Grading the O’s Through 21 Games

The Orioles are now through 21 games and a total of seven series. While there have been ups and downs from a team standpoint, it’s important to take a look at what individuals are helping the cause. It’s time to take a look at who’s performing well and who’s not making the grade.

Pitchers:

Chris Tillman (A-): There was finally a hiccup for Tillman in his most recent start, but he still battled an atrocious six-run inning to give his team a chance to win, which they did. He’s been the O’s best starter by far this season and is slowly turning into one of the most dangerous pitchers in the American League.

Ubaldo Jimenez (D-): The start could’ve gone worse for Jimenez, but no one would’ve wanted to see that either. Notoriously a slow starter, Jimenez will need to pick things up quickly if he wants to live up to the big contract he was given in the offseason.

Wei-Yin Chen (C-): He may have as many wins as Tillman early, but he hasn’t pitched nearly as well. Chen will need to find a way to get deeper in games, just like the rest of the starters, if he wants to improve upon the slow start.

Miguel Gonzalez (D+): Has basically pitched thus far like a right-handed version of Chen. Needs to get deeper in games, allow fewer men on base and help bridge the gap to the bullpen. Aside from Jimenez, Gonzalez and Chen are the biggest question marks in the rotation right now.

Bud Norris (B): Though his numbers don’t indicate it, Norris has been the second-best starter on the team next to Tillman. He’s giving his team a chance to win and gets some points for showing an ability to stand up to the bullies from Boston (with some help from Matt Wieters).

Evan Meek (A-): One poor outing in Toronto this week blew up his ERA, but Meek has pitched very well aside from that. He started the season having not allowed a run in his first eight appearances and should settle back into form after one tough showing.

Ryan Webb (B): Has allowed four runs in his eight innings this season, but gave all of those up in his first two appearances having settled in since. Touted as the O’s best bullpen pickup of the offseason, he has some room for improvement going forward but it hasn’t been all bad so far.

Josh Stinson (D-): Has only appeared in five games mostly in mop-up duty, but it hasn’t been pretty. An ERA near 10.00 is indicative of that. With options available, Stinson should be careful that he doesn’t become too expendable or he could be pitching in Norfolk soon.

Zach Britton (A): Brilliant, brilliant, brilliant. That’s all that can be said about Britton so far this season. Eight games and over 13 innings with just one run allowed (two after Stinson allowed an inherited runner to score tonight)? Perhaps the threat of no available options that worked so well on Chris Tillman last season is doing the trick with Britton.

Brian Matusz (C-): Hasn’t been quite as reliable as last season out of the pen in the left-specialist role, but has also been put in some tight spots that weren’t all his fault. Britton’s emergence and ability to pitch well against right-handers and lefties has perhaps made Matusz a bit less valuable.

Darren O’Day (B+): He’s been hit around a bit this season, but has still only allowed one run in his nine appearances. Is being relied on a little less it seems with Meek and Webb in the picture, which could be a good thing long term. Like the rest of the bullpen though, it will all come down to what the starters can do to keep guys like O’Day fresh.

T.J. McFarland (C): Obviously hard to judge having only pitched in one game since his call-up. We’ll give him the baseline grade after a scoreless relief inning. Who knows how long the O’s decide to stick with a 13-man pitching staff and a third left-hander in the bullpen. His stint could be short-lived.

Tommy Hunter (C+): In his first year as a full-time closer, “Big Game” hasn’t been nearly as lights out as you’d like, but has still shut the door in 6-of-7 chances. The one blown save as we all know, should’ve been game over after a check-swing third strike wasn’t called, but there’s no excuse for giving up the game-tying homer after that. Always seems to make it interesting in the ninth, which is not good for anyone’s health.

Hitters:

Chris Davis (B-): Many will criticize Davis because he isn’t hitting home runs at the same pace he did last year, but who would expect him to? That was a career season. He is still producing in terms of getting on base at a good rate and helping this offense churn.

