The Second Half Fantasy Hitting All Stars

As promised to you last week here are the guys who are going to step it up in the second half of the fantasy season. If you have a chance to acquire any of these guys by trading overachievers of the season's first half go for it.

Catcher: Brian McCann. The batting average is already there, but the other numbers are going to start appearing too for McCann after going on the DL for a stint with a minor injury in the first half. He is only 22 and will eventually learn to hit for more power - hopefully he learns fast. Though it is unlikely make sure the Braves don't move a player like Andruw Jones at the deadline.
Final Line Projection: .316/15HR/71RBI/54R

First Base: Todd Helton. Last season around this time Helton was heading to the DL. He has already been on the DL this season and everyone considers Helton to be past his time as a power hitter. All the reason why he will be a second half all star. He is a buy low candidate at this point and will be motivated to play well since the Rockies are in the hunt this year. Remember Helton hit 80 points better in the second half last season.
Final Line Projection: .315/23HR/97RBI/110R

Second Base: Jorge Cantu. Like Helton Cantu spent time on the DL to start the year, but he has been playing for a couple of weeks now and appears to be healthy. Remember he drove in 117 runs last year and has been batting 5th in front of Carl Crawford, a healthy Rocco Baldelli, and the resurgent Aubrey Huff. If your team has been short on RBI, Cantu's numbers and position can have you a tremendous lift.
Final Line Projection: .285/18HR/82RBI/63R

Shortstop: Rafael Furcal. Many shortstops underachieved in the first half (Michael Young, Jhonny Peralta, Jimmy Rollins) but nobody was worse than Furcal. Lately it seems like Furcal has turned it around as he is batting .333 to start his July and his stolen base success rate has improved in the last two months. The reason the Dodgers gave Furcal so much money in the offseason was because of his second half last season with Atlanta when he hit .322 and stole 17 bases.
Final Line Projection: .274/10HR/58RBI/117R/41SB

Third Base: Eric Chavez. This was the toughest choice because there are so many great candidates. If you are thinking of remaking your team I would grab extra third basemen. Ryan Zimmerman is starting to prove why he gets compared to David Wright, Aramis Ramirez has shown positive signs lately and Morgan Ensberg would be a great buy low candidate but my pick is Chavez here. Take a look at his average season from 2000-2005:

.278 average 29.5 home runs, 98 RBI, 90 runs scored

Chavez is currently on pace for .240/26 homers/85 RBI/75 runs. There is no logical explanation seeing how he has been so consistent and hes under 30 years old.
Final Line Projection: .270/29/97/88

Outfielder 1: Ken Griffey Jr. I know this guy has a history of injuries, but with the stats down and that injury factor in mind, many owners might be happy to part with Griffey. His upside is still tremendous for the second half and he is seven years younger than Bonds.
Final Line Projection: .263/38/111/80

Outfielder 2: Juan Pierre. As mentioned in a previous article Pierre is notorious for heating it up after the break. He got a head start last week when he hit .438 and stole 5 bases.
Final Line Projection: .290/101R/57 SB

Outfielder 3: Curtis Granderson. At the break Granderson is close to a 20 home run/20 stolen base season. Looking at similar players to Granderson in their rookie seasons (Alfonso Soriano, Grady Sizemore) a trend suggests that Granderson will put up better numbers after the break and get to the 20/20 plateau.
Final Line Projection: .280/22HR/79RBI/108R/20SB