The biggest surprises during the 2023 MLB season so far

Every MLB season brings big surprises, and the 2023 season has been no different. These 25 players are some of the biggest and most pleasant surprises of the season.

Candelario had a nightmarish 2022 season in Detroit, causing him to be non-tendered by the lowly Tigers. He found a great opportunity in Washington and has found his old stroke, and was shipped to the Cubs at the trade deadline. His .851 OPS is among the elite third basemen in the league.

A relative unknown coming into this season, the 29-year-old Cano adjusted his arm angle and has been almost unhittable ever since. Through 52 appearances this season, Cano has a 1.78 ERA and 5.10 K/BB ratio in 55.2 innings. He's stepped up as an elite setup man, and the Orioles have prospered.

Diaz has long hit the ball hard, but that hasn't been reflected in his power numbers with an extreme groundball rate. That's changed over the first half of 2023, with Diaz producing an MVP-level .323/.402/.513 as the Rays' leadoff man. 

Elder failed to win the fifth starter job out of Spring Training, but he wasn't deterred. He was terrific as a rookie last season and has been nearly as good this year. Despite recent struggles, Elder has a 3.64 ERA and eight wins in 23 starts.

There were some doubters after the Angels signed Estevez away from Colorado to be part of their closer picture. He's shined in the role, with 24 saves and a 3.50 ERA in 47 appearances.

Despite a breakout season as a regular last season, there were doubters about Estrada's ability to repeat. He was arguably San Francisco's most valuable player before a hand injury, and still has hit .266-9-34 with a .736 OPS in 77 games.

The oft-injured Gray has found relative health in his second season in Texas, and success has followed. He's stabilized the rotation with a 3.65 ERA in 21 starts.

Gray had settled in as a middle-of-the-rotation starter prior to this season, but he's looked like an ace in 2023 for the Twins. The veteran right-hander has slowed after a fast start, but still has a 3.18 ERA in 23 starts with only five home runs allowed.

A former top prospect, Gray had a nightmarish first full season in the majors in 2022. He led the NL in both home runs and walks allowed, finishing with a 5.02 ERA in 28 starts. Gray has turned the corner this year, keeping the ball down and producing a 3.69 ERA in 23 starts.

Despite the lack of many big names, the Orioles have produced one of the most potent offenses in baseball. Hays' breakout in the first half is a big reason, and he's hit .281-10-44 with a .760 OPS in 103 games.

Heim showed power before this season, but he was only a .214 career hitter through his first three seasons. That's changed in a big way so far, hitting ..280-14-70 in 90 games while showing elite defense. Heim recently returned from a wrist injury.

Keller took a big step forward for the Pirates last season, but he's been Pittsburgh's ace this season. Despite recent struggles, Keller is 9-8 with a 4.39 ERA and more than one strikeout per inning through 24 starts.

Tampa Bay's lineup has been one of the deepest in baseball, with breakout stars like Lowe producing. Although he slumped in early June, Lowe is hitting .273-14-58 with 24 steals through 96 games played.

The Braves gave up a haul for Murphy in the offseason, but Murphy has been worth it so far. The former Oakland A is hitting ..277/.380/.534 through 84 games as a middle-of-the-order producer for one of the league's top offenses, and he continues to play excellent defense.

A Rule 5 pick for the Dodgers, Noda was a top candidate to win AL Rookie of the Year early in the year. The 27-year-old has missed time due to a fractured jaw, but had an impressive .380 on-base percentage and .914 OPS.

Perdomo was thrust into Arizona's lineup last season out of necessity after Nick Ahmed got injured. This year he's improved significantly, hitting .266/.368/.392 with regular playing time.

Puk couldn't stay healthy in Oakland, which likely caused the team to trade the former top prospect to Miami in February. He was a shutdown closer for the team early in the season. Now settled in as a setup man, Puk ahs a 4.62 ERA but dominant 6.25 K/BB ratio in 37 innings.

A minor league veteran, Raley never got a real opportunity until the Rays gave him one this season. He's run with the chance at age 28, hitting ..259-16-42 with an .863 OPS through 92 games.

Rooker struggled in the majors until Oakland gave him a chance early this season. The former top prospect is rounding into form at age 28, hitting .240-19-49 in 96 games for Oakland.

Where would the Rangers bullpen be without Smith? Signed early in Spring Training, the left-hander eventually replaced Jose Leclerc as the primary closer in Texas and has been excellent with a 3.14 ERA and 22 saves over 43 innings.

Soler was one of last year's biggest disappointments, fresh off signing a two-year, $27 million contract with the Marlins. He turned the page on a lost season to be one of the top power hitters in baseball, with 28 home runs in 112 games.

Suwinski didn't begin the year as a regular for Pittsburgh, but he's made up for lost time. The streaky outfielder has hit ..210-21-53 in 102 games as a middle-of-the-order hitter for the Pirates.

Signed just before Spring Training opened, Wacha has done more than the Padres could have hoped as a back-of-the-rotation starter. He's currently on the IL, but had a 2.84 ERA in 15 starts before getting injured.

Wade had a breakout 2021 season in San Francisco, but knee problem hindered him for much of last. He looks fully healthy now, producing a .393 OBP with 11 home runs in 101 games as San Francisco's leadoff man.

It's been a perplexing year for Wells, but the Orioles wouldn't be where they are without him. He was 7-6 with a 3.80 ERA in 113.2 innings before the team demoted him to the minors, but Wells is likely to return to the starting rotation soon.