One week ago today was Opening Day for a majority of MLB teams. It came later than originally scheduled but hey, at least they are getting 162 games in this season.
Through the first week of the season, there have been some players and some teams that have surprised the baseball world in a good way and some bad. However, right now, we are going to look at the teams/players that have impressed so far.
They might fall back down to earth in the coming weeks or months but they still impressed us through the first week of the season.
Here are five of the best surprises we have seen to start the 2022 MLB season.
Tampa Bay Rays 1B Ji-man Choi has been the best hitter in MLB so far
The Tampa Bay Rays haven’t really shocked anyone with their 4-2 start, especially when they were expected to be a good team this year. However, first baseman Ji-man Choi is hitting better than anybody in baseball right now.
Entering Thursday, he is hitting .563 with an OPS of 1.730 with two homers, six RBI, and five walks.
Seiya Suzuki
The Chicago Cubs haven’t really shocked the baseball world either as they are 3-2 to start the 2022 season. However, the most lucrative deal that the Chicago Cubs made this offseason was for outfielder Seiya Suzuki and if his first week is any indication, he will be worth the five-year, $85 million contract.
He enters Thursday hitting .400 with an OPS of 1.524, three homers, nine RBI, and five walks.
Not a bad way to start your MLB career.