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Mariners Mid-Season Report Card

By Galen Osier |
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May 27, 2015; St. Petersburg, FL, USA; Seattle Mariners manager Lloyd McClendon (21) looks on against the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

So here it is folks.  The obligatory Mariners mid-season report card.  It’s a rather simplistic way to rank players, but it is an easy way to take a quick look at whose performing well and who is, well… not.

So let’s just dive right in.  I’ve graded players based on their value to date compared to rest of the American League.  I used a players highest number of defensive innings played to determine position.

You will notice that I didn’t grade everyone who’s played for the Mariners so far this year, only the folks with the lions share of the playing time.  I did this for a couple of reasons, to keep the piece at a palatable length and because, well, do you really need me to tell you how well Rickie Weeks did for us?  Or Willie Bloomquist?  Nah.

Let’s start with the infield.

Next: Infield

Mandatory Credit: Jennifer Buchanan-USA TODAY Sports

Catcher: Mike Zunino, Grade: F

Well, the best laid plans and all that.  Zunino’s defense and pitch framing have been pretty good, but the bat.  Oh, the bat.  The power is there, no denying that.  He can hit the ball a country mile.  But getting the bat to connect with the ball.  That’s his problem.  Well.  One of his problems.  He also has an abysmal walk rate.  That’s not a good combination.  I’ve heard rumblings that the M’s are looking for a deal to acquire a new catcher.  They may have run out of patience.

First Base: Logan Morrison, Grade: B-

This grade comes more from the fact that there are AL first basemen doing worse than Morrison rather than any brilliance on his part.  He’s hitting close to average and his defense is sub-par.  Keep in mind.  It could be worse.

Second Base: Robinson Cano, Grade: D

I’m not going to write a lot here.  Cano has been bad this year.  Definitely not worth the salary cap room he’s taking up.  Are his woes due to his age?  Is he hurt?  It could be some of both.  Sometimes great players skills just fall of a cliff, but I don’t think that’s what we’re seeing here.  I don’t think he continues to play this poorly.  But will the resurgence come in the 2nd half or will we have to wait until next year?

Third Base: Kyle Seager, Grade: A

He’s solid with the bat and he’s solid with the glove.  Another solid season in the making from Kyle Seager.  He would be the top undervalued Mariner if it wasn’t for the next guy.

Shortstop: Brad Miller, Grade: A

Brad Miller has gotten a lot of stick this year, from fans and the coaching staff.  But all he’s done is put up the 3rd best WAR among qualified AL shortstops (1.7), the 3rd best wOBA (.322), and the number one ranked ISO at .166.  Combine that with average defense and you’ve got a solid A grade in my book.

Overall Grade: C+

On to the Outfield!

Next: Outfielders

Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports

Left Field: Seth Smith, Grade: A

Seth Smith has received 94% of his plate appearances against right handed pitching.  That’s good.  That played to his strengths and enabled him to put up 1.7 WAR in the first half.  That ranks as 4th best among AL left fielders (where he has amassed most of his playing time).  His defense isn’t great, but he more than makes up for it with his bat.

Center Field: Austin Jackson, Grade: C+

Austin Jackson’s .9 WAR ranks 14th among AL center fielders.  His bat has been sub-par, but his defense has been his saving grace ranking 3rd among his peers in the outfield.

Right Field: Nelson Cruz, Grade: A

Nelson Cruz’s game is all about his bat.  But that hasn’t stopped the M’s from running him out to take the majority of the reps in right field.  And luckily for us the value of his bat has far outpaced his deficiencies in the field.

Overall Grade: B+

Now let’s take a gander at the King and his retinue.

Next: Starting Rotation

Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports

Felix Hernandez, Grade: A

Taijuan Walker, Grade: B

J.A. Happ, Grade: A-

Roenis Elias, Grade: C

James Paxton, Grade: C

Michael Montgomery, Grade: B-

There they are listed in order of Innings Pitched.  Felix has been Felix.  Taijuan Walker has shown flashes of the brilliance that the scouts and commentators have been going on about but he’s also looked completely lost at times. Happ has been a nice surprise for the most part. Elias and Montgomery have been pretty solid fill-ins while we waited for Hisashi Iwakuma and Paxton to make their returns from the DL.

Overall Grade: B

Those are the starters.  How about the relievers?

Next: Bullpen

Mandatory Credit: Jennifer Buchanan-USA TODAY Sports

Carson Smith, Grade: A

Fernando Rodney, Grade: F

Danny Farquhar, Grade: F

Mark Lowe, Grade: A

Joe Beimel, Grade: D

Tom Wilhelmsen, Grade: B-

Charlie Furbush, Grade: B

Tyler Olson, Grade: F

Vidal Nuno, Grade: C

Yoervis Medina, Grade: D

Dominic Leone, Grade: F

That’s all of our relievers who have pitched over 10 innings listed in descending order of Innings pitched.  Carson Smith has been a consistent bright spot for the M’s thus far.  Pitching so well that even Lloyd McLendon was forced to anoint him as the teams closer over the “proven veteran and established closer” Fernando Rodney.  Speaking of Rodney… Well, he’s been terrible.  The same can’t be said about Mark Lowe and Charlie Furbush each of whom have proved to solid if not entirely reliable assets coming out of the pen.

Overall Grade: C

Next: 5 Mariners that Need to Step Up in the 2nd Half

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