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MLB’s 2017 All-Surprise Team

By Matt Veasey

May 6, 2017; St. Petersburg, FL, USA; Tampa Bay Rays designated hitter Corey Dickerson (10) at bat against the Toronto Blue Jays at Tropicana Field. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
May 6, 2017; St. Petersburg, FL, USA; Tampa Bay Rays designated hitter Corey Dickerson (10) at bat against the Toronto Blue Jays at Tropicana Field. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /
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May 23, 2017; Bronx, NY, USA; New York Yankees left fielder Hicks (31) is congratulated in the dugout after hitting a solo home run against the Kansas City Royals during the fourth inning at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Andy Marlin-USA TODAY Sports /

MLB 2017 ALL-SURPRISE TEAM CATCHER and OUTFIELDERS

Catcher – Alex Avila, Detroit: now in his ninth season in Major League Baseball, Avila reminds me a bit of Cozart at shortstop. He has established a base line of production, and is far outpacing it. So far, Avila has a .317/.432/.625 slash line with eight homers, 23 RBI, and 16 runs scored. In short, the 30-year old has turned back the clock a half-dozen years to his 2011 AL all-star and Silver Slugger season.

SURPRISE OUTFIELDERS

Outfield – Aaron Hicks, Yankees: along with Castro, a prime reason that the Yankees are surprising leaders in the AL East Division race. Hicks wasn’t even a starter as the season opened. But injuries gave him more of a shot, and he has more than taken advantage. Thus far, Hicks has a .321/.432/.577 slash line with eight homers, 31 RBI, 30 runs scored, and seven stolen bases. These numbers blow away career norms for the 27-year old now in his fifth big league season.

Outfield – Corey Dickerson, Tampa Bay: another player who has solid production in his past, Dickerson has cracked 24 homers in two of the last three seasons. But his big 2014 came with Coors Field as a home park, leading to some questions. There is no possible way to question a .336/.378/.602 slash line, which is what he has put together this year with the Rays. Dickerson is on pace for 35+ homers, 120+ runs scored, and perhaps most incredibly a run at a 90 extra-base hit season.

Outfield – Aaron Altherr, Philadelphia: in a season in which almost nothing has gone right for the rebuilding Fightin’ Phils, Altherr has been nothing but right. Coming into the year he was expected to be the fourth outfielder. But an injury to Howie Kendrick opened up more playing time. Altherr has taken advantage, posting a .295/.382/.545 slash line with nine homers, 31 RBI, and 27 runs scored. This could be a true breakout for the 26-year old, who may be making a long-term place for himself.

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