Overbay Traded to Toronto!
Second Half Projections
Who should you be keeping an eye on?
Dennis Jenders
The second half of the season starts this week. For fantasy baseball fans that means no two-starters and even the worst team in the league has a chance to beat you this week. Looking back at the first half of the season we've seen some big performers.
Without doubt Derrek Lee has got to be the MVP of fantasy baseball. I passed him in my draft for Richie Sexson. Although "Big Sexy" has put up the power numbers I avoided Lee because of past disappointment. And it looks as if I am disappointed again for not taking him because he finally broke through with a huge first half. Challenging for the Triple Crown will be hard, but he should continue to power your team in the second half of the season.
There have also been some notable busts. Carlos Beltran was pegged as a top outfielder. His big month at the end of last season with the Astros propelled him to superstar status and a big pay check with the Mets. But he has yet to run like he has in the past and the power isn't exactly there either. I still predict a big rebound for him in the second half. He won't steal 40 bases this year, but he might add another 10-15 to his totals.
Nomar, Schilling, Prior, Wood, Ordonez, Bonds; I hope you avoided them killing your season. I myself took a flyer on Ordonez knowing he was injured. I unfortunately dropped him a month in and picked him up right before he came back, but dropped him again for Rickie Weeks. Ordonez looks like he could provide some solid numbers in the second half, but Weeks has been worth the roster space as well. He seriously could be top 5 next year, and could be top 5 the rest of the way this year. He has incredible pop and is stealing bases.
Who else should you be eyeing up in the second half?
Aubrey Huff. Sure he has been slow this year but the guy always comes through in the second half of the season. Buy low now before it is too late.
Justin Morneau. OK, I'm not completely sure he can turn it around. Looking at some recent plate appearences it looks as if the guy is OK, just not producing. Sooner or later the power has to come around and he could pound 15+ into the seats for you. He was dropped in my league and I scooped him up just in case he gets hots.
Rickie Weeks and Craig Biggio. One is new on the scene and the other has been a main stay in the league for years. But both of these guys project well in the second half, and while they are not a surprise I'd trade for them or pick them up off the wire is still available. I think Weeks could really surprise with a 20 HR season and Biggio can help you in the OF as well. Keep an eye on Cantu as he continues to mash the ball well too.
Adrian Beltre. He started slow but was heating up near the end of the first half. Trade for him now while you still have the chance. Another guy that got hot was Eric Chavez. It may be too late to snag him, but he should continue his second half heroics this year as well.
If Carlos Guillen can stay healthy I think he can be top 5 the rest of the way. Jose Reyes looks a little less like a slap-ball hitter recently and he continues to run. And Felipe Lopez is a nice surprise for those who plucked him off the waiver wire. Along with Miguel Tejada and Michael Young these guys could round out the top 5-7 at SS.
I've already mentione Beltran. What OFs could make an impact? Preston Wilson just joined the Nationals. They have been winning but haven't been able to put up a lot of runs. I see him really helping this lineup, even if he doesn't hit for power in the very pitcher friendly park. But those HR that he would hit in Coors Field could still be triples. I also like Vernon Wells to heat up and Ichiro Suzuki to break out of his funk. Aaron Rowand hit 15 HR last last year, could he do the same this year?
Ben Sheets is back. Too late for trades - but I think he and the Brewers have a big second half. Chris Capuano looks like the steal of the Sexon trade and could win 18 games this year. Stay away from Halladay and Kenny Rogers. Jason Schmidt looks like he has his velocity and confidence back. He could win 8 or more and salvage his late 1st or 2nd round draft status. Josh Beckett can dazzle, but OUCH those blisters hurt him and your season. I think Brandon Webb and Tim Hudson will bounce back and I really like Jake Westbrook, Danny Haren, and Jeff Weaver to build on some first half success.
Good luck in the second half of your season.