Midseason Report Cards for MLB's Top 50 Superstars

Earlier this season, on April 21, I published an article breaking down who I felt were the 100 best players in baseball at that moment.

That did not mean who had the best stats to that point in the season, but based on their career body of work and specifically how they performed the previous season, they were who I believed to be the 100 best players in the league.

Now that we've reached what is roughly the midway point in the 2012 season, it is a good time to look back and assess how those top players are doing.

Here is a look at what I had to say about each of the top 50 players back in April, a rundown of what they've done in the season's first half and a grade for each player's performance so far.

No. 50: LF Carlos Gonzalez, Colorado Rockies

My Early-Season Assessment

"The 2012 season will be when we find out which Carlos Gonzalez is the real one: the guy who hit .336 with 34 HR and 117 RBI in 2010 or the one who hit .295 with 26 HR and 92 RBI last season.

"Injuries were a big reason for his drop-off last season, as he played 18 fewer games and was not at 100 percent much of the time. My guess is that he winds up closer to his 2010 numbers when all is said and done, although the .336 batting average may be expecting a little too much."

Midseason Assessment

Through the season's first half, Gonzalez has been every bit the superstar he was when he broke out in 2010, as he has been the lone bright spot on a bad Rockies team.

His home/road splits indicate that his success is at least due in part to playing half of his games in Coors Field, but either way he is statistically among the most complete offensive players in baseball.

Grade: A

No. 49: C Mike Napoli, Texas Rangers

My Early-Season Assessment

"Napoli has always had plus power, but he took his game to another level last season, as he hit .320 BA, 30 HR, 75 RBI in his first season with the Rangers.

"He can be wildly inconsistent, but when he gets hot he is as dangerous as any hitter in baseball. You need look no further than his last four games, over which he has hit .500 with five HR and 10 RBI—that after starting the season 2-for-20 with two RBI."

Midseason Assessment

Mike Napoli's average has dipped back down to where it's been in the past, as he's hitting .235, and his power has come in waves, resulting in 12 HR and 30 RBI so far.

He's far from deserving of his status as an All-Star game starter, and it looks as though his 2011 season will mark a career year, not a breakout.

Grade: C-

No. 48: SP Josh Johnson, Miami Marlins

My Early-Season Assessment

"The combination of a rocky start to the 2012 season (0-2, 5.94 ERA) and an overall inability to stay healthy throughout his career knocks Johnson down this list quite a bit, as the 28-year-old has been a huge disappointment over the past year-plus.

"However, all it takes is a look at his 2010 numbers (11-6, 2.30 ERA, 186 Ks) to see why he is still ranked this high, as he has proven to be among the best in all of baseball when he's right. Here's hoping he turns things around fast, because he is fun to watch when he is on top of his game."

Midseason Assessment

Since his above-mentioned slow start, Johnson has gone 5-3 with a 3.36 ERA, and he was nothing short of dominant in June with a 1.87 ERA over five starts.

Just as importantly, he has stayed healthy this season, and he is once again the unquestioned ace of the Marlins staff.

Grade: B+

No. 47: SP Madison Bumgarner, San Francisco Giants

My Early-Season Assessment

"Just 22 years old, Bumgarner is only beginning to tap into his tremendous potential, and he already has one fantastic season under his belt.

"After impressing in the 2010 postseason in helping the Giants to a World Series title, Bumgarner was in the rotation full-time last season and went 13-13, 3.21 ERA, 191 Ks to finish 11th in NL Cy Young voting. He's one to watch, as he'll likely climb this list significantly on a yearly basis."

Midseason Assessment

One of the bigger All-Star snubs this season, Bumgarner is having a terrific season with a 10-4 record and 2.85 ERA through 16 starts.

With Tim Lincecum not pitching like himself, the rest of the Giants staff has taken their games to another level, and thanks in part to the play of Bumgarner, the Giants rank among the top teams in the NL West.

Grade: A

No. 46: 3B Ryan Zimmerman, Washington Nationals

My Early-Season Assessment

"It is hard to believe that Zimmerman has never had a .300 BA, 30 HR, 100 RBI season so far in his career, although he has reached each of those milestones in separate seasons.

"Regardless, it is clear that the Nationals view him as their franchise cornerstone after signing him to an six-year, $100 million extension this offseason. If he can stay healthy, there is no reason to think he won't put up numbers in the Evan Longoria ballpark—it's just a matter of staying on the field."

Midseason Assessment

A shoulder injury landed Zimmerman on the DL in late April, prompting the call-up of Bryce Harper, and the Nationals stand as one of the top teams in the National League right now.

However, Zimmerman has struggled this season to a .241 BA, 6 HR, 35 RBI line, and if he can turn things around in the second half it would make the Nationals that much better.

Grade: D

No. 45: CF Andrew McCutchen, Pittsburgh Pirates

My Early-Season Assessment

"After thrilling with his speed over the first two seasons of his career, McCutchen was relied upon to be more of a run producer last season. He finished with a line of .259 BA, 23 HR, 89 RBI, 23 SB, hitting in the three-hole in the lineup.

"Only 25, McCutchen is a rare talent. While he will likely continue to sacrifice average for power, McCutchen should produce more than enough to rank among the game's premier outfielders—not to mention being one of the best defensive center fielders in baseball."

Midseason Assessment

The Pirates are once again in the thick of things in the NL Central as we enter July, and while their pitching has been great, their offense has struggled to a .241 average as a team and ranks among the bottom in most categories.

That is by no fault of McCutchen's, though, as he's hitting .352 BA, 15 HR, 52 RBI, 14 SB and is a legitimate MVP candidate.

Grade: A+

No. 44: SP Ricky Romero, Toronto Blue Jays

My Early-Season Assessment

"No pitcher has improved more over the past three seasons than Romero, as he went from passable starter during his rookie season in 2009 to staff ace in 2011.

