Introduction: The first half of the fantasy baseball season has been filled with surprises, from rookie standouts to unexpected All-Stars. Several players have exceeded expectations and provided massive returns on their average draft positions. Let’s take a closer look at the third Bargain Bin All-Star team, highlighting these players and their remarkable performances.
First Base:
AL: Josh Naylor of the Guardians has shown improvements in homers, runs scored, and slugging percentage. He ranks highly in RBIs and homers, with potential for even better performance in the second half.
NL: Bryce Harper of the Phillies has been an MVP-caliber player, surpassing expectations with his impressive numbers.
Second Base:
AL: Jordan Westburg of the Orioles, a first-time All-Star, has exceeded expectations with his solid performance in multiple categories.
NL: Luis Garcia Jr. of the Nationals has been a surprise contributor, providing double-digit homers and stolen bases despite his low average draft position.
Shortstop:
AL: Carlos Correa of the Twins has made a strong comeback, earning his first All-Star selection since 2021.
NL: Jackson Merrill of the Padres, a late-round pick, has impressed with his solid hitting and all-around contributions.
Third Base:
AL: Jose Ramirez of the Guardians has been a consistent performer, excelling in RBIs, homers, and stolen bases.
NL: Alec Bohm of the Phillies has already matched his doubles total from last year and ranks highly in RBIs.
Catcher:
AL: Logan O’Hoppe of the Angels has been among the top catchers in various statistical categories.
NL: Patrick Bailey of the Giants has provided consistent production despite being drafted late.
Outfield:
AL: Aaron Judge of the Yankees, the first-half MVP, has outperformed his draft position and become a true bargain.
AL: Brent Rooker of the A’s has shown power despite a high strikeout percentage.
AL: Jarren Duran of the Red Sox has been a valuable contributor in stolen bases, hits, and runs.
NL: Jurickson Profar of the Padres has surprised everyone with his impressive hitting and all-around contributions.
NL: Heliot Ramos of the Giants, with an incredibly low average draft position, has excelled in hitting, OPS, and RBIs.
NL: Brenton Doyle of the Rockies has provided power and speed as a late-round flier.
Utility:
AL: Gunnar Henderson of the Orioles has been an MVP candidate and ranks highly in multiple categories.
NL: Marcell Ozuna of the Braves has shown consistency and leads the NL in RBIs.
Starting Pitchers:
AL: Garrett Crochet of the White Sox has impressed with his strikeout and swinging-strike rates.
AL: Jack Flaherty of the Tigers has regained his 2019 form after struggling in recent years.
AL: Seth Lugo of the Royals, a former Met, has found success with his new team, though some regression may be expected.
AL: Tanner Houck of the Red Sox has been impressive with his low ERA and opponents’ average.
AL: Luis Gil of the Yankees has shown promise despite a rough stretch and a high walk rate.
NL: Paul Skenes of the Pirates has been dominant since his call-up, with an outstanding ERA and strikeout numbers.
NL: Chris Sale of the Braves leads the league in wins and ranks highly in multiple pitching categories.
NL: Reynaldo Lopez of the Braves has surprised everyone with his low ERA after limited starts in previous seasons.
NL: Ranger Suarez of the Phillies has shown consistency and ranks highly in wins, ERA, and opponents’ average.
Betting on Baseball:
NL: Gavin Stone of the Dodgers has exceeded expectations with his impressive performance.
Closer:
AL: Mason Miller of the A’s has capitalized on his opportunities, with an impressive fastball and low opponents’ average.
NL: Ryan Helsley of the Cardinals has been reliable, racking up saves and maintaining a low ERA.
Big Hits:
Reese Olson of the Tigers has excelled in his recent starts, showcasing a low ERA and strikeout-walk rate.
Brenton Doyle of the Rockies has improved his batting average and shown power in July.
Michael Wacha of the Royals has been consistent, with low earned runs and a low opponents’ average.
Rowdy Tellez of the Pirates has been a reliable hitter, providing consistent production.
Big Whiffs:
Carlos Rodon of the Yankees has struggled in recent starts, with a high ERA and opponents’ average.
David Fry of the Guardians has seen a decline in performance since his last homer, with a lower batting average.
Taylor Ward of the Angels has struggled recently, with a low batting average and no homers.
Ezequiel Tovar of the Rockies has struggled in July, with a low batting average and no homers.
First-Half Awards:
Tarik Skubal is the Cy Young winner, showcasing impressive numbers in multiple categories.
Corbin Carroll of the Diamondbacks is the Least Valuable Player, failing to meet expectations.
Paul Skenes is the Rookie of the Year, dominating since his call-up.
Kevin Gausman of the Giants receives the Anti-Cy Young award for underperforming compared to his draft position.
Conclusion: The first half of the fantasy baseball season has been filled with surprises and standout performances from players who have exceeded expectations. From rookies to veterans, these players have provided massive returns on their average draft positions and have become valuable contributors to fantasy squads. As we head into the second half of the season, it will be interesting to see if these players can sustain their success or if they will face regression. Fantasy managers should keep an eye on these Bargain Bin All-Stars and consider their potential impact in the remaining games.
