The calendar might present that it is early in Might, however most MLB groups have performed 35-36 video games and roughly one-fifth of the common season is full. There’s numerous baseball left to play this season, however there have been loads of surprises across the league.
Diamondbacks nomadic-infielder Ildemaro Vargas is main the majors with a .382 batting common. Japanese import and White Sox first baseman Munetaka Murakami is tied for the MLB lead in house runs. Six beginning pitchers (Justin Wrobleski, Cam Schlittler, Davis Martin, Clay Holmes, Nick Martinez, and Jose Soriano) all have ERAs below 2.00.
If the postseason started at the moment, the Athletics would win the AL West, and the White Sox could be an AL Wild Card. The 2 golf equipment mixed to go 136-188 (a .419 profitable proportion) in 2025.
This week, Yardbarker’s workforce of MLB writers acquired collectively to determine a number of the surprising vivid spots we have seen throughout the league.
(Crew information and statistics are getting into play on Tuesday except in any other case famous.)
NL East
Atlanta Braves pitcher Bryce Elder (55)
Dale Zanine-Imagn Photos
Atlanta Braves (25-11) | RHP Bryce Elder | Elder struggled with leads to each 2024 (6.52 ERA in 10 begins) and 2025 (5.30 ERA in 28 begins). 2026 has confirmed to be the other so far, as Elder maintains a 1.88 ERA and 1.05 WHIP by his first seven begins (43.0 IP). His capacity to get forward of hitters — a 60.5% first pitch strike proportion — has been essential.
Washington Nationals (16-19) | OF Daylen Lile | Lile established himself as somebody to look at on the Nationals’ roster final season, batting .299 with an .845 OPS and 9 homers in 91 video games. The offensive numbers might have cooled off some this season (.246 with a .681 OPS), however he is supplied Gold Glove-caliber protection in left subject (5 defensive runs saved) and leads the NL in putouts (62).
Miami Marlins (16-19) | IF Xavier Edwards | Edwards confirmed indicators of being a star participant final season after getting an opportunity to play each day, batting .283 with a .695 OPS in 139 video games. This season, Edwards is proving that final season wasn’t a fluke, as he is fifth in hitting in MLB (.333) and walked extra (19) than he is struck out (15), which is placing himself in line to be the Nationwide League’s beginning second baseman on the All-Star recreation.
Philadelphia Phillies (15-20) | IF Edmundo Sosa | General, the Phillies haven’t discovered numerous offensive manufacturing from a lineup with the third-worst batting common (.225) and fourth-worst OPS (.667) within the majors. Sosa could be the lone vivid spot within the lineup outdoors of Bryce Harper and Kyle Schwarber. Sosa is hitting .277 with a .710 OPS and would possibly see himself with extra taking part in time ought to Bryson Stott and Alec Bohm proceed to wrestle.
New York Mets (13-22) | OF MJ Melendez | Signed as a free agent after 4 failed seasons with the Kansas City Royals (.215/.685), Melendez has benefited from a change of surroundings. In 15 video games with the Mets, Melendez is batting .297 with a .907 OPS and has been a terrific substitute for the struggling Carson Benge (.192/.579).
— Zachary Cariola
NL Central
Chicago Cubs left fielder Michael Conforto (20)
Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Photos
Chicago Cubs (23-12) | OF Michael Conforto | Though he’s in a restricted position, primarily used as a bench bat, Conforto has been a sneaky bat when known as upon, slashing .323/.436/.548 in 31 at-bats. 5 of his 10 hits have gone for additional bases, along with his most up-to-date being a pinch-hit walk-off home run towards division rival Cincinnati Reds on Monday.
St. Louis Cardinals (21-14) | RHP Gordon Graceffo | Graceffo has been one of the crucial dependable arms out of the Cardinals’ bullpen, already making the second-most appearances on the workforce with 15. By way of 18 2/3 innings, he’s posted a 1.93 ERA with a 2-0 document, two holds, and a save.
Cincinnati Reds (20-15) | DH/1B Nathaniel Lowe | Lowe has been a key run producer for the Reds, slashing .262/.342/.569, with 5 house runs and 15 RBI in 24 video games. Though he’s primarily been used as a chosen hitter, Lowe can fill in at first when wanted, logging 18 innings this season with no errors.
Pittsburgh Pirates (19-16) | RHP Yohan Ramirez | A lot of the Pirates’ offseason centered on including to the lineup. These efforts have borne outcomes, but it surely’s the Pirates’ bullpen that has been the actual shock to date. Ramirez leads the group with 21.2 IP, posting a 2.08 ERA with 24 SO.
Milwaukee Brewers (18-16) | OF Brandon Lockridge | With Jackson Chourio lacking the primary 33 video games of the season due to a hand harm, Lockridge stepped into a much bigger alternative, showing in 26 of these video games within the outfield. Lockridge batted .280 with 10 RBI. He has additionally been good on the basepaths, stealing 5 bases with out getting caught as soon as.
