Cards' Mid Term Grades

by Urban Pawnee on Jul 15, 2007 11:09 AM EDT

I couldn't find one of these in the P-D, so I wrote one of my own because this season is forcing us to amuse ourselves (and one another).

'07 MidTerm Grades

PLAYERS
Chris Duncan A- Only guy in the lineup having a legitimately good (not great) offensive season. His defense is not a job; it's an adventure.
David Eckstein B+ Surge in hitting offset by injury. 12 rbi, even for a lead off guy, is pretty damn weak.
Yadier Molina B The .647 OPS is a little better than his career. 15 rbi is slim pickings. His D saves the day.
Scott Spiezio B Decent job filling in here and there. Not the miracle-worker he was in '06, tho.
Skip Schumaker B Gets a B because not much was expected. Looks like he's started to figure out pitchers a little.
Ryan Ludwick B+ See: Skip S. Add: a little pop for the "+".
Albert Pujols B- Huge drop in power/production put his .300 avg in perspective. You heard it here: Will lose the Gold Glove in '07.
So Taguchi B- Minus defender this year (?) offsets his punchless .293 average. Way too many AB.
Aaron Miles C+ Starting to look way over-exposed with all this playing time. .651 OPS is weak. Defense is in a tailspin.
Juan Encarnacion C Not going to pile on this guy. He's doing what he always does, just a little less than usual, tho.
Gary Bennett C- Fitting the Cardinal mold of barely adequate back up backstops who can't hit a lick. (see: Stinnett)
Scott Rolen D+ Singles-hitting defensive specialist just doesn't cut it. .715 OPS? Ouch!
Jim Edmonds D Almost earns an INCOMPLETE, but that would be too kind for this gimpy, ineffectual performance.
Adam Kennedy D- Huge, huge disappointment in all areas. Wishes he was still in Cali.

PITCHERS
Ryan Franklin A Every season there's one reliever who has a surprisingly nasty year. (remember Al Reyes?)
Jason Isrnghausn A He's back ... and better than ever. Or at least as good. Hooray for the new hip.
Russ Springer A- Where would this team be without Russ and his effective relief appearances? (no answer necessary)
Braden Looper B- Courageous conversion from the pen - but has hit the wall hard.
Adam Wainright C- Not much middle ground with his performances. Some were great. Too many were awful. Will be back in pen in '08!
Brad Thompson C+ Courageous conversion from the pen, but I'm waiting for him to hit the wall.
Todd Wellemeyer C+ I just can't give a great grade to a player Tony+Dave send down, because they must know something I don't. Sorry.
Randy Flores D A real dud this year. Comes complete with a can of gasoline and matches.
Anthony Reyes D- Micro-analyzed to the max this year. A thousand reasons and excuses offered. Add it all up? He stunk. See ya in September?
Kip Wells F+ Gets a "+" for his brief bit of effectiveness out of the pen. Otherwise, his '07 stint with the Cards will forever live in infamy.
Mike Maroth Inc I'm going to be charitable and hold my tongue on this one. Seems like a nice guy. How about that?
Troy Percival Inc Six innings does not earn a grade.
Troy Cate Inc All players named Troy heretofore receive INCOMPLETES
Randy Keisler No comment
Kelvin Jiminez See: Randy Keisler
Tyler Johnson See: Kelvin Jiminez

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Comments

Wainwright

I am continually amazed about the lack of love for Wainwright. "Too many awful" starts? He's had 3 and none since May 15 -- 2 full months ago, when he was experiencing some tendinitis. His ERA+ right now is 90, just below average but that includes the 3 early season awful starts. Since the May 15 start vs. LA, his average game score is 54 -- above average and not bad for a first-year major league starter.

I guess I could understand the C- if the rest of your grades weren't on the high end -- Schumaker, Eckstein, Ludwick, Bennett, Kennedy, Wellemeyer. We can agree to disagree on the grades, but Wainwright has certainly been better than Gary Bennett this year, even considering expectations.

