Here is your weekly fantasy update, as the division races that will create the excitement of the last month of the season begin to take shape.

Fantasy Stud of the Week – Adrian Gonzalez, 1B, Red Sox

The ex-Padre continued his MVP-bid season with another fantastic week, going 12-31 (.387 AVG). Gonzalez hit 5 homeruns and drove in 10 runs, helping the Red Sox to win 7 of their last 10 games, keeping them 2 games ahead of the Bronx Bombers. If Gonzalez can keep up this hot streak it is going to be a true challenge to stop the Sox in the postseason.
(Honourable mention: Howie Kendrick, 2B, Angels, .409 AVG, 4 HR, 5 RBI)

Fantasy Dud of the Week – Alcides Escobar, SS, Royals

One of Milwaukee’s big pieces of the Zach Greinke trade had an absolutely brutal week. Escobar went 0-18, reaching base only once in his 21 PA through a walk. He also scored a single run. While Escobar is regarded as a fantastic defender, something which allows him to remain in the starting lineup on an MLB team through a slump like this, such a skillset does not help your fantasy team in the least.
(Dishonourable mention: Geovany Soto, C, Cubs, .043 AVG, 0 HR, 1 RBI)

Rookie to watch – Kyle Seager, 3B, Mariners

Could the Mariners have finally found an heir to Beltre’s throne? The young rookie third baseman had a stellar week, going 14-24 (.583 AVG). The average alone is enough to earn him a roster spot, but he also contributed more by scoring 7 runs and driving in 2. While the homerun totals were not there – he only hit 1 – 6 of those 14 hits were doubles, which is a great ratio of extra base hits to singles. Also, he is only 6.1 % owned in ESPN leagues so he should be a relatively easy pickup.

Waiver Wire Player of the Week – Russell Martin, C, Yankees

The Yankees catcher had a great week, in which he went 7-13 (.538 AVG), with 2 home runs, 1 of which was a grand slam, and 7 RBIs. Martin has not been seeing everyday-starter playing time, but with a week like that, do not be surprised if he begins to see more, as Posada becomes more and more familiar with the bench, with the postseason drawing closer. Martin is 54.7% owned in ESPN leagues, with that increasing by 10% in the last 7 days, so if you are in need of a catcher with some pop, Martin may be your man.

The first half of the season is over, and the National League was victorious for the second consecutive year in the annual All-Star Game. Here is a review of some of the players that stood out before the all-star break; some of these players may have been either make-or-break high draft picks for your team, or a team in your league, or they are players that you might consider picking up for the second half.

Stud of the first half, American League: Adrian Gonzalez, 1B, Red Sox

When Gonzalez was traded to the Red Sox last year, every non-Red Sox fan was terrified of how dangerous he could be offensively with the Green Monster as his home field. Gonzalez made sure that all of those fears were realized, as he has hit .354 with 17 home runs and 77 RBIs. This season is a perfect example of a power hitter making a transition from the National League to the American League, and finding massive success. A-Gon will finally get the recognition he deserves as a hitter by being in a lineup which allows him to drive in a huge amount of runs, and by playing in a stadium which turns fly balls that were previously opposite field fly-outs into home runs and doubles. This combination ensures that Gonzalez is going to be a high first round draft pick in every fantasy baseball league for years to come. (Honourable mentions: Jose Bautista, Blue Jays, .336 AVG, 31 HR, 65 RBI; Curtis Granderson, Yankees, .271 AVG, 25 HR, 65 RBI)

Stud of the first half, National League: Matt Kemp, CF, Dodgers

Center field is a position where offensive production is a bonus. Players like Peter Bourjos are serviceable center fielders for MLB teams because they offer value on defense in a position that demands it; Matt Kemp, however, has been somewhat of a fantasy baseball monster, hitting .313 with 22 homeruns and 27 stolen bases, while driving in 67 runs. He’s on pace for a 40 HR – 40 SB season, which is certainly something special for a player of any position.  The fact that he plays a position without many strong offensive players makes him that much more valuable to your fantasy team. (Honourable mentions: Jose Reyes, Mets, .354 AVG, 15 3B, 30 SB; Prince Fielder, Brewers, .298 AVG, 22 HR, 73 RBI)

