Lots of choices for this one.  Add anyone you think I may have missed. 

Most unlikely would be Mercedes as he wasn't even really considered an MLB player and was outstanding for that run.

This was kinda hard to choose but I went with Yermin Mercedes. Yes his run was a fluke at the end of the day, but it was a HUGE boost to the team after just having lost Eloy Jimenez for half the summer.

Kinda wanted to go with Rodon, but his case is more like "finally living up to his full capability that we all knew he had"

The answer should be 100% Rodon as Yermin is no longer a hero

Rodon is the no brainer. Went from nobody wanting him back to the Ace of the staff going into the playoffs.

1 minute ago, Chicago White Sox said:

The answer should be 100% Rodon as Yermin is no longer a hero

Agreed. Most were hoping he'd be able to hold a starting spot until Kopech was able to slide into the rotation. Instead he became not only one of the best pitchers on the team, but all of baseball.

Rodon.  But I would say that I think Vaughn stepping up in the way he has is pretty surprising.

50 minutes ago, TheTruth05 said:

Rodon is the no brainer. Went from nobody wanting him back to the Ace of the staff going into the playoffs.

Agree.   2nd is Leury.  The way the injured list was going I'd fear they would have to dip all the way down to Birmingham for replacements.

1 hour ago, ptatc said:

Most unlikely would be Mercedes as he wasn't even really considered an MLB player and was outstanding for that run.

This is why I voted Mercedes.

1 hour ago, lostfan said:

This was kinda hard to choose but I went with Yermin Mercedes. Yes his run was a fluke at the end of the day, but it was a HUGE boost to the team after just having lost Eloy Jimenez for half the summer.

Kinda wanted to go with Rodon, but his case is more like "finally living up to his full capability that we all knew he had"

This is exactly why I didn’t vote Rodon.

This team is not in the position it's in without Rodon. Mercedes was huge for them obviously, but I think they would have ultimately survived. 

2 hours ago, mqr said:

This team is not in the position it's in without Rodon. Mercedes was huge for them obviously, but I think they would have ultimately survived. 

I agree. IMO, it's Rodon, and it's not particularly close. He was hoping to be the 5th starter. He pitched like a Cy Young award winner.

Wheres Vaughn on this list? He was supposed to be in AA this year.

Seby Zavala is seriously the worst major league hitter I've ever seen. I dont know how he has the stats he does.

24 minutes ago, reiks12 said:

Wheres Vaughn on this list? He was supposed to be in AA this year.

Everything I remember reading had Vaughn penciled in as opening day DH until the injuries forced him to LF.

I agree that Rodon is #1 because despite the talent, it was very unlikely that he would be this good for this long.

I would put Mercedes a close 2nd though because that first month was key with all the injuries and getting off to a good start made a huge difference even after Mercedes himself stopped making a difference.

2 hours ago, Colome's Hat said:

Rodon.  But I would say that I think Vaughn stepping up in the way he has is pretty surprising.

Rodon would get my vote hands down and I agree with you adding Vaughn to this list.  All the names on the original list are worthy of honorable mention and show how many contributors we've had.  Virtually every player being mentioned has had a hand in several wins at a minimum.

I went with Rodon, I'm just hoping he can come back from this latest setback.

4 hours ago, VAfan said:

Lots of choices for this one.  Add anyone you think I may have missed. 

Riensdorf

3 hours ago, mqr said:

This team is not in the position it's in without Rodon. Mercedes was huge for them obviously, but I think they would have ultimately survived. 

I agree that Rodon has made the biggest impact among the surprise heroes, but I don’t agree that Rodon has been the most unlikely hero, hence my vote for Mercedes.

2 hours ago, reiks12 said:

Wheres Vaughn on this list? He was supposed to be in AA this year.

Vaughn was penciled in as the starter at DH for the year.   The only thing unlikely about his performance is how well he's adapted to the outfield.  His hitting is what most of us expected, even if it might be a bit better.  For example, he's at 114 OPS+.  I recall a pre-season post where most of us thought he'd be in that range. 

I'd say it's Vaughn. Just cause I like him. I think Rodon is the overall hero though.

Team MVP: Tim Anderson.

Unsung hero: Vaughn.

Best pitcher: Rodon.

Most potential: Eloy.

Biggest surprise: LaRussa being so good he's made a mockery out of his haters.

Edited August 14, 20214 yr by greg775

22 minutes ago, greg775 said:

I'd say it's Vaughn. Just cause I like him. I think Rodon is the overall hero though.

Team MVP: Tim Anderson.

Unsung hero: Vaughn.

Best pitcher: Rodon.

Most potential: Eloy.

Biggest surprise: LaRussa being so good he's made a mockery out of his haters.

I especially like when he took Hendricks out of the bullpen rotation for 6 days. He needed the rest.

On 8/13/2021 at 11:22 AM, Chicago White Sox said:

The answer should be 100% Rodon as Yermin is no longer a hero

Speak for yourself

On 8/14/2021 at 6:29 PM, ron883 said:

Speak for yourself

If Yermin doesn't return at some point to MLB and make it, what a wild story it will be. A month and a half of being a total hero. Talk about 15 minutes of fame and success, wow. I mean for him it wasn't just one good game it was many. He was epic.

I voted Reynaldo Lopez. While all the attention has been on Hendriks and Kimbrel, Lopez has teamed up with Kopech to be the aces of the bullpen. Reynaldo and Kopech are the two standard bearers Hendriks and Kimbrel are trying to keep up with. 

Rodon, Vaughn, then Goodwin.