Who Get's the PT?

Lost in all these trades is who will be replacing the guy traded away? Let's look:

Indians
Replacing Cliff Lee: Fausto Carmona.
Replacing Victor Martinez: C- Shoppach/Marson, 1B- Marte/LaPorta

Nationals
Replacing Nick Johnson: Adam Dunn, Kearns starts in OF (at least that is what I would do)

Athletics
Replacing Orlando Cabrera: Cliff Pennington

Pirates
Replacing Jack Wilson: Don't think the Pirates know the answer to that one, likely either Luis Cruz, Brian Bixler, Ramon Vazquez or Ronny Cedeno.
Replacing Freddy Sanchez: Delwyn Young

That I think sums up most of it, if you have a guy you want my opinion on replacing, let me know. Below is 1 under the radar signing that may have more impact on the race then some acquired in these deadline deals if he is ready.

Under the Radar Signing:
Rockies sign Mike Timlin

The Nick of Time

The Marlins acquired Nick Johnson from the Nationals for Aaron Thompson.

Marlins Side: Underwhelmed by the performances of Wes Helms, Emilio Bonifacio and Gaby Sanchez, the Marlins pick up a professional hitter who is an injury risk with no power. Johnson should be reinvigorated by a pennant race and is an on base machine, something the Marlins sorely lack. This also allows them to move Jorge Cantu over to 3rd and get Bonifacio to the bench.

Nationals Side: Thompson, a 6-3, 195 pound lefty who is 22 years old, was regarded as the Marlins # 13 prospect coming into the season. Currently at AA Jacksonville, Thompson has finally struggled, going 5-9, 4.11 with 75 strikeouts and 43 walks in 114 innings. Still a good bet to be a major league starter, his star has dimmed, but is a talented pitcher nonetheless.

Overall: Marlins got exactly what they needed and got to keep Stanton, Maybin and the like. Thompson may be good and Johnson may get hurt, but good risks taken by both teams. Give it to the Marlins just due to their track record in giving up pitchers (Anibal Sanchez, Jesus Delgado to name the 2 from the Hanley trade).

Minor Trades

Rockies Get: Joe Beimel
Nationals Get: Ryan Mattheus, Robinson Fabian.

Quick Analysis: Beimel fills another role in that Rockies pen, but isn't a very good fit in my opinion. Mattheus (# 19) has 27 K's in 26 innings at 3 levels this season while Fabian has a 6.24 ERA in 24 appearances (12 starts) at Low-A with 21 walks and 54 K's in 83 innings.

Win: Rockies. Mattheus projects to be a league average reliever while Fabian appears to be an organizational guy.

Braves Get: Adam LaRoche (again)
Red Sox Get: Casey Kotchman

Quick Analysis: Braves get the power bat back that they gave away. Meanwhile, the Red Sox add another lefty 1B to their team, and one whose defensive prowess may be helpful in late innings of playoff games if they move Youkilis to 3rd.

Win: Braves. LaRoche is the same player as Kotchman, but with more power.

Yankees Get: Jerry Hairston
Reds Get: Chase Weems

Quick Analysis: Hairston fills the bench role that the Yankees have struggled to fill while Weems is a Low-A catcher hitting .260-.317-.347 at the age of 20.

Win: Yankees. Weems wouldn't have been a factor for them anyways.

Brewers Get: Claudio Vargas
Dodgers Get: Vinny Rottino

Quick Analysis: Vargas is not an upgrade over Mike Burns and Rottino is a super utility insurance policy should anything happen.

Win: Nope. Doesn't really help either team.

Peavy to Chicago... Again

The Sox have acquired Jake Peavy from the Padres for 4 pitchers: Clayton Richard, Adam Russell, Aaron Poreda and Dexter Carter.

White Sox Side: The White Sox made the deal expecting Cy Young Peavy, but they are going to be getting 2009 Peavy. The righty has battled injuries this year and his stuff has regressed. This is a huge risk being taken by Kenny Williams (who likes to do things like that), acquiring a fly ball pitcher who pitched in a great park for him and moving him to a tougher league with a park that is FAR less forgiving. And, oh yea, he dealt one of his current starters, who is having a better year, for him.

Padres Side: 4 pitchers, a lot of upside.

Richard is the best of the bunch and immediately becomes the Padres best starting pitcher. The lefty has made me a believer and generates great velocity and has solid movement with his fastball and should be able to be a revelation in the NL.

Poreda is a guy I watched and was a little underwhelmed over. That being said, he needs to be sent to AAA and stretched back out so that he can compete for a rotation spot next season. High upside guy who at worst will be a back of the bullpen type lefty.

You would think those two would have been enough, but the Pads got 2 more pitchers.

Russell, 26, was the # 27 prospect in the Sox system prior to the season on the strength of his mid 90's fastball. I have always liked him, but he hasn't done too much at Charlotte this season, going 2-2 with a 3.20 ERA in 34 appearances with 51 strikeouts and 18 walks in 56 innings. I like him as a 1 inning guy, so hopefully the Padres add his power arm next to all of their sinkerballers in that pen.

Carter, 22, is the baby of the bunch. A 13th round pick in last season's draft after being a 12th round pick out of the same high school that produced Justin Upton, he has 2 plus pitches, a 92-93 mile per hour fastball and a hard curveball. Carter has also put up some eye popping numbers at Low-A Kannapolis, going 6-2, 3.13 in 19 starts, while compiling a massive 143 strikeouts against just 32 walks in 118 innings. Another good bet to reach the majors at least.

Overall: If this deal was for the Peavy of 2 years ago, I would have a tough time arguing against it. But, Kenny Williams has taken a huge risk without much of a reward in my opinion and gave up some of his better pitching prospects. Win, Padres.

Big Stick (Again) To Boston

The Red Sox have acquired Victor Martinez for Justin Masterson, Nick Hagadone and Justin Price.

Indians Side: Indians have sold for this season. 3 young pitchers, all with talent.

Masterson should now move to the rotation and go through the typical growing pains these young guys usually face. He will need to refine his change and learn how to add and subtract velocity from his fastball to be successful.

Hagadone, 23, was regarded as the Sox # 3 prospect prior to the season despite having Tommy John Surgery last season. He returned to Low-A Greenville and is 0-2, 2.52 in 10 starts, walking 14 and striking out 32 in 25 innings. They were carefully monitoring him and I expect the Indians to do the same. Won't know what they have with him until the leash comes off next season.

Price, 22, was regarded as the Sox # 20 prospect prior to the season on the strength of his 6-4, 220 pound frame and 90-95 mile per hour sinking fastball. Price has pitched at 2 levels this season (and got hit around at High-A) and has gone 4-8, 4.67 in 19 starts, walking 31 and striking out 97 in 96 and 1/3 innings. He should make it at least as a reliever.

Red Sox Side: Another bat, but where you going to play him? Unless they have made a move to get rid of LaRoche or Lowell, this is a very expensive insurance policy. Can't exactly sit the captain (though they should, and maybe they will). Martinez is a vastly underrated hitter and has the capability to do what Jason Bay did last season.

Overall: Great move by the Red Sox. I am not sold on Masterson's ability as a starter and both pitching prospects have some serious questions. They can figure out where to play him later.

Rolen to Cinci

The Reds have acquired Scott Rolen from the Jays for Edwin Encarnacion, Josh Roenicke and Zach Stewart.

Reds Side: The Reds are obviously trying to compete and get Rolen for this year and next. Have to wonder about this, as the Reds did need a power hitting righty, but is Scott Rolen really going to keep hitting like this next season, when the Reds should have a solid chance of contending?

Blue Jays Side: 3 players, all near major league ready.

