STATS Corner

The Angels finally are promising to play outfielder Juan Rivera, better late than never and perhaps with an eye on statistics. Rivera’s career batting average is .250 before the All-Star break and .318 after the All-Star break, the largest such improvement of any active player.

With the All-Star break upon us, this week’s STATS Corner takes a look at active players with a history of better statistics in the second half, with all statistics through Friday’s games from STATS LLC:

Biggest career improvement in batting average, before and after All-Star break, minimum 1,000 at-bats:

*--* 1. Juan Rivera, Angels 068 (.250, .318) 2. Ryan Howard, Phillies 054 (.256, .310) 3. Robinson Cano, Yankees 053 (.281, .334) 4. Javier Valentin, Reds 046 (.230, .276) 5. Gary Bennett, Dodgers 045 (.219, .264) 6. Adam LaRoche, Pirates 044 (.252, .296) 7. Richie Sexson, Mariners 040 (.244, .284) 8. Greg Norton, Braves 039 (.234, .273) 9. Mark Sweeney, Dodgers 036 (.239, .275) 10. Nick Markakis, Orioles 033 (.285, .318) 11. Mark Ellis, A’s 033 (.252, .285) *--*

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Biggest career improvement in winning percentage, record before and after All-Star break, minimum 100 starts:

*--* 1. Dave Bush, Brewers 201 (17-28, 22-16) 2. Barry Zito, Giants 192 (53-57, 64-31) 3. Roy Oswalt, Astros 175 (62-44, 57-18) 4. Carlos Silva, Mariners 173 (33-41, 26-16) 5. Bronson Arroyo, Reds 147 (32-43, 31-23) 6. Johan Santana, Mets 146 (51-34, 50-17) 7. Joe Blanton, A’s 144 (26-31, 21-14) 8. Andy Pettitte, Yankees 132 (103-75, 108-44) 9. Scott Elarton, Indians 125 (31-41, 25-20) 10. Jeff Francis, Rockies 110 (25-25, 25-16) *--*