SPORTSChris McCosky’s midseason Tigers gradesGo through the gallery to see Chris McCosky’s midseason analysis and grades on the Tigers’ players and manager Brad Ausmus.Robin Buckson, Detroit NewsSTARTING PITCHERSPhoto By Robin Buckson, Illustration By Larry O'ConnorJustin Verlander (8-6, 4.07 ERA, 1.13 WHIP): If not for three horrendous starts (one against the Pirates and two against the Indians), he’d have been in the All-Star conversation. His transformation from power arm to complete pitcher has been remarkable. He still possesses a firm fastball (92-97 mph) and he still gets a high percentage of strikeouts (9.2 per nine innings), but he’s much more savvy in terms of exploiting a hitter’s weakness. Needs to cut down on the home run balls (16). GRADE: BRobin Buckson, Detroit NewsJordan Zimmermann (9-4, 3.95 ERA, 1.24 WHIP): He faltered mightily after a dominant first month and a half. Injuries played a role in that. He first hurt his groin, which cost him a start, and then he tried to pitch through a neck strain, which ultimately landed him on the DL. In six June starts he posted an ERA of 6.43 and opponents hit .309 against him. The Tigers’ second-half hopes are tied to him returning to form. GRADE: CRobin Buckson, Detroit NewsMichael Fulmer (9-2, 2.11 ERA, 1.10 WHIP): Where would this rotation be without him? He ran a streak of 33.1 scoreless innings at one point and closed the first half with nine straight starts allowing one earned run or less. His rookie run has drawn comparisons to those of Mark Fidrych and Fernando Valenzuela. The Tigers have already taken steps to ration his innings. He may have to miss a turn or two down the stretch. GRADE: ARobin Buckson, Detroit NewsMike Pelfrey (2-8, 4.58 ERA, 1.71 WHIP): If you look at it in total, he’s done exactly what the Tigers signed him to do. He’s taken the ball every fifth day, eaten nearly 100 innings (98.1), and competed. His first four starts were brutal, no question. But the team, shut out in four of his starts, is 6-6 in his last 12. His latest mechanical adjustment helped boost his velocity (up to 94-96) and his off-speed pitches, still too inconsistent, have been better lately. GRADE: CRobin Buckson, Detroit NewsDaniel Norris (1-0, 4.85 ERA, 1.54 WHIP): It’s baffling how his strong, young and athletic body keeps suffering injuries. A freak back injury set him back a month at the end of spring training and now it’s a recurrence of the oblique strain he suffered last August. He’s not yet been able to establish himself at the big-league level because of it. Always, there are flashes. The stuff is evident. He just needs a three-month stretch of good health to settle in. GRADE: CTony Dejak, APAnibal Sanchez (5-10, 6.75 ERA, 1.65 WHIP): It’s awful to witness a proud, once-great athlete struggle so completely – both at his craft and with his own confidence. And his demise has been devastating to this rotation. The reality is, he has lost a good yard or two off his fastball and because of that, his margin for error on his pitches has shrunk. Plus, he’s had to be extra precise with his location and wound up losing his command almost entirely. The Tigers hope he can provide some value to the bullpen in the second half. GRADE: DRobin Buckson, Detroit NewsMatt Boyd (0-2, 5.77 ERA, 1.43 WHIP): Given the uncertainties with Zimmermann and Norris, as well as the innings watch for Fulmer, Boyd is going to get some starts in the final two and a half months. He has shown that his five-pitch arsenal plays at this level. There are inconsistencies to work through, particularly with fastball command and trust, but he’s ready to contribute. GRADE: B-minusRobin Buckson, Detroit NewsRELIEF PITCHERSPhoto By Robin Buckson, Illustration By Larry O'ConnorFrancisco Rodriguez (0-0, 2.93 ERA, 1.08 WHIP, 24 of 26 saves): A true master. In an era where closers are defined by triple-digit heat, Rodriguez thrives by studying hitters, reading swings and manipulating his eclectic change-up off well-located 89-90 mph fastballs. It’s to a joy watch, certainly for Tigers followers who haven’t enjoyed this many stress-free ninth innings in years. GRADE: ARobin Buckson, Detroit NewsJustin Wilson (2-2, 3.51 ERA, 1.11 WHIP): It was a disappointing first half for him, far more inconsistent than he’d been previously in his career. He dealt with some soreness in his arm for a couple of weeks and still hasn’t got back to being the dominant force he was in April. Troubling that left-handed hitters are batting .280 against him. Troubling, too, that opponents are hitting .368 with runners in scoring position and two out. He’s better than that. GRADE: CRobin Buckson, Detroit NewsAlex Wilson (0-0, 3.58 ERA, 1.35 WHIP): He may no longer be Everyday Alex, but he’s still Every Role Alex. In his last 15 outings since May 30, his ERA is 1.35 and opponents are hitting .250 against him. His best role may be as the sixth and / or seventh inning bridge to the back end, but he’s still reliable to get high-leverage outs late in games. He will be the first to tell you, though, that allowing 11 of 23 inherited runners to score this season is too many. GRADE: C-plusRobin Buckson, Detroit