Encarnacion is the headliner, but he shouldn't be. He has teased with his tools for years and the Reds finally got sick of waiting for him to develop. Change of scenery will help. Facing better pitching won't.

Roenicke is a stud. Future closer. But, the Jays have enough relievers. Guess you shouldn't pass on him, but why not try and get some young hitters who may need longer to develop?

Stewart has pitched well out of the pen at 3 levels this season, going 4-1, 1.67 in 23 games, 14 starts with 79 K's against 26 walks in 91 innings. He has only appeared out of the pen at AAA.

Overall: Give it to the Reds. Rolen is a better bet to be a good hitter then Encarnacion and while Roenicke is great, Rolen should have had more value.

Get a Cab... To Minnesota

The Twins have acquired Orlando Cabrera for Low-A SS Tyler Ladendorf.

Twins Side: The Twins desperately need a middle infielder and now get a nice 2-month rental as they attempt to make a late push for the Central. Cabrera is a solid hitter who has turned it on of late and should be a solid addition to the lineup.

A's Side: Ladendorf, 21, is hitting .233-.292-.267 at Low-A after starting the season on fire at Elizabethtown (R) hitting .410-.500-.721 with 4 homers in 61 at bats. No idea what to think.

Overall: Easy win for the Twins. If Ladendorf was 18, I would feel better, but a 21 year old who is just now getting his first taste of full season ball (and getting it midseason) doesn't speak too highly of how the Twins thought of him.

Feeling Frenchy in Seattle

The Mariners trade Jarrod Washburn to the Tigers for Lucas French and Mauricio Robles.

Mariners Side: Selling high on a rental pitcher, the M's picked up French and Robles.

French is a 23 year old lefty who I haven't yet seen yet despite his big league time. In the majors this season, he is 1-2, 3.38 in 7 games, 5 starts with 11 walks and 19 strikeouts in 29 and 1/3 innings. He is 6-4, 220 and has a classic starter's build, so he should be a solid MLB pitcher in some role.

Robles is a 20 year old lefty out of Venezuela who was regarded as the Tigers 24th best prospect prior to the season. Robles has split the season at 2 levels (low and high A) and is 8-6, 4.24 with 111 strikeouts and 41 walks in 91 and 1/3 innings. The 5-10, 160 pounder relies on a heater anywhere from 88-94, a 82-83 curve and a change. He was noted as having well below average command, but has appeared to make huge strides this season.

Tigers Side: Washburn fills a huge need and provides a 3rd (or 4th if Porcello continues to start) starter that can eat innings and shouldn't drop off too much down the stretch. He also has playoff experience and should be a good mentor to some guys who will be getting their first cracks at it.

Overall: Good get for the Tigers, while the Mariners got all they could for a 2-month rental. Think it's a wash.

Grabowing a Lefty

The Cubs dealt Kevin Hart, Jose Ascanio and Josh Harrison to the Pirates for Tom Gorzelanny and John Grabow.

Pirates Side: The Pirates get back 2 pitchers and a middle infield prospect.

Hart is the best of the bunch, but is likely no better then a # 4 starter or middle reliever. There are reports on him as both a reliever and starter on prior blog entries.

Ascanio is a big armed righty, but is more of a reliever and he will likely be taking the spot of Grabow in the MLB bullpen.

Harrison, 22, is a 2B prospect who is has made his way to High-A this season, hitting .286-.351-.400 and is 10/11 on steals in 70 AB's. For the minor league season, he is .327-.372-.464 with 26 steals against 10 caught. Seems to be a good risk.

Cubs Side: Grabow fits what they need fairly well, a solid lefty reliever who can go multiple innings to team with Sean Marshall, Aaron Heilman and Carlos Marmol in the back of the pen. Gorzelanny is a good risk and if he can show the form he had shown as recently as 2 years ago, he is a steal.

Overall: The Cubs get the win, Grabow is solid and Gorzelanny is a good risk while who knows what these pitchers and Harrison will turn into?

Sherring Up the Pen

The O's dealt George Sherrill to the Dodgers for Josh Bell and Steve Johnson.

Orioles Side: The Orioles had no real use for Sherrill and dealt him at his near highest value.

Bell, 22, is a 3B, which is a huge position of need for Baltimore in the coming months. At AA, he has hit .296-.386-.497 with 11 HR's in 334 at bats, though the 70 strikeouts can be a bit distressing. Rated the # 8 prospect in the system prior to the season, he is a big guy (6-3, 235) and will need to stick at 3B to provide the highest value to the O's, though he is likely to be a solid hitter in the majors.

Johnson, 21, was regarded as the Dodgers 15th best prospect prior to the season on the strength of his pitchability with good stuff, as he is the son of former Orioles pitcher Dave. Johnson spent most of this year at High A, going 8-4, 3.82 with 102 K's and 42 walks in 96 innings. He has a high effort delivery and may be a better fit for the pen, especially with the caliber of pitchers coming up through the O's system.

Dodgers Side: Sherrill fills their biggest need and he is a huge upgrade over the Will Ohman's, Brent Leach's and others that have tried to fill that role. This was their main weakness and now have him and Kuo coming at lefties, a huge thing if they meet the Phillies in the playoffs.

Overall: Split. Dead heat. This acquisition helps LA more then the casual fan thinks, but it cost them 2 prospects who look like good bets to be contributors at the major league level.

A Win in Pitt?

The Giants traded former 1st round pick Tim Alderson to the Pirates for Freddy Sanchez.

Pirates Side: I love this deal for the Pirates. Alderson is a 6-7, 215 pound righty who was the 22nd overall pick in the 2007 draft. Alderson was another high school righty who pitched a level ahead of Bumgarner last year and is currently in AA at the age of (get ready for this) 20. Alderson was 6-1, 3.47 at AA Connecticut with 14 walks and 46 strikeouts in 72 innings. He is a great prospect and one who projects to add at least a little more velocity to his fastball. Word is he has lost some stuff on his pitches this season, but he is just 20 and in AA, so he should be fine to be at least a # 4 starter in the majors.

Giants Side: Black hole, filled. Sanchez is a perfect fit for those gaps at their home field and should be able to maintain his current level of production with his gap to gap line drive approach. He slips right into their # 2 hole in the order, though the Giants still need a power bat at one of their outfield corners.

Overall: Classic need vs. quality trade, I am going to side with the Pirates on this one, as I am about a big a fan of Alderson as you can be without seeing him pitch before.

The 5 for 2 Switcheroo

The Pirates dealt Ian Snell and Jack Wilson to the Mariners for Jeff Clement, Ronny Cedeno, Nathan Adcock, Brett Lorin and Aaron Pribanic.

Pirates Side: In a cost cutting move, the Pirates went for quantity vs. quality.

Clement is a catcher who can't catch. The 25, soon to be 26 year old is now a 1Bmen who hasn't set the world on fire at AAA this year, hitting .288-.366-.505 and has struggled each chance he has had at the big league level. This will be his last (and best chance) at being an everyday player and should beat out Steve Pearce for the 1B job soon after his recall (which should be soon) and will get a solid 2 month audition for next season.

Cedeno likely becomes the everyday 2B for the Pirates and they will also likely audition him to see if he can fulfill the promise he once showed.

Adcock, 21, is a 6-5, 190 pound righty who features an average 88-92 fastball. Regarded as the 24th best prospect in the system, he went 5-7, 5.29 in High A High Desert (hitter's league) and has 54 walks against 71 strikeouts in 102 innings.

Pribanic, 23, is a 6-4, 200 pound righty who was a 3rd round pick in last years draft. Regarded as the 27th best prospect in the system, he went 7-6, 3.21 at Low A Clinton with 26 walks against 54 strikeouts in 87 innings. Best pitch is a 91-94 mile per hour fastball.

