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Fantasy baseball: Second half notables to note for 2019

By Benjamin Chase

CLEVELAND, OH - SEPTEMBER 15: Mike Clevinger #52 of the Cleveland Indians pitches against the Detroit Tigers during the first inning at Progressive Field on September 15, 2018 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by David Maxwell/Getty Images)
CLEVELAND, OH - SEPTEMBER 15: Mike Clevinger #52 of the Cleveland Indians pitches against the Detroit Tigers during the first inning at Progressive Field on September 15, 2018 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by David Maxwell/Getty Images) /
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SAN DIEGO, CA – SEPTEMBER 14: Jurickson Profar #19 of the Texas Rangers celebrates after hitting a two-run home run during the seventh inning of a baseball game against the San Diego Padres at PETCO Park on September 14, 2018 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Denis Poroy/Getty Images) /

Infielders

While he may not be playing much infield in the future for the Astros, Tyler White has a good chance to take the DH role in 2019 after hitting .319/.387/.645 in the second half this season with 10 home runs and 35 RBI.

Similarly, Ryan O’Hearn isn’t going to make anyone forget about Eric Hosmer defensively at first base in Kansas City, but if he can keep putting up a nearly 15% walk rate and a .351 ISO, he’ll have a job for sure as he’s been able to knock out 10 home runs and post a .970 OPS in the second half.

The Mets Jeff McNeil has been widely noted for his impressive second half, as he’s hit .335/.389/.494 with 3 homers and 5 steals, and he’s likely to keep the job in New York, but it seems in the nation’s second-largest market, the work David Fletcher has done for the Angels, specifically with the glove, has gone little-noticed. While the Angels are currently connected with many second base free agents, they could choose to keep Fletcher in the infield with a solid .280/.324/.357 bat from the 2-hole in the lineup and a very impressive glove.

While everyone has doted over the work one former top prospect, Javier Baez, has done at short since being forced into work at the position in the second half, two former top prospects have both had very solid second half performances that could earn additional looks for full-time work in 2019.

Adalberto Mondesi has been running wild in the second half, with 19 steals in the second half, and his .301/.333/.476 line has helped keep the Royals offense respectable at times during the second half of the season. In Texas, he’s worked at many positions, but Jurickson Profar‘s 2018 seems to have flown far under the radar, and his .281/.365/.503 second half line with 8 home runs shows he’s ready to give owners even more in 2019.

With the Atlanta Braves entering free agency with a good chunk of change this offseason, many thought they would target a third baseman, but the play of Johan Camargo could change that mindset as his impressive glovework was already well-known, but his bat has been a pleasant surprise for fantasy baseball owners in the second half, as he’s hit .307/.365/.524 with 9 home runs.

Now for the outfield…

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