Yesterday, I went over the top 100 for fantasy baseball in the 2nd half. Today, I’ll look at some 2nd half hitters who should be better than they were in the first half. To come up with this list, I scoured the last three years of post-All-Star Break numbers, ran it through a supercomputer that’s bigger than your Peugeot, pasted the supercomputer-generated names to my shirt like dollar bills on a wedding dress then went to a palm reader to help me pick ten names out of the thousands. The palm reader’s name was Erica Karabell. Tomorrow, I’ll go over the fantasy baseball pitchers who have been notoriously stronger in the 2nd half. Anyway, here’s the best 2nd half fantasy baseball hitters for 2009:
Mike Napoli – Last year, he led the United States and Canada in OPS after the break for hitters with more than 100 ABs. Vlad the ’97 Impaler and Torii are both hurting, which will help Napoli see more time.
Alex Rodriguez – Everyone’s favorite frosted hair 3rd baseman. Hit 24 homers in 263 ABs in the 2007 2nd half. Hit 16 homers in 2008.
Jimmy Rollins – In 2007, he swiped 26 bags in the 2nd half. Last year, Rollins had the third most steals in the 2nd half (23) behind only Taveras and Reyes.
Carlos Pena – 26 homers in 2007’s 2nd half. 17 homers in the 2nd half last year. This year I say he hits 15 to give him 39 for the year. Why? Cause Pena seems like a 39 homer guy. Yes, it’s that scientific.
Pat Burrell – In the first half of 2007, Burrell looked done — hitting .215 and only 11 homers. In the 2nd half, he hit 19 homers and .295. There’s very few cheap outfielders that can hit 20 homers in the 2nd half. Burrell’s one. And as any girl from the University of Miami in the late 90s will tell you, whereever Burrell is, Huff’s not far behind…
Aubrey Huff – Hey, it’s Pat the Bat’s fingercuff partner. In 2007 and 2008, Huff had a .686 and .875 OPS in the 1st half, respectively. Then .897 and .964 in the 2nd half.
Alex Rios – Did you know that after Pujols Rios hit the most extra base hits in the 2nd half last year? Stephen Drew (<– Bonus name!) was third. Both in front of Manny’s crazy, hormonal-fueled 2nd half.
Luke Scott – Career pre-All-Star break numbers .241/.329/.461 — Post-All-Star break numbers .299/.386/.558. I see it now, next March someone in the comments is going to say, “I’m punting outfielders and taking Luke Scott late. I’m awesome!!!”
Ty Wigginton – Honestly, not even sure if he’ll get playing time. So I’m not saying trade for him, but if he’s on waivers, play close attention. In the last three seasons, his 2nd half OPSs have been .990, .841 and .915, respectively.
Adam LaRoche – What’s Dusty Baker without a 1st base, 3rd base, hitting, pitching and bench coach? What would a list of post-All-Star break hitters be without Adam LaRoche? Nada, nada, nada damn thing…