Lorin, 22, is a 6-7, 245 pound righty who was a 5th round pick in last years draft. His best pitch is a hard breaking ball to go with his 88-92 mile per hour fastball. Regarded as the 28th best prospect in the system, he went 5-4, 2.44 at Low A Clinton with 25 walks and 87 strikeouts in 88 and 2/3 innings.

Mariners Side: The Mariners get a pitcher with more talent then any they gave up have (Snell) and a SS to fill their black hole. Snell should be a perfect fit for the ballpark and as long as he doesn't gripe with the M's front office like he did with the Pirates front office, he should be a solid # 3 starter.

Wilson is amongst the best defensive SS in the majors and fits well with Jack Z's defense first philosophy he appears to be implementing. Wilson is a good 1 and 1/2 year stop gap as they wait for Carlos Triunfel to be ready (Will, why does Triunfel only have 3 AA at bats, hurt?) and gives them the chance to trade high on Carlos Silva next season with the infield defense they should have.

Overall: The Pirates are trying to stock their system with quantity and hope something comes out. Each pitcher they got is projectable and somewhat young professionally, but are about the age of their levels. The Mariners get back a solid SS and a pitcher I really like and didn't give up anything great unless you really like Clement. Going with the M's with the win on this one.

A New Lee in Philly

The Phillies traded Carlos Carrasco, Jason Donald, Jason Knapp and Lou Marson for last year's Cy Young Winner, Cliff Lee.

Indians Side: Knowing their odds of competing next year were low, the Indians sold high on Lee. That being said, their haul is fairly disappointing.

Carrasco is the best of the bunch, a 23 year old righty with a good FB-CU combo and appears to be big league ready. He isn't going to get much better or throw much harder sadly and is likely no more then a # 3 starter, and may be a # 4 in the AL. Here is a link to a more detailed scouting report on him: http://tkbaseball.blogspot.com/2009/07/ironpigs-observations.html

Donald, 24, was highly regarded as recently as last year, but performance combined with injury has weakened his stock. Donald hit .236-.297-.332 at AAA Lehigh Valley and has never put up real eye popping #'s at any level. His finest season (last year at AA), he hit .307 with 14 HR's and 11 SB's. Good numbers, but nothing jumps out with that line. I think he eventually turns into a utility player, but that is based on just reading scouting reports.

Marson is another touted prospect that has had a rough go in AAA. Rated the # 3 prospect by BA prior to the season, the 23 year old Marson hit .294-.382-.370 with a homer at AAA Lehigh Valley. He will not hit for a ton of power (career high in a season is 7 in 2007) and is just average defensively. He should be a decent backup, but there a lot of catchers with Marson's qualifications in AAA due to not having one really good skill.

Knapp is the wild card. Just 18, the righty has put up some eye catching numbers this season at Low-A Lakewood, going 2-7 with a 4.01 ERA and a stunning 111 K's vs. 39 walks in just 85 innings. However, he was just put on the DL with "shoulder fatigue", which is usually a precursor to a more severe arm injury. He is also said to have a high octane delivery and will likely profile fairly well as a reliever with a high 90's fastball.

The Indians got the # 2, 3, 4 and 10 prospects from the Phillies system prior to the season, but most of seen their stock drop this season.

Phillies Side: Getting Cliff Lee without emptying your farm system. Genius. Excellent deal for Philly and they have to be amongst the favorites to win it all again.

Overall: The Phillies win this going away, as all the players they dealt will likely play in the majors, but none will have the impact of a Cliff Lee.

7/30: ATL @ FLA

1) Javier Vazquez: 110 pitches. 8 strikes swinging. 3 Fastballs (4th, 2 in 5th), 2 Curves (1st, 5th), 2 Changeups (4th, 6th), Slider (6th)

• Vazquez is a 6-2, 210 pound righty. The 33 year old has a medium frame that looks the same when he came up and isn't going to add any more muscle. He came from a 3/4 release, though he will drop down every once in awhile to lefties to throw FB's away. His fastball has some run in on righties. His change has above average fade from lefties with solid sink. His slider is a 2-7 with above average bite and he calls it a slider/cutter and it can move like a cutter on occasion with cut and a little sink at times. His curve is a 12-6 with above average depth that can be a strikeout pitch. He will add and subtract from all his pitches. Solid # 2 starter and he should have a ton more wins.

1st: FB (89-94), SL (84), CB (74-78), CU (82)

2nd: FB (91-93), SL (81-86), CB (68-74), CU (80)

3rd: FB (91-92), SL (84), CB (74-78), CU (82)

4th: FB (92), SL (80-84), CB (72), CU (77-80)

5th: FB (91-93), SL (81-85), CB (70-76)

6th: FB (91-92), SL (83-85), CB (76), CU (76-81)

7th: FB (91-93), SL (84), CB (70-75), CU (77-83)

8th: FB (90-93), SL (78-84), CB (73-74)

2) Rick VandenHurk: 95 pitches. 10 strikes swinging. 5 Fastballs (2 in 3rd, 2 in 4th, 6th), 4 Sliders (1st, 2nd, 3rd, 5th)

• Rick is a 6-5, 195 pound righty. The 24 year old has a big frame that can add a lot more muscle. He came from a 3/4 release and showed a fastball with good run in on righties with some sink. His slider is a sharp 2-7 with average bite. His change has some fade from lefties and a little sink. He is a 2-trick pony and needs to further refine his change to be a starter. His control is good, but his command can be erratic and he can miss in the middle of the plate with all his pitches. As a starter, his upside is that of a # 3 and would likely settle in as a 4. As a reliever, he would be a classic sinker-slider and should be a solid middle guy.

1st: FB (91-93), SL (83-84), CU (85)

2nd: FB (90-93), SL (84), CU (86)

3rd: FB (90-94), SL (82-84), CU (84-86)

4th: FB (91-94), SL (82-86)

5th: FB (91-93), SL (81-86), CU (86)

6th: FB (90-95), SL (83-87)

3) Kiko Calero: 21 pitches. 0 strikes swinging.

• Calero came from an over the top release and shwoed a change with good fade and above average sink, a fastball with some run in on righties and a 2-7 slider with above average bite.

7th: FB (87-89), SL (79-81), CU (81)

4) Dan Meyer: 11 pitches. 3 strikes swinging. Fastball, 2 Cutters.

• Meyer came from an over the top release and showed a fastball with some run in on lefties and a cutter with solid cut.

8th: FB (89-91), Cut (86-88)

5) Mike Gonzalez: 24 pitches. 3 strikes swinging. 2 Fastballs, Slider.

• Gonzalez came from a high 3/4 release and showed a fastball with some run in on lefties and a 11-5 slider with good bite. He has both a get me over slider that can look like a curve and a sharp out pitch version.

8th: FB (88-93), SL (76-84)

6) Brendan Donnelly: 17 pitches. 4 strikes swinging. 2 Fastballs, 2 Sliders.

• Donnelly came from a high 3/4 release and showed a fastball with some run in on righties and a little sink, a 2-7 slider with some bite and a change with solid dive.

9th: FB (89-92), SL (87-88), CU (81)

7) Peter Moylan: 14 pitches. 2 strikes swinging. Fastball, Slider.

• Moylan came from a sidearm release and showed a fastball with good run in on righties and sink and a sweeping 3-8 slider with good bite.

9th: FB (86-90), SL (76-79)

8) Luis Ayala: 27 pitches. 0 strikes swinging.

• Ayala is a 6-2, 190 pound righty. The 31 year old has a medium frame that can add a little more muscle. He came from a 3/4 release and showed a fastball with some run in on rightesi and a 2-7 slider with some bite.

10th: FB (90-92), SL (82-87)

9) Rafael Soriano: 18 pitches. 2 strikes swinging. 2 Sliders.

