BEST FANTASY HITTER: Alfonso Soriano, 2B/OF, Washington Nationals
.272 BA, 27 HR, 56 RBI, 63 R, 20 SB, .887 OPS
I’m a huge Albert Pujols fan and it pains me to choose someone other than Pujols, but you can’t deny the value that Soriano has as a 2B.  Unless Soriano gets traded to another team and plays second again, this will be his last season to qualify as a 2B, so let’s all bow down and praise him.  Of course, if Pujols didn’t get hurt, he probably would have better numbers and this Best Hitter designation… sorry, just had to make an argument for my main man.
Others considered: Albert Pujols, St. Louis Cardinals; Jose Reyes, SS, New York Mets; Carlos Beltran, New York Mets

BEST FANTASY PITCHER: Chris Capuano, SP, Milwaukee Brewers
129.0 IP, 10 W, 3.21 ERA, 1.18 WHIP, 112 K
What?  Who?  Sure Capuano isn’t really a “top” name, but he’s getting results like one.  If you were like me and thought that Capuano’s 2005 season, especially the wins total, were fluky, you and I were wrong to doubt Capuano and his abilities.  If anything, he’s just gotten better from last season. 
Others considered: Brandon Webb, Arizona Diamondbacks; Bronson Arroyo, Cincinnati Reds; Carlos Zambrano, Chicago Cubs

BEST FANTASY ROOKIE: Dan Uggla, 2B, Florida Marlins
.307 BA; 13 HR; 51 RBI; 57 R; 5 SB; .875 OPS
Dan Uggla.  Dan Uggla?  Yes, Dan Uggla.  Uggla came out of nowhere (just like the rest of the young Marlins) to actually be considered as one of the best players at his position… as a rookie.  Uggla is on pace for the following numbers - .300/25/100/110/10.  By far, he is the best waiver wire pick-up of the season.
Others considered: Hanley Ramirez, Florida Marlins; Josh Johnson, Florida Marlins; Ryan Zimmerman, Washington Nationals; Takashi Saito, Los Angeles Dodgers

BEST FANTASY COMEBACK: Carlos Beltran, OF, New York Mets
.279 BA, 25 HR, 68 RBI, 66 R, 12 SB, .995 OPS
I could have went with a surprise (Arroyo), a former superstar reclaiming his glory days (Garciaparra), a former late first-rounder (Schmidt), or a player finally getting it done (Julio)... but, I had to go with, arguably, the biggest bust of 2005 that was taken first overall in some drafts, but did nothing close to validating the pick.  Yes, folks, I’m talking Carlos Beltran here.  He’s already hit more homers than did in 2005 (16) and has raised his OPS by over .250 points - .744 in 2005.  I guess he just needed a year to get used to the New York media.  And having Carlos Delgado as a teammate and in the locker room doesn’t hurt.
Others considered: Bronson Arroyo, Cincinnati Reds; Nomar Garciaparra, Los Angeles Dodgers; Jason Schmidt, San Francisco Giants; Jorge Julio, Arizona Diamondbacks

BIGGEST FANTASY SURPRISE: All the youngsters on the Florida Marlins
I’ve talked about Dan Uggla, but Hanley Ramirez is making the Boston Red Sox look foolish for giving up on him (but nowhere near as foolish as Bronson Arroyo is), the young pitching staff led by Josh Johnson and Scott Olsen is doing better than we all thought.  Josh Willlingham can mash the ball and the best thing about him is that he qualifies at the C position, but actually plays everyday in the outfield.  Mike Jacobs is doing well after getting traded from the Mets.  And think about this, highly-regarded super prospect, Jeremy Hermida, hasn’t really gotten it going thanks to an injury in the beginning.  Look out for him in the second half to do well.
Others considered: Bronson Arroyo, Cincinnati Reds; Austin Kearns, Cincinnati Reds; Freddy Sanchez, Pittsburgh Pirates

BIGGEST FANTASY DEMISE: Eric Gagne, RP, Los Angeles Dodgers
2.0 IP, 1 SV, 0.00 ERA, 0.50 WHIP, 3 K
I know he was injured and it’s always tough to pick an injured player for a category like this since it’s not really based on performance, but Gagne was a star for a few years as late as 2004.  He was even a Cy Young winner.  But, with his arm injuries and now having to have back surgery, which is finishing his season, the former fantasy stud is now a dud and I think his days are over.
Others considered: Brad Lidge, Houston Astros; Juan Pierre, Chicago Cubs; Luis Gonzalez, Arizona Diamondbacks

BEST BET TO BOUNCE BACK POST ALL-STAR BREAK: Aramis Ramirez, 3B, Chicago Cubs
.259 BA; 16 HR; 52 RBI; 40 R; 1 SB; .801 OPS
Derrek Lee is back and relieving some of the pressure on Ramirez to carry the offensive load.  Check out these numbers for July with Lee back - .314 BA; 2 HR; 9 RBI; 5 R; 1.004 OPS.  I think you can expect something similar for the second half, especially if Juan Pierre gets it together as he seems to be doing lately (.439 BA; 1.050 OPS in July), getting on base for Lee and Ramirez to knock him in.
Others considered: Andy Pettitte, Houston Astros; Rafael Furcal, Los Angeles Dodgers; Ken Griffey, Jr., Cincinnati Reds; Jake Peavy, San Diego Padres