Detroit Tigers Midseason Grades

July 11, 2013; Detroit, MI, USA; Detroit Tigers third baseman Miguel Cabrera (24) hits a home run in the fifth inning against the Chicago White Sox at Comerica Park. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports

INFIELDERS

Alex Avila  D

Alex has been a liability with the bat in the first half. It seems the year he had in 2011 was a fluke.

Bryan Pena  A

Bryan Pena should be getting the majority of the playing time at catcher.  That may be the way it turns out in the second half if he keeps swinging a hot bat.

Prince Fielder B+

Fielders power has disappeared for stretches and he seems inpatient at the plate at times. That said he has hit 16 home runs and is on pace to hit 30. He has also played solid defense throughout and durable as well having played every game so far this season.

Omar Infante A

Omar Infante has been one of the unsung heroes of the Detroit Tigers first half. His .787 OPS has been a huge plus for the Tigers at the bottom of the order where Infante has served like a second lead-off hitter.  He is on base for the top of the order giving Jackson and Hunter more opportunities with men in scoring position.  His recent stint on the DL has shown Tiger fans just how important he is to the line-up.

Jhonny Peralta A+ 

You can’t ask for anything more from Jhonny Peralta than what he has done in the first half.  He has played solid defense at short and is among the offensive leaders at his position. I guess the rumors of Peralta’s demise were greatly exaggerated. His grade could drop significantly though if he is further implicated in the Biogensis scandal.

Miguel Cabrera A+

It is hard to believe but Cabrera is having a better season than last year.  His 95 RBI at the all-star break is mind-boggling and he may have a legitimate shot at the single season MLB RBI record. The record is 191 set by Hank Wilson in 1930. Cabrera also has a shot at another triple crown which has a historical significance we can’t even address in this brief summary.