![Alex Gordon is off to an excellent start in 2019. [Image Source: Flickr | James Weatherly]](https://staticr1.blastingcdn.com/media/photogallery/2019/5/18/660x290/b_502x220x82/alex-gordon-is-off-to-an-excellent-start-in-2019-image-source-flickr-james-weatherly_2265827.jpg "Alex Gordon is off to an excellent start in 2019. [Image Source: Flickr | James Weatherly]")
After looking at the most disappointing player at each position at the quarter mark of the season, now let’s take a look at the most surprising.
These players have easily exceeded expectations that were given to them prior to the beginning of the season. Remember this is a subjective list, and it remains to be seen if they can keep it up with around three-quarters of the regular season still remaining.
Catcher - Mitch Garver, Minnesota Twins
Garver entered this season with seven career homers in 348 at bats. He has nine already in 2019 in just 79 at bats while also batting .329 with a 1.164 OPS. According to Baseball Reference, he is expected to miss a couple more weeks though, due to a high-ankle sprain.
First base - Christian Walker, Arizona Diamondbacks
Entering this year with a grand total of just 99 MLB plate appearances over four seasons, Walker has excelled in 2019 as Arizona's primary first baseman. He is second in the majors with 15 doubles, and he also has hit eight long balls.
Second base - Eric Sogard, Toronto Blue Jays
Now 32 years old, Sogard began the season in Triple-A and had a lowly .406 OPS with Milwaukee in 113 plate appearances last year. Never hitting more than three home runs in any of his previous eight seasons he appeared in the majors, he already has four along with a .944 OPS in 100 plate appearances.
Shortstop - Jorge Polanco, Minnesota Twins
Entering the year with a solid, but not spectacular career .272 average, Polanco is the current AL batting leader as he is hitting .331. His 1.006 OPS is far beyond his career mark of .749 heading into 2019.
Third base - Tommy La Stella, Los Angeles Angels
In 828 career at bats entering 2019, La Stella hit 10 homers. In 117 at bats this year, he already has 11. He also almost always makes contact as he has only struck out nine times.
Left field - Alex Gordon, Kansas City Royals
A former three-time All-Star, Gordon went through three straight years from 2016-18 as a below-average hitter. In those three seasons, he combined to hit .225 with a .665 OPS. Now 35 years old, vintage Alex Gordon has re-appeared as he currently owns a .290 average and .909 OPS.
Center field - Alex Verdugo, Los Angeles Dodgers
A.J. Pollock suffered a serious elbow injury and is expected to miss at least another two months according to Baseball Reference. Performing valiantly in his place has been Verdugo. A .328 average with just 13 strikeouts in 126 plate appearances has made him one of the Dodgers' most-reliable hitters.
Right field - Dexter Fowler, St. Louis Cardinals
Splitting his time between center and right field this season, Fowler was previously a not-so-bad hitter. Last year, he fell off the rails though hitting an anemic .180 with a .576 OPS. Fowler has redeemed himself thus far to the tune of a .281 average and .801 OPS.
Starting pitcher - Domingo German, New York Yankees
While German struck out 10.7 hitters per nine innings last year, he allowed 15 homers in 85.2 innings while owning a subpar 5.57 ERA and 1.33 WHIP. He currently leads the majors with eight wins, has a 2.50 ERA and 0.95 WHIP in nine starts, and only has allowed four home runs in 50.1 innings.
Closer - Shane Greene, Detroit Tigers
Greene did save 32 games for Detroit last year, but he wasn't very good as evidenced by his 5.12 ERA and 1.37 WHIP. Not only does he lead the AL right now with 15 saves, his 1.50 ERA and 0.78 WHIP are elite.
