Grades for Every Miami Marlins Player in July

Look, the Miami Marlins no longer have the worst record in baseball.

After a 12-14 July, which followed an impressive 15-10 in June, the Marlins have not only passed the Houston Astros to avoid the distinction as Major League Baseball's cellar-dweller, but they also passed the Chicago White Sox as well. At 41-65, the Marlins have MLB's 28th best record.

Hooray.

Next up: catching the Milwaukee Brewers to avoid having the National League's worst record. Currently, the Marlins are four games back of the Brewers.

In all seriousness, the Marlins have improved immensely since a miserable April and May, which they combined to go 14-41. July's report card should reflect the Marlins' better play.

So delve in and, from worst to best, see what grade each Marlins received for the fourth month of the 2013 season.

Marlins who "F"lopped

Name: Derek Dietrich

July stats: .204 BA (11-54), .259 OBP, .389 SLG, 2 HR, 4 RBI

Analysis: Dietrich needed to go back to the minors, regardless of his claims against former Marlins hitting coach Tino Martinez. 

Dietrich got off to a hot start when he was promoted to the big leagues in May, but it seemed he never countered the opposition's adjustments to him. As a result, he struggled and never really recovered.

As far as his incident with Martinez, the Miami Herald reported it happened on Dietrich's fifth day in the majors. The Sun-Sentinel also reported Dietrich was at a loss about how to deal with what Martinez did, which he alleges was grabbing him by the neck, and chose to keep quiet and somehow produced despite unimaginable duress. 

Um, perhaps a little over the top there? I understand you're trying to sell papers, but this sounds like an award-winning dramatic movie script.

Anyways, if the incident happened on Dietrich's fifth day, it means Dietrich went 2-for-7 with a home run and three RBIs, then proceeded to produce a slash line of .212/.274/.394 with eight home runs and 20 RBIs. Yeah, he sure produced all right.

Dietrich will probably get another shot at the majors, which he probably deserves after showing some pop with the bat to go with his solid glove after committing just two errors in 57 games. And at least Dietrich knows he needs to improve to get called up again.

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“I learned a lot up there and earned a lot of respect,” Dietrich told the Montgomery Advertiser during a series with the Biscuits that ended Saturday, before the incident became public. “I definitely know I can play at that level. I know I have things to work on, and I’m here to do that and get better so I can get back.”

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As for Martinez, he told his side of the story here and here.

Name: Chris Hatcher

July stats: 0-1 record, 45.00 ERA, 6 R, 5 ER, 4 H, 3 BB, 1 SO, 1 IP

Analysis: Hatcher came, Hatcher pitched, Hatcher got battered. Hatcher spent one day in the majors, according to MLB.com, earned the loss in a 7-1 14-inning loss to the Atlanta Braves and was sent back to the minors. 

Name: Marcell Ozuna

July stats: .162 (11-68), .219 OBP, .265 SLG, 1 HR, 6 RBI, 2 3B

Analysis: Offensively, Ozuna struggled to make the transition to center field as he produced at a .195/.230/.301 clip in 34 games after Giancarlo Stanton's return from the DL on June 10. He was raking at a .331/.371/.472 clip in the 36 games as a right fielder preceding that.

Defensively, Ozuna's arm was still magical as he racked up three more assists, giving him eight for the season. 

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"There are guys that have really strong arms, but if they're not accurate you tend to take more chances regardless of how good their arm strength is," Marlins third base coach Joe Espada told the Sun-Sentinel. "He's got both."

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Ultimately, Ozuna failed because his growth is stunted since he will miss the rest of the season because of left thumb surgery. Ozuna sustained the injury making a diving catch. The damage was torn ligaments and an avulsion fracture.

Name: Justin Ruggiano

July stats: .069 BA (4-58), .206 OBP, .138 SLG, 1 HR, 4 RBI, 4 SB

Analysis: It's been a month to forget for Ruggiano.

Currently, Ruggiano is mired in a 0-for-33 slump, which probably isn't only the worst slump of his career, but he's also matched Mike Jacobs’ club record for futility with 33 consecutive hitless at-bats. Not only that, Ruggiano has yet to start a game and has had only three at-bats since Christian Yelich and Jake Marisnick were promoted to the majors. 

