Tiger's mid term grades
We're a game or two past the half way mark, so let me share a few thoughts.
Pitching: Overall grade: B+
Justin Verlander Grade: A
He has become the stud I thought he would be this season. Leads the league in K's. Another no-hitter is on the horizon, the way he is throwing this year. Potential Cy Young season. All Star selection.
Edwin Jackson Grade: A
The steal of the off season. Matt Joyce is currently in the minors, and this kid is killing the opposition for Detroit. Should have at least 4 more wins. Look back to a post I made a few days ago to see why he doesn't. All Star selection
Armando Galarraga Grade: C
Started in April right where he left off last season. Tanked in May, went 11 straight starts without a win. Has pitched well in his last few starts, seems to be returning to form. Which is good because one can NEVER have enough pitching. Look for his grade to go up in the second half.
Rick Porcello Grade: B
What poise this kid has. Nothing shakes him. Has done a lot better than anybody had a right to expect. Look for this grade to slip in the second half, as he hits the "wall". To be 20 yrs. old and so talented.....8 wins in the first half? Unbelievable!
Dontrelle Willis Grade: F
Look for the "D" Train to be rode out of town on a rail. The Tiger's will take one more look at some point this season, before cutting their losses. It's too bad, he could have helped us a lot.
Nathan Robertson Grade: INC.
If it weren't for the surgery on his arm, I would have graded him a D. I'll give him the benefit of the doubt for now. Don't know if he'll be back this season.
Bobby Seay Grade: B+
Has done a great job. Leyland has no trust in this guy against RH batters. Why?
Joel Zumaya Grade: C
I wanted to go lower here, but I can't give anybody who can throw 105 mph a grade lower than C. His arm is obviously healthy, now he needs to find the plate again, please!
Brandon Lyon Grade: C
If this were early May, the grade would have been "trade him the hell out of here", but he has come back to form since. This grade will rise in second half, or the
Tigers will be in trouble.
Zach Minor Grade: B
I still don't understand why he isn't in the starting rotation. Always pitches better in the rotation than from the bullpen, although this season is making a lie of that statement.
Todd Jones AKA Fernando Rodney Grade: A
This grade will no doubt piss off some of you, but let me give you the numbers:
18 of 18 in save situations. 2 losses in 38 appearances. I know his ERA is high, but so what? This guy is paid to come in and not lose the game. Something he has done 36 of 38 games he has pitched. Pitches better in save situations where is ERA is around 1.00. In non-save situations his ERA is over 7.00. Again, I stress, when he enters the game, we win!
Outfield Overall grade: C
Curtis Granderson Grade: A
This grade feels high to me, but his peers made him an All Star, so who am I to argue with the experts. Outstanding power numbers, but average is about 50 pts. lower than it should be. I'd rather see him hitting doubles and triples again. Still one of the best defensive fielders I've ever seen. The over the fence grab about a month back was spectacular.
Marcus Thames Grade: B-
Still can't hit for average, but his power makes up for that. Let's see how the second half unfolds for him, since he missed quite a bit of the first half.
Ryan Raburn, Clete Thomas, and the rest of the AAA call-ups Grade: C+
They've done what has been needed. They hit like AAA players tend to do - streaky.
all have shown good to great defensive skills.
Magglio Ordonez Grade: D
What happened to this guy? I'm looking for him to be traded, or gone before next season. $35M for the next 2 seasons is too much money for an average singles hitter. Better find his power stroke, or he's gone. Too bad, I really like this guy. The Tigers really need his bat, and I for one, hope he finds his stroke. Will platoon with Clete Thomas in the second half.
Josh Anderson Grade: B
He added speed to the line up, allowing us to play "small ball". Speed Kills.
Infield Overall grade: A
Brandon Inge Grade: A
8 errors, but he still the best glove in the AL. His errors are those of aggression, and I'll take those. Hittiing for power, leads the team in HR's and RBI's. Hopefully this afternoon, we will find out that he earned the All Star spot he so richly deserves.
Adam Everett, Ramon Santiago Grade: A
They were leading the league in RBI's for the SS position, don't know if it's still true. Who cares anyhow? The left side of the infield is one of the reason why we are in first place, and these two field the position as well as anybody in the AL right now. Any hitting we get is icing on the cake.
Placido Polanco Grade: B
His defense keeps his grade at the B level. Where did this guy's hitting stroke go? Hitting about .50 below where he should be.
Miguel Cabrera Grade: A
If Granderson, Polanco, and Maggs had been hitting in front of him, how many RBI's would this guy had? I say at least 20 more. He has become an outstanding glove, gets to balls I never think he's going to reach. MVP candidate if the top of the order comes back to life, and the Tiger's stay in contention. Amazing power. Would have been an All Star if not for what I just stated above.
Gerald Laird Grade: A
Some of you may call this grade high, but this guy may be the best defensive catcher in the AL this season. Leads the league in throwing out runners. Great base runner, never makes a mistake on the pathes. Knows when to take the extra base. Wasn't brought here to hit, so when he does, it's a bonus.
Defense was the priority in the infield this season, and is a major improvement over last season.
Coaching Grade: B+
I don't agree with everything Leyland does. Who does? Would it kill him to leave a "cruising" pitcher in past his pitch limit? And they used to call Sparky Anderson "Captain Hook". Sparky had nothing over Leyland in this regard. Plays "small ball" very well now that he has the pieces. Last night was a great example of that. Still the right guy to manage this club
The new pitching coach is a worthwhile improvement over the last guy. The hitting coach may need a new "message". This one ain't working.
GM Grade: A
Dombrowski made defense and pitching the name of the game, and it has worked. Everett and Laird were great defensive additions. Jackson was the steal of last winter. I'm starting to see what he saw in Lyons now. Great drafting throught he last few seasons. Gave Leyland the pieces to win. It's up to the players to pick it up the pace hitting wise.
Outlook Could make the playoffs. Need to find more consistency at the plate. A healthy Carlos Guillen would help that, as well as Granderson, Polanco and Magg's all finding their strokes. If the pitching continues as it has, and Gallaraga keeps pitching as he has the last 4 outings, I can see us still in first October 4th.
That's the way I see it. I tried to be impartial, but I'm still a fan. If i missed somebody you want a grade for, just speak up, and I'll grade them. I skipped some because of space considerations, or they haven't played enough to make an impression
Feel free to disagree with my grades, but tell me why.