NewsShane Greene (1-2, 4.94 ERA, 1.19 WHIP): The Tigers have found the right role for him, now it’s a matter of him growing more comfortable in it. His mid-90s fastball and wipeout cutter-slider, as well as his nasty mound demeanor, have served him well in a set-up role. He has had some dominant outings and none of the seven runners he’s inherited have scored. But when his command is off, he struggles. When he’s behind in the count, opponents are hitting .391. When he’s ahead, they are hitting .128. GRADE: B-minusRobin Buckson, Detroit NewsBruce Rondon (3-1, 3.72 ERA, 0.83 WHIP): He has given up a couple of ill-timed home runs (to Mike Napoli and Devon Travis) but he’s been a boost to the back end. He still brings the upper-90s fastball, but he seems to be hiding and commanding it better than he did in the past. And his slider is vastly improved. He has put in the work to get his body in better shape. He’s also put in the work to win back the trust of his teammates and coaching staff. GRADE: BRobin Buckson, Detroit NewsKyle Ryan (3-2, 3.52 ERA, 1.47 WHIP): He’s faltered the last two times out, but the Tigers need to let him pitch through the rough spots. His stuff is too good. He struggled against left-handed hitters early on, and again here lately – which is baffling. Toronto roughed him up last weekend (three runs in one inning), but he had allowed just one run in the previous 10.2 innings. GRADE: C-plusRobin Buckson, Detroit NewsMark Lowe (1-3, 10.05 ERA, 1.85 WHIP): The Tigers are trying to allow him to work through his epic struggles by using him only in low-leverage situations. And lately he has shown positive signs. The fastball velocity is back up to 94-96. But the slider has remained inconsistent. Most of the 10 homers he’s allowed have come off hanging sliders. His track record suggests he will figure it out. The question is, how long can the Tigers wait? GRADE: DRobin Buckson, Detroit NewsBuck Farmer (0-0, 3.94 ERA, 1.38 WHIP): It was borne out of necessity, but the Tigers have truly botched the development of this strong, right-handed pitcher. They rushed him to the big leagues prematurely two years ago, then further set him back by not establishing a role for him. He continues to be a starter at Triple-A and a reliever in the big leagues. The best thing for him, and for the Tigers next season, is to leave him in the rotation at Triple-A the rest of this season, then let him fight for a rotation spot in 2017. GRADE: C-minus.Robin Buckson, Detroit NewsINCOMPLETE: Drew VerHagen (pictured), Blaine Hardy, Dustin Molleken, Warwick Saupold, Logan Kensing, Bobby Parnell.Robin Buckson, Detroit NewsPOSITION PLAYERSPhoto By Robin Buckson, Illustration By Larry O'ConnorC James McCann (.208 BA, .259 OBP, .324 SLG): He’s thrown out a league-best 57.7 percent of would-be base stealers. His pitch-calling and game management skills are improving steadily. His leadership is unquestioned. Now, about the offense. He abandoned his leg kick at the end of May, when he was hitting .150. Since then he’s hitting .258, with a .748 OPS, four home runs and 14 RBIs. It’s coming. GRADE: B-minusRobin Buckson, Detroit NewsC Jarrod Saltalamacchia (.203 BA, .325 OBP, .428 SLG): He hit six home runs in April, but only two since. He was signed to provide a left-handed hitting option behind McCann, who struggles against some right-handed pitching, but he’s only hit .211 from the left side. Still, he’s a strong, positive presence in the clubhouse and, as his .325 on-base percentage suggests, will give you quality at-bats. GRADE: CRobin Buckson, Detroit News1B Miguel Cabrera (.293 BA, .370 OBP, .507 SLG): He’s on a 30-homer, 100-RBI pace, despite the streaky first half. He’s really only had one extended hot streak (in May) and there have been some uncharacteristic stats – .200 vs. left-handed pitching, .245 on the road, .171 with two outs and runners in scoring position. He’s dealt with nagging knee and back soreness, but overall, he’s healthy, and that’s the best news going forward. GRADE: BRobin Buckson, Detroit News2B Ian Kinsler (.289 BA, .348 OBP, .489 SLG): The unquestioned catalyst, Kinsler continues to defy Father Time. At 34, he’s playing some of the best ball of his career – hitting 16 home runs and driving in 52 from the leadoff spot. He’s notched his 200th home run, 1,600th hit and 200th stolen base of his career in the first half. And he plays Gold Glove-worthy defense on a nightly basis. He plays with a gritty edge, a win the game at all costs mentality – and it’s starting to permeate. GRADE: ARobin Buckson, Detroit NewsSS Jose Iglesias (.250 BA, .305 OBP, .332 SLG): This is a much more mature player, a much more selfless player. Through talks with manager Brad Ausmus and with the guidance of Omar Vizquel, Ian Kinsler and Miguel Cabrera, Iglesias has cut some of the hot-dogging out of his game defensively, still making the eye-popping web gems. There may not be a more efficient double-play duo in the game than he and Kinsler. He’s also taken pride in situational hitting, sacrificing, moving runners over. His batting average is gradually starting to climb, too. GRADE: BRobin Buckson, Detroit