Mid Season Report Card: Offense

This is a midseason review, which is also featured on Phillies Nation. Visit Phillies Nation for the full feature, which includes other blogger's opinions.

Jimmy Rollins: C+

Since he missed most of the season due to injury, it's hard to put a grade on Rollins. Before he was first placed on the disabled list, he showed tremendous patience at the plate. However, after his second return, all his numbers dipped off. The injured calf is mainly to blame, but Rollins is a player who is capable of stealing many bases; he only has two this season. The Phillies are a much better team when Rollins is healthy; they need him to be the spark plug.

Placido Polanco: B+

Despite losing at-bats due to his injury, Polanco remains near the league leaders in average (.318). He's not going to hit for power, but his slugging percentage is up from where it was at this point last year (.386 midway through '09, .433 midway through '10). Defensively, he has adjusted fine from second to third. The Phillies have gotten what they expected from Polanco. It's just a shame he's hurt.

Chase Utley: B+

He's the best second baseman in baseball, but he's having a down year -- for Chase Utley. His month long slump put a toll on his stats. He's batting .277; he's usually around the .290 mark. He's slugging .466; he's usually over .500. His OPS is .849; it's usually over .900. It just shows how spoiled we are to watch a player like Chase. His "down year" is above average for most players. It hurts that he'll be out so long.

Ryan Howard: B+

His batting average is way up. His strikeout numbers are way down, but so are his power numbers. Decide which Ryan Howard you like more: the one that will hit tons of home runs but strike out quite a bit, or the one that will hit for average, strike out less, but will also hit less home runs? You decide. He's having a very good season, but I'd still like to see a bigger power display from him.

Jayson Werth: A

Werth has had his ups and downs, but he has put together a solid year at the plate. A line of .286 AVG/ .371 OBP/ .531 SLG/ .902 OPS isn't too shabby. He has 26 doubles midway through 2010; that was his total for ALL of last year. He has slumped, however when he is hot, he's on fire.

Raul Ibanez: D+

There have been a lot less "RAAUUUUUUUL" chants this year. Last season was one of Raul's better seasons, but this year he can't even come close to the numbers he put up with Seattle and Kansas City.

Shane Victorino: C+

I like that Victorino is attempting to steal. It seems like he is only Phillie that is attempting to. His slugging percentage is about where it usually is (.446), but his average (.252) and on-base percentage (.322) are lower than normal. The Phillies need him on base.

Carlos Ruiz: C+

Chooch was having one of his better years at the plate before suffering an injury. The backstop is known more for his catching abilities, and has done a tremendous job defensively behind the plate, from calling the game to making game-saving plays.

Bench: D+

During the offseason, Ruben Amaro gave the bench a whole new look, hoping to improve on 2009. Many of those bench players have turned into "everyday" players, thanks to numerous injuries. Charlie Manuel always says that he needs to give his bench players at-bats for them to do well. Players like Wilson Valdez and Juan Castro have done a decent job filling in for hurt players. However, when guys are called off the bench to pinch hit, like Ben Franciso, it usually doesn't end up in any sort of production. Filling in nicely, yes. Pinch hitting, not so much.