Fantasy Baseball Players to Watch After the All-Star Break

In this article, I’ll review the fantasy baseball players to watch after the All-Star break. These baseball players have historically done well in the second half of the season throughout their careers and are the best players to trade in your full season leagues or buy cheap if you play fantasy baseball every day.

The first name that stands out as a player to watch in the second half is Billy Butler of the Kansas City Royals. Butler’s name has been thrown around as a player who could be dealt before the trade block. The main reason teams are interested in Butler is his past performance after the All-Star break and not his slow first half. Butler finished the first half with just three home runs and 36 RBI.

Now, that doesn’t look good for fantasy owners, but if you look back at his second-half performance over the past two years, you may change your mind. In 2013, Butler finished tied for seventh in all of baseball with 81 second-half hits. The season before Butler finished second only to Derek Jeter with 102 hits. Butler has also shown some second-half power by hitting a combined 20 home runs in those two seasons.

The other name that stands out is Doug Fister of the Washington Nationals. Fister has compiled a record of 15-8 the past two seasons in the second half in 28 starts. Over the two seasons, Fister struck out 155 batters and allowed 61 earned runs. If you also look at Fister’s last two starts before the break, he’s had back-to-back wins allowing five runs in 14 innings pitched.

Here is a list of fantasy players who have performed well in the second half of the season:

Chris Davis, Baltimore Orioles: Davis hit 16 home runs and drove in 45 runs in 65 second-half games last season. Over the past two seasons, Davis has a combined 35 home runs, and he could be a good player to target for a trade in season-long leagues. For daily fantasy he offers a cheaper option for gpp plays, but I’d still avoid him in cash games.

Adrian Beltre, Texas Rangers: The Rangers third baseman had 81 hits after the All-Star break last year, including 10 doubles and nine home runs.

Tanner Roark, Washington Nationals: Roark may not be a name many people have heard of, but he has put up some solid numbers for the Nationals. Last season, Roark had 7 wins in 14 games for the Nationals and posted a 1.51 earned run average. In eight of his last 10 starts for the Nationals this season, Roark has pitched at least six innings.

Kolten Wong, Saint Louis: Wong’s rookie season started off rocky, but he began to get into a grove in July hitting .321 with 5 home runs, 8 RBIs and 3 steals during that month. He could be a good waiver wire pick or a good punt option for daily fantasy.

Here are some players who could help you in fantasy baseball after the All-Star break.