"His ERA has dropped from 4.30 to 3.73 to 2.92 over the past three seasons, and his strikeouts have increased from 141 to 174 to 178. Now at 27, he is one of the best left-handers in the game and perhaps the most underrated starter in all of baseball."

Midseason Assessment

I was admittedly very high on Romero entering the season and expected him to take another step forward and become a legitimate superstar atop the Blue Jays rotation.

His current line of 8-3, 5.35 ERA, 74 Ks, 55 BB, 104.1 IP has put him in position for the worst season of his short career. With the starting rotation hit hard by injuries, the team needs Romero to step up now more than ever, and he'll look to turn things around moving forward.

Grade: C-

No. 43: RF Giancarlo Stanton, Miami Marlins

My Early-Season Assessment

"There may be no current MLB player (see how I eliminated Bryce Harper there) with more offensive potential than Stanton, as he has seemingly infinite power.

"Last year, at the age of 21, he hit .262 BA, 34 HR, 87 RBI. While he doesn't rank any higher than this at his current level of production, there is no reason to think he'll be anywhere but the top 10 once he begins to realize his vast potential."

Midseason Assessment

Stanton has taken a big step towards realizing that vast potential in the first half this season, as he has a .283 BA, 19 HR, 50 RBI batting line and will get a chance to showcase his power in this year's home run derby.

He's one of the most exciting players in the game today, and it will be interesting to see what he can do on a national stage that highlights his best tool.

Grade: A

No. 42: SP Yovani Gallardo, Milwaukee Brewers

My Early-Season Assessment

"Gallardo assumed the role of Brewers staff ace in 2009 as the Ben Sheets era came to an end in Milwaukee, and he immediately became one of the NL's best pitchers.

"Since then, he has gone 44-29 with a 3.69 ERA, and last season he set career highs across the board with a 17-10, 3.52 ERA, 207 Ks line that earned him a seventh-place finish in NL Cy Young voting."

Midseason Assessment

After a disastrous April in which he had a 6.08 ERA through five starts, Gallardo has righted the ship and gone 5-4 with a 3.09 ERA in 12 starts since.

The Brewers have struggled this season, and they could look to sell off some of their major pieces like Zack Greinke and Shaun Marcum. However, Gallardo will remain a key piece of their present and future as they look to get back into contention sooner rather than later.

Grade: B-

No. 41: LF Matt Holliday, St. Louis Cardinals

My Early-Season Assessment

"Signed to a seven-year, $120 million deal back in 2010 to protect Albert Pujols in the Cardinals lineup, Holliday is now the man alongside David Freese, Lance Berkman and Carlos Beltran.

"He has been an All-Star in both his full seasons in St. Louis, and while his bloated stat lines from his time with the Rockies are likely behind him, he is a near lock for .295 BA, 25 HR, 90 RBI with potential for more if he can stay healthy for a full season."

Midseason Assessment

While he's not an All-Star this season, the numbers are there once again as he has hit .311 BA, 13 HR, 51 RBI and remained relatively healthy.

He still has four more guaranteed seasons on his contract, but at 32 he remains a top-tier offensive player and a solid value even with a $17 million salary.

Grade: A

No. 40: RP Mariano Rivera, New York Yankees

My Early-Season Assessment

"Without question the greatest reliever in baseball history, Rivera has a whopping 606 career saves and a 2.22 ERA over his 18-year career.

"He is 42 years old, but there is little question he is still the most trusted reliever in all of baseball, and his cutter is no less dominant a pitch now than it was 10 years ago.

"Simply the best there ever was at what he does."

Midseason Assessment

A freak injury shagging balls during batting practice left Rivera with a torn ACL, and after undergoing surgery he will more than likely miss the rest of the season.

The 42-year-old intends on coming back next season, and there is no reason to bet against him doing so, but the 2012 season has been a wash. Luckily for the Yankees, Rafael Soriano has stepped up in his absence.

Grade: F

No. 39: 3B Adrian Beltre, Texas Rangers

My Early-Season Assessment

"A big-league regular at the age of 20, Beltre put it all together at the age of 25 and hit .334 BA, 48 HR, 121 RBI for the Dodgers in a contract year.

"That earned him a big deal with the Mariners, but he was never able to match that production, although he averaged a line of .266 BA, 21 HR, 79 RBI and played Gold Glove defense.

"After performing well (.321 BA, 28 HR, 102 RBI) on a one-year deal with the Red Sox in 2010, he signed a five-year, $80 million deal with the Rangers and was terrific last season with a .296 BA, 32 HR and 105 RBI, as he also won his third Gold Glove.

"He won't reach his peak-season numbers again, but he is among the best third basemen in all of baseball with the numbers he is putting up."

Midseason Assessment

While I was correct in saying Beltre likely won't ever reach his peak season numbers again, he is well on his way to the best season he's had since that year. 

A .323 BA, 14 HR, 52 RBI line has earned him his second straight All-Star start, and he has served as the ideal protection for Josh Hamilton in the Rangers' potent lineup.

Grade: A+

No. 38: 1B Mark Teixeira, New York Yankees

My Early-Season Assessment

"Going all the way back to 2004, Teixeira has had at least 30 HR and 100 RBI every season. In three full seasons with the Yankees, he has posted an average line of .266 BA, 37 HR, 114 RBI.

"His average has plummeted over the past two seasons, as he hit .256 and .248, which knocks him down the list a bit, but he is a consistent force in the middle of a good lineup and one of the better defensive first basemen in baseball."

Midseason Assessment

Teixeira is notorious for heating up as the weather gets warmer, and as it is his numbers are decent, as he's hitting .246 BA, 13 HR, 45 RBI on the season.

