Grading our 2012 White Sox

As it's time to watch other teams jump up and down in celebration I figure this is as good of time than any to mark my grades for the 2012 Chicago White Sox. Not because my opinion really means anything, but it's all I got right now.

The '12 squad far exceeded everyone's expectations and a 85-77 final record should've been enough to give the team a nice pat on the back. But this team will be known for their meltdown the final two weeks of season when they had what seemed to be a firm grip on the division lead.

The year saw bounce back years from guys who were absolute zeros in years past and continued struggles from a certain second basemen. (I'm looking at you, Gordon.)

I'm not going to get into the Ray Olmedo's or the Jose Lopez's or Jhan Marinez of the year because there wasn't enough of a sample size to warrant a grade. And whatever there was, it wasn't that impressive. 

So here it goes...

Infielders
Paul Konerko: B - Batted close to .400 through May but B.A. dipped big time to .263 in the 2nd half. The guy has played through more pain than he probably would say and plays a stellar 1st base. Although, the Sox could've used his bat in August/September.
Gordon Beckham: C- - The guy has a glove, no doubt. But doesn't provide much of anything off the bat.
Alexei Ramirez: C+ - You know what you are going to get from Alexi. Cold in April/May. Hot in June/July. Streaky in August. Nowhere to be found in September. The glove was maybe just above average as well.
Brent Morel: F - There's no way he's back in 2013. Right?
Kevin Youkilis: C - Burst on the scene in a late June trade. Seemed to care more about why the Cubs got more attention and getting game times moved than helping the team win in September. Granted, he played though a knee injury but highly doubtful he returns. It wouldn't surprise me Boston resigns him now that Bobby V. is gone.
Orlando Hudson: C- - Decent enough pick up to fill bench space early in the season but seems to be at the end of his career.
Adam Dunn: B+ - The guy isn't here to hit for high average. He's here to hit home runs. That's what he did. 41 of them to be exact.

Outfielders
Alejandro De Aza: B- - First full season in the majors. Good enough at the top of this order and played a good outfield. You got to wonder if this career minor leaguer can repeat this kind of success.
Alex Rios: A - By far this team's MVP of 2012. I was ready to write him off but proved me and pretty much everyone else wrong. Now, can he do it again? Or, do the Sox sell high?
Dayan Viciedo: C+ - Seemed to be Carlos Quentin without the mental instability.
Jordan Danks: C  -  If you would've told me in March Jordan would be the Danks brother that got the most playing time this season I would've automatically thought this team was losing 100 games.
Dewayne Wise: C+ - If you would've told me in March Dewayne Wise would be on this team I would've thought something went terribly wrong.

Catchers
A.J. Pierzynski: B+  - Could be the last year for one of the most beloved players to ever put on a Sox uniform. He made this year count.
Tyler Flowers: C - I still don't know if he's the answer but he has a good shot at being the everyday man behind the plate next year.

Starters:
Jake Peavy: B-  - First full season pitching on the Sox since coming over in 2009! Made the All-Star team but had some rough starts when the team needed him the most.
Gavin Floyd: D+ - Was he hurt the whole year? Will he never be the pitcher he was in 2008?
Phil Humber: D- - No, I can't believe a kid from Nacogdoches, Texas threw a perfect game.
Francisco Liriano: D+  - Maybe I'm being too harsh here but after his first few starts with the Sox that were good enough, he was demoted to the bullpen during the stretch run. Exactly for the time they traded him for.
Jose Quintana: A-  - This kid did everything right for a long time. Lost a few 1-0 games in the summer. Arm seemed to get tired late in the year. Most likely will get a shot in the rotation next year.
Chris Sale: A  - His first year as a starter far exceeded everyone's expectations. Was in the Cy Young talk for a little while until he clearly reached a wall in September.
John Danks: D  - Maybe a little harsh here. Should be an INC since he didn't pitch after mid - May but his starts before his injury weren't that impressive for a guy signed to a long term big money deal.

Bullpen
Addison Reed: B+ - Usually made things interesting but solidified the closers role with his 29 saves.
Matt Thornton: C+ - Got the job done sometimes, other times not so much. I don't remember being to enraged with him this year as I was in 2011. But he did post his highest ERA with the Sox since 2007.
Nate Jones: B+  - Stellar arm coming out of the pen. Hopefully he has more in the tank for next year.
Jesse Crain: C+  - Only appeared in 51 games this year due to time on the D.L.
Brett Myers: B-   -  Came over in a trade a week before the trading deadline. Could be considered for a spot in the rotation in 2013.
Hector Santiago: C-  - Was the team's closer in April and quickly resembled the 2011 Matt Thornton experiment. 
Leyson Septimo: F  - I never want to see this guy again.
Donnie Veal: B-  - Proved he could get left handers out.
Dylan Axelrod: D - Terrible.
Brian Omogrosso: B - Impressive in his 17 appearances.