Oh, and did we mention he might have played a role in Martinez's resignation?

Martinez recalled an incident in Spring Training when the outfielder returned to the clubhouse without picking up baseballs hit in the cages off a machine. Instead, someone else cleaned up the cage. So one day, Martinez confronted Ruggiano and told him how he was a terrible teammate.

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"I was disappointed in being called a bad teammate. That was between me and him," Ruggiano told MLB.com on Tuesday. "Our incident, between Tino and I, wasn't about picking up baseballs. I never had a problem about picking up baseballs. Never will. I'm just going to leave it at that."

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Name: Kevin Slowey

July stats: 0-0, 6.00 ERA, 7 R, 6 ER, 12 H, 3 BB, 9 SO, 9 IP

Analysis: In July, Slowey's performance tilted to the extremes.

Against the Braves on July 2 and the Colorado Rockies on July 25, Slowey gave up a total of seven runs, six earned, in two innings of work. Those bad outings were sandwiched by seven scoreless innings against the Braves and the Milwaukee Brewers. 

Now, Slowey's season might be over. He will be out four-to-six weeks of no baseball activity with a flexor tendon strain, according to the Sun-Sentinel.

Marlins who "D"isappointed

Name: Rob Brantly

July stats: .182 BA (6-33), .182 OBP, .303 SLG, 1 HR, 3 RBI

Analysis: A growing trend has occurred, and it's probably one Brantly would probably like to go away.

For the fourth consecutive month, Brantly's at-bats have dwindled from 71 in April to 47 in May, to 46 in June, to 33 in July. About the only positive Brantly can find is he finally hit his first home run of the season. Now, maybe his teammates can stop teasing him about not going yard.

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"It's been a running joke," a chuckling Brantly told the Sun-Sentinel. "My teammates were good at reminding me that it was my first home run."

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Name: Greg Dobbs

July stats: .211 BA (4-19), .250 OBP, .211 SLG, 0 HR, 1 RBI

Analysis: Dobbs started just one game in July and went hitless in four at-bats.

His biggest contribution might be his veteran presence in light of Martinez's resignation.

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“[Dietrich] felt that personally crossed his line, his boundary,” Dobbs told the Miami Herald's Clark Spencer, via the Bradenton Herald. “He has that right. Obviously, [the team agreed with Dietrich] because they accepted his resignation. It’s a tough deal. I feel bad for Tino in a sense because he had this great opportunity here. I had nothing but great conversations and great interactions with him. But, in the same breath, I think he would tell you, ‘I’m an adult, and I should have acted better.’ And I’m sure he’s disappointed in his actions, as I am — as is everybody else here.”

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Name: Nathan Eovaldi

July stats: 1-1, 4.40 ERA, 14 ER, 25 H, 16 BB, 21 SO, 28 2/3 IP

Analysis: On the surface, Eovaldi had a solid month. There's no shame in the numbers he accrued. However, Eovaldi walked nearly as many batters as he struck out and has only pitched into the seventh inning once since he was activated off the disabled list because of a shoulder injury. In fact, there's no difference between now (2-1, 3.47 ERA, 22 BB, 31 SO) and Eovaldi's first stint in the majors (1-2, 3.63 ERA, 20 BB, 23 SO in 2011). In both years, Eovaldi had a low BABIP (Batting Avg. on Balls in Plays) compared to the rest of the league as it was a .268 in 2011 and a .244 this season, which means he's been fortunate balls have not found any holes in the defense thus far.

Name: Dan Jennings

July stats: 1-1, 4.35 ERA, 5 ER, 10 H, 1 BB, 8 SO, 10 1/3 IP

Analysis: Most of Jennings' damage came in his first outing of the month, when he gave up three runs and three hits without recording an out against the Braves. Other than that, Jennings was solid. This is why a reliever's performance can be so volatile. One bad appearance can undo all the good work.

Name: Logan Morrison

July stats: .205 BA (15-73), .341 OBP, .356 SLG, 3 HR, 7 RBI

Analysis: Morrison has cooled off considerably since returning from right knee surgery, but his mouth hasn't. Oh, good ole LoMo.

