7 MLB Players Who Will Have Huge 2nd Halves

We saw an incredible first half of the baseball season in 2019, replete with an overload of home runs (but an enjoyable overload, nevertheless). Now, with the All-Star break finally in the rearview mirror, it's time to look ahead at which stars will shine the brightest in the second half.

7. Yuli Gurriel

After struggling just a bit in the absence of stars George Springer and Jose Altuve, the Cuban infielder has come alive now that the Astros roster is chock full of healthy stars to protect his spot in the lineup. In the last seven games before the All-Star break, Gurriel batted .367 and doubled his season home run total by crushing seven long balls, indicating he's primed for a massive second half.

6. Mookie Betts

Despite being on the AL All-Star roster, Betts has had a disappointing season by his standards, but he appears ready to turn it around. After a brutal June in which he batted a paltry .217, Betts has broken out in July, hitting .435 so far in the month. The former MVP should be a key player as the Red Sox attempt to make a stretch run.

5. Aaron Nola

After making a strong bid for the Cy Young award last season, Nola got off to a tough start in 2019 (despite what his W-L record may have indicated, not that it ever indicates anything useful). His ERA peaked at 4.89 in mid-June, but since then he's been pitching like the ace he's expected to be. He's pitched deep into each of his last four starts to the tune of an incredible 0.61 ERA.

4. Aaron Judge

Judge's first half was hampered by injuries, but he should be ready to go for a monster final three months. Despite his health issues, the Yankees slugger has still gone deep every 13 at-bats this season, and he's a threat to knock one 500 feet every time he comes to the plate. Once he gets his feet back under him, look for the Judge to be in session this fall.

3. Christian Yelich

I know it seems unfair to put Yelich on this list after his monster first half, but he's historically been better in the second. His career average of .307 after the All-Star break far eclipses his career .293 average before, and his home run total has been higher in the second half each of the past three seasons. There's no reason to believe Yelich can't at least sustain his paces en route to another MVP.

2. Brendan McKay

McKay finally made his anticipated Rays debut on June 29, and he looked as good as advertised. MLB Pipeline's 23rd-ranked prospect pitched six innings of one-hit baseball en route to a victory. The southpaw followed that up with a solid start against the best offense in baseball in the New York Yankees, and he looks like he could be a huge piece for the Rays as they compete for the AL East title.

1. Fernando Tatis Jr.

Even after an incredible start to his career, Padres shortstop Tatis Jr. looks like he's still got another gear he can tap into. He batted .327 with 14 home runs in 55 games before the break, but look for him to do even bigger things down the stretch. There may not be any impressive stats to cite about why he'll be better in the second half than the first –– he's just exciting enough to make you believe he will be.