Where are the A's? Handing Out First Quarter Grades

No I am not defending him but upset with Blez for taking it easy on his defensive skills.

"inconsistent at times early in the year defensively"

He has been down rigth horrible.

Range Factor- 2.55 5th from bottom
Fielding Percentage- 937 5th from the bottom.
Zone rating- 770 15th in baseball.

you're tougher than me.

Kielty-- I give him an A, but I suppose given the injury a A minus is more fair;

Watson-- I gave him a B minus;

Byrnes-- a C+-- at least he's hitting lefties well;

Ellis-- a B minus; the hitting still leaves a little to be desired;

Kotsay-- the other place where I'm tougher. His 1st inning numbers are so weak and the power so nonexistent that I have him as a C+ despite his other strengths. And he really doesn't work the pitcher that much;

Scoot-- I agree

Ginter-- I gave him a D+, but after last night I might be more inclined to agree with you;

Hatty and Swisher-- in agreement;

Durazo-- I have him as a D+-- no real reason;

I gave Two Buck Chuck a D+ on the theory that his plate appearances have been few and far between. I rated Melhuse the same because few and far between is part of the territory, even if exaggerated this year with the "ironman with the paper bat" playing nearly all the time;

Kendall I agree;

and Chavy I left a little short of a total failure at D, given the slight uptick lately.

But overall your tough curve is legit, as this team has really disappointed on offense.

ByrnesBrain doesn't merit a C-. His fielding hasn't even been average, costing the A's at least two-three games already. And his hitting hasn't been up to par. In the Gnat's series, he faced three southpaw starters and, I believe, had but two measly hits.

Come on, BB, rid the OF of the rotting stench of Byrnes Butcher Shop...

Can we drop it down to "R" or "S" for Chavez, Thomas and Ginter?

Ouch.  You're a tough grader, Blez.  How about a D-- or something?  
As for Ginter's defense, you probably did his grades BEFORE last night's game.  He's STILL botching routine plays.  Yuck.  I don't wanna think about that game.

I can't wait to see the pitcher's grades.  Anything less than an "A" for Huston and I'll be disappointed.  :-)  And Yabu too.

but you are right on. I agree with all of those grades except one, Kielty. I think he should be in the B range.

Did Chavy's grade reflect his performance soley as a player, or as our highest paid player ever?

Wow, you're generous.

an F right now, but it is hard for me to believe he won't pick it up sometime this season. After seeing him play with Atlanta I was impressed with his play. He was hitting the ball,driving in runs,and making great catches in the outfield. I know he hasn't shown anything like this yet in Oakland,but I dont think he could've just lost his ability to play the game. I think a move to AAA would be the best move for Thomas but what happens when he starts to play well? Someone will have to moved around if he will get any playing time. I would consider Thomas a better option than Byrnes if he can pick it up. Thomas led National League rookies in on-base percentage (.368), tied for third in triples (4) and was fifth in batting he also topped NL rookies with seven outfield assists. This is after only 83 games in his rookie season that is why Beane traded for him.
 

Kendall: C-
Hattie: C-
Ellis: B
Ginter: D+
Scutaro: C+
Chavez: F
Byrnes: B-
Kotsay: A
Kielty: B+
Thomas: D+
Swisher: C+
Durazo: D
Melhuse: INC
Watson: B

I agree with you on all these so far.   I have to wonder about the whole Ginter trade.  Looking for right handed power from an infielder and all.  From what I've seen he might have some pop but hims fielding is terible.  I was watching over the weekend and Wash is in the dugout showing Larry Davis what he had just done wrong.  Then in betwenn innings taking him aside and trying to coach him in the dugout.  Man, this is a major leaguer?  I don't know?  

Kendall was filmed in Spring training with Chavez for an all star promo for Fox.  You have to wonder if it's like the curse of being on Sports Ilustrated cover or like Madden football box covers.  If this were the Military they would have been reported awol so far for this season.

Marco, should stay.  If there is anyway they can keep him they should.  When everyone else was quitting he was running out popups to the outfield and getting on second when the fielder dropped the ball.  He might be slumping right know but, remember he played winter ball to.  Just because he had to reprove himself to the organization.  He might be getting a little tired.  He just might be a bench player but he's a gamer and a keeper in my opinion.

I admit it...I just didn't see what we were keeping Kielty for.  But, he has looked great of late and looks like he is having fun again playing a sport and getting paid for it.  I hope he can keep it up for the whole season though.