Still, the power is down a bit, and his .328 on-base percentage is well below his career average (.370), so he'll really need to pick things up in the second half to reach his standard numbers.

Grade: C

No. 37: SP James Shields, Tampa Bay Rays

My Early-Season Assessment

"An anchor in the Rays rotation since 2006, Shields struggled mightily as recently as 2010, when he went 13-15 with a 5.18 ERA and allowed an AL-high 34 home runs.

"However, he turned that around last season with a fantastic line of 16-12, 2.82 ERA, 225 Ks, as he set career highs across the board. 

"He may not repeat those numbers, but he's off to a hot start (2-0, 3.38 ERA)—something along the lines of 15 wins, 3.25 ERA, 200 Ks is certainly a possibility."

Midseason Assessment

Shields has been a horse for the Rays this season, ranking fourth in the AL in innings pitched (111.2) but his numbers are nowhere near where they were last season.

He's 8-5 on the season but has a 4.11 ERA and 1.41 WHIP; in the end, he's not as bad as he was in 2010 and not as good as he was last season. The Rays likely would have been wise to deal him in the offseason when his value was highest.

Grade: C-

No. 36: SS Jose Reyes, Miami Marlins

My Early-Season Assessment

"The game's premier leadoff hitter when healthy, Reyes managed to win the NL batting title last season despite playing in just 126 games, hitting .337.

"He then cashed that success in and joined the Marlins on a six-year, $106 million contract. While the injury concerns are certainly still there, he is as dynamic a table-setter as there is in baseball when he's on the field."

Midseason Assessment

No one expected Reyes to contend for the batting title again this season, but a .220 average through the season's first month raised some eyebrows as to what the Marlins had gotten themselves into with that contract.

He's raised his average to .272 since then, and the Marlins' team as a whole has been a major disappointment, as they played well in early June but have bottomed out. Reyes certainly can't be blamed for that, but he also has not provided the spark the Marlins hoped he would and is currently being outperformed by Omar Infante.

Grade: D

No. 35: SP C.J. Wilson, Los Angeles Angels

My Early-Season Assessment

"A converted reliever, Wilson is entering just his third season as a starter despite being 31 years old—meaning, if nothing else, he should have a fresher arm than most 31-year-olds.

"The past two seasons in Texas he went a combined 31-15 with a 3.14 ERA, and he's off to a strong start in his first season with the Angels with a 2-1 record and 2.37 ERA—that, after signing a five-year, $77.5 million deal to join a rotation that already included Jered Weaver and Dan Haren."

Midseason Assessment

The Rangers were quick to let Wilson depart for greener pastures in the offseason, and with a whopping six key pitchers currently on the DL, they would no doubt like to have the left-hander back.

His numbers have been dominant once again, with a 9-4 record and 2.33 ERA through his first 17 starts, and after a slow start the Angels have finally played up to expectations of late and are one of the hottest teams in baseball.

Grade: A

No. 34: SP Ian Kennedy, Arizona Diamondbacks

My Early-Season Assessment

"A former first-round pick of the Yankees, Kennedy joined the Diamondbacks prior to the 2010 season and showed some flashes of being a solid starter with a record of 9-10 and a 3.80 ERA.

"However, no one could have predicted the quantum leap he took last season, as he went 21-4 with a 2.88 ERA and finished fourth in NL Cy Young voting. He's off to a good start in 2012 with a 2-0 record and 3.86 ERA, and he looks to be the real deal."

Midseason Assessment

One of the breakout stars of 2012, Kennedy has been the definition of average this season, as his 4.20 ERA gives him an ERA+ of 100, indicating the exact league average.

He's one of a handful of Diamondbacks players who have underperformed, as the team has fallen short of expectations after a surprise NL West title. If the 27-year-old can return to form in the second half, it would go a long way towards getting Arizona back on track.

Grade: D+

No. 33: 3B Hanley Ramirez, Miami Marlins

My Early-Season Assessment

"Coming off a terrible season in which he hit just .243 BA, 10 HR, 45 RBI and played just 92 games, many have forgotten just how dynamic a player Ramirez was.

"In the four seasons prior to 2011, he had an average line of .319 BA, 27 HR, 82 RBI, 36 SB and won the NL batting title in 2009 when he hit .342."

Midseason Assessment

Ramirez has settled in at third base, and he's managed to stay healthy to this point, but his offense has still not returned to its previous elite level.

He's hitting .259 BA, 12 HR, 43 RBI through 78 games, which is a little better than what he put up through 92 games last season, so it's an improvement but still a long way from where he once was.

 Grade: D

No. 32: SP Zack Greinke, Milwaukee Brewers

My Early-Season Assessment

"The Brewers gave up a ton to get Greinke last offseason and then watched as he posted a 5.66 ERA over his first 12 starts of the season.

"From there, though, he went 9-3 with a 2.61 ERA over his next 16 starts and went 11-0 with a 3.13 ERA at home on the season, as he absolutely owned Miller Park.

"Greinke showed what he is capable of in 2009 when he won the AL Cy Young as a member of the Royals after posting a 2.16 ERA. While he has his rough patches, he is a legitimate staff ace."

Midseason Assessment

The Brewers have struggled mightily this season, and as a result they could opt to blow things up at the deadline and start restocking what is a relatively thin farm system.

One player who has not struggled is Greinke (9-2, 3.08 ERA), and he is set to hit the free-agent market at season's end. He could be the biggest trade chip on the market if the Brewers make him available.

Grade: A

No. 31: CF Curtis Granderson, New York Yankees

My Early-Season Assessment

"Going back to the 2007 season, Granderson has been a dynamic offensive player, as he had 38 doubles, 23 triples, 23 HR and 26 SB that season.

