Red Sox first half player and management grades
By Rick McNair
Starting Pitchers
Chris Sale – A+
A yearly contestant in the annual Cy Young Award and 2017 will be no different. Sale is as advertised and that is an ACE – in caps. The glue that holds the rotation together and it has been needed with the injuries that impacted the staff – bullpen and rotation. Ranked number one among the American League starters. BB/9 is second lowest in American League. 11-3 record and fWAR of 5.1.
The second best starter on the staff? Appears that way until he went down (again) with an injury. Ten starts and a 4-2 record with a 3.54 ERA. Seven of those starts were quality starts. The Red Sox were 7-3 in E-Rod’s starts. Only 24-years-old, he may win 15+ if he stays healthy. Will he be Jon Lester part II?
Drew Pomeranz – B
Just when you are 100% convinced Pomeranz needs to go he tosses a few solid games. I get it. He is never going to be mistaken for Sale, but Pomeranz does give you a very solid number four or five in the rotation if the Red Sox ever get a stabilized rotation – maybe even higher. 2.89 BB/9 and 9.86 K/9. HR/9 is now 1.18.
Rick Porcello – D
Porcello’s 2016 was an anomaly and that is clear based on 2017. Porcello has regressed to his 2015 season, but is he that bad? Probably not, but will be more like the Porcello that was with the Tigers. As with Pomeranz it is the long ball – both give up far too many. Porcello’s BABIP is .367 – Tops in AL. Looking for a positive? Porcello’s FIP is over a run lower than his ERA. 1.46 HR/9.
David Price – C-
A tough grade since Price is returning from a serious injury. That, however, should not be a total excuse for subpar pitching. Price is among the “leaders” in the American League with a 1.54 HR/9. Price’s BB/9 is at a career high, but that may (hopefully) be rust related. Another five starts should give an indication of Price. This contract is certainly not Barry Zito – yet.