Now that the year is winding down, was thinking of the guys who outperformed expectations this year. Making this list without reviewing stats, just my eyeball test: 1. Peacock - before spring training, I didn't think this guy would make the roster. Thought he would be traded Straily-style. And even after he made the roster, I thought he would still be traded. If you're a long man or spot reliever in the MLB, it's best if you have option years left, which he has none. But his ascension this year is the biggest surprise. Not like finding spare change in that pair of jeans on the floor, like finding a $100 bill under your couch. 2. Marwin - with his defensive versatility, you could make an argument that he's the most valuable player on the team. With what he's done at the plate this year, he might have priced himself out of the Astros dugout when he becomes a free agent in 2019. 3. Giles - he still makes most nervous when he loads the bases with a 2 run lead, but he's gotten out of most jams this year and it looks like his confidence has been increasing every month. True weapon. 4. Bregman - after his slow start followed by his annoying IMs with fans, I thought this dude would fade away. But he has been a stud after the all-star break. 5. Devo - probably would have been number one or two on this list at the all star break, but he's come down to earth a little after an amazing start. Still a great year. Will be interesting to see if his role changes over the next couple years, perhaps to 8th inning setup guy. Honorable Mention: Musgrove has really blossomed in the bullpen after a rough month or so of shaky starts. Altuve, Correa and Springer are having spectacular years; fortunately or unfortunately for them, it's expected.
Marisnick should be third. He hit better than the starting DH and LF. Marisnick has not been known for hitting better than many people.
Peacock has turned in to a solid number 2 guy in this era of baseball. 5-6 innings of 2 or less runs.
Maybe so, but still probably third in improvement assuming Correa not eligible. Correa's improvement is probably about that of Marisnick's though with a much higher starting point. Injury masked how well Correa was breaking out this year.
Giles hasn't really improved, he just had a bad year last season. This is the guy we expected all along. Peacock and Marwin on the other hand came completely out of f**king nowhere. I would say Peacock is the bigger surprise because at least Marwin was a useful utility guy. There was nothing about Peacock that suggested he was gonna suddenly be good this year, much less awesome. He had a decent stretch to close out last season, but the peripherals were the same trash he always produced, just a ton of BABIP luck. Both of their years suggest potential sustainability as well.
I think by the time the playoffs are done, we'll be able to bump Musgrove up from honorable mention. I think he's going to be a real weapon in the playoffs and he has looked fantastic since moving to the pen.
Giles seemed to have little confidence last year, and he seems to have a ton right now. I consider that an improvement, but I do get your point that what we're seeing this year is what we thought we would have seen last year.
Can Reddick count or no because he was not a Astro last season? He is having a really fantastic year.
His plate discipline has been borderline elite this year. He is a really patient hitter now. He has MVP potential, but I fear Correa is just to good. What a problem to have. I could argue that the AL MVP this year(Altuve) may be our third most valuable player by next year. CRAZY.
And add to the above... having trouble telling Dallas Kuechel that he won't be the starting picture of game 1, and struggling to make a decision on who will start game 3 (thinking Peacock still). Oh, and looking forward to seeing Kate Upton at the World Series.
