The 2021 season introduced many new things. This was the first full season the man on second base rule in extra innings was introduced, many new uniforms were released, and many teams stepped up and defied expectations, like the San Francisco Giants winning 107 games. In this article, I wanted to talk about the 9 players this season who came from out of nowhere and had breakout seasons in 2021.
Pitcher: Sean Manaea
It’s only fitting that our 1st underrated player comes from one of the most underappreciated teams in the MLB, the Oakland Athletics. A very small market team that landed this kid off of a trade from the Kansas City Royals in 2015, and let me tell you this guy is good. Through the last 6 years, he has had a 3.86 ERA which is exceptional for 6 years in a row. His worst season was talking about this stud muffin who could be a #2 starter on many teams.
Catcher: Mike Zunino
Although he was an all-star in 2021, not enough people give him the credit he deserves. This man just casually hit 33 home runs this season and nobody noticed. He bulked up quite a bit as if you look at a picture from 2018 and a picture of him now he has gained weight and put on muscle, and it has shown. He also has improved his pitch framing as well as his pop time and has become the everyday starting catcher for the Tampa Bay Rays.
1st Baseman: Jose Abreu
Now, don’t come at me for being biased, this is 100% my honest opinion. Jose Abreu is the best first baseman in the AL, other than Vladimir Guerrero Jr, and the man does not get the credit he deserves. Every single year he puts out the same product; 35 homers, 100 RBI’s, a ..260-.270 BA, and he gets better every year with his defense. Remember that one time he saved the Carlos Rodon no-hitter and the Lucas Giolito no-hitter in the later 2 innings? He is only gonna keep mashing, and you all need to put some respect on his name. I hear a lot of people say he is overrated when in reality he is a top 4 first baseman in the league.
2nd Baseman: Jose Altuve
Yes, I know what you’re thinking, that is how in the world is Jose Altuve on this list. The name has been in some very controversial discussions over the last 2 years. He is the exact opposite of underrated, he is overrated. But I’m not taking into consideration stuff that isn’t playing time and what he has done on the field. The fact of the matter is that Jose has had a very good season this year. He hit 31 homers with a .278 BA and is starting to clean up the errors as well. People simply refuse to believe he is good after the whole sign-stealing scandal, but he is a top 3 second baseman in the league.
3rd Baseman: Rafael Devers
This kid is a stud. Crazy power off the bat, can achieve crazy high exit velocity. Just watch this home run by him this season and you’ll get that impression. Absolutely nobody puts him in their top 5 list, it’s all the same names; Nolan Arenado, Matt Chapman, Josh Donaldson, and deservingly so, these are all players that are outstanding to watch. But I do feel Devers is easily a top 3 3rd baseman in the league. I mean he’s hitting 2nd on a loaded Red Sox lineup. He hit 38 bombs and drove in 113 and no one batted an eye. He is also getting better with the glove. He is solid fundamentally and has made some tricky plays. He is only going to get better and better, and I hope with that he grows more and more popular.
Shortstop: Tim Anderson
Tim Anderson is an absolute cheat code and it’s time you recognize him as a top 4 shortstop in the game. What is it, 3 consecutive years now where he either leads or is top 3 in batting average among all players?. It seems like every time he gets up to the plate he is bound to get a hit and he never strikes out. He won the batting crown in 2019 and finished 2nd to DJ Lemahieu in 2020. In a season where the biggest and brightest of stars were bad, Tim Anderson still stayed hot because that’s just how good he is. He has the clutch factor in him as well. Remember the Field of Dreams game? I sure do. And every year he gets better defensively. In 2019 he was very shaky, but in 2021 he has cleaned it up and has become good with the glove. Lots of people still give him crap for being cocky, the whole deal with the bat flip against the Royals (insert video). But at the end of the day when you have 3 exceptional years and have almost no slump, you can say whatever you want.
