It has only been 35-37 games into the season, but there have been some players who have been very surprising, and others who have been the opposite, disappointing. Through all the ups and downs this season, let’s take a look at the bright side, and see who the most impressive players are so far this season.
Biggest Surprises in the MLB
Surprisingly Really Good
Ildemaro Vargas
Ildemaro Vargas is probably the most surprising player by far so far this season. Vargas has been one of the worst hitters in the MLB since he debuted in 2017, averaging just 48 games per season in his career, not to mention he has a total of just 27 home runs and 167 RBIs with a .259 batting average in 485 game. This season though, Vargas has somehow managed to hit .374 with six homers and a 22 RBIs. Those numbers will probably deep drastically, but there is no question about it, Vargas has been amazingly surprising.
Ben Rice
Ben Rice has been a good hitter in his career, but he hasn’t been this good of a hitter in his career. After an interesting 2024 season, Rice would hit an impressive total of 26 homers in 138 games last season, and he also sported a nice 2.2 WAR. This season? A 1.8 WAR already, including a .343 BA (2nd), 12 home runs (4th), 27 RBIs (10th), and an amazing 1.214 OPS (1st). Essentially, the New York Yankees have gotten a hitter much like Aaron Judge, which is quite a nice surprise.
Munetaka Murakami
Munetaka Murakami came into the MLB as a potential power hitter. However, he is a different kind of player then most thought he would be. Murakami has been among the leaders in the MLB in strikeouts, not to mention he has an unreliable .244 average. Meaning that once his power dies down then he will as well. Even then however, Murakami has a tie for the league-lead in homers with 14. He is on pace for 63, which of course, is also very surprising. Such power has lead the Chicago White Sox to a surprisingly fine 17-20 record. And of course, such power could lead to the Sox getting a good load of prospects if they wanted to trade him.
Jordan Walker
Finally, on the hitters side of things, Jordan Walker has been really good. Many probably thought the former mega-prospect was a bust. However, he has just done good things, as he has 10 home runs, an impressive .308 BA, 27 RBIs, and a .961 OPS. To say the least, Walker has been an impressive bat in the St. Louis Cardinals lineup. The rebuilding Cards are 21-15, which is of course pretty stunning for a team not many expected to be good at all.
Clay Holmes
The New York Mets haven’t had much to smile about. However, not many players have been as good and surprising as Clay Holmes. Holmes has been an inning eating machine, as on average, the former Yankees closer is pitching in six innings. Holmes has a 1.69 ERA, with a 4-2 record, 31 K, and a nice 0.98 WHIP. The Mets have been blessed to have three aces, with somehow, Holmes being the best of the three.
Justin Wrobleski
The Dodgers meanwhile have been given a strange gift in Justin Wrobleski, who has a 1.25 ERA and a 5-0 record, while somehow managing just 15 K. Such numbers are not sustainable, as Wrobleski is on pace for only 68 K, which is pretty awful, and means that eventually he will be hit hard. However, even then, a 5-0 record with the second best ERA is the definition of a nice surprise.
Bryce Elder
Bryce Elder was a horrible pitcher between 2024 and 2025, having an ugly 6.52 ERA in 2024 and a 5.30 ERA in 2025. Elder was not a very good pitcher at all when they needed to rely on him, but now, somehow Elder has a 2.02 ERA with 45 K. Such numbers are very impressive and show why the Atlanta Braves are 26-11.
Jose Soriano
Jose Soriano has 54 K and a 1.74 ERA. Somehow, some way, he has gone from being a potential star to an absolute ace, and the Los Angles Angels, now the worst team in the MLB, are very glad to have him.
Davis Martin
Finally, there is Davis Martin, who has a 1.64 ERA with a good 5-1 record. Martin has been an ace for the White Sox, who have been pretty competitive as they look to continue to rebuild. Martin also has a really good 2.3 WAR, showcasing his value for the White Sox.
Main Image: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images
