It's that time of year when we need to see how each Red Sox pitcher grades out.
Somehow the Red Sox are (49-38), 11 games over .500, without a 4th and 5th starter. No, seriously, no 4th and 5th starter.
Let's get to it.
David Price - (C+) - Got off to a (F-) start..First 7 GS (6.75 ERA/1.38 WHIP) were on the cusp of the worst first 7 games started ever by any pitcher in Red Sox history..However, he has rebounded nicely by posting (3.14 ERA/1.10 WHIP) in his last 12 GS..I don't care about his HR numbers..runs are runs..K's have been piling up all year..that is a good sign
Rick Porcello - (A) - One of the few starting pitchers in baseball that has delivered on expectations..fans of today have to realize that GS and IP are huge statistics..Porcello answers the bell every time..AL ranks..14th in IP (113)..9th in WHIP (1.17)..17th in K's (97)..16th in ERA (3.66)
Steven Wright - (A) - Saved the Red Sox season..AL Ranks 1st in ERA (2.68)..12th in IP (114)..16th in WHIP (1.21)..21st in K's (94)..Concerns..last 3 GS (6.89 ERA/1.89 WHIP)..Leads MLB in unearned runs (15) by a lot..typically not SP fault but in Wright's case most are the result of PB due to knuckler..do not pitch him when it rains
Clay Buchholz - (F) - We all know the story..Just a complete disaster..Red Sox are (3-10) in games he's started, (46-28) when he doesn't..starter, bullpen, starter, bullpen, starter..17 HR's in 80.2 IP..5.91 ERA..Almost gave him a D just for, somehow, still being on the team
Eduardo Rodriguez - (F) - Astronomical expectations heaped on what some said was a potential #2 starter..I never bought in..however, I did expect him to be a #4 or #5..he has not been yet..injury in spring training didn't help..2016 ERA of 8.59..he had 3 breathtaking starts to begin his career..however, since June 14, 2015, out of 119 SP with at least 24 GS, Rodriguez ranks 113th in ERA (5.46)
Joe Kelly - (F) - Positive..still leads AL in consecutive wins with 10..negative..he's a mess..makes the radar gun move but doesn't seem to be able to pitch..2016 ERA of 8.46..Now being converted to a relief pitcher..Lackey for Kelly/Craig is looking like one of the worst deadline deals ever by a seller
Henry Owens - (F) - Years of hearing about Owens as the top pitching prospect in their organization came to a crashing thud once he came to the big leagues..soft tosser with no control will get you killed in MLB..Has a WHIP of 2.40 in his last 4 ML starts..
Roenis Elias - (D-) - He came in Miley trade as organizational depth with MLB starting experience..starting pitching woes thrust him to big leagues..proved to be not ready..15.88 ERA in one start, one relief appearance..Walks among his many issues
Sean O'Sullivan - (D) - What you see is what you get..same as Elias, brought in for organizational depth and suddenly was the #4 (?) starter..6.64 ERA in games started..If he starts again the Red Sox season is on the brink of extinction
Craig Kimbrel - (C+) - 28 of 34 scoreless appearances..13.6 K/9..1.09 WHIP..concern is walks (4.1 BB/9) and deep counts..had 4 real stinker outings so far..loses his mark and can't seem to get it back..established that he is a 1 IP that only pitches in save situations..won't be seen until September with knee injury
Koji Uehara - (D) - Huge Koji fan but he is looking done..highest ERA in career (4.81)..highest WHIP in career as reliever (1.10)..2nd highest HR/9 (2.1)..does it on guts alone and he has that in spades..hope he finds the fountain of youth
Junichi Tazawa - (C-) - Another former stalwart of the bullpen trending in the wrong direction..1st 213 games as a reliever (2.73 ERA/1.13 WHIP)..last 67 games (5.06 ERA/1.41 WHIP)..Decline started just over a year ago on June 12, 2015..Needs more rest which isn't good for a team with only 3 starters
Matt Barnes - (B) - Progressing nicely..live arm..ERA has dropped from 5.44 last year to 2.93 this year..WHIP dropped from 1.65 last year to 1.28 this year..Sox are going to need him to be a huge bullpen piece in the 2nd half
Heath Hembree - (B) - been pitching in low leverage situations..not anymore..he is going to be in games that matter..and more is going to be asked of him..all key indicators are trending in the right direction..ERA dropped from 3.55 to 2.00 and K/9 are up significantly from 5.3 to 8.8 from last year to this year..remnant from the Peavy trade
Robbie Ross, Jr. - (C-) - didn't expect much from Ross, Jr and he delivered very little..doesn't really have a role besides being an experienced MLB pitcher that can at least pitch, somewhat at this level..Farrell seems to avoid him like the plague..In lieu of the Red Sox not finding a SP, I would think about stretching Ross out and giving him a chance (he started 12 G for Texas in 2014) if there are no other options..seems to have a rubber arm
Tommy Layne - (D+) - he has no value..not tough on lefties..not a swing and miss guy..the outcome of the game has been decided if he is in.
Noe Ramirez, William Cuevas, Pat Light - (Inc) - generous grade..combined they have 18.2 IP - 8.19 ERA - 2.14 WHIP..too early for a grade but none of them "shocked the world"
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