Phillies Insider: Grading The First Half - Part 2

The Starting Rotation

Cole Hamels, LHP, (A): Despite the modest 9-6 record, Hamels is the ace of the staff and one of the best young pitchers in the game. With a 3.15 ERA and a pair of complete-game shutouts, the 24-year-old should have been an All-Star, but the extra rest should help. The great thing about Hamels is he's progressing. He's on pace to throw 200-plus innings and perhaps record 200-plus strikeouts. The only concern is his health. While he hasn't been injured this season, Hamels has a history of landing on the disabled list at some point.

Brett Myers, RHP, (F): Myers has been working on his mechanics at class-AAA Lehigh Valley and is expected to return to the team July 23 to face the Mets. Myers has been absolutely atrocious this season, compiling a 3-9 record and a 5.96 ERA while leading the league in home runs allowed. Needless to say, the Phillies desperately need Myers to get his head straight and pitch -- at the very least - above average in the second half. In many ways, Myers is the key to the team's pitching success going forward.

Jamie Moyer, LHP, (A-): Moyer continues to baffle hitters with his variety of offspeed pitches. The 45-year-old posted an 8-6 record with a 3.95 ERA in the first half. Moyer's done a great job of working six or seven innings every start and keeping the Phillies in the game. While age is always a concern, Moyer is typically much stronger down the stretch. Last year, he won some big games for the Phillies. I expect similar results this season.

Kyle Kendrick, RHP, (B+): Kendrick is 8-3 this season with a 4.47 ERA. Kendrick, 23, is a groundball pitcher throwing in a hitter-friendly ballpark. He benefits from great run support. While Kendrick doesn't exactly have amazing stuff, he does a great job of working out of trouble, utilizing his good sinker. There was concern that Kendrick would endure the "sophomore slump" in 2008. Instead, he's been just as productive as last season, when he won 10 games as a mid-season replacement for Freddy Garcia.

Adam Eaton, RHP, (F): Eaton is perhaps the worst pitcher in all of baseball... And no, that isn't an overreaction. In his two seasons with the Phillies, Eaton has the worst ERA among qualified starters(6.06), according to an article by Jayson Stark on ESPN.com. He is 3-8 with a 5.71 ERA in 19 starts this season, including 18 earned runs allowed his last two outings. How bad is Eaton? He gave up a bases-loaded double to Randy Johnson after about a 10 pitch at-bat. HE COULDN'T STRIKE OUT RANDY FREAKIN' JOHNSON!! With the acquisition of Joe Blanton, Eaton is likely finished in the rotation. The scary thing is the Phillies will probably move him to the bullpen.

The Others

Joe Blanton, RHP, (NG): Blanton was 5-12 with a 4.96 ERA with the Oakland A's this season. His record is bad, but Blanton is a proven innings-eater and won 16 and 14 games in 2007 and 2006, respectively. Blanton isn't a savior, but he's sure better than Eaton. Then again, who the hell isn't?

J.A. Happ, LHP, (B): Phillies fans have this love affair with Happ. He isn't going to lead the team to the World Series nor will he be the next Cole Hamels. Sure, he's pitched well in two major-league starts, but his control is an issue. Happ, who struck out 12 in his most recent class-AAA start, might get one or two more starts with the big league team. Happ's best bet is to finish the year in the minors, come back in February and try to win a spot in the starting rotation.

The Bullpen

Clay Condrey, RHP, (B+): Condrey played the role of Mr. Mop Up admirably in two seasons with the Phillies. Lately, however, Condrey has been thrust into more difficult situations and has done a good job. He recorded a save last week when Brad Lidge needed a rest and has a 3.66 ERA in 30 appearances. Not bad for a guy who posted a 5.04 ERA in 50 innings last year. I like Condrey, but he's a mid-relief guy at best... but certainly worth keeping (and trusting) the rest of the way. Hopefully, the Phillies won't option or demote him in favor of Eaton.

Rudy Seanez, RHP, (B+): The 39-year-old was retired when the Phillies gave him a call at the start of the season. Seanez, a mixed martial arts expert, has been a pleasant surprise in the middle of the pen. While he has been limited due to a back injury in recent weeks, Seanez is well worth the low-risk, high-reward investment. He possesses a 2.40 ERA in 26 outings.

Ryan Madson, RHP, (A-): Hmm, how could I best liken Ryan Madson at the start of the season? Madson has great potential, but at times is very frustrating to watch (I guess Mets fans can relate with Aaron Heilman). After a rough start to the season, Madson has shined in late-inning relief. He has a 2-0 record, six holds and a 2.77 ERA. Still, I have the sense that Phillies fans are just waiting for him to implode.

J.C. Romero, LHP. (B+): Romero earned a contract extension in the offseason after pitching extremely well for the Phillies down the stretch last year. Since being claimed off waivers from the Boston Red Sox, Romero has been a left-handed force in the bullpen. He's dangerous in the sense that his command is borderline terrible, but the Phillies have certainly taken the good with the bad. He starts to struggle when he pitches three or four straight days, evident by his recent problems. Still, it's hard to complain about a 2.17 ERA in 45 appearances.

Chad Durbin, RHP, (A): Durbin has been spectacular for the Phillies, who signed the 30-year-old in the offseason. Durbin has played just about every role to perfection -- set-up guy, mop-up guy, middle-relief guy, long-reliever guy. He has a minuscule 1.89 ERA with four holds in 36 appearances. He's as valuable as any pitcher on the staff.

Tom Gordon, RHP, (D-): As the team's set-up man, Gordon has been a major problem this season. He has a 5.16 ERA in 34 appearances and is currently on the disabled list with a shoulder injury. Gordon will likely return to the bullpen, but the Phillies should find a different role for the 40-year-old. This will likely be Gordon's final season.

Brad Lidge, RHP, (A+): Lidge has lived up to his "Lights Out" moniker, posting a 1.13 ERA with 20 saves in as many tries. It's only a matter of time before he blows a save, so it'll be interesting to see how he responds. Nevertheless, he's very deserving of the three-year contract extension he received earlier this month.