Like just about everyone else, it's time for a mid-season all-star break assessment of the first half. I'm going to keep this as simple as possible, as there's a lot to go over. Suffice to say that the team itself gets a passing grade, but isn't exactly honor roll material. Let's give it a go, shall we ... (current) position by position. Pop open a Yuengling or two, this could be my longest post ever.
First Base (C-) .... Adam LaRoche, .250/12/39 He seemed to make us all think he was going to break out of his annual first-half slump, but right now he's pretty much league average. The minus is because he's not showing what it will take to get a haul at the trading deadline. If he turns it on this month, he should be gone.
Second Base (B+) .... Freddy Sanchez .316/6/34 The deserving all-star is probably the best player on the team right now. I know you're not supposed to make personnel decisions based on emotion Neal, but please keep Freddy on this team. Yes, "veteran intangibles" do exist, and his option in 2010 should be exercised.
Third Base (B-) .... Andy LaRoche .269/4/34 A touch above league average, he has certainly made us all feel more comfortable with the Bay trade. I still think he's going to be a .300 hitter someday, and watch for this "dirt dog" to go on a tear in the second half.
Shortstop (B-) .... Jack Wilson .270/4/31 Also a bit better than league average, he might actually have a legitimate shot at a gold glove this year as well. As with Freddy, this is a guy that needs to stay on the team. The trade-return isn't going to be overwhelming, and the D up-the-middle must be restored for the pitcher's sake.
LF/RF (D+) .... Brandon Moss .255/3/23, Garrett Jones .310/5/7, Delwyn Young .311/3/19 This trio of 4th outfielders are going to have to battle it out (hopefully) when Lastings Milledge comes up around August 1 to play LF. If Papa Roche gets traded, look for Jones to play 1B. He's only had 42 at bats, but he was knocking the cover off the ball in Indy, and never really got a real chance in Minnesota. At 28, he should be plenty motivated. Young has been good off the bench, but he's not an everyday player. Moss is improving, hitting over .300 since mid-May, and playing very good defense. While the potential is still there, and I'm still high on Moss, ultimately the grade is based on what major league baseball teams should be getting from corner outfielders, and right now we're not getting it.
Centerfield (A-) .... Andrew McCutchen .292/2/23 Easily the most exciting player on the team, he's looking like the Buccos centerfielder for a long long time. For a still only 22 year old, he's shown great poise and patience at the plate, is playing stellar defense, and looks very comfortable. Hopefully he'll develop a little more power, but with his gap power/speed, he's going to slug just fine.
Catcher (Incomplete) .... Ryan Doumit .224/2/10 Glass Joe has only had 58 at bats, so it's way too early to grade (see G. Jones). One thing aside from his fragility that worries me though is his defense. He's another candidate to play first base on August 1. Thankfully Diaz and Jaramillo stepped in admirably this year, which naturally leads to ....
The Bench (D+) .... When Hinske/Morgan/McLouth were on this team, the bench looked a lot better. Now that those role guys are getting serious playing time, uh-oh. Jason Jaramillo (.255/3/19), Luis Cruz (.333/0/0), Ramon Vazquez (.243/1/10), and Jeff Salazar (.000/0/0) round out the bench. Uh-oh indeed! The plus is for Jaramillo, who's been decent.
#1 Starter (B-) .... Paul Maholm 6-4, 4.60, 1.47 Paul was our ace by default at the beginning of the year, and were the Buccos to play in the postseason (stop laughing) he would be the Game 1 starter. For the most part he's been solid, but has gotten shelled a couple times of late which is worrisome, but there are a lot of home games on the schedule the 2nd half.
#2 Starter (A-) .... Zach Duke 8-8, 3.29, 1.21 Some may rightly argue he's the ace, but that's just semantics. But he has been the best pitcher on a surprisingly good staff. Thank you Joe Kerrigan. The all-star has been the subject of trade rumors of late, but why on earth would we get rid of him? Sure, the front office has been in a sell-high frame of mind, but absolutely could Zach be a part of the next winning team. He's only 26!
#3 Starter (C+) .... Ross Ohlendorf 7-7, 4.64, 1.29 Professor Ollie has been quite simply, average. His velocity is down which is a worry, but in Kerrigan I trust. He's a smart pitcher, and should end the year with 12 wins, but also probably with 11 losses.
#4 Starter (Incomplete) .... Charlie Morton 1-2, 4.29, 1.48 Along with Doumit and Jones, Morton is going to be one to watch in the second half. He has absolutely filthy electric stuff, and just needs to put it all together. I cannot emphasize enough how important Kerrigan's influence can be. With a leg injury past him, he should settle in every 5 days, and then we'll know more.
#5 Starter (D-) .... Virgil Vasquez 1-3, 6.52, 1.71 I don't understand why John Russell keeps sending this guy out. I suppose I shouldn't expect too much from a last place team's 5th starter, but Karstens should absolutely positively got to be there overnight in the 5 hole.
Closer (B-) .... Matt Capps 1-5, 6.21, 1.69, 19 of 21 save chances. After the Philly meltdown, I really want to give Firestarter a lower grade, but with only 2 blown saves, I can't. He's allowing way to many runners, and his straight as an arrow fastball is fooling nobody, but when you have a good defense, sometimes you get lucky. I would sell him right now, opting for the rumored trade with Colorado for 2B Young + Prospect, please!
Set Up Man (B) .... John Grabow (3-0, 3.32, 1.52) Will be traded most likely, as teams come calling for lefty setup men come July. It's gonna hurt a lot if Donnie Veal's the only lefty in the pen.
Rest of the Bullpen (C-) .... I like Jesse Chavez (0-3, 3.19, 1.28) and Evan Meek (0-0, 2.67, 1.34); Jeff Karstens (3-4, 4.62, 1.38) has been pretty decent in the long man role, but should be starting instead of Vasquez. But the grade falls because of Joel Hanrahan (1-3, 7.75, 1.97) and Donnie Veal (0-0, 3.68, 2.18) - neither of which should be on the team right now. Please tell me that once Capps is traded, Chris Bootcheck (AAA: 1-2, 2.83, 1.08, 48K's, 7BB's, 14 saves) is on his way up!
Looking Ahead at "82" .... You can pretty much kiss that pipe dream goodbye. The team will have to go 44-30, which is a profoundly absurd .595 clip to hit that mark. For a little perspective - only the Red Sox and Dodgers are playing that well so far this year. But the one thing in the Bucco's favor is that they play 42 home games vs only 32 road games the rest of the way, and are playing .564 at PNC, and .326 (!) on the road. Numerology tells us to expect 71-91.
GO BUCCOS!
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