Whether it was an early slump or a product of the brisk weather of early Spring, it took Dayan Viciedo (OF, CWS) a while to get going. But starting around mid-May, Viciedo has not only been productive, he's been tearing the cover off the ball...

So far in 2012, Kelly Johnson (2B, TOR) has been more like the player the Toronto Blue Jays envisioned when they traded for him this past year. Johnson appears to have put to rest the questions that his struggles last season raised for the most part, but digging deeper reveals that some issues persist...

Throughout his career, Edwin Encarnacion (DH/1B, TOR) has teased owners with his considerable ability, but his inconsistent results have continued to frustrate. In 2012, the Blue Jays have given Encarnacion a consistent spot in the lineup and he has responded.

After Boston's incumbent closer left in free agency, it was all but assumed dominant set-up man Daniel Bard (RHP, BOS) would inherit the role in 2012. The Red Sox threw everyone a curve ball, however, converting Bard into a starter in hopes of addressing a rotation with questionable depth. The transition has not gone smoothly...

For the past three seasons, Robinson Cano (2B, NYY) has been one of the steadiest producers in baseball. His owners pay a premium for this consistency so Cano's slow start in 2012 has led to some understandable frustration. Is there something more happening here than just an early season slump?

Blessed with exceptional ability and all five tools, Adam Jones (OF, BAL) has always had the ingredients for stardom. Yet through four MLB seasons, Jones has posted strong if unspectacular numbers leaving many evaluators speculating if there was another level he could reach as a player. So far in 2012, Jones is flirting with that elusive "next level."

Last spring, the words most commonly associated with Matt Wieters (C, BAL) were "disappointment" and "overrated." All Wieters did was answer his critics by putting together a stellar second half and he's come charging out of the gate in 2012 as well. Is it time to call him a star?

Some unfortunate breaks in the Boston outfield have thrust former top prospect Ryan Sweeney (OF, BOS) back into a prominent role. In spite of modest success in the past, Sweeney has not become the complete player he was thought to be...

Another season, another crossroads in the volatile career of Francisco Liriano (LHP, MIN). Whether due to injury or ineffectiveness (sometimes both), Liriano seems to constantly vacillate between success and disaster. Coming off a season that was decidedly of the latter variety, what can be expected of Liriano in 2012?

In a lineup full of more veteran boppers, Brett Gardner (OF, NYY) provides some youth and zip on the bases. Gardner has become a great asset to the Yankees because of his speed and defense, but is there room for more growth in his game?

Last summer, it appeared that the Cardinals were making a big mistake by sending Colby Rasmus (OF, TOR) to the Blue Jays less than a year after he posted a breakout season. In the short term, the trade worked just fine for the Cards as they went on to win the World Series, while Rasmus went into the tank not long after joining his new team.