Report card: Position Players

Grades are given with the following in mind-

• Players are graded based on production, and the expectations for that player heading into the season.  Meaning Blake DeWitt and Andruw Jones aren't starting in the same place.
• C is average.  No gradeflation. 
• Where I went to school, there was no A+.  Thus A is the highest grade. 
• This isn't like grading a multiple choice test, more like an art project.  Lots of room for interpretation. 

That said, without further ado...

James Loney: There were games and weeks when Loney looked like the top-shelf hitter I believe he can be and others when he looked decidedly more ordinary.  Given this was his first full major league season, perhaps a dropoff from his partial-year numbers was to be expected and a wretched September didn't help things, but in the end it's hard to feel totally satisfied with Loney's body of work.  The .289 BA wasn't bad (though not the number I had in mind when I selected him in my fantasy draft), but the .338 OBP, 13 homers, and .772 OPS- lowest among first basemen listed here- were a disappointment.  His work in the field was similar to that at the plate- all over the place, often good, occasionally mystifying. 

2008 wasn't a wash by any stretch, but I think Loney has more in him, and the Dodgers probably feel the same way. 

Grade: B-

Blake DeWitt:  That he's even in a position to be graded is pretty incredible, since DeWitt was supposed to be in the minors all year. But pressed into service to start the season, DeWitt was very strong early in the year, particularly in May when he hit .322 with five homers and 18 RBIs.   He'd hit the wall in June and July, but was strong after returning to the bigs later in the year.  Four more homers and 15 RBIs in September.  While the average wasn't sterling, DeWitt had strong moments in the postseason as well. Add solid defense at two positions, and the Pride of Sikeston's rookie year was notable in a lot of ways.

And did I mention he wasn't supposed to be here?

Grade: A-

Rafael Furcal: If Raffy's goal heading into his free-agent year was to prove his value to the team, he was highly successful, though the means of making his point was unfortunate.  After a torrid April, Furcal's back problems basically killed the rest of his regular season, and the Dodgers suffered at the plate and in the field.  With him, they were far more dynamic than without.  While his postseason was a mixed bag, that he was even able to rehab his way on to the field was fairly amazing.  There's no question how good Furcal can be when he plays... but over the last two seasons, "when" has been a problem.  How the Dodgers respond to his free agency is one of the winter's more intriguing questions.

Grade: A/Inc.

Jeff Kent: For much of the year, he was the most unproductive cleanup hitter in baseball, left in that slot out of a combination of misplaced loyalty and a lack of better options.  At this point in his career, Kent had become a complementary player, but the Dodgers were still in position to treat him like a focal point.  He had a great August, much of it hitting in front of Manny, not that it mattered (to him, at least). Kent's physical problems limited his defensive mobility and scuttled his September and postseason, a disappointing cap to a disappointing season but (assuming he retires) a brilliant career.  Unfortunately, we don't give grades for lifetime achievement.

Grade: C-/D+

Nomar Garciaparra: He had stretches of productivity when in the lineup, but because Nomar was limited to 55 games and 163 at-bats, his impact on the season as a whole was minimized.  He just couldn't stay healthy, but should be praised for his selflessness, stepping up to play 31 games at short despite having to know it would put too much pressure on his body.  The good moments were fleeting (strong games in July, strong games in September), and fans would be wise to remember them, since it's unlikely the hometown hero will be wearing Blue next year. 

Grade: C

Casey Blake: Red hot when he arrived in LA, The Beard stabilized a black hole at third for the Dodgers, even while his production waned down the stretch. Overall, Blake's offensive numbers fell from their Cleveland levels, and while his power was nice, the average and OBP were a drag.  Like the rest of his teammates, Blake was in and out in the postseason, making outs, running into some bad luck, and picking up a big hit here and there.  He deserves credit, though, for being half the inspiration behind our first Photoshop contest. 

Grade: C+

Angel Berroa: He hit .230 with a .304 OBP in 226 ABs, but gave LA a steady glove at shortstop after injuries forced LA's hand. That a barely-rehabbed Furcal was a better option in the playoffs gives you an idea of Berroa's production, but overall it's hard to complain about what he brought, given the expectations.  Plus, he was a lot of fun in the locker room (the man loves remote control toys) and delivered the best postgame interview of the season. 

Grade: C

Andruw Jones: Unfit.  Unproductive.  Unhealthy.  You think you hate it now, but wait 'til you drive it!

Grade: F/inc.

