Grading the Milwaukee Brewers Batters

The worst and best teachers were the ones who gave you midterm grades in college.  They were the worst because it could really ruin your day if you were struggling in the class then it leads you to do a ton of math to figure out how you can get at least a B by the end of the semester.  They were the best in knowing you were kicking ass, and that you could probably slack off a bit which still would result in a solid grade.   

I decided to be one of those teachers except I am a fan who, thanks to unemployment, has watched more Brewers than I have in the last couple summers of my life. Friday was the first game I completely missed for the first time in a long time. Here are my grades for the Milwaukee Brewers.  

Catchers 

Johnathan Lucroy- B+  LUUUUUC would have a much higher grade if not for his freak accident in the middle of the season.  Lucroy played his ass off in the first two months of the season, and will be a key contributor for the Brewers down the stretch.

Martin Maldonado- B  He's been great during his time for the Brewers.  Maldy had a bunch of clutch hits for the Crew in the last month, and he calls a great game for the pitchers. I definitely think the Brewers can contribute some of Michael Fiers' success with Maldenado.  

George Kottaras- C+  George had that run in the beginning of the year where we declared it 'The Spring of George', only to be disappointed the rest of the way through.  Kottaras has not done much since minus this awesome YouTube video and takes walks.

1st Base 

Corey Hart- B+  Look I understand that he has over 90 strikeouts, and that he is only hitting .250, but there are other things about Hart's season that made it above average.  He is second in the team in home runs, and he is playing great first base for the Crew.  Defensively, he is a massive upgrade over Prince Fielder with his superb lateral movements.  

Travis Ishikawa- B I think Ishikawa has done some nice things for the Brewers this season off the bench. He has a couple of great pinch-hits, and filled in nicely for Mat Gamel after he went down with injury.  I wouldn't be shocked if he gets moved before the deadline.  

Mat Gamel- Incomplete  It's too bad we did not get to see the potential of Gamel this season. I hope he can come back strong in 2013. 

2nd Base

Rickie Weeks- C- Weeks is having a tough year no doubt about it, but the criticism of him is borderline unfair.  He takes the most walks on the team, and his defense has been adequate for the Brewers.  Weeks struggles at the plate have been well-documented throughout the year, but he has been improving in the recent month.  For the month of July, Weeks is hitting .345 with an OBP of .425 with a couple of homers. Hopefully sign of things to come. 

Shortstop 

Alex Gonzalez- Incomplete- I am really disappointed that Gonzalez got hurt in San Francisco because I think he would have been great for the Brewers this season.  I doubt he returns to the team next year. 

Cesar Izturis- D It is really for his offense. I mean he is batting .212 and .231 OBP, I bet there is a bar league shortstop who can hit better than him.  Although I bet that same shortstop cannot play defense like Izturis who has flashed the leather a couple of times. 

Cody Ransom- C  All things considered, Ransom has been a valued addition to the team. He can play every position on the infield, and he has proved to have some pop in his bat every once in awhile. 

Third Base 

Aramis Ramirez- B+ Ramirez really raised his grade in the last two months. He had his usual slow start, but now, it's becoming an absolute delight to watch Ramirez.  He might not be hitting the home runs that we are accustomed to, but A-Ram is hitting the absolute hell out of the baseball.  Hopefully, it continues in the second half. 

Taylor Green- Incomplete- He got sent down today to Triple A, and it feels like to me that he is in the new Gamel.  He is a quadruple A player right now. 

Left Field 

Ryan Braun- A What more can you say? Braun dealt with an absolutely hellacious offseason with the suspension and the non-Milwaukee backlash that led to boos away from The Keg.  He is leading the majors in home runs, and is batting over .300.  If the Brewers come back to be in the mix for the playoffs, Braun will be right up there for MVP.  

Center Field 

Nyjer Morgan- F  There are a couple players on my shit list, and Tony Plush is one of the them.  There have been some clueless plays like misjudging a fly ball costing the Brewers' three runs against Pittsburgh and calling his own steal in Chicago in the 9th inning.  Morgan only has five RBIs, bats .230, and he continues to bat second. Additionally, Morgan has 39 strikeouts, only five doubles, and no triples.  Morgan is a bench player at best right now.  

Carlos Gomez- B- He gets a higher grade because of the defense he plays.  Easily, the Brewers best defensive player, and a true lightening rod for this team. Now, the last two months have not been kind to Carlos, and he needs to reconfigure things out at the plate so I don't lose a bet to my buddy Eric. 

Right Field 

Norichika Aoki- A  When Mitch and I first half awards come out (hopefully tomorrow), I put Aoki as the biggest NL surprise in the first half. Nori has helped the Brewers in some many different ways this season doing all of the little things on the field. 

If you think my grades are too fair or unfair, feel free to comment or tweet me (@SnoTap12)

Charlie.