Posted by Mike Caprio July 14, 2009

Last week we began an analysis of our own pre-season Top 10 2009 Fantasy Baseball Keepers, with our last installment on 3B, SS, and Left Field.

As part of this analysis, we also highlighted surprising performances over the 1st half of the 2009 baseball season at each of those positions.

Most disappointing Centerfielder of the 1st Half? (Icon Sports Media)

Breakout in a big way (Icon Sports Media)

Right Field

What went right

Jermaine Dye has continued to quietly put up solid power numbers with .302 Avg, 20 HR, 55 RBI at the break; Justin Upton appears to have finally “broken out” with .300 Avg, 16 HR , 51 RBI, 12 SB (917 OPS);  Hunter Pence, Bobby Abreu and Brad Hawpe have all performed admirably (especially Hawpe).

What went wrong

Nick Markakis has not exhibited the projected power surge in Baltimore (.290 Avg, 8 HR, 57 RBI); Vladimir Guerrero has been hobbled by injuries all season-long; Jay Bruce has hit for power, though his average was barely hovering above the Mendoza line before fracturing his wrist on Saturday at Citi Field, costing him 8 weeks; while Corey Hart has struggled at the dish in Milwaukee.

Biggest Suprise

Shin-Soo Choo has got to be the biggest surprise of the 1st half for me.  He was widely recognized as a sleeper due to his incredible OPS vs. right handers, but he’s managed to maintain his success against southpaws as well this season.  Another one worth noting is Nelson Cruz, who was also mentioned as a sleeper at the beginning of the season. The 29-year old has finally put it all together with Rangers’ hitting coach Rudy Jaramillo in Arlington.

Growing Pains for the Messiah? (Icon Sports Media)

Prospects

What went right

Colby Rasmus, Dexter F0wler, Tommy Hanson, Brett Anderson, Rick Porcello, Jordan Zimmermann and Trevor Cahill have all made meaningful contributions to their major league club, while Justin Smoak, Buster Posey, Jason Heyward, Chris Tillman, Brian Matusz, and Chris Tillman have all made significant strides, that project them to contribute at the major league level—in a meaningful way— in 2010.

What went wrong

Matt Wieters, David Price, and Travis Snider are my biggest disappointments, with less having to do with performance by Wieters and Price, than with Travis Snider, who was sent down after a month of futility in Toronto.  Additionally, Cameron Maybin has struggled mightily at the major league level, while thriving in the comforts of AAA.

Biggest Surprise

The biggest surprise for me was the rapid ascension to the major leagues by top White Sox prospect Gordon Beckham.  The first draft pick from last year’s class to make the big leagues, Beckham has adjusted nicely to major league pitching with a .271 Avg, 3 HR, 20 RBI’s in 33 games this season.

We’ll come back tomorrow with the pitchers…

In the meantime, who do you think is the biggest disappointment at CF, RF, or Prospects? (Vote for up to 3 players)

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