In 1985, New Jersey was not having a great time. There were factories that were going overseas so corporations could take advantage of cheaper labor. The blue collar class was struggling, and a band from the area decided to encapsulate that feeling. They told the story of Tommy and Gina, two New Jerseyites who were trying to hold on to their faith as they struggled to make ends meet. This became an anthem due to its chorus you can shout to with all authority, claiming the title of the track how we are all Livin’ on a Prayer. You can’t hear this song without yelling at the top of your lungs how you are halfway there as well.
We too, my dear readers, are halfway there. 81 games for every team are in the books, and it is a perfect time to look back and hand out some accolades. Some writers want to use the All Star break for this, but I prefer here. I will use the All Star break instead for my own nefarious purposes. So let’s take a look at both the Second Base and Shortstop positions as we cross the halfway mark of the season.
Most Valuable Middle Infield Fantasy Players
Brice Turang and CJ Abrams:
These two came into the year as 3rd round picks, and have greatly outperformed their draft position. Turang has been an across the board contributor as the Brewers’ best hitter. He’s scored 60 runs, hit 12 bombs, driven in 48, and stolen 13 bases while hitting a respectable .260 with an 810 OPS. Some may say Otto Lopez deserves this, but his lack of power and RBI is trumped by Turang despite his advantage in rate stats, and Turang has more runs.
Abrams has been an even bigger star with a 52/18/60/13/.273/.866 line. He has been strong all season long, and leads Washington’s surprising offense. His only competition has been Bobby Witt Jr, who didn’t hit a homer the entire month of April.
Second Base All Stars
NL: Turang, Lopez, Brandon Lowe
AL: Brooks Lee, Jazz Chisholm Jr, Zack Gelof
Lopez has been stellar all year long. He leads qualified 2B in Average and OPS (.332/.849), while contributing 16 steals, 7 bombs, 53 runs and 37 RBI. Lowe is the only 2B with 20 bombs halfway through. I told you at the beginning of the year, “If Lowe hits .240, you have an All Star.” Lowe’s current average at this very moment is… .240.
The AL was harder. You have to go through 11 NL 2nd basemen in the current ranks before you get to the first AL keystoner. Brooks Lee has been solid across the board all season, while powering out 14 bombs. His 42 runs, 47 RBI, .251 average and .746 OPS are not going to wow anyone, but they will make him the top AL 2B. Gelof has been strong since coming back up in May, with 40 runs, 11 bombs, 8 steals hitting .282 with a .834 OPS. He’s currently hurt but no one will pass him. Jazz has struggled all year long, but… no one is better than him for the final spot. 43 Runs, 12 bombs, and 26 thefts are the highlights, but let’s not look at the rest…
Shortstop All Stars
NL: Abrams, Dansby Swanson, Xavier Edwards
AL: Witt, Zach Neto, Kevin McGonigle
Dansby has the Mets to thank for the nod. Getting 15 RBI in 3 games put him over the top. His counting stats have made up for his deficit on his rate stats. He’s put in 55 runs, hit 16 homers, driven in 57, and stolen 10 bases. X had a bad June, but has been good enough to make the grade. He’s scored 48 times, stolen 13 bases, and has hit .303 with a .813 OPS. He gets the nod over Elly, who had an even worse June and has only hit 3 bombs since April.
Witt had an interesting April where he didn’t hit a single homer, but he has kept running. Since, he’s provided the all around production you expect. His 44/12/36/28/.313/.873 has been exceptional and shown him to be the best AL 6 this year. A lot of people have been seeing Neto’s approach worsen this year, but it hasn’t affected his results. He’s scored 59 runs, hit 18 bombs, driven in 42, and stolen 11. His rate stats have taken a hit from last year, but he’s definitely been a top-end shortstop. McGonigle has his critics (including me), but he’s been very, very good. He’s made that doubles power translate to bombs since mid-May, hitting 7 total out. He’s scored 54 runs, and stolen 11 with a .282 average and an .815 OPS.
Shortstop Rookie of the First Half
NL: Konnor Griffin
AL: McGonigle
Konnor has not been here for a long time, but hoo boy did he have a good time. 56 games into his career, and he’s defying all expectations. 5 bombs, 16 SB, hitting .269 with a .729 OPS for a guy who turned 20 in April is very impressive. He’s not healthy now, but when he comes back, he will soon establish himself as a top option at short and a top fantasy option for 2027.
Second Base Rookie of the First Half
NL: JJ Wetherholt
AL: Sam Atonacci
Wetherholt has led off for the surprising Cardinals and really adjusted well to MLB. 49 runs and 12 bombs have shown he hasn’t been afraid of the MLB challenge. He’s hit the same average as Brice Turang, and OPS’d a respectable .758. You’d want more than 9 steals from a leadoff guy and a rookie, but he’s really shown he belongs.
I had to reach on AL rookie because Atonacci has only 11 games at 2B. Luckily, he has maintained his status as an on-base machine in his limited play. He’s scored 44 runs for the first place White Sox (man, that is weird to say in July), and already has stolen 11 bases. Hitting .295 has helped propel his stats, and he doesn’t show signs of slowing.
Biggest Surprise:
The Marlins Middle Infield
Coming into the year, Otto Lopez was the 16th ranked second baseman. Xavier Edwards was the 17th ranked shortstop. They have surprised literally everyone with their seasons, and defied all expectations. Both are hitting over 300, both have stolen a ton of bases, and scored a ton of runs. If you invested in the Marlins, call me. I want to hear your thoughts on the AI bubble.
Biggest Letdown:
SS: Gunnar Henderson
2B: The state of AL 2B
Gunnar is young. He’s talented. He has shown the ability to be a beast. He was projected to be a top 30-40 player. WHAT THE HELL HAPPENED?!? Well, the power is back, the average is not, and his OPS is a paltry .714. He will totally be on a lot of my teams next year as a rebound candidate.
Then we get to the AL second basemen. Jazz has been streaky after hitting 30 bombs last year. Luke Keaschall showed his stats were inflated by his batting average. Jose Altuve has been mediocre when healthy. Cedanne Rafaela has fallen off with the Red Sox. Jackson Holliday has been killed by his hamate. It’s just been incredibly messy. If you’re in an AL only league and ignored 2b, you’re probably swimming in the Cole Young pool, and no one wants to be there.
Otto Lopez, #1 MI. Has 2B/SS eligibility for 2026. Probably lose 2B eligibility next season. The industry keeps calling for his regression. Not happening. I take him 7 ways from Sunday over Elly and Gunnar.