With the season having advanced just beyond the halfway mark, let's look at the most important player in the second half for all 30 major league clubs. It could be a player at any professional level within his organization. For teams ranging from contenders and to rebuilding clubs, the motivations are different -- from assets they'll want to deal at the trade deadline to players they're hoping to see rebound.
American League
Baltimore Orioles: Austin Hays. The Orioles are on the brink of a long and difficult rebuild with a weak farm system and perhaps the worst major league roster in the game. Moreover, Hays -- their top prospect -- has fallen off multiple top-100-prospects lists after a poor first half and an ankle injury. To accelerate the rebuilding effort, Hays must get back on track.
Boston Red Sox: Drew Pomeranz. With David Price seemingly now just a midrotation arm, the Red Sox need Pomeranz to be healthy and build upon his Rich Hill-like, curveball-heavy breakout of 2017 when he was a 3.1 fWAR pitcher.