These guys have struggled for much of the season, but got hot heading into the All-Star break and could be poised to turn things around in the second half. That means you won't find the likes of Robinson Cano, Jose Bautista, Matt Holliday, Andrew McCutchen, Aaron Hill and Colby Rasmus, all talented hitters who enjoyed monster Junes.
Delmon Young
The Tigers' outfielder salvaged an otherwise disappointing first half by homering in each of the four games leading up to the Break to raise his OPS 51 points from a lousy .665 to a pedestrian .716. He's driven in 13 runs in his past 15 games, but his lack of plate discipline is troubling; he has left the yard more times (ten) than he's drawn a walk (nine). It doesn't take a genius to know that is not a recipe for success.
Brian McCann
McCann, who missed the All-Star Game for the first time since becoming an everyday catcher, has been a model of consistency but is suffering a down year by his lofty standards; all three triple slash stats have plunged roughly 50 points from his career averages. After a hot start to the season he faded fast, but may be primed for a big second half after going yard in all four games before the Break and knocking in 11 runs. His OPS jumped 57 points from an ugly .674 to a slightly more respectable .731, and he's back on track to exceed 20 home runs for the sixth time in seven seasons.
Ian Desmond
An oblique injury caused him to sit out the All-Star Game, but couldn't slow him down as he ended the first half on fire. Over his past dozen games the Nationals' shortstop has pounded out seven doubles, six home runs and plated 15 runners. His OPS spiked 97 points, from an unspectacular .737 on June 25th to the .830 mark it is now. I just can't believe that the formerly light-hitting shortstop is on pace for a 30 homer season after slugging just .387 in the first 329 games of his career.
Alexei Ramirez
After sputtering (.215/.238/.269, one home run) through the season's first two and a half months, the Cuban Missile has finally taken off. Going back to June 15th he's batting a scorching .423 in 21 games with just four strikeouts in 78 at-bats. He's put together a dozen multi-hit games in that timeframe, helping his batting average climb 51 points. Most importantly for the White Sox, many of those hits have been productive; despite hiding in the bottom third of the order Ramirez has piled up 17 RBI. His numbers still aren't pretty, but fantasy owners who sent this traditionally slow starter packing to the waiver wire are surely kicking themselves now.
Ryan Zimmerman
Hadn't looked like himself after returning from a DL stint in early May, but after receiving a cortisone shot in late June he's come alive. In the two weeks before the All-Star Game the Nats' third sacker banged out eleven extra base hits, scored 13 runs, racked up 18 ribbies and raised his OPS 104 points, from a measly .590 to a still mediocre .694. Manager Davey Johnson is short on middle-of-the-order threats and needs his franchise player to keep being a force out of the three hole in the lineup. Cortisone shots wear off eventually, but perhaps some much needed R and R will help keep Zimmerman's bat from immediately cooling down.
Kevin Youkilis
With Boston, Will Middlebrooks and another disappointing season fading in his rearview mirror, Youk looks rejuvenated after a late June trade had him leave Beantown for the Windy City. After taking a week to get acclimated to his new surroundings, the Greek God of Walks has caught fire in July. He's recorded at least one hit and one RBI in each game this month, his sharp batting eye has returned and he's come up with several key late-game hits for Chicago. His OPS has increased 95 points in just eight games! Barring injury, expect more of the same from Youkilis in the second half as he continues to contribute.
Pedro Alvarez/Neil Walker
McCutchen's having a Matt Kemp kind of breakout this year, but if the Pirates were going to remain legit contenders he couldn't do it all by himself. He finally got some assistance from Alvarez, the power-hitting prospect who looked like a bust with each passing day, and Walker, the team's second baseman and second best hitter last season. Alvarez was batting a lowly .189.,254/.373 after the Indians blanked Pittsburgh on June 15th, but in the 21 games since then he's raked at a .343/.439/.757 clip to help spark the Bucs to a 15-6 run. He also provided plenty of his signature pop with eight big flies and 25 RBI, raising his OPS 158 points from .627 to .785. Walker's riding a twelve game hitting streak capped off by a 5-for-5 performance off Tim Lincecum and the Giants on Sunday. He's also scored 15 runs, clubbed eight doubles, totaled eleven RBI and pushed his OPS 106 points from .668 to .774. Both will need to remain productive if the Pirates want to avoid a repeat of the second half collapse that sunk their season last year.
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