As valuable as these two Sox regulars have been, I believe they’ll be better in the second half.
Kevin Youkilis started off slow, based on his standards. His strikeout rate was hovering around 30-percent for most of April and into May, but we knew that would drop before long. Now, his strikeout rate is right around his career average. His walk rate is insanely consistent with his walk rate of the last three years. In short, he is who we though he was…which is awesome. Currently, Youk stands with a .285/.399/.512 line and that’s with a slow start. If he stays healthy, Youk has a decent chance to have a strong second half. Strong as in, stronger than his first half, which already put him at 3.3 WAR for the season despite a -5.2 UZR. Youk’s .399 OBP is puts him in the top-ten in baseball…and to think he could be even better going forward…(awesome).
Dustin Pedroia has had a lot to deal with this season. He had a bad foot injury that ended his 2010 season and has faced minor obstacles with his health so far this season as well. Despite all that, he has managed to post 4.7 WAR, which ties him with Curtis Granderson for the most WAR in all of baseball. Pedroia was also among those who struggled with strikeouts early on, but his strikeout rate is down to 12 percent and his walk rate is at 15.4 percent, which would be a career high. Back in March, I asked the question, “Is Pedroia Headed for a Career Year?“. Given that he’s on pace to attain career highs in home runs, stolen bases and possibly OBP, it looks as though my prediction could indeed come true.
Both Youk and Pedey got off to incredibly slow starts. However — and especially given their recent performance — both could be even better in the second half. That’s a scary proposition for AL East foes, considering how valuable they have already been in 2011.