The 2022 MLB All-Star Game is right around the corner and teams are gearing up for the second half of the season. This MLB campaign has flown by and it seems like just yesterday the lockout came to an end. But here we are in mid-July and teams are beginning to establish their identities. Many successful teams, such as the Los Angeles Dodgers, have seen a number of unsung heroes step up and perform well.
Let's take a look at the 3 big surprises for the Dodgers from the first-half of the 2022 MLB season.
Watch MLB Games LIVE with fuboTV (click for free trial)
3 biggest Los Angeles Dodgers first-half surprises in 2022 MLB season
Trayce Thompson
Maybe it's a bit premature to place Trayce Thompson on this list. After all, the outfielder has played just 14 games for the 2022 Dodgers as of this story's publication. However, the sheer fact that Thompson is even on the Dodgers is surprising enough. Thompson had bounced around with multiple teams after last playing in LA during the 2017 campaign.
But the Los Angeles Dodgers gave him a chance in 2022 and so far things have worked out. Trayce Thompson is hitting over .300 with a pair of home runs. He is also getting on base at a .356 clip and has stolen a base for good measure.
Between Cody Bellinger's underperformance and Chris Taylor's injury concerns, extra outfield depth has been vital for LA this year. Thompson is not going to produce huge numbers. But he provides Dave Roberts with a quality right-handed option off of the bench.
Tyler Anderson
Tyler Anderson had only posted an ERA of under 4 one time in his 6-year career prior to signing with the Los Angeles Dodgers in the offseason. LA priorities depth so they took a chance on the left-hander.
And Anderson has rewarded them with a tremendous and unprecedented performance. The veteran has produced an ERA of just under 3 with a 1.02 WHIP. He has struck out 81 batters and walked just 17.
His presence in the rotation has been crucial for the team. Clayton Kershaw dealt with early-season injuries while Walker Buehler is presently injured. So there is no telling where this team would be without Tyler Anderson.
Tony Gonsolin always had a high ceiling. But he was often used in a limited starting/relief role. But Gonsolin got his shot in 2022 and has not disappointed.
Gonsolin owns a jaw-dropping 11-0 record to go along with a superb 2.02 ERA and league leading 0.843 WHIP, per Baseball Reference. He also is first in MLB in hits/9. Gonsolin's ability to paint the corners and limit hard contact has taken his performance to new heights. He was recently rewarded by being selected to the MLB All-Star team.
For the Los Angeles Dodgers, Tony Gonsolin's effort has made up for Walker Buehler's injury. LA had high hopes for Buehler after he was named the team's 2022 Opening Day starter. But he underwent surgery in June to remove a bone spur from his elbow.
Buehler's injury led Dave Roberts to issue a blunt challenge to the team:
“When you lose your ace, there’s gonna have to be some slack picked up.”
It seems as if Tony Gonsolin heard that message and ran with it. He has undeniably picked up the slack and led the Dodgers' rotation. He's not only emerged as a star for LA, but he's established himself as one of the better pitchers in MLB.
Gonsolin is the Los Angeles Dodgers biggest surprise of the 2022 MLB season's first-half.
Follow Us
Subscribe