WHO IS YOUR MLB TEAM’S UNSUNG HERO SO FAR THIS SEASON

The 2018 MLB season is nearing the finish line, and for each team, there has been a player who has stepped up this year, without getting much notice.

With the 2018 MLB season inching ever so close to the month of September, it is always good to take a look at some players who are flying under the radar while producing for their ballclub. From relievers, to starters, to everyday players, these men just go about their business every day and make things happen for their team.

In this piece, I look at one player from each MLB team that has gone as the unsung hero of their club this season, giving them the spotlight for once. Here are those 30 players.

PITTSBURGH PIRATES: COREY DICKERSON

During his time with the Colorado Rockies, Corey Dickerson developed a reputation for coming up with big hits in big situations. In fact, he batted over .300 in back-to-back seasons during his time in Colorado, and while his stint there only lasted three years, he proved he can play every day at the Major League level.

After two years in Tampa Bay, where he made his first All-Star Game appearance in 2017, Dickerson headed to Pittsburgh for the 2018 campaign. Playing for his third team in four years, he has been a constant in the Pirates lineup all season long, and proved that he does not have to play his home games in Coors Field in order to be a .300 hitter.

In 2018, Dickerson is currently batting .305, and has driven in 46 runs. His 11 home runs are a little off of his normal power numbers, but he has seemed a lot more disciplined at the plate, and really does not have much around him in terms of guys who can protect him.

Pittsburgh is having a pretty mediocre season, and they currently find themselves down eight games in the NL Central. They are going to have a very hard time catching the Chicago Cubs in the division, and while a Wild Card is also far-fetched, there is still a lot of baseball left to play this summer.

Dickerson has proven to be a big signing for them, and at only 29-years old, he should still have a bunch of solid years ahead of him. This team lost a lot of star powers this offseason, so the production from Dickerson has to be considered a bright spot.

ARIZONA DIAMONDBACKS: DAVID PERALTA

The Arizona Diamondbacks are currently in first place in the NL West, and while the lead is only one game, they have the staying power to be there at the end of the regular season. They are getting solid contributions up and down their lineup, but one guy who has been irreplaceable this season has been David Peralta.

Originally a pitcher when he started his professional baseball journey, Peralta had to go the Independent League route to get back with an organization. Since coming to the Diamondbacks in 2013, he has worked himself into being a solid left fielder for Arizona, and is currently putting together his best season as a pro.

Peralta is batting over .300 for the second time in the last three seasons, and already has set a new career-high in home runs with 21. He has been an extra-base hit machine for the D-Backs, racking up 23 doubles as well this season, serving as one of the most important bats on one of the deepest lineups in the NL West.

ATLANTA BRAVES: SEAN NEWCOMB

One of the biggest surprises of the 2018 MLB season has been the play of the Atlanta Braves, who are battling it out with the Philadelphia Phillies for first place in the NL East. The Braves have been led by some solid veterans, and younger players who have really stepped up this season, and look like a team that is here to stay.

One of those young players has been starting pitcher Sean Newcomb, who has become one of the top arms in their rotation. A former first round selection of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, Newcomb got a taste of the big leagues last season, making 19 starts for the Braves as a 24-year old, but he has come into his own in year No. 2.

The left-hander has made 23 starts for Atlanta this season, and has improved in every metric that you can measure for a pitcher. His earned run average is a solid 3.40, and he has already set a career-high with ten wins. The development he has shown is a big reason why the Braves are comfortable with him pitching every fifth day.

During his breakout season, Newcomb has had to deal with both success, and adversity. After nearly pitching a no-hitter against the Los Angeles Dodgers on July 29, old tweets were revealed that showed Newcomb using homophobic slurs and racial epithets. He and his teammates worked through it, and the issue seems to have been resolved.

Atlanta is here to stay, as they not only have solid talent up and down their lineup, but starting pitchers like Newcomb who are not afraid to toe the rubber against anybody. They were expected to be a year or two away from being contenders, but that time frame has been accelerated big time.

BALTIMORE ORIOLES: MARK TRUMBO

The Baltimore Orioles have been really bad this season, like historically bad, and when it came time for the trade deadline, they unloaded a bunch of talent. Guys like Manny Machado, Jonathan Schoop, and Kevin Gausman were all sent to new teams, leaving the roster without many familiar faces.

While Machado and those guys are solid Major League players, them being on the roster did not help this team win games. Firmly planted in the cellar of the AL East, the Orioles have not had many bright spots this season, but one veteran slugger has quietly been putting together another solid season for the Birds.

No, we are not talking about Chris Davis, who is not even hitting over the Mendoza Line this season. We are talking about Mark Trumbo, who signed a three-year deal with the Orioles back in January of 2017, and has been a steady player on the team ever since. He missed the first month of the 2018 season due to injury, but he has come back in a big way since.

