The most surprising players of the 2017 MLB season

While the talent and reputation of the Arizona ace were never in doubt, how he would rally from an injury-plagued debut in Arizona was. There were rumblings of the club looking into trading him just a year into his $206.5 million deal, but Greinke put those doubts to rest by rounding back into form, making his fourth All-Star appearance en route to 17-7 record, while posting his highest strikeout total (215) in nine years.

Although he reached Atlanta as a part of an unceremonious trade with the Cardinals in May, Adams wasted no time in making his presence known in his new home. In 100 games as a Brave, Adams launched a career-best 19 homers after hitting only one in 31 games in St. Louis before the trade. So impressive was his bat that manager Brian Snitker briefly moved Freddie Freeman to third base to accommodate his new slugger.

The former No. 1 overall pick was in the midst of breakout campaign in Tampa but still became a victim of the numbers game, ultimately seeing himself dealt to Baltimore at the trade deadline. The 27-year-old middle infielder responded to the move in the right way, posting an OPS over 1.000 in August and finishing the season with a .306 average after his trade. The O’s could be in line to have a potent middle infield combo in Beckham and Jonathan Schoop next season.

Coming into the year, Tyler Thornburg was believed to be the guy who would provide the bridge to Craig Kimbrel in the Boston bullpen. After the newly acquired setup man was lost for the year to Tommy John surgery, it was Kelly who stepped up big time, lowering his ERA over two runs to 2.79 and holding opponents to a .202 average against.

Although he checked in among the top prospects in the Chicago system coming into the year, the rate at which Happ adjusted to the big leagues was a much-welcomed occurrence for Joe Maddon. Able to be deployed both in center field and at second base, the switch-hitting rookie connected for 24 home runs on the year and drove in 68.

Garcia was one of the breakout players of the year in all of baseball. The 26-year-old raised his average almost 100 points to .330, finishing second in the AL batting race. The strong-armed outfielder also had more outfield assists (13) than any other AL right fielder. He is a much-needed contributor to help form the core of the rebuilding White Sox lineup.

Although he had long been a solid all-around contributor for the Reds, the club’s longtime shortstop had a career year in his seventh season. A strong start to the year saw him be named not only an All-Star for the first time, but a starter as well. All in all, Cozart had career-best totals in home runs (24), average (.297) and RBI (63). And he even earned a donkey in the process for his troubles.

It is understandable to get lost in the shuffle amid the depth of talents in Cleveland, but Clevinger may be a revelation within the starting pitching staff. After an up-and-down rookie season, Clevinger put in a better than realized sophomore campaign. His 12 wins, 3.11 ERA and 10.1 strikeouts per nine innings were all strong indicators of what could be a future All-Star talent.

Holland’s arrival in Colorado was based more around optimism than guarantees, as the former All-Star closer was looking to rally after missing a year to Tommy John surgery. In the end, he did that and much more, as Holland’s arrival with the Rockies saw him lead the National League in saves with 41 and play a pivotal role in capturing a National League Wild Card spot.

Although he ended the season with the Cubs, Wilson’s rise was one of the few bright spots in an otherwise dismal year in Detroit. The lefty averaged over 12 Ks per nine innings as a Tiger, along with a 2.68 ERA en route to becoming closer in the wake of Francisco Rodriguez’s flameout. Wilson saved 13 games and finished 26 games on the year.

While many panicked when Carlos Correa went down with a torn ligament in his thumb in July, the Astros knew they were covered due to the jack of all trades that is Gonzalez. The 28-year-old hit .303 with 23 home runs, 34 doubles and drove in 90 runs, while suiting up at six different positions around the horn. While he’s no Correa, Gonzalez did become baseball’s ultimate everyman this year.

The veteran southpaw emerged from the pack in the K.C. rotation to win an AL-best 18 games and reach the All-Star Game for the first time in his career. It came as a major rallying effort after making only 12 starts in total over the last two years.

The Angels' bullpen was in a constant state of flux, as injuries ravished the club’s pitching staff. One arm that stayed in the mix and made a name for himself was Parker, who struck out 86 over 67.1 innings on the year and posted a career-low 2.54 ERA. After a largely nondescript career, Parker turned in eight saves and 15 holds as an anchoring presence in the bullpen.

With all due respect to breakout of Cody Bellinger, anybody who saw the massive shots he hit throughout spring training got a hunch of what he could bring to the table. The same cannot be said for Taylor, who emerged from the ranks of little-known utility man to becoming the engine atop the Dodgers' lineup. The four-year vet had a breakout year at the plate, hitting .288 and connecting for 21 home runs and 34 doubles, while stealing 17 bases. He did so while playing outfield for the first time in his career as well, playing 49 and 48 games in center and left field, respectively.

It’s not that Urena lacked the talent before, but the strides forward the 26-year-old took this year were shocking. After posting a 6.13 ERA while swinging between the rotation and bullpen a year ago, Urena dropped his ERA to 3.82 while working 169.2 innings in 2017. For a team as in need of upgrades on the mound as the Marlins, Urena's development is a turn of good fortune.

