Every year, in every sport, there are teams that surprise us. Whether it be the underdog like the Oakland Athletics of the early 2000’s or a young team finding its way like the 2013 Pittsburgh Pirates, at least one team will surprise us.
The reason baseball has a grueling 162-game schedule is so we see the best of the best, which is truly the reason we can call a team a surprise. Any team can win 20 games in a month, any team can win 10 in a row. But, a true surprise team will win 90 games and no one expected them to get to .500.
Who are this year’s surprise teams in the MLB?
5) Kansas City Royals
Royals star Eric Hosmer signing autographs for young fans. Photo via Rick Scuteri, USA Today Sports Images
Kansas City has been waiting a long time for this. Are the Royals ready to take the next step and get back to the postseason for the first time in what feels like forever? They have the talent too, but can they put it together?
The Royals are led by first baseman Eric Hosmer who hit .302 with 17 home runs and 79 runs batted in last year. He anchors a lineup full of hitters like Billy Butler, Salvador Perez, Alex Gordon and Mike Moustakas. Add in new outfielder Norichika Aoki and the Royals will be able to score some runs.
The issue for the men in blue has always been pitching. Do they have enough to get to the top of the American League? Youngsters Yordano Ventura and Danny Duffy will be joined by savvy veterans like James Shields, Jason Vargas and Bruce Chen to attempt to lead Kansas City to the top of the AL Central.
4) Cleveland Indians
Indians star Carlos Santana rounds third after a home run. Photo by Brad Rempel, USA Today Sports Images
Cleveland fans remember the glory days in the late 1990’s with Jim Thome and Manny Ramirez. This team is not that good, but the Tribe could be a surprising team this year.
Although it’s not Lofton, Thome, Belle, and Ramirez, this Indians lineup can rake. Carlos Santana anchors a lineup that features five players with serious power. Jason Kipnis, Nick Swisher, Asdrubal Cabrera and Yan Gomes are a threat to hit at least 15 home runs each. Adding in the speed of Michael Bourn and the versatility of Michael Brantley and the Indians have one of the better lineups in the American League.
Like many teams, the Indians have been longing for quality starting pitching. This year however, could be the year the rotation comes together. Justin Masterson is one of the better strikeout artists in the game, and will lead a young rotation featuring the likes of Danny Salazar and Zach McAllister. Add Corey Kluber and a deep bullpen and Cleveland could make a serious run in the AL Central. Is this the year for the Tribe?
3) Arizona Diamondbacks
Paul Goldschmidt will try to lead the Diamondbacks to a playoff berth. Photo by Lance Iversen, USA Today Sports Images
The National League West will be a tough division to win this season with the amount of money that the Dodgers are spending, but do not discount the D’Backs. Paul Goldschmidt and company are back, and hungrier than ever.
Arizona won just 81 games last season, but this year that number could increase. The D’Backs lineup is as deep as any team in the National League with a healthy Aaron Hill to go along with Goldschmidt, Trumbo, Prado and Montero. The Diamondbacks will be able to score, and score at will, but will they be able to pitch?
Arizona’s bullpen is set to be one of baseball’s best with Addison Reed, Brad Ziegler and J.J. Putz, but the starting pitching just lost last year’s ace in Patrick Corbin. Will Trevor Cahill and company be able to fill the void?
2) Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim in California of the United States of America in North America of the Northern Hemisphere of the Planet Earth in the Milky Way Gala…
Mike Trout will try to lead the Angels to the playoffs after an underwhelming season in 2013. Photo via Rick Scuteri, USA Today Sports Images
Does anyone outside of California really know where they are from? The name “California Angels” was just fine. Nevertheless, it is hard to call this team a surprise with all the talent on the roster, but remember the Angels won just 78 games in 2013.
The best lineup (on paper anyway) in the American League is stacked with hitters from one through nine in the order, with names like Trout, Pujols, Hamilton, Freese, Ibanez, Kendrick, and a young outfielder with some serious power in Kole Calhoun. There are five players who could easily hit 20 home runs, and three that could club 30.
The Angels rotation is just as talented with Jered Weaver continuing to lead a very good top of the rotation with C.J. Wilson and Garrett Richards. In addition, the Angels bullpen should be lock down with Ernesto Frieri and Joe Smith at the back end.
The Angels have all the talent in the world, but can they put it all together and stay healthy?
1) Colorado Rockies
Troy Tulowitzki greets Carlos Gonzalez. Photo via Robert Stanton, USA Today Sports Images
Every year the Rockies top someone’s list. Every year the Rockies have the most talented roster in the division, every year Troy Tulowitzki and Carlos Gonzalez are injured, every year it seems this team is under .500. Not this year.
The Rockies are poised to be among the better teams in the National League West. They will have to beat the Dodgers and Diamondbacks, but with the lineup in the mile-high city, Colorado could pull it off. One year Carlos Gonzalez and Troy Tulowitzki will stay healthy together and tear apart the National League. Is this the year? The Rockies (when healthy) have one of the best middle of the orders in the National League with Arenado, Gonzalez, Tulowitzki, Cuddyer, Morneau and Wilin Rosario. Each of the aforementioned players could hit 20 home runs and bring in over 85 runs, all this production can win the Rockies 70 games alone.
But, is the pitching going to be able to get the Rockies afloat? Brett Anderson was brought to Colorado to round out a rotation with Jorge De La Rosa, Tyler Chatwood and Juan Nicasio in what is a very underrated rotation. The Rockies bullpen is already solid with Rex Brothers and LaTroy Hawkins so if this team can stay healthy, the sky is the limit.
Something is in the air in Colorado, but it is not what you think.
Photo: Brad Barr, USA Today Sports Images
In addition to writing here at Sportsnaut, Josh covers fantasy sports, NFL Draft, and daily fantasy sports at sites across the internet. His work has been seen on Pro Football Focus, eDraft, XNSports, Project Roto, The Chicago Tribune, Philly.com and others.