Every year we look at big second-half performances to determine if a player might be one to target for the following season. This year is no different. However, sometimes we should buy in, and other times we should pass on last year’s production. Below are some of the players who excelled in the second half of the 2023 campaign.
Notable 2023 Second-Half Fantasy Baseball Performances
Mitch Garver (C,DH – SEA)
Every year we look at big second-half performances to determine if a player might be one to target for the following season. This year is no different. However, sometimes we should buy in, and other times we should pass on last year’s production. Below are some of the players who excelled in the second half of the 2023 campaign.
Notable 2023 Second-Half Fantasy Baseball Performances
Mitch Garver (C,DH – SEA)
Garver has always been pretty good on a per-plate-appearance basis, but he has struggled to stay healthy. Garver shouldn’t have to catch in Seattle this year with Cal Raleigh and Seby Zavala on the team. Garver can instead be the full-time DH, which should help keep him healthy. I think he could be a huge steal as a full-time player that has catcher eligibility.
Tarik Skubal (SP – DET)
Skubal returned from Tommy John surgery last July. After that, he was unbelievably good, throwing 72.1 innings of a 3.11 ERA and a .88 WHIP with 32% strikeout rate. He had the best fWAR for a pitcher in baseball during that time. Skubal has continued to impress in spring training, reportedly hitting 100 mph in a recent bullpen. Skubal has all the tools to be an elite starting pitcher this year. The only real questions are innings and health. I have him as a top-20 starter with no problem building my rotation around him.
Cole Ragans (SP,RP – KC)
Ragans had a brilliant second half after being traded to the Royals, throwing 71.2 innings of a 2.64 ERA and a 1.07 WHIP with a 31% strikeout rate. I am actually a bit surprised that his ADP hasn’t jumped the way that Skubal’s has. Ragans has looked great in spring as well. I believe that the Royals are a better team than most do. Like Skubal, Ragans has injury risk, but he is also a top-20 starter for me.
Fantasy Baseball Draft Strategy
Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Google Podcasts | SoundCloud | iHeartRadio
