What is it that makes a ballplayer a fantasy stud? Dominance in one statistical category - perhaps home runs, stolen bases or strikeouts - or consistent play and solid numbers across many categories? Halfway through the 2013 season, the following players have proven to be the cream of the fantasy crop for different reasons. A mix of mainstays, up-and-comers, comeback stories and record-chasers, fantasy owners who haven't seen all of these men play this season have an opportunity to catch up at the All-Star Game tomorrow night. I, for one, wouldn't miss it.
Miguel Cabrera, Third Baseman, Detroit Tigers
Cabrera, by most scoring systems, is the far-and-away points leader in fantasy baseball. A pure hitter with both light-tower power and impeccable plate discipline, Cabrera hit the offseason with one very large piece of hardware for his mantle - the American League MVP award. In 2012, Cabrera became the first batter to win the Triple Crown in 45 years. This season, he stands a good chance at being the first back-to-back Triple Crown winner ever. Despite currently being bested in the home run category by the man Orioles fans call "Crush", Cabrera continues to top the leaderboards in nearly all other offensive categories. If his .365 batting average, 30 home runs and 95 runs batted in don't explain it all, the fact that Cabrera has walked a league-leading 60 times while striking out only 64 should. Reaching base and driving in runs is second nature to him, and he just so happens to be making history in the process.
Chris Davis, First Base, Baltimore Orioles
Davis's power surge shouldn't come as a shock to anyone who's followed the game. 2012 was the first season in which he batted over 500 times, and the lefty-swinging first baseman has quickly learned to use Camden Yards to his advantage. Watching Davis hit evokes images of Jim Thome, Frank Thomas, Mark McGwire and giant-sized sluggers of the past, especially as his 37 home runs at the break put him "on pace" to hit nearly 75 this season, if you believe in that measure. His 110 strikeouts compared with 38 walks might indicate that Davis' approach leans toward the "swing hard, in case you hit it" mantra, but his walk rate is up, his strikeout rate is down, and his batting average is 57 points higher than his career mark. Whether or not Davis makes a push at the single-season home run record in the final weeks, he is a hitter first and a home run hitter second.
Max Scherzer, Starting Pitcher, Detroit Tigers
The eleventh pick in the 2006 draft out of Mizzou, scouts have long awaited the coming-of-age of Scherzer from a flamethrower into a polished starting pitcher with command of four "plus" pitches. Fantasy owners repeatedly found Scherzer near the top of pre-season pitcher rankings, only to be let down by his inconsistency, control woes and inability to pitch deep into games. This season, as part a starting rotation featuring the likes of Justin Verlander, Doug Fister and Anibal Sanchez, Scherzer has emerged as the Tigers number one. Undefeated in his first 13 decisions, Scherzer has racked up K's at an impressive 10.6 per nine innings rate. He has allowed only 96 hits and 31 walks through 129.2 innings, and despite being a strikeout pitcher, has gone six innings or more in all but two of his starts this season. First-time All-Star and starting pitcher for the American League in tomorrow night's Midsummer Classic, experience under his belt and slight tweaks to his game have boosted Scherzer from a disappointment to a fantasy ace.
Carlos Gonzalez, Outfield, Colorado Rockies
For CarGo, it wasn't so much about talent on the field as it was keeping him there. The 27-year-old outfielder has been the picture of an all-around ballplayer since he arrived in Colorado, but lost significant time to injury in the midst of a few great seasons. Gonzalez has the potential to be a 30-home run, 30-steal player, and he is well on his way to hitting those milestones and surpassing them in 2013. He leads the National League with 25 home runs - 14 of which have been hit away from Coors Field - and continues to be a threat on the basepaths with 16 steals. Gonzalez leads the National League in slugging percentage (.610) and OPS (.980), and 53 of his 107 hits this season have gone for extra bases. Never cheated at the plate, CarGo maintains an impressive on-base percentage despite walking very infrequently, which is even more of a testament to his prowess as a hitter.
Adam Wainwright, Starting Pitcher, St. Louis Cardinals
Tim Lincecum walked four Padres in his no-hitter this weekend. Wainwright, through 146.2 innings this season, has walked 15. Let this sink in for a minute while you peruse his mastery in every other pitching category: 12 wins, a 2.45 earned run average and 130 strikeouts. Two years removed from Tommy John surgery that robbed him of a 2011 season in which the Cardinals won the World Series, Wainwright could well lead the Redbirds staff into the postseason come October. The National League leader in innings pitched, Wainwright has shown no ill effects of his elbow injury and is the definition of both a workhorse and an ace.