Toronto Blue Jays review: first half of the season

Now that the All-Star break has come upon us, I thought it’s time to review the Toronto Blue Jay’s performance in the first half of the 2012 season.

In this article, I will breakdown the pluses and minuses about the first half of the Blue Jay’s season.

Plus

J.P. Arencibia: 248 at bats, 31 runs scored, 56 hits, 11 doubles, 13 home runs, and 41 RBIs.  Arencibia was also named American League Player of the Week in May.

Kelly Johnson: 297 at bats, 39 runs scored, 73 hits, eight doubles, two triples, 10 home runs, 37 RBIs, and 40 walks.

Brett Lawrie: In his first full season as a Major League ball player, his stats are very impressive , at least to me anyway.  327 at bats, 51 runs scored, 95 hits, 16 doubles, two triples, eight home runs, 33 RBIs, and only 52 strikeouts.

Yunel Escobar: This guy is not only good at the plate, but is a good fielder as well.  331 at bats, 43 runs scored, 84 hits, 10 doubles, one triple, five home runs, 32 RBIs and only 36 strikeouts.  Fielding: 731.2 innings, 128 put outs, 266 assists.

Colby Rasmus: 320 at bats, 46 runs scored, 83 hits, 18 doubles, three triples, 17 home runs, and 53 RBIs.

Jose Bautista: Well, what can you say about Joeybats.  He’s did what everybody thought he would do.  Provide offense.  315 at bats, 59 runs scored, 77 hits, 12 doubles, 27 home runs, 65 RBIs and only 59 strikeouts.  He was also named American League Player of the Month for June.

Edwin Encarnacion: What a difference a year makes.  After having a bad year at the plate in 2011, Encarnacion has made up for it in 2012 for sure.  308 at bats, 55 runs scored, 91 hits, 14 doubles, 23 home runs, 58 RBIs and only 56 strikeouts.

Brandon Morrow: 7-4 record, 3,01 earned run average.  He also threw at least two complete games during the first half.

Carlos Villianueva: This guy was assigned to be a starter when three of the regular starting pitchers were put on the disabled list.  He has proven that he belongs in the big leagues with a 3-0 record and a 3.05 earned run average.

Ricky Romero: True to form, he has pitched well in the first half with a 8-4 record.  The only bad thing is his 5.22 earned run average.

Drew Hutchison: 5-3 record, 4.60 earn run average.

Casey Janssen: 12 saves so far.

Minus

Injuries have plagued the Blue Jays in the first half.  Morrow, Hutchison, Kyle Drabek all went down with an injury within a week of one another.  The latest is reliever, Luis Perez who left a game against the Chicago White Sox early Sunday.

Brett Lawrie left Saturday’s game with tightness in his back.

Pitching has been a bit of a problem too.

Drabek: 4-7 record, 4.67 earned run average.

Henderson Alvarez: 5-7 record, 4.36 earned run average.

Arencibia: Has struck out 76 times.

Johnson: has struck out 93 times.

 Team Record:  The Toronto Blue Jays have a record of 43-43 (.500).  It sounds good until you look at the American League East Division standings where the Jays are nine and half games behind and sitting in last place.

So, what’s ahead for the Jays in the second half of the 2012 season.  Look for Adam Lind to provide more offense.  In the last seven days, he has scored four runs, got seven hits, two doubles, two home runs, and five RBIs in 26 at bats.

There also could be a trade or two, although, there hasn’t been any trade rumors on the horizon lately.  The only trade talk I have heard as of late is that the Jays maybe looking for a pitcher.

Overall,  I would give the first half of the Jay’s season a C-

Enjoy the all-Star Game folks.