Continuing on from the pitchers and catchers portion of the half-point grades, it's time to look at the infielders and outfielders.
This is probably the more interesting part of the team to grade and break down. They've been disappointing and with all the injuries and underachieving there are plenty of unsuspecting faces.
Infielders
Ryan Garko: C-
.242 AVG, 6 HR, 38 RBI, 30 R
I've been a big Ryan Garko supporter for the past few years. Like I've mentioned an endless number of times, I love the guys with smarts and spunk.
Ryan Garko has both to go along with a very strong bat.
However, his performance as an Indian so far is starting to resemble a better version of Ben Broussard.
You remember Broussard, the first baseman who couldn't seem to hit left handed pitchers worth a lick, and when he got hot, he got hot.
Garko isn't as inconsistent as Broussard was, and he certainly has better numbers than he did.
But, watching him do so well for a period of time and then scuffle is really frustrating.
Ryan has to put it all together and stop worrying about the pressure. He tries to do too much at times and that is why he gets in his funks. When he relaxes and just takes whatever they throw at him, he is a hit machine.
Then, his doubles start to come and he becomes an RBI machine.
Asdrubal Cabrera: D-
.184 AVG, 1 HR, 14 RBI, 16 R
There are two saving graces for Asdrubal and why he doesn't have an F for a grade.
The first is his defense. The guy will soon make us remember the good old days of that Omar guy that just left town a few days ago.
That type of defense will give you a pass with the stick, but a .184 average is totally unacceptable.
I know people say that he can give a .250 average and be fine. But, I know Asdrubal is capable of better and the proof is in his performance at Triple-A Buffalo since being sent down.
He can hit, he just needs to find himself at the big league level. That will come to him and we will see not just great defense, but a better than average hitter.
Jhonny Peralta: C+
.241 AVG, 11 HR, 32 RBI, 43 R
I'm considering a C+ very generous for Jhonny Peralta.
I'm not one that expects a ton from Jhonny. Eric Wedge for some reason does. For that, his grade is worse than it should be.
While I don't expect him to hit .300, I don' like seeing .241. Jhonny is going to get you 20 home runs and 80 RBI every year. To expect more in that aspect is insane and Eric Wedge is just that for thinking so.
I wouldn't mind moving Peralta in the off-season. But, I'm not ready to give up on him, especially since we don't know what we are doing at third base next year and our uncertaintiny with Josh Barfield.
Casey Blake: B
.281 AVG, 7 HR, 46 RBI, 37 R
You can say what you want about Casey Blake. But, his average has quietly grown to a decent .281 and he leads the team in RBI.
He certainly isn't supposed to lead the team in RBI, but to get that out of a guy who is supposed to be a bottom of the player is not bad at all.
Blake's value is as high as it will ever be, so shipping him off is probably the best move that could be made.
I don't have much to say about Casey. He's done a good job for the most part, and he's shouldered a lot the load when he really wasn't supposed to and for that you can't give him a bad grade.
Jamey Carroll: A
.297 AVG, 0 HR, 15 RBI, 29 R, 6 SB
One can't say enough about what little Jamey Carroll has done as the second base fill-in.
Carroll is a very useful guy to have as a utility player and Shapiro would be wise to pick up the option he has for 2009.
I've got nothing more to say about the guy, he's done a bang up job so far.
Travis Hafner: D
.217 AVG, 4 HR, 22 RBI, 34 R
I'm not going to rip on Hafner, I simply can't bring myself to do that.
Pronk is hurt and he has been hurt for most of the year. His shoulder needs to be healed before we can even think of seeing him back swinging the bat.
He'll have a chance to show the world he isn't a fluke this year. But, I fully believe that he needs to reinvent himself as a hitter. I'm not sure he will have that respect he gained in terms of teams shifting their infield. That could work in his favor.
They still might not pitch him inside like they did in his 40 home run years. With that, he must start to take what the pitchers give him and drive the ball the other way.
The Rest: Andy Marte, Josh Barfield, Michael Aubrey, Jorge Velandia
Jorge Velandia has played in exactly one game, but it makes you think seeing him on the roster. I laughed a few months ago when I went to a game against the Blue Jays and saw him playing for Toronto.
I believe I said something to the effect of: "Haha, Jorge Velandia. He has a real awkward looking scoreboard mug shot."
Michael Aubrey started the year out healthy and finally earned that big league call. He hit his first two career home runs and put himself on the radar with his options running out after this year.
Josh Barfield worked hard to get back to the big leagues. Then when he finally did make it back, he got hurt. Hopefully Josh gets back in here as soon as he can to give it another go.
