Toronto Blue Jays: An Early Report Card for the Starting Rotation

The Toronto Blue Jays are just 13 games into their 2012 season and have a record of 7-6.

After Joel Carreno’s first start, the Blue Jays chose to go with a four-man pitching rotation. Ricky Romero, Brandon Morrow, Henderson Alvarez and Kyle Drabek have all had an opportunity to start three games this season. 

They have had ups and downs so far and an early report card is now in. Highlighted over the next few slides are the early-season grades for Romero, Morrow, Alvarez and Drabek.

Ricky Romero

Blue Jays ace Ricky Romero looked a bit nervous as he took the mound on opening day against the Cleveland Indians. He could not seem to find the zone as he walked three hitters and allowed four runs in just five innings of work. Toronto made history that game, picking up the win in the 16th inning, giving Romero the no-decision.

Romero bounced back in his next two starts. He went 8.1 innings against the Boston Red Sox, allowing only one run. He then went six innings against the Tampa Bay Rays, allowing three runs on eight hits. These two games have bumped his record up to 2-0.

Over three starts, Romero has pitched 19.1 innings and has an ERA of 3.72. Not terrible numbers, however there is room for improvement and his walk total (eight) needs to go down.

Grade: C+

Brandon Morrow

Brandon Morrow had a great start to his season. In game two against the Cleveland Indians, he pitched seven shutout innings, allowing only one hit. Despite the great showing, he picked up a no-decision. 

After not pitching in the Boston series, Morrow faced the Baltimore Orioles, giving up four runs on six hits in seven innings of work. This game also resulted in a no-decision.

He had a rough outing against the Rays, walking three batters and allowing six runs on eight hits in just six innings pitched. Like Romero, Morrow needs to work on bringing down his walk total down. He has done a good job pitching deeper into games (20 innings pitched).

Grade: C

Henderson Alvarez

21-year-old Henderson Alvarez followed up a solid spring training with a great start against the Boston Red Sox. Alvarez allowed only one run in six innings, but was let down by the bullpen and got the no-decision.

He also picked up a no-decision in a solid outing against the Orioles where he allowed three runs in seven innings. Alvarez had a rough outing against the Rays, bumping his ERA up to 4.66.

Alvarez has pitched at least six innings in all of his starts and could easily be 2-1. He will have a rough game every once in a while, but I’ll take it if he can consistently eat up innings and keep guys off base.

Grade: B-

Kyle Drabek

After a rough start to the 2011 season, Kyle Drabek was sent to the minors. In 2012, Drabek has assured that he will not be in the minors anytime soon.

He started off his season against the Boston Red Sox in a game where he went 5.1 innings allowing only one run. He continued that success in Baltimore as only one run was scored on him over 7.1 innings.

Drabek's most recent outing saw him allow two runs to the Kansas City Royals in 5.1 innings. He had six walks in this game, but was able to get some help from Adam Lind, who turned a triple play in the third inning.

It's unrealistic to think Drabek's ERA will stay at a 2.00 for the whole year, but he's pitching extremely well and this is something Blue Jays fans should enjoy while they can.

Grade: A