"However, last year he became a legitimate slugger, as he hit .262 with 41 HR and 119 RBI to lead the AL in RBI and post a new career high in HR, eclipsing his previous best by 11.

"He will again be counted on as a run producer in the middle of the Yankees order, and he is off to a hot start once again with a league-high six home runs to go along with 10 RBI."

Midseason Assessment

Granderson has answered the call as a go-to run producer for the Yankees once again, with a solid line of .244 BA, 23 HR, 48 RBI so far this season.

His average is low, and he strikes out a lot (93 Ks, fourth in MLB), but he is a reliable power bat in the middle of the Yankees order and a solid defensive player to boot.

Grade: B

No. 30: 2B Ian Kinsler, Texas Rangers

My Early-Season Assessment

"If you can get past the low batting average (.255 last season, .276 career), there is not much that Kinsler does not excel at as the catalyst atop the Rangers lineup.

"He has posted 30/30 seasons in two of the past three years and hit .303 with four HR and 20 RBI over 33 playoff games the past two seasons.

"He is a rare offensive force at second base."

Midseason Assessment

Another year, another complete offensive line from Kinsler, as he has a .276 BA, 9 HR, 40 RBI line with AL bests in doubles (26) and runs (61).

He'll never be a prototypical leadoff hitter, but that is not necessarily a bad thing, as Kinsler brings far more to the table than most second basemen and still serves as a catalyst for the Rangers offense.

Grade: B+

No. 29: RF Jose Bautista, Toronto Blue Jays

My Early-Season Assessment

"Few players have put it all together late in their career the way Bautista has over the past two seasons, as he led the AL in home runs back-to-back years, with 54 and 43, respectively.

"Not only does he have light-tower power, but he also raised his average 42 points last season to .302 while drawing an AL-best 132 walks for a .447 on-base percentage.

"Impressive numbers across the board, and it is still hard to believe just what a force Bautista has grown into after years as a middling utility man."

Midseason Assessment

Bad luck has contributed to a slow start for Bautista, as he has a .208 batting average on balls in play, yet despite that he has an AL-high 27 HR to go along with 64 RBI.

He's raised his average to .243, and his terrific plate discipline has led to a solid .360 on-base percentage, so given the circumstances it is reasonable to think that Bautista could be even better in the second half.

Grade: B

No. 28: LF Josh Hamilton, Texas Rangers

My Early-Season Assessment

"The story of Josh Hamilton has been a truly amazing one, and he has settled in as the face of the Rangers franchise and one of the most feared sluggers in all of baseball.

"He is a near lock to miss time at some point during the season, as the abuse he did to his body in his early 20s is catching up with him—but when he is on the field, few are more productive.

"Just take his 2010 season for instance: He played just 133 games but hit .359 with 32 HR and 100 RBI to take home the AL batting title and AL MVP."

Midseason Assessment

Yikes, undershot this ranking a bit, didn't I? Hamilton has been phenomenal this season with a .316 BA, 25 HR, 73 RBI line that puts him in the hunt for his second AL MVP award. 

He's been relatively healthy with 74 games played so far, and if he can avoid a major injury in the second half, he'll put up better numbers than he did in his 2010 MVP season. 

Grade: A+

No. 27: SP Jon Lester, Boston Red Sox

My Early-Season Assessment

"A model of consistency since joining the rotation full-time back in 2008, Lester has had at least 15 wins, an ERA below 3.50 and a WHIP below 1.30 in each of those seasons.

"He seems to have reached his ceiling as far as his development is concerned, but that is more than enough to make him the Red Sox's most reliable starter and one of the best left-handers in the game.

"Not only does he have solid command, but he has also topped the 200-strikeout mark twice, as he really does everything you could ask from a front-of-the-rotation guy."

Midseason Assessment

Pitching has been a serious sore spot for the Red Sox this season, as no regular starter has an ERA under 4.00, and Lester has been one of the biggest culprits of the struggle.

The generally reliable left-hander has struggled to a 5-5 record and 4.53 ERA this season, as he has looked far from the staff ace he had emerged as in recent seasons.

Grade: D

No. 26: SP Tim Lincecum, San Francisco Giants

My Early-Season Assessment

"Lincecum has been absolutely dominant over the past four seasons, going 62-36 with a 2.81 ERA and 977 strikeouts in 881.2 innings of work, winning a pair of Cy Young awards in the process.

"However, he has not looked like himself this season, posting a 5.70 ERA over 23.2 innings of work this spring and then an even more troubling 10.54 ERA through 13.2 innings over three starts to open the 2012 regular season.

"He has been so good, it is unclear what to make of his terrible start. While it has certainly knocked him down this list a bit, he is more than capable of turning things around and once again dominating."

Midseason Assessment

The struggles have continued for Lincecum, who now has a 3-8 record and a 5.60 ERA through 16 starts on the season. 

Given how well the rest of the staff has pitched and how much better the offense has been, one has to wonder where the Giants would be right now if Lincecum were pitching like an ace. As it is they rank among the best teams in all of baseball, even with him struggling.

Grade: D-

No. 25: 1B Joey Votto, Cincinnati Reds

My Early-Season Assessment

"Since breaking into the league in 2008, Votto has been a consistent force in the middle of the Reds lineup, and he was rewarded in 2010 with the NL MVP after posting a .324 BA, 37 HR, 113 RBI line and leading the Reds to the NL Central crown.

"He does not have top-tier power, but he is as safe a bet as anyone for a .300 BA, 25 HR, 100 RBI season year in and year out. He'll be putting up those numbers in a Reds uniform too after inking a 12-year, $251.5 million extension this month."

Midseason Assessment

Another massive under-ranking on my part—you could certainly make a case for Votto being one of the game's top 10 players as of right now.