Juan Pierre: For the first time in his career, Pierre was a part-time player, except when injury forced him into the every-day lineup.  Initially, he bristled at the arrangement, but eventually stopped talking about it and went about his business.  On the field, despite adjusting to a new role, Pierre was basically the same guy as last season, with a decent average and stolen bases, but a bad OBP and a noodle arm.  After the season he very respectfully asked for a trade, and if the Dodgers can make it happen it would be best for everyone involved.  He'll have some value for someone, but there isn't space for Pierre in LA. 

Grade: C

Andre Ethier: He finally had the chance to become an everyday player, though perhaps not everyday enough for some, and Ethier certainly took advantage.  For five months his play ranged from solid to outstanding, the sixth being a sub-.200 June, the capper coming in September when Ethier hit a ridiculous .416 with 18 RBIs, .692 SLG, and a Manny-esque 1.249 OPS.  If you're a believer in VORP and other fun numbers, Ethier's 39.7 figure was second only to Manny's, confirming what most of us saw on the field.  Add in solid defense playing both left and right, and it's pretty clear that Ethier truly found his place in '08.

Grade: A-

Manny Ramirez:  Do I need to bother?  Look at his numbers in 53 as a Dodger, add in his monster postseason, and then argue why I need to keep typing. 

Grade: A

Matt Kemp: Like Loney, there's something still very "unrealized" about Kemp, though in a much more raw sense than his lefty teammate.  He still makes mistakes aplenty, both in the box and on the bases, and seemed capable of turning even the most routine outfield plays into hugely suspenseful affairs.  At the same time, Kemp was clearly a more mature player on and off the field.  In those moments where he seemed to "get it," Kemp was a reasonably patient and extremely dangerous hitter, and in the end, even if some wanted more, the numbers- .290/18/76, with 93 runs scored and 35 stolen bases- are pretty good and indicate the faith placed in him by the organization is well placed.  Whether he becomes a superstar or not, Kemp is already a pretty good player with room still to grow.   

Grade: B

Russell Martin: Joe Torre may have said it best when he expressed that the pressure of being Russell Martin may have hurt the Dodgers catcher this year.  Given the ownership he's taken for the team, Martin struggled to deal with failure, losing his rhythm at the plate and too often pressing to find it.  Martin's numbers were down almost across the board (he did raise his OBP from .374 to .385 on the strength of 33 more walks than in 2007), and he wasn't as strong behind the plate, either. Still, relative to other catchers across baseball, he still was a productive player, with the fifth highest VORP.  Next year will be a big one for Russell, and it'll be easier for him if the Blue could make sure he doesn't have to carry the leadership burden alone.

Grade: B-

Danny Ardoin: Brought on after the injury to Gary Bennett, he did what most backups do behind Martin- watch.  He only had 51 ABs in 24 games, but generally did a good job calling games and handling other defensive responsibilities. 

Grade: C

Mark Sweeney: On most teams, he'd have been gone long before the end of the season, but for want of a better option as a left-handed pinch-hitter/his legitimately positive presence in the clubhouse/a track record of success he stuck around despite the fact he was hitting .092 on July 27.  And that, of course, is the bottom line.  Sweeney was around to be an effective bat off the bench, and he wasn't for virtually the entire year.  In the second half, Sweeney was a little better with strong OBPs, but still wasn't very good. 

Grade: D-

Delwyn Young: Injuries and a glut of outfielders (I wonder how often the two were related) limited Young's ability to make an impact, and as the season went along he became a more marginal character in the Dodgers' 2008 narrative, a tough adjustment for a young player.  He did hit .292 as a pinch-hitter, but most of that success came early in the season.  If the Dodgers can figure out how to eliminate the surplus, Young should fit in as a fourth OF next year. If they can't, he could get squeezed.

Grade: C

Pablo Ozuna: His major contribution was a soaring, inspirational slide into third on August 3rd.  36 games played, 32 ABs.  That about sums things up. 

Grade: D/Inc.

Chin-lung Hu: Batted a buck-eighty-one in 116 ABs and didn't look altogether comfortable in the field before being sent back to the oven for more baking.  After fixing an eye problem in the minors, he hit the ball better.  The Dodgers hope he's got the stick to be an every day player in the majors.  Still lots of potential here.

Grade: D

Thanks for playing: Luis Maza, Andy LaRoche, REPKO!, Bennett, Terry Tiffee, AJ Ellis. 

BK