With roughly 77 games gone in the 2013 Major League Baseball season, standings are starting to shake out and players are starting to become major disappointments or success stories.
The good news about being 77 games into the season is that there are over 90 games left in the season, which gives players who are slumping plenty of time to turn it around. Many of these players were high draft picks in most fantasy baseball drafts this season, making their struggles that much harder to swallow for owners. But just because they have opened up the fantasy season in a slump, doesn’t mean they don’t have time to turn it around. Either trade for these players in the hopes that they can turn it around, or if you own one of these players sit tight, because better days are coming.
10. Albert Pujols, 1B, Los Angeles Angels
Pujols is never going to be THE Albert Pujols ever again, that’s not much of a secret. But the former National League MVP is by no means a .256 hitter. This is a player who once hit .359. Granted, that was back in 2003 but he still has the same skill set he did back then. The Angels’ offense is struggling, but they will eventually come together, they are too talented not to.
When that happens, Pujols will return to form. Although he only has 13 homeruns currently, he has never hit fewer than 30 homers and hit 37 just two seasons ago. His value is certainly going to decline in 2014, but he still has the ability to turn around this slump.
9. Matt Kemp, CF, Los Angeles Dodgers
Kemp is in the midst of one of his worst seasons as a pro, only hitting two homers in 53 games. This is way off from his average of 21 homeruns that he averages per season. Kemp is currently serving a stint on the disabled list, and he should be able to turn things around once he heals up.
At 28, Kemp is in his prime, and given his career .492 slugging percentage his power numbers will definitely go up. The Dodgers as a team are really struggling, and their offense could use a boost from Kemp, who last year played in 106 games and drove in 69 runs, compared to the 36 RBI he is projected to have if he keeps up this pace.
8. Starlin Castro, SS, Chicago Cubs
Castro doesn’t have nearly as much experience in the MLB as Pujols and Kemp, and therefore has a smaller track record to look at, but he is too talented to continue hitting .231. After being named to two consecutive All Star games, Castro is only getting on base 26 percent of the time through 75 games. His speed is considerably down this season from last, only stealing six bases after stealing 25 in 2012. Shortstop is already a weak position, so it’s not worth flat-out cutting Castro and it’s worth waiting for him to get back on track. He has a ton of untapped potential and his first three seasons indicate he is capable of much more than he is doing now.
7. Yoenis Cespedes, LF, Oakland Athletics
Given the successes of the A’s this season, it’s surprising their starting left fielder isn’t playing better. Most recently, Cespedes was slowed down by left hamstring tenderness, causing him to go 4-for-28 in a seven-day stretch while he was forced to DH instead of playing in the field.
Cespedes is only hitting .225 this season, but has scored 42 runs which is mainly because of the play by his teammates. His homeruns are also on pace to surpass his number from last season, but owners are waiting for his average and on-base percentage to go up. He only has one season to compare to, but as the A’s make a playoff push Cespedes may start getting on base more often.
6. Jason Heyward, RF, Atlanta Braves
Despite their hot start, very few of Atlanta’s hitters are having great fantasy seasons. The 23-year-old Heyward has never had a high average, but his stolen bases, RBI and doubles are all down. The Braves are at the top of the National League East but are 4-6 in their last 10 games. Heyward is talented and is capable of much more than the numbers he’s producing now, and will eventually get there as the season goes on.
5. Giancarlo Stanton, RF, Miami Marlins
If you’re on the Marlins, chances are your numbers aren’t going to be very good. Good thing for Stanton is that he may be traded as the trade deadline gets closer. Reports say that the Marlins aren’t interested in trading Stanton, but if another team offers enough it may be the push Miami needs to give Stanton to a team who are much better off than the Marlins. Stanton is only slugging .270 after leading the league last season. He has missed almost half the season thus far with injury, and if his health improves (even if he stays on the Marlins) his numbers will improve and his value will double if he’s traded.
4. Matt Cain, SP, San Francisco Giants
Like most players on this list, Cain is playing for a team that is struggling. 2013 just doesn’t seem to be the Giants’ year. But Cain is much more than a 5-4 pitcher with a 4.54 ERA. It’s tough to keep starting Cain, but fantasy owners have to remember that just a year ago he was 16-5 with a 2.79 ERA and a 1.04 WHIP. Cain will turn it around, he’s simply too talented not to.
3. CC Sabathia, SP, New York Yankees
Sabathia does have eight wins in 16 starts, but his ERA is way up at 4.09. His WHIP is also a point higher than it was last season. The Yankees are hurting, and are missing some of their best players, especially Derek Jeter, one of the best defensive shortstop in the history of the game. When New York gets healthy, their lineup will be better, which will give Sabathia more wins, and having better gloves in the infield should drive down his ERA and WHIP.
2. Ryan Zimmerman, 3B, Washington Nationals
Like the rest of the Nationals, Zimmerman is just out-of-sorts this season. Zimmerman hasn’t played in a full season since 2007, and he has already missed games this season. But what’s more alarming is his 61 strikeouts, which is on pace o be his highest total since 2007. He may never have a year like last season when he drove in 95 runs and hit 25 homeruns, but if Washington can turn it around Zimmerman will go right along with it.
1. Justin Verlander, SP, Detroit Tigers
Prior to this season, Verlander was in the talk for the crown of best pitcher in baseball, after finishing first in Cy Young voting in 2011 and second in 2012. But Verlander has his highest ERA (3.90) since 2008 and has the second-highest WHIP of his career. Verlander is incredibly talented and as long as he can get his placement on track, he should be able to get back to his form last season when he led the league in strikeouts, complete games and innings pitched. Verlander has a track record of staying healthy, and he is sure to have a better second half.