I am ready to say goodbye to Hatteburg.  And Hello to Johnson.  I wish hiim luck where ever he would go though.  He is a good guy and might make a great firstbase coach or more someday for some team.  CATCHERS MAKE THE BEST COACHES YOU KNOW!!!!

I am like some people on this site done with Byrnes.  I can handle him diving for a ball and missing it or landing on the ground and have it pop out.  But, when he misses the cutoff or just tosses it in.....the failure to perform on a consistant level I can't take anymore.  I can't remember anyone at any level I played at who would forget to touch homeplate not once but twice on the same play.  With the level we are playing at lately why not play Watson or get a better look at at Charles Thomas.  It's time folks to let Eric go.  

Ellis has been a huge surprise for me.  After hearing the reports from Winter ball I thought maybe he was done.  That it just might be a crack in the window for Omar Quintanina to get through.  But, he proved me wrong and looks decent so far.  I don't see the power he had before but other than that he has looked almost like the Ellis of old.  A great story so far.

Swisher looked like a work in progress.  At times great other times....?????  He was striking out a lot so hopefully with Sac. he will regain his eye and at least make contact to make an out.

Melhuse needs to play more.  Enough said.

Durazo, I didn't expect the same thing has last year but, where are you Ruby?  On the Ranch in Mexico?  Keep this up and maybe we can sell your contract to Hermosilla they might be the only takers with your defense.

Kotsay allthough slipping of late is still the leader of this team in my opnion.  He looks beat up after his ab's of late in the dugout though.  Like he is pushing to much.  Trying to carry the whole team.

I think it's time for some Billy magic.  Something!!  Even if we don't win anything I at least want to see a team that can give an effort night in and night out and win some.  Even losing by a few runs would be easier to watch then not scoring any runs and watching the pitching be decent enough to win.  For the most part are starters have kept us in most of the games but we just aren't scoring.  We need a bat in a big way.  So much of this sport is physiological.  A infusion of a new mental approach is needed.  Maybe from the top and a new manager.  Wash, might be just what we need.  I for one am done with Macha.  

Kendall: D+

So far... he did switch leagues, has to learn new pitchers, a new staff... tough job.  He'll be fine eventually, and his FIRST job this year is handling our young staff (jury still out on how he's doing).  I hate being run on all the time, and his lineup-spot is a vortex.  Give him time, though, the guy is a professional with a long track record.  He'll bring the grade up, but as of today... it is what it is.

Hatteberg: D+

Has hit OK... better than most on the team.  But fielding has been attrocious.  And his batting peripherals (the moneyball shaz we PAY him for) are down across the board and his power is non-extant (he's old guys).

04/05 Comparisons.

#P/PA: 4.00/3.84
BB/PA: .113/.077
BB/K: 1.50/0.77
IsoP: .136/.085
SecA: .267/.163

Ellis: B

In my book, when you meet your reasonably expected performance, you get a B.

Ginter: C-

I'd like to see more ABs... I think he could hit if given consistent PT... like the swing.   Fielding was actually surprisingly good until very, very recently... lets not bais too much on very recent performance, no matter how embarrasing.

Scutaro: B+

In my book, when you meet your reasonably expected performance, you get a B.  Scoot is doing that and taking walks... what more do you want from him?

Chavez: F

What more do you want from him?  Lots more of everything... he's looking better lately (his past 2-wk grade is more like a C-) but on the season, there's no way he's passing.

Byrnes: C

In my book, when you meet your reasonably expected performance, you get a B.  Byrnes isn't quite there, as I would like to have seen him improve a little this year.  So far... still streaky, can't lay off a slider down & away, scares me to death in the field.  No improvement = underperforming a little... sounds like a C.

Kotsay: B

In my book, when you meet your reasonably expected performance, you get a B.

Kielty: A-

Hey, what did we really expect outta this guy coming into the season?  Nix the 0/22 start and an embarrassing dropped routine fly that, in effect, cost the A's a W a few weeks ago, and he gets an A.

Thomas: F

Perhaps Beane can trade Byrnes after he goes on an extended hot spell by convincing the other GM he's actually GOOD... in effect, reversing what happened to him when he traded for CT.  Maybe KC would do a Chucky for T-Long trade?

Swisher: C

Moneyball is a little impatient at the plate... to be expected for a rook, I'll give him a C.  

Durazo: D+

Ugh... lets move on.