After playing in only 77 games a year ago, Santana made the most of his first chance of being a regular part of the Milwaukee lineup, raking 30 home runs and adding 15 stolen bases. Santana ultimately finished first or second on the Brewers in all Triple Crown categories, as well as doubles and total bases. 

Guess who’s back? After years of being written off as past his prime, Mauer reminded everyone of why he is one of the great hitters of his generation again this summer. The three-time batting champ topped .300 for the first time in four years, propelled by hitting .339 over the final two months of the season. Mauer also posted a five-year high in RBI (71).

Conforto pulled himself from the depths of the overly crowded Mets’ outfield scene in part by producing a .284/.403/.542 split line in the first half. Conforto made his first All-Star Game, hitting 27 home runs on the year. Unfortunately, his season was cut short by a gruesome shoulder injury, which could cause his 2018 debut to be delayed.

The breakout sensation of the season was the hulking Yankees right fielder, who club home runs in a prodigious fashion that has not been seen in years. Judge’s full-season debut stands as one of the great rookie campaigns of all time, as he is one of four players ever to top 40 homers, 100 RBI, 100 runs scored and 100 walks as a rookie. His 52 home runs led the American League and rewrote the rookie record books. The emergence of Judge accelerated the New York rebuilding process and landed him at the heart of the AL MVP race.

After never hitting more than nine home runs in a season, Alonso suddenly discovered his power stroke this year, hitting 22 home runs during his time in Oakland and making his first All-Star appearance. Although he was ultimately dealt away to the Mariners, his emergence was one of the more remarkable events in a largely forgettable year for the A’s.

After hitting 25 home runs in each of the last three years in the Phillies' system, Hoskins didn’t relent once reaching the majors. His penchant for going deep saw him hit 10 home runs in his first 17 MLB games, a record start to a career. Ultimately, he hit 18 homers just over a month and a half — and 47 overall between Triple-A Lehigh Valley and Philadelphia.

Part of the return received in exchange for Mark Melancon from the Nationals, Rivero proved to be a versatile relief ace in his own right. He converted 21 saves and 14 holds, while owning a miniscule 1.67 ERA over 75.1 innings. Opponents managed only a .171 average against the southpaw on the year.

The workhorse lefty was called on often on the year, following up an NL-best 82 games in 2016 with another 72 this year. Hand remained brilliant, owning a 2.16 ERA and striking out 104 in 79.1 innings. In the process, he successfully made the transition to working the ninth inning along the way, converting 21 saves and making his first All-Star Game.

It was quite the year for Dyson, who was traded to the Giants following an unceremonious demotion from closer duties with the Rangers after posting a 10.80 ERA and blowing four saves. It was a start that could have been a spirit-crushing event, but Dyson rallied once he reached the Bay, converting 14 of 17 save opportunities as he took over for the injury-plagued Mark Melancon late in the year.

Just a year and a half into a five-year deal with the Cardinals, Leake was surprisingly traded to the Mariners in late August after a rough month that saw him post an 8.88 ERA in St. Louis. Once Leake touched down in the Northwest, he pitched like a man renewed, going 3-1 with a 2.53 ERA over five starts. He became a vital steadying component for a Seattle rotation that used more starters than any other team in baseball.

Pham took being the odd man out on the Cardinals' opening day roster personally, and it showed in his performance throughout the rest of the year. The 29-year-old forced his way into the everyday lineup by being a potent blend of power and speed, hitting .306 with 23 home runs and 25 stolen bases. Pham finished in the NL top 10 in position player WAR (4^th), stolen bases (4^th), runs scored (10^th) and on-base percentage (.411).

Morrison stopped flirting with being a potent power hitter and fully committed to the craft, connecting on 38 homers for the Rays. The 30-year-old also set personal highs in RBI (85) and on-base percentage (.353). Ultimately, he finished in the AL top five in homers and walks, sealing his rise to the elite level of AL sluggers.

It seems as if Andrus has been manning the fort for the Rangers forever, as the 29-year-old just completed his ninth year as an everyday shortstop. As a result, it seemed unlikely he still had new tricks to pull from his bag, but Andrus did just that by hitting 20 home runs for the first time in his career. His spring forward at the plate also saw the veteran post career bests in doubles (44), slugging percentage (.471), runs scored (100) and hits (191). 

The former top prospect finally had a long-awaited breakthrough season in the wake of Edwin Encarnacion’s departure during the offseason. Smoak swatted 38 home runs and drove in 90 runs, making his All-Star Game debut as a starter for the American League in the process. His breakout at the dish saw him hit one less homer this season than in 2014-2016 combined.

Zimmerman’s star had seemingly peaked long ago before re-announcing his presence with his best year to date in his 13^th season. The Nationals first baseman hit a career-high 36 home runs and drove in his most runs in nine years. In the process, Zimmerman claimed the Nationals/Expos all-time RBI record when he drove in his 906^th run in August.