Then of course, there is the most popular player of the bunch, Andy Marte.
The following is the most pathetic part about Andy Marte's season with the Indians so far.
He's played in 24 games and gotten exactly 51 at-bats. Jason Michaels, who was traded to Pittsburgh played in 21 games and had 58 at-bats with us.
Jason Michaels had 12 hits and nine runs batted in, while Andy Marte has seven hits and no runs batted in.
That's how much Andy Marte has played this year. I simply can't put him in his own category to grade because he hasn't had enough chances to be graded.
This problem needs to be solved by the trade deadline or there will be some serious issues with him for the rest of this year and going into 2009.
Outfielders
Grady Sizemore: B
.265 AVG, 18 HR, 44 RBI, 50 R, 18 SB
Grady Sizemore is second in the American League in home runs.
I don't know what that says about the American League or if Grady has just found his power stroke.
I think it's a little bit of both.
Sizemore has definitely hit the long balls this year, but he needs to get his average up for me to be completely satisfied.
Ben Francisco: A-
.287 AVG, 5 HR, 26 RBI, 26 R, 3 SB
I'm going to go out on a limb and say Ben Francisco is going to be a fixture in this outfield.
I don't know what you do to be honest. I could see a sort of shared spot between him and Franklin Gutierrez in right field if the Indians were to ever get a left fielder.
Ben certainly came on strong once he got called up. He's sort of fizzled, but he's consistent for the most part because his swing doesn't let him go into slumps.
I like Benny’s future with this team. All he does is hit and his defense is coming around. Shapiro was wise not to trade him for Octavio Dotel last Summer.
Franklin Gutierrez: D+
.227 AVG, 3 HR, 18 RBI, 24 R, 4 SB
The kid started off the year with a bang and he had me looking like a genius.
But, ever since his opening day grand slam, Gutierrez has just fallen off a cliff.
He lost his starting job to Shin-Soo Choo and he only plays against the left-handed pitchers.
I love Franklin's potential, but it's starting to look like he will be nothing more than a left-handed hitting fourth outfielder. If he gets it together he and Choo wouldn't be a bad platoon.
Shin-Soo Choo: B
.273 AVG, 2 HR, 14 RBI, 14 R
I'm really stuck with what to do with Shin-Soo Choo. I didn't really intend for that to rhyme either.
I think he's a decent player. However, Choo is a guy who doesn't really do anything great, but does a few things well.
He isn't a spectacular fielder by any means, but he isn't bad. I feel the same way about Choo that I'm starting to feel about Gutierrez. He might be nothing more than a platooning fourth outfielder.
David Dellucci: F
.216 AVG, 7 HR, 25 RBI, 23 R
We are better off cutting or trading him whenever Barfield, Hafner, or Martinez are ready to come back.
I'd rather hold on to Sal Fasano than David Dellucci to be honest. Fasano would probably be a better club house leader than Dellucci has been.
Considering that the only reason he is on this roster is for his veteran leadership, and he really isn't doing a Trot Nixon type job at it, I think we can let him go.
Where do we go from here?
We continue to play it out for a few more weeks. I think with the three top teams in the division coming up on the schedule, we will soon find out if this team is going to be in the race or not.
I believe they have enough talent to at least stay afloat until guys like Carmona and Martinez return. Yet, I don't think they will.
It's been a rough first half, with a record of 37-44 and tied for last place with Kansas City. Now, watching the Twins go on a 10-game win streak and seeing the Tigers reach the .500 mark, our hopes are fading fast.
I've got daily thoughts and ideas running through my head at what this team should do if they fall out of it. I will share those if it ever happens, but for now I think we have to watch intently as the next two weeks play out.
Click here to see the grades for the pitchers and catchers.
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3 months ago
Little hard ont he As-Man. He had sophomore struggles written all over him. He will be back though... at SS. I think Shapiro and Uncle Eric finally have lost patience with Jhonny.
from 3 months ago
I think Eric has done just the opposite... Why else would he be hitting him the four hole?
The whole "I think he's a middle of the order hitter" from Wedge scares the living hell out of me. I don't think Shapiro would be hesitant to deal him though. They will say "oh that's his natural position" but Cabrera has played a lot more short than second in Buffalo.
from 3 months ago
Great point. I forgot he said that. Yuck.
Shapiro needs to pull the plug on it. Unless something dramatically changes or they get a vet who can keep him in line. Trot Nixon looks more and more valuable every day, lol.
from 3 months ago
Glad to see someone else saying that. I'm fed up with Peralta... I don't blame it all on him.. I think a lot of it has to do with the hitting coach not doing his job... but hey as long as Carrol can keep playing this good.. we have a 2nd basemen. Asdrubal is the SS of the future and I can't wait to see him progress.
