The Detroit Tigers enter the All-Star break with a one-game lead in the American League Central, and at 52-34 the team is sporting the second-best record in all of baseball. State News sports writer Sean Merriman gives the Tigers starters their mid-season grades:
Infielders
Sean Casey, first baseman
Casey was a crucial part in the Tigers' World Series run last season and has been even better this year. He is batting a solid .300 at the midway break and is always reliable on defense. It would be nice to see Casey hit for more power, as he only has one home run thus far, but other than that, he has been brilliant. GRADE: A-
Placido Polanco, second baseman
This reigning MVP in the American League Championship Series, or ALCS, is batting .335 and is emerging as the toughest player in the league to strike out with only 16 K's in 331 at bats.
He has gone 119 games without an error and is 24 short of matching the record for consecutive games without an error by a second baseman.
Polanco was selected to his first All-Star game this year and is making a case that he is the best second baseman in the game. GRADE: A+
Carlos Guillen, shortstop
Guillen is - without question - my tiger. He has established himself as one of the most consistent players in the game as he is batting above .320 for the third consecutive year. He is ranked second on the team with 14 home runs, and while he has made a few more errors then usual, there is no doubt that Guillen is worthy of his second All-Star selection. GRADE: A-
Brandon Inge, third baseman
Possibly the most feared No. 9 hitter in the league, Inge is putting up the type of numbers fans have come to expect. He has never been one to hit a high average, as he is only batting .248, but his 11 homers and .340 on-base percentage force opposing pitchers to be careful with every hitter in the Tigers lineup. GRADE: B
Outfielders
Curtis Granderson, centerfielder
Granderson is emerging as one of the best all-around centerfielders in baseball. With 15 triples already this season, Granderson is on his way to breaking the American League record of 26. Had he been on the all-star ballot, I wouldn't be surprised if Curt had been suited up to play in San Francisco last night. GRADE: A
Craig Monroe, leftfielder
This is the lone Tigers starter who is noticeably struggling this year. Monroe has had trouble finding his swing and is batting a measly .223 at the break. With Marcus Thames playing well lately, look for there to be some competition for playing time in the second half of the season. GRADE: C-
Magglio Ordonez, rightfielder
I do not have enough space in this column to describe what an incredible first half Ordonez has had. With his league-leading .367 batting average and 70 RBIs, there is no question that Mags is the leader for this years American League MVP award. Ordonez should continue to stay hot as the Tigers make another run to the World Series. GRADE: A+
Gary Sheffield, designated hitter/leftfielder
Sheffield had fans worried at the start of the season, however, the Tigers' key off-season acquisition has turned fans into believers with his recent play. Sheffield looks like his old self as he has raised his average to over .300 and has a team-leading 21 homers. Sheff got snubbed on the All-Star vote, but hey, not every Tiger can be selected. GRADE: A-
Pitchers
Justin Verlander
At 24 years old, he has already thrown a no-hitter, been named Rookie of the Year and was a top selection to this year's All-Star game. Verlander is among the league leaders with 10 wins and a 3.14 ERA. He is turning into the club's ace and might be the most valuable pitcher in all of baseball with such a bright future ahead of him. GRADE: A+
Jeremy Bonderman
With a 9-1 record and a 3.48 ERA, it is a mystery how this guy was not selected for the American League All-star team's final spot. Bonderman ran off eight consecutive victories and is on-pace to have a career year for the Tigers. GRADE: A
Kenny Rogers
Rogers started the year on the disabled list, but ever since his return, he has been near un-hittable. He has a 3-0 record and a 1.04 ERA since his return, and who knows what his numbers could have been if he stayed healthy. Look for Rogers to continue his dominant pitching, especially when it comes playoff time. GRADE: A
Nate Robertson
He hasn't pitched to his capability thus far. He missed three weeks in June with a sore arm after getting off to a shaky start. His 4.92 ERA needs to come down if the Tigers are going to rely on him late in the season. GRADE: C
Andrew Miller
This 22-year-old kid is going to be something special. He started the season at Class A Lakeland and has already earned a spot in the Tigers' rotation. He has a dominant fastball, and if he can continue to develop his off-speed stuff, this kid is going to be dominant in a rotation that is already one of the best in baseball. GRADE: A
