Top Ten Flops of the First Half
July 2, 2009
1. Jimmy Rollins (SS, Phi) – .211 average, 6 homers, 27 RBI, 10 SB (batting 63 points below his career mark with no discernable speed on the basepaths).
Second time nominee, Rollins looks like a shadow on his former self. Look for improvement but his draft positioning will be interesting come 2010.
2. Magglio Ordonez (OF, ChiSox) - .265 average, 3 homers, 24 RBI, 3 SB (lifetime .310 hitter, averaged 24 homers the last 3 seasons).
Magglio will break through with more power, a better average, and should enjoy a strong second half. That said, expect a down-tick from the previous three seasons. It would take a titanic second half to off-set this sour first half.
3. JJ Hardy (SS, MIL) – .232 average, 8 homers, 32 RBI, 0 SB (over 30 points below his career mark)
Hardy has already shown signs of life and should have a stellar second half. Good buy low opportunity. Still, an indisputed first half flop.
4. Francisco Liriano (SP, MIN) – 4-8, 5.62 ERA, 1.52 WHIP, 80K.
Liriano was expected to anchor a Twins rotation bereft of Johan Santana. All he has done is teeter on the brink of demotion. Expect a mammoth second half and a rocky return to credibility.
5. Brad Lidge (RP, PHI) – 7.57 ERA, 1.94 WHIP, 14 saves (6 blown saves).
B-Lidge has provided anything but relief to the fightin’ Phils so far this season. With opponents hitting a whopping .316 against him, and with another poor outing on June 26th, the bleeding has not yet stopped for this fallen stopper.
6. David Ortiz (DH, BOS) – .221 average, 8 homers, 35 RBI, 0 SB (lifetime .284 average with 23 homers last year in an off season)
Sixteen doubles and eight homers is a big step down for Big Papi, but with a recent power surge under his belt, perhaps there is more gas left in the tank. Expect a big second half.
7. Andy Sonnanstine (SP, TAM) – 6.61 ERA, 1.53 WHIP, 6-7, 50 K’s
Fantasy GM’s and Tampa brass were relying upon Sonnanstine for a nice follow-up season in ‘09. Instead, Sonny will toil in the minors to work his way back to the Bigs and another trial with the Rays in the 2nd half. Expect more, but the extent to which he was being batted around prior to demotion may be suggestive of injury.
8. Todd Wellemeyer (SP, STL) – 5.68 ERA, 1.70 WHIP, 6-7, 55 K’s
In 16 starts, Wellemeyer has been consistently bad. Opponents are hitting .317 against him, and even righties are getting in on the shellacking for a change. Suspect injury, but either way, stay far, far away!
9. Cole Hamels (SP, PHI) – 4.44 ERA, 1.41 WHIP, 4-4, and 76 K’s
The lanky lefty has been working his statistical way back to earth after pre-season injury. Beginning with a 7.27 ERA in April, each month since has seen dramatic improvement. Expect a big second half from a healthy Hamels.
10. Manny Parra (SP, MIL) – 7.52 ERA, 1.92 WHIP, 3-8, 55K’s
Wilder than wild, Manny Parra pitched his way into early demotion after showing some promise in 2007 and 2008. It is hard to say that this is entirely surprising as Parra has never had great command, but his bulbous numbers are not suggestive of a player ready for recall anytime soon. Expect no more of Parra for some time,
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