When asked how he felt about the potential performance-enhancing drug suspensions, Morrison quipped to the Miami Herald's Clark Spencer, "You know we're clean. We haven't scored a run in 37 innings," in reference to the Marlins going 37 scoreless innings from July 14-21, the longest in the majors since 1985.

With the numbers Morrison put in July, his comment seems to be on the money.

Name: Juan Pierre

July stats: .227 BA (5-22), .227 OBP, .273 SLG

Analysis: It looks like Pierre is entering the final phase of his career as a pinch-runner and fourth outfielder. 

Pierre started just three games in July and has appeared in just three games since the promotion of Yelich and Marisnick. To make matters worse, Pierre was robbed of a stolen base Monday, which would've given him 13 consecutive seasons of 20 or more stolen bases.

In the 6-5 loss to Mets, Pierre entered as a pinch-runner at first in the ninth inning. Pierre stole second, his 19th of the season, uncontested.

 With Christian Yelich up, two out and a full count, Pierre bolted for third on ball four. Though the Mets did not make a throw and David Wright did not bother covering the bag, the play was incorrectly ruled defensive indifference.

"I was like, 'Come on, man, it's a one-run game,'" Pierre told the Sun-Sentinel.

Marlins who performed "C"apably

Name: Steven Ames

July stats: 0-0, 0.00 ERA, 0 ER, 0 H, 0 BB, 0 SO, 1/3 IP

Analysis: Consider this an incomplete grade. Ames was called up Sunday to replace the injured Kevin Slowey, according to the Sun-Sentinel.

Name: Mike Dunn

July stats: 0-0, 1 save, 3 holds, 1 blown save, 3.60 ERA, 4 ER, 10 H, 1 BB, 10 SO, 10 IP

Analysis: Another solid month for the hard-throwing left-hander, which probably explains why the Marlins told teams he wasn't available during the trade deadline, according to CBS Sports' Danny Knobler.

Name: Tom Koehler

July stats: 1-1, 4.24 ERA, 9 R, 8 ER, 23 H, 3 BB, 17 SO, 17 IP

Analysis: Koehler continues to be the Marlins' No. 5 starter, although there were some twists and turns this month. 

Koehler was sent to Triple-A on July 4 to make room for Henderson Alvarez, but then he was recalled nine days later after the Marlins placed Chad Qualls on the paternity list because Qualls' wife was giving birth.

Barring injuries, Koehler will probably hold on to this job until September, assuming the Marlins call up Adam Conley, Andrew Heaney and/or Justin Nicolino for an audition for next year's starting rotation.

Name: Ed Lucas

July stats: .221 BA (19-86), .272 OBP, .291 SLG, 1 HR, 6 RBI, 12 R

Analysis: For someone who toiled in the minor leagues for 10 years, it's refreshing to see Lucas succeed in the majors. 

This is a guy who seems to be in the middle of Marlins victories, such as scoring the go-ahead run in a 4-3 win against the Braves, or driving in the winning run in a 2-1 victory against the Washington Nationals or ruining a potentially magical moment for the opposition like when he broke up Zack Wheeler's no-hit bid.

However, the concerning part is how much the Marlins depend on him. Lucas has had 138 at-bats hitting second in the lineup, nine at-bats as the cleanup hitter and 21 at-bats as the No. 5 hitter. That represents all but five at-bats with the Marlins. For a guy who struggled in July and was an afterthought to many Marlins fans when the season began, you just wonder if the clock is ticking towards midnight.

Name: Jake Marisnick

July stats: .194 BA (6-31), .265 OBP, .290 SLG, 1 HR, 2 RBI

Analysis: If the grade is based on major league production alone, Marisnick would get a D after struggling since being promoted to the big leagues.

In fact, Marisnick didn't record his first hit until his 15th at-bat, which made that seem worse since the first 12 at-bats were at Coors Field. When he finally got the hit, teammates in the dugout tried to prank him in the afterglow, but he wasn't paying attention. A dummy ball was tossed into the crowd when his collector's item was thrown in from centerfield, according to the Sun-Sentinel. At least Marisnick ended the month on a flourish with his first major league home run.

However, if Marisnick was graded based on his minor league performance, the man gets no worse than a B for posting a .344 batting average with three home runs and nine runs batted in for the month. Plus, Marisnick was selected to play in the Southern League All-Star Game, according to the Florida Times-Union. 