With Albert Pujols and Prince Fielder gone, he is the unquestioned top first baseman in the National League, and his .350 BA, 14 HR, 47 RBI line made him the runaway selection to start at first base for the NL in the All-Star game.

Grade: A+

No. 24: SP Dan Haren, Los Angeles Angels

My Early-Season Assessment

"The Angels gave up a good deal to acquire Haren from the Diamondbacks at the deadline in 2010, including Joe Saunders and top prospect Tyler Skaggs. 

"However, he has paired with Jered Weaver to form a lethal 1-2 punch atop the Angels rotation—a rotation that has only gotten better with the addition of C.J. Wilson. 

"He was seventh in AL Cy Young voting last season with a 16-10, 3.17 ERA, 192 Ks line, and it should be more of the same over the next few seasons as the Angels look to make a run at a title."

Midseason Assessment

Haren has not kept up with his teammates and fellow aces Jered Weaver and C.J. Wilson so far this season, as his 6-7 record and 4.53 ERA put him on par with Jerome Williams and Ervin Santana instead.

He's been particularly bad of late, with a 7.94 ERA over his last four starts (although he went 3-1 in those outings), and as good as the Angels have been over the past month, they'd be that much better with Haren pitching like he can.

Grade: D

No. 23: 1B Prince Fielder, Detroit Tigers

My Early-Season Assessment

"When Victor Martinez went down with a season-ending injury before spring training even began, it was clear that the Tigers needed to make a move to add a DH—but few expected that move to be a nine-year, $214 million contract for Prince Fielder.

"He and Miguel Cabrera form arguably the best 1-2 punch in all of baseball, and coming off a season in which they made the ALCS, the Tigers have to be viewed as legitimate World Series contenders with the addition of the big slugger who has averaged 38 HR and 108 RBI over his six full big-league seasons."

Midseason Assessment

While his power numbers are down slightly, the Tigers can't be unhappy with a .300 BA, 12 HR, 53 RBI line from Fielder so far, as the Fielder-Cabrera duo has been as good as everyone expected.

As a team, however, the Tigers have been a massive disappointment, and when they invested the money they did in Fielder, it was to make the team a serious World Series contender now.

Grade: B

No. 22: SP Matt Cain, San Francisco Giants

My Early-Season Assessment

"A big leaguer at the age of 20 and a full-time rotation member by the following season, Cain already has 206 starts under his belt and is only 27 years old.

"He's coming off the best season of his career, as he went 12-11 with a 2.88 ERA and 179 Ks last season, and that has carried over to a good start this year, as he is 1-0 with a 1.88 ERA and a shutout through his first three starts. 

"The Giants made him the highest-paid right-hander in baseball history this offseason with a six-year, $127.5 million extension. With Tim Lincecum struggling, Cain could very well be viewed as the ace of the staff."

Midseason Assessment

Forget "Cain could very well be viewed as the ace of the staff," he is undoubtedly the ace of the Giants staff now, even if Ryan Vogelsong and Madison Bumgarner have similar, if not better, numbers so far.

His perfect game earlier this season ranks among the most dominant single games in baseball history, and he has made the Giants look brilliant for shelling out that money to lock him up.

Grade: A

No. 21: 1B Adrian Gonzalez, Boston Red Sox

My Early-Season Assessment

"The Red Sox gave up a package of four players to acquire Gonzalez from the Padres last offseason and then turned around and locked him up with a seven-year, $154 million deal.

"He immediately rewarded them with a .338 BA, 27 HR, 117 RBI season that included a .354 BA, 17 HR, 77 RBI first half that had him looking like the MVP favorite.

"Finally out of the cavernous Petco Park, and still only 30 years old, Gonzalez is capable of stringing together a full season like his first half, and a .320 BA, 40 HR, 120 RBI season is not out of the realm of possibility."

Midseason Assessment

He has not approached those ridiculous first-half numbers of last season, as it has been a trying season at times for Gonzalez on his way to a .272 BA, 6 HR, 43 RBI line thus far.

He should be commended for accepting a brief move to right field prior to the Kevin Youkilis trade with true professionalism, and his numbers are by no means bad, but there is no doubt he's been a bit of a disappointment to this point.

Grade: C

No. 20: C Yadier Molina, St. Louis Cardinals

My Early-Season Assessment

"This ranking will undoubtedly draw some skepticism from readers, but the simple fact is Molina is the best catcher in baseball, and it's not even close.

"He could hit .250 and would still crack the top 100 on his game-calling and defense alone, but after a .305 BA, 14 HR, 65 RBI season last year and a .317 BA, three HR, 10 RBI start to this season, he is now also one of the most productive offensive backstops in the league.

"The Cardinals recognized just what he means to the team, locking him up with a five-year, $75 million contract extension that will keep him in St. Louis through 2017."

Midseason Assessment

It's been over two months, and I still stand by my ranking of Molina this high, as he has done nothing to discourage me from calling him the best catcher in baseball by a long shot (with all due respect to the season that Carlos Ruiz is having).

A .309 BA, 13 HR, 45 RBI line so far has made him not just a premier offensive catcher, but one of the best hitters in baseball, as he's on pace for a monster season for a backstop.

Grade: A+

No. 19: SP David Price, Tampa Bay Rays

My Early-Season Assessment

"Taken first overall in the 2007 draft, Price was selected to be the future ace of the Rays. It didn't take him long to move into that role, as he finished second in Cy Young voting in 2010 after a 19-6, 2.72 ERA, 188 Ks season.

"His ERA jumped to 3.49 last season, and he went just 12-13, but there is little doubt that given some offensive support, he has the talent to be a perennial 20-game winner and one of the best pitchers in all of baseball."

Midseason Assessment

Price has bounced back nicely from what could be considered a down year last year, as he is tied for the AL lead with 11 wins and has a 2.92 ERA.

