Derek Jeter:
Grade: C
Yes, he got hit 3,000. Yes, it was exciting, perfect and straight from Hollywood. Unfortunately, he’s slugging .354 and 65% of his batted balls are grounders (last in MLB).
Curtis Granderson:
Grade: A
How do 25 home runs and 79 runs scored sound? No, not for the year. Just for the first 86 games. He has already surpassed both totals from 2010. Oh, and Austin Jackson is batting .245. Just saying.
Mark Teixeira:
Grade: B
Yankees fans would be a lot happier if he wasn’t batting .245, but he is still producing. Plus, he’s always been better in the second half. We could be looking at 50+ home runs.
Alex Rodriguez:
Grade: B-
He’s hurt. He has no power. Silver lining: At least it’s not the hip. A-Rod has actually been decent outside of having only 13 homers. He is still hitting .295; and post-surgery, the power should return.
Nick Swisher:
Grade: D
JoAnna Garcia what have you done? Everyone’s favorite Yankee is now everyone’s scapegoat. He’s a free agent next year, and a recent hot streak might not be enough to keep him.
CC Sabathia:
Grade: A
You can’t ask for much more from your ace than 13 wins and a sub-3.00 ERA at the All-Star Break. Well, I guess you could ask for an invitation to the game, but apparently that was too much.
A.J. Burnett:
Grade: C+
The best you can say about Burnett is that he isn’t as bad as last year. Then again, he’s hardly pitching like a guy who could start a pivotal Game 2 in a playoff series either.
Bartolo Colon:
Grade: A
Stem cell injections for everyone! Who else can the Yankees bring back? How about Mark Prior, he’s hurt again. Colon has been good beyond any expectations. Thanks Dr. Leonel Liriano!
Bullpen:
Grade: C
The bullpen may be the weakest link of this team (once the lineup is healthy). Mariano Rivera has been OK; David Robertson has been good. Anyone else wanna pitch?
Joe Girardi:
Grade: B+
The Yankees manager has been criticized a lot in the past. Sometimes he’s deserved it. Not this year. He handled the Jeter and Phil Hughes injuries perfectly. Now he has to handle the A-Rod injury.
