Baseball fans sure do a lot of complaining about just about anything and everything -- and perhaps much of that noise is warranted. Still, they should be happy because at least we have baseball, and with it we have so many amazing baseball stories. From a fantasy baseball perspective, the first half of the season (roughly half, so bear with me here) features so many awesome performances we should be celebrating! Keep your belts fastened and let's highlight some of the best stories of 2021 so far!
Shohei Ohtani, DH/SP, Los Angeles Angels: Did you see the ridiculous moonshot home run that Ohtani mashed to the opposite field on Sunday? Prior to the season, I thought that Ohtani might be a 30-homer, 20-steal right fielder if the Angels let him simply hit. Well, we're still in June and Ohtani has hit 25 home runs, knocked in 59 runs and stolen 11 bases, along with a 2.58 ERA and a monster strikeout rate over 11 starts. This is all historically unprecedented -- like Babe Ruth stuff -- and we should all root for it to continue forever!
Vladimir Guerrero Jr., 1B, Toronto Blue Jays: I think we all agreed that his numbers would improve from last season, but these current numbers are simply wild. His Hall of Fame father never produced a 1.127 OPS in a season or hit 50-plus home runs, which is what Vlad Jr. is on pace to achieve. We saw the 22-year-old arrive in Spring Training seemingly motivated after having shed considerable weight, but we hardly altered our rankings enough. Guerrero is currently No. 2 on the ESPN Player Rater and there's no reason to believe the statistics are a fluke!
Fernando Tatis Jr., SS, San Diego Padres: Here is the current No. 1, thanks to the 16 stolen bases which accompany his 25 home runs. But you know what? Nobody was certain that Tatis would even play the majority of the season after he re-injured his balky shoulder in the first week of the season. Be happy, fantasy managers! For the myriad injuries that have cost both real and fantasy teams alike some major production this season, we still have Tatis performing like an MVP!
Jacob deGrom, SP, New York Mets: This ace, already with a pair of Cy Young awards to his credit, boasts an 0.69 ERA and an 0.53 WHIP after 13 starts and 78 innings. Sure, as with other names on this list, we worry about injury, but just look at these numbers. Somehow, deGrom is improving! The next-best ERA among starting pitchers is San Francisco Giants RHP Kevin Gausman at 1.49. Milwaukee Brewers closer Josh Hader has an 0.57 ERA, and deGrom is battling him (with many more innings) for ERA supremacy. By the way, deGrom already has seven wins, so nobody can complain there!
Cedric Mullins, OF, Baltimore Orioles: Even the worst big-league teams offer up some positive stories! Anyone desiring a .300 batting average with double-digit home runs and stolen bases can look no further than Mullins, who generally went undrafted in ESPN standard formats, and Washington Nationals SS Trea Turner. Yep, that is the entire list. Mullins, 26, could always steal a base, and now he is producing similar stats as Turner, a first-round fantasy selection. It's just incredible!
Adolis Garcia, OF, Texas Rangers: This former St. Louis Cardinals farmhand could always hit a baseball far, but he lacked plate discipline and a big-league opportunity. The Rangers did not know what they had here, really, but Leody Taveras did not hit and Garcia took over his center field job. Unlike Chicago White Sox "catcher" Yermin Mercedes (another 28-year-old surprise), Garcia has kept on hitting and he may well end up in the All-Star game!
Craig Kimbrel, RP, Chicago Cubs: Yeah, I gave up on him and perhaps the Cubs would have as well, if not for the bountiful contract that tied this potential Hall of Famer to the team for a little bit longer. Kimbrel struggled in both 2019 and 2020. He struggles no more, armed with an 0.59 ERA and 20 saves!
Buster Posey, C, San Francisco Giants: Yes, most of us gave up on Posey as well after he appeared to be in an obvious statistical decline in 2019. Then, he sat out the entire 2020 campaign. Posey now offers a career-best .966 OPS with 12 home runs. These Giants, with the best record in the sport, do not have anyone who can carry fantasy teams per se -- at least not offensively. Posey, shortstop Brandon Crawford and outfielder Mike Yastrzemski are the only Giants hitters rostered in more than 25% of ESPN standard leagues. Let San Francisco remind us that both real world and fantasy teams can compete with balance and without stars!
Carlos Rodon, SP, Chicago White Sox: No-hitters are everywhere in this record-breaking season, and Rodon's effort from mid-April may not even be the most surprising one. After all, take your pick on the top shockers between Rodon, Joe Musgrove, John Means, Wade Miley, Spencer Turnbull and Corey Kluber! Even Zach Davies started a no-hitter! Rodon, however, gets my vote for positivity, since even the White Sox seemed to give up on him after six years of inconsistent performance and injury, offering him merely a low-cost, one-year contract in January. Now he has a 2.06 ERA after 13 starts and may even start the All-Star game!
Jazz Chisholm Jr., 2B/SS, Miami Marlins: Perhaps few noticed his exciting brand of play and infectious attitude when he hit .161 in his 2020 debut. Now he hits a palatable .257 with power, speed and awesome, colorful hair. While he does not lead the league in triples, it sure is fun to watch him hit them!
Trey Mancini, 1B/OF, Baltimore Orioles: Mancini underwent surgery for a malignant tumor in his colon in March 2020, and missed the subsequent season. Now he has 14 home runs and a chance to win the Home Run Derby. Fantasy managers care how many home runs Mancini offers them this 2021 season, but I am just happy to see him playing!