As we put the first half behind us, it’s a good time to step back and evaluate where we stand. Let’s be honest, it’s not easy.
It’s been a tale of two seasons already: The Buck Rodgers Season and the Harvey Kuenn Season. It’s been up and down and up again. Evaluations may tend to favor the most recent, but we can’t forget what the team did earlier on.
Let’s do our best…
Starting Rotation: D+
On paper, you may think this D+ grade is unfair. A rotation of Vuckovich, Caldwell, Haas, McClure, and anyone else (Lerch) should be pretty good. Let’s dissect…
The average starter in the American League has a 4.26 ERA. Brewers starters have a 4.73 ERA. That’s not just below average, it’s bad. The Brewers rotation has been worse than every AL team other than the Twins in the first half.
There have been bright spots. Pete Vuckovich, when he’s not suffering a mysterious injury and has to sit out a few games, has been effective with a 3.09 ERA. Mike Caldwell, Moose Haas, Bob McClure, and Randy Lerch have all had their moments, but they all have ERAs approaching 5.00.
Each pitcher in the rotation has individually proven that they are capable. But their collective downs have outnumbered their ups. The Brewers either need more consistency from this group or a trade for one or two starters will need to be made if they plan to make a run into the postseason.
Bullpen: B+
Things have felt awfully uncertain in the bullpen, but the Brewers have somehow managed to keep things patched together. Amazingly, Brewers relievers hold a collective ERA of 2.80, which is second only to the Mariners in the American League during the first half.
Assuming that low ERA is all due to Rollie Fingers? Nope, this isn’t 1981. The truth is that the bullpen’s top performer in the first half has been Jim Slaton.
Don’t be fooled by Slaton’s (still good) 3.12 ERA. It’s higher than maybe it should be due to four starts he made. When he’s working out of the bullpen, his ERA is a silly 1.72.
You can actually make a similar argument for Jerry Augustine. He’s been used sparingly and in mop-up, but his 4.07 ERA is influenced significantly by a surprise start when Pete Vuckovich suffered a last-minute injury. Augustine was the sacrificial lamb, allowing 12 runs in five innings. Remove that game, and his ERA is a sparkling 1.70.
Fingers has been shaky according to Rollie Fingers standards, losing five games and settling into a 2.93 ERA. Along with his 18 saves, Fingers has been plenty good, but he simply hasn’t been as dominant — or healthy — as he was a year ago.
While they’ve played well, we can’t help but think this group is over performing. Do they need to add an arm or two to solidify the bullpen?
Hitting: A
If there’s anything we can complain about here it’s a lack of consistency. But, when you break it down, you realize we’re just a bit spoiled.
The Brewers aren’t only first in the American League in runs (463) and home runs (125), they are far and away the best in each category. Harvey’s Wallbangers average more than 5 1/2 runs per game while the next closest team, the White Sox, aren’t even that close to 5.0.
Of course, this team doesn’t only mash homers. They hit for average, too. Only the Royals have a higher team batting average (.288) than the Brewers (.281).
Much of this production has happened after the hiring of Harvey Kuenn. They’ve simply been a different team.
Oh, and let’s maybe stop trying to steal bases, okay? They are eighth in the American League with 35 stolen bases, but they’ve been caught an insane 39 times. They are the only team in all of baseball who have been caught stealing more than they’ve been successful.
Fielding: C-
We don’t have a whole lot of stats to measure defensive proficiency, so we have to rely on a small handful of metrics and the eye test. Truthfully, the Brewers are… fine defensively.
The Brewers have committed the fourth-most errors in the American League, but truthfully they’re not nearly as bad as the three teams above them (White Sox, A’s and Blue Jays).
They’ve turned 95 double plays, which is only second to the Angels with 96. Robin Yount and Jim Gantner have been the most reliable players defensively, and it isn’t that close.
You’ll have a hard time singling out another top defensive performer. Paul Molitor is raw at third base. Ted Simmons was brought on for his bat a year ago, so not much is expected from him behind the plate. Collectively, Brewers catchers have had 7 passed balls, for fourth most in the AL. They also throw out 31.3% of attempted base stealers, which is third worst.
Coaching: A
The Brewers were a frustrating, inconsistent, underperforming group under Buck Rodgers. At the time of Rodgers’ dismissal, the Brewers were 23-24 and in fifth place, seven games back in the AL East. Under Kuenn, Harvey’s Wallbangers have been 22-10, and they go into the break tied for the division lead.
Two completely different teams. Is it because of coaching? It’s tough to say how much of it is Harvey Kuenn and how much of it is the players simply turning it around on their own. But the team is looser, more relaxed, and having fun. That’s largely a reflection of their manager.
While it’s been an incredible run, the Brewers have faced tests under Kuenn, too. Immediately after winning his first four games, the Brewers hit a three game slump. The change, however, is that the streakiness has stopped. Since that point, the Brewers have lost two straight only once.
Individual Pitching Grades
Mike Caldwell: C-
Caldwell has had some really good games. He’s tied with Pete Vuckovich for the team lead in complete games with four and shutouts with one. Consistency has been his issue. He’s allowed five or more runs in a game seven times and two or fewer runs seven times. You never know what you’re going to get.
Pete Vuckovich: B+
He’s been by far the Brewers’ best starter so far, but he’s also missed at least three games due to injury. While Vuke can be wild and isn’t dominant (he’s walked nearly as many batters as he’s struck out at 55:58), he has an uncanny ability to limit the damage. While Caldwell has allowed 15 homers, Vuke has given up only two.
Moose Haas: C-
Moose has been a lot like Caldwell. He’s had some moments of greatness, given his two complete games and seven starts allowing two or fewer runs. But he has an ERA of 4.99 thanks to five starts where he’s yielded five or more.
