Yankees first-half report card: From Aaron Judge and Juan Soto’s straight A’s to veteran flunking

The Yankees spent 75 days in first place in the AL East during the first half, and even after a brutal 6-17 skid late, they could have and should have entered the break atop the division. Instead, a crushing loss to the Orioles on Sunday left them one game out of first with 64 games to play. Here’s how the Yankees graded out through their first 98 games:

Aaron Judge: A

Remember his quiet April ? Opponents have been paying for it ever since, with the center fielder putting together another MVP-type season with 34 home runs and a 1.112 OPS.

Juan Soto: A

The “generational” talent has lived up to the billing while forming a 1-2 punch with Judge, even after surviving two injury scares (forearm and hand).

Luis Gil: A-

A dominant May was followed by a concerning three-game stretch, but Gil bounced back in his last two starts to lower his ERA to 3.17.

Luke Weaver: A-

Re-signed as starting depth, Weaver has found a niche in the bullpen, where he has become one of Aaron Boone’s most trusted high-leverage arms and a multi-inning threat.

Nestor Cortes: B+

Bounced back nicely from an injury-plagued 2023, but would be even better if he could be as good on the road (6.04 ERA) as he is at home (1.81 ERA).

Michael Tonkin: B+

After being DFA’d enough to make him dizzy in April, Tonkin found a home with the Yankees and has excelled, entering Boone’s circle of trust with swing-and-miss stuff.

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Ben Rice: B

Since being called up in June to replace the injured Anthony Rizzo, Rice has hit leadoff and cleanup while providing a boost with his big bat.

Clarke Schmidt: B

Was off to a strong start to the season before a lat strain sidelined him in late May. The hope is for him to be back by August.

Clay Holmes: B

Converted 16 of his first 19 save opportunities before blowing three of his last five. His propensity for ground balls over strikeouts has at times backfired.

Giancarlo Stanton: B-

The 34-year-old had returned to being a threat in the middle of the lineup until straining his hamstring in June. He should return soon after break, but in what form?

Marcus Stroman: B-

Has kept the Yankees in almost every game, but it can sometimes be a grind with the highest walk rate of his career (10.5 percent).

Tommy Kahnle: B-

A shoulder issue delayed his season two months, but he has been mostly solid, if not spectacular, since returning. His fastball has been a problem.

Anthony Volpe: C+

Got off to a great start and had a 22-game hitting streak in May to go with top-notch defense. But he’s been slumping since June , and his power has gone missing overall.

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Austin Wells: C+

After a tough start offensively, Wells lately has looked more like the hitter he was supposed to be — while his defense has been better than expected.

Alex Verdugo: C

It was a rough last month entering the break. His bat-to-ball skills are a nice change of pace, defense mostly strong and he’s well-liked in the clubhouse, but offense has gone missing.

Trent Grisham: C

Aside from a memorable gaffe, he’s been good defensively in center. Has some power and has been hitting better since taking on a more regular role.

Carlos Rodon: C

Is he the first 14 starts (2.93 ERA) or the last six (9.67 ERA)? He’s had success when he mixes his pitches, but has been slow to adjust lately.

Jose Trevino: C-

Provided an offensive boost early on and he has a way with the pitching staff. But his arm has been exposed and now he could miss at least a month with quad strain.

Oswaldo Cabrera: C-

Great first few weeks to give the Yankees a stopgap at third base, but has not had much of an impact since then.

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Gleyber Torres: D+

Seems to be letting the pressure of a contract year affect his performance, though he started to gain some traction in the last two weeks.

Caleb Ferguson: D

The reliever acquired from the Dodgers has shown occasional flashes, but not nearly enough.

Anthony Rizzo: D-

Was having a rough season on both sides of the ball before suffering an arm fracture in mid-June.

DJ LeMahieu: F

Fouled a ball off his foot in March, which cost him the first two months of the season. Has been a shell of himself upon returning.

Gerrit Cole: INC

The reigning AL Cy Young winner missed nearly the first three months of the season with an elbow issue, and then spent his first few starts knocking off rust. His last start gave hope for the second half.

Aaron Boone: B

The Yankees’ summer swoon went on a bit too long before the break, but he also had his team with the best record in baseball as of mid-June.

Brian Cashman: C+

Landing Soto has worked as he hoped, but between the bullpen and corner infield woes, he has his work cut out for him at the trade deadline.

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