Bust of the first half, American League: Adam Dunn, 1B, White Sox

Before coming to the White Sox, Adam Dunn was a model of consistency: from 2005 to 2010, he hit no less than 38 homers and no more than 40 each year, while posting an on-base percentage in the high .300’s. Over the first half, however, Dunn has hit only 9 home runs with a .160 AVG and a .292 OBP. This is, quite obviously, a massive decline from his expected production that had been so consistent while he was playing for Washington and Cincinnati. (Dishonourable Mention: Hideki Matsui, Athletics, .209 AVG, 6 HR, 34 RBI)

Bust of the first half, National League: Jayson Werth, OF, Nationals

In the offseason Jayson Werth managed to sign the fifteenth most lucrative contract in baseball history, for $126,000,000 of total value. Needless to say, he should be performing at a premium level. Unfortunately for Nationals fans, they may have to wait for Bryce Harper to make the MLB roster before they can have another impact outfielder. Jayson Werth has batted .215 throughout the first half, which ties him with Manny Burriss of the Giants. Who? Exactly. Werth has also hit only 10 home runs, and his slugging percentage is down almost 200 points from last season. If he doesn’t find his old swing soon, he’s sure to be crowned as the second “Vernon Wells” of the 21st century (who, coincidentally, also signed for $126 million back in 2008 with the Blue Jays). (Dishonourable Mention: Dan Uggla, Braves, .185 AVG, 15 HR, 34 RBI)

Rookie of the first half, American League: Michael Pineda, SP, Mariners

Being successful in the MLB when you are 22-years-old is an accomplishment in itself, but Pineda has managed to put together a fantastic season with an all-star appearance. Pineda has been strong in all facets of pitching, already having thrown 113 innings of 3.03 ERA baseball with 113 strikeouts and only 37 walks. He’s also averaging 95.0 MPH on his fastball, which ties him for fourth in the majors. He’s looking like a fantastically talented young pitcher, and he is certainly the backup that King Felix needs and the Mariners have been lacking since Cliff Lee’s departure. (Honourable mention: Mark Trumbo, Los Angeles, .260 AVG, 17 HR, 41 RBI)

Rookie of the first half, National League: Danny Espinosa, 2B, Nationals

While Werth has certainly been a complete letdown so far in Washington, Espinosa has been a sign of the team’s bright future. He has only posted a .242 AVG, but he has hit 16 homeruns and driven in 52 RBIs. He’s also managed to post an OPS of .793, which is impressive for such a young second baseman. While Espinosa has been striking out a fair bit (22.2% of his plate appearances are strikeouts), it is four percent lower than last year, and at 24 years of age he has a lot of time left to improve his plate discipline. He’s also stolen 12 bases, a welcome addition to any fantasy team. (Honourable mention: Freddie Freeman, Braves, .274 AVG, 13 HR, 43 RBI)

Player to watch for the second half, American League: Michael Brantley, CF, Indians

A lot of people have been wondering what exactly has allowed the Indians to win so many games throughout the first half, and while much of the praise has been (rightfully) directed toward the team’s fantastic pitching, Michael Brantley has provided solid production for them on offense. He has hit for a .270 AVG so far, with 36 RBIs and a very solid 51 runs scored. He’s also stolen 12 bases and received 34 walks. Brantley has also played quite a few games in left field this season, which allows him to be a fantastic bench player for anyone’s fantasy team. Brantley is only 61.7% owned in ESPN leagues, which means that there’s a good chance you could have him backing up, or even starting, on your fantasy team for the second half.

