Hipster All-Stars: Second Half Standouts

A lot of ink, both real and digital, is spilled every spring as writers wax poetic about which players will or should be invited to the Midsummer Classic.  Far too much value is put into the first few months of the season, while the second half is largely ignored outside of handicapping MVP races.  Too often we forget about players that emerge in the second half of the season, and then we’re surprised when they continue that success in the new year.  I’m vowing to prevent OTBB readers from committing this folly–probably to the point of overemphasizing the inverse of what exactly that which I’m criticizing…

Now, this is not some fail proof system.  BJ Upton put up huge second half numbers last year and followed that up by making Braves fans weep/vomit/commit serial murder.  Similarly, Chase Headly had a big second half in 2012 and managed just 50 RBIs in 600 PAs come 2013. But, for what it’s worth, here are the 9 guys who had buzz-worthy second halves that you probably didn’t notice.  They’re 9 guys that baseball nerds will likely swoon over.  Consider it a hipster All-Star team.

Catcher: Yan Gomes, Cleveland Indians.

Gomes led MLB in fWAR by catchers in the second half.  You read that correctly.  Gomes managed a .385 OBP and his wRC+ was third among catchers with at least 100 plate appearances in the second half.  Basically, the Indians have themselves a pair of nice offensive catchers that should help as they pursue the Tigers in the AL Central next year.  Hat tip to Salvador Perez.

First Base: Brandon Moss, Oakland A’s.

I wrote a full post about Moss’ awesomeness here, but his full second half numbers were impressive: .296/.374/.615 with 14 home runs.  Shout Outs to Freddie Freeman and Paul Goldschmidt, though both received their share of hype.

Second Base: Scooter Gennett, Milwaukee Brewers.

Gennett hit .351 in the second half.  The last second baseman to hit at least .350 in the second half was Howie Kendrick in 2009.  A Howie-Kendrick-esque career may not be ideal for Scooter and the Brewers, but his play in the second half was certainly promising.  Hat Tip to Jedd Gyrko (15 HRs).

Third Base: Martin Prado, Arizona Diamondbacks.

Prado was traded to the Diamondbacks as part of the Justin Upton trade.  When Justin Upton had a monster April, Prado’s first half struggles looked even worse.  Still, Prado hit .324 in the second half and lead all third basemen (Miguel Cabrera and Josh Donaldson included) in RBIs.  Props to Josh Donaldson.

Shortstop: JJ Hardy, Baltimore Orioles.

Hardy is good at what he does.  He hits for power at a position where power is at a premium, and provides adequate defense.  Still, that goes woefully unappreciated.  His 9 second half home runs were second among shortstops.  Hat tip to Andrelton Simmons for leading in WAR and for tying Hardy in home runs.

Left Field: Khris Davis, Milwaukee Brewers.

Following Ryan Braun’s suspension, Khris Davis wreceived significant playing time and rewarded the Milwaukee faithful with 11 home runs and a .294 average.  Those 11 home runs represent the third most among left fielders and tied Davis with the likes of Yoenis Cespedes and Justin Upton.  Honorable Mention to Alfonso Soriano (18 HR).

Center Field: Will Venable, San Diego Padres.

Venable managed 11 home runs, 13 steals, and a .315 average.  Imagine how much we would have heard about him should he have put up those numbers in the first half.  It was his first season with more than 13 home runs.  Are we finally seeing the evolution of this 30 year old?  (Probably not, but it was still a great second half.)  Honorable mention to Craig Gentry (.338 average).

Right Field: Jayson Werth, Washington Nationals.

Werth is the first guy to make our hipster list that could actually pay for his pumpkin spice mocha at the coffee shop, but that shouldn’t detract from his second half surge.  Werth finally did $100 million contract things.  He hit .339 while smacking 15 homers and stealing 7 bags.  He was first in runs scored and second in RBIs and WAR.  Honorable mention to Alex Rios (.288 average and 23 steals).

Starting Pitchers:

• Hisashi Iwakuma (2.14 second half ERA)
• Ubaldo Jimenez (1.84)
• Tyson Ross (2.93)
• Matt Cain (2.36)
• Scott Kazmir (3.38)

Before we get ahead of ourselves and crown these guys as the breakout stars of 2014, let’s be sure that they are actually successful at the outset of 2014.  Still, this exercise is extremely helpful in qualifying superb second half performances that would have otherwise gone largely unnoticed as the casual fan lost interest in the waning weeks of the 162 game grind.  Even more important: identifying these potential turnarounds as teams construct their rosters over the winter. Matt Cain’s resurgence will be vital as the Giants look to contend again, and Khris Davis figures to give the Brewers hopes of a dynamic outfield once Ryan Braun returns.

Hopefully this list serves as more proof that second half numbers can be good indicators of future success and not another exercise in providing baseball hipsters with more reason to field an MLB the Show Franchise team with the likes of Daniel Descalso starting at second base.  (I’m not not guilty of that.)

-Sean Morash