hands down, Vernon Wells. What happened to his bat???? :noidea

[Stumanji]

I think Russell Branyan has to be the biggest surprise thus far this season. He's hitting .313/.415/.611 with 15 HR in 198 at-bats, doing most of his work in the pitcher's haven known as Safeco Field.

Definitely. He just set his career best for homeruns in a season (21)... before the All-Star break.

When we signed him, I was *hoping* for 18-25 homeruns, that he'd pick up the slack that Raul Ibanez left behind. He's done that. :nod:

Speaking of Raul Ibanez, he should also be mentioned as a suprise: .312 avg, 22 HRs, 59 RBIs through 62 games.

His 162 game average for his career: .287 avg, 23 HRs, 96 RBIs.

[ol' aches and pains]

Ch. WhiteSox
Alexea Ramirez 0.273 10Hr's

Why is this a surpriise? He hit .290 with 21 HR last year.

[dgarza]

Disappointments
Edison Volquez - Reds
Jack Cust - As
Grady Sizemore - Indians
Dustin Pedroia - Red Sox
Alexi Casilla - Twins
Aaron Miles - Cubs
Placido Polanco - Tigers
Magglio Ordonez - Tigers

[baseball junkie]

Not sure how Dontrelle Willis can still disappoint anyone. People would have to actually expect something of him for that to happen.

Remember people were saying things like this about Zack Greinke a couple of years back when he was diagnosed with GAD/SAD. He got the treatment he needed and this year he might get an AL Cy Young.

I wouldn't count out Dontrelle Willis yet. Generalized and Social Anxiety Disorders are just as serious an injury as tearing an MCL/ACL. Public opinion just doesn't recognize it yet. This is one area where Greinke and John Smoltz could do a world of good if they'd just speak out about their experiences with the disorders. Stepping off soap box ...

[538280]

I was a big fan of his, but Daisuke Matsuzaka has been awful this year....

[Erik Bedard]

Remember people were saying things like this about Zack Greinke a couple of years back when he was diagnosed with GAD/SAD. He got the treatment he needed and this year he might get an AL Cy Young.

I wouldn't count out Dontrelle Willis yet. Generalized and Social Anxiety Disorders are just as serious an injury as tearing an MCL/ACL. Public opinion just doesn't recognize it yet. This is one area where Greinke and John Smoltz could do a world of good if they'd just speak out about their experiences with the disorders. Stepping off soap box ...
I'm not saying he can't return to form, but to expect it of him would be ridiculous.