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.
- 2024 Fantasy Baseball Draft Kit
- Fantasy Baseball Draft Rankings
- Fantasy Baseball Projections
- Fantasy Baseball Mock Draft Simulator
Notable 2023 Second-Half Fantasy Baseball Performances
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.
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.
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
- Justin Mason’s Top 10 Fantasy Baseball Draft Mistakes to Avoid
- Philosophy of Fantasy Baseball by Kelly Kirby
- Guide to Punting Categories
- How to Approach Stolen Bases
- How to Better Avoid Injuries
- MLB League Trends & Impact on Fantasy Baseball Player Values
- Should You Draft a Pitcher in Round 1?
- Fantasy Baseball Position Scarcity Draft Strategy & Targets
- Fantasy Baseball Salary Cap Draft Primer
- Fantasy Baseball Categories League Draft Primer
- Fantasy Baseball OBP League Draft Primer
- Fantasy Baseball Value-Based Drafting Primer
- Fantasy Baseball H2H Categories vs. Points Leagues Draft Primer
- Players that Gain & Lose Value in Categories vs. Points Leagues
- Fantasy Baseball Roto vs. H2H Leagues Draft Primer
- Fantasy Baseball Points League Draft Primer
- Fantasy Baseball Draft & Hold League Strategy & Advice
- Fantasy Baseball Quality Starts Leagues Draft Primer
- Fantasy Baseball Best Ball Draft Strategy & Targets
- Fantasy Baseball Saves + Holds Leagues Draft Primer
- Second-Year Player Draft Primer: Hitters | Pitchers
- Spring Training Stats That Matter
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