— Taylor Bretl
NL West
Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Justin Wrobleski (70)
Jonathan Hui-Imagn Photos
Los Angeles Dodgers (22-13) | LHP Justin Wrobleski | Few would have predicted that Wrobleski could be main the Dodgers in wins on Might 5. But the 25-year-old left-hander is 5-0 with a 1.25 ERA in 5 begins and one aid look. These are spectacular numbers for a pitcher who simply reached one full yr of major-league service time.
San Diego Padres (20-14) | C Luis Campusano | Campusano was as soon as thought of a prime prospect within the sport, with Baseball America rating him No. 36 earlier than the 2021 season. Nevertheless, the 27-year-old has by no means totally gained traction within the main leagues. This yr might mark a change, as he’s hitting .300/.352/.600 with three house runs in 17 video games.
Arizona Diamondbacks (16-17) | IF Ildemaro Vargas | Vargas has spent 10 seasons within the main leagues however has simply 1,421 plate appearances. Now, he’s incomes common at-bats as he leads the majors in hitting, sporting a .382/.406/.657 slash line with an already profession excessive six house runs in 26 video games. He drew loads of consideration with a 27-game hitting streak that ended final Saturday.
San Francisco Giants (14-21) | DH/IF Casey Schmitt | Schmitt has been one of many Giants’ few productive hitters. The 27-year-old is hitting .308/.359/.542 with a team-high 5 house runs in 29 video games. He leads the Giants with 16 RBIs as the first designated hitter and provides versatility by taking part in all 4 infield spots.
Colorado Rockies (14-22) | RHP Tomoyuki Sugano | After a disappointing first major-league season in 2025 with the Orioles, Sugano has been the Rockies’ finest starter. The 36-year-old is 3-2 with a 3.41 ERA in seven begins after going 10-10 with a 4.64 ERA the yr earlier than. Sugano beforehand performed for 12 seasons in Japan’s Nippon Skilled Baseball.
— John Perrotto
AL East
New York Yankees shortstop Jose Caballero (72)
Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Photos
New York Yankees (24-11) | SS Jose Caballero | The Yankees’ plan at shortstop getting into the season was for Caballero to “maintain down” the place till Anthony Volpe returned from offseason shoulder surgical procedure. As an alternative, Caballero has produced a better-than-expected .261/.313/.412 line with an AL-leading 13 stolen bases. The 29-year-old has performed so properly that New York optioned Volpe to Triple-A upon the completion of his minor league rehab project to maintain Caballero’s bat within the lineup persistently.
Tampa Bay Rays (22-12) | RHP Bryan Baker | Tampa Bay entered the season with questions behind their bullpen. The workforce allowed Pete Fairbanks to go away in free company, and other than Griffin Jax, there did not look like a logical candidate to step into the nearer position. Baker posted a league-average 4.06 ERA (101 ERA+) in 68.2 IP in 2025 with the Orioles and Rays, however the 31-year-old has stepped his recreation up this season. In 15 appearances totaling 13.2 IP, Baker has a 2.63 ERA (164 ERA+) and 9 saves.
Toronto Blue Jays (16-19) | RHP Louis Varland | The Jays have spent a lot of the early a part of the season taking part in shorthanded. Cody Ponce and Max Scherzer, two offseason signings to bolster the rotation, have mixed to throw simply 21.0 IP, and the previous will miss the remainder of the yr with a sprained ACL. Backstop and workforce chief Alejandro Kirk performed in simply 5 video games earlier than fracturing his thumb. When Jeff Hoffman imploded within the nearer position, the Jays wanted to shift, and Varland has been among the many finest relievers within the AL, permitting only a single earned run in 17.0 IP (0.53 ERA) with 28 SO and 4 saves.
Baltimore Orioles (15-20) | LF Taylor Ward | Wanting so as to add to the offense, the Orioles made a daring transfer early within the offseason by buying and selling RHP Grayson Rodriguez to the Angels for Ward. The O’s knew that Ward might present some energy to the lineup after he hit a career-high 31 2B, 36 HR, and 103 RBI in 2025. These numbers got here with a .228/.317/.475 line, which Ward has solely improved upon in Baltimore, as he is hitting .288/.423/.416 with an AL-leading 13 doubles to date this season.
Boston Red Sox (14-21) | 1B Willson Contreras | Boston’s efforts to regulate the lineup through the offseason centered primarily on run prevention, moderately than offensive output. Getting into the season, not a single participant on the membership was projected to hit 20 HR. The absence of energy was a priority, however Contreras has finished what he might to assist fill the void. The veteran first baseman has tailored to a brand new clubhouse easily and is hitting .270/.381/.475 with a team-leading 7 HR and 21 RBI.
