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Midseason Report Card - White Sox

Breaking down the White Sox's first half of the season, it must be said that general manager Kenny Williams' vision of competing for a division title while getting younger, has been for the most part a successful fusion over the past two seasons.

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Jerry Lai/US PresswirePaul Konerko is back in the groove.

The major-league ascension of second baseman Chris Getz and third baseman Gordon Beckham reflects nicely on the youthful mix that Williams and assistant general manager Rick Hahn have formulated for the ever-evolving South Siders. After the 2009 season, the contracts of starting pitcher Jose Contreras, right-fielder Jermaine Dye, designated hitter Jim Thome and relief pitcher Ocatvio Dotel, potentially can come off the books, considering they are all free agents. At that point, the White Sox can continue to add younger, less-expensive parts to an improving major-league team and a minor-league system that is starting to develop top quality players.

Keys for the White Sox's move into postseason play will revolve around the starting rotation staying healthy and the ability of Williams to find an established fifth starter via trade.

The Sox will use infielder Josh Fields and center fielder Brian Anderson in any trade scenario in order to bring in more pitching, or a younger, more athletic back-up outfielder like the Orioles' Felix Pie. A strong second half by Thome, who has had two outstanding second halves in the previous two seasons, along with the return to form of Carlos Quentin, could make the White Sox the team to beat in the American League Central.

