"Midseason" Grades: Offense

A bit behind, but hey we only just passed the All-Star break, so technically.....


Grady Sizemore - A-
Grady has had a surprising power surge this year, hitting 23 home runs, which is tops in the American League. It's just too bad they are all from the leadoff spot, giving him only 54 RBI. But with 23 stolen bases, he's got a pretty good shot at going 40/40.

Jamey Carrol - B-
Carroll only has 8 doubles and 4 triples (12 total XBH), but he didn't even start the year as our starting second basemen, and he has filled in nicely for Asdrubal Cabrera, hitting .271.

Casey Blake - B
Blake was pretty awful for the first few months of the season, really only hitting on the road, but he has steadily raised his average up to .286, and leads the team in RBI with 56.

Ryan Garko - D
Garko is really skating on thin ice. With Michael Aubrey and Beau Mills waiting in the wings, if he doesn't get his act together he could be gone very soon. He has never been able to match what he did in his rookie year, and his 7 HR and .237 average this year have been a big disappointment.

Johnny Peralta - C+
Exactly what a C+ grade means, a bit above average. Peralta does have 16 home runs, but they are all empty HR's. He never hits the meaningful home run. He also has a .309 OBP and has 15 GIDP which is by far the most on the team, yick.

Ben Francisco - B
A spark mid-season call up, really tore it up in June, has cooled off since, but he seems to have leveled off at his .290 average. Twenty doubles and 8 home runs, he has shown solid power.

Franklin Gutierrez - F
Totally fell on his face this year, a complete disappointment. Lost his job to Francisco/Choo.

David Dellucci - D-
Dellucci has been just above useless this year. I cringe whenever I see him in the lineup. Eight home runs, great! But a .225 average and nearly a 4/1 AB:K ratio is um...Not.

Shin-Soo Choo - C
Choo hasn't been amazing, but has a .454 SLG% if given a full season would be a 20 HR/34 double guy.

Kelly Shoppach - B
One of the few bright spots on the team, Shoppach was pushed into the starting role in place of Victor Martinez when VicMart went on the DL. Shoppach has hit 8 HR in 172 ABs, with 24 RBI and a .250 average. Not mind blowing, but he at least we don't have a hole in the lineup without Vic Mart. Way too many K's though (61)

Travis Hafner - Incomplete
Victor Martinez - Incomplete
Both guys were having awful years, (although Hafner was still on pace to knock in about 90 RBI), but both were also playing hurt all year.

Tomorrow, "Midseason" grades: Pitching