Midseason Report: Texas Rangers' Position Player Grades

The Rangers have the largest division lead in baseball, 4.5 games over the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. They also have the sixth best record in baseball despite being swept by the worst team in the game, the Baltimore Orioles.

New pitching acquisition Cliff Lee gives the Rangers a bona fide ace that they haven't had in forever.

Overall, the Rangers rank third in baseball in runs scored (453) behind the New York Yankees and Tampa Bay Rays.

The Rangers also rank second in all of MLB in batting average (.278) behind the Kansas City Royals.

The hitting has been good so far this season, but if the Rangers want to contend in October, runs need to be scored to accommodate for the inexperience of the pitching staff.

C Bengie Molina

Stats: .174 BA, 0 HR, 0 RBI, 2 R, .240 OBP

Molina was acquired from the San Francisco Giants on July 1st. He has yet to find his stroke at the plate, but the Rangers would rather have him focus on his work behind the plate and whatever he adds hitting-wise is just a bonus.

Grade: C+

1B Chris Davis

Stats: .214 BA, 0 HR, 2 RBI, 2 R, .286 OBP

Davis was recently recalled from the minors when the Rangers traded away Justin Smoak. He was having an excellent season in the minors, so the Rangers hope that he can translate that into major league success.

If he can hit around .250, the Rangers would be happy because he also provides them excellent defense at first base.

Grade: C-

2B Ian Kinsler

Stats: .310 BA, 4 HR, 30 RBI, 46 R, .408 OBP

Kinsler hasn't hit for power this year like he has in years past, but it has been a lot better for the team. Last season, he hit 31 home runs, but his batting average dipped to .253 and he had a lower OBP of .327.

This year, he has been extremely patient at the plate, almost never swinging at a pitch out of the strike zone. He has more walks (38) than strikeouts (36). His move to third in the lineup has really benefited him as he gets to hit in front of Vladimir Guerrero and Josh Hamilton.

Grades: A-

3B Michael Young

Stats: .301 BA, 12 HR, 54 RBI, 57 R, .353 OBP

Young has had a somewhat quiet year, but he has been solid like always. None of his numbers really stand out, but he doesn't really have a weakness either.

HIs desire to play is admirable, as he has only sat out one game all year. He has to be considered one of the most consistent and reliable players in the league.

Grade: A-

SS Elvis Andrus

Stats: .280 BA, 0 HR, 25 RBI, 57 R, .361 OBP, 23 SB, 10 CS

Andrus started out extremely well, but has fallen into quite a slump. He is 6-38 so far in the month of July, so he needs to pick it up for the offense to keep rolling.

It is vital that he gets on base in front of the likes of Guerrero and Hamilton. He also needs to be a smarter base runner, as he has already been caught stealing 10 times this year.

Grade: B

LF Josh Hamilton

Stats: .346 BA, 22 HR, 64 RBI, 59 R, .390 OBP, .625 SLG

After a down year last year, Hamilton has reemerged as one of the best hitters in the game. He is a definite MVP candidate so far, and even has a chance at the Triple Crown. The only thing that hurts him is hitting behind Vladimir Guerrero, who often times clears the bases before Hamilton can bat.

Another aspect of the game Hamilton excels at is his defense. He has one of the strongest arms I've ever seen, and he has incredible range.

Grade: A+

CF Julio Borbon

Stats: .280 BA, 3 HR, 25 RBI, 37 R, .313 OBP

Borbon really struggled at the beginning of the season. He was supposed to be the true leadoff hitter the Rangers lacked last season, but he was so bad in April he was dropped to ninth in the order.

He has really picked it up since the middle of May, even hitting .356 in the month of June. He needs to do better on the base paths. He only has eight steals so far while being caught six times.

Grade: B

RF Nelson Cruz

Stats: .299 BA, 11 HR, 41 RBI, 25 R, .362 OBP, .580 SLG

Cruz started off the season amazingly hot. Then, he got hurt. He came, and he was still amazingly hot. Then, he got hurt again. He came back again, and has struggled since.

He has still put up solid numbers, but for the Rangers' offense to really get going, it is vital that Cruz provide protection for Josh Hamilton and Vladimir Guerrero. If he is hot, this offense is ridiculous.

Grade: B

DH Vladimir Guerrero

Stats: .319 BA, 20 HR, 75 RBI, 55 R, .364 OBP, .554 SLG

What can you say about Vladimir Guerrero? He has been everything the Rangers could have hoped for and more. His veteran presence has been great for the clubhouse. The Rangers have a lot of young veteran Hispanic players so having Guerrero has been great for the team.

He has also been amazing at the plate. He doesn't have the greatest ability to lay off of balls out of the strike zone, but he is able to hit pretty much any pitch that is thrown. He is a definite MVP candidate.

Grade: A+

C Matt Treanor

Stats: .228 BA, 5 HR, 23 RBI, 19 R, .308 OBP

Treanor has given the Rangers a solid veteran option at catcher. Before they acquired Bengie Molina, the Rangers didn't have any experienced catchers other than Treanor. He handled the pitching staff fairly well during his time as a starter.

He's never going to be a great hitter, but he has the ability to produce in crunch time. He is a good option as a second catcher for the Rangers.

Grade: B-

IF Joaquin Arias

Stats: .277 BA, 0 HR, 9 RBI, 14 R, .294 OBP

Arias filled in admirably at the beginning of the season when Ian Kinsler was hurt. He batted .321 in the month of April when he got the chance to be a full time starter. He is capable of playing every position in the infield, and he is an above average defensive player.

Grade: B

IF Andres Blanco

Stats: .239 BA, 0 HR, 3 RBI, 6 R, .329 OBP

Blanco has given the Rangers a decent option at utility infielder when one of the regulars needs a day of rest. He isn't a great hitter and he isn't the best fielder, but the Rangers could do much worse.

Grade: C+

OF David Murphy

Stats: .271 BA, 3 HR, 24 RBI, 27 R, .326 OBP

Murphy, like Borbon, really struggled at the start of the season. He was hitting .151 on May 5th. Since that time, he has raised it 120 points to what it is today.

He is second on the Rangers in pitches per plate appearances, seeing an average of over four pitches every time he bats. He always works the count and is an excellent player to have as a fourth outfielder.

Grade: B+