For the year, Trumbo is batting .266, and has hit 17 home runs in lineup without very much protection. A 2016 All-Star, Trumbo has scored 41 times, and driven in 42 runs, making him one of the more consistent bats in the lineup. The Orioles have been atrocious this season, but Trumbo comes to the field every day and gets the job done.

Trumbo is a solid right-handed bat, and we have seen sluggers get traded, even after the trade deadline. He may be playing his last couple of weeks in Baltimore, but if he is around for 2019, he will be one of the few familiar faces returning.

BOSTON RED SOX: EDUARDO RODRIGUEZ

The Boston Red Sox are in the middle of a memorable season, one that could finish with the record for most wins in a single-season. They have been stellar at the plate, and on the mound, where they are getting solid contributions up and down their pitching staff.

While guys like Rick Porcello, Chris Sale, and even David Price get a lot of publicity, one pitcher has been having the best season of his young career. Eduardo Rodriguez has been as consistent as any pitcher in the Red Sox starting rotation, and at 25-years old, he has a bright future ahead of him.

Rodriguez came over to the Red Sox from Baltimore, where he was traded for Andrew Miller. Since joining the Red Sox organization, he has gotten better every season, and in 2018, he is setting career-highs in a number of pitching statistics. He is a big reason why the Red Sox are 50 games over .500.

No, that is not a typo, the Red Sox are actually 50 games over .500 as of August 13, and they have shown no signs of slowing down. Rodriguez has been on the disabled list for the past couple of weeks due to a sprained ankle, but the team expects to have him back by the end of the month.

In total, Rodriguez has posted a 3.44 earned run average through his 19 starts, winning 11 games. Over the course of his 104.2 innings, he has notched 110 strikeouts, giving the Red Sox possibly the best depth of starting pitching of any team in the American League.

CHICAGO CUBS: ALBERT ALMORA JR.

The Chicago Cubs are once again one of the best teams in the National League, and they have a great chance of making another serious run this Fall. From solid bats in the lineup like Anthony Rizzo and Kris Bryant, to stellar pitchers like Jon Lester and Kyle Hendricks, they have the depth to challenge for their second World Series title in three seasons.

During the trade deadline, the Cubs added to their starting rotation, bringing in Cole Hamels from the Texas Rangers. While Hamels was OK during his time in Texas this season, he has really found his groove with the Cubbies, and could prove huge for the team down the stretch.

At the plate, the Cubs have so many more talented guys than just Rizzo and Bryant. One of those players has been nearly a .300 hitter for most of his young career, as Albert Almora Jr. has turned himself from a top prospect, into a top bat in this lineup.

Almora was the Cubs No. 6 overall pick back in the 2012 MLB Draft, and made his debut in 2016. Cubs fans remember him as the guy who scored the go-ahead run in Game Seven of the World Series, sending Chicago to their first World Series title in 108 years. However, he has done much more than just score that run in his career.

The 24-year old is currently batting .298 on the season, which happens to be the same clip he hit at last season. His 101 hits are already a career-high, and on a lineup with a ton of power, he is the guy getting on base and making things happen. For the Cubs, he has certainly been an unsung hero.

CHICAGO WHITE SOX: LUIS AVILAN

While the Chicago Cubs are having another solid season in 2018, their neighbors to the South are not having as much fun. In fact, the Chicago White Sox are one of the worst teams in baseball once again, and have not had much to smile about through the first four months of the 2018 MLB season.

While most of the roster has struggled, including some young players who were supposed to help lead this team moving forward, the White Sox have gotten a good effort out of a handful of players. One of those happens to be a relief pitcher, and while not the team’s closer, he has been instrumental in what wins the White Sox have had in 2018.

Luis Avilan is a 29-year old left-handed reliever who has been a steady hand throughout another dismal season on the South Side. Avilan came to the White Sox in a trade back in January, and while he has put up good numbers in the past, he seems to really be hitting his stride with Chicago.

For the season, Avilan has appeared in 56 games, finishing six of them, while notching one save along the way. In addition, he has struck out 41 batters over his 34.2 innings of work, issuing only 12 walks, as he has been one consistent in a bullpen that seems to enjoy allowing runs.

It is going to be a long time before the White Sox are able to catch the Cubs as the best team in Chicago, but they do have some young talent that will eventually produce. Avilan has been good for them this season, and they would be smart to hang on to him for the foreseeable future.

CINCINNATI REDS: RAISEL IGLESIAS

When it comes to futility this season, the Cincinnati Reds are tough to beat, as they have once again been one of the worst teams in the National League. In fact, with how good some of the teams in the NL Central are, it is going to be a long time before they are battling for a division title again.

