I thought since we've past the 40 game mark that it's time to give out the report cards for the team. I'll start with the batters and do the pitchers tomorrow. With the little win streak we've had likely the marks will be a little higher than they would have been right at 40 games.

Zaun C-...How much you should expect from a 37 year old journey man catcher? Well, more than one home run I think. But, the pitching staff has been amazing and he gets some of the credit. Telling stat…he has no Jay of the Days so far. None.

Barajas D…To be honest, I didn’t like them signing him and he is hitting about what you would have figured he would. And it’s not his fault he’s been used too much, and that he’s been put in the middle of the line up most times. And he hasn’t written DH beside his name. But you have to grade what he has done.

Overbay C-…His bat does seem to be coming around and even when he wasn’t swinging it well, he took his walks. But a contender needs more than 1 home run out of it’s first basemen at 40 games.

Hill C-…His bat might be turning around too, but when not hitting he doesn’t take walks. Great defense though.

Eckstein D…He hit a grand slam early. But he hasn’t been getting on base like a lead off man should. And his defense has been even worse than advertised. He better improve after he returns from injury. He is gritty which to me seems to mean he’s white, short and has no power.

Scutaro C-….Seems unfair to mark his since he’s been playing far more than anyone would like. His defense hasn’t been good and his bat has been missing in action till the last couple of days.

Rolen A…He’s been amazing since recovering from his broken finger. I don’t believe he can continue hitting like he has been all for the full year, but maybe he’s turned the clock back. His defense has been great.

Rios C-….In a terrible slump. He does look good in CF, great range and a good arm. 3 home runs is not what we hoped after 43 days.

Vernon Wells C+…Started the season well but he wasn’t doing much better than last season before the injury. Looks, to me, like he may have lost a step in the field.

Stewart D-…Another signing I didn’t like, I think a fourth outfielder has to be able to play more than left. Again it isn’t his fault that he is playing more than he really should….but he doesn’t have any power at all anymore, no speed, and is so poor in the outfield that they replaced him with Mench as the defensive replacement…Kevin Mench. The sad part is he isn’t hitting that much worse than I would have expected. One JoD so far and no homers is not what you want out of a corner outfielder. Would have to think that he’s likely to be released when Vernon comes back, unless they have more injuries.

Stairs B-…brought his mark up a lot with his power surge of late. Before that he looked old and over matched at the plate. I truly don’t expect him to have the same sort of season as last year, last year’s season came out of nowhere. Really not what a contender would like for an everyday DH, but if he can ride this hot streak for a few weeks I’d be very happy.

Inglett B-…Came out of nowhere and is hitting almost .300, but no power at all. Watching him play outfield could cause a man to drink. Game winning hit yesterday likely pushed up where I marked him a bit.

Wilkerson incomplete…not enough playing time to mark…looked awful in his first few games but may be turning it around. Been released twice in the last few months so you have to be leary but maybe he’ll be ok. Can’t be worse than Stewart. I think Lind would be better in the long run, but I also think the Jays have killed any confidence Lind might have had. Maybe killed any chance of a career he may have had.

Everyone else gets an incomplete. 19 at bats for Lind seems very unfair to have given up on him. I can’t imagine he’ll be back soon. And if he does come back I doubt he could get his head where it would need to be. He’d have to think that if he goes 0 fer ever he’d be sent back down. Mench hasn’t hit at all yet….but amazingly enough he went in as a defensive replacement for Stewart...he’s rep for defense is awful….but unlike Stewart he can play some right field.

That’s my marks for the hitters…pitchers later in the weekend.