News3B Nick Castellanos (.302 BA, .342 OBP, .534 SLG): In his third full season, it’s all coming together. Vastly improved on the defensive side. Matching, and possibly exceeding the club’s lofty expectations on the offensive side. He’s whacked a career-best 17 homers with 51 RBIs, but check out these numbers – .328 vs. right-handed pitching, .432 on first pitches, .329 with runners in scoring position, .351 with two outs and runners in scoring position. GRADE: ARobin Buckson, Detroit NewsOF Justin Upton (.235 BA, 289 OBP, .381 SLG): He’s always been prone to wild streaks throughout his career, but he’s never struggled like he did in the first half. New team, new league, big contract, huge expectations, they all weighed on him. But mostly, his problem was a long, slow swing. He has struggled to catch up to fastballs, all fastballs, which is death to a hitter. Lately, though, he’s been better. Since June 14, he’s hitting .257, with a .813 OPS, five homers and 20 RBIs. GRADE: DRobin Buckson, Detroit NewsOF Cameron Maybin (.341 BA, .402 OBP, .413 SLG): The energy he brings to this team on a daily basis is palpable. When he and Ian Kinsler are clicking, the offense rolls. He’s scored 32 runs in 49 games. He and Kinsler have scored 103 runs combined at the top of the order, and that’s with Maybin missing a month. His speed and athleticism has altered the DNA of the lineup. The one drawback has been his arm, still not 100 percent after a shoulder injury. Teams have been exploiting that, taking extra bases. GRADE: BRobin Buckson, Detroit NewsOF J.D. Martinez (.286 BA, 358 OBP, .520 SLG): In the 26 games before he injured his elbow in Kansas City, he was hitting .381 with a 1,074 OPS. It was a big loss for the Tigers. He had 12 homers before the injury, including arguably a season-saving, two-out, game-tying bomb in a 6-5 win in Baltimore, stopping a skid of 11 losses in 12 games. He could be back by late July. GRADE: BRobin Buckson, Detroit NewsOF Steven Moya (.267 BA, .304 OBP, .535 SLG): He’s hit five home runs in 25 games. He’s showing much more discipline at the plate. Offensively, he’s ready to stay at this level. Defensively, however, it’s been rough. Surprisingly so. He plays too cautiously, doesn’t read the ball off the bat well and is very slow getting to balls that are hit in front of him. GRADE: CDavid Guralnick, Detroit NewsOF Anthony Gose (.209 BA, .287 OBP, .341 SLG): Stunning. He began the season as the everyday center fielder, coming off a promising 2015 season. And it all fell apart. He was sent down to Toledo after striking out 38 times in 30 games and it got worse. He struck out 75 times in 50 games down there. His misery culminated in a dugout spat with manager Lloyd McClendon and him not showing up for the next game to earn a three-day suspension. He's been demoted to Double A Erie. GRADE: DRobin Buckson, Detroit NewsDH Victor Martinez (.305 BA, .353 OBP, .514 SLG): At age 37, with two balky knees, he’s having a big-time bounce-back season. He’s produced 17 homers (six more than last season’s total) and 52 RBIs (12 shy of last season’s total). He plays in pain almost every game and he is a severe liability on the bases. But that bat in the middle of the Tigers lineup is still formidable and essential. GRADE: BRobin Buckson, Detroit NewsUT Andrew Romine (.222 BA, .310 OBP, .270 SLG): Such a valuable and unsung part of this team. He has played every position except catcher, and he plays most of them with above average competency. He is the late game defensive replacement at third base and shortstop is his primary position. But when the Tigers were down an outfielder, he became the backup centerfielder, and made the transition seemingly effortlessly. GRADE: BRobin Buckson, Detroit NewsUT Mike Aviles (.211 BA, .268 OBP, .272 SLG): Funny how things work out. He was signed prior to the Tigers landing Upton. The idea was he’d platoon in left field with possibly Tyler Collins. After Upton was signed, Aviles was essentially the backup utility guy. But since J.D. Martinez’s injury, he’s been playing the role he was signed for – backup, platoon outfielder, only in right field with Moya. GRADE: CRobin Buckson, Detroit NewsINCOMPLETE: Tyler Collins (pictured), Bobby Wilson, Casey McGehee.Robin Buckson, Detroit NewsTIGERS MANAGERPhoto By Robin Buckson, Illustration By Larry O'ConnorBrad Ausmus: Here’s what Orioles manager Buck Showalter said about Ausmus earlier this season: “He’s part of their solution, not their problem. Trust me. He’s good. And I wouldn’t tell you that if I didn’t think it.” Ausmus has steered with a calm, steady hand through unbelievably rough water this year. He’s managed the bullpen masterfully. He’s established roles and kept arms fresh. He’s done the same with the injury-plagued veterans. He’s as hands-on a manager as there is, catching bullpens, throwing batting practice, hitting fungos. He’s adept at distilling what’s relevant and useful from all the statistics and data. And yet, at his core, he’s an old-school leader. His in-game strategizing has improved. Even when the moves fail, the methodology is usually sound. GRADE: B-plusRobin Buckson, Detroit News