And, to say Wainwright's going to be removed from the rotation next year, presumably b/c his performance this year has been so bad, is just plain wrong. No chance! He's going to stay in the rotation and will be a good, if not great, major league starting pitcher. Right now, he's our 2nd best starter.

by chuckb on Jul 15, 2007 11:18 AM EDT reply actions

I knew that by posting these grades -

I'd be leaving myself wide open for the myriad differences of opinion out there. That's what it's for. WIth a miserable season like this, we have to find peripheral enjoyment. I'd love to see someone else's report card.

By the way ... was there ever a mid term report card published out there that I missed?

by Urban Pawnee on Jul 15, 2007 11:46 AM EDT up reply actions

I agree completely...

Cole Hamels was up and down his first year. Danny Harren's ERA in his first year was higher than Wainwright's.

Maybe the best compliment Wainwright received came from Carpenter a couple week back--he said that Wainwright reminded him of himself when he was a young pitcher. I'll take his assessment of his future possibilities over anyone else's. (Jon Schmoltz gave him similar praise when he was brought up from the minors last year.)

It's ironic that many people have been steadfast backers of "player development" when it comes to Reyes (who hasn't shown much promise at the major league level) but don't show the same commitment to Wainwright (who has the most quality starts on our team). TLR has said that Wainwright has shown in numerous games how promising his future can be (he puts it in terms of his being "special"). TLR has also said that he is an unusually smart pitcher who can negotiate his way around trouble (a great situational pitcher) and that his best years are ahead of him. With that kind of assessment, I doubt he's going anywhere.

PersonalIy, I think one of the best things about Wainwright is his confidence and his steely nerves. That's not easy to come by--as we've seen with so many of our "promising" but "failing" pitchers this year.

by nycardfan on Jul 15, 2007 2:40 PM EDT up reply actions

If I am guilty of anything,

Maybe it's loving Adam Wainwright too much.

Boooo-urns.

by Alxfritz on Jul 15, 2007 11:54 PM EDT up reply actions

Is it wrong to still see a young Carpenter in him?

because I still do.

Future Redbirds

by azruavatar on Jul 16, 2007 1:09 PM EDT up reply actions

Actually

I see a young Matt Morris in him (pitching style and looks). That's not good though, that the 2 pitchers we've picked for him are talented, yet injury-prone pitchers.

Also...Adam Wainwright WILL NOT be in the bullpen in 2008. No way Jose.

"Tyler's gonna bust a nut on some babies tonight!" - Tyler Johnson (as told by Alex Fritz)

by Mr Redbird on Jul 16, 2007 4:43 PM EDT up reply actions

Carpenter sees a young Carpenter in him

Carpenter said this about Waino in late June: "I see a lot of myself in him when I was younger. He's got the ability and the mind to do that consistently (go for no-hitters). It's fun to watch him succeed and do the things that he knows he's capable of and we all know he's capable of." (MLB story, 6/17):

The mystery is why it's so hard for the rest of us to admire what Carp sees in Wainwright and get similarly excited about where his developing potential may take him. I think it's because he had too high of expectation placed on him at the beginning of the year. I blame it on instant gratification demands--the same demands that let us trade Haren when he was performing at a lower level than Waino during his first year: 4.5 ERA [Haren] vs. 4.35 [Wainwright] and a W-L record of 3-3 [Haren] vs. 8-7 [Wainwright]. I sure would like to have Haren back now.

by nycardfan on Jul 16, 2007 4:59 PM EDT up reply actions

Poor Albert...

all he does is play through his injuries (unlike Edmonds), hit home runs (unlike Rolen), and vacuum up everything that comes his way (unlike Duncan), and for this he gets slapped with a grade lower than Skip Schumaker...

