1. Xander Bogaerts, Boston Red Sox
2016 Statistics: .329 average, 10 homers, 56 RBI, 65 runs, 32 extra-base hits and 11 steals (332.8 fantasy points)
Much like Mookie Betts and Jackie Bradley Jr., this youngster has helped define the new era of Sox baseball in Beantown. Bogaerts did put up a .320 average with seven homers and 81 RBI a season ago. Those were darn good numbers for the youngster.
However, the All-Star has improved from a power-hitting category this season, making him one of the best hitting middle infielders in the game. Now on pace to hit 19 homers and drive in 107 runs, Bogaerts has also proven himself to be an elite-level fantasy performer. Expect much of the same moving forward.
2. Corey Seager, Los Angeles Dodgers
2016 Statistics: .297 average, 17 homers, 42 RBI, 60 runs and 42 extra-base hits (301.8 fantasy points)
Most could see Seager's 2016 performance coming a mile away. The Dodgers' top prospect put on a show when called up to the Majors last season, tallying a .337 batting average in limited playing time. While hits success in that category hasn't been the same this season, the young shortstop is still on pace to hit 30-plus homers while scoring double-digit runs. Not too shabby for a 22 year old.
Though, there must be some caution taken here in the second half. Young hitters tend to struggle more when faced with the task of going up against pitchers for a second and third time. That will likely be the case for Seager moving forward. The lefty is also hitting at just a .265 clip against those who toe that side of the rubber compared to a .323 average against righties. Also something to keep an eye on from a DFS perspective.
3. Francisco Lindor, Cleveland Indians
2016 Statistics: .306 average, 10 homers, 45 RBI, 60 runs, 31 extra-base hits and 13 steals (307.8 fantasy points)
Most figured last year's success wasn't a fluke for this young shortstop. Hitting .313 and putting up 38 extra-base hits in 99 games at 22 years old is darn impressive. You know what's better than that? Continuing with this elite-level play in your first full season in the Majors. That's when youngsters tend to regress a bit, especially when seeing pitchers for a second and third time.
This hasn't been the case for Cleveland's top hitter. And from a fantasy perspective, he's been just as good. Lindor tallied five-plus fantasy points in about one-third of his games in the first half of the season. That might not be a great number on the surface, but it's an elite stat when taking into account a normally weak-hitting shortstop position.
4. Trevor Story, Colorado Rockies
2016 Statistics: .260 average, 21 homers, 57 RBI, 52 runs and 45 extra-base hits (296.8 fantasy points)
The splits are important here. Potentially as important as noting just how hot Story was out of the gate during his rookie season. Story has actually hit more homers on the road (11) than he has at Coors Field (10). That's an amazing accomplishment in and of itself, and should lead us to believe that his power numbers are not a product of Colorado's high altitude.
Secondly, after putting up a .265 average with 10 homers in April, Story has slowed down considerably recently. He's hitting just .185 with two homers in seven games this month. That's definitely going to be something to keep an eye on moving forward.
5. Carlos Correa, Houston Astros
2016 Statistics: .260 average, 14 homers, 55 RBI, 45 runs, 34 extra-base hits and eight steals (292.3 fantasy points)
It's hard to believe, but Correa has actually regressed from a dominating 2015 season, at least from a batting averager perspective. He's hitting 19 points lower heading into the second half.
Though, that's been somewhat swept under the rug due to the fact that his power numbers have taken off. The 2015 AL Rookie of the Year currently finds himself on pace for 25 homers and 100-plus RBI, remarkable numbers for a middle infielder.