Name: A.J. Ramos

July stats: 1-2, 1 hold, 1 blown save, 0.63 ERA, 2 R, 1 ER, 7 H, 8 BB, 21 SO, 14 1/3 IP

Analysis: The good news is Ramos was impressive enough to give up just one earned run this month. Moreover, he was overpowering as he struck out 13.2 batters per nine innings. 

But the reason Ramos received a mediocre grade was because he was at least partially responsible for two one-run Marlins losses. Relievers may not win games, but they sure can lose them.

Name: Donovan Solano

July stats: .235 BA (12-51), .273 OBP, .333 SLG, 1 HR, 7 RBI

Analysis: When Solano was in the minors, he had a scorching bat, hitting .379 (25-for-66), which forced the Marlins to call him back to the majors. Although he hasn't been as productive in the big leagues, he has regained his starting role at second base.

Solano lost the job when he missed a month with an intercostal strain and his replacement, Derek Dietrich, flourished in his place. The Marlins decided to keep Dietrich even when Solano was healthy. But when the Marlins summoned him, Solano quickly made an impression with a go-ahead RBI single off All-Star closer Craig Kimbrel in a 4-3 win against the Braves.

Name: Jacob Turner

July stats: 1-3, 3.86 ERA, 13 ER, 27 H, 13 BB, 22 SO, 30 1/3 IP

Analysis: Turner wasn't as spectacular as he was in June, when he posted a 2.12 ERA, but he was good enough, the 1-3 record notwithstanding.

When the All-Star break arrived, manager Mike Redmond declared, according to the Sun-Sentinel, Turner would start the second-half opener while ace Jose Fernandez will be the in the No. 5 spot. The reason Fernandez was pushed back was to prolong his season as much as possible. But with Turner coming out of the gate, it also showed he was the de-facto No. 2 in the rotation.

For someone who is nicknamed Prince Jacob by his teammates, he sure has pitched like royalty, with his 3-3 record and 2.65 ERA in 11 starts.

Marlins who made the team "B"etter

Name: Henderson Alvarez

July stats: 2-1, 2.61 ERA, 12 R, 11 ER, 35 H, 10 BB, 17 SO, 38 IP

Analysis: Alvarez is the latest Marlins starting pitcher who has excelled since not starting the season with the Marlins, following in the footsteps of Turner (demoted to the minors in Spring Training) and Eovaldi (disabled list). Alvarez spent the first half of the season on the disabled list with right shoulder inflammation before being activated July 4. 

However, Alvarez still hasn't missed many bats. Currently, he's averaging four strikeouts per every nine innings, continuing last season's trend of 3.8 strikeouts per nine innings. In 2011, it was 5.7. 

Name: Steve Cishek

July stats: 1-2, 8 saves, 3.14 ERA, 5 ER, 15 H, 5 BB, 15 SO, 14 1/3 IP

Analysis: Cishek is on a roll as he's converted 17 consecutive save opportunities. As a result, he earned  National League Co-Players of the Week for the period ending July 28th with his teammate Jose Fernandez.

But when a save opportunity wasn't available, Cishek struggled as he gave up three runs to the Washington Nationals and two to the New York Mets. In both instances, the opposing team broke up a tied game.

Name: Jeff Mathis

July stats: .290 BA (18-62), .380 OBP, .323 SLG, 0 HR, 9 RBI

Analysis: Who is this guy and where has he been his entire career?

Sure, that .323 slugging percentage looks bad, but considering Mathis is a career batting average is under the Mendoza line, he gets a pass for that. More importantly, it seems Mathis is making a difference behind the plate as the Marlins are 21-16 in his starts while the Marlins are 20-49 when he doesn't.

"He brings a veteran presence to the catching position, where I talk about it to our guys all the time," Redmond told the Sun-Sentinel in early July. "We have to make sure we're developing our pitching staff, just like we do our hitters, defense and all that stuff. He's so important in that process because he has the experience. He's caught a lot of good pitchers."

Name: Ricky Nolasco

July stats: 1-0, 2.57 ERA, 2 ER, 6 H, 0 BB, 7 SO, 7 IP with Marlins

Analysis: As expected, Nolasco was dealt before the trade deadline.

