Midseason Report Card (players, Grades And Peter Schmuck's Comment)

Orioles

PITCHERS

Matt Albers, B-

Solid middle guy has been up and down twice this year but gets extra credit for pitching through a torn labrum.

Danys Baez, B

Has lost some momentum of late but has pitched well for a guy who looked like the odd man out in spring training.

Brian Bass, B-

Got off to a rocky start but has bounced back to secure his place among the top 10 all-time major leaguers named after fish.

Brad Bergesen, A

Quite simply, the most consistent and productive starting pitcher in the rotation. Who would have figured that on

Opening Day?

Jason Berken, D+

Tough-luck pitcher Friday night (allowed two runs in 5 2/3 innings), but one win in nine starts barely gets a passing grade.

Jeremy Guthrie, C

Winningest pitcher on the staff (6-8), but command problems and inconsistency have made ace role more of a burden than an honor.

Mark Hendrickson, C

Has fit nicely into left-handed long-reliever role after giving up 20 earned runs in 28 1/3 innings as a starter.

Rich Hill, D

Reclamation project has not been a

total bust, but it's hard to ignore

that 6.92 ERA.

Jim Johnson, A-

Strong eighth-inning setup man who deserved All-Star consideration.

Kam Mickolio, Incomplete

Tough to make any judgment on a guy who has pitched only two innings since being recalled.

George Sherrill, A-

Has converted 16 of his past 17 save opportunities after a couple of early hiccups.

Koji Uehara, C

Japanese player is a pretty good

pitcher when he's healthy -

that's not very often.

CATCHERS

Matt Wieters, B-

Still getting acclimated to the major leagues but has held his own both at the plate and behind it.

Gregg Zaun, C+

Has done the job he was brought here to do. The Orioles weren't expecting bells and whistles.

INFIELDERS

Robert Andino, B

Club was very pleased with his performance filling in for Cesar Izturis. Solid backup shortstop with an upside.

Aubrey Huff, B

Ranks 14th in the league in RBIs. Better than advertised at first base. Scary on the bases.

Cesar Izturis, B

Defensive stats are almost identical to Andino's. Not much different at the plate either.

Melvin Mora, C

First-half power outage has put 2010 club option in serious doubt.

Brian Roberts, B