• Soriano came from an over the top release and showed a fastball with some run in on righties and sink, a cutter with good cut and a 2-7 slider with above average bite.

10th: FB (92-95), SL (82-84), Cut (89-91)

7/30: OAK @ BOS

1) Jon Lester: 104 pitches. 5 strikes swinging. 2 Fastballs (4th, 6th), 3 Cutters (all in 6th)

• Lester came from a high 3/4 release and showed a fastball with some run in on righties, a power 12-6 curve with good depth, a change with good fade from righties with a little sink and a cutter with good cut.

1st: FB (94-98), CB (80), CU (87)

2nd: FB (93-97), CB (78-79), Cut (90)

3rd: FB (92-96), CB (78-82), Cut (88-90)

4th: FB (93-97), CB (80), Cut (90-92)

5th: FB (94-97), CB (82), CU (88)

6th: FB (92-98), CB (79-83), CU (88), Cut (88-92)

2) Gio Gonzalez: 107 pitches. 9 strikes swinging. Fastball (2nd), 7 Curveballs (2 in 2nd, 2 in 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th), Changeup (3rd)

• Gonzalez is a 5-11, 195 pound lefty. The 23 year old has a small frame that is maxed out. He came from a 3/4 release. His fastball has some run in on lefties. His curve is a sharp 10-4 with solid depth and is a strikeout pitch. His change has good fade and some sink. As a starter, he probably profiles as a # 3 or 4 due to some command issues (though he showed none in this game) and as a reliever profiles as a potential set-up man that can get out both lefties and righties.

1st: FB (91-94), CB (81-82)

2nd: FB (91-94), CB (78-82)

3rd: FB (91-95), CB (78-82), CU (85-87)

4th: FB (91-93), CB (80-82), CU (85)

5th: FB (90-93), CB (80-82), CU (85-87)

6th: FB (92-94), CB (78-83), CU (87)

3) Manny Delcarmen: 21 pitches. 2 strikes swinging. Fastball (6th), Changeup (7th)

• Delcarmen came from an over the top release and showed a fastball with some run in on righties, a change with some fade from lefties with sink and he will throw the change to righties.

6th: FB (93-96), CU (83)

7th: FB (95-97), CU (82-84)

4) Russ Springer: 8 pitches. 0 strikes swinging.

• Springer came from a 3/4 release and showed a fastball with some run in on righties and a cutter with good cut.

6th: FB (94-96), Cut (86)

5) Michael Wuertz: 19 pitches. 2 strikes swinging. 2 Sliders.

• Wuertz came from an over the top release and showed a fastball with a little tail and a 2-7 slider that is sharp with above average bite.

7th: FB (90-92), SL (84-87)

6) Craig Breslow: 8 pitches. 0 strikes swinging.

• Breslow came from a high 3/4 and showed a 11-5 curve with solid depth and a fastball with some run in on lefties.

7th: FB (89-92), CB (72)

7) Santiago Casilla: 14 pitches. 1 strike swinging. Fastball.

• Casilla came from a 3/4 release and shwoed a fastball with some run in on righties, a change with some fade from lefties and a little sink and a 2-7 slider with solid bite.

8th: FB (95-98), SL (86-87), CU (87)

8) Daniel Bard: 8 pitches. 1 strike swinging. Slider.

• Bard came from a high 3/4 release and showed a fastball with a little run in on righties and a 2-7 slider with above average bite.

8th: FB (98-101), SL (84-86)

9) Jonathan Papelbon: 17 pitches. 1 strike swinging. Splitter

• Papelbon came from a 3/4 release and showed a fastball with some run in on righties, a split with good dive and a 2-7 slider with some bite.

9th: FB (98-99), SL (87-88), Split (94)

7/29: LAD @ STL (Dodgers Pitchers)

1) Clayton Kershaw: 112 pitches. 10 strikes swinging. 8 Fastballs (1st, 2 in 2nd, 2 in 3rd, 2 in 5th, 7th), Curveball (2nd), Slider (3rd)

• Kershaw came from an over the top release and showed a fastball with some run in on lefties and a little sink, a 11-5 slider with some bite, a big breaking 11-5 curve with excellent depth that can be a strikeout pitch and a change with some fade from righties that he will throw 3-1.

1st: FB (93-95), CB (71-74), SL (79-80)

2nd: FB (94-97), CB (72-73)

3rd: FB (94-96), CB (73), SL (81-84)

4th: FB (95), CB (71-72), SL (77-79), CU (81)

5th: FB (93-96), CB (73)

6th: FB (94-96), CB (72-73), SL (77-80)

7th: FB (92-95), CB (71), SL (75-79)

8th: FB (95-96), CB (72), SL (82)

2) Jonathan Broxton: 16 pitches. 1 strike swinging. Fastball.

• Broxton came from a high 3/4 release and showed a fastball with some tail and a hard, sharp 2-7 slider with above average bite.

9th: FB (97-100), SL (89-91)

3) Ramon Troncoso: 30 pitches. 1 strike swinging. Fastball (11th).

• Troncoso came from a high 3/4 release and showed a fastball with good run in on righties with good sink and a 1-7 curve with above average depth.

10th: FB (92-96), CB (79-80)

11th: FB (93-95), CB (80-81)

4) Hong-Chih Kuo: 6 pitches. 2 strikes swinging. 2 Fastballs.

• Kuo is a 6-1, 240 pound lefty, though he doesn't look to be that big. The 27 year old has a medium frame that is maxed out. He comes from a 3/4 release with a max effort delivery that has a lot of moving parts. His fastball has some run in on lefties while his slier is a sweeping 10-4 with good bite. Great reliever when healthy.

11th: FB (94-96), SL (86-87)

5) Guillermo Mota: 7 pitches. 3 strikes swinging. 2 Fastballs, Changeup.

• Mota came from a 3/4 release and showed a fastball with some run in on righties, a 2-7 slider with solid bite and a hard change with some fade from lefties that he will throw to righties.

12th: FB (94-95), SL (88), CU (86-88)

6) Jeff Weaver: 44 pitches. 3 strikes swinging. Fastball (15th), 2 Sliders (13th, 15th)

• Weaver came from a 3/4 release and showed a fastball with some run in on righties, a 3-8 slider with good bite and a change with some fade from lefties.

13th: FB (88-93), SL (82-84)

14th: FB (90-91), SL (81-83), CU (82-83)

15th: FB (89-94), SL (80-84)

7/29: LAD @ STL (Cardinals Pitchers)

1) Joel Pineiro: 112 pitches. 6 strikes swinging. 6 Fastballs (2nd, 3rd, 2 in 5th, 7th, 8th)

• Pineiro is a 6-1, 200 pound righty. The 30 year old has a medium frame that is maxed out. He came from an over the top release. His fastball is a 2-seam with some run in on righties with solid sink. His curve is a 1-7 with slightly above average depth. His cutter has good cut and some sink. His change has some fade from lefties that he will throw to righties. Good # 4 starter.

1st: FB (89-91), Cut (87), CB (80)

2nd: FB (87-90), Cut (85), CB (78)

3rd: FB (90-92)

4th: FB (89-92), Cut (86), CB (80)

5th: FB (87-91), Cut (85-86), CU (83-85)

6th: FB (89-91), Cut (86-87), CB (77)

7th: FB (88-91)

8th: FB (90-92), CU (84)

2) Dennys Reyes: 9 pitches. 0 strikes swinging.

• Reyes came from a 3/4 release and showed a fastball with above average run in on lefties and good sink, a change with good fade from righties with some sink and a 9-3 slider with solid bite.

