6 MLB All-Stars Who Won't Keep up the Pace in Second Half

On Tuesday night, the stars came out to play in the 2019 MLB All-Star Game, showcasing players who have worked particularly hard to get to where they are now. However, some of that is unsustainable; a few of these players are on a pace that they likely won't be able to keep up as the season goes on. Here are six players who will probably falter as they attempt to complete a full season of greatness.

6. Liam Hendriks

Tampa Bay Rays v Oakland Athletics / Daniel Shirey/Getty Images

Hendriks has been absolutely lights out this year, posting a 1.24 ERA with a 11.19 K/9. While that's all nice, he's also never posted an ERA below 2.92, which came in 2015 with the Toronto Blue Jays. He's also allowed just one home run on the year, which is absurd. Thanks to his reworked repertoire, he may not experience insane regression in his overall ERA, but he will most certainly serve up some more home runs as the season wears on.

5. Willson Contreras

Chicago Cubs v Pittsburgh Pirates / Justin Berl/Getty Images

Contreras is enjoying an incredible year for the Chicago Cubs, compiling a .286 batting average with 18 homers and 52 runs batted in through 77 games. His .270 ISO, .335 batting average on balls in play, and 10.9% walk rate would all represent career highs over the course of a full season for the young catcher. The .335 mark particularly shows us that some natural regression is on the way, so expect Contreras to slow down at some point.

4. Ketel Marte

Los Angeles Dodgers v Arizona Diamondbacks / Christian Petersen/Getty Images

Ketel Marte is enjoying a breakout year in 2019, putting together a .311 batting average with 20 homers, 53 runs batted in, and a .919 OPS. He's most certainly overachieved this year in many facets, and one has to wonder how long he can keep this up. Marte will likely experience some regression in his overall numbers as the season winds down.

3. Luis Castillo

Chicago Cubs v Cincinnati Reds / Joe Robbins/Getty Images

Castillo is having a breakout season for the Cincinnati Reds, posting an awesome 2.29 ERA, with 124 strikeouts in 106 innings pitched. However, he's already allowed more walks than he has ever allowed in a full season, which is serious cause for concern. His FIP currently sits at a 3.66, which is over a whole run higher than his current ERA, meaning that regression is coming for the 26-year-old, especially if he can't limit the amount of walks he's allowing.

2. Carlos Santana

T-Mobile Home Run Derby / Jason Miller/Getty Images

Santana has been absolutely phenomenal in his return to the Cleveland Indians, posting a .297/.418/.540 slash line with 19 homers and 53 runs batted in through the first half of the year. This would put him on pace for a career season across the board by a wide margin, as he's never been quite this potent. Expect regression towards his career average numbers in the second half, as the length of the season wears on him a bit.

1. John Means

Baltimore Orioles v New York Yankees / Jim McIsaac/Getty Images

Means is having a surprisingly good year for the Baltimore Orioles, posting a 2.50 ERA with 69 strikeouts in just 82.2 innings of work. However, his xFIP shows that he's in for some serious regression at some point, as it currently sits at a bloated 5.14 mark. It's remarkable that he's been able to keep his ERA so low despite the way he has pitched in a hitters' ballpark. Nevertheless, Means is most certainly a prime candidate for regression. We still love him, though!