Ease LaDunketty out gently, thank him profusely, and... Hire Antonetti!!!

by guayzimi on Jul 15, 2007 11:28 AM EDT reply actions

We hold him to a higher standard.

No?

by Urban Pawnee on Jul 15, 2007 11:43 AM EDT up reply actions

Yeah,

but he's still far and away been the best hitter on the team and the second best fielder.

I don't think his other-worldly consistency should be held against him. Look at what's happened to good or great Cardinals in last year or two.

Mulder, Kennedy, and Rolen have seen their games completely disintegrate.

Edmonds, Carp, Eckstein, Molina and Izzy have all missed substantial periods of time due to injury.

Duncan has been healthy and effective, but he is still stuck on the bench because he's highly unlikely to do well against 25% of the pitchers we face.

Compared to all these woes, should posting a 150 OPS+ be held against a player?

Ease LaDunketty out gently, thank him profusely, and... Hire Antonetti!!!

by guayzimi on Jul 15, 2007 12:17 PM EDT up reply actions

OK - you're right.

I'll give him a B. (what do you think he deserves? I know, I know, better than Skip Schumaker)

Compared to his previous (mind-bending) six seasons of consistency and excellence, the '07 numbers will be considered an off year.

Pujols for MVP in '08!

by Urban Pawnee on Jul 15, 2007 12:24 PM EDT up reply actions

Lower grade than Schumacher...

hehe. Wow.

His OPS+ is second in the NL for his position and he is on pace for 35 HR and 105 RBIs (on a team that can't score).

Wow, just wow!

BTW, there is absolutely ZERO chance that Wainwright is back in the pen in '08. ZERO

Pitch to swing and misses...not contact. I've never heard of a "seeing eye K"

by bobbyballgame1 on Jul 16, 2007 12:33 AM EDT up reply actions

I have no complaints about Wainwright....

he's been a little erratic from time to time, but he's learning, he'll be fine.

by jillsinmo on Jul 15, 2007 11:33 AM EDT reply actions

I love your comment about Duncan's

defense being an adventure. My son noticed he's improved and said, "Well, he's not dreadful anymore, and he's no Adam Dunn--he's getting close to merely adequate." Boy, he's improved, and there's no reason to think he won't get better, but he sure takes some strange routes to the ball...

by jillsinmo on Jul 15, 2007 11:46 AM EDT reply actions

I can't claim that as an original -

comes from a Navy recruiting tv spot.

And thanks for the appreciative comment. I know I'll get plenty of grief for even venturing to post these grades, but, hey ... some of them are right on, ya know?

by Urban Pawnee on Jul 15, 2007 11:56 AM EDT up reply actions

And is anyone else alarmed

by Maroth's home run rate? He's given up 6 homers in 20 1/3 innings........

by jillsinmo on Jul 15, 2007 12:04 PM EDT reply actions

I'm constantly alarmed -

by this team.

by Urban Pawnee on Jul 15, 2007 12:19 PM EDT up reply actions

Maybe...

The widely held belief that "Duncan reclaims scrap-heap guys!" is more myth than fact....
Boomer.

by glamboomer on Jul 15, 2007 2:15 PM EDT up reply actions

I don't think we should have

trusted a trade from the team we beat in the World Series last year! Maroth sounds like a great guy but he's never shown much promise as a pitcher. He terrifies me everytime he gets on the mound. That's why I like groundball pitchers. When you get a hit, at least it doesn't fly out of the park. I hold my breath with every pitch Maroth throws because any of them could become one or multiple runs.

by nycardfan on Jul 16, 2007 12:02 PM EDT up reply actions

TJ

I don't think it's fair to put him down there with Jiminez and Keisler. To say he's done worse than Flores is simply incorrect.

