Fantasy Baseball: Carlos Beltran and Top 10 Comeback Players of the Year

The first half of the 2011 fantasy baseball season has been a roller coaster ride for many of the top options in the business.

With off years from Albert Pujols, Chris Carpenter, Alex Rios, Joe Mauer, Phil Hughes, Ichiro Suzuki, and many other usually trustworthy players, fantasy owners have been scrambling to replace their ghostly production.

In enters the comeback players of the year.

A handful of players that were once considered elite or seemed on their way out, have seemingly regained their must-start status or close to it.

These select players have not only helped maintain their fantasy team's success, but they've launched themselves into the mix for fantasy baseball's MVP.

Based on their 2010 numbers, expectations coming into this season, and their promise going forward in the second half, here are the top-10 comeback players of the year.

10. Matt Kemp, OF, Los Angeles Dodgers

Matt Kemp has arguably been baseball's MVP thus far in 2011.

His combination of huge power and deceptive speed has helped him hit 22 home runs and steal 24 bases.

Not only has the 26-year-old made a huge splash in the MLB, but his numbers rank among the top-five in almost every offensive category in fantasy.

Even through a public and controversial financial struggle that the Los Angeles Dodgers have put their team through, Kemp has stood a top the fantasy mountain and looked down on his competitors.

If it wasn't for his 20-20 season in 2010 and his usually potential to do what he currently is, Kemp would be No. 1 on this list.

9. James Shields, SP, Tampa Bay Rays

Coming into 2011, after trading Matt Garza to the Chicago Cubs, the Tampa Bay Rays were counting on James Shields to have a huge bounce-back season.

Boy did he live up to that expectation.

Shields has been one of the most dominant starters in fantasy, giving his owners six complete games and three shut-outs through his first 18 starts.

"Big Game" James has done everything that's been asked of him.

Solid record, high strikeouts, a 2.47 ERA, and a 1.00 WHIP.

Considering he ended 2010 with a 5.18 ERA and a 1.46 WHIP, Shields is easily one of the biggest comeback surprises of the season.

8. Contract Combo: Jose Reyes and Prince Fielder

Both Jose Reyes and Prince Fielder have done their very best to earn a lucrative contract after the 2011 season.

It's becoming very easy to predict how good players will perform in contract years and both guys have done nothing to disprove that claim.

Reyes has been the very best shortstop in fantasy through the first half, taking over Troy Tulowitzki's throne and simply blowing away Hanley Ramirez.

On pace for 20 more stolen bases than last year and a .354 average, Reyes is on his way to another groundbreaking season.

Fielder on the other hand, has easily been a top-five power hitter through the first three months of baseball.

Currently sporting 22 home runs and 77 RBI, the Milwaukee Brewer has not only ranked among the elite options at first base, but throughout the league.

Fielder is on pace for a repeat season from 2009, in which he hit 46 homers and 141 RBI.

His 83 RBI from 2010 are starting to look like a fantasy hoax.

7. Kyle Lohse, SP, St. Louis Cardinals

After watching Adam Wainwright go down before the season due to Tommy John surgery, the St. Louis Cardinals were in desperate need of a breakout pitcher.

Kyle Lohse has been that guy.

Compared to his numbers from 2009-2010, Lohse is on pace for five more wins, an ERA substantially lower at nearly three points less, and a WHIP that's scary good when put up against his career average.

When other elite options were struggling to find their way early in the season, Lohse's 4-1 record and 1.64 ERA in April helped his owners win and win early.

For that, he deserves to be on this list at No. 7 and more importantly, deserves recognition among fantasy owners everywhere.

6. Adam Lind, OF, Toronto Blue Jays

Forget about last year, Adam Lind is currently cruising to a 2009 repeat.

Lind was one of the hottest hitters through the month of June, recording nine home runs, 22 RBI, and a .311 average.

He's on pace for seven more homers, 21 more RBI, and nearly 60-less strikeouts from last year.

Lind continues to benefit from his international-duo with Jose Bautista, using both of their talents to smash opposing pitchers

Realistically, there's no reason why the 27-year-old wouldn't be on this list.

5. Bartolo Colon, SP, New York Yankees

Is it the shoes?

Probably not.

Is it the new uniform?

Well, maybe.

But forget about Bartolo Colon's clothes, his well-known medical procedure involving stem-cell injections has triggered a career resurgence with the New York Yankees.

Colon came into 2011 after pitching in only 47 games over the last four years, creating much speculation as to why the Yankees would chance a rotation spot on the aging 38-year-old.

Regardless of the past, Colon has posted a 6-3 record with a 2.88 ERA and a 1.06 WHIP through his first 11 starts.

He recently came off the 15-day DL with a scoreless six inning performance against the cross-town New York Mets.

The former-elite starter has regained trust within the fantasy baseball community and Yankees fans alike.

If you're still a non-believer, look at his 78K:18BB ratio and tell me he shouldn't be on this list.

4. Jacoby Ellsbury, OF, Boston Red Sox

Just when you thought Jacoby Ellsbury couldn't come back at full health and his usual elite self, he ends up coming back even better.

Ellsbury is currently on pace for career highs in home runs, RBI, walks, average, and has arguably been the Jose Reyes of the outfield.

Fantasy owners have been absolutely elated to have the 27-year-old back and healthy.

After a 2010 campaign in which he recorded a .192 average in only 78 at-bats, Ellsbury has been the epitome of a comeback candidate.

For now, he remains a top-15 outfield option and one of the biggest surprises of the 2011 season.

3. Jair Jurrjens, SP, Atlanta Braves

Following Wednesday's victory over the Colorado Rockies, Jair Jurrjens is currently 12-3 with a 1.87 ERA, good for tops in the majors.

After two successful seasons from 2008 to 2009, Jurrjens was pegged for a huge breakout year in 2010, but a 4.65 ERA and a 7-6 record proved otherwise.

Despite his recent struggles over the past year and a half, Jurrjens is back and atop nearly all fantasy pitching charts.

He's on pace for 20 wins, a sub-2.00 ERA, and will have even a better chance of consistently winning games as the Atlanta Braves offense regains their prowess.

All hail Prince Jair.

2. Lance Berkman, OF, St. Louis Cardinals

Look who we have here.

Lance Berkman, ladies and gentlemen, has been one of the biggest bounce-back players in the MLB this season.

His first half production has not only helped the St. Louis Cardinals stay afloat in the NL Central, but it's helped his fantasy owners keep their playoff dreams alive.

Following his tenure with the New York Yankees and Houston Astros in 2010, in which he hit .247 with 14 home runs, Berkman has regained his All-Star ability and is looking like a potential fantasy MVP.

On pace for 43 homers and 116 RBI, easily his best numbers since 2006, the 35-year-old has played against the age grain and has become the potential comeback player of the year.

1. Carlos Beltran, OF, New York Mets

Well, we all knew this was coming.

Not just from reading the title, but if you're a true fantasy player and a fan of baseball, you knew that Carlos Beltran would be able to do what he's doing if he stayed healthy.

Did you expect anything else?

Beltran, 34, is having his best year since 2008.  The New York Mets have been waiting for their high contract hitter to produce like his salary would suggest.

After battling injuries over the past two seasons, suiting up in only 145 games, Beltran has bounced-back to not only carry the Mets in the NL East, but provide elite numbers for so many fantasy teams.

On pace for 25 home runs and 100 RBI in a David Wright-less lineup, Beltran has easily been the comeback of the year after combining for 75 RBI over the last two seasons.

What makes him even more worthwhile going forward, is the fact that his career averages in OBP, SLG, and OPS, are all higher in the second half.

Crown your king.