Orioles: Can J.J. Hardy Provide a Second Half Spark?

By Brad Kelly | Jul 18, 2016

May 1, 2016; Baltimore, MD, USA; Baltimore Orioles shortstop J.J. Hardy (2) warms up prior to the game against the Chicago White Sox at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. Mandatory Credit: Evan Habeeb-USA TODAY Sports /

J.J. Hardy missed a huge chunk of the season for the Baltimore Orioles, but has been hot at the plate since his return. Should fantasy owners give him a closer look off the waiver wire?

J.J. Hardy went through most of his career being often overlooked in the conversation as one of the better shortstops in the game. He was one of the rare shortstops that was able to not only provide quality defense, but was also a credible power threat at the plate. Over the last three seasons though, he has battled injury after injury with the Orioles.

He missed nearly two months of the 2016 season with a foot injury, but since his return from the DL, he has looked like his vintage self at the plate. While he used to be a fantasy dynamo, his injuries and power loss, had removed him from most fantasy radars. But, could Hardy turn into a fantasy difference maker over the second half?

J.J. Hardy’s days of amassing 20+ HR are more than likely done with as he approaches 34-years-old. In 2013 his seasonal line, .263/25 HR/76 RBI/.738 OPS, ranked as one of the best outputs in baseball, especially coming from a SS. Yet, albeit admirably or not, he decided to try to play a serious back injury in 2014. The ramifications of that injury not only decimated his power, he would only hit 9 that season, it also plagued him heading into 2015.

More from Fantasy Baseball

In 2015, he would once again try to battle through an injury, but a torn labrum in his shoulder saw him post his career worst season. As if Hardy had personally offended the injury bug, a hairline fracture in his foot in May of this season, would cost him even more time.

Hardy finally returned in mid-June, and has raised his AVG by 21 points, and has registered 28 hits across 23 games.

His swing finally looks to have the same torque it did prior to his back issues, which has clearly spearheaded his success. Anyone that has watched Hardy knows that his swing is tailor-made for Camden Yards, and basically all AL East stadiums.

He has homered twice over the last four games, and his current 10 game hitting steak only further shows that he is finding his groove at the plate.

Looking further at his peripherals, J.J. Hardy’s 19.3% LD rate is the second highest output of his career. Even though it is an abbreviated sample size this season, he is certainly squaring the ball up so far, posting a 40% clip in both his Hard and Medium Contact rates.

Owners can see that his hot stretch at the plate can not be solely attributed to luck, as the peripheral stats validate that he is back swinging it well.

Next: Brandon Maurer: Waiver Wire Add?

From a counting stats perspective, it does not get better than hitting in the Orioles lineup. Playing in Camden, and with most of his remaining games left against divisional opponents, he has all the makings of a guy that could provide great production moving forward.

With shortstop still being one of the weaker fantasy positions in fantasy baseball, adding Hardy is almost a must. The injury risk is there for sure, but he is heating up and is apart one of the best lineups in baseball. Make the move.

Home/Fantasy Baseball