Fantasy Baseball: Albert Pujols and 4 Other Names to Watch After the Break

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We have reached the midway point of the regular season in major league baseball and the midway point of the fantasy baseball season as well.

There have been pleasant surprises and disappointments throughout fantasy leagues this year and that will only continue on into the second half of the season.

Fantasy leagues resume after the All-Star break and here is a list of some players that any fantasy player should watch in the second half.

5. Lance Berkman

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Lance Berkman is having one of the most surprising seasons in recent memory and is having a huge impact on fantasy leagues everywhere.

Berkman is leading the National League in home runs, OPS, and SLG and has been huge for anyone that was lucky enough to pick him up in the late rounds of drafts or even off the waiver wire.

While I'm a big fan of anyone who goes against the odds and plays well after everyone thought he was done, I see Berkman slowing down big time in the second half of the season.

Berkman is 35 years old and at some point his age will have to catch up to him.

The long grind of baseball season is hard enough as a young player but after losing a lot of athleticism and youth, it makes it almost impossible to finish without an injury or slowing down in production.

I see Berkman slowing down significantly in all of his offensive categories. While he will still be a very nice player for any fantasy team, he won't be the force he was in the first half of the season.

4. Evan Longoria

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Evan Longoria is having a solid season for the Tampa Bay Rays but will improve in the second half.

Longoria's batting average is down this season as well as his OBP and his RBI production.

The law of averages says that Longoria should, by the end of the season, get back up to his career averages which would mean a big second half from the third baseman.

Longoria should have a good fantasy second half and turn into the player people thought they were drafting before this season.

3. Jose Reyes

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Jose Reyes is having a marvelous season thus far and his production should only continue.

Reyes is in a contract year and is playing for his next deal, giving him a ton of motivation to play well and stay healthy.

If Reyes can stay healthy, which is a big "if' at this point, he should continue to be a force fantasy-wise and continue to win games for his fantasy owners across the world.

Reyes steals bases and hits for great average. That, combined with the contract year, means he will continue to produce fantasy-wise, and probably get even better.

2. Curtis Granderson

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Curtis Granderson is having by far the best power hitting year in his career and is already on pace to more than double his highest home run total.

Granderson is also having a great fantasy year but should slow down.

History is a great teacher and most players don't randomly double their home run totals in one season.

Granderson could still have a solid second half of the fantasy season but I see a major decline in his home run totals and his overall offensive production, including his batting average.

Granderson has already proven himself as a fantasy player this year and even if he drops off, he will finish with an excellent season fantasy-wise.

1. Albert Pujols

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Albert Pujols isn't having the season most thought he would have in a contract year but that is going to change in the second half of the fantasy season.

Pujols is going to have a great second half because great hitters like him always find ways to finish strong.

Pujols is currently a good fantasy player but isn't quite living up to being the No. 1 pick in most fantasy drafts before this season started.

I see Pujols' numbers increasing in every offensive category and him finishing as one of the best fantasy players in baseball, like he was projected to be.