Not many Phillies on the honor roll after a first half that puts the team dead last in all of baseball. Come to think of it, not a ton of passing grades either.
Here’s a look at the Phillies roster and how we rate their performance through the season’s first half.
C Cameron Rupp — D
The Phillies starting catcher is batting .200 with just six homers and has really brought nothing offensively. And with the Phils pitching staff also playing worse than expected, he hasn’t called too many lights-out games this season.
1B Tommy Joseph — C
Joseph leads the Phils with 15 homers and has a .252 batting average which, on this team, puts him sixth among hitters with 100 at bats. He has been decent, not great, and will need to produce down the stretch if he wants to keep his job.
2B Cesar Hernandez — B-
While Hernandez may not be the future at second base, he hit .277 from the leadoff spot and played well defensivly before a DL-stint slated to end when the season restarts Thursday.
SS Freddy Galvis — C+
Galvis’ power numbers, 10 homers and 37 RBI, are fourth on the Phils and have provided a nice boost, as has his reliable glove.
3B Maikel Franco — D-
Despite hitting 13 homers and driving in a team-best 45 RBI, the young third baseman was supposed to anchor the line up, and is instead batting at the end of the order due to a .217 batting average. He leads the team with seven errors.
OF Howie Kendrick — B
If Kendrick had been able to stay on the field he might be an A, or a better trade chip for the Phillies. But his .349 average through 33 games and team-best stolen base total make him a valuable piece of the club.
OF Aaron Altherr — B
The surprise factor makes Altherr’s first half — .284, 14 HR and 44 RBI — extremely impressive. He probably should have been the Phillies’ All-Star and is showing he could be a key part of the Phils’ future plans.
OF Odubel Herrera — C
Herrera went from being in the mix for a batting title to a .256 batting average and hitting seventh in a lackluter offense. His attitude and hustle issues have dogged the Phillies as their growing pains continue.
SP Jeremy Hellickson — C-
Hellickson had sky-high trade value a year ago, but it has plummeted with a 4.49 ERA and modest 5-5 record. He has falled back into mediocre form.
SP Aaron Nola — B
Nola has made 13 starts this year after battling some minor injury concerns and has been solid, especially in his last two starts.
SP Jerad Eickhoff — D
The young curveball specialist is 1-7 with a 4.63 ERA and hasn’t performaned as many hoped in 15 starts.
RP Pat Neshek — A
The only Philly getting excellent marks, the team’s lone All-Star has a 1.30 ERA and will likely be gone in a trade by the end of the month.
Other grades:
SP Nick Pivetta — C-
SP Vince Velasquez — D
SP Zach Eflin — D-
SP Ben Lively — B
RP Hector Neris — B
RP Luis Garcia — B+
SP Mark Leiter Jr. — C
OF Daniel Nava — B
C Andrew Knapp — C
IF Andres Blanco — C-
IF Brock Stass — C
IF Ty Kelly — D