Player to watch for the second half, National League: Chase Headley, 3B/OF, Padres

Headley has put together a very productive season in San Diego, while flying under the radar. He’s hit .300 with a .390 OBP and a .791 OPS, through the first half, while driving in 32 RBIs and scoring 34 runs. The value that he loses from having only hit 2 home runs so far, he makes up in that fantastic on-base percentage. He’s also thrown in 8 stolen bases and taken 45 walks, which is solid for any bench player on a fantasy team. Headley’s positional versatility allows him to fill in for any of your injured (or slumping) starting players at third base and in the outfield. He’s also owned in only 66.9% of ESPN leagues, so pick him up if you’re in need of someone to backup your outfield, or to provide a lot of hits and walks.

Not only did he make the catch on the Adrian Gonzalez home run ball, but he did so with a full glass of beer in his hand and ended up in a pool full of bombshells in bikinis.  One of those beautiful babes was even kind enough to give him a hand with his beer while he resurfaced from beneath the water and raised his glove in glory.

Does it get any better than this?  I didn’t think so.

Robinson Cano

After hitting a solid eight homers in the opening round, second to only the Adrian Gonzalez’s nine, the Yankees’ second baseman hit twelve in the second round.  His two round total of 20 was good enough to move him into the finals against Gonzalez, thus setting up an epic Yankees vs. Red Sox battle for the Derby crown.

After Gonzalez opened up the finals with an impressive 11 home runs, Cano knew he had his work cut out for him, but he made it look easy, hitting twelve with four outs to spare.  That gave him his first ever Home Run Derby title and the “Stat Line of the Night” for Monday, July 11, 2011.

Here is a look at Cano’s title-clinching home run.

That wasn’t all from Gonzalez, who also hit another home run to the same spot in the 9th.  The Padress ended up winning 3-1 and although Hamels had a great outing, it was Gonzalez that stole the show.  He was 2-3 with the two home runs, 2 runs, 2 RBIs, and a walk.  Hamels could not seem to figure him out and it ended up costing the Phillies the win.

Adrian Gonzalez has been mashing the ball all season and now his numbers are .288/.395/.519 (batting average/on-base percentage/slugging percentage).  He has 13 home runs and 38 RBIs and is the primary reason the Padres anemic offense has been able to eke out just enough runs to sit atop the NL West, albeit by only half a game.  For now, Gonzalez earns “The Stat Line of the Night”.

Jason Hammel was wild all night, hitting two batters already in the game (Will Venable and Kyle Blanks), but it was his control issues in the 6th inning which would prove disastrous.  Edgar Gonzalez was at the plate, the bases were empty, and there was two outs in a 1-1 tie.  That’s when Hammel’s 93mph fastball missed high and wide.  Way wide!  Gonzalez would end up taking it off the helmet, knocking him down and out.

The Padres second baseman lay on the ground for quite some time as players of both teams and fans watched in silence.  He eventually sat up and was carted off the field.  Adrian Gonzalez, who also plays for the Padres, would end up leaving the game at the end of the sixth inning to be with his brother, Edgar.

Such incidents can only help remind us of the dangers involved in baseball, and how lucky we are that Erin Andrews only received a small bruise after taking a ball off the chin.  Gonzalez was released from the hospital on Sunday, but is experiencing concussion-like symptoms and will likely be placed on the disabled list Monday.

Here is a clip of the scary moment from Saturday night.

Gonzalez had a great night at the plate, and topped it off by crossing the plate for the winning run in the bottom of the 10th inning to give the Padres the 4-3 victory.  His great contribution also consisted of a 4 for 4 day at the plate, which includes one homer, 2 RBIs and 2 runs scored.  In such a tight, low scoring game, such numbers are all the more relevant, making Gonzalez “The Stat Line Of The Night” for Thursday June 18th, 2009.

With the Padres falling quick over the past week or so, they will look to this victory to turn things around.  The Dodgers hav already built themselves a rather large lead in the NL West, but there is still plenty of baseball to play.  Adrian Gonzalez has been one of the lone bright spots for the club this season, hitting his league leading 23rd home run, which ties him at the top with Albert Pujols.  The season is still young, and although the Padres seem out of it now, its nothing a long winning streak can’t fix.