The roster has underachieved at many levels, as their pitching has been inconsistent. The starting rotation has gotten nothing going for most of the season, and for their closer, Raisel Iglesias, the save opportunities have been few and far between.

Iglesias took over as the team’s closer last season, posting a 2.49 earned run average in his 63 appearances. Heading into the 2018 season, there were plenty of question marks on this Reds roster, but the closer spot was not one of them, as they have one of the more consistent arms in baseball back there.

In 2018, Iglesias has been stellar once again, as his earned run average has actually improved to a 2.47 clip. He has struck out better than a batter per inning, and has already notched 23 saves, which puts him within striking distance of his career-high of 28 set last season.

In Iglesias, the Reds have a guy who could be a star closer in this league if he played for a team that could actually set him up to earn saves. As long as he keeps doing his job, he is going to have success, but his best years will likely come away from Cincinnati.

CLEVELAND INDIANS: CARLOS CARRASCO

The Cleveland Indians play in arguably the worst division in the Major Leagues, as they are the only team currently sporting a record over the .500 mark. Luckily for them, they are the team that is over .500 this season, which means they have likely already punched their ticket to the postseason this Fall.

When it comes to the Indians roster, they have some of the best starting pitchers in the American League. In addition, their bullpen is nothing short of stellar, which means whoever draws them in the playoffs this season, are going to have a tough road ahead of them.

Ever since the Indians traded for Carlos Carrasco in what seems like so long ago, he has been destined to be a big-time contributor to the team. A top prospect during his time with the Philadelphia Phillies, Carrasco had to overcome Tommy John surgery with the Indians, but since then, he has never posted an earned run average over 4.00

Playing in the American League that is a pretty stellar statistics, as he has had to deal with the designated hitter for his entire Major League career. He has posted double-digit wins in the last four seasons, and with 14 wins already in 2018, he has a chance to match his career high of 18 set in 2017.

Carrasco led the American League in wins last season, but despite that, guys like Corey Kluber and Trevor Bauer seem to be the ones who get all the love. The fact is, Carrasco has been a consistent starter in the league for a few years now, and should have a couple of solid seasons left in his right arm.

COLORADO ROCKIES: TREVOR STORY

The Colorado Rockies are right in the thick of things once again in 2018, just one year after making it to the playoffs for the first time since 2009. They lost their one-game Wild Card against the Arizona Diamondbacks last Fall, and four months into the 2018 campaign, and they are battling Arizona for the top spot in the NL West.

Colorado has a ton of talent up and down their roster, including at third base, where they may have the best in the game. In fact, when you think of Rockies baseball, the first player you think about is Nolan Arenado, but it has been the player to his left that is our choice for unsung hero on this roster.

Sure, Trevor Story was an All-Star this season, his first selection to the Midsummer Classic, but he does not get the kind of love he deserves. Maybe it is because he had a down year in 2017, after nearly making the All-Star team as a rookie in 2016, where he saw his season end due to injury in August.

Coming into 2018, he had something to prove, and he has done all of that and more in his third full season in the Major Leagues. He got his shot in the league due to the Jose Reyes domestic violence incident two years ago, and outside of last year, has really blossomed into one of the best hitting shortstops in the National League.

The Rockies are a solid team, and they are going to be in this race the rest of the way. When it comes down to a big hit, the Rockies would love to have a guy like Story up at the plate, as he plays the game the right way, and has been consistent for the team all season long.

DETROIT TIGERS: NICK CASTELLANOS

It has been a pretty sad season in Detroit, as their beloved Tigers are one of the worst teams in the worst division in baseball. With only the Cleveland Indians over .500, the AL Central has become the joke of the Major Leagues, and it does not appear to be getting better any time soon,

Luckily for Tigers fans, they have a homegrown star in the making, though he does not get many national headlines. Nick Castellanos was once one of the best prospects in all of baseball, and now fully entrenched as an everyday player in the Major Leagues; he seems to get better every season.

Castellanos was the No. 44 overall pick of the Tigers back in 2010, and by 2012, he has become the Most Valuable Player in the Futures Game. He would go on to make his Major League debut in 2013, and while he had to deal with a hand injury in 2016, he has proven to be well worth the untouchable status the organization placed on him early in his career.

After leading the American League in triples last season, Castellanos has become an even better hitter in 2018, and has been one of the lone bright spots on this Tigers roster. He is currently batting .283, with another season over 20 doubles, and should be in for a big payday this offseason.

The 26-year old was blocked from getting to the Major Leagues by guys like Prince Fielder and Miguel Cabrera for years, but those days are long gone. He is on the brink of being a Major League superstar, so people outside of Detroit better get used to hearing his name.

