New York Yankees' 2015 First-Half Report Card

New York Yankees' 2015 First-Half Report Card

By William Chase

July 12, 2015

New York Yankees' 2015 First-Half Report Card

New York Yankees — Today marks the end of the first-half across MLB. With the New York Yankees entering the All-Star Break in first place in the AL East, it's time to take a look at the first-half grades for the team. I am giving grades for the offense, starting rotation, bullpen, fielding, and baserunning for the team's first-half.

Today marks the end of the first-half across MLB. With the New York Yankees entering the All-Star Break in first place in the AL East, it's time to take a look at the first-half grades for the team. I am giving grades for the offense, starting rotation, bullpen, fielding, and baserunning for the team's first-half.

Offense

Mark Teixeira New York Yankees

Offense

Mark Teixeira New York Yankees — On the decline the last few years, the Yankees are back to being The Bronx Bombers, ranking third in MLB in home runs behind the Toronto Blue Jays and Houston Astros. The offense greatly benefits from Jacoby Ellsbury and Brett Gardner setting the table from the top, and Alex Rodriguez and Mark Teixeira anchoring the middle of the lineup. The team ranks first in runs scored in the first inning, and second in MLB overall runs scored.

Grade: A

On the decline the last few years, the Yankees are back to being The Bronx Bombers, ranking third in MLB in home runs behind the Toronto Blue Jays and Houston Astros. The offense greatly benefits from Jacoby Ellsbury and Brett Gardner setting the table from the top, and Alex Rodriguez and Mark Teixeira anchoring the middle of the lineup. The team ranks first in runs scored in the first inning, and second in MLB overall runs scored.

Grade: A

Starting Rotation

Michael Pineda New York Yankees

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Starting Rotation

Michael Pineda New York Yankees — The Yankees rotation features young, exciting talent with electric stuff. However inconsistencies have been an issue. The Yankees rank outside the top 10 in AL ERA. Though the offense and stellar bullpen bails out the rotation, the team relies on ace Masahiro Tanaka (5-3, 3.63 ERA), Michael Pineda (9-5, 3.64 ERA), Ivan Nova (1-3, 3.42 ERA, 4 starts this season), and Nathan Eovaldi (9-2, 4.50 ERA) to pitch more consistently.

Grade: C

The Yankees rotation features young, exciting talent with electric stuff. However inconsistencies have been an issue. The Yankees rank outside the top 10 in AL ERA. Though the offense and stellar bullpen bails out the rotation, the team relies on ace Masahiro Tanaka (5-3, 3.63 ERA), Michael Pineda (9-5, 3.64 ERA), Ivan Nova (1-3, 3.42 ERA, 4 starts this season), and Nathan Eovaldi (9-2, 4.50 ERA) to pitch more consistently.

Grade: C

Bullpen

Dellin Betances New York Yankees

Bullpen

Dellin Betances New York Yankees — The Yankees' bullpen is among the best in MLB (3.47 ERA, 6th AL). The addition of Adam Warren into the bullpen gives the Yankees another solid stopper to go alongside Dellin Betances and Andrew Miller, helping lead MLB in Ks. Betances (1.53 ERA, 77 Ks) in the eighth, and Miller (18-18 save opp., 1.53 era) in the ninth shortens games considerably, which in turn reduces the amount of innings needed by the rotation.

Bullpen: A

The Yankees' bullpen is among the best in MLB (3.47 ERA, 6th AL). The addition of Adam Warren into the bullpen gives the Yankees another solid stopper to go alongside Dellin Betances and Andrew Miller, helping lead MLB in Ks. Betances (1.53 ERA, 77 Ks) in the eighth, and Miller (18-18 save opp., 1.53 era) in the ninth shortens games considerably, which in turn reduces the amount of innings needed by the rotation.

Bullpen: A

Speed

Brett Gardner New York Yankees

Speed

Brett Gardner New York Yankees — We know the Yankees can slug the ball out of the park. Another intangible the Yankees can utilize is their speed. Having Ellsbury and Gardner 1-2 in the lineup sets the tone for the meat of the order. Having those two on base gives Joe Girardi more ways to manufacture runs. The Yankees are 39 of 54 SB/CS. Expect that total to increase with Ellsbury back everyday and Gardner batting behind him.

Speed: A

We know the Yankees can slug the ball out of the park. Another intangible the Yankees can utilize is their speed. Having Ellsbury and Gardner 1-2 in the lineup sets the tone for the meat of the order. Having those two on base gives Joe Girardi more ways to manufacture runs. The Yankees are 39 of 54 SB/CS. Expect that total to increase with Ellsbury back everyday and Gardner batting behind him.

Speed: A

Fielding

Didi Gregorius New York Yankees

Fielding

Didi Gregorius New York Yankees — No one is going to replace Derek Jeter, and after a tough start to the season, SS Didi Gregorius seems more relaxed, and starting to come into his own in New York. As a whole however, the Yankees rank 26th in MLB fielding (.980). Teixeira (.997) remains one of the best fielding 1B in the game, saving lots of potential errors with his ability to scoop balls out of the dirt.
As a unit, the Yankees need to continue to improve here.

Fielding: D

No one is going to replace Derek Jeter, and after a tough start to the season, SS Didi Gregorius seems more relaxed, and starting to come into his own in New York. As a whole however, the Yankees rank 26th in MLB fielding (.980). Teixeira (.997) remains one of the best fielding 1B in the game, saving lots of potential errors with his ability to scoop balls out of the dirt.
As a unit, the Yankees need to continue to improve here.

Fielding: D

William Chase is a New York Yankees writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter @William_Chase88 or add him to your network on LinkedIn and Google.

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