The Rays have been anemic offensively, and James Shields and Matt Moore are off to less than dominant starts, but the performance of Price has helped keep them among the best in the AL.

Grade: A

No. 18: 2B Dustin Pedroia, Boston Red Sox

My Early-Season Assessment

"Pedroia bounced back from an injury-shortened 2010 season in which he played just 75 games with what probably ranks as the best season of his career, as he had a .307 BA with 21 HR, 91 RBI and 26 SB and won his second Gold Glove, finishing with a 6.8 WAR.

"Few players in the league put up the offensive numbers across the board that Pedroia does, and you can count the number of second basemen who do on three fingers. The 28-year-old is undoubtedly the face of one of the most storied franchises in all of baseball, and rightfully so, as he is a fantastic all-around player."

Midseason Assessment

Like much of the Red Sox roster, Pedroia has been a disappointment this season with a .268 BA, 6 HR, 33 RBI line through his first 73 games.

He's on his way to the worst offensive season of his career if he doesn't turn things around. I wouldn't bet against the scrappy 28-year-old, but it's not been good thus far.

Grade: C-

No. 17: SP Cole Hamels, Philadelphia Phillies

My Early-Season Assessment

"Hamels experienced a tremendous amount of success very early on in his big-league career, leading the Phillies to a World Series in 2008 at the age of 24, as he took home NLCS and World Series MVP honors during the postseason.

"Since then, he has continued to grow as a pitcher, and last season he joined the top tier of starters in the game with a 14-9, 2.79 ERA, 194 Ks line that earned him a fifth-place finish in NL Cy Young voting.

"He's still only 28 and is currently pitching without a contract for next season, so look out, as this could very well be the best season of his career."

Midseason Assessment

While it's not been the best season of his career, Hamels has stood out as one of the few bright spots on a Phillies team that is a shell of what it was just a few years ago.

Hamels is an All-Star with a 10-4 record and 3.08 ERA to go along with 111 strikeouts in 111 innings of work. If the Phillies continue to struggle, they could become sellers, and Hamels would make for a earth-shattering trade chip.

Grade: A

No. 16: SP CC Sabathia, New York Yankees

My Early-Season Assessment

"Sabathia exercised an opt-out clause in his contract this offseason and then re-upped with the Yankees on a monster eight-year, $182 million contract that will keep him in the Bronx through 2017.

"Since joining the Yankees in 2009, Sabathia has gone 59-23 with a 3.18 ERA, topping 230 innings of work each season. He is the definition of a workhorse and gives the Yankees a known commodity at the top of their rotation, as he should be good for 18 wins, 3.25 ERA, 220 IP for years to come."

Midseason Assessment

Currently nursing a groin injury, Sabathia has been one of the few consistent performers in a patchwork Yankees rotation that will likely be addressed at the deadline.

A 9-3 record and 3.45 ERA have earned the big left-hander an All-Star nod, and the Yankees need him to avoid any further injuries moving forward, as they simply don't have the pitching depth to deal with losing their ace.

Grade: B-

No. 15: RF Justin Upton, Arizona Diamondbacks

My Early-Season Assessment

"Still only 24 years old, Upton took a step forward last season, as he set career highs in HR (31), RBI (88) and SB (21) in leading the Diamondbacks to a surprise NL West title.

"While most guys would only be starting their big-league careers at 24, Upton already has over 2,000 at-bats under his belt and a pair of All-Star selections.

"It is only a matter of time before he is a perennial .300 BA, 30 HR, 100 RBI, 20 SB guy, and he still has a seemingly limitless ceiling when it comes to the type of player he will be in his prime."

Midseason Assessment

Upton got off to a very slow start this season, as he was hitting just .221 BA, 3 HR, 10 RBI on May 16, but he's turned things around since with  .310 BA, 4 HR, 24 RBI line. That said, he's still fallen well short of expectations.

It is slowly becoming an "if" as opposed to a "when" concerning Upton finally taking the next step and becoming one of the game's true superstars. For the sake of the Diamondbacks' success, he at least needs to put up similar numbers to last season.

Grade: D-

No. 14: SP Jered Weaver, Los Angeles Angels

My Early-Season Assessment

"Weaver put together a season in 2011 that more times than not would have ended with a Cy Young award, as he went 18-8 with a 2.41 ERA and 198 Ks.

"However, he happened to be pitching in the same league as AL MVP Justin Verlander, so he had to settle for second.

"The Angels locked the 29-year-old up with a five-year, $85 million contract that looks to be a steal for Los Angeles, as he is once again off to a hot start, going 2-0 with a 2.18 ERA over his first three starts. He is one of the game's best strikeout pitchers, and he should continue to rank among the game's best hurlers for the next several seasons."

Midseason Assessment

He's missed a few starts due to injury, but Weaver has still managed to put up a 9-1 record with a sterling 2.13 ERA over 14 starts on his way to an All-Star nod.

There's not much more to say, as he has clearly emerged as one of the game's elite starting pitchers and needs only to stay healthy to rank among the best in all of baseball.

Grade: B+

No. 13: 3B Evan Longoria, Tampa Bay Rays

My Early-Season Assessment

"Few players mean more to the success of their team than Longoria does to the Rays, and even though he is coming off a .244 BA, 31 HR, 99 RBI season in 2011, there is little question that he belongs among the game's elite.

"A clutch hitter, terrific run producer and fantastic defender, Longoria is the face of a team that is built on pitching. As good as the Rays staff is, the success of the team in 2012 will rely heavily on their superstar third baseman."

Midseason Assessment

An already thin Rays offense has been lost without Longoria, who has played in just 23 games this season and last played on April 30 before going down with a partially torn hamstring. He was in the midst of a terrific start when it happened with a .329 BA, 4 HR, 19 RBI line.

