Stats as of July 8th, 2011
LF-Juan Pierre- C+: After a horrendous start to the season, Juan Pierre has just now begun to be the type of player the Sox need in their power oriented lineup. Getting on base, stealing, and putting pressure on opposing defenses. His average has climbed all the way up around .270. That said, his defense is one of ,if not the worst in the majors. **His arm in left field is a huge liability and others teams have made it a routine to take the extra base on him.
2B-Gordan Beckham- C: Gordon has a lot of potential coming with the 8th overall pick in the 2008 draft from Georgia. It's hard to see him struggle at the plate the way he has because he's shown signs of being a great major league hitter. He's had trouble with pitch recognition leading to a lot of whiffs. However, he's quickly become one of the elite fielding second basemen in the league. **He has just one error in 80 games leading to a .997 fielding percentage which leads the majors.
IF-Omar Vizquel- B-: The ageless wonder clearly isn't what he used to be, but give the guy a break he's 44 years old. Even with his finely aged arm, his play at third base is solid. A "veteran" hitter to say the least, Vizquel seems to be able to solve pitchers when the rest of the team can't. **I'm looking forward to another 16 years in the majors.
SS-Alexei Ramirez- B: The "Cuban Missile" is quickly becoming one of the top shortstops in the American League. He's making all of the plays he needs to at the most important position on the field. He has been one of the Sox most consistent players in the first half of the season. However, at the plate he's had trouble with runners in scoring position and doesn't have much plate discipline. **Look forward to a big second half from Alexei.
OF-Brent Lillibridge- B: Brent has been a pleasent surprise for the Sox. He's clearly their best outfielder, making spectacular plays whenever he gets a chance. His season was highlighted by a hot streak which gave him the majority of his seven homeruns. On the downside, pitchers have been doing their homework and learning to throw him a lot of breaking stuff. **This has led many to believe that he isn't an everyday outfielder.
CF-Alex Rios- D-: Many would argue that Dunn has been the biggest underachiever for the pale hose, I on the other hand think Rios claims that title. His .214 average ranks worst in the majors among centerfielders. He's also joined by Juan Pierre and Adam Dunn in the top ten worst WAR ratings in baseball. In center he's been good for the most part. **I'm starting to think we'll never see the same Rios we acquired from Toronto a couple years ago.
RF-Carlos Quentin- B: Since hitting 13 long balls through the first two months of the season and being one of the hottest hitters in baseball, Carlos has snapped back to reality. His average has dropped 35 points since the end of April and hasn't hit a homer since his two homerun game on June 8th. He's surprisingly stayed off of the DL and played a quality right field. However, with Dayan Viciedo tearing up AAA, the Sox have been in trade talks with the Braves and starting pitcher Brandon Beachy, which would send CQ to Atlanta. **Suprised he made the All Star Game? Me too.
3B-Mark Teahen- C: Teahen's muscle strain kept him out for most of May but hit .282 in April. He hasn't been the same hitter as he was in Kansas City but hasn't had much of a chance with Morel playing a great third base and Vizquel getting the occasional start as well. What he has been for the Sox is a great lefty bat coming off the bench especially with his pinch hit homer against the Nationals on June 24th. **Get this guy some more at bats
1B-Paul Konerko- A: Paul Konerko can do no wrong to Sox fans. Not only is he one of the nicest guys in baseball, he's also having an MVP type season. Surprisingly, it took "The Final Vote" to get him into the All Star Game yet again. At age 35, he's on pace to have his best season in the majors. He ranks in the top 5 in the American League in homeruns(22), RBI's(65), batting average(.319), slugging percentage(.569), and OPS(.959). Not to mention his .994 fielding percentage whih ranks 4th in the AL. **If PK14 played on the East Coast, he'd be the front runner for MVP
DH-Adam Dunn- D-: What is there to say about one of the most expensive biggest free agent busts in Chicago sports history? Dunn has hardly been worth his $12 million a year with a .163 average and just 9 homeruns. He's also on pace to strikeout more than he ever has in his 10 year career. Another stat for his 2011 resume is his contact percentage. He's the 4th worst player in the majors when it comes to making contact with a pitch(69.7%) **Two homers this week. Is the slump ending?
C-A.J Pierzynski- A-: A.J has been one of the staples offensively for the Sox. His .295 average is second best in the majors among catchers. In addition to that, he is the hardest player in baseball to strikeout. He strikes out in only 6% of his at bats which is has led the Sox to have the second least amount of K's in the majors. A.J. however, is the fourth worst catcher at throwing out baserunners(only .205% of the time). **A.J. is one of our leaders and will be crucial down the stretch.
C-Ramon Castro- C+: Ramon is a good backup at catcher for the Sox. He always seems to hit the long ball when it counts. With A.J.'s durability he doesn't get much of a chance to play but he calls a good game and excels in the clutch.
