Chart Observations: SF @ FLA

I volunteered for the long game (was in the office at 7:50 and figured since I was already there, might as well do it to ensure it was completed by 7). In return for doing this, I was able to choose my other chart and decided on this game to see Tim Lincecum and scout some Giants pitchers that I haven't yet seen this year.

• Tim Lincecum is a 5-11, 170 pound righty. The 24 year old has a small frame that can add a lot more muscle. I am not going to go into his mechanics, as if you are reading this blog and actually find it interesting, then you have enough of a background in baseball to know his mechanics. He comes from an over the top release that hides the ball extremely well. His fastball has some fade, though the amount can vary from pitch to pitch. His curveball is a hard breaking 12-6 with great depth and bite. His change shows excellent sink and fade and is actually his best off-speed offering. His slider is thrown every once in awhile in K situations to righties and is a sharp 2-7 offering with great bite. He has plus command of his pitches. He didn't have his best stuff today, but still had a shutout through 7. A true ace and amongst the top 10 pitchers in baseball.

1st: FB (91-94), CB (77), CU (82)

2nd: FB (90-94), CB (76-80), CU (82-85), SL (83)

3rd: FB (91-95), CU (83), SL (81)

4th: FB (90-92), CB (75-77), CU (81-82)

5th: FB (90-93), CB (77-79), CU (82)

6th: FB (90-93), CB (79), CU (81-82)

7th: FB (91-93), CB (73-78), CU (82-83)

8th: FB (90-93)

• Ricky Nolasco made his return to the big leagues and is the same pitcher I saw last start. He comes from a 3/4 release with a classic drop and drive delivery, though it sometimes appears that his arm can lag behind. His fastball has some fade and a little sink. His slider is a 2-7 offering that can hang or show great bite. His curve is a big breaking 12-6 and his splitter shows good bite or fade (and throws it almost exclusively to lefties). His command has been spotty and this has been his main downfall. He will leave some pitches over the middle or just walk you on 4 or 5 pitches. He should be fine and I wouldn't even have sent him to AAA.

1st: FB (90-93), CB (75), SL (81-82), Split (84)

2nd: FB (89-93), CB (75-78), SL (85), Split (84)

3rd: FB (90-92), CB (75-77), Split (85)

4th: FB (89-93), CB (73-75), SL (81-85), Split (86)

5th: FB (89-93), CB (73), SL (82-83), Split (84-85)

6th: FB (90-93), CB (73-77)

7th: FB (90-92), CB (73), SL (81-84), Split (84-85)

• Cristhian Martinez returned from AA and appeared in this game. The righty came from a 3/4 release and showed a fastball with good sink and fade, a slider that is a somewhat flat 2-7 offering and a change with similar movement to his fastball.

8th: FB (90-92), SL (79-83), CU (85-86)

• Sergio Romo is a 5-11, 190 pound right hander. The 26 year old has a small frame that is maxed out. He comes from a 3/4 release. His fastball shows good fade and sink. His slider is a loopy 2-7 offering that is very similar to Chad Gaudin's and can flash above average, as it stays on the same plane as his fastball until the last 20 feet or so. Solid middle reliever, but is over exposed as anything more then that.

8th: FB (89-90), SL (78-79)

• Kiko Calero may be the most frustrating pitcher for me to chart just because he throws a ton of sliders. He comes from a high 3/4 release and features a 1-8 slider with good bite that he can throw anywhere. His fastball is a 2-seam with some sink and fade and his change is similar, but is below average and was hammered foul by Randy Winn.

9th: SL (79-81), FB (88-89), CU (81)

• Brian Wilson is a 6-1, 195 pound righty. The 27 year old has a medium frame that has room to add more muscle. He comes from a 3/4 release. His fastball shows good fade and a little sink, but it can also be straight. His cutter has good cut and sink and can look like a slider. I am not a big fan of him as a closer and would prefer him as a middle reliever.

9th: FB (93-97), Cut (87-90)