Melhuse: Irrelevant

Too bad for Melhuse, seems a good guy who could put up decent stats if given some ABs.  Still, he's either a perma-backup or a very marginal starter on a crappy team.

Watson: Incomplete

I'd like to see some more... they'd probably platoon him with Byrnes if they weren't trying to showcase Byrnes for a trade.

if the Kotsay Experience is any indication, guys who come here from the NL take at least half a healthy year to adjust. So I'm holding out some hope for Kendall, Ginter and Thomas.

It just sucks that the main guy we're waiting on to adjust takes up a sixth of the payroll. And even when Kendall plays to career values, he's a DP waiting to happen.

Call me a traditionalist, but I like my catchers to hit 6th and pop 20 homers. It would also help if he was young, smart enough to drop a bunt to win a playoff game, always around an .800 OPS...

I am a HUGE Elly fan but am thinking that he needs to be th odd man out until he regains either:

A) 100% strength in his arm

B) The confidence to letter' rip

Ginter and Scutaro can and will fill in for him just as well if not better. ginter for the HR pop and Scutaro for 2B D.

I would give him a C.

The F's (In My Book) Chavy/Thomas

D's-Kendall, Durazo, Ginter

C's - Swisher, Byrnes, Hatteberg, Scoot, Ellis

B's - Kielty, Kotsay

To me, on offense, there are no A's in Oakland...yet!!! :)

Kotsay: A- = You can only carry a team for so long before you start to slump yourself. His defense has been impeccable, which is more than I can say for anyone else on the team. Plus, he has tried to lead.

Kielty: B+ = Been great recently, at least offensively. But if we'd given out grades a couple of weeks ago, this would be a lot lower.

Byrnes: D = Not only is he atrocious defensively, but he has the nerve to complain about playing time when he was still under .200. Yeah, he's a little hot now, but still not in the important situations.

Swisher: C = Was fine defensively, beginning to pick up offensively when he got injured. Somewhat incomplete

Thomas: D = Has not taken advantage of the opportunites he's had, but hasn't really had many opportunities.

Watson: N/A
Clark: N/A
Crosby: N/A

Hatteberg: D = The only reason he doesn't get an F is because he has come through in a few key situations. The problem is he often gives those benefits right back due to his regressing defense. He just looks awful at first, like his head isn't in the game. Johnson might not be much better, but at least they'd be giving the young guy a shot.

Ellis: B = Has played good defense, and has hit about as well as we can expect of him, although I think he has more power than he's shown. He should be in there every day--he doesn't look any worse at shortstop than Scutaro.

Ginter: C- = Another guy who's grade goes up a bit because of limited time to show what he can do. I wish they'd done more Ellis/Ginter tandems at SS/2b. Until last night, his defense had looked good, and I think given regular playing time he would come out of his funk.

Chavez: F = No way around it, this guy has been bad. He's not even holding his own defensively, and everything that comes out of his mouth points to low self esteem and no leadership ability. If you don't think you're any good, you'll never be any good.

Scutaro: B+=Slumping over the last month has shown why he isn't an everyday player. That said, he has done everything the A's have asked him to do, from working on his patience at the plate during winter ball, do busting his butt at SS, where his range and arm don't really profile well. I hope there is a place for him on the bench for this team, because he could be a secret weapon in that role.

Kendall: D = Only the switch in leagues saves him from an F, but this doesn't mean I don't think he'll get better. Kotsay was at 228 around this time last year. My real concern with Kendall is that while I think he's been calling games well, his defense at catcher has been bad. Many times, its not that his throws to second are late, its that he doesn't make them at all because he can't get the ball out of his hand.

Melhuse: n/a

Position players also reap the praise or blame on their defense.

It is right to wonder about the D at Catcher, 1B, 3B and OF corners.

I agree that for that reason we need Scutaro and Thomas. Thomas needs to get something going offensively at AAA and wait for his call up later, if Watson doesn't steal it away like the guy the guy that took it away from Wally Pip.

Kielty, Kotsay, & Scoot definitely class stars in the first quarter.

Does anybody know why Ellis is sitting on the bench? He is way better than Ginter. They say Ginter has power, but he hasn't shown it except for that one homerun. Ellis is at least consistent and is batting like .284 or something. He's also better defensivly. Ginter's errors were horrible. Do you think they're playing Ginter to show him off for a trade? Because when Bobby comes back we'll have 4 middle infielders and that is crazy! Somebody needs to get traded and I hope it's Ginter. Ellis worked so hard to come back, is liked by all the fans, and is a major part of the A's. Please write back! I want to hear everyones comments! Go A's...maybe we'll win!

