The most recent MLB offseason was a slow-moving one where free agency was considered, but there have been some under-the-radar signings who have been indispensable for their respective teams in 2018.
While lacking in overall volume of free agent deals, the last MLB offseason featured plenty of big name free agent signings.
From J.D. Martinez, Lorenzo Cain and Eric Hosmer to Shohei Ohtani, Jake Arrieta and Wade Davis there wasn’t a shortage of prominent players changing uniforms.
However, some players who signed in under-the-radar deals have stolen the spotlight to a degree with their quality performances so far.
Here are six of those players.
Leonys Martin, Detroit Tigers outfielder
Leonys Martin entered play on Thursday with the same fWAR as Mitch Haniger, Joey Votto, Paul Goldschmidt and Starling Marte. Not bad for a player the Tigers signed in a low risk, high-reward contract in the offseason.
Coming off a -0.3 fWAR, a 35 wRC+ and a .224 wOBA in 138 plate appearances split between the Mariners and Cubs, the Tigers took a chance on Martin to provide some stability in the outfield.
The ex-Ranger has done just that, providing Detroit with a solution in center field that the organization hasn’t had since Austin Jackson departed in 2014.
Martin has racked up a 2.0 fWAR this year in part due to his usually excellent defense, but the outfielder is also serving as a sparkplug at the top of Detroit’s order, with a 117 wRC+, a .345 wOBA and an .802 OPS.
Throw in a career-low strikeout rate and a career-high walk rate, and it’s easy to see why the 30-year-old (.207 ISO and all) has been one of Ron Gardenhire’s best players in 2018.
Neil Walker, New York Yankees infielder
Some of Walker’s statistical outputs (59 wRC+, .284 OBP) don’t exactly catch the eye, but the veteran has been a valuable fill-in across the infield for the Yankees early in the season.
With Greg Bird and Brandon Drury out, Walker filled in at the infield corners, helping New York navigate the early part of the season. The longtime Pirate also saw some time at second base prior to Gleyber Torres’ arrival.
Mike Mikolas, St. Louis Cardinals starting pitcher
Not as much of a marquee name as Shohei Ohtani, Yu Darvish or Jake Arrieta—or even Lance Lynn, Alex Cobb and Tyler Chatwood for that matter—Mikolas wasn’t the most high profile starting pitcher signing this past offseason.
However, he’s proved to be one of baseball’s better pitchers in the early part of 2018.
The 29-year-old has returned from a three-year stint in Japan and been the definition of effective for the Cardinals.
Mikolas has soaked up 85.1 frames in 13 starts for the Cardinals, striking out 63 batters against just nine (!) walks. That’s good for a spot atop the league leaderboards in terms of both walks per nine innings and strikeout to walk ratio.
For reference, only 13 starters have a higher fWAR this season.
Steve Cishek, Chicago Cubs relief pitcher
No longer closing games as he did for the Marlins in the early part of the decade, Cishek is still proving to be a valuable bullpen piece as a setup man.
Brought in alongside Brandon Morrow to help solidify the back end of Chicago’s bullpen following Justin Wilson’s early struggles and Wade Davis’ departure, the ex-Marlin has quietly turned in a 1.86 ERA and a 2.85 FIP in 29 innings.
He’s also striking out 10.55 batters per nine frames.
Jhoulys Chacin, Milwaukee Brewers starting pitcher
After pitching to a 2.3 fWAR and a 4.26 FIP in 180.1 innings for the Padres last season, Chacin landed in Milwaukee this past offseason.
He’s proved to be a useful rotation cog behind Chase Anderson, registering a 3.85 FIP in 81.1 innings. He also has the 19th-highest fWAR among National League starting pitchers.
Could be worse.
Bruce Rondon, Chicago White Sox relief pitcher
Rondon needed a change of scenery after failing to stick in Detroit with the Tigers. He’s found a home elsewhere in the American League Central with the rival White Sox.
In 21.2 innings for the Chicago-based franchise, the flame throwing right-hander has punched out 12.88 batters per nine frames to go along with a 1.90 FIP, a 0.7 fWAR and a 1.38 WHIP.
Walks (11.3 BB%, 4.57 BB/9) are still somewhat of an issue, but Rondon’s ability to miss bats has far outweighed that for the White Sox.
He’s 20th in the league in swinging strike percentage (14.9%) and is sitting 11th in the league in strikeouts per nine frames behind a list that consists of Josh Hader, Dellin Betances, Aroldis Chapman, Tony Cingrani, Edwin Diaz, Carl Edwards Jr., Adam Otavino, Brad Hand, Richard Rodriguez and Craig Kimbrel.