HOUSTON ASTROS: COLLIN MCHUGH

The Houston Astros were supposed to be good last season, as many liked them to go deep in the playoffs. When all was said and done, the Astros actually exceeded expectations, beating the Los Angeles Dodgers in the World Series to capture their first ever championship.

The World Series win was made even more special due to the fact that the City of Houston was ravaged by a devastating flood. The city was able to rally around their team, and guys like Jose Altuve, Carlos Correa, and Justin Verlander fed off the energy in the building every night.

Verlander was a beast after coming over from Detroit in a trade, and he led a rotation with a bunch of solid starting pitchers. Guys like Dallas Keuchel, Charlie Morton, and Brad Peacock all helped the team to the title, but it was Collin McHugh who really earned the respect, and trust of the coaching staff.

In 2018, McHugh made the move to the bullpen, and he has been one of the best relievers in all of baseball for the first-place Astros. In his 40 appearances in relief, McHugh has an earned run average under 1.00, and has finished off 17 games for Houston.

It is not often that a pitcher can make such a transition, but McHugh has taken on his new role and dominated. He has been the unsung hero of this pitching staff, and if he pitches like this in the postseason, the Astros could be head to back-to-back titles.

KANSAS CITY ROYALS: WHIT MERRIFIELD

It is hard to see the fall that the Kansas City Royals franchise has taken, as they were as recently as 2015 in the World Series. Unfortunately for the fan base, the organization could not afford to keep all of those players from that roster, and only three years later, they are one of the worst teams in baseball.

Guys like Erik Hosmer, Mike Moustakas, and Lorenzo Cain are all gone, with Cain and Moustakas joining up for a playoff run with the Milwaukee Brewers. For Royals fans, they will have to watch their former heroes go for another World Series title in a different uniform, and wonder what could have been if the team could have stayed intact.

In 2018, the Royals have failed to play consistent baseball throughout, and are one of the worst teams in the worst division in all of baseball. One shining star through it all has been Whit Merrifield, who despite depth in the lineup, is putting in a good season at the dish.

Merrifield is 29-years old, and was a ninth round pick of the Royals way back in 2010. It took him six years to make his Major League debut, but in 2017, he put himself on the map by leading the American League in stolen bases. He is a .289 career hitter, and the 2018 campaign may be his best ever.

This season, Merrifield has improved on the solid .288 clip from a year ago, as he is inching towards his first .300 season at .295. His power numbers are down, but he has performed all season for the Royals, and really should get more publicity than he does nationally.

LOS ANGELES ANGELS OF ANAHEIM: ANDRELTON SIMMONS

The Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim have had a rocky season, and it has gotten so bad that some reported that Mike Scioscia would walk away after the season. Well, Scioscia denied such rumors, but you have to believe he is very unhappy with how his team has played through the first four months of the season.

Mike Trout is dominating the baseball landscape once again, but he has not gotten much help within the Angels lineup. He leads the team with a .309 batting average, and while nobody is close to him in regards to many statistical categories, the team’s shortstop is challenging him for the top spot in that one.

Andrelton Simmons has long been known for his slick-fielding, but he is putting together quite the season at the plate in 2018. Simmons is batting .306 through his first 106 games, and actually leads the Angels with 22 doubles. He has been a constant all year for Los Angeles.

The fact is the Angels will always be Trout’s team as long as he is on the roster, but guys like Simmons should not be overlooked. He is as smooth as they come at the shortstop position, and is about as unsung as they come as well.

Houston has become the star of the AL West, and it is going to be a while until the Angels are back on top. Simmons has developed into quite a well-rounded player, and on a team with one shining star, he should not be overlooked anymore.

LOS ANGELES DODGERS: ROSS STRIPLING

Last season, the Los Angeles Dodgers were the kings of the National League, making it all the way to the World Series to take on the Houston Astros. While the Dodgers eventually lost in the Fall Classic to the Astros, it became clear that they have the talent to be a perennial contender in the National League, and could be hoisting the World Series trophy one day as well.

This season, the Dodgers have hung around in the NL West race, and during the trade deadline, they made sure they pulled off a move to strength themselves for a return to the World Series. The Dodgers were the big winners of the Manny Machado sweepstakes, and they decided to throw in second baseman Brian Dozier for good measure.

Throughout the season, Los Angeles has gotten some great starting pitching, even with Clayton Kershaw missing a bunch of time due to injury. One arm that has really been clutch throughout is Ross Stripling, and it is because of guys like him that the Dodgers were able to stay in this thing without their ace.

Stripling has done everything the Dodgers have asked for this season, as he has been used as both a starter, and a reliever. In 110 innings of work, he has struck out 121 batters, while posting and earned run average of 2.62.