I agree, athleticsgirl, Ellis should start more often. And at SS, the position he played for the most part until coming to the A's.

MinorLeague Marco is continuing his movement toward the Mendoza line and his range at SS is extremely limited. I give Scoots "A" for effort, but his abilities are simply not major league. When Crosby returns, Marco should pack his bags for Sacto.

Ginter's horrible game on Sunday has, in the words of one poster, skewed opinion at AN on him. But the power-deficient A's need his pop in the lineup (indeed, they need pop from whatever source they can find) and it's generally worth the tradeoff for his defensive deficiencies...

Thanks Blez and all for your thoughts. We're sharing a lot of tough love with the guys we care about so much.

I can understand complaints about results but not about "effort" or other intangibles. Of course, we all have our opinions, but that's all they are. Stats are facts, results, quatifiable, but the other stuff is just 'my opinion' kind of stuff. Anyway, here's my three cents (inflation ya know):

I've always been a Chavvy fan. Of course his offensive production pretty much sucks this year - as does the whole team's, but I don't think it's from any imagined 'lack of effort.' And who annointed him The Team Leader? Just cuz he makes the highest salary? Cuz he got the glitzzy new contract? I don't think he has the traditional 'out-going/leadership' kind of personality that most are looking for. And it's crazy to expect him to change his personality. Adjust his stroke, sure; but not his personality.

I'm disappointed with Kendall too. I thought he'd be doing better at this point, but... is it really easier to adjust to a new league and a very new staff just cuz you make $10 rather than $2 million? Doesn't make sense. His caught stealing numbers will improve with everything else, but the pitchers have to do a much better job, too. And isn't that a job for the Pitching Coach?

And I think Scutaro is under-rated by most cuz he's a fairly quiet guy. He gives at least as much effort as Byrnes, but doesn't make a big show of it - and his results are much better. Of course, his objective numbers aren't what any of us would like, but who on this team is having a good, or even average, year?

It's been a tough couple months for us fans, but just imagine how the guys who do this for a living feel. I'm not trying to make excuses for them (cuz  the results speak for themselves) but I'm not going to join in the bashing of anybody for lack of effort or caring.

This is my team and I support them. Go A's.

insightful I wonder if you are planning on grading management.  I would be very interested in the Macha grade--I've been apoleptic with his stubborness and lack of creativity about batting Chavez third (oh yeah, i'm forgetting the brilliance of moving him to 4th against left handed pitching).  But I'm so upset with that total ignorance, it's hard for me to see if there are offsetting plusses.

also looking forward to the pitching

So then who will represent our Oakland A's as the lone All-Star in Detroit this year?

Agree with almost everything

How about D's for Beane and Macha? 1. Except for Kotsay the outfield has put the thrill back into the routine flyball,2. Batting percentages are amongst the lowest in the league,3. Catching has seen the opposition on a merry-go-round. 4.Playing 4and5 position players with D's and F,s without lineup juggling.,and 5.No leadership! can we borrow Huddy on his off-days to talk to this team? Please do something! It cannot make us any worse.

Lets start off with our so called Ace

Zito (D-)  The guy is just good sometimes and just plane bad the others. We will never see the 2002 Zito again. In his defense he gets no run support

Harden (B-) I have a feeling that he will be gone till after the All-Star break.  

Haren (D+)  This guys also gets no run support but he has been bad as well on some outing.  Good future.

Blanton (F)  The book is out on him and he is getting beat upside the head with it.  He needs to go back to the minors and work on his slider and get in shape.  I see a possible Sid Fernandez body on this guy.

Sarloos (B-) The reason I gave him such a high grade is I never would have thought he would stay up here this long.  Good job laddy.

Street (A-)  Best in the bullpen right now and our future closer.
Dotel  (C- or D)  Need a little help with this one.  Not sure if he would have blown those Boston games if he was healthy.

Cruz (F-) We got took on this guy.
Duke (B-) Back problems lowered his grade,
Calero (B-) Has been stady but injured
Ricon (I)  Do we still have this guy.  I hardly ever see him

Ok maybe I was a little hard on Harden but you can not tell me that Cruz has been a positive in the bullpen. I am not counting the last week where he has been some what consistent.  But that is your opinion and that is why I love this site.

Blanton on the other hand did impress me early on but I still think he needs a year in Sacromento.