Mid-Season 2012 Surprises & Disappointments

So now that we're (almost) halfway though the 2012 MLB season (I know I'm a few weeks early, but I was bored so shut your face), I figured it'd be nice to take a look at how some players have performed so far this year.  Surely there are a number of players who have overwhelmingly exceeded expectations and those that have performed far below their projections.  Here's a few guys that really stood out to me:

Nice Surprises

Bryce Harper, OF (Nationals)

• Surprise surprise.  Harper is a young phenom and should continue to impress.  He was called up amid many injuries for the Nationals and has solidified his role on the team.  He's been a huge asset for the Nationals and provided some much needed offense.  

Mike Trout, OF (Angels)

• I don't really need to go over how good this kid has been (yeah, he's a kid.  He's younger than me -_-), but he's been FAR and above one of the best players in baseball.  He has far exceeded any expectations anyone had for him, especially this early in his young career.  

Jake Peavy, SP (White Sox)

• There's no question about it: Jake Peavy is a great pitcher.  He's always had great stuff and the ability to get guys out.  However, he has always been plagued by injuries.  This year he hasn't had the same injury bug (yet) and has been able to find some success in the American League after many years of success (and injuries) in the National League with the Padres.  Can he keep it up?  Probably.  As long as he stays healthy.  Will he stay healthy?  Probably not.

Josh Hamilton, OF (Rangers)

• He started off the season as THE hottest player in baseball, mashing 9 home runs in April and an incredible 12 in May.  He's cooled down in June so far but that mostly may be credited to an illness he has suffered from.  We have to wonder if he'll start going on a hot streak again soon, perhaps after the All Star Break.

Melky Cabrera, OF (Giants)

• To think he was released from the Braves a few years ago.  He's come a long way from that and has really turned himself into a great impact player.  Unfortunately the Yankees didn't hang onto him and aren't reaping the rewards of his high batting average and production.  However, we never know whether he would have been this good if he wasn't as motivated, which apparently he is now after his release from the Braves.  

• For some more on his breakout player status, check out this interesting article on River Ave Blues:  http://riveraveblues.com/2012/06/kevin-long-talks-about-melky-cabrera-superstar-70671/

Gio Gonzalez, SP (Nationals)

• You had to wonder how Gio would pitch going to the National League.  And, well, he's been a beast.  He's solidified the Nationals' rotation and helped them (with Harper) become viable contenders for the NL East Division. Who knew that a little run support would help so much?

Brandon Morrow, SP (Blue Jays)

• Great breakout year until he went down with the oblique injury a few weeks ago.  Hopefully he keeps it up after his return, which might be awhile.

Jason Kipnis, 2B (Indians)

• Wow, just wow.  The numbers he has put up are amazing.  Considering how he was available in free agency in our league and was added/dropped several times, this is a true value player.  I read some articles saying he might be a top 2B next year too, which just makes this breakout year for Kipnis that much more impressive.

Jose Altuve, 2B (Astros)

• Another breakout guy.  Altuve has been low on the radar because he's on the Houstin LAstros (Credit: Jay), but he's been pretty stellar.  This is another guy who started off the season on fire and has since cooled down, albeit not by much.  He's still (as of June 22) batting a cool .313, which is pretty impressive.

Mike Moustakas, 3B (Royals)

• The man some affectionately call "Moose" (as much as it pains me to say the name due to fond memories of Mike Mussina) has really surprised with some consistent numbers thus far this season.  He's definitely got the talent and ability but no one really thought he be THIS good.  Too bad I traded him.  Lesson of the day: make trades with me, the players generally end up doing really well after I trade them.

Disappointments...so far

Michael Morse, OF (Nationals)

• Injuries have really put a damper on his season so far.  Many hoped he would follow his breakout year last year with similar or even better numbers.  So far though, no luck.  Maybe he'll start hitting soon.

Eric Hosmer, 1B (Royals)

• Another guy that had a strong season last year.  Last year was his rookie year and he showed some solid skills.  So far this season he has suffered from what many believe to be a sophomore slump.  He has shown some signs of breaking out and hitting for a better average but has not produced anywhere near his early round draft selection thus far.  

Albert Pujols, 1B (Angels)

• Let's be honest here.  After the April he had, he HAD to make this list.  This is not The Machine we have grown to know and love after so many seasons.  The Dripping Pujols

Jacoby Ellsbury (Red Sox), Carl Crawford (Red Sox), Ryan Howard (Phillies), Chase Utley (Phillies), Brett Gardner (Yankees)

• Strictly because they spent such a significant period of time on the disabled list.  Nothing personal guys.  If you were on my team you might be in danger of being blacklisted though.

Roy Halladay, SP (Phillies)

• Doc hasn't been himself so far this year.  He's put up some oddly bad numbers that aren't what we're used to.  Has he lost it?  Is the Doc no longer in?  Probably not, he probably was just hurt.  Hopefully he'll rebound after the break.  For the Phillies (and their playoff chances) sake, they should hope so.

Tim Lincecum, SP (Giants)

• Big Time Timmy-Jim hasn't really been himself either.  Maybe The Freak's freaky delivery isn't working anymore.  There's probably some mechanical flaw that's tipping his pitches or something.  Who knows though?  Timmy is far too good not to figure it out in the second half.  

Dee Gordon, SS (Dodgers)

• He's been doing a little better since I traded him.  Still stealing bases, but really just not getting on base enough.  Hard to steal bases when you don't get on base in the first place.

All of my closers (Jose Valverde, Carlos Marmol, Heath Bell, Hector Santiago, etc.)

• You don't deserve an explanation.  Just look at my number of blown saves.  You guys suck.

This, of course, is not a comprehensive list of both surprises and disappointments as I'm bound to have missed a few.  Just remember that the season is 162 games and how someone performed through the first half is not necessarily indicative of how they will perform the rest of the season.  Hopefully some of those disappointments turn things around for the better as some of the surprises likely will come back down to earth.