— Aaron Somers
AL Central
Detroit Tigers beginning pitcher Keider Montero (54)
Lon Horwedel-Imagn Photos
Cleveland Guardians (18-18) | LHP Tim Herrin | Herrin has begun to develop a sample the place he struggles in odd-numbered years and is a formidable a part of the bullpen in even-numbered years. That has been the case so far as he has but to permit an earned run in 13 appearances spanning 10.1 innings. His capacity to generate weak contact and floor balls has made him an vital a part of the center of the Guardians bullpen.
Detroit Tigers (18-18) | RHP Keider Montero | Montero didn’t make the Tigers’ Opening Day rotation however has emerged as a key a part of their beginning 5. He has posted a 3.48 ERA and a 1.010 WHiP in his 33.2 innings, hanging out 25 batters with seven walks, as he has already established a season-high in each bWAR and fWAR.
Chicago White Sox (17-18) | 1B Munetaka Murakami | There was no questioning Murakami’s energy potential when he signed his two-year, $34 million contract with the White Sox. Nevertheless, his elevated strikeout charges in Japan raised questions as as to if or not he would make sufficient contact for his uncooked energy to matter. Murakami entered Tuesday tied with a serious league-leading 14 homers as he has been a cut price within the early going.
Kansas City Royals (16-19) | OF Kyle Isbel | Isbel was going to have a beginning position on the Royals on account of his protection, however little was anticipated offensively. As an alternative, Isbel has the best OPS+ (122) of any Royals participant with at the least 15 plate appearances. He has been a surprisingly strong a part of the lineup for a workforce that has been starved for offense.
Minnesota Twins (15-20) | RHP Taj Bradley | A consensus top-100 prospect forward of the 2023 season, Bradley was unable to reside as much as expectations with the Rays. He’s benefiting from his recent begin in Minnesota, posting a 2.85 ERA and a 1.220 WHiP over his 41 innings, hanging out 44 batters with 15 walks. Bradley’s 1.4 bWAR leads the Twins as he has begun to ascertain himself as a constructing block in Minnesota.
— David Hill
AL West
Los Angeles Angels pitcher Jose Soriano (59)
Patrick Gorski-Imagn Photos
Athletics (18-16) | The bullpen | A stunning chief atop the division, the Athletics have gotten extra substantial manufacturing from the bullpen than a season in the past. Per Baseball Reference, in 2025, Athletics relievers ranked No. 23 in wins above common; they’re tied for No. 2 by 34 video games this yr. Hogan Harris and Joel Kuhnel have been efficient in set-up and nearer roles, whereas the hard-throwing Luis Medina and right-hander Jack Perkins, arguably the workforce’s finest reliever, give the Athletics depth for the center innings. Per Baseball Savant, Medina’s fastball averages 97.1 mph. On the identical time, Perkins has one of many league’s highest strikeout charges (30.9 %) and lowest stroll charges (5.5 %), fanning 17 hitters whereas strolling three in 55 batters confronted throughout 13.1 innings.
Seattle Mariners (18-18) | The state of the AL West | A well-liked choose to win the AL pennant earlier than the season, the Mariners are off to a mediocre begin, together with being swept in a current house weekend collection by the Kansas Metropolis Royals to fall three video games under .500. Whereas Seattle has sleepwalked by the primary a part of the season, so, too, has the remainder of the AL West, arguably the worst division in baseball. The Athletics are the one workforce within the division with a profitable document, and the Mariners are the lone squad with a constructive run differential (plus-3), leaving the West up for grabs heading into the center portion of the season.
Texas Rangers (16-18) | 3B Josh Jung | Jung’s monster April appeared not possible after he failed to achieve base within the first 4 video games of the season whereas going 0-for-17 with seven strikeouts on the plate. Since April 1, nonetheless, few batters have been hotter than Jung, who’s slashed .381/.440/.629 with 16 extra-base hits, together with 4 house runs, and 19 runs batted in whereas strolling 10 occasions and hanging out 12. He’s at present chargeable for the key’s third-longest active hit streak (12 video games), displaying no indicators of slowing down after failing to launch in March.
Houston Astros (14-22) | 1B Christian Walker | Walker was an enormous disappointment within the first season of a three-year, $60M contract final yr, slashing .238/.297/.421 in 154 video games, posting his lowest batting common and on-base proportion since 2019. He’s rather more snug in Yr 2, producing a .308/.385/.562 slash line by 36 video games. Walker’s strikeout charge has declined from 27.7 % in 2025 to 17.4 % in 2026, and he’s notched an extra-base hit in 11.8 % of his at-bats, the Eleventh-highest charge in MLB.
Los Angeles Angels (13-23) | RHP Jose Soriano | The last-place Angels seem headed for a protracted season, however Soriano has been one of many few vivid spots. Earlier than getting dinged for 5 earned runs in 4 innings on Monday, Soriano led the majors with a microscopic 0.84 ERA by seven begins (it’s at present 1.74). Soriano has restricted the injury when batters make contact, solely giving up six extra-base hits at a league-low rate of 3.2 percent.
— Eric Smithling
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