The Pirates' 2008 Midterm Report Card

By Dejan Kovacevic
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
http://www.post-gazette.com
Monday, July 14, 2008

Pittsburgh Pirates' general manager Neil Huntington applauds after Nate McLouth is presented with his National League All-Star jersey prior to a baseball game against the St. Louis Cardinals Friday July 11, 2008 in Pittsburgh.
(AP Photo/Don Wright)

Here are grades for the Pirates' performance through the All-Star break, for those who spent more than two months on the active roster.

One note: Grades are based on how that player compares to others in the National League, at his position and in his role. For example, bench players are weighed against other bench players.

Starting pitchers

Paul Maholm: B+, Past eight starts -- 4-0, 2.66 ERA -- could point to breakout season

Zach Duke: C-, Still too many hits, with .311 opponents' average, but better stuff, poise

Phil Dumatrait: C-, Take away three starts affected by shoulder trouble, and this grade rises

Ian Snell: D+, He showed yesterday it's still in there. Now,how to get it out?

Tom Gorzelanny: F, Perhaps no pitcher in Major League Baseball had greater fall since last year

Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher Ian Snell wipes his face after serving up a three-run fourth-inning home run to St. Louis Cardinals' Aaron Miles during a baseball game in Pittsburgh, Sunday, July 13, 2008. The Cardinals won 11-6.
(AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)

Relievers

Damaso Marte: A-, Was one of game's best vs. lefties, and now fares even better vs. righties

Tyler Yates: B, No reliever has been called upon for more tough innings. Must cut walks

Matt Capps: B-, Opened 15 for 15 in saves, but shoulder tightness led to five being blown

John Grabow: B-, 10 of 15 runs by home run in past month after terrific first two months

Sean Burnett: D+, Has held lefties to .205 average, but must retire righties to gain manager's trust

Franquelis Osoria: F, When sinker is up, it gets creamed, and that happens way too often

Catchers

Ryan Doumit: A-, A little defense, a lot of health all that is keeping him from game's elite

Ronny Paulino: F, Became management's first poster child for accountability, but not last

Pittsburgh Pirates Ryan Doumit (41) congratulates teammate Jack Wilson (2) as he scores against the New York Yankees in the third inning of their Interleague MLB baseball game in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania July 10, 2008. REUTERS/Jason Cohn (UNITED STATES)

Infielders

Jack Wilson: B+, Never looked more valuable than when he was missed for two months

Doug Mientkiewicz: B, On intangibles alone, he would be an A+

Chris Gomez: B, Fine numbers off bench include .345 mark with men in scoring position

Jose Bautista: C-, After .195 April, batted .313 in May, .282 in June, .276 in July. Anyone noticed?

Adam LaRoche: D+, Only thing worse than usual slow start is when it lasts extra few weeks

Luis Rivas: D+, Has hit OK, but he was supposed to be able to play shortstop and fell well short

Freddy Sanchez: D- Average is nearly 100 points below expectations, and still no answers

Pittsburgh Pirates' Xavier Nady trots home after hitting a two-run home run off Cincinnati Reds pitcher Daryl Thompson, left, in the fifth inning of a baseball game, Wednesday, July 2, 2008, in Cincinnati. Nady also hit a solo home run off Thompson in the third. Pittsburgh won the game 9-5.
(AP Photo/Al Behrman)

Outfielders

Nate McLouth: A+, If not for Josh Hamilton, Grady Sizemore, who has been better at CF in majors?

Xavier Nady: A, All he needed was health: .317 average ranks sixth in National League

Jason Bay: A, Performing well enough to change minds about trading him?

Jason Michaels: B+, Clutch off bench: .412 with runners in scoring position, four home runs

First published on July 14, 2008 at 12:00 am