9th: FB (90), CU (84-85), SL (83-85)

3) Kyle McClellan: 29 pitches. 1 strike swinging. Cutter (9th)

• McClellan came from a high 3/4 release and showed a cutter with good cut and sink, a fastball with some run in on righties and some sink, a 1-7 curve with above average depth and a change with good fade from lefties with good sink.

9th: Cut (86-88), FB (91-92)

10th: Cut (85-88), FB (90-92), CB (74-75), CU (84)

4) Trever Miller: 3 pitches. 0 strikes swinging.

• Miller came from a low 3/4 and showed a 11-5 slider with good bite and a fastball with good run in on lefties.

10th: FB (86-88), SL (79)

5) Ryan Franklin: 16 pitches. 2 strikes swinging. Cutter, 2 Curveballs.

• Franklin is a 6-3, 190 pound righty. The 36 year old righty has a medium frame that can add more muscle. He came from a high 3/4 release and showed a cutter with good cut, a split with above average dive, a 1-7 curve with average depth and a fastball with good run in on righties with some sink.

11th: FB (91-92), Cut (87-90), CB (77-78), Split (84)

6) Jason Motte: 22 pitches. 3 strikes swinging. 2 Fastballs, Splitter.

• Motte came from an over the top release and showed a 4-seam (94-98) with a little run in on righties, a 2-seam with some sink in addition to run (89-92) and a split with okay dive.

12th: FB (89-98), Split (78-81)

7) Blake Hawksworth: 47 pitches. 3 strikes swinging. Fastball (13th), 2 Changeups (both in 14th)

• Hawksworth is a 6-3, 195 pound righty. The 26 year old has a medium frame that can get up to at least 210. He came from a 3/4 release with a max effort delivery that appears to put extra pressure on his shoulder. His fastball has some late run in on righties with sink. His cutter has good cut. His change has some fade from lefties with sink and he will throw it to righties. I think he fits best as a reliever and may be able to hold up in 2 inning outings and be a bridge to your setup men as a middle reliever.

13th: FB (91-95), Cut (87-89)

14th: FB (91-95), Cut (88), CU (82-84)

15th: FB (91-94), Cut (85), CU (82-84)

7/29: CHW @ MIN

1) Jose Contreras: 112 pitches. 6 strikes swinging. 3 Splitters (1st, 2nd, 4th), Fastball (1st), Slider (1st), Changeup (2nd)

• Contreras came anywhere from 3/4 to over the top and showed a fastball with a little run in on righties, a 2-7 slider with solid bite, a splitter with excellent dive and a change with some sink that he will throw to righties.

1st: FB (89-94), SL (83-86), Split (74-79)

2nd: FB (89-93), SL (79-85), Split (74-78), CU (85)

3rd: FB (89-93), SL (81-84)

4th: FB (90-91), SL (82), Split (76-77)

5th: FB (88-92), SL (84-85), Split (75-78)

6th: FB (89-92), SL (82-85)

2) Brian Duensing: 64 pitches. 4 strikes swinging. Fastball (2nd), Curve (2nd), Slider (3rd), Changeup (5th)

• Duensing is a 5-11, 195 pound lefty. The 26 year old has a small frame that is maxed out. He came from a high 3/4 release and looked just like he did 2 years ago for Rochester. His fastball has some run in on lefties. His curve is an 11-5 with solid depth. His slider is an 11-5 with good btie. His change has some fade from righties and some sink and will throw the pitch 3-1. You could do worse as a # 5 starter.

1st: FB (90-92), SL (82), CB (73), CU (83)

2nd: FB (90-93), SL (81-83), CB (70-72), CU (82-83)

3rd: FB (89-92), SL (80-81), CB (70), CU (83)

4th: FB (90-93), SL (79-83), CU (82-86)

5th: FB (89-92), SL (78-81), CB (72), CU (83-85)

3) Jesse Crain: 22 pitches. 0 strikes swinging.

• Crain is a 6-1, 215 pound righty. The 28 year old has a medium frame that is maxed out. He came from an over the top release. His fastball has a little run in on righties, but is fairly straight. His curve is a 12-6 with excellent depth and is sharp enough to be a strikeout pitch. His slider is a 2-7 with solid bite. Solid middle reliever and I still think has the stuff to close in spots.

6th: FB (95-97), SL (87-89), CB (75)

7th: FB (94-95), CB (75)

4) Randy Williams: 10 pitches. 0 strikes swinging.

• Williams is a 6-3, 190 pound lefty. The 33 year old has a big frame that can get up to 205, but likely won't and this was his first big league action since 2005. He came from a high 3/4 release and his fastball has a little tail in on righties and his cutter has solid cut. I think he can be a Matt Thornton type, but one with a above average fastball vs. a plus one and is a good 2nd lefty for a pen.

6th: FB (92-95)

7th: FB (93), Cut (84-87)

5) Tony Pena: 16 pitches. 4 strikes swinging. 4 Sliders (8th)

• Pena came from an over the top release with a fastball with some run in on righties and a 2-7 slider with solid bite and a change with good fade from lefties with some sink.

7th: SL (85-88)

8th: FB (94-96), SL (88-89), CU (89-90)

6) Matt Guerrier: 14 pitches. 0 strikes swinging.

• Guerrier came from a high 3/4 release and showed a fastball with some run in on righties, a 2-7 slider with slightly above average bite and a 12-6 curve with above average depth.

8th: FB (90-93), SL (85-86), CB (77-79)

7) Joe Nathan: 20 pitches. 3 strikes swinging. 2 Fastballs, Slider.

• Nathan came from an over the top release and showed a fastball with some run in on righties and a 2-7 slider with above average bite.

9th: FB (91-94), SL (87-88)

7/29: NYY @ TB

1) Matt Garza: 110 pitches. 8 strikes swinging. 2 Fastballs (1st, 6th), 4 Sliders (2 in 2nd, 4th, 5th), Curveball (6th), Changeup (7th)

• Garza came from an over the top release and showed a fastball with some run in on righties, a 12-6 curve with above average depth, a 2-7 slider with above average bite and a change with good fade from righties and sink.

1st: FB (89-94), SL (85-88), CB (74)

2nd: FB (88-94), SL (86-87), CB (75)

3rd: FB (90-93), SL (84), CB (73), CU (84)

4th: FB (88-93), SL (86), CB (76), CU (82-83)

5th: FB (90-95), SL (84-89), CB (75-76)

6th: FB (89-94), SL (83-87), CB (74-76), CU (80-82)

7th: FB (90-94), SL (86), CB (77), CU (84)

2) Joba Chamberlain: 101 pitches. 10 strikes swinging. 3 Fastballs (2nd, 3rd, 5th), 6 on Sliders (3rd, 2 in 5th, 6th, 7th, 8th), Curveball (3rd)

• Joba came from an over the top release and showed a fastball with good run in on righties, a 2-7 slider with above average bite that he threw both 3-1 and 3-2, a big breaking 12-6 curve and a change with some fade from lefties.

1st: FB (90-95), SL (83)

2nd: FB (91-94), SL (83), CB (74)

3rd: FB (90-94), SL (83-85), CB (75-80)

4th: FB (91-94), CB (75-81)

5th: FB (90-95), SL (84-87), CB (75), CU (81)

6th: FB (91-94), SL (81-86), CB (75)

7th: FB (92-95), SL (83-85)

8th: FB (90-94), SL (83-85), CB (75)

3) Brian Shouse: 1 pitch. 0 strikes swinging.

• Shouse is a 5-10, 190 pound lefty. The 40 year old has a small frame that is nearly maxed out. I didn't get a good look at his fastball.

8th: FB (79)

4) Lance Cormier: 9 pitches. 1 strike swinging. Curveball.

• Cormier came from an over the top release and showed a 1-7 curve with average depth, a cutter with solid cut and a fastball with some run in on righties and a little sink.