For his efforts, Stripling was named to the All-Star Game, the first time he has received such an honor in his career. While Los Angeles is full of stars, and Stripling is not the first one you usually name, he has certainly been the team’s unsung hero this season, and should play a big role come playoff time.

MIAMI MARLINS: BRIAN ANDERSON

When former New York Yankees shortstop Derek Jeter and his group bought the Miami Marlins, the thought was he would bring winning baseball to South Beach. During his Major League career, Jeter became an iconic shortstop for the Yankees, winning multiple World Series, and dominating at a level we had rarely seen from his position.

Well, that has certainly not been the case in year one, as Jeter’s first line of business was to strip the team of all of its talent, and payroll. Guys like Christian Yelich, Dee Gordon, and Giancarlo Stanton were traded away, leaving Marlins fans with a roster led by catcher J.T. Realmuto, who is a great player, but he has had very little to help him out in 2018.

One player who has been consistent for the Marlins this season, outside of Realmuto, has been outfielder Brian Anderson. Anderson is in his second season in the big leagues, and based on what we have seen this season, he should be a guy they can plug into their outfield for the next ten season, that is if Jeter keeps him.

Anderson, despite having very little punch in the entire lineup in Miami, has hit a respectable .282 this season, with 26 doubles and nine home runs. In addition, he has driven in 53 runs, while scoring 64 times himself.

Those are solid numbers, and at only 25-years old, he should be getting more publicity than he currently does. Sure, the Marlins are a dumpster fire this season, but players like Anderson let the fan base know that there could be some kind of light at the end of the tunnel.

MILWAUKEE BREWERS: JEREMY JEFFRESS

The Milwaukee Brewers are for real this season, and if the trade deadline is any indication, they are going all in for a World Series title. After bringing in guys like Lorenzo Cain and Christian Yelich in the offseason, the Brewers went out and got Mike Moustakas and Jonathan Schoop at the traded deadline, giving them one of the deepest lineups in all of baseball.

Currently sitting in second place in the NL Central behind the Chicago Cubs, the Brewers know they have some work left to do. Their manager, Craig Counsell, has rounded into one of the more consistent managers in the Major Leagues, and it appears the franchise made the right move by making him  their guy a couple of years back.

When it comes to this 2018 roster, a lot is to be said of their starting lineup, where they have power bats up and down from 1-8. However, we feel that their unsung hero is a guy that comes out of the bullpen for them, and if the Brewers are going to catch the Cubs, they will need Jeremy Jeffress to continue to dominate when called upon.

This season, Jeffress has mostly been the team’s setup man, but he has closed out a few games when he has been asked to. In total, he has appeared in 55 games for the Brew Crew, posting an earned run average under 1.30, all while striking out 63 batters in 55.2 inning of work. Not too shabby.

This Brewers team has the talent to make a deep run, and Jeffress has become a guy who they know they give the ball in any situation. Those kind of relievers are hard to find, and the Brewers definitely found a good one in Jeffress.

MINNESOTA TWINS: EDDIE ROSARIO

During the 2017 Major League Baseball season, the Minnesota Twins were one of those teams who really came out of nowhere. In fact, after making the playoffs as a Wild Card team, their manager, former Twins legend Paul Molitor, was actually named the American League Manager of the Year.

Well, in 2018, the wheels fell off the wagon in the Twin Cities, as the Twins are just another team under .500 in the putrid American League Central. The Twins do have some nice talent on their roster, but they have been mostly inconsistent this season, and it shows in their win-loss record as we move closer to September.

Through all the ups, and mostly downs, the Twins have gotten steady contributions from at least one player. Eddie Rosario is hitting close to .300 for Minnesota this season, with 20 home runs, and 67 runs batted in, as he continues to establish himself as one of the better pure hitters in the American League.

Rosario was a sixth round pick of the organization back in 2010, and has steadily worked his way into a full-time role with the big league club. He finished sixth in the AL Rookie of the Year voting back in 2015, when he led the league in triples, and has not slowed down since.

Sure, he had a rough 2016 season, but he was a key cog for that playoff team in 2017, and has become an extra-base hit machine for the Twins. He is putting together quite the career to start out, and at only 26-years old, he still has his best years still ahead of him in Minnesota.

NEW YORK METS: SETH LUGO

To say the New York Mets underachieved this season would be an understatement, as there was plenty of positive vibes for the team coming out of Spring Training. For the first time ever, they had all of their coveted arms healthy to start the season, and after getting out to an 11-1 start, many in Flushing were thinking championship.

Well, it did not take long for that ship to sail, as first-year manager Mickey Callaway has looked just like that, a first year manager. He has made some poor moves, some incredible blunders, and by the time the calendar switched to June, the Mets were already pretty much out of the race.

