Sure, the MLB All Star game is still weeks away—July 14 at Busch Stadium in St. Louis—but All Team Sports Information thinks it’s never too early to plan ahead. Here are three MLB team players that could make some noise in the second half of the season and deserve a spot on your fantasy baseball roster.
FREDDY SANCHEZ, 2B, MLB team Pittsburgh Pirates: Don’t underestimate the guy with the .309 batting average. Sanchez’s post-break average over the last three years is almost 40 points better than his pre-break average. He may not give you daily speed or power points, but Sanchez is almost guaranteed to produce after the break, making him a reliable—and affordable—addition.
AUBREY HUFF, 1B, MLB team Baltimore Orioles: Over the past three years Huff has managed to hit more second-half home runs in fewer at-bats. With a slugging percentage that tends to increase after the All Star break and an already impressive RBI pace, Huff is a legitimate second-half animal. Pick him up now and you can pretty much bank on a solid average, about two dozen more homers, and at least 60 RBI post-break.
BRONSON ARROYO, P, MLB team Cincinnati Reds: Arroyo’s current 5.00 ERA looks grim, but there’s not a better choice right now for deep mixed or NL-only leagues. His three year averages are staggering—a record of 19-14 after the break with a 3.50 ERA, opponents’ batting averages slipping post-break in each of the last three years, and an ERA no higher than 3.55 during that time. The Reds may not win too many this year, but Arroyo is already on pace to be a 20-game winner. Pick him up now for a late-season boost.
