Commentary

Gordon Edes' interactive midseason Red Sox report card

Check out our expert's first-half grades, then share yours for each player on the 2011 team

Updated: July 8, 2011, 11:53 AM ET
By Gordon Edes | ESPNBoston.com

BOSTON -- Here are the midseason grades for Red Sox players and members of management plus your chance to evaluate each one. Agree or disagree with my grades? Share your thoughts in the comments section.

Position players

J. Ellsbury, OF

Edes: Entering door marked "prime." Grade: A-

D. Pedroia, 2B

Edes: Knee oiled, bat ignited.
 Grade: A-

A. Gonzalez, 1B

Edes: He has been crazy good.
Grade: A+

K. Youkilis, 3B

Edes: Bang-up despite banged up. Grade: A-

David Ortiz, DH

Edes: Turn back the clock, indeed. Grade: A

C. Crawford, LF

Edes: .275 OBP? Are you kidding? Grade: D+

J.D. Drew, OF

Edes: Slippage has been dramatic. Grade: D

J. Saltala., C

Edes: Chance for patience rewarded. Grade: C+

Jason Varitek, C

Edes: The Captain overachieves. Grade: C+

Jed Lowrie, SS

Edes: Injuries mar strong start. Grade: B-

M. Scutaro, SS

Edes: Lost his job, showing slippage lately. Grade: C

J. Reddick, OF

Edes: Primed to jump off Pawtucket shuttle. Grade: B

D. McDonald, OF

Edes: Not the guy we saw last year. Grade: F

D. Sutton, IF

Edes: Has done what's been asked. Grade: B-

Y. Navarro, IF

Edes: Kid could end up at short. Grade: Inc.

Starting pitchers

J. Beckett, SP

Edes: His place card reads "ace" again. Grade: A

Jon Lester, SP

Edes: Throw out May, he's an A. Grade: B

C. Buchholz, SP

Edes: Back issue now a major worry. Grade: B-

John Lackey, SP

Edes: Disaster of epic proportions. Grade: F

T. Wakefield, SP

Edes: He's up, he's down, he's eternal. Grade: C+

A. Miller, SP

Edes: Lester out, Miller's importance grows. Grade: Inc.

Relief pitchers

J. Papelbon, RP

Edes: More K's, fewer walks, one BS. Grade: A-

Daniel Bard, RP

Edes: WHIP it (0.816) good. Grade: A

Matt Albers, RP

Edes: Unsung star in a key role. Grade: B+

D. Wheeler, RP

Edes: Encouraging signs after slow start. Grade: C

A. Aceves, P

Edes: Starts, relieves, competes. Grade: C

F. Morales, RP

Edes: Could become sleeper. Grade: Inc.

Bobby Jenks, RP

Edes: Hurt and ineffective.
Grade: D

Management

Terry Francona

Edes: Held firm during slow start. Grade: A

Theo Epstein

Edes: AGon a coup, others not so much. Grade: B


Gordon Edes

Red Sox reporter, ESPNBoston.com
  • Has covered Red Sox for 15 years
  • Award-winning beat reporter
  • Joined ESPNBoston.com in 2009

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