It also did not help that teams in their division like the Atlanta Braves and Philadelphia Phillies are much-improved this season, leaving the Mets to fight with the Miami Marlins to avoid finishing in the cellar of the NL East. In a year with not much to write home about, the Mets have gotten a steady contribution from Seth Lugo, who has become the unsung hero of this bullpen.

Lugo was used as a starter mostly in 2017, as 18 of his 19 appearances came in that role. In 2018, he has been moved almost exclusively to the bullpen, and is enjoying the best season of his professional career. Through his first 40 appearances, making only five starts, Lugo has posted an earned run average of 2.77, which is close to his career-low of 2.67 set in his rookie season.

In total, Lugo has struck out 78 batters in his 81.1 innings of work, and has really been a steady hand out of this Mets bullpen. It has become another lost season in Queens, but Lugo has been a bright spot, and is actually a great story, as he is a former 34th round pick of the organization and has really had to work his way to the big leagues.

NEW YORK YANKEES: CHAD GREEN

The New York Yankees came into the 2018 MLB season with a lot of expectations, especially after getting NL Most Valuable Player Giancarlo Stanton in the offseason. The Yankees made it all the way to the seventh game of the American League Championship Series in 2017, and the roster was even better heading into 2018.

Well, the Yankees have been as good as advertised, winning games at an incredible pace throughout the first four months of the season. Unfortunately for them, the Boston Red Sox are winning games at a historic pace, and the Yankees appear headed towards a one-game Wild Card this Fall.

Throughout the season, the Yankees have gotten key contributions up and down their lineup, and while some were expected, others have been a surprise. The pitching staff has been solid in the rotation, and in the bullpen, where they have of the best late-inning relievers in the game in Aroldis Chapman, Zach Britton, and Dellin Betances.

While all of those pitchers are great, Chad Green has been a guy who has been consistent all season long, no matter what role the Yankees deploy him in. Green has appeared in 47 games over the course of the season, finishing two of them, while posting an earned run average of 2.93.

Over the past two season, Green has been used almost exclusively as a reliever, after the team tried him out as a starter to begin his Major League career. He seems to come up clutch with the ball in his hands, and throughout all the injuries to  this pitching staff, Green has been a constant throughout.

Oakland Athletics: Lou Trivino

The Oakland Athletics came into the 2018 MLB season with very little expectations, as they were supposed to be just another AL West team looking up at the Houston Astros from afar. With very few big-name players in the lineup, and some question marks in the rotation, the A’s were likely headed towards the cellar in the division, if not just outside of it.

However, this A’s team is actually very fun to watch, and as the season has gone on, they have done a whole lot of winning. In fact, as of August 14, the Athletics are only two games back of the Astros, and have the firepower to make a legitimate run to a possible division title this summer.

The strength of this team has been the fact that they are getting contributions all over the roster, and in their bullpen, they are getting one heck of a season from a rookie. Lou Trivino is in his first season in the big leagues, but when he takes the ball, he looks like a seasoned veteran on the bump.

Over his first 49 appearances at the big league level, Trivino has been downright dominant, posting an earned run average of 1.56. Sporting an 8-2 record, he has struck out 64 batters across his 57.2 innings of work, and has really been clutch for Oakland all season long.

The A’s may not catch the Astros, and have to settle for a Wild Card, but how amazing would that be. No team is going to want to face them in a one-game playoffs, and if they can get out of the Wild Card round, they are going to give some division winner quite the handful in the Division Series.

PHILADELPHIA PHILLIES: RHYS HOSKINS

The Washington Nationals were supposed to be the kings of the NL East this season, as they came into the season loaded with talent in the lineup, and on the pitching staff. However, they are currently looking up at two teams in the division as we inch closer to September, and both of them have to come as a shock.

While the Atlanta Braves are sitting in second place, the first place team in the division is not one that anybody could have predicted entering the season. The Philadelphia Phillies have come out of nowhere to be the class of the division, and with how strong they look in all facets of the game; they are going to be hard to overcome.

One of the big reasons for their success has been the play of a certain outfielder who has been a monster ever since making his Major League debut in 2017. Rhys Hoskins came onto the scene last season, and started mashing home runs at an all-time pace, setting numerous records along the way.

He finished with 18 homes runs in only 50 games last season, and has followed that up in 2018 by showing he is not just a one-year wonder. In 2018, Hoskins has blasted 22 home runs through the first 108 games, and while that is not a record-setting pace, it is pretty impressive to say the least.

During the All-Star Game festivities, Hoskins was named to the Homerun Derby, where he won his first round matchup as the eighth seed. He ended up losing to Kyle Schwarber in the second round, but the world continues to get to know him, and you have to think he is headed towards stardom very soon.