Nolasco was traded to the Los Angeles Dodgers for Steven Ames, Angel Sanchez and Josh Wall on July 6, according to multiple reports. The haul the Marlins received did not net Nolasco this grade because only Sanchez was ranked among the top-20 prospects in the Dodgers system. Moreover, ESPN.com's Keith Law said all the Marlins got were relief prospects and salary relief, which is were Nolasco earns his grade.

According to the Miami Herald, the Dodgers pick up the remaining $5.7 million owed to Nolasco for this season. It also helped that Nolasco pitched a gem against the Braves in his final start as a Marlin, which could only help him and the Marlins find him a new home while getting at least a top prospect or salary relief.

Name: Placido Polanco

July stats: .348 BA (16-46), .373 OBP, .370 SLG, 0 HR, 7 RBI

Analysis: With the emergence of Lucas, Polanco is not considered an everyday player, which might suit him just fine. 

After hitting just .228 in 193 at-bats during the first two months of the season, Polanco's at-bats have gone down and his production has gone up, evidenced by the .348 batting average in 46 at-bats in July. In June, Polanco hit .283, also in 46 at-bats.

Name: Giancarlo Stanton

July stats: .250 BA (22-88), .422 OBP, .511 SLG, 5 HR, 12 RBI, 14 R, 8 2B, 27 BB

Analysis: Well, it took awhile, but Stanton is finally the team's leader in home runs (13) and RBIs (34).

Stanton batted just .250, but he walked a whopping 27 times, which correlates as to why his on-base percentage is 172 points higher than his batting average. That's pretty much Barry Bonds territory, which is what happens when you're one of the most dangerous hitter in history or when you play with a bunch of lightweights, such is the case with Stanton. Of course, Bonds did that for 22 years, as he batted .298 with a .444 on-base percentage.

That said, when Stanton puts the bat to ball, good things happen, such as the case Sunday when his sixth-inning homer put the Marlins ahead for good in a 3-2 win.

Not surprisingly, Stanton stayed put at the trade deadline. But that didn't mean teams didn't make a run at him.

The Pittsburgh Tribune-Review's Rob Biertempfel reported the Pittsburgh Pirates made repeated attempts to work a deal for Stanton and, according to another source, made an offer that caught the attention of Miami's front office. However, the Miami Herald's Clark Spencer refuted this claim. Meanwhile, the Texas Rangers asked the Marlins about Stanton every week, but they were declined at every turn, according to Fox Sports' Ken Rosenthal.

In all instances, the Marlins rebuffed the overtures because, as Rosenthal reports, owner Jeffrey Loria is hell-bent on winning in the near future to prove he made the right baseball decisions when he tore the roster apart.

Name: Ryan Webb

July stats: 0-1, 3.18 ERA, 4 ER, 14 H, 5 BB, 9 SO, 11 1/3 IP

Analysis: Webb had his best month since April, when he posted a 2.35 ERA. Perhaps some of his bullpen mates can learn a lesson from Webb as he hasn't allowed multiple earned runs since June 10 and has had just four all season.

Name: Christian Yelich

July stats: .243 BA (9-37), .300 OBP, .297 SLG, 0 HR, 2 RBI

Analysis: Like Marisnick, Yelich will be based on his overall performance.

If Yelich's grade was based on his major league performance, he would get a C. He hasn't been bad, but he hasn't been great either since he was promoted to the big leagues. For many, that comes with time. But he has impressed so far, starting with his debut when he had three hits and drove in two runs in the Marlins 4-2 victory. On Tuesday, Redmond entrusted the rookie to bat leadoff for the Marlins.

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"He's been leading off all year in the Minor Leagues," Redmond told MLB.com. "So get him up there and maybe that gets [Adeiny Hechavarria] a few more better pitches to hit."

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At the minor league level, Yelich gets a sterling A. Yelich hit .304 with three home runs and five RBIs in 56 at-bats in the minors in July. More importantly, he showed the world what his bat is made of when he had a pair of hits at the Futures Game, including a run-scoring double off left-hander Enny Romero for the game's first run in the second inning. 

