- Video
-
Club Roar
Captured a great grassroots sporting moment? We want to see it!Content Collections
The Roar Community
- Join
- Login
As the 2016 Major League Baseball season reaches the quarter mark, this article will look at the top five underrated batters that are currently having a breakout season.
1. Travis Shaw – Boston Red Sox
2015 Stats – 13 HR, 36 RBI, .274 AVG
2016 Stats – 5 HR, 25 RBI, .328 AVG
The Boston Red Sox made the bold move to bench Pablo Sandoval to start the season in favour of Travis Shaw and he hasn’t disappointed so far this season.
Shaw has benefited from hitting behind hot players in the Red Sox line-up such as David Ortiz and Hanley Ramirez. However, few would of expected him to step into the third base role with the kind of run scoring he is producing.
The third base position has been a difficult position to find a reliable option for the Red Sox but they look to have found a good one in Shaw.
2. Nick Castellanos – Detriot Tigers
2015 Stats – 15 HR, 73 RBI, .255 AVG
2016 Stats – 7 HR, 28 RBI, .350 AVG
Castellanos has continued his good form into 2016 after a consistent 2015 season. He has improved his batting average by almost 100 and is on track for a personal best in home runs.
With the lack of production from big signing Justin Upton, the Tigers will be hoping Castellanos hot form continues throughout the season.
3. Jackie Bradley Jr – Boston Red Sox
2015 Stats – 10 HR, 43 RBI, .249 AVG
2016 Stats – 6 HR, 30 RBI, .341 AVG
Another Red Sox player is on this list and for good reason. Bradley Jr struggled during his early years as he battled confidence issues and bad form. But he has started the 2016 season in great hitting form.
In May alone he has hit five home runs and an amazing 17 RBI, he has been a big part of the Red Sox’s high powered offense.
He looks to be finally realising his full potential and the Red Sox will be happy they stuck by him for the future.
4. Jonathan Villar – Milwaukee Brewers
2015 Stats – 2 HR, 11 RBI, .284 AVG
2016 Stats – 1 HR, 12 RBI, .283 AVG
After three underwhelming seasons at the Astros, Villar is enjoying a fresh start at the Brewers in 2016. He has already matched his total RBIs from last season (11) in 19 less matches. His career highest season was in 2014, in 87 games he totalled seven HR and 27 RBI with a terrible batting average of .209.
The Brewers will be excited with his early season form and have picked up a solid shortshop.
5. Brandon Drury – Arizona Diamondbacks
2015 Stats – 2 HR, 8 RBI, .214 AVG
2016 Stats – 6 HR, 13 RBI, .298 AVG
Drury is also having a breakout 2016 season after recording just two HR and eight RBI in his rookie season last year.
He has already played more games this year (32) then last year (20) and is enjoying the consistent playing time at number two in the Diamondbacks batting line-up. He is showing great hitting form at home with a batting average of .333.
Why not build your own fantasy team? Take on other players for a chance to win cash prizes on your favourite sports. Try out Draftstars and PlayUp to put your money where your mouth is! What are you really gambling with? Set a deposit limit.