The team has gotten by with guys like Elliot Johnson and Sean Rodriguez manning the position, but the Rays sorely need their offensive leader back if they hope to return to the postseason. 

Grade: F

No. 12: SP Cliff Lee, Philadelphia Phillies

My Early-Season Assessment

"It is hard to believe that as recently as 2007, Lee spent time in Triple-A and posted a 6.29 ERA in 97.1 big-league innings. Now he is among the most reliable starters in the game, not to mention incredibly durable.

"Look no further than his last start to see the type of pitcher Lee has become late in his career, when he threw 10 shutout innings, needing just 102 pitches, against the Giants.

"Add on his amazing postseason track record, and there are few pitchers a team would rather have. Hard to believe he's not even the best pitcher on his own team."

Midseason Assessment

If you had told me Lee would be winless through his first 13 starts, I would have called you crazy, but that's exactly where he stands, as the Phillies have struggled mightily.

In all he's 0-5 with a 4.13 ERA, and he is one of a bevy of disappointments in Philadelphia this season. He's been too good recently to truly be this bad, but could this be the beginning of a decline for the 33-year-old?

Grade: D-

No. 11: SP Stephen Strasburg, Washington Nationals

My Early-Season Assessment

"Few prospects have arrived on the big-league scene with more hype than Stephen Strasburg, and he immediately backed it up with a 5-3, 2.91 ERA, 12.2 K/9 line over 12 starts in his rookie season before he was shelved and forced to undergo Tommy John surgery.

"He made an astonishingly quick recovery, getting back on the field for five starts at the end of last season and dominating with a 1.50 ERA over 24 innings of work.

"Any remaining questions surrounding his health have been put to rest with a 2-0, 1.42 ERA, 9.0 K/9 start to the 2012 season, and he looks every bit the once-in-a-generation talent he was hyped up to be."

Midseason Assessment

Any doubts that Strasburg was completely recovered from Tommy John surgery have been put to rest with a fantastic first half in which he has gone 9-3 with a 2.81 ERA and 122 strikeouts in just 93 innings of work.

The Nationals still say they will shut him down at some point this season, though it's unclear when, and that will be one of the more interesting storylines to follow if the Nationals remain in the thick of things all season. 

Grade: A+

No. 10: 2B Robinson Cano, New York Yankees

My Early-Season Assessment

"As the fantastic careers of Derek Jeter and Alex Rodriguez wind down, Cano has emerged as the Yankees' offensive leader. With a .307 career average and legitimate 30-HR power at a position where that is hard to find, Cano is a bona fide superstar.

"Speed is the only tool lacking from the 29-year-old's game, as he plays stellar defense on top of contending for batting average and RBI titles. His current contract is up after the 2013 season, so expect Cano to net a huge payday in the not-too-distant future."

Midseason Assessment

Even with a .267 BA, 1 HR, 4 RBI first month of the season, Cano currently has a .315 BA, 20 HR, 48 RBI line on the season, as he has truly emerged as one of the top offensive talents in the game.

He is on a tier of his own as far as second basemen are concerned, and he has been as vital to the Yankees' success this season as anyone on the roster.

Grade: A+

No. 9: SS Troy Tulowitzki, Colorado Rockies

My Early-Season Assessment

"Given the opportunity to build a franchise around one player, there are few guys most people would rather have than Tulo, as he does everything and does it incredibly well.

"Over the past three seasons, he's averaged a line of .304 BA, 30 HR, 97 RBI, while winning a pair of Gold Gloves and finishing in the top 10 in NL MVP voting each season.

"He's just entering his prime at 27 years old, and expect nothing short of .300 BA, 30 HR, 100 RBI production and Gold Glove defense for the next several seasons from the shortstop in Colorado."

Midseason Assessment

It was business as usual for Troy Tulowitzki until a groin injury put him on the shelf, and while it took doctors a while to figure out what exactly was wrong, he was eventually diagnosed with a nerve issue in his left leg.

The issue will require surgery, and while the resulting surgery is expected to sideline him for eight weeks, it could wind up ending his season, as the Rockies will have no reason to rush their superstar back.

Grade: F

No. 8: SP Felix Hernandez, Seattle Mariners

My Early-Season Assessment

"King Felix fell into the background a bit last season, overshadowed by the phenomenal seasons of Justin Verlander and Clayton Kershaw—but the fact remains he's still one of the most dominant pitchers in all of baseball.

"While it did not reflect his Cy Young numbers of 2010, his 2011 season was solid, as he went 14-14 with a 3.47 ERA. If only he were pitching for a contender, it would not only add wins but could also provide some added motivation.

"Nonetheless, he's phenomenal and still only 26 years old, so the best could still be ahead."

Midseason Assessment

Oh the numbers Felix Hernandez could have pitching elsewhere, but alas, he's signed with the Mariners through 2014 and is the ace of a team currently in the midst of a rebuild.

He's the team's lone All-Star representative, and rightfully so, as despite a 6-5 record he has posted a 3.09 ERA and 114 strikeouts in 110.2 innings of work.

Grade: B+

No. 7: LF Ryan Braun, Milwaukee Brewers

My Early-Season Assessment

"What started off as a fantastic offseason for Ryan Braun, as he wrapped up the best season of his career (.332 BA, 33 HR, 111 RBI, 33 SB) by winning the NL MVP over Dodgers star Matt Kemp, quickly turned into a rough winter after Braun tested positive for PEDs.

"He was able to overturn his 50-game suspension thanks to a technicality, but a shadow of doubt nonetheless hangs over his accomplishments. With that said, he is still one of the most productive players in the game, and even with the loss of Prince Fielder, he could help carry the Brewers to the postseason once again in 2012."

