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MLB: Top 5 under the radar performers so far

By Evan Marinofsky

Jun 7, 2017; Bronx, NY, USA; New York Yankees second baseman Starlin Castro (14) hits a triple against the Boston Red Sox during the fourth inning at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 7, 2017; Bronx, NY, USA; New York Yankees second baseman Starlin Castro (14) hits a triple against the Boston Red Sox during the fourth inning at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jun 8, 2017; Kansas City, MO, USA; Houston Astros starting pitcher Lance McCullers Jr. (43) pitches against the Kansas City Royals in the sixth inning at Kauffman Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 8, 2017; Kansas City, MO, USA; Houston Astros starting pitcher Lance McCullers Jr. (43) pitches against the Kansas City Royals in the sixth inning at Kauffman Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-USA TODAY Sports /

5. Lance McCullers Jr. (RHP, Houston Astros) 

The Houston Astros are baseball’s best team thus far with their 44 wins. The ‘Stros also boast the league’s best pitcher in Dallas Keuchel who is currently on the disabled list with neck discomfort. Keuchel sports a league-leading nine wins and league-leading ERA of 1.67.

Inadvertently, Keuchel has completely overshadowed that other pitcher in Houston, Lance McCullers Jr.

McCullers, who is currently out with lower back discomfort boasts an ERA of 2.58, which is good for sixth-best around the league. His WHIP of 1.06 is also good for top-15 status.

In a May 23rd article for Sports Illustrated  by Tom Verducci, he hones in on the prevalence of curveballs in today’s game. In the piece, he cites just how much McCullers utilizes the curveball. From the start of 2016 until the time that the piece was written, McCullers led all starters with a minimum of 100 innings pitched by throwing curveballs 48.0% of the time. He also throws 68% of the time when there are two strikes.

On most teams, McCullers would be a number one starter. Nonetheless, he’s on the same team as Keuchel and doesn’t get the honor of being the ace.

McCullers has been the second-biggest reason as to why the Astros’ team ERA (3.74) ranks fourth in all of baseball. The biggest reason would be due to Keuchel.

Looks like McCullers can’t escape Keuchel’s shadow.

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