Orioles midseason report card: The hitters
The Baltimore Orioles are 52-42 and in first place at the All-Star break. The first half had its ups and downs but the Orioles really started putting things together during the second quarter of the season. I am going to grade out all the hitters and position players that significant playing time for the Orioles.
Nick Markakis: Markakis currently has a .288 average with seven home runs and 19 doubles. Markakis has played stellar defense and has been a team leader like usual. Markakis has lead off most games and has torn pitchers up in the first at bat of games. Grade B+
Adam Jones: As I have said in other articles Jones was one of many Orioles who got off to a bad start. Jones cranked it up and is hitting .301 with 54 rbi’s with 16 home runs. Jones has been great at center field where he has played at just about every game. Grade A
Nelson Cruz: Cruz was my most valuable Oriole for the first half of the season. The 28 home runs and 74 rbi’s are the reason. Could not ask for a better first half from Cruz who is one pace for 40+ home runs. Grade A+
Chris Davis: Davis has 16 home runs at the break but is only hitting .199 for the season. Davis got off to a bad start and never really got his swing right. The shift has killed Davis and it seems like he has forgot how to hit the ball the other way. Davis has stilled played great at first base. Grade D+
J.J. Hardy: Hardy has lacked the power that he has had in past seasons, he only has three home runs so far. Hardy has hit for a better average at .280 but the Orioles have missed his home runs. Hopefully a strong second half will see Hardy hitting another ten. The defense has been outstanding besides a few bad games. Grade B
Steve Pearce: The biggest surprise for the Orioles, Pearce is having a break out season with 11 home runs and a .316 average. Hopefully the All-Star break does not cool off Pearce. Grade A+
Jonathan Schoop: The 22-year old rookie has had his ups and downs as any young rookie would. Schoop has six home runs and 10 doubles but the average needs to improve. Schoop is hitting only .221 for the season. Schoop’s defense has been impressive and the Orioles will likely keep throwing Schoop out there. Grade C+
Manny Machado: Machado was coming off a major knee injury but ended the first half on fire. Machado brought his average up to .270 and now has nine home runs despite only playing in 62 games and missing spring training. The defense has still be spectacular. Grade B
Delmon Young: When Young gets to play he hits. Young has hit .305 and three home runs in very limited and infrequent at bats. Young has been good in the field when he has been given a chance to play. The Orioles need to find Young more at bats. Grade A
Ryan Flaherty: Flaherty got off to another slow start but has provided the Orioles with great defense. Flaherty is hitting .226 with four home runs and has played all over the infield. Grade C
Matt Wieters: Wieters was elected to the All-Star game despite only playing in 26 games. Grade Incomplete
Caleb Joseph: Since Joseph took over the pitching staff the starters started pitching lights out. Joseph has yet to find his swing but the defense has been gold glove worthy. Joseph’s average is only .187 but he does have three home runs. Grade C+
David Lough: Lough was given a chance to start early in the season but lost his job. Lough struggled at the plate and has only hit .197 with two home runs on the season. In the field Lough has been great but he has barely hit. Grade D
