By Butters in D.C.
League 14
League 16
Well, well, well. Look who’s back. That’s right folks; it is the return of the Hit List. We are just past the ceremonial halfway point of the season, and it’s time to unveil my half-surprise team. These are not necessarily the biggest surprises of the first half - but players that have both value that has gone under the radar and the potential to continue to shine in the second half.
Catcher - Chris Iannetta, Colorado Rockies. Six catchers have ten or more homers before the break - Brian McCann, Geovany Soto, Mike Napoli, Ryan Doumit, Russell Martin and Iannetta. Combine that with a good batting average, and the fact that he didn’t grab the starter gig until May, and Iannetta is a second half catcher worth acquiring.
First Base - Aubrey Huff, Baltimore Orioles. Triple Crown threat Lance Berkman has been getting all of the attention, but Huff has been putting together his best season since 2004. With the Orioles out of contention (again), Huff has the most value moving to a contender like, say, Tampa Bay where he could both solidify the right field situation and return to his old stomping grounds. If he moves, see if he is available.
Second Base - Howie Kendrick, Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim (with offices in El Segundo, Marina Del Rey, and fabulous Culver City.) Coming into this season, second base was Chase Utley, Brandon Phillips, and everyone else. Let me be the next to say, second base is back!
With the emergence of Ian Kinsler and Dan Uggla (All-Star game performance notwithstanding), second base no longer has to feel like a second class position. Howie Kendrick seems to be the forgotten player at the position. If he could ever stay healthy for a full season, he could really do some damage. Grab him if you can, especially in keeper leagues where he is under-valued.
Third Base - Jorge Cantu, Florida Marlins. Third base has been the position of disappointment. Miguel Cabrera, Alex Gordon, even David Wright, have all come in under expectations to this point in the season. Cantu, basically a waiver wire pick-up has given his lucky owners a .283/18/54/59/2 stat line. Not bad as a third baseman … better yet for your corner/utility player.
Shortstop - J.J. Hardy, Milwaukee Brewers. Everyone not named Hanley Ramirez or Jose Reyes has been terribly disappointing this year. When Jerry Harriston Jr. is the #4 rated shortstop, you know it’s a down year. Hardy has been heating up lately with a .361 average and 9 homers in the last month. Combine that with what is sure to be a fantastic pennant race, and he becomes the best bet for second half success.
Outfield - Nick Markakis, Baltimore Orioles and Ryan Ludwick, St. Louis Cardinals. Markakis has always been a second half guy. If you can buy low from a novice owner, do it. Ludwick, on the other hand, has the confidence of maybe four people not related to him. I’m proud to be one of them. This is a guy that was about to quit the game, gave it one more shot, and is having an All-Star season. No, he has no track record of being this good, but there’s something to be said for guys playing for their career. Just look at Fernando Tatis …
Starting Pitcher - Ryan Dempster, Chicago Cubs. Sure, there’s Cliff Lee and Edinson Volquez and Joe Saunders that all have great stories, but the one I’m buying into is Ryan Dempster. The once (and surely future) scrap heaper, has a 3.25 ERA and 10 wins before the break. There seems to be something to the Cubs this year, though, and combined with his funky delivery, he has Ludwick-like karma attached. Many owners of Dempster may have picked him up because of his traditionally strong April ERA and found a nice surprise. They may also be ready to cash in.
Honorable Mention goes to Rich Harden, Dempster’s newest rotation-mate. Harden owners may be ready to ditch the bad karma involved with a potential Harden/Prior/Wood connection. Take the risk - no guts, no glory.
Relief Pitcher - Grant Balfour, Tampa Bay Rays. Brian Fuentes, George Sherrill and Brian Wilson could all be traded or demoted and lose their jobs, and none of them have a big time “closer in waiting” to step right in. Grant Balfour is backing up an injured 40 year old closer and Dan Wheeler, who doesn’t have the numbers of Balfour, but does have the scarlet “C” having been a closer before. Balfour’s 33K’s in 22 IP can’t be ignored, and even if he doesn’t get the job, he could be this year’s Heath Bell.
Honorable Mention to Jonathan Broxton of the LA Dodgers, but with Saito out for most of the summer, his sleeper value is gone.
Grab these players if you can, and win now. Trade these players away and you can get some top notch keepers. We’re ten days from the MLB non-waiver trade deadline, and I for one can’t wait to see how it plays out.