3B-Brent Morel- C: Since joining the Sox last season, Brent has slowly become the everyday third basemen. In the field he has been "Crede-esque" teaming with Alexei Ramirez to anchor an extremely strong left side of the infield for the Sox. He has been less than stellar at the plate with a disappointing .248 average and terrible plate discipline. Brent has a huge upside and the potential to be one of the better third basemen in baseball. **Experience will take Brent to the next level
SP-Mark Buehrle- B: Buehrle leads the Sox in innings pitched with nearly 7 innings per start. He also continues to dominate interleague play and has been crowned the best interleague pitcher of all time. The best word to describe Buehrle's season and career with the Sox is consistent.
SP-Gavin Floyd- C: On the opposite end of the spectrum from Mark Buehrle you have Gavin Floyd; the Sox most inconsistent pitcher. When he's bad, he's really bad. You never know what you're going to get on a daily basis from Gavin, it tends to depend on the effectiveness of his curveball. The addition of a good slider has helped a solidify his arsenal, even when he can't get his curveball going. **Has the stuff to be one of the better pitchers in the American League, just needs to be consistent
SP-Edwin Jackson- C-: It's hard to believe that getting a guy that has stuff like Edwin has could end up being a bad trade for the Sox.(Especially after his no-no against the Rays) The player they gave up, Daniel Hudson has been a huge reason for the D-backs success, boasting an ERA under four and 9 wins. Jackson throws a TON of pitches and gets into a lot of jams. His slider has been deadly when he's on leading him to 92 strikeouts. **Could be deadly if he gets it right
SP-Philip Humber- A: Easily the Sox best starter so far this year with 8 wins and an ERA just north of 3. Philip doesn't strikeout many hitters or dazzle you with great stuff, he simply gets guys out. Don Cooper has done a great job with this kid in bringing out the best he has to offer. He hasn't been feasting on the underacheiving AL Central teams either. He had a no hit bid going against the Yanks in which he ended up going 7 allowing just one hit and baffled the Rays early in the season**Keeping the Sox in the race
SP-John Danks- B: After being winless in 8 starts due to a lack of run support, Danks has been lights out. In the four games he started in June his ERA was just a shade about one. Danks has one of the best changeups in baseball and continues to improve every year. His oblique injury put him on the 15 day DL halting his hot streak at the end of the first half.
SP-Jake Peavy- C- It's no wonder the "Jakemeister" didn't want to come to the Sox and the American League. Since coming over from the Padres Peavy has spent more time under the knife than on the rubber. He claims to be feeling fine but his ERA since joining the Sox is near five and every pitch he throws is seemingly his last. His highlight for this season came not as a starter, but a reliever. An appearence in which he went four shutout innings against the Nats.**Didn't this guy win a Cy Young?
RP-Chris Sale- B-: After a sluggish start for Chris Sale, he's become one of the Sox most reliable relievers. Formerly known as a flamethrower, Sale has put more emphasis on the location and movement of his pitches. He gave up just 2 earned runs in 11 innings pitched in the month of June, along with 11 strikeouts in those appearances. He's been one of the horses in a surprisingly strong Sox bullpen.
RP-Matt Thornton- C+: Thornton came into the 2011 season as a closer trying to fill the extremely large gap that Bobby Jenks left when he went to Boston. The flamethrowing southpaw ended the month of April with an ERA over 8 and a half. He hasn't been as impressive as last season but has pitched well as of late, sporting a season ERA of 3.45.
RP-Jesse Crain- A: Jesse Crain is one of the only free agent signings that has turned out the way the Sox planned. He stands with a 2.50 ERA and an miniscule WHIP of 0.98. Crain has been the most reliable option for the Sox out of the 'pen and has excelled in all situations.
RP-Will Ohman- C: Ohman has been surprisingly good for the Sox. Aside from his 8.31 ERA in April, Ohman has been tough to hit and has been able to pitch some quality innings.
RP-Brian Bruney- B-: We haven't seen an awful lot of Bruney but he's been pretty good so far. In just over 14 IP Bruney has given up just 4 runs leading to a 2.45 ERA.
CP-Sergio Santos- A: Santos has quickly become one of the most electric closers in the major leagues. He features a mid 90's fastball and an absolutely devastating slider. He's filled the shoes of "Big Bad Bobby Jenks" with his 18/21 saves and 54 K's. It's shocking to think that Santos was drafted as a shortstop by the Arizona Diamondbacks. **Another should have been All Star from the Sox.
M-Ozzie Guillen- C: There has been a lot of speculation that Ozzie is on his way to Miami to manage the Marlins. However it's hard to put all the blame on Guillen when there's a lot of underachievers in the Sox lineup. The Sox stand at 43-47 but are just 5.5 games back of the Indians. Kenny Williams has made comments regarding the "stiffness" of the players which could be seen as a shot at Ozzie. Oney Guillen hasn't helped with his antics on Twitter and if things don't change soon Ozzie may be taking his talents to South Beach.
Stats from: espn.com and fangraphs.com
