While fantasy baseball team owners continue to look to their early round draft picks to either turn their team around or to stay hot forever, they should also be thanking those that have somewhat come out of nowhere and helped out their ball club in a big way. It’s the sleepers and the overachievers that keep fantasy baseball teams afloat. Whether it’s a great comeback story or someone’s career finally coming into fruition, the 2014 baseball season has been subject to may feel good and surprising performances.
Here’s a look at the 10 biggest fantasy baseball surprises thus far in 2014.
10. Michael Morse- San Francisco Giants- OF, 1B
After a rough 2013 in which he only managed to drive in 27 RBIs in a total of 312 at bats, Morse has bounced back in a very big way. He has improved in every offensive statistical category thus far and has already surpassed last season’s RBI total. Not too bad at all for a two position eligible late rounder.
9. Ian Kinsler- Detroit Tigers- 2B
We knew Kinsler would be an overall solid asset for any fantasy team up the middle of the diamond, but it wasn’t apparent that he would absolutely dominate the position. With a .318 batting average, Kinsler is hitting more often than he was last year and seems to be comfortable in his spot at the top of the Detroit Tigers lineup.
8. Nelson Cruz- Baltimore Orioles- OF
It was tough to tell what kind of season Cruz was going to have coming off of a 2013 year in which he was suspended for the use of PEDs. It now appears as though both the Orioles and those that took a chance on Cruz are reaping the benefits of the dark-horse pick. Cruz has been on fire since the start of the season, knocking in 49 RBIs while hitting 19 home runs and scoring 38 runs.
7. Melky Cabrera- Toronto Blue Jays- OF
After an injury riddled 2013, Cabrera has helped solidify the top of the Blue Jays batting order as one of the most potent in baseball. Cabrera has contributed to a great start by the Blue Jays with a .317 batting average, 29 RBIs, and 36 runs. If you had the courage to take Melky before the latter stages of your draft, you should continue to enjoy whatever ride the powerful outfielder takes you on.
6. Corey Kluber- Cleveland Indians- SP
Kluber has somehow found a way to be ranked 91st overall in most leagues after owning a ranking of 235 in 2013. Kluber is making a living out of striking out the opposition, as the Tribe’s hurler has fanned 136 batters already this season. If it wasn’t for Kluber, the Indians, and perhaps your fantasy team, would probably be even further behind than they already are.
5. Rajai Davis- Detroit Tigers- OF
After Andy Dirks was dubbed most likely to have to sit out for the duration of the 2014 season, the Tigers looked doomed in regards to any sort of offensive threat they have planned to come out of their left field position. However, Davis has somehow managed to get off to a great start. He’s not just stealing bases, but he’s hitting for average. This is great news for those that drafted the speedster solely for stolen bases.
4. Michael Brantley- Cleveland Indians- OF
Although Brantley had a relatively solid 2013 campaign, it was tough to imagine that he would be able to test those numbers the following season. Brantley has all of a sudden become the Indians’ best and most reliable hitter, owning a batting average of .310. He is also contributing on the base paths as he has stolen 8 bags thus far.
3. Jose Abreu- Chicago White Sox- 1B
Before his current stint on the DL started, Abreu was easily the hottest hitter in baseball. From parking 15 home runs over the outfield wall at US Cellular Field and beyond, to driving in 42 RBI’s while he was at it, Abreu proved to be a fantastic pick by fantasy owners. Expect the same to continue when the slugger finally returns to action with the White Sox.
2. Charlie Blackmon- Colorado Rockies- OF
Who? Exactly. Blackmon has come out of nowhere and continues to be a feel good story in the eyes of any fantasy owner who managed to pick him up after the first two weeks of the regular season. Never mind Troy Tulowitzki and Carlos Gonzalez. With a .314 batting average and 35 runs scored, Blackmon is the one flying high in the Rockies.
1. Mark Buehrle- Toronto Blue Jays- SP
How often do we get to see starting pitchers enjoy the best starts to their season while at the ripe old age of 35? Not too often, that is until Buehrle decided to dominate in 2014. If it wasn’t for Buehrle, the Jays probably wouldn’t be currently sitting atop the AL East and your fantasy team would be very low in the win column. Buehrle has been a breath of fresh air for fantasy owners that thought they were doomed due to their poor draft picks in the starting pitching position. With nine wins, a 2.33 ERA and 43 strikeouts, Buehrle has been the biggest surprise for fantasy baseball team owners this season.