Pitchers
	Drehs	Friedell	Silvy	Harry	Overall Grade
Mark Buehrle (9-3, 3.66)	A	A	B+	A	A-
Comments: Delivers almost every time he steps to the mound. (NF) Buehrle, never a top, top guy, but very good. He's always a B+. (MS)
D.J. Carrasco (2-0, 3.79)	B	B	C+	B-	B-
Comments: Given the Sox a consistently solid presence out of the pen. (NF) Been real good until last two, don't give up on him. (HT)
Jose Contreras (4-7, 4.54)	C+	C	F/A	C	C
Comments: Headed to Charlotte without disappearing and in doing so pretty much saved his career. (WD) F in the beginning. A since coming back from minors. (NF) No explanation needed. (MS)
John Danks (7-6, 3.91)	B-	B	B-	B+	B
Comments: Up and down at times, but has settled in as a nice piece of the rotation for Guillen. (NF) Danks gets better every time out, got to like that! (HT)
Octavio Dotel (1-3, 3.38, 10 Hlds)	B	B	B	B-	B
Comments: Great first month, has been pretty good since. (NF)
Gavin Floyd (7-6, 4.44)	C+	C	B	C	C+
Comments: Still hasn't shown that he can be a consistent top of the line starter. (NF)
Bobby Jenks (2-2, 3.48, 20 Svs)	B+	B+	B+	B+	B+
Comments: Another solid season with a 4-1 K/BB ratio. Will he be here next year? (WD) Continues to get the job done as closer. (NF)
Scott Linebrink (1.93, 5 Hlds)	A	B+	B	B-	B+
Comments: A 1.93 ERA means you're doing something right. (NF)
Aaron Poreda (1-0, 1.64)	B	Inc.	B	A-	B+
Comments: Only pitched in seven games, still too early to tell if he'll be great. (NF) I think he's a future star, or future trade bait. (MS) We got good stuff here, and such a nice Jewish boy. (HT)
Clayton Richard (3-3, 5.42)	D	C	D+	D	D+
Comments: Can Kenny Williams still trade him to San Diego? (NF)
Matt Thorton (4-2, 2.48, 13 Hlds)	B	B+	B	A-	B+
Comments: Another solid performer in the Sox pen. (NF)
Catchers
	Drehs	Friedell	Silvy	Harry	Overall Grade
Ramon Castro (.224, 5 HR, 19 RBIs)	C	C	C+	B+	C+
Comments: Contreras loves him which is good, but he's got to hit. (NF)
A.J. Pierzynski (.299, 10 HR, 27 RBIs)	B	B	B+	B	B
Comments: The .300 average is nice, but defensively, he's on pace to allow more than 100 stolen bases. Run opponents, run. (WD) Having another good year with the bat. (NF) Does everything right and our best baseball guest by far. (HT)
Infielders
	Drehs	Friedell	Silvy	Harry	Overall Grade
Gordon Beckham (.271, 3 HR, 20 RBIs)	C	B-	B	B	B-
Comments: "Your Love" by The Outfield has become on the most popular songs in Chicago because of this guy. (NF) He's untouchable. The sky is the limit. (MS)
Josh Fields (.225, 6 HR, 26 RBIs)	D	C-	D	D	D
Comments: Never proved he could hit consistently and is probably still residing in Guillen's doghouse. (NF)
Chris Getz (.258, 1 HR, 22 RBIs, 13 SB)	C-	C	C+	C+	C
Comments: Chris getz what he wants and right now the rookie wants a few more hits. (WD) Has the chance to be here for a while, but has got to hit more. (NF) Showing promise. (MS)
Paul Konerko (.302, 16 HR, 60 RBIs)	A	B+	A-	A-	A-
Comments: On pace for another 30 HR, 100 RBI season. (NF) As inconsistent as he was last season, he's that consistent this season. (MS). Paulie, Paulie, Paulie, Paulie. (HT)
Jayson Nix (.236, 6 HR, 12 RBIs)	C	C	D+	C	C-
Comments: Gives Guillen a solid presence off the bench. (NF) Nice versatile player; might really help. (HT)
Alexei Ramirez (.281, 11 HR, 42 RBIs, 12 SB)	B	B	B-	B-	Inc.
Comments: After a slow start, on pace for 20 homers and 20 stolen base … but also 20 errors. (WD) Turned it around after struggling in April. (NF) Slow start, but looking like player from last year now. (MS)
Outfielders
	Drehs	Friedell	Silvy	Harry	Overall Grade
Brian Anderson (.235, 2 HR, 13 RBIs)	D	C-	D-	D	D
Comments: He may not be on the South Side much longer. (NF)
Jermaine Dye (.302, 20 HR, 55 RBIs)	A	A	A	A-	A
Comments: Best outfielder in the city is one of baseball's most underrated. Another season of .300, 40 HRs and 100 RBIs. (WD) Probably should have been an All-Star. (NF)
Scott Podsednik (.299, 3 HR, 24 RBIs, 13 SB)	A	A	A	A+	A
Comments: Could anyone have seen this coming? (NF) The single most important pale hose the first half of the season. (HT)
Carlos Quentin (.229, 8 HR, 20 RBIs)	C	Inc.	Inc.	Inc.	Inc.
Comments: Must prove in the second half that he wasn't a one year wonder. (NF)
Dewayne Wise (.198, 0 HR, 6 RBIs)	D	C-	D-	D	D
Comments: If only he could hit … (NF)
Designated Hitter
	Drehs	Friedell	Silvy	Harry	Overall Grade
Jim Thome (.255, 14 HR, 50 RBIs)	C	B-	C-	C+	C+
Comments: Will he ever stop hitting home run? (NF) Chopper, 5-hopper or you can put it on the board… Yes! (HT)
Management
	Drehs	Friedell	Silvy	Harry	Overall Grade
Ozzie Guillen	B	B	B	B	B
Comments: Though Ozzie's act might wear thin on some players, this veteran-laden bunch appears to mesh fine with their idiosyncratic, speak-his-mind manager. The Sox pretty much are what we thought they were -- a slightly above average team with a chance to win a slightly below average division. And Ozzie hasn't done anything to mess that up. (WD) Has a good read on his team. He knows when to get angry and he knows when to give them a pat on the back and let it go. (NF)
Ken Williams	B	B-	B	B+	B
Comments: Will earn his check in the next month as he weighs whether to add or subtract. Does he look for a Peavy-like compliment to his team or sell valuable commodities like Jermaine Dye and Bobby Jenks to build for the future? One thing is certain  Williams will decide with his head, not his heart. He gets bonus points for his unique honesty, even if the news is sometimes not what Sox fans want to hear or should hear. (WD) Will be remembered for trying to get Peavy over to the South Side and failing. The Podsednik signing gave his team a boost and may have saved its season. (NF)