It's another end of month, so it's time for my favourite self-indulgence: another monthly report card. First, the hitters: there are a couple of poor grades here, but most everybody kicked butt and took names. But you know that already.
Dave Berg
Hit.174 with no power or walks. It was only 23 at-bats, true, but if he doesn't improve, I'd just as soon see Howie Clark in there. There are lots of hard-nosed utility infielders available; heck, Craig Grebeck is probably still waiting by the phone. Berg was just put on the DL with dizziness, so maybe it's not his fault. He's doing better than his namesake, the former MAD magazine columnist; the other Dave Berg is now dead. Anything (except perhaps Ken Huckaby's bat) is better than dead.
Grade: F (medical excuse accepted)
Mike Bordick
All his strengths and weaknesses were on display this month. Strengths: he's an excellent defender and a hard-working professional, who can occasionally surprise you with some pop; he had six extra-base hits, which isn't bad for a utility infielder in 51 at-bats. Weakness: his on-base percentage was .291, which is Gonzo territory. Of course, if he was any better, he'd still be Baltimore's starting shortstop, and they'd only be playing Melvin Mora at five positions.
Grade: C-
Frank Catalanotto
He hasn't been drawing many walks all year; he only drew 4 walks this month, and his OBP was only .318. Still has some pop in his bat. He'll probably bounce back. I hope. Please.
Grade: C+
Howie Clark
When you become an adult, you learn that life isn't always fair. Howie is viscerally aware of this: he played everywhere he was asked, hit .382, and was still sent back down to Syracuse. Oh well: it beats pumping gas for a living. (He just came back up, because Berg is hurt. Does he have to find a new place to live in Toronto, or what? How do players on the AAA shuttle handle their accomodation problems?)
Grade: A, plus a frequent flyer plan
Carlos Delgado
Only hit .264 in June, but drove in a mind-boggling 34 runs because he always came up with Wells or Stewart in scoring position. The only way he could have gotten fewer than, say, 25 RBI's was to come up to the plate holding the bat the wrong way up. Still had a .400 on-base percentage, despite his lower batting average. His hot start is hiding the fact that he's slowly sinking back to his normal level of production, which is still pretty darn good. He deserves to start the all-star game. Had only the fourth-best OPS in June, trailing Wells, Myers and Stewart. Led the team in strikeouts, with 21. Sadly, I predict that Delgado won't win the MVP; Giambi will pass him, just as he did three years ago. I hope I'm wrong.
Grade: A+
Eric Hinske
Welcome back, Eric. We missed you. Now get to work; your team needs you.
Grade: Incomplete
Orlando Hudson
Making lots of good contact: hitting .300 with double, triple, and home run power. Now starting to make regular highlight-film plays at second. I love watching this guy play. He deserves a long-term contract; he's worked hard enough to have earned one. Reminds me a lot of Lou Whitaker, with a dash (or soupcon) of Mookie thrown in for seasoning. The problem with the reduced number of African-American baseball players is that you don't get to see enough guys like this around.
Grade: A
Greg Myers
Reached base exactly half the time, and hit eight extra-base hits in limited at-bats. Can probably bend steel with his bare hands. Eventually, the pitchers will adjust - but, heck, eventually we will all grow old and die. Let's enjoy the ride while it lasts. Walked thirteen times, struck out only seven. I hope Torre takes him to the all-star game.
Grade: A+
Reed Johnson
Basically doing what Cat was doing earlier in the year: he's making good contact, so he's got a good OBP even though he's not drawing walks. I'm impressed, but I won't be convinced he's really made it until he's proven that he can adjust when pitchers start changing their pitching patterns. But, for now, he's the goods.
Grade: A
Josh Phelps
Had a .400 on-base percentage in June, and still lost his job to Reed Johnson. Has stopped hitting for power, presumably because pitchers have figured out where his power zone is. Is doing a good job of adjusting to the changing pitching patterns, but I miss seeing those long bombs. So, no doubt, does he. Occasionally takes long swings at pitches out of the zone and flails helplessly at them - but it's not like any of us is perfect, either.
Grade: A-
Shannon Stewart
Came back from his hamstring owie, and became Shannon Stewart again. I know that this is only Year 2 of the Great J.P. Five Year World Domination Plan, which means that Stewart has to go, but I think that the Jays will miss him more than they might think. .300 hitters don't grow on trees. A perfect table setter. Ignore the complaints of Stewart's roto owners, who are still screaming "Steal!" at him every time he reaches first.
Grade: A
Vernon Wells
Oh. My. God. Had a higher OBP and SLG than Delgado in June. Is starting to draw a few more walks, as pitchers are starting to respect him. And he's still a good centre fielder. Probably could levitate if he wanted to. His numbers have been on a steady upward curve for the last two years. Who knows how good this guy is going to be when he peaks? I don't understand why he's such a good centre fielder: he doesn't really have a centre fielder's body. Most centre fielders are built like whippets; this guy is built like a tank. I guess it's his ability to read the flight of the ball.
Grade: A+
Tom Wilson
Had an OPS of .986, which would look positively amazing, except that his platoon mate is doing even better. Doesn't throw out runners trying to steal, but who cares? He probably can't prove the Binomial Theorem, either.
Grade: A+
Chris Woodward
Exactly the same offensive skills as the O-Dog, except that Woody doesn't have Hudson's speed. Each middle infielder had eight extra-base hits, five walks, and 15 strikeouts in June. If it weren't for the difference in skin colour, I'd begin to wonder whether they were twins. The O-Dog is a bit more durable than Woody, who occasionally misses a few games with a muscle tweak here and there. One of the reasons the Jays have been so successful lately is that their middle infielders actually contribute at the plate: most teams have at least one guy with a .280 OBP who kills rallies stone dead.
Grade: A-
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