Here's part two of my June report card. Someday I might even do research before posting one of these things.
Juan Acevedo
I've heard rumours that the Jays are reconstructing his motion: they must be doing something, as he virtually never pitches. His 4 hits allowed in 2 2/3 innings suggest that he won't be of that much help, but that's a ludicrously small sample size. The closer's job is there for him to take.
Grade: Incomplete
Doug Davis
Giving up nearly two baserunners an inning, and doesn't throw hard. As soon as the Jays think Corey Thurman is ready, Davis is gone. But what did you expect - when the Texas Rangers release a pitcher, you can't expect much from him.
Grade: F
Kelvim Escobar
Escobar's life would make a great movie, or possibly even a mini-series. Obviously, his fate is in the hands of the gods; we mere mortals cannot interfere when the gods choose a personal plaything to mess with. How many pitchers can you name who have been a successful starter, an unsuccessful starter, a successful closer, an unsuccessful closer, and a successful startup man? When you combine that with the stress of events in his native Venezuela, you've got a man living in Interesting Times. Pitched well all month, with only hints of classic Escobar meltdowns of old. I'm still not convinced he's for real, but he's certainly earned a good long run in the starting rotation. Note to his agent: please, please, please don't let him sign with the Yankees in the off-season - Escobar clearly lacks confidence, and the Bronx would eat him up.
Grade: A
Roy Halladay
The Doctor is Way In. Occasionally gives up a long ball or two, but apart from that, he's the Halladay of old. Alas, he won't win the Cy unless he wins at least 25 games or the Jays make it to the post-season. Either is, of course, still a possibility. Would it be a good idea to skip his start before the All-Star break, or start him on three days rest and really restrict his pitch count? He'll almost certainly be used in the All-Star game, and I don't want to see his arm put at risk. (At least Mike Scioscia isn't managing a divisional rival.)
Grade: A+
Mark Hendrickson
Basically just doesn't have major-league stuff. If he sets up hitters perfectly, he can get them out. If he doesn't, they bat him around unmercifully. What's saved him so far (besides the lack of alternatives) is his poise and his ability to keep the ball in the park: he only gave up one home run in June. You've got to give him credit for surviving about four "pitch well, or you're gone" starts.
Grade: D-
Jason Kershner
Maybe all the scrubeenies share a condo in Toronto, and take turns occupying it when they have their three weeks in the majors. Corey Thurman, Mike Smith, and Brian Bowles probably have reserved closet space there.
Grade: Yo-Yo
Cory Lidle
I think he's pitching hurt, too: his K/9 was 8.75 in April, 3.79 in May, and 5.09 in June. Led the staff in home runs allowed with 5, and was second in walks with 11. Had an ERA of 7.90. This is not the way to get a lucrative long-term deal on the free-agent market.
Grade: F
Aquilino Lopez
Had a K/9 ratio of 9.56 in May, and was down to 5.40 in June. Red alert! Red alert! I still think he'll be on the DL by August, poor guy. He's still pitching well. Is he having the best season ever for a Rule V draftee (during the year he is Rule V, of course)?
Grade: B+
Trever Miller
Following in the illustrious footsteps of Felix Heredia, Pedro Borbon, and Dave Geisel. If he wasn't throwing lefthanded, he'd be in AAA right now.
Grade: D-
Cliff Politte
In retrospect, we should all have known something was wrong: Politte's K/9 ratio went from 9.49 in April to 6.94 in May to 5.59 in June. I hate to seem pessimistic, but pitchers often don't come back from shoulder problems.
Grade: F
Scott Service
So far, so good: one walk and seven strikeouts in six innings pitched. And it's not as if he'll lack opportunity. Somebody's got to step up and help out Lopez.
Grade: B+
Tanyon Sturtze
Was marginally competent in middle relief. I never would have thought that I would use "competent" in any sentence describing Sturtze, except when preceded by the suffix "in". Is probably about 114th in line for a return to the starting rotation.
Grade: C-
Jeff Tam
16 hits in 9 1/3 innings. Blecch. If we want to see batting practice, we can go to the park early.
Grade: F
https://www.battersbox.ca/article.php?story=20030703085609999