Only bad thing about getting rid of Johnny is that where ever he goes... he will have a good hitting coach and he will be one of those ex-Indians you will see on sportscenter every night being a main contributor to his team.
3 months ago
Man, Nino, there are a bunch of low BAs here!
from 3 months ago
You're telling me.. Haha
3 months ago
Dellucci's 'F' is a little much for me, but I'd still go D. He has had some big hits, but much more was expected of him.
I agree on the Choo/Gutierrez comments. Neither are going to be solid everyday players. I was hoping for some more progress in Gutierrez' ability against right-handers, but it hasn't come. He continues to strikeout way too much. He is a god utility outfielder who can come in as a defensive replacement or hit left-handed pitching. I have never been a fan of Choo...he has never really shown anything that jumps out as big talent. He stole some bases in the minors, and hit for decent average, but has never shown much plate discipline and we are seeing that as he cooled off from his hot start.
from 3 months ago
It might be.. But I've grown increasingly tired of David Dellucci. How about him yesterday or whatever day it was they had him in left field. Why is he still playing in the field if we have to see him? Just DH him, watching him trying to run down that hit by Patterson and letting Ross into third was just aggravating. Patterson could go for a double if the bases were empty, but Ross should have never got to third in that situation.
I also believe that if he's here for a veteran presence, he should do some stuff that's "Veteran like." Sure you hear him talk like a vet, but has this team called any sort of team meeting this year? Not that I can remember reading about.
We need to cut him if no one wants him in a trade.
3 months ago
How can Gutierrez not be an F...... and I am just curisous... I watch the Indians every night and have noticed that he has had 3 homers and 18 RBI for a pretty long time now..... when was the last time he got a homer or RBI?
from 3 months ago
Franklin has saved our bacon several times on defense, which is the only reason he is a D.
Once Ben came up though, Franklin has been relegated to left handers alone. Sure the stats aren't pretty but he isn't getting much time lately.
Like I said though, the defense is his saving grace.
3 months ago
Why the obsession with batting average? Only DeJesus and Upton patrol centerfield with a superior OBP. Among leadoff hitters, only DeJesus and Damon have a superior OBP. Honestly, who cares how the player gets on base, as long as he gets on base. Whether Sizemore does so with a 220 batting average or 350, if his OBP is solid, that is all that matter, ESPECIALLY for a leadoff hitter!
That said, combining Sizemores stats with his outstanding defensive play and the fact that he is the ONLY player who has made an impact since Opening Day, there is no reason he isn't AT LEAST an A-.
With all that said, how can Blake be an A-? He has had a nice run of things as of late, but ought we remind you how pathetic of a season he was having as of June 1st? One solid month does not make up for two pathetic months!
Using your beloved batting average measure, we can see that Blake had a batting average of UNDER .230 entering June. In other words, by your calculations you can be terrible for two months, have a strong third month and earn the best grade on a team?
Does that actually make sense now that it is put into context?
from 3 months ago
Uh what? I'm not obsessed with it. His average and on base percentage are both down from last year.. I'm not one who expects a high batting average from Sizemore nor do I care if he strikesout. As long as he works the count.. However his on base and average numbers are down from last year, that's all I meant by that comment.
Why don't read Blake again, I only gave him a B.. Casey Blake's average has nothing to do with this.. The only reason he has a B because of the runs hes knocked in this year. He pretty much has been the biggest run producer aside from Grady.
from 3 months ago
Just fuckin' ignore that dickhead. He gets his rocks off by making condescending comments on other people's baseball articles while parsing them down and attacking individual sentences or half-sentences. All the while, asking people to give him props for his preseason predictions when the season's only halfway over.
from 3 months ago
0 articles, 1 comment
I suppose we shouldn't be surprised...
from 3 months ago
By the way, how does it feel to have to make a new account every few days?
3 months ago
Down from a career high? .370+ is spectacular and should not be knocked, no matter if it is down 2 points or 200 points!
My point was that Blake is the highest rated regular. Given he has essentially given the Indians 1 month of quality production which was proceeded by two awful months, this is a joke. However, the fact that your highest rated players, ON AVERAGE, are the players who have not helped the team from day 1, I suppose this is your model.
How about docking Francisco for not being able to win a job out of Spring Training? Or Carroll for not being able to do the same thing?
I'd say these grades reflect emotions rather then production. Which is a shame, as you typically do a strong job in analyzing baseball, and the Indians in particular.
from 3 months ago
Brandon you need to read.. I didn't say his career high, I said last year. I'm not knocking him at all. Grady has done a great job this year.
