It is at this midway point of the season where we look at teams in baseball and the players to evaluate our favorite team’s chances to move ahead this year. As fantasy baseball players, we look at players primarily from a statistics perspective. What does get lost in all the evaluations are the players that have not had the breakouts like Adam Duvall, Wil Myers or Mark Trumbo, but still have contributed more than what was originally expected of them by the fantasy community in the preseason. Even with their solid performances, they get overshadowed by the more immense successes of their peers.
When the season began, Dietrich was a backup on the depth chart to Martin Prado at 3B, a back up to Christian Yelich in LF, and a backup to Dee Gordon at 2B. In the spring, the Marlins gave him playing time at 1B just so that they could explore ways to get his bat into their lineup. When Dee Gordon was suspended 80 games for PED’s , it was presumed that the Marlins’ season was over before it had begun. Instead, Dietrich slotted in at 2B and the Marlins remain in the mix for the division pennant and the wild card is certainly in play as well. He has a .395 OBP as he is batting either 1st or 6th in the Marlins talented lineup.
When Dee Gordon does come back from his suspension, playing time may be an issue for Dietrich, but please consider this fact: Dee Gordon is ineligible for the postseason. What that could mean is that Dee Gordon’s playing time may be relegated so that it does not impact the flow or chemistry of the team if they are in the playoff mix. Dietrich has proven himself worthy of his playing time and should be a solid producer going forward.
When you hear or read about the Houston Astros this season, you will most likely be enamored with the MVP caliber season Jose Altuve is having, or the production that George Springer is giving his team and your fantasy team out of the leadoff spot, or the fact that Carlos Correa continues to blossom before our very eyes into an elite SS. What gets lost is that Colby Rasmus is batting 5th in the lineup and putting up some quality numbers. He has 10 HR, 40 RBI, a .328 OBP and 4 SB. In the second half of the year, look for similar production levels as the opportunities will certainly remain available to him.
When the season ended in 2015, it was more than apparent that Aaron Sanchez had the talent to be a SP at the MLB level even though he was pitching out of the bullpen in Toronto’s playoff run. It was presumed he would be a back end of the pitching staff kind of guy that would be limited in his innings and Toronto admittedly said that their plans were to shift him back to the bullpen in efforts to limit his innings. So far, Sanchez now has a 9-1 record with a 2.94 ERA and a 1.18 WHIP across 113 1/3 innings pitched. He is averaging 6 2/3 innings pitched per appearance, and is nearly striking out 3 batters for everyone that he walks (99K/35 BB). Due to his being young and new to the starting role at the MLB level, everyone presumes that there will be a drop off and from his current stats. That is most likely true, but keep in mind though that when watching Sanchez pitch, he has a demeanor that allows him to overcome a homerun hit against him and sticks with his game plan. In Toronto, that is a necessary asset that should keep him in the mix the rest of this season and beyond.
When you look up the best records in baseball this season, you will not find Pomeranz up top because his record is currently 7-7. In previous seasons, he has been a hybrid of a SP and RP, but he was primarily used out of the bullpen in a middle relief role. This season with the Padres, it was presumed in the preseason that he would shore up the back end of the bullpen. Instead, he has been atop the Padres rotation and the numbers he has put up have been incredible. Over his 16 starts he has pitched 95 innings while striking out 109 batters while only walking 39 of them. His ERA is 2.65 while his WHIP is even more impressive at 1.09. He has struck out 6 or more batters in 12 of his 16 appearances while in 2 of them reached the 10 strikeout mark. In 6 of his starts, he has not given up an earned run. Pomeranz’s name has become prominent in trade talks as contenders want him on their staffs and with a better offensive supporting cast, his record should improve. Keep an eye out for where he lands.
Utley is now 37 years old and his prime years are far behind him. So much so, that he went undrafted in a lot of leagues and remains unowned now in a lot of leagues. Utley is batting just .258 this season, but compared to his batting average of .212 in 2015, that is a leap forward that has resurrected his value. The Dodgers are using Utley in the leadoff spot and his .342 OBP is making that move pay off as he has scored 40 runs while knocking in 27 RBI from a spot in the lineup that does not generate too many RBI opportunities. He is never going to be the Chase Utley of old again, but his contributions this year both in reality and fantasy have given us a glimpse of what he once was.
Lenny Melnick’s preseason gem was Melvin Upton Jr. Most dismissed the player formerly known as BJ as someone that was just a lineup filler that may get you some extra stolen bases here and there, but not much else. He currently has 13 HR, 39 RBI & 19 SB in 24 attempts. If you drafted him this year, you have enjoyed a wonderful profit already and everything going forward is gravy. Please be aware though that in 21 games this season where he recorded an at-bat, he has gone hitless, so when he is on he is on, but when he is not, he can kill your daily lineups.
The biggest highlight of Odor’s season was the right cross he delivered to Jose Bautista’s chin that earned him an 8 game suspension. What gets lost is that Odor has already hit 16 HR knocking in 42 RBI while also stealing 7 bases in 9 attempts. In the early part of the year, Odor was batting leadoff or 2nd in the Rangers lineup, but his low OBP of .289 has caused the Rangers to move him down to 5th or 6th in the lineup. This move may hurt his speed potential, but should help him increase his RBI totals as the Rangers offense is becoming a force up and down the lineup card.
When preseason drafting occurred, due to his past injury history hindering fantasy owners hopes and dreams, Saunders was being taken as late as the 40th round in NFBC Drafts. In most other leagues he was going undrafted altogether. His .366 OBP has allowed him to be a duck on the pond in one of the most explosive lineups in all of baseball helping him score 43 runs to date and when he is not on the bases himself, he is driving them in as he has already hit 15 HR with 38 RBI. We all hold our breath as Saunders’ owners hoping an injury does not take him out, but while he is healthy, let’s enjoy the wonderful ride.
I am sure that there are plenty of others whom you feel are deserving of recognition and feel free to take the time to comment on this article. The halfway point of the season has come and gone and the All Star Break looms next. Let’s hope that these unsung heroes continue their great seasons and may many more turn things around in the second half so that they may receive recognition when the season is over.
Comments 4
Forsythe was so hot before getting beaned an having to hit the DL. Costellones went from top 20 to a top 10 3rd baseman and providing the HRs the Tigers live by. Preseason left Bauer for dead and I couldn’t understand it- he’s a good pitcher. Pirate Josh Harrison too, eligible in 3 positions, hitting .270 and on pace for 80 RBIs and 25 SBs.
Author
Very good calls by both of you and I thank you both for adding your commentaries to this piece. When writing these articles, I am aiming for them to spark discussions.
With such a topic, I hoped to provide a list of players whom qualified for the title of unsung heroes, but never imagined I would be able to give a complete list myself on such a broad topic. I thank you both for your valuable additions to my list of players and I am hopeful that many other Legions members follow your lead and add commentary to my articles past, present, and future.
Even if you may disagree with my articles, constructive criticism is welcome. It is the only way I may improve.
I wish you all well and look forward to your contributions to our community be it through commentaries on articles or simply through conversation in the chat room..
David I must add Guerra to this list 2.97 era and 1.02 whip
Trevor Bauer, Logan Forsythe, Nick Costellones and my neighbor who sunbathes topless and doesn’t think I can see her.