8th: FB (89), CB (76-77), Cut (87-88)

5) Dan Wheeler: 14 pitches. 0 strikes swinging.

• Wheeler came from an over the top release and showed a fastball with some run in on righties and a cutter with some cut.

9th: FB (87-89), Cut (83-84)

6) Brian Bruney: 15 pitches. 0 strikes swinging.

• Bruney came from an over the top release and showed a fastball with a little run and sink on righteis and a 2-7 slider with average bite.

9th: FB (90-94), SL (85-88)

7) Mariano Rivera: 14 pitches. 3 strikes swinging. 3 Cutters.

• Rivera came from an over the top and showed a cutter with excellent cut.

9th: Cut (89-93)

7/29: PIT @ SF

1) Matt Cain: 111 pitches. 11 strikes swinging. 7 Fastballs (2nd, 2 in 4th, 5th, 2 in 6th, 7th), Curveball (2nd), 2 Changeups (6th, 9th), Slider (9th)

• Cain came from a 3/4 release and showed a fastball with a little run in on righties but fairly straight, a 2-7 slider with solid bite, a change with great dive that he will throw 3-2 and a 12-6 curve with above average depth.

1st: FB (92-93), SL (86-87), CU (88)

2nd: FB (91-93), SL (87), CU (85-88), CB (77-78)

3rd: FB (91-94), SL (88), CU (86)

4th: FB (93-94), SL (86-87), CU (86-88), CB (77-79)

5th: FB (90-93), CU (85-87)

6th: FB (91-95), SL (86), CU (88)

7th: FB (92-94), SL (86), CB (76-78)

8th: FB (91-93), CU (87), CB (75)

9th: FB (92-95), SL (86-87), CU (87-88), CB (78-79)

2) Zach Duke: 87 pitches. 5 strikes swinging. Fastball (5th), 2 Changeups (4th, 6th), 2 Curveballs (5th, 7th)

• Duke came from a high 3/4 release and showed a fastball with some run in on lefties and sink, a change that moves like his fastball, but is slower with more movement and is above average, a big breaking 12-6 with above average depth and a 11-5 slider with solid bite. He will throw his change 2-0.

1st: FB (87-90), CU (83)

2nd: FB (87-90), CU (80-81), CB (74), SL (79)

3rd: FB (87-88), CU (81), CB (73-74)

4th: FB (87-89), CU (81-82), CB (74-75)

5th: FB (87-88), CU (80-81), CB (72-73)

6th: FB (87-88), CU (79-81), CB (73)

7th: FB (85-89), CU (80-81), CB (71-74)

3) John Grabow: 20 pitches. 3 strikes swinging. 3 on Changeups (8th, 2 in 9th).

• Grabow came from a 3/4 release and showed a fastball with some run in on lefties, a change with some fade from righties and above average sink and a 10-4 slider with above average bite.

8th: FB (90-91), CU (82-83), SL (81)

9th: FB (89-91), CU (82-83)

4) Brian Wilson: 18 pitches. 2 strikes swinging. Fastball, Cutter.

• Wilson came from an over the top release and showed a fastball with good run in on righties and a cutter with good cut and sink.

10th: FB (94-98), Cut (87-88)

5) Matt Capps: 16 pitches. 2 strikes swinging. 2 Sliders.

• Capps came from an over the top release and showed a fastball with a little run in on righties and a 2-7 slider with good bite.

10th: FB (92-95), SL (84-85)

7/28: KC @ BAL

1) Brian Bannister: 100 pitches. 6 strikes swinging. 2 on Cutters (1st, 4th), 3 on Changeups (4th, 5th, 6th), Curveball (4th).

• Bannister came from a high 3/4 release and showed a cutter with good cut and flashed some sink, a 12-6 curve with above average depth, a hard change with good fade from lefties with good sink that he uses as an out pitch to both righties and lefties and a fastball with a little run in on righties.

1st: Cut (86-89), CU (84-86), CB (70-76), FB (90)

2nd: Cut (86-88), CU (85)

3rd: Cut (87-90), CU (84-86), CB (76-78)

4th: Cut (88-89), CU (85-86), CB (77-78)

5th: Cut (86-89), CU (83-86)

6th: Cut (87-89), CU (85-87), CB (68-76)

2) Jason Berken: 88 pitches. 9 strikes swinging. 2 Fastballs (1st, 3rd), 4 Curves (1st, 4th, 2 in 6th), 2 Sliders (both in 2nd) and a Changeup (5th)

• Berken came from an over the top release and showed a fastball with some run in on righties and sink, a 2-7 slider with some bite, a sharp 12-6 curve with average depth and a change with some fade from lefties with sink that he will throw to righties.

1st: FB (92-95), SL (85), CU (86), CB (78-80)

2nd: FB (91-93), SL (84-85), CU (85), CB (78)

3rd: FB (92-93)

4th: FB (91-94), SL (84), CU (83-85), CB (80-81)

5th: FB (88-92), CU (83-84), CB (80)

6th: FB (91-93), CU (83-84), CB (78-80)

3) John Bale: 13 pitches. 2 strikes swinging. Fastball, Changeup.

• Bale came from a 3/4 to over the top release and showed a change with good sink and solid fade from righties, a 11-5 curve with above average depth and a fastball with some run in on lefties.

7th: FB (88-90), CB (70-72), CU (79-80)

4) Roman Colon: 21 pitches. 0 strikes swinging.

• Colon came from an over the top release and showed a fastball with some run in on righties, a split with some dive and a 2-7 slider with above average bite.

7th: FB (95-96)

8th: FB (95-97), SL (80), Split (86-89)

5) Mark Hendrickson: 11 pitches. 0 strikes swinging.

• Hendrickson came from an over the top release and shwoed a fastball with some run in on lefties, a 12-6 curve with above average depth and a cutter with decent cut.

7th: FB (88-90), Cut (84), CB (73-74)

6) Jim Johnson: 11 pitches. 1 strike swinging. Fastball.

• Johnson came from an over the top release and showed a fastball with good run in on righties and a change with marginal sink.

8th: FB (93-95), CU (88)

7) Jamey Wright: 21 pitches. 2 strikes swinging. Fastball (9th), Curveball (9th)

• Wright came from a 3/4 release and showed a fastball with some run in on righties with sink, a 11-5 curve with above average depth and a cutter with decent cut.

9th: FB (91-93), Cut (86), CB (77-79)

10th: FB (91-93), Cut (88), CB (77-84)

8) George Sherrill: 23 pitches. 3 strikes swinging. 3 Fastballs.

• George came from a high 3/4 release and showed a fastball with a little run in on lefties and a 11-5 slider with solid bite.

9th: FB (89-92), SL (72-75)

9) Danys Baez: 31 pitches. 0 strikes swinging.

• Baez is a 6-1, 235 pound righty. The 31 year old has a medium frame that is maxed out. He came from an over the top release. His fastball has a little run in on righties with some sink, a 12-6 curve with average depth and a split with some dive. He is a decent middle reliever right now, but should be nowhere near a setup role.

10th: FB (93-95), Split (89-91), CB (77)

11th: FB (92-95), Split (87-92), CB (77)

10) Joakim Soria: 19 pitches. 3 strikes swinging. 3 Fastballs.

• Soria came from a 3/4 release and showed a fastball with some run in on righties, a change with good late fade from lefties with sink and a 1-7 curve with above average depth. His change is his out pitch.

11th: FB (90-93), CB (70), CU (84-86)

7/28: OAK @ BOS (Extra Pitchers + Everidge)

1) Craig Breslow: 10 pitches. 0 strikes swinging.

• Breslow came from a high 3/4 release and showed a fastball with some run in on lefties, a 10-4 curve with average depth and a 10-4 slider with solid bite.

