So with the All Star break among us, we are at the half way point of the 2010 season. It seems like just the other day the season was starting up in Boston, with Curtis Granderson hitting a home run in his first at bat and Chan Ho Park blowing the game. The Yankees find themselves with the best record in baseball, and it seems as if the team has not clicked yet. The offense hasn't been consistent all season and their is still no obvious option to Mariano Rivera, but the starting pitching has held them afloat. So on that note, let the grading begin !
Pitchers
Alfredo Aceves- B : Ace was pitching just as well as he was in 2009 before he got hurt. Aceves was suppose to be back following the all star break, but has had multiple set backs and may not pitch again this season.
A.J Burnett- C- :Burnett started the season out great, and was 4-0 with a 1.99 ERA. His season would go south from their going 3-5 and has raised his ERA to 4.75. Burnett's last two starts before the break were an improvement, Burnett is going to be inconsistent the rest of the way as he has been his career.
Joba Chamberlain- D : Joba has not found his 2007/2008 form. No lead is safe any more when he comes into the game. If the Yankees have one big need, it would be this area.
Chad Gaudin- C- : Gaudin was with the Yankees last season and in spring training before he was let go. Gaudin went to Oakland,pitched poor and was released. Gaudin came back to the bombers and has mostly pitched in mop up duty.
Phil Hughes- A- : Hughes did not make his first start until April 15th, and was expected to pitch like a fifth starter. Hughes has exceeded expectations and made the All Star team. Hughes hit one rough patch in late June but it seems to be past him. My only concern with Hughes is the Yanks plan to limit his innings.
Boone Logan- C- : Logan has been called up and down a few times this season. He has pitched the same way, one outing is great, the next is awful. Logan's biggest problem is he walks too many.
Damaso Marte- B+ : Has been living up to his role of getting lefties out (.146 BAA). Marte can also get righties out (.190) and should be given a shot at the set up role if they don't get help.
Chan Ho Park-F : Park has been an area of concern, from the moment he made his 2010 debut he has been awful. Park has gotten hit hard often and spent time on the DL. If he continues to pitch so poorly he could be designated for assignment.
Andy Pettitte-A : For years we have seen Andy pitch well in the regular season and then pitch phenomenal in the post season. This season Pettitte has pitched like it was the post season having his best season since 2005 and is on his way to an all star appearance.
Mariano Rivera-A : Mo is having another great season at the age of 40; he has battled knee and oblique injuries but still has been able to save 20 games.
David Robertson- D : Has been inconsistent all season, last season pitched well following the break and the Yankees hope he can do that again this season.
CC Sabathia- A : Sabathia started the season off well, before hitting a rough patch in May in which he did not win a game. Since May,CC has rolled off eight straight wins before he heads to Anaheim to be in the ASG.
Javier Vazquez- B : Had a forgettable start to the season, heard the boo"s from the fans and even had his start skipped a few times. But since May 12 Javy has pitched to an ERA of 2.75
Robinson Cano- A+ : What can you say bad about the MVP candidate? Nothing. Cano has been an offensive threat all season picking up alot slack left by A-Rod and Tex, especially early in the season. Cano will be starting in the all star game Tuesday, and has quited many critic's who loved to call him lazy.
Francisco Cervelli-B : A fan favorite for his passion and love of the game, Cervilli got off to a hot start and was a given when it can to hitting with RISP. Cervelli since the end of May has slumped and behind the plate he can get a bit lazy. But still brings the energy that is needed on an older team.
Derek Jeter- B : The captain hasn't had his best season this far. Jeter has swung at alot of first pitches this season, and more then even seems to be hitting ground balls at an alarming pace. Jeter still has driven in alot of runs, even though from July 12 to July 6 he didn't drive in a single run.
Nick Johnson-F : This was the player that was suppose to replace Hideki Matsui ? Johnson has been a bad signing by Brian Cashman, with the option to sign Johnny Damon or Matsui he picked Nick. Although Johnson is a great fit for the Yanks line up with his extreme patients, but he didn't hit and got injured.
Ramiro Pena-C+ : Sure the young utility player is only hitting .195 but in a line up full of stars, his main goal is to play defense and he has done that job well. Pena does have 10 RBI in only 82 AB's.
Jorge Posada- C+ : The veteran back stop is the only member of the core four to not be at this years all star game, and of the four has started to show his age. Posada has been beat up all season, but can still hit. Georgie's defense on the other hand has been awful, allowing alot of passed balls and not throwing many runners out.
Alex Rodriguez-B+ : Much has been made of how A-Rod hasn't hit for power this season, but he still has 14 homers and 70 RBI. The main concern with Alex is his hip, but it hasn't effected his defense. What is considered a below average season for A-Rod would be a career year for many other players.
Kevin Russo- C : Doesn't get much playing time, when he was first called up he got a few clutch hits but since then his average has dipped along with his playing time. Still an asset in the late innings of a close game if called upon for defense.
Mark Teixiera-C+ : Tex has always been a slow starter but it took him till late June to finally hit. Tex still plays gold glove defense, and should be a force with the bat in the second half.
Outfield
Curtis Granderson-C- : The big off season trade landed Granderson in the Bronx. In his first at bat he hit a home run, and hit well the first month of the season. Following a stint on the DL Curtis has come back and struggled at the plate especially against lefties (.212 AVG).
Nick Swisher- A- : During the off season Swish lost a lot of weight and worked on his swing. The dedication has worked out, Swisher has his highest average ever and made the all star team.
Marcus Thames- B : The king of the walk off this year has done his job of hitting lefties. His defense on the other hand.....
Moot,
ReplyDeleteI think that all of your grades are fairly accurate. I agree with you especially with Joba, Chan Ho Park, and Curtis Granderson. Keep up the good work, I will continue to follow your writings.
- Joot