Chart Impressions: CIN @ FLA

Today we got to pick our 2 games to chart (b/c I am usually amongst the first in the office, I can choose any game). First game I did was the Reds @ Marlins to get a look at Volquez and Volstad.

• Edinson Volquez continues to pitch extremely well. He extended his streak of shutout innings to 16 with 8 shutout last night. Volquez attacks hitters with a plus low 90's moving fastball, low 80's changeup and will mix in a low 80's slider and low 70's curveball. The change can be anywhere from a plus to a plus-plus pitch. The slider is average and the curveball is an above average offering. He likes to throw the changeup to hitters on both sides of the plate and it can sometimes look like a slider. Continues to look like a bona fide # 2 for a contender and if his command can ever come around, he is an ace.
• Chris Volstad got the start for the Marlins and he is a big guy who has a lot of room to add muscle to his frame. He currently sits in the low 90's with his fastball and also throws a high 70's curveball and low 80's changeup. Volstad's fastball is average, his curveball is everywhere from average (a couple) to plus-plus (1 of those) and his changeup is an above average offering. Volstad typically needs to have plus command to succeed and he didn't quite have that last night. He is also somewhat predictable when facing RH's, as he only attacks them with his FB and CB. Against LH's, he mixes his 3 pitches. He is still young and, with his frame and easy mechanics (almost over the top release), it isn't out of the realm of possiblity for him to start touching the mid 90's. As he is now, he is a # 4 starter for a contender, with the potential to be an average # 2 starter.
• Hayden Penn continues to tease with his low 90's 2-seamer and 4-seamer, high 70's curveball and low 80's change. Penn's 2-seamer has some pretty good fade and sink to it on occasion, being a plus pitch and his curveball is right between above average and plus. His issue is below average command of his pitches. He falls behind hitters and resorts to throwing his straight 4-seam. His upside is that of a late inning reliever, but I don't think he will ever have the command to do that. He will likely be an 11th or 12 guy in a pen and he will be bouncing on the bus between AAA and the majors.
• Kiko Calero is posting some good K numbers for the Marlins out of the bullpen. He attacks hitters with an above average high 70's to low 80's slider, high 80's fastball and low 80's change. Calero has plus command of his slider, allowing him to throw it in any count and (as a 1 inning guy) allows hitters to not feel comfortable in the box. He is probably pitching a little over his head right now, but is a solid 9th or 10th pitcher and a solid middle relief option right now.
• Nick Masset threw the 9th and featured a low 90's 2-seamer, low 90's 4-seamer and a mid 70's curveball. The 2-seam had some good run to it last night and the curveball was a plus pitch, though he only showed an ability to bury it with 2 strikes. I do like him as a reliever (he didn't show any command issues in this inning of work) and think he has a slight chance of being a late inning guy, but he could be fairly valuable as a Scot Shields type as a middle reliever, giving you multiple innings and bridging the gap to your closer if he develops his command.
• I personally think Joey Votto is the 2nd best hitter in the NL next to Albert Pujols. He shows an ability to control the strike zone and get pitches he wants to hit at a rare level for someone of his age. He is beginning to be pitched around and Brandon Phillips will need to be back to his old self to stop this from continuing to happen. I think Votto can be a .310-.420-.530 hitter in his prime. Big fan of this kid.
• I like what John Baker brings to the table for the Marlins offensively. He is a little rough defensively in regards to receiving and being consistent with throwing out base stealers, but he is weapon offensively. He shows a strong eye from the left side and is an ideal # 2 hitter with his ability to control the bat. That being said, he is over exposed as an everyday player. He would probably be best as serving in a catcher platoon. Brett Hayes is a guy who used to have a high stock in the organization, but has fallen down. Maybe have them be a LH/RH combination (I haven't seen Hayes play, so I am unsure as to how much he has regressed).
• Despite his struggles, I think Chris Dickerson will be fine. He is very similar set-up wise to Votto, utilizing a front toe turn as opposed to a step. He has a solid swing and has shown on-base ability (.324 OBP with a .217 AVG). He also provides strong speed in LF, though I am unsure as to how good he is at tracking balls and everything like that. I have to imagine he will get another month to try and re-prove himself as the left side of the platoon with Jerry Hairston or he may and Laynce Nix may switch roles.