Go through the gallery to see The Detroit News’ midseason grades for the Detroit Tigers’ 2022 season, compiled by Chris McCosky. Click here if you have trouble viewing the gallery.
Detroit — If we were to do this correctly, we’d issue a collective F and then assess the individual players on a pass-fail basis.
Sadly, that is not the time-honored format for this midterm presentation. Although, a collective F would accurately, if not harshly, mark the Tigers’ immense underperformance in the first half of the season as a failure. It would also accurately reflect, probably too softly, the mood of the fan base — frustrated and fed up.
Aspirations of being legitimate contenders withered with a 9-23 start, which was accompanied by a freakishly unending string of injuries and an offensive malaise of near-historic proportions. Neither the injuries nor offensive ineptitude have relented.
At one point, six starting pitchers (not counting Spencer Turnbull) were on the injured list. Eduardo Rodriguez, signed for $77 million to be the ace of staff, left the team because of marital issues and was put on the restricted list.
At one point, six players in manager AJ Hinch’s regular lineup were hitting under .200. Veteran players Jonathan Schoop, Robbie Grossman, Javier Báez, Jeimer Candelario and Tucker Barnhart were all performing well below their standards. As were youngsters Akil Baddoo and Spencer Torkelson.
The Tigers will start the second half of the season with a doubleheader in Oakland Thursday a season-worst 18 games under .500 (37-55).
The bright spot in the first half was the pitching overall and the bullpen specifically. And these grades will reflect that. These grades, too, although there are no failing grades at the midway point, will be dutifully hard on the hitters.
cmccosky@detroitnews.com
Twitter: @cmccosky