Bob McClure: D+
McClure has allowed only one fewer homer (14) than Caldwell, who leads the team. The biggest problem is that he’s done it in 43 fewer innings pitched.
Randy Lerch: C-
Lerch is the afterthought, and as an afterthought, we may not have the highest of standards for him. He’s actually saved his best for last with a shutout of the Royals on the 10th. Lerch’s biggest shortcoming is that, beyond that shutout, he rarely goes deep into games.
Rollie Fingers: B+
After one of the most dominating pitching seasons in the history of the game, this season just feels different for Rollie Fingers. He has a 2.93 ERA with 18 saves, but that’s not the entire story. Of his 33 appearances, Fingers has five losses and five other blown saves. He’s no longer automatic, and we have to wonder about his health.
Jim Slaton: A-
He’s been the most dependable reliever, if not the Brewers’ most valuable all-around pitcher in the first half. Slaton has a 1.72 ERA out of the bullpen, has made four starts, and also has five relief appearances of four innings or more.
Dwight Bernard: B-
Bernard has flown under the radar, despite his 3.35 ERA.
Jerry Augustine: C+
As mentioned earlier, Augustine was the victim of a surprise start when the Brewers were short on arms, resulting in a disastrous 12 runs in five innings. He simply isn’t used all that often. He pitched 6 2/3 scoreless innings of relief in his last appearance on July 1 against the Yankees.
Easterly has been used the least (24 IP) of the Brewers’ primary bullpen options, but with an ERA of 3.75, we can’t complain. Will he be able to maintain that level of play?
Doug Jones: INC
Individual Hitting Grades
Ted Simmons: B-
Simmons appears to have benefited from the managerial change more than any other player on the roster. Prior to Rodgers’ dismissal, Simmons’ average hung around .200 and rumors swirled about him being traded away. Simmons now has his average up to .260 with 14 homers, and he’s finally the hitting force that was promised when he was acquired a year ago.
Cecil Cooper: A
Cooper and Yount are running neck-and-neck for most valuable offensive Brewer during the first half. Cooper started the All-Star Game, and he earned it — batting .321 with 19 homers and 68 RBI. He’s an early MVP favorite.
Jim Gantner: B+
Likely the Brewers’ most dependable defensive player, Gantner isn’t one of the first players you think of in the vaunted Brewers’ lineup because of his lack of power. Despite missing several games with injuries, Gantner is hitting .308, making sure there isn’t a single hole in the lineup.
Robin Yount: A
He limped out of Spring Training with a bum hamstring, but Yount has exploded into one of the finest young players in the game. He goes into the break hitting .327 with 15 homers and 57 RBI. Even his glove has sparkled.
Paul Molitor: A-
Molitor is a work-in-progress at third, but he gets the offense going at the top of the lineup. Molitor is hitting .297 and has already set a career high with 10 home runs.
Ben Oglivie: B+
Oglivie is streaky, but there’s no doubting his power. He’s hitting .260 and is tied for second on the team in homers with 19.
Thomas and Oglivie are similar all-or-nothing players, though Thomas took a while to get going this season. Gorman didn’t hit a homer until his 18th game of the season, and yet he leads the team with 22. On the negative side, Thomas is hitting .245 and leads the team with 72 strikeouts.
Charlie Moore: C+
Heading into the season, Charlie Moore appeared to be a problem. He demanded a trade but soon retracted the demand when the Brewers told him he’d get time in right field. The Brewers are lucky to have held onto Moore because he has been the primary right fielder. He’s been fine at the plate (.251 with four homers), but his cannon arm is what is most impressive.
Roy Howell: D
Luckily for Howell, he’s turned things around lately. Otherwise, he was destined for an F. Roy Howell didn’t want to be a Brewer, and the Brewers did all they could to unload Howell. There appeared no room for him on the roster, yet he played, failed, and complained. He was hitting .184 entering June, but now has his average up to .256. The question is, can he be a good team player and accept his role?
Don Money: B+
It’s actually curious why the Brewers feel the need to hold onto Howell given Molitor and Money both play his position of third base, and Money is the other Designated Hitter. Money has been the far superior hitter (.303 with 9 HR), yet Howell somehow continues to take some of Money’s at bats.
Marshall Edwards: C+
Marshall Edwards is who he is. He’s a light-hitting, fourth or fifth outfielder. If you accept that, he deserves an above-average grade for his .271 average and plus play in the outfield.
Ed Romero: C+
Like Edwards, Romero is a reserve who has a very clear role. But, he’s been useful due to injuries to Yount and Gantner, and Romero is hitting a respectable .280 in limited chances.
Mark Brouhard: C+
Possibly the Brewers’ biggest offensive strength is their depth. As we go through the backups, all of these guys are contributing. Many thought coming into the season that Brouhard would be the Brewers’ starting right fielder. While that hasn’t been the case, he’s played well when given the chance, both at the plate (.270) and in the field.
Ned Yost: B-
It’s easy to forget that Yost is on the team, and you sometimes wonder if he’s even needed given Moore is also an option at catcher. But Yost is likely the Brewers’ best defensive catcher, and he’s hit .300 in limited duty.
Larry Hisle: INC
Rob Picciolo: INC
Kevin Bass: INC
Overall Team Grade: A-
Under Buck Rodgers, the Brewers were a D due to the overall dynamic and feeling that they weren’t playing up to their potential. But we really couldn’t expect anything more than this team has given us since Harvey Kuenn took over. If there is a grade above A+ for that period of time, they’d deserve it.
But will they continue this trend? Is this who they are? Stay tuned!