Adam Jones (C+): As is the case with Davis, the homers are not quite there yet for Jones, but don’t be alarmed at such a small sample size. The dingers will come for Jones. He’s still providing the O’s with a threat in the middle of the order, so there’s nothing to be alarmed about.

Nick Markakis (C+): Someone must realize there’s a heavy team option waiting for him at the end of the season. In what amounts to a contract year for Markakis, he’s started off nicely from the leadoff spot. The power numbers aren’t there (and won’t be), but as long as he’s getting on base and providing solid defense in right, that’s all they need right now.

Nelson Cruz (A): You could say the O’s got what they paid for with Cruz, but they are actually getting WAY more than that. Cruz has turned out to be a bargain for all the power he’s provided. I don’t think it will last throughout the year, but don’t be surprised to see him hit 30 homers and drive in 100 this year. He’s just what the doctor ordered behind Jones and Davis for the middle of this lineup.

Ryan Flaherty (D+): He hasn’t come in and swiped that second base job, though a lot of that has been due to injury. There’s still a lot to be desired with the bat, but I do like his ability to play all four infield positions if needed. That kind of versatility is something Buck Showalter values, which is why he’s had a roster spot for so long. The haters will just have to deal with that.

Jonathan Schoop (C-): The rookie experiment hasn’t been great at times, but he’s still holding his own at the plate. A high strikeout rate and low on-base percentage are holding him back considerably there. He’s leading the team in errors, but I don’t really put all that blame on him as he’s been forced out of position by injuries to Manny Machado and J.J. Hardy. There’s probably room for him to improve down at Norfolk once Machado returns, but we’ll have to see if the team feels the same way.

Steve Lombardozzi (B-): In about as many at-bats as Flaherty and Schoop, the third key to the infield shuffle has actually hit the ball at a decent clip. He’s got a serviceable glove at second base, but hasn’t provided much more by way of on-base percentage or power. Just your run of the mill utility infielder who’s hitting the ball decently to start the year.

Matt Wieters (A+): Scott Boras’ eyes are lighting up this month. The team’s backstop is off to a scorching start at the plate, making everyone see dollar signs with each base hit. Many have waited for the time when Wieters would start hitting the ball for average and power, and that time could be here. It’s also important to realize how much he does behind the plate and what a crucial part of his game that is.

David Lough (D): I was hoping that when Lough came over from Kansas City he’d provide a little more with the bat. That hasn’t happened yet. The question now is, will it? He’s got a decent glove and the ability to run around out there in left field, but he surely isn’t the long term answer there. I don’t think that player is on the team. If he can have more nights like he did Thursday in Toronto (3-4, BB, 2B, 2/2 SB, 3 R), that would certainly help his cause.

J.J. Hardy (D): Injuries and a lack of offense have plagued the shortstop early. He’s still playing good defense when on the field, but back spasms and a hamstring injury have limited him. If the bat comes around to what it has been the last few seasons, he can recover. Perhaps the lack of a contract extension is providing a distraction for him?

Delmon Young (B-): He’s provided a strong bat off the bench when given the at-bats, but those have been few and far between. He has a little less than half the plate appearances as do the majority of the starters. No one expects him to get that much playing time because he only provides a decent stick against southpaws. Just keep being a pretty good bench bat and you’ll find a spot here, Delmon.

Steve Clevenger (B+): It’s obviously a very small sample size because he’s backing up a catcher that plays nearly all the innings, but Baltimore’s own has provided a nice replacement when Wieters sits. Clevenger was supposed to have more offense than Taylor Teagarden, and he’s provided just that while not losing too much with the glove.

Steve Pearce (INC): Pearce gets an “incomplete” because he only received seven at-bats before he was designated for assignment. I would’ve liked to see more of Pearce, but there just wasn’t enough room for him and Buck Showalter couldn’t seem to find a spot for him. Here’s hoping he lands on his feet without it being elsewhere in the AL East.

There you have it. It’s a small sample size, sure, but it’s still fun to take stock in who’s making the grade and who’s not. Let’s hear your opinion in the comments, or on Twitter @AStetka.

photo: Craig Landefeld