Most Surprising and Disappointing Teams

Which 3 teams have surprised? Which 3 teams have disappointed?

Photo Credit: Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports

By: Tommy Bennett

We’ve officially reached the unofficial midway point of the 2024 baseball season. The home run derby and All-Star game have occurred and the second half surge will resume Friday. As much as we anticipate the return of baseball on Friday, we can now take a look at some teams that have surprised us and teams that have disappointed us. 

Surprises 

Kansas City Royals

This is the most interesting team on this list. Prior to the season beginning, I said that I believe the Royals would be a good baseball team. They didn’t spend big like the Los Angeles Dodgers did, but what they did do was bring in players that can compete and are quality assets. Seth Lugo and Michael Wacha were tremendous additions to help round out the starting rotation. Also, acquiring relief pitcher John Schreiber was a sneaky move to give the bullpen some depth. 

The Royals rotation as a whole has been stellar and is a key reason they’ve gotten things done. On any given night the starters can give the team a chance to win. Here’s how they’ve been in the first half of the year: 

• Cole Ragans: 3.16 ERA. 1.14 WHIP

• Seth Lugo: 2.48 ERA. 1.09 WHIP

• Michael Wacha: 3.83 ERA. 1.24 WHIP

• Brady Singer: 3.20 ERA. 1.23 WHIP. 

Not to get lost in the weeds is Royals shortstop Bobby Witt Jr, whom the Royals gave a massive contract extension. Witt Jr. has rewarded Kansas City by becoming one of the best players in baseball. Between Witt Jr, Salvador Perez, and Vinnie Pasquantino, it’s a group that can put up runs. This is a good baseball team and it’s great to see them truly turn the corner. 

Cleveland Guardians

You can make an argument that the AL Central is up for grabs and is not the strongest division. While the Royals have been a surprise team of the year, the Cleveland Guardians are right there. As a matter of fact, they have the best record in the AL and have kept up with the Orioles and Yankees. This is a team that has managed to overcome some adversity. 

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After a strong start to the season, the Guardians lost Shane Bieber for the year. Also, young pitcher Tristan Mackenzie has been struggling and was optioned to Triple A. However, that has not stopped the team from delivering on the mound. The rotation has not been the best, but the bullpen has the best ERA in the league (2.62). The Guardians have closer Emmanuel Clase, who’s been one of the best closers all season long. 

However, the damage done at the plate has been enormous for the Guardians. Everyone is well aware of what Jose Ramirez can bring to the table. He’s arguably the best third baseman in the entire league. The biggest sensation has been All-Star Steven Kwan. He has been a machine at the plate and leads the league in batting average. Kwan is a tremendous contact hitter and always finds a way to get on base. He is slashing .354 / .409 / .516, and has been great in the lead off spot. Josh Naylor is also putting together a solid campaign. Overall, the Guardians must be taken seriously and they garner the “surprise” element because nobody expected them to have the best record in the AL given that first year manager Stephen Vogt is replacing the legend that is Terry Francona.

Boston Red Sox

From “full throttle” to no throttle at all, many wondered what to expect from the Boston Red Sox during the 2024 season. The team had numerous glaring needs such as a pitcher and adding a right handed bat in the lineup. Also, those two needs still exist to this very day. However, the Red Sox have managed to be in a Wild Card spot and have narrowed the gap in the daunting AL East. To appreciate the Red Sox season, what makes them a surprise team is how they’ve gotten things done. 

Before the year even began, free agent signing Lucas Giolito was out for the season. Also, the team lost starting shortstop Trevor Story on their west coast road trip to begin the season. Other key members have gone on the injured list such as Triston Casas and Masataka Yoshida. Despite the adversity, this young Red Sox team is defying the odds. 

The pitching staff has been among the best in all of baseball (3.60 ERA, 5th overall) and is led by All-Star Tanner Houck. Houck was originally the team’s fifth starter and is now the ace. You’re seeing the growth of younger players who have become a staple to what the team is trying to accomplish. Jarren Duran took the next leap in his career. Between being strong defensively, causing chaos on the basepaths, and leading the league in triples, he’s been stellar. Ceddanne Rafaela has been worth every cent of the contract he signed and is garnering rookie of the year attention. Wilyer Abreu and Connor Wong are other players that have stepped up to the forefront. For a team that did not spend a lot of money and was pegged to be in last place, they find themselves competing for a playoff spot. 

Honorable Mention: Milwaukee Brewers

Disappointments 

Toronto Blue Jays

Photo Credit: Owen Ziliak/The Republic / USA TODAY NETWORK

Could this be the end of the road for the currently constructed Blue Jays? This is a team that has had a hype around them for the last few seasons and deservedly so. Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and Bo Bichette are the pillars to the team. They’ve managed to add key pieces such as George Springer, Kevin Gausman, and Jose Berrios over the years. For whatever reason, it has not worked out and the team’s two biggest stars have been thrown into the trade ring. 

In the daunting AL East, the Blue Jays sit in last place. They sit 14 games behind the Orioles for the division and 9.5 back of the wild card spot. The next few weeks before the trade deadline will determine what they do. But there is no denying that this is a disappointing start, especially after finishing in third place last year. 

Chicago Cubs

This was the year the Chicago Cubs were supposed to take the next step. Despite just missing the playoffs last season, the pieces were in place to go on a run. The division seemed to be wide open and still the Cubs have lagged behind. Not to mention, they’ve tabbed Craig Counsel as the highest paid manager. At the end of the day it’s the players on the field that need to get the job done. 

There is a positive in this. The Cubs have one of the better rotations in the entire league. Shota Imanaga has been a pitching sensation since the year began. Javier Assad and Jameson Taillon have also been stellar. Justin Steele has been amazing since returning from injury. They have the 9th best ERA of any starting rotation. However, other areas have not been so stellar. 

The bullpen is atrocious and has blown more games than I can count. The bullpen ranks 16th in ERA and has given up the 4th most walks per 9 innings. Pair that with an inconsistent offense and it’s a recipe for disaster. Dansby Swanson has been underwhelming (.212). Cody Bellinger is a shell of himself from last season. Aside from Ian Happ’s resurgence and Michael Busch breaking out, the offense has been underwhelming. They are 4 games under .500, but only 3.5 games back of the wild card. 

With the Brewers considered a team rebuilding, the Cubs being where they are is a tough pill to swallow. 

Texas Rangers 

Coming off a World Series Championship, the Texas Rangers brought back the majority of the winning roster. Although, they did not bring back pitcher Jordan Montgomery. In addition, the team was without Max Scherzer and Jacob DeGrom for the first half of the year. Scherzer has returned, which is a nice boost. Despite that, there are key pieces in place to warrant a better record. 

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As it currently stands, the Rangers are 5 games back for the division lead and won an important series against the rival Houston Astros. The key thing is that they finished the first half of the season strong. Injuries have taken a toll on the team, as they’ve seen key position players spend time on the injured list. With the division within reach, the defending champions could make a surge. Just given what’s in place, it’s a disappointing first half for them. 

Which team is the most disappointing team in baseball?