Fansided

10 struggling MLB stars poised for a second half breakout

By Connor Muldowney

Jul 5, 2015; Oakland, CA, USA; Seattle Mariners infielder Robinson Cano (22) reacts after flying out to deep right field against the Oakland Athletics in the first inning at O.co Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports
Jul 5, 2015; Oakland, CA, USA; Seattle Mariners infielder Robinson Cano (22) reacts after flying out to deep right field against the Oakland Athletics in the first inning at O.co Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jul 5, 2015; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Red Sox designated hitter David Ortiz (34) celebrates rounding the bases after Boston Red Sox left fielder Hanley Ramirez (13) hit a two-run home run as Houston Astros shortstop Marwin Gonzalez (9) walks away during the seventh inning at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: Winslow Townson-USA TODAY Sports
Jul 5, 2015; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Red Sox designated hitter David Ortiz (34) celebrates rounding the bases after Boston Red Sox left fielder Hanley Ramirez (13) hit a two-run home run as Houston Astros shortstop Marwin Gonzalez (9) walks away during the seventh inning at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: Winslow Townson-USA TODAY Sports /

14. . DH. Boston Red Sox. David Ortiz. 4. player

David Ortiz hasn’t struggled this much at the plate since 2009 when he hit just .238 with 28 homers and 99 RBI in 150 games with the Boston Red Sox. Heck, Ortiz could be on pace to finish with a average lower than his career-worst in 2001 with the Minnesota Twins.

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Strider fans 10 as Braves fall short at Fenway against Red Sox
Strider fans 10 as Braves fall short at Fenway against Red Sox /

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    • Yes, it’s hard to believe Big Papi was one a Twin, but those days are long gone. So far this season, Boston is in last place in the AL East and Ortiz is swinging the bat at just a .230 mark with 15 homers and 43 RBI.

    Ortiz is striking out more than he usually does, and if he keeps it up, he will have his first 100-strikeout season since 2010 and people will start to question if the 39-year-old designated hitter should hang up the spikes.

    In my opinion, he has a ton left in him. I get that he’s 39, but Big Papi has been playing the designated hitter role for years now and his body doesn’t take too much of a toll when he’s in the lineup day after day.

    Just last season, Ortiz hit 35 home runs and 104 RBI while the season before he was a MVP candidate, recording a .309 average with 30 dingers and 103 RBI.

    Don’t count Big Papi out just yet. That bat is still quite deadly.

    Next: 3. Jeff Samardzija, SP, White Sox

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