As the second half of the 2011 MLB season thankfully returns tonight after the All-Star break, it's time to look back at the first half for the Boston Red Sox while also projecting towards the time that really matters: the playoffs.
The Red Sox have tonight off before they get back to work with a three-game series in Tampa Bay beginning tomorrow night.
At 55-35, with a one game lead over the New York Yankees and six game advantage over the Rays in the AL East, the Red Sox look at first blush like the American League's top team. Still, that means absolutely nothing at this point. I'll examine each player individually and give them letter grades based on how they've done so far in 2011.
(Note: Must have appeared in 10 games or more to get a grade, sorry Yamaico Navarro).
Designated Hitter
David Ortiz (All-Star)-.304 batting average, .391 OBP, .574 slugging percentage, 19 homers, 55 RBIs, 52 runs, 92 hits, 23 doubles, 174 total bases
Like Beckett, Ortiz has proven this season that he still has something left in the tank. He deserved his All-Star spot and place as captain in the Home Run Derby. With such a deep lineup, I think he can keep this production going for the rest of the season. Teams can no longer pitch around him (not that it mattered during his prime either).
Grade: B+
Catchers
Jarrod Saltalamacchia-.251 batting average, .320 OBP, .437 slugging percentage, 6 homers, 24 RBIs
Through the first month of the season, Salty was nothing short of a complete disaster. He couldn't hit at all and his game behind the plate (the catcher's most important job) also left much to be desired. Credit Boston though, they stuck with him when more panic-prone teams probably wouldn't and he's morphed into a decent MLB catcher.
Grade: C+
Jason Varitek-.252 batting average, .338 OBP, .435 slugging percentage, 5 homers, 18 RBIs
Similar to Saltalamacchia, Varitek looked beyond hopeless to start this season. Following the same script, he has surprisingly proven to be a capable MLB backup catcher. His value to the pitching staff and the team as a whole is still immeasurable and it's a sure bet that whenever he retires in the next few seasons, he'll be an excellent manager.
Grade: C
First Baseman
Adrian Gonzalez (All-Star)-.354 batting average, .414 OBP, .591 slugging percentage, 17 homers, 77 RBIs, 128 hits, 64 runs, 29 doubles, 214 total bases
If you like baseball, you're from New England and you support the Red Sox, I'm not sure how you can't be in love with Gonzo. He appears to be everything you could ever ask for. A true superstar (at the plate and in the field) with no sign of an ego whatsoever. He looks to be one of the top candidates for the AL MVP this season and beyond.
Grade: A+
Second Basemen
Dustin Pedroia-.284 batting average, .395 OBP, .442 slugging percentage, 97 hits, 19 doubles, 11 homers, 44 RBIs, 151 total bases
Pedey got off to a very slow start for him and dodged a bullet as an apparent knee injury turned out to be nothing serious. He's heated up lately and he is also showing more power than usual.
Grade: B
Drew Sutton-.311 batting average, .354 OBP, .467 slugging percentage
I'll be honest, I'd never heard of Sutton before this season but in a small sample size (25 games), he's proven to be a decent MLB backup. Nothing more, nothing less.
Grade: B-
Shortstops
Marco Scutaro-.259 batting average, .326 OBP, .365 slugging percentage
Due to various injuries, Scutaro has only played 51 games and true to form, he's been completely average. The guy is the definition of a forgettable Major Leaguer. He's not good, he's not bad, he's just there.
Grade: C-
Jed Lowrie-.270 batting average, .319 OBP, .403 slugging percentage, 25 RBIs
After a hot start to the season, Lowrie predictably cooled down considerably and then got hurt. He's played 55 games but this is what Lowrie does: he spends time on the DL. It seems like he'll never shake his propensity to be hurt all the time, meaning his MLB career will likely never get off the ground.
Grade: C
Third Basemen
Kevin Youkilis (All-Star)-.285 batting average, .399 OBP, .512 slugging percentage, 13 homers, 63 RBIs, 151 total bases
Much like his buddy Pedroia, Youk got off to a slow start this season but he's really picked it up in the last few months and he deserved to go to the All-Star game (albeit as an injury replacement).
Grade: B
Left Fielders
Carl Crawford-.243 batting average, .275 OBP, .384 slugging percentage, 6 homers, 31 RBIs, 8 stolen bases
Crawford is lucky that A) the Red Sox are in first place and B) Gonzo is crushing it because Crawford has been a complete flop in the first 67 games of his career in Boston. Clearly, when he comes back from his hamstring injury, he can't play much worse but he needs to step it up since the Red Sox aren't getting any consistent production from its corner outfielders.
Grade: D
Darnell McDonald-.143 batting average, .200 OBP, .257 slugging percentage
Let's be real, as likable as he is, McDonald only still has a job in Boston since youngster Ryan Kalish is recovering from shoulder surgery. After a nice season last year, McDonald can't do anything this season.
Grade: D- (not an F only because of the game-winning outfield assist he had)
Center Fielder
Jacoby Ellsbury (All-Star)-.316 batting average, .377 OBP, .490 slugging percentage, 62 runs, 114 hits, 26 doubles, 11 homers, 49 RBIs, 177 total bases, 28 stolen bases
The most pleasant surprise of the season so far has been Ellsbury. After only playing 18 games last season, he's become the premier leadoff hitter in the American League that we all dreamed he could be.