Marlins who were "A"mazing

Name: Jose Fernandez

July stats: 3-1, 2.06 ERA, 8 ER, 20 H, 10 BB, 40 SO, 35 IP

Analysis: For all that is wrong with the Marlins, Fernandez is the symbol of all that is right.

Let's begin with the All-Star Game. As the only Marlins representative, all he did was strike out 2008 American League Most Valuable Player Dustin Pedroia, got former Marlin and reigning AL MVP Miguel Cabrera to pop out to first base and then fanned the majors' home run leader Chris Davis to complete a 1-2-3 sixth inning. 

Davis spoke highly of Fernandez to the Miami Herald's Manny Navarro.

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“He was dirty, man,’’ Davis said. “He threw me that curveball to start off the at-bat. It looked like a heater coming in, and then it just disappeared. Then he finished me off with it. Knowing where he came from and where he’s at, he’s got a very high ceiling. He’s a guy I’m glad I don’t have to see on a regular basis.’’

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Two weeks later, Fernandez dazzled as he matched his career best with eight innings and established the franchise's single-game rookie strikeout record at 13 in the Marlins 3-2 win Sunday against the Pittsburgh Pirates. Because of his great performance, Fernandez was named  with Cishek as the National League Co-Players of the Week for the period ending July 28th. 

If the season ended today, at least one person would vote Fernandez as the National League's Rookie of the Year as Sports Illustrated's Michael Beller said he would give Fernandez the nod. 

Name: Adeiny Hechavarria

July stats: .324 BA (33-102), .349 OBP, .373 SLG, 0 HR, 5 RBI, 5 SB

Analysis: Hechavarria might have had the best month of his young major league career.

He started off the month of July white-hot, hitting at a .417 clip in 18 games before a recent 3-for-30 slide brought him down to Earth. Hechavarria was so good, Redmond eventually moved him into the leadoff spot to provide a spark. However, his struggles to end the month and the arrival of Yelich forced Redmond to flip flop them in the batting order. 

Currently, Hechavarria is the team leader in batting average (.240), on-base percentage (.277) and hits (81). Of course, Hechavarria is the only Marlin with enough plate appearances to qualify for the batting title, which is why he's the team leader in those categories.

The only cause for concern is Hechavarria's inability to draw more than one walk a week. He had just four in July.

Nonetheless, Redmond thinks this offensive explosion is only the beginning for Hechavarria.

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“We all knew that he would hit," Redmond told the Sun-Sentinel. "Just to see him continue to work on his offense and grind it out and have some success, we watch him every single day and get the pleasure of that. It’s special. This kid defensively is unbelievable. I have not seen a better shortstop in this league than Hech and hopefully he’ll get the notoriety he deserves. The offense will continue to be a work in progress, but those of us that are around him all the time, we see what he’s capable of doing and it’s only going to get better.”

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Name: Chad Qualls

July stats: 0-0, 5 holds, 0.00 ERA, 0 R, 7 H, 2 BB, 13 SO, 12 IP

Analysis: The fact Qualls didn't allow a run in 12 July appearances and did not receive a loss gets an A. 

But he deserves extra credit for what he did in Tuesday's 4-2 10-inning loss to the New York Mets.

Qualls entered in the eighth inning of a 2-2 game and the first batter he faced, Marlon Byrd, hit a triple. But Qualls struck out Ike Davis, got John Buck to ground out to third without allowing Byrd to score, and after issuing a walk, struck out Omar Quintanilla on three pitches to strand Byrd and preserve the tie.

Then, Qualls pumped his fist. Perhaps a little too much. Put it this way, if Qualls was throwing a punch, the only thing his right fist would've hit was air before tumbling onto the ground. In fact, take a look for yourself.

"It's the funniest thing I've ever seen on a baseball field," Koehler told MLB.com while fighting back laughter. "Without a doubt, I've never seen anything like that. I'm glad he's not hurt, but it was so funny. I can't even talk about it without laughing."

Redmond spoke to the Associated Press and added: "As soon as I saw the fist pump I put my head down. That's one of those if you win that game, you can watch it. But since we lost it's not quite as funny."

My only question is, if Qualls becomes this week's No. 1 in ESPN's Not Top 10, can he unseat Mark Sanchez's butt fumble?