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

Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports

2. Phil Hughes, Minnesota Twins

Phil Hughes had an absolutely abysmal year for the Yankees last season. He started the year on the disabled list with a bulging disk in his back which may have attributed to his poor performance but returned from the DL on April 6, apparently healthy. In 2013 he went 4-14 in 29 starts with a 5.19 ERA. The first half of the 2013 season for Hughes was manageable but still bordering on the side of terrible. He was 4-9 with a 4.57 ERA. By the second half of the year Hughes was pitching so poorly he did not win a single start out of 11. He ERA ballooned up to 6.65 and he was relieved from his role as a starter in early September and replaced by David Huff. Hughes made only one more appearance in 2013, out of the bullpen.

2014 has been a completely different year for the right-hander. The Minnesota Twins took a chance on Hughes, signing him as a free agent to a 3-year $24 million deal. Luckily for the Twins, Hughes has delivered in a big way. He is 10-5 in 19 starts through the first half of the season and has posted a 3.92 ERA. He has 108 strikeouts which is quickly approaching his strikeout total for last season (121) and has allowed just 11 walks. He is definitely a good candidate for comeback player of the year if the season ended today.