The 2017 season saw Zack Cozart go HAM. The veteran shortstop had long been a well above average defender at shortstop, but his offense picked up in a huge, huge way in what would end up being his walk year, as he hit a robust .297/.385/.548 for the Cincinnati Reds, setting career-best marks across the board with his bat.
That 68 win ballclub held on to Cozart, you’ll recall, opting against trading him for whatever they could get. Cozart, as he was well wont to do, inked a huge contract with the Los Angeles Angels that winter, and the Reds have still been trying to replace his production at shortstop ever since.