I don't mind you arguing against what I have to say, but at least get what I say right.
Dock Francisco for not making the team based off of Eric Wedge's decision, when he did nothing to not win the job? I'm not sure what point you are trying to drive home here.
Casey Blake has been pretty awful at home, but pretty good on the road. I don't know what you are talking about in terms of 1 month of quality production. He's been contributing since day one, it just hasn't been consistently. You can't argue with his RISP numbers, which is just as, if not more important than OBP. The name of the game is to score runs is it not? Well Blake has knocked in the most for the team.
These grades do reflect emotion. I take production into account as well. I've watched just about every game this year, so excuse me if I don't go totally based off the numbers alone. That's my decision.. If you have a problem with it, go ahead and write an article based off your criteria instead of trying to tell me what I should base mine on. It's my opinion.
from 3 months ago
Nino,
Was last year Grady's career high? Yes or no?
Thus, if you are knocking him down for not matching last years number, would you not also be knocking him for not matching his career high? Obviously.
Wedge's decesion? So Francisco outright outhit EVERY Indians outfielder? Granted, he outhit Michaels and Dellucci, more often then not Francisco was playing in the later innings of games against high A and double A players. How about the fact that he did NOTHING to earn a promotion?
So Blake has been 'consistent'? Really? According to what? Was it because in April and May he hit .215 then .234? While knocking in runs is plenty important, could you imagine the amount of runs he would have knocked in had he been even an average hitter those two months? What if hes hitting .290? In other words, it was Casey's inability that led the Indians into the whole they are currently in.
Furthermore, did you know that there are two sides to the run scoring coin? The first, and obviously most important is getting on base. Which Blake did at a .311 and .314 clip in April and May respectively. Thus, while hitting with RISP is important, it is equally important, if not moreso, to hit when the bags are clear, or to simply get on base (something you err in logic against Grady).
That is...Consider a team that has a .500 average with RISP and a .310 OBP and a team that hits .260 with RISP and a .500 OBP. Which team will score more runs?
Lastly, how can you argue FOR batting average and FOR RBI's and not claim to make your grades reflect emotions? Batting average and RBI's are two of the most emotion driven statistics. As someone who watches 'almost every Tribe game' would you not agree that when you see Casey driving in runs it skews your perception of the season he is truly having? If he went, for example, 1 for 10 in a weekend series, but that one hit was a walk off grand slam, I imagine you would call that a 'successful' weekend.
Furthermore, as a prospective journalist, you need to learn to report the facts. Your opinion is fine and well, but find me a young journalist who has the freedom to write opinion, to be a 'Bruce Drennen' so to speak. I gather you won't be able to find many, if any at all. Thus, you need to base your logic and reasoning on things not so simple as 'my opinion', or if you are going to base it on your opinion, back it up with a stable of truths that matter.
from 3 months ago
Also, if you are going to get upset at someone disagreeing with you grades, I'd suggest dropping out of journalism altogether. With every 'opinion' there will be just as many counter-opinions. That is why factual information is what drives an argument. Go over and read some Baseball Prospectus and find out how many of their arguments are driving by, 'this is what i think because its what i saw and how i feel'. You may be able to get away with that sort of thing at ESPN or other non-challenging media circles, for now that is.
3 months ago
Brandon.. I'm not going to argue with you, because obviously you have these phantom opinions about me and what I say.
Like I said, I have no problem with someone arguing with what I have to say. I'm not quite sure where you are getting me being upset. This is the internet, we aren't having a face to face conversation.
You saying "You should drop out of journalism all together" is rather personal and I don't see any reason for you to say that. I'm pretty easy going, so really I could care less what your opinion is on my career path. This is Bleacher Report.. It's a website.. No one is getting paid here, I can write about anything I please, as can you. You let me worry about my career path and you worry about yours. It's none of your concern.
I appreciate the feedback and the counter argument. But I think you've taken it too far for me to continue.
Oh and on Grady.. My mistake on his career high, I was wrong. Yet, I'm not knocking him in anyway, I didn't give him a C or a D, the guy has been rock solid this year.
from 3 months ago
Like I said - ignore the dickhead. He just gets off on being condescending to others. If you don't know and worship all the "cool" new stats that statheads use, then you're a piece of shit in his eyes and he loves letting you know it.
from 2 months ago
Nino,
My advice was clearly a joke-sorry you missed that.
What I was getting at though, is if you are serious about journalism, you are going to have to learn to take some bullets.
I apologize for offending you...
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