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The biggest disappointments through the first quarter of the 2022 MLB season
Ron Chenoy/USA Today Images

The biggest disappointments through the first quarter of the 2022 MLB season

Teams and players enter a new season with high hopes, but the beginning of the year doesn't always go as planned. These 25 players are the biggest disappointments of the first quarter of the MLB season.

 
1 of 25

Akil Baddoo, CF, Tigers

Akil Baddoo, CF, Tigers
Kirthmon F. Dozier / USA Today Sports Images

Baddoo had an excellent rookie campaign in 2021, particularly in the second half. Despite that momentum, he hit only .140 in 55 plate appearances for the Tigers before getting demoted to Triple-A.

 
2 of 25

Javier Baez, SS, Tigers

Javier Baez, SS, Tigers
Rick Osentoski / USA Today Sports Images

Baez surprised when he signed a $140 million contract with the Tigers in the offseason, and the early returns aren't great. He's slashed just .205/.244/.308 to open the season and has also missed time to injury.

 
3 of 25

Matt Barnes, RP, Red Sox

Matt Barnes, RP, Red Sox
Paul Rutherford / USA Today Sports Images

Barnes has been ineffective since he signed a contract extension with the Red Sox last season. That's particularly been the case this season, as he carries a 7.11 ERA in 15 appearances while mostly pitching in middle relief.

 
4 of 25

Jose Berrios, SP, Blue Jays

Jose Berrios, SP, Blue Jays
John E. Sokolowski / USA Today Sports Images

There were high hopes for Berrios as Toronto's ace, but he's broken out of the gate slowly. He has a 4.83 ERA through eight starts, struggling to miss bats with only 6.1 strikeouts per nine innings.

 
5 of 25

Aaron Civale, SP, Guardians

Aaron Civale, SP, Guardians
Ken Blaze / USA Today Sports Images

A strong middle-of-the-rotation starter before this season, Civale has basically served up batting practice in the first quarter of the season. He has a 7.84 ERA through seven starts.

 
6 of 25

Brandon Crawford, SS, Giants

Brandon Crawford, SS, Giants
D. Ross Cameron / USA Today Sports Images

Crawford earned a contract extension after remaking his swing last year. The results haven't carried over to 2022, as he's hitting only .223-3-16 in 36 games.

 
7 of 25

Nelson Cruz, DH, Nationals

Nelson Cruz, DH, Nationals
Darren Yamashita / USA Today Sports Images

We've been waiting for the time when Cruz would finally slow, and at age 41, it might have finally arrived. He's hitting below .200 through 154 plate appearances, struggling in the middle of the Nats lineup.

 
8 of 25

Joey Gallo, OF, Yankees

Joey Gallo, OF, Yankees
Brad Penner / USA Today Sports Images

The all-or-nothing Gallo has seen more of the latter this season. While he does have five home runs, Gallo also has 45 strikeouts in 119 plate appearances, resulting in a .176 batting average.

 
9 of 25

Jon Gray, SP, Rangers

Jon Gray, SP, Rangers
Joe Nicholson / USA Today Sports Images

Gray signed a long-term contract with the Rangers in free agency, but his early Texas career has been a disappointment between poor pitching and two IL stints. The former Rockies starter has a 5.73 ERA thus far.

 
10 of 25

Enrique Hernandez, OF, Red Sox

Enrique Hernandez, OF, Red Sox
Nick Turchiaro / USA Today Sports Images

Hernandez was terrific in his first season with Boston, but he hasn't been able to match his high standard. He's hit only .188-1-16 through 36 games played.

 
11 of 25

Jonathan India, 2B, Reds

Jonathan India, 2B, Reds
Kareem Elgazzar / USA Today Sports Images

The reigning NL Rookie of the Year has barely played in his sophomore season due to leg injuries. He's appeared in only 11 games and is set to miss a significant part of the season for the struggling Reds.

 
12 of 25

Jarred Kelenic, OF, Mariners

Jarred Kelenic, OF, Mariners
Joe Nicholson / USA Today Sports Images

Kelenic hit only .181 in the majors last season, but a strong September led to optimism he turned a corner. That turned out not to be the case, as Kelenic hit only .140-3-10 in 30 games before getting demoted to Triple-A.