On with the youth movement!

by aet15 on Jul 15, 2007 10:06 PM EDT reply actions

OK -

what grade has he earned? Help me out here.

by Urban Pawnee on Jul 15, 2007 10:15 PM EDT up reply actions

C minus-ish

He hasn't been awful, but his best friend died leading to a rather public quarter life crisis of sorts (the new number, new hair, etc) and then a trip to the DL. I guess I'm making excuses for the guy, but he hasn't been that bad (2/1 k/bb ration, era+ 2 below league avg, 1.16 whip through 37 games)

Boooo-urns.

by Alxfritz on Jul 15, 2007 11:59 PM EDT up reply actions

Not to mention

that when he's healthy, he has freak-nasty stuff.

"Tyler's gonna bust a nut on some babies tonight!" - Tyler Johnson (as told by Alex Fritz)

by Mr Redbird on Jul 16, 2007 4:41 PM EDT up reply actions

Right on the head...

The league is hitting .214 against him and slugging a mere .372. ERA for situational lefties is about as reliable as the cable company pinning down an exact time they will be at your house.

Hasn't been great, but he's been a plus in our pen. Let us not forget this guy is K'ing a batter per inning for his career. He's an important part of our pen and should only improve.

Pitch to swing and misses...not contact. I've never heard of a "seeing eye K"

by bobbyballgame1 on Jul 16, 2007 12:38 AM EDT up reply actions

Grades

PLAYERS
Chris Duncan A Having a very good season and defense is rapidly improving
David Eckstein B- RBI total is terrible but always has been and hes been streaky this year.
Yadier Molina B+ Amazing defense and before he was injured he hit .300 at one point however RBIs are really low
Scott Spiezio C+ Nothing special but he gets the job done wherever hes needed
Skip Schumaker C Good defense not much extrabase power and not a very good average and has not been able to use his speed often
Ryan Ludwick B Good defense along with the adding a lot of pop to the pinch hitting position
Albert Pujols B+ Good defense, career year for everyone else not named A-Rod and is now carrying his team in the 2nd half of the season.
So Taguchi C+ Made a few too costly errors this season but has an okay average
Aaron Miles B Defense is starting to look really bad but at one point was havin multi hit games every game including a 5 hitter.
Juan Encarnacion C Always been a streaky hitter, the problem is that we have only seen the bad side of the streak this season.
Gary Bennett C- Not bad at times, gets the job done
Scott Rolen C Terrible offensive year by far the leader in gold glove voting for his spectacular defensive year
Jim Edmonds C- Defense is still a little bit above average. And 7 Homeruns in limited appearance, Rolen would kill for that.
Adam Kennedy F Why?

PITCHERS
Ryan Franklin A+ Has done everything you could have dreamed for in a set-up man
Jason Isrnghausn A- Great season but with the chances hes gotten can he afford two blown saves?
Russ Springer A- Great relief appearances Braden Looper C+ Great April, but should has pitched too many innings, hes tired.
Adam Wainright B- He is having a good rookie season as a starting pitcher a couple of shutout wins and can only build on that for the rest of the season. Will not be back in pen in '08.
Brad Thompson C+ Very good after conversion and I don't expect the wall to hit him near as soon because where as Looper was a closer and only pitched 1 inning, Thompson could pitch multiple innings.
Todd Wellemeyer C+ Got the greatest support from the offense compared to the rest but has only pitched decently.
Randy Flores C+ Great beggining of the season and is still having a decent year even after his statistics have balooned after a few bad starts.
Anthony Reyes F+ Winless after expected to be a future #1 or 2 starter. Gets a + because he got no support.
Kip Wells F- Expected to be the Cards #2 starter and now deserves to be on the Nationals bench.
Mike Maroth Inc Too many homeruns in too few appearances deserves an F but I will be nice.
Troy Percival Inc Good in the few opportunities he has gotten
Troy Cate Inc Decent
Randy Keisler not terrible but not not terrible either
Kelvin Jiminez See: Randy Keisler
Tyler Johnson See: Kelvin Jiminez

by Romo9 on Jul 17, 2007 12:00 AM EDT reply actions