Grade: A
Right Fielders
J.D. Drew-.229 batting average, .329 OBP, .317 slugging percentage
We're all counting down the days until Drew is finally off the books for the Red Sox (after this season). What else is there to say about this heartless, injury-prone robot? He is hopeless.
Grade: D-
Josh Reddick-.393 batting average, .429 OBP, .672 slugging percentage
Reddick is pretty much the opposite of Drew. A non-hyped prospect that has worked his way through the Red Sox farm system and now is flourishing in the majors. He's not projected to be a high-end player but just having him around is a breath of fresh air compared to Drew.
Grade: A
Starting Pitchers
Josh Beckett (All-Star)-8 wins, 3 losses, 12 quality starts, 111 innings pitched, 94 strikeouts, 0.95 WHIP, 2.27 ERA
Most people, myself included (I dropped him from my keeper league), thought that Beckett was washed up after last season's nightmare. Turns out, not so much. He's been Boston's best and most consistent starter this season. Hopefully his knee injury that flared up in his last start and warming up at the All-Star game isn't much of an issue.
Grade: A-
Jon Lester (All-Star)-10 wins, 4 losses, 12 quality starts, 114.1 innings pitched, 110 strikeouts, 1.21 WHIP, 3.31 ERA
Currently on the DL with a lat strain, Lester has been up and down this season. At his best, he's one of the top leftys in MLB. At his worst, his pitch count gets up there and he gives up homers (14).
Grade: B-
Clay Buchholz-6 wins, 3 losses, 6 quality starts, 82.2 innings pitched, 60 strikeouts, 1.29 WHIP, 3.48 ERA
Buchholz's back injury is the key factor to the Red Sox' pitching rotation. With him healthy, they have one of the best rotations in baseball. Without him, it'll be much harder to piece together a good rotation for the playoffs.
Grade: C+
John Lackey-6 wins, 8 losses, 5 quality starts, 79 innings pitched, 52 strikeouts, 1.54 WHIP, 6.84 ERA
At this point, I don't need to rant about my hatred for Lackey. He's the worst and the fact that he has six wins is a miracle. I have no hope for him this season and anytime he doesn't get shelled is cause for celebration.
Grade: F
Tim Wakefield-5 wins, 3 losses, 5 quality starts, 81.2 innings pitched, 40 strikeouts, 1.27 WHIP, 4.74 ERA
Ignore the numbers, Wakefield has been a revelation as a starter in the twilight of his career. All Red Sox fans have the utmost respect for him and he deserves it. Who knows if he can keep this up but his whole career has been a roller coaster.
Grade: B
Andrew Miller-3 wins, 0 losses, 1.59 WHIP, 3.57 ERA
Miller has only appeared in four games (all starts) but he deserves mention since he'll be in the bullpen in the immediate future with all the injuries to Boston's starting pitchers. I'm not going to say he's been impressive but Miller has been good so far. We'll have to wait and see if he can continue to give the Red Sox a chance to win when he starts.
Grade: C+
RIP Dice-K
Relievers
Jonathan Papelbon-2 wins, 0 losses, 20 saves, 36.2 innings, 51 strikeouts, 1.20 WHIP, 3.93 ERA
Reports of Papelbon's demise were greatly exaggerated. His act might be annoying as hell but he's having a very solid season (entering free agency this winter).
Grade: B
Daniel Bard-1 win, 4 losses, 1 save, 21 holds, 44 innings, .80 WHIP, 2.05 ERA
I feel like a broken record here (because of the 0-6 and 2-10 start) but Bard got off to a very slow start but he has settled in once again as the AL's best setup guy. He appears to be Boston's closer of the future if they don't resign Papelbon following this season.
Grade: B+
Matt Albers-29 appearances, 3 wins, 3 losses, 7 holds, 35.1 innings pitched, 34 strikeouts, 1.25 WHIP, 2.55 ERA
Every couple seasons, a random middle reliever comes out of nowhere to have a great season. So far, Albers fits that role perfectly. He's been outstanding in a bunch of different roles. Most importantly, he's given Red Sox manager Terry Francona somebody outside of Bard and Papelbon that he can trust.
Grade: A-
Alfredo Aceves-24 appearances, 4 games started, 4 wins, 1 loss, 1 save, 1 quality start, 7 holds, 58 innings pitched, 33 strikeouts, 1.22 WHIP, 3.41 ERA
I doubt there's been a pitcher in MLB so far this season that has been as versatile as Aceves. Starting, long relief, middle relief, he can do it all. He's been Boston's unsung hero out of all its pitchers. What a great pickup.
Grade: A-
Dan Wheeler-28 appearances, 1 win, 1 loss, 28.1 innings pitched, 22 strikeouts, 1.16 WHIP, 5.08 ERA
A forgotten man in the Red Sox bullpen, Wheeler's time in Boston has been underwhelming at best. He's been OK since returning from his latest injury but he can't be trusted in any important situation.
Grade: D+
Bobby Jenks-19 appearances, 2 wins, 2 losses, 15.2 innings pitched, 17 strikeouts, 2.23 WHIP, 6.32 ERA
Give crazy Ozzie Guillen credit, he knew before anybody that Jenks was a bum. His short stay in Boston has been a total disaster.
Grade: D
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