Boston Red Sox first half grades
By Rick McNair
Catchers and DH.
Ryan Hanigan – F
The point of contention is the very word catcher as in catch as in catch the ball. Hanigan has 17 passed balls and that is simply unacceptable. I also note that in a few games that total could easily have been expanded if the official scorer had a tad less sympathy.
The offensive numbers are shot for Hanigan with a slash of .186/.250/.229 and for a third straight season, strikeouts are greater than walks. Time is up.
Christian Vazquez – C+
This grade is generated by the defense since that is what keeps Vazquez melded to the lineup as number one catcher. The framing, footwork, managing a turbulent pitching staff and his elite – yet still recovering arm – keep him in the lineup. Hitting? Well – a Hanigan type grade.
Vazquez had one shining moment during the first half a home run against the Yankees that turned the tide for a win. That was it. If Vaz can get to his average to .240 of 2014 it would be a substantial improvement.
Sandy Leon – A-
What is this guy on? Suddenly everything is falling in. Some are line drives and others are bleeders, but the result is a small sample slash of .467/.543/.700. Shave 200 points off and he may be your regular.
Defensively Leon is an excellent catcher and is having the fire hydrant build of a catcher. This guy can throw and he is surprisingly agile behind the plate. Leon continues he may slide into number one catching slot.
David Ortiz – A+
A designated hitter is supposed to do just one thing superbly well and that is hit. Why read off the numbers? The extra base hits are falling like the Perseid Meteor Shower. The RBI totals will surpass 100 again and Papi continues to advance in career home run totals. Just hope he stays in one piece.