 
13 of 25

Nick Madrigal, 2B, Cubs

Nick Madrigal, 2B, Cubs
Matt Kartozian / USA Today Sports Images

An elite contact hitter, Madrigal has struck out more than usual and hit only .203 before going on the IL with a back injury. His playing time could be in flux when he does return with Andrelton Simmons and Jonathan Villar likely to pickup playing time.

 
14 of 25

Tyler Mahle, SP, Reds

Tyler Mahle, SP, Reds
Albert Cesare / USA Today Sports Images

Mahle was expected to be Cincinnati's ace after posting a 3.75 ERA in 33 starts last season. Unfortunately, his control has left him this year, resulting in a 5.23 ERA over his first nine starts.

 
15 of 25

Whit Merrifield, OF, Royals

Whit Merrifield, OF, Royals
Ron Chenoy / USA Today Sports Images

Merrifield has been a constant for the Royals lineup since his promotion in 2016, but the bat has yet to deliver this year. He's hitting only .206-2-17 through 38 games played.

 
16 of 25

Adalberto Mondesi, SS, Royals

Adalberto Mondesi, SS, Royals
Lindsey Wasson / USA Today Sports Images

The bad luck for Mondesi continues, after suffering a torn ACL that will keep him out for the remainder of the 2022 season. He's shown star potential when on the field with elite speed and defense but hasn't been able to stay on the field.

 
17 of 25

Charlie Morton, SP, Braves

Charlie Morton, SP, Braves
Dale Zanine / USA Today Sports Images

Morton's 2021 season concluded with a fractured leg suffered in the playoffs, and that might explain what he's started slowly. He's struggled to harness his elite curveball, posting a 4.95 ERA in eight starts.

 
18 of 25

Max Muncy, 1B, Dodgers

Max Muncy, 1B, Dodgers
Jayne Kamin-Oncea / USA Today Sports Images

Returning from a torn elbow ligament, Muncy's bat has been quiet early in the season. He's hitting only .167-3-13 in 36 games, though Muncy's high walk rate has boosted his on-base percentage to .340.

 
19 of 25

Tyler O'Neill, OF, Cardinals

Tyler O'Neill, OF, Cardinals
Denny Medley / USA Today Sports Images

O'Neill was seeing great results last season in spite of a high strikeout rate, but that hasn't continued into 2022. He hit only .195-2-20 in 133 plate appearances before going on the injured list with a shoulder injury.

 
20 of 25

Salvador Perez, C, Royals

Salvador Perez, C, Royals
Steven Bisig / USA Today Sports Images

Perez led the AL with 48 home runs and 121 RBI, but it's been a struggle this year. He hit .206-6-16 before going on the IL with a sprained thumb.

 
21 of 25

Bryan Reynolds, OF, Pirates

Bryan Reynolds, OF, Pirates
Charles LeClaire / USA Today Sports Images

Reynolds was an All-Star last year, though his production has been quiet this year. He's hitting only .223-4-7 in 35 games.

 
22 of 25

Marcus Semien, 2B, Rangers

Marcus Semien, 2B, Rangers
Troy Taormina / USA Today Sports Images

The early returns haven't been great after Semien signed a seven-year, $175 million contract with Texas in the offseason. After winning a Silver Slugger last year, Semien is hitting .178-0-9 in 37 games.

 
23 of 25

Lou Trivino, RP, Athletics

Lou Trivino, RP, Athletics
Nick Turchiaro / USA Today Sports Images

Trivino spent much of 2021 as the A's closer but has struggled in a lower leverage role for much of this year. He has a 7.27 ERA in 12 appearances, also missing time to illness.

 
24 of 25

Joey Votto, 1B, Reds

Joey Votto, 1B, Reds
Ron Chenoy / USA Today Sports Images

Votto's struggles are one of the clearest signs of Cincinnati's downfall in 2022.  The superstar began the season hitting .128-0-3 in 23 games before going on the IL due to COVID-19.

 
25 of 25

Brandon Woodruff, SP, Brewers

Brandon Woodruff, SP, Brewers
Jim Rassol / USA Today Sports Images

An ace for much of his career in Milwaukee, Woodruff is starting the year slowly. He has a 5.35 ERA in seven starts, though his 11.5 strikeouts per nine innings indicate Woodruff should bounce back soon.

Seth Trachtman is a fantasy sports expert and diehard Kansas City Chiefs fan. He doesn't often Tweet, but when he does, you can find him on Twitter @sethroto.

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