Poll: AL’s comeback player of the first half of the season

Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports

1. Melky Cabrera, Toronto Blue Jays

After signing a two-year $16 million contract with the Toronto Blue Jays during the 2012 off-season, Melky Cabrera had a rough 2013 riddled with knee and leg injuries. It was later discovered that he had a benign tumor that was very close to his lower spine and it was the tumor that likely caused his leg injuries. Cabrera played in just 88 games last season for the Blue Jays when in every other full season of his career he had played in well over 100 games. 2013 was a disappointing season for Cabrera and the Blue Jays, hitting .279/.322/.360 with 15 doubles, three homers and 30 RBI. 

Turn the page to 2014 and a fully recovered, healthy Cabrera has emerged. The 29-year old has already exceeded the number of games he played in last season with 95, going into the second half. He is hitting .299/.348/.453 with 21 doubles, 11 home runs and 45 RBI. Having already surpassed most of his 2013 numbers, he has already made a huge comeback. If he stays on this course his numbers at the end of the season will not be any less than outstanding.