Midseason Assessment

Braun currently leads the NL with 23 HR, as he is having his usual fantastic season across the board with a .309 BA, 58 RBI and 13 SB.

However, the offseason controversy appears to still be following him, as he was not voted as a starter to the All-Star season after posting high vote totals in each of the past four seasons.

Grade: A

No. 6: SP Clayton Kershaw, Los Angeles Dodgers

My Early-Season Assessment

"Simply taking into account the season Kershaw had last year, when he went 21-5 with 2.28 ERA and 248 Ks to capture the NL pitching Triple Crown and NL Cy Young, would put him in the top 10 on this list.

"However, when you factor in that he is still only 24 years old and could conceivably get better, he is pushed into the game's top tier of players and will play a major role along with Matt Kemp in turning things around in Los Angeles."

Midseason Assessment

His 6-4 record does not tell the story, as Kershaw has been dominant once again this season with a 2.65 ERA and 112 strikeouts in 115.1 innings of work over his first 17 starts.

The Dodgers should be as active as anyone at the deadline, and while they will benefit from adding some pieces to the mix, they will need Kershaw to stay healthy and continue to anchor the rotation above all else.

Grade: A

No. 5: SP Justin Verlander, Detroit Tigers

My Early-Season Assessment

"Last season, Verlander became the first pitcher to win both the Cy Young Award and the MVP since Dennis Eckersley did it with the Athletics in 1992. He achieved the rare feat with a 24-5, 2.40 ERA, 250 Ks line, along with a league-best 0.920 WHIP.

"The Tigers seemingly went all-in on their current group of players when they signed Prince Fielder this offseason, and if they make a serious postseason run it will be on the back of their 29-year-old ace."

Midseason Assessment

The best pitcher in baseball last season, Verlander has been a dominant workhorse once again this season, as he leads all of baseball with 123.2 innings pitched.

On the season, he's 8-5 with a 2.69 ERA and 121 strikeouts to go along with a dominant 0.98 WHIP. The Tigers rotation could use another reliable starter alongside him at the top of the rotation, because as good as Verlander is, he can't win an AL Central title on his own.

Grade: A

No. 4: 3B Miguel Cabrera, Detroit Tigers

My Early-Season Assessment

"While Albert Pujols has long been regarded as the best hitter in the game, Cabrera has matched him season-for-season since first becoming a full-time regular in 2004 at the age of 21, as he's averaged a line of .320 BA, 33 HR, 115 RBI over that span.

"Still only 29, he is coming off the first batting title of his career, as he hit a career-best .344. Now that he has Prince Fielder protecting him in the lineup, he could be in line for the best season of his career."

Midseason Assessment

He's not quite on pace for the best season of his career, but a .317 BA, 16 HR, 65 RBI line is nothing to sneeze at, and there is no question he has benefited from having Prince Fielder follow him in the lineup.

Perhaps more impressively, he's made just eight errors at third base so far this season, and by most statistical metrics, he ranks as an average defensive third baseman.

Grade: A+

No. 3: 1B Albert Pujols, Los Angeles Angels

My Early-Season Assessment

"To put it simply, Pujols is the greatest hitter of his generation and among the greatest to ever play the game. Sure, he had a 'down' year last year and is not off to a roaring start in 2012, but he has been too good for too long not to get the benefit of the doubt.

"Will the Angels regret his 10-year, $240 million deal five years from now when he's 36 years old and making $25 million?

"Probably, but for now he makes them a legitimate World Series contender, and there is little doubt he'll put up numbers by season's end."

Midseason Assessment

May 6. It wasn't until May 6 that Pujols hit his first home run of the season, as he entered play that day with a .194 BA, 0 HR, 5 RBI line through 108 at-bats.

Since that day, he's hit .315 BA, 12 HR, 43 RBI over 200 at-bats, as he has clearly gotten back on track. The Angels are firing on all cylinders right now, and with Pujols finally dialed in, they can once again be considered legitimate contenders.

Grade: B

No. 2: SP Roy Halladay, Philadelphia Phillies

My Early-Season Assessment

"Halladay continues to use a vast arsenal of pitches and pinpoint command to dominate hitters as the ace of a fantastic Phillies staff.

"Dating back to 2006, he has finished no lower than fifth in Cy Young voting in any season and has a combined record of 109-49 with a 2.86 ERA and an MLB-best 46 complete games.

"He's off to another great start in 2012 with a 3-0 record and 1.17 ERA through his first three starts, and he shows no signs of slowing down or relinquishing his spot as the game's top pitcher, even at the age of 35."

Midseason Assessment

A strained lat muscle sideline Halladay on May 29 and put him on the shelf for six to eight weeks, but even before the injury struck he was not the same dominant Roy Halladay.

A 4-5 record and 3.98 ERA through 11 starts isn't bad, but it was not what we have been accustomed to seeing out of the right-hander for the past several seasons.

Grade: D

No. 1: CF Matt Kemp, Los Angeles Dodgers

My Early-Season Assessment

"Kemp thrust himself into the game's upper echelon of players last season with a .324 BA, 39 HR, 126 RBI, 40 SB season that many believed warranted the NL MVP award, despite the Dodgers' poor play.

"However, with his ridiculous start to the 2012 season, hitting .451 BA with seven HR and 18 RBI through 51 at-bats, there is little doubt as to who the most talented overall player in the game today is.

"Kemp is the true definition of a five-tool player and someone capable of making a legitimate run at the Triple Crown this season."

Midseason Assessment

The torrid start continued for Kemp, but injury struck, and a hamstring injury has kept him out of action since June 1.

Voted to start the All-Star game thanks to a .355 BA, 12 HR, 28 RBI line through 36 games, Kemp won't be back until after the break, and the Dodgers have missed him tremendously.

Grade: C-