MLB's Rollercoaster Predictions: What Went Right and What Went Wrong

As we dive into the heart of the MLB season, surprises are the name of the game—both exhilarating and disappointing! For fantasy managers, it's crucial to sift through the noise. Let’s revisit some bold predictions from the first half of the season and see how they fared.

Boston's Devers: From Cold to Complicated

Back on April 3, we forecasted that Boston Red Sox's Rafael Devers might not see a drastic improvement. Starting the season with a 0-for-19 slump and plagued by shoulder concerns, expectations were low. However, he rebounded spectacularly, hitting .356 in May! But then came the curveball—he's now with the San Francisco Giants, struggling to find his rhythm with a .202 batting average. Despite a strong home run pace, this season is proving to be a puzzler for Devers.

James Wood: Living Up to the Hype?

On April 10, we speculated that Washington Nationals outfielder James Wood could rival superstar Juan Soto as a top-10 fantasy outfielder. Fast forward, and Wood has indeed delivered, currently ranking 10th on the Player Rater! Soto, meanwhile, is battling a subpar .262 average, slipping to 15th. Wood’s promising rise, albeit with some strikeout worries, might just signal a new era for fantasy players.

Marcus Semien's Comeback Story

Our April prediction suggested Texas Rangers' Marcus Semien could find himself on many drop lists, but the opposite occurred! After a dismal start dipping to .193, Semien exploded in June, batting .324 and driving in 16 RBIs. He is now among the top performers in fantasy leagues, proving once again that patience pays off.

Corbin Carroll: Power Yet to Shine?

We anticipated big things from Arizona Diamondbacks outfielder Corbin Carroll, predicting he could hit 35 home runs. As the second half kicks off, Carroll stands with 21 home runs—but his overall performance raises eyebrows. With a .245 average and a significant strikeout increase, he might not reach the lofty expectations set earlier.

Paul Skenes: The Victim of Bad Luck?

Our May 22 prediction for Pittsburgh Pirates' Paul Skenes indicated he might struggle to secure 10 wins, and sadly, our crystal ball was spot on! With a 4-8 record and a stellar ERA, Skenes is one of the league’s best pitchers, yet his win total remains frustratingly low. Fantasy managers can’t overlook him, but wins are what truly matter!

Ohtani's Run-Scoring Rampage

On May 29, we boldly claimed that Shohei Ohtani could redefine scoring records. Approaching the second half, he leads the league with 91 runs—just remarkable! Ohtani continues to wow on the field, solidifying his status as a fantasy juggernaut, even as concerns linger about his stolen base count.

Other Noteworthy Takes

Several players have lived up to—or surpassed—their early-season expectations. Cubs' Kyle Tucker has remained a top-10 player, while Astros pitcher Hunter Brown has edged into the top ranks. Meanwhile, the promising performances of rookies like Nick Kurtz and Hunter Goodman have brightened the fantasy landscape.

However, not every prediction panned out; the early assumption regarding AJ Smith-Shawver’s rookie of the year candidacy fizzled after his surgery. And the once-promising Kris Bubic has resumed his struggles.

As the second half of the MLB season unfolds, fantasy players must navigate through the unexpected. Strap in; it’s bound to be an exhilarating ride!