10th: FB (91-94), SL (86-87), CB (76)

2) Manny Delcarmen: 34 pitches. 1 strike swinging. Curveball (10th)

• Delcarmen came from an over the top release and showed a above average 12-6 curve, a fastball with some run in on righties and a change with good fade from lefties with sink.

10th: FB (95-96), CB (74-80), CU (83-87)

11th: FB (95-98), CB (78-82), CU (85-88)

3) Takashi Saito: 7 pitches. 2 strikes swinging. Fastball, Slider.

• Saito came from a 3/4 release and showed a fastball with some tail, a 3-8 curve with okay depth and a 3-8 slider with good bite.

11th: FB (93-95), SL (83-86), CB (78)

4) Andrew Bailey: 14 pitches. 0 strikes swinging.

• Bailey is a 6-3, 235 pound righty. The 25 year old has a medium frame that is maxed out. He came from an over the top release. His fastball is a straight 4-seam. His curve is a sharp 12-6 with above average depth that can be a strikeout pitch. His cutter has above average cut. A reliever on the rise and can be a closer for a contender.

11th: FB (95-98), Cut (89-93), CB (78)

• Tommy Everidge is a 6-1, 215 pound 1B. The righty/righty has a medium frame that is maxed out and may have a little bad weight. He has a straight on stance with a little crouch. His trigger is a double step (a small step back, then a stride forward) and a cocking of the bat. He is very quiet at the plate. He is a little bit stiff defensively. He shows the ability to turn on a good fastball. He isn't a very fast runner (4.8 and 4.6 down the line). He shows below average power for the position and looks to be more of a gap hitter and he doesn't have the defensive ability to offset the lack of production. A classic tweener who will need to develop more power or greatly improve defensively to be an every day player for a contender.

7/28: OAK @ BOS (Regulation Pitchers)

1) Vin Mazzaro: 104 pitches. 4 strikes swinging. 3 on Fastballs (1st, 4th, 5th), Slider (6th)

• Mazzaro came from a 3/4 release and showed a fastball with good run in on righties, a sweeping 2-7 slider with solid bite, a loopy 2-7 curve with okay depth and a change with some fade from lefties with a little sink that he will throw to righties. Command of his fastball can come and go.

1st: FB (96-99), CU (91)

2nd: FB (96-98), CU (90), SL (83-85)

3rd: FB (93-97), CU (87), SL (84-90)

4th: FB (91-96), SL (83)

5th: FB (93-96), SL (83-89)

6th: FB (92-94), SL (82-88), CB (78)

2) Clay Buchholz: 107 pitches. 7 strikes swinging. 2 on Fastballs (1st, 3rd), 5 on Changeups (1st, 3 in 3rd, 6th)

• Clay came from an over the top release and showed a fastball with some run in on righties, a change with good fade from lefties with good sink and a big breaking 12-6 curve with above average depth that can be a strikeout pitch. He will throw his change to righties and it serves as his out pitch.

1st: No Gameday

2nd: FB (96-99), CU (80-83), CB (77-81)

3rd: FB (94-97), CU (81-83), CB (79-81)

4th: FB (93-97), CU (81-82), CB (78-81)

5th: FB (93-96), CU (80-81), CB (76)

6th: FB (93-96), CU (80-81), CB (81-82)

3) Ramon Ramirez: 10 pitches. 1 strike swinging. Changeup (7th).

• Ramirez came from an over the top release and showed a fastball with run in on righties and a hard change whose movement can be unpredictable due to it's velocity combined with his grip.

6th: FB (94)

7th: FB (95), CU (89-90)

4) Russ Springer: 17 pitches. 2 strikes swinging. Fastball, Cutter

• Springer came from a 3/4 release and showed a fastball withs ome tail, a cutter that moves like a 2-7 slider with solid bite and a 2-7 curve with solid depth.

7th: FB (94-95), Cut (86-87), CB (79)

5) Hideki Okajima: 29 pitches. 2 strikes swinging. Fastball (8th), Splitter (8th)

• Okajima came from an over the top release and shwoed a 11-5 curve with solid depth that was sharp enough to be a strikeout pitch, a split with some fade from lefties but not much dive and a fastball with solid run in on lefties.

7th: FB (88-90), CB (75-80), Split (83-84)

8th: FB (86-89), CB (76-78), Split (82)

6) Brad Ziegler: 11 pitches. 0 strikes swinging.

• Ziegler came from a submarine release and showed a fastball with good run in on righties and some sink and a 4-7 slider with solid bite.

8th: FB (85-88), SL (74)

7) Daniel Bard: 6 pitches. 1 strike swinging. Slider.

• Bard came from an over the top release and showed a fastball with a little late run in on righties and a 2-7 slider with good bite.

8th: FB (99-100), SL (85)

8) Michael Wuertz: 17 pitches. 2 strikes swinging. 2 Sliders.

• Wuertz is a 6-3, 205 pound righty. The 30 year old has a medium frame that is maxed out. He came from an over the top release and showed a straight 4-seam fastball and a sharp 2-7 slider with good bite. Solid middle reliever in the Kiko Calero mold.

9th: FB (94-95), SL (87-90)

9) Jonathan Papelbon: 21 pitches. 1 strike swinging. Splitter.

• Papelbon came from a high 3/4 release and showed a fastball with good run in on righties, a split with good fade from lefties and a 2-7 slider with some bite that he calls a slutter and it is a mix between a slider and cutter.

9th: FB (97-99), Split (93), SL (84-87)

Hectic Times

I have a ton of stuff to report on, and look for most of those reports tomorrow, including trade analysis.

Chart Observations: PIT @ SF

1) Tim Lincecum: 115 pitches. 15 strikes swinging. 3 on Fastballs (2 in 1st, 9th), 12 on Changeups (1st, 2nd, 3rd, 3 in 4th, 5th, 2 in 6th, 8th, 2 in 9th)

• Lincecum came from an over the top release and showed a fastball with good run in on righties, a 2-7 slider with good bite, a change with above average fade from lefties with excellent sink that serves as his out pitch and a 12-6 curve with above average depth that can be a strikeout pitch.

1st: FB (94-96), CU (83-86), SL (82)

2nd: FB (92-94), CU (85), CB (76)

3rd: FB (92-94), CU (82-85)

4th: FB (94-95), CU (83-87), CB (74-78)

5th: FB (89-95), CU (79-85), CB (71)

6th: FB (91-94), CU (84-87), CB (76-79)

7th: FB (90-93), CU (83-85), CB (76-78)

8th: CU (83-86), CB (73-78)

9th: FB (91-95), CU (84-87), CB (77)

2) Paul Maholm: 81 pitches. 7 strikes swinging. Fastball (5th), 2 Sliders (3rd, 4th), 3 Curveballs (2nd, 4th, 5th), Changeup (2nd)

• Maholm came from a high 3/4 release and showed a fastball with good run in on lefties and above average sink, a change with good fade from righties and above average sink, a 11-5 curve with above average depth and a 10-4 slider with good bite.

1st: FB (88-91), CB (74), CU (84-85), SL (82)

2nd: FB (87-90), CB (75-77), CU (84-85), SL (83)

3rd: FB (90), CB (73-74), CU (83-86), SL (81)

4th: FB (88-91), CB (72-76), CU (82), SL (82)

5th: FB (90), CB (73-77), CU (82-86)

6th: FB (88-90), CB (75), CU (85), SL (81-82)

3) Evan Meek: 9 pitches. 1 strike swinging. Cutter.

• Meek came from an over the top release and showed a cutter with good cut and a 12-6 curve with average depth.

7th: Cut (88-94), CB (77-82)

4) John Grabow: 30 pitches. 1 strike swinging. Fastball.