SAN DIEGO PADRES: JOEY LUCHESSI

The San Diego Padres tried to right the ship this offseason, as they spent big money on first baseman Eric Hosmer. Hosmer was considered one of the biggest free agents on the market, and the hope was that having his bat in the lineup would make the Padres a force in the NL West.

Well, Hosmer has had a nice season, but the Padres are putrid again, though help is on the way. San Diego has one of the best farm systems in all of baseball, and you have to think it won’t be long before these kids start performing at a high rate at the Major League level.

In 2018, the Padres are getting contributions from one of their young prospects, as Joey Lucchesi has been dominant in his first season in the big leagues. The left-hander has made 18 starts for San Diego in year one, posting a 3.45 earned run average, while striking out better than a batter per inning.

A product of UPenn, Lucchesi was drafted in the fourth round of the 2016 MLB Draft by the Padres, and is actually the first pitcher from that draft class to make it to the Major Leagues. He was the Ohio Valley Conference Pitcher of the Year twice in a row, and after a quick stint in the minors, he is proving he can do it at the big league level.

In order for San Diego to get their franchise back on track, they have to hope most of their prospects perform like Lucchesi when they get the call. He is a guy who could have a long career with the Padres, as they try to inch their way out of the cellar in the NL West.

SAN FRANCISCO GIANTS: REYES MORONTA

The San Francisco Giants are always a dangerous team, as has been the case since Bruce Bochy took over as the manager. During the 2018 season, they got off to a rough start, as ace Madison Bumgarner broke his hand during Spring Training, and had to start the year on the disabled list.

While the Giants are always expected to challenge in the NL West, they just could not play consistent baseball over the first four months of the year. They have tread water throughout, but it is time for them to really buckle down and make a run at the teams ahead of them.

The Giants are currently sitting at 60-60 on the year, and are within striking distances of winning the NL West. They finally have Bumgarner healthy, and if they can get this lineup to start hitting on a  nightly basis, they could come up and catch the Arizona Diamondbacks.

One arm that has been a constant for them this season has been reliever Reyes Moronta. A product of the Dominican Republic, Moronta made his Major League debut last season, appearing in seven games, but he has firmly cemented himself as a true Major Leaguer in 2018.

In his 56 appearances, strictly as a reliever, Moronta has posted a 2.05 earned run average for the Giants. Over his 52.2 innings of work, he has struck out 62 batters, while filling any role the team has needed in relief.

SEATTLE MARINERS: DENARD SPAN

The Seattle Mariners are having themselves one heck of a season, as they currently are in place to push for a Wild Card spot. While not expected to do much at the onset of the year, they have really banded together, and find themselves right in the thick of things as we hit the dog days of summer.

One of the more impressive feats the team has been able to accomplish is the fact they are winning without one of the best bats in their lineup. Robinson Cano was suspended for PEDs early in the year, and the team has had to make due without one of the best hitting second basemen in the game.

Guys like Nelson Cruz and Jean Segura were expected to be big-time contributors, and they have, but it is another veteran who is making his presence felt. Denard Span came over to the Mariners mid-season from the Tampa Bay Rays, and has been raking ever since he got there.

Over his 59 games with the Mariners, Span is hitting over .300, and has shown nice pop with the bat. The 34-year old outfielder has come in at a perfect time for Seattle, and is putting up some of the best numbers he has since the 2015 season with the Washington Nationals.

The AL West has a couple of teams in the race, and while Seattle is out of that, they could come up and catch the A’s for the Wild Card. If they do, they can thank Span, who has brought leadership to the team on and off the field.

ST. LOUIS CARDINALS: MILES MIKOLAS

The St. Louis Cardinals are mired in a very interesting season, as they not only fired their manager, but have been on a roller coaster ride in terms of wins and losses. Still, here they sit on August 14 only five games back in the NL Central, and still with a lot of important baseball left to play.

While manager Mike Matheny was shown the door that did not make this team fold by any means. Sure, Matheny was loved by his players, but the Major Leagues are a business, and the City of St. Louis deserves a winner to be put on the field every summer.

One player who has really stepped up is Miles Mikolas, and while he does not get a ton of publicity, he certainly is pitching like he should. After playing three years in Japan, Mikolas made the trek back to the states, and the Cardinals were quick to sign him to a three-year deal back in December.

Finally with a team that is utilizing him the right way; Mikolas made his first All-Star Game this season, and has been pretty stellar throughout. The 29-year old has made 24 starts for the Cardinals, posting a 12-3 record, and looks to be one of the better pitchers in the NL Central this season.

Overall, the Mikolas story is pretty incredible, as he pretty much floundered out of the Major Leagues, and ended up in Japan. The Cardinals definitely saw something in him, and after posting a 2.85 earned run average through his first 24 starts, they have found someone they can plug in every fifth day with confidence.

