Earlier this week, I analyzed members of the Texas Rangers batting lineup in the first installment of a two-part series of handing out grades to the primary players. Today, it's time to break down the Rangers' pitchers.
The rotation looks nothing like it did in April. Neftali Feliz, Derek Holland and Colby Lewis are shelved on the disabled list, while the team added Roy Oswalt in the middle of the season to try to salvage some of the injuries.
Here's how I would hand out grades to the Texas pitchers:
A+ (1)
Joe Nathan, CL: This one was easy. Remember in the first week when everyone freaked out when Nathan entered the game? Rangers fans haven't had anything to complain about with the 37-year-old closer since. Nathan has 18 saves, but that's not nearly the most impressive stat on his sparkling 2012 resume. How about an absurd K/BB ratio of 42/4, to go along with a 1.87 ERA?
He's been a fantastic offseason addition, and I feel like general manager Jon Daniels is paving the way (again) in baseball on how to form a model club. Don't overpay for a closer in the prime of his career. Spend that kind of money on position players and starting pitchers. Closer is a position where you actually want someone with a little age and experience to them. In a day where closers seem to get rocked more and more, you want someone who can rebound quickly and have a short memory. Nathan is one of the best closers of all-time, and despite the fact that he's in the twilight of his career, his experience and pinpoint placement are stamped all over every save he converts.
A (2)
Matt Harrison, SP: Don't look now, but the 27-year-old Harrison has 10 wins with a 3.24 ERA. He doesn't get much publicity, though, because he's far from overpowering (58 K's vs. 24 walks). However, he's been the most consistent Rangers starter in the first half of the season, and is on pace to pitch 200 innings for the first time in his career.
Robbie Ross, RP: We couldn't have asked much more from the 23-year-old rookie in the first half of the season: 6-0, 1.08 ERA, 26 walks, 8 walks. That'll work.
Ross was a longshot to make the big-league club out of spring training, and the lefty has ran with the opportunity. He's up with the big club for good.
A- (1)
Yu Darvish, SP: All in all, it's been a rather productive first half of the season for the 25-year-old flamethrower, who sports a 10-4 record (3.54 EA), to go along with 106 strikeouts in 95 innings. The strikeout numbers are fantastic, but sometimes, Darvish seems like he wants to strike too many people out, elevating his pitch count in the process. He's used to pitching 200+ innings per season, so there's no long-term concern here, but it's still worth noting.
Of course, the only issue separating Darvish from climbing the grade sheet to an A or an A+ has been his occasional control problems (50 walks). There are times he's looked like an ace, and other times it seems like he's still getting his feet wet in the American game. I was hoping he'd emerge as our ace by the All-Star break, but he's not quite there yet. I view him as a strong No. 2 and a weak No. 1 at the moment, but things can change by the time the postseason rolls around.
B+ (1)
Colby Lewis, SP: It's too bad that Lewis landed on the DL recently, but hopefully he's back shortly after the All-Star break. He was actually having the best season, from a control standpoint, of his career. Many will look at the 6-6 mark and immediately think mediocre season, but that's one of the reasons pitching records don't tell the whole story. Lewis was overpowering at times this season, as evidenced by his 90 strikeouts. His control was superb, as evidenced by only 12 walks.
Mike Adams, RP: Nathan's set-up man has been reliable this season, with a 2.96 ERA, to go along with 23 strikeouts against seven walks. He's piled up 15 holds. Adams' career ERA of 2.18 suggests he's been hit a little more than usual this season, but it's probably just a product of switching from the National League (Brewers/Padres from 2004-2011) to the American League. I feel very confident about the Adams-Nathan combination as we head into the midway point.
B (2)
Roy Oswalt, SP: It's been a small sample size (only two starts), but Oswalt has been solid. Nothing spectacular, but extremely serviceable. The Rangers' bats have stepped up in both of his starts, where he's 2-0 with a 4.26 ERA. The 12/3 K/BB ratio is encouraging going forward, but he's been hit way too easily so far (22 hits against him in two starts). The 34-year-old looks like a No. 3 starter at best at this point in his career.
Alexi Ogando, SP/RP: He was unhittable at times this season before landing on the DL on June 11. The 27-year-old sports a sparkling 2.08 ERA and has struck out 35 batters in 34.2 innings. He's only walked seven. It remains to be seen if he returns after the All-Star break as a starter or reliever, but my guess would be starter.
C- (1)
Neftali Feliz, SP: It wasn't a completely failed experiment moving Feliz to the rotation since the bullpen has been one of our strengths this year. He just hasn't had the opportunity to prove himself since he went on the DL in May with right elbow inflammation. He's eligible to return in mid- to late-July, but that's not a guarantee, nor is his status as a starter or reliever. He's still only 24 years old, so the Rangers should be careful not to rush him back.
Derek Holland, SP: It's been an underwhelming start to the season for Holland, who carries an inflated 5.10 ERA to his name. His 5-4 record isn't bad, nor are the 59 strikeouts in 67 innings. He's been on the disabled list since early June, and is expected back around the All-Star break.
D- (1)
Scott Feldman, SP/RP: Before winning his last two starts, Feldman (2-6) had lost his previous six. It's been a rocky road (6.13 season ERA) since he took Feliz's spot.
Overall, the bullpen has been strong, with a 2.98 collective ERA (second in the AL), to go along with a league-leading 3.9 wins above replacement (WAR).
It's the starting rotation that needs to be stabilized (and healthy) as we make our way to the second half of the season.
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