So we are at May 1, so I'll put out grades on each Reds player and group grades thus far.
Pitching - A's - Lodolo & Cruz - Fernando Cruz has been a very pleasant surprise. So much so that if Diaz ever has some trouble, you could quickly move Cruz in to the closer's role. We knew Lodolo could be this. Now we just need to hold our breaths after every start and hopefully he has a healthy full season.
Pitching - B's - Greene, Ashcraft, Abbott, Martinez, Diaz, Suter, Farmer. Probably a few surprises on here. Overall Greene hasn't pitched poorly, it's just the pitch count issues that keep cropping up. Abbott has got some good run support in his starts as has Ashcraft. Diaz has had a couple of hiccups but has been other wise solid.
Pitching - C's - Montas, Pagan and Wilson - Montas maybe more of product that he's missed some time. Pagan has been disappointing. I though he's really take over some innings
Pitching - D's - Sims. It's good that we have only one guy on this list. Sims is a very tough guy to figure out. He has a good outing followed by 2-3 bad ones.
Pitching overall - B. the Reds pitching statistics are great in comparison to past years. Sure we''d love to get a little more consistent starting pitching, but they are doing a good job, and the bullpen has picked up where thy left off from last year.
Position - A's - De La Cruz, only one. He's been off the charts good when many expected him to struggle.
Position B's - Benson, Steer, Stephenson, Espinal, Fairchild. - 2 weeks ago, I'd probably have Steer with an A. Benson has become an everyday player. I think Tyler Stephenson has had a nice month. With the injuries and suspension, Espinal has done a great job. Friedl's injury opened the door for Stuar Fairchild and he's taken full advantage. He can play all outfield position, he runs well and has hit good enough.
Position C's - Martini, CES, Fraley, India, Maile. One of the reasons we are not futher above .500 is these guys were expected to do alot more than what they are doing, especially CES/ Fraley and India.
Position D's - Candelario and Thompson - Candelario has swung a hot bat the last few days and let's hope that's what's coming for him. He was expected to step right into a good lineup and contribute. He's a historically slow starter.
Bubba Thompson is fast, but really struggles hitting.
Position player overall grade. C. I know we're missing some guys, but felt like we'd score and be alot more effective on offense. Steer was hot early, Elly's been pretty good all season, but outside of that, just guys who are struggling with consistency. I'm SO happy we are running.
All in all for April will take it. May's schedule is challenging, but this teams starting pitching has been doing well. We've not won anything but we're not out of it either.