TAMPA BAY RAYS: RYNE STANEK

The Tampa Bay Rays were not supposed to be good this season, but they have hung in there, and currently are two games over .500 in 2018. While the Boston Red Sox and New York Yankees are dominating in the standings, the Rays have found some bright spots along the way this season.

When it comes to this roster, they are just very young, and they do not have the kind of experience needed to compete with the big boys just yet. As an organization, once their young players develop into stars, the franchise trades them away, so it must be tough being a fan of the Rays.

On the field, the Rays find themselves playing good baseball only half of the time and that is due to the inexperience. They do have some solid young players on this roster, including Ryne Stanek, who has become the “opener” for the team this season.

We say opener because the Rays have adopted a new way of attacking a game this season. They deploy the bullpen to start the game, and in Stanek, they have a guy with electric stuff that can really get it done.

Stanek has a fastball that can reach the low-100s, and over his 39 appearances this season, he has done a nice job making batters look silly. He has struck out way better than a batter per inning, has an earned run average of 2.45, and is a guy who is going to play a big role in turning this franchise around.

TEXAS RANGERS: ISIAH KINER-FALEFA

The Texas Rangers have been bad this season, like really bad, and currently find themselves in the cellar of the AL West. They have been sorry in all facets of the game, and during the trade deadline, they traded away ace Cole Hamels as the exclamation point to a terrible season.

While hope springs eternal, there has been at least one player on this roster who has done a nice job when asked this season. Isiah Kiner-Falefa has looked very good in his first season in the big leagues, and looks to have staying power moving forward.

After being a utility guy during his minor league days, Kiner-Falefa finally made his Major League debut this season. At only 23-years old, he has been used at catcher, third base, and second base with the big league club, providing a solid bat no matter where the team decides to put him.

Overall, Kiner-Falefa has batted .268 in his first season with the Rangers, and has done a nice job hitting the ball to all fields. Of his 77 hits this season, 23 of them have gone for extra base hits, including 17 doubles. He has struggled with the strikeouts, but that is something he should be able to improve with time.

The Rangers have a lot of work to do on this roster before next season, as the rest of the summer is going to be a long one for their fans. In Kiner-Falefa, they have seen nice progression in year one and he should get better each season.

TORONTO BLUE JAYS: YANGERVIS SOLARTE

The Toronto Blue Jays had a nice run at the top of the American League East a couple years ago, but those days are long gone. Heading into August 14, they find themselves 31 games out of first place, and there is no way they are challenging for a Wild Card either.

At the trade deadline, the Blue Jays got rid of some of their coveted assets, but Yangervis Solarte was not one of them. A guy who can play all over the field, Solarte has taken over for the injured Josh Donaldson at third base all season long, and will likely set career-highs in home runs this season.

It has been a wild ride for Solarte to get north of the border, as he began his career with the Minnesota Twins before going to Texas. From there, he made his Major League debut with the New York Yankees in 2014, before being traded to the San Diego Padres in the Chase Headley deal.

During his time in San Diego, he proved he could hit for average, and some power, setting a career-high with 18 home runs in 2017. This season, he already has blasted 17 out of the ballpark, and once he gets back to health, he should be right back in the middle of the Blue Jays lineup.

Solarte has done a nice job for the Blue Jays this season, and while he is currently on the disabled list, he has taken over for Donaldson and provided nice pop. He is a guy who has struggled with the average, but has hit his fair share of home runs, and should be someone they hang on to moving forward.

WASHINGTON NATIONALS: MATT ADAMS

Coming into the 2018 MLB season, the Washington Nationals were supposed to take the NL East by storm. With guys like Ryan Zimmerman, Bryce Harper, and Anthony Rendon in their lineup, the sky seemed to be the limit for first-year manager Dave Martinez.

However, the Nationals have been one of the more inconsistent teams in all of baseball this season, and as we head towards September, they are looking up at both the Atlanta Braves and Philadelphia Phillies. There is still time to win a Wild Card spot, but at this point, it looks like a miracle if that were to happen.

While all of their regular hitters have had their moments this season, one guy has really been the unsung hero of the team. Matt Adams has been the man to come in and help out through all the injuries for the Nats this season, and is very close to setting a career-high in home runs in 2018.

Coming into play on August 14, Adams already has 18 home runs, just two shy of his career-high, and is batting .267. He has proven to be a tough out during his career, and in his first season in Washington, has really come through in the clutch for the team at times.

So there you have it, the biggest unsung hero from each Major League Baseball team. Some of these players have a very bright future, and while some may only be one-hit wonders this season, they all have made quite the name for themselves throughout the 2018 season.