• Grabow came from a high 3/4 release and showed a fastball with some run in on righties, a change with good late fade from righties with sink that he will throw to lefties and in any count and a 10-4 slider with some bite.

8th: FB (88-91), CU (81-84), SL (84)

• Jesus Guzman is a 6-1, 215 pound righty hitting/throwing 1st basemen. The 25 year old has a medium frame that can add a little more muscle. He has a very slightly open stance with a toe tap and a bat wiggle where he holds his hands a little above his back shoulder. His trigger is a big leg kick with a cocking of the bat. He didn't show too much power and looks more of a gap hitter. He was replaced for a defensive replacement in the 7th, which shows you how much they like his defense. I think he is a tweener and his only use will be as a bench bat.

Chart Observations: WAS @ MIL

1) Craig Stammen: 74 pitches. 5 strikes swinging. 3 on Fastball (1st, 2 in 2nd), Changeup (4th), Curveball (5th)

• Stammen came from an over the top release and showed a fastball with some run in on righties and a little sink, a 12-6 curve with above average depth and a change with good fade from lefties with good sink that he will throw to righties.

1st: FB (87-89), CB (77-78), CU (81-82)

2nd: FB (86-88), CB (77-80)

3rd: FB (86-88), CB (76)

4th: FB (86-88), CB (76-77), CU (79-80)

5th: FB (85-89), CB (77-78)

2) Jeff Suppan: 115 pitches. 8 strikes swinging. 6 on Changeups (3 in 1st, 2 in 4th, 5th), 2 Curveballs (1st, 2nd)

• Suppan came from an over the top release and showed a fastball with some run in on righties with sink, a change with above average sink and good fade from lefties, a big breaking 12-6 curve with above average depth and a 2-7 slider with solid bite. He will throw 3-2 changes and he will throw them to righties as well.

1st: FB (86-89), SL (82-83), CU (78-81), CB (71-73)

2nd: FB (86-89), SL (81-86), CU (78-83), CB (72)

3rd: FB (85-88), SL (83), CU (79-81), CB (73-74)

4th: FB (87-88), SL (81-84), CU (81-83)

5th: FB (86-90), SL (83-86), CU (78-83), CB (75)

6th: FB (86-88), SL (82), CU (76-81), CB (72)

3) Jason Bergmann: 24 pitches. 5 strikes swinging. 3 Fastballs (5th, 2 in 6th), Slider (5th), Curveball (6th)

• Bergmann came from a high 3/4 release and showed a fastball with good run in on righties, a hard tight slider that is 2-7 with some bite and can look like a cutter a majority of the timeand a 12-6 curve with average depth that can be a strikeout pitch.

5th: FB (93-94), SL (85-87)

6th: FB (90-93), SL (84-86), CB (77-80)

4) Mitch Stetter: 7 pitches. 0 strikes swinging.

• Stetter came from a sidearm release and showed a sweeping 9-4 slider with above avergae bite and a fastball with a little run in on lefties. He throws across his body, generating a lot of deception.

6th: FB (85-88), SL (79-82)

5) Mark DiFelice: 11 pitches. 2 strikes swinging. 2 Cutters.

• DiFelice came from a 3/4 release and showed a cutter with good cut and some sink, a change with good fade from lefties with sink and a 12-6 curve with good depth.

6th: FB (87), Cut (82-84), CU (77), CB (74)

6) Sean Burnett: 21 pitches. 1 strike swinging. Slider.

• Burnett came from a high 3/4 release with a fastball with good run in on lefties, a 10-4 slider with above average bite and a change with okay fade from righties with solid sink.

7th: FB (89-92), SL (79-83), CU (85)

7) Logan Kensing: 21 pitches. 2 strikes swinging. Slider (9th), Cutter (9th)

• Kensing came from an over the top release and showed a fastball with a little run in on righties, a cutter with good cut and sink and a 2-7 slider with above average bite.

8th: FB (94-96), Cut (89)

9th: FB (93-95), Cut (86), SL (81-82)

8) R.J. Swindle: 35 pitches. 5 strikes swinging. 4 Sliders (3 in 7th, 8th), Fastball (8th)

• Swindle is a 6-3, 190 pound lefty. The 26 year old has a medium frame that can add a little more muscle, but not much. He is a sidearmer lefty very similar to Stetter. His fastball has some late run in on lefties. His slider is a sweeping 9-4 with above average bite. His curveball is an eephus pitch that is extremely slow with average depth. Should be a guy that can be a # 1 LOOGY for someone.

7th: FB (82-84), SL (69-74), CB (55)

8th: FB (81-83), SL (69-73), CB (52-54)

9) Chris Smith: 11 pitches. 0 strikes swinging.

• Smith came from a high 3/4 release and showed a fastball with good run in on righties with good sink and a change with good fade from lefties and solid sink.

9th: FB (86-88), CU (72-74)

Garko to Giants

The Giants have acquired 1B Ryan Garko from the Cleveland Indians for LHP Scott Barnes.

Giants Side: A team in desperate need of a bat picked up a player who is limited to where he can play. Presumably assuming the lefty side of a 1B platoon with Travis Ishikawa, Garko cost a lot. Garko this season against lefties is hitting .333-.395-.565 while hitting just .265-.349-.424 against righties, which isn't much of an upgrade over Ishikawa, who is hitting .265-.319-.423 against righties this season. Garko is a useful player, but for a team in need of a bat, they still need one.

Indians Side: Scott Barnes is a 21 year old playing (and dominating) High-A hitters in the Cal League. He is 12-3 with a 2.85 ERA in 98 innings, walking 29 while striking out 99. I was able to watch the lefty pitch in Low-A last year with the stacked Augusta team and below is my scouting report on him

• A bizarre delivery, he keeps his elbow bent on his glove hand during the motion at an angle and has a very violent head jerk when he releases the ball. He works extremely quickly, getting the ball and immediately getting back on the rubber. He tries to quick pitch you. He comes from a 3/4 release and has a very projectable frame with the room for more muscle.
• 7/30: FB (89-92), SL (77-79), CU (78-79)
• Graded his pitches the following on the 3-7 scale (with 5 being major league average, 1st # is current, 2nd # is future): FB (4.5, 5), SL (5, 5.5), CU (4, 5). I also graded him as having above average MLB deception due to his mechanics, but gave him a 3 for his delivery.
• Overall: 4.5. Left handed reliever whose mechanics will never allow him to go a full season as a starter injury free.

I still believe that report, but it is true that he is trying to show me up. His fastball should sit consistently around 91-93 as he continues to add more muscle and was a 2008 draftee. He was 6-3, 175 when I saw him and is now listed on BaseballAmerica.com at 6-4, 185.

Overall: If the Indians are able to keep Barnes as a starter and injury free, they win this deal going away. Even as a reliever, I believe Barnes will serve to be more valuable then Garko. A big win for the Indians in my opinion, especially if Andy Marte can finally convert his AAA production to MLB production.

Score: OAK @ BOS

1) Trevor Cahill: 110 pitches. 11 strikes swinging. 4 Fastballs (2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th), 6 Changeups (1st, 3 in 2nd, 2 in 5th) and a Curveball (5th)

• Cahill came from a 3/4 release and showed a 2-seam fastball with above average run in on righties and great late sink, a straight 4-seam, a change that looks like a fastball out of his hand with good late fade from lefties and good late sink, a fairly flat 2-7 slider with okay bite and a 1-7 curve with average depth. Cahill really struggles to command his fastball at times and that causes him to have throw pitches to the middle of the plate. He also needs to develop one of the curve or slider to at least major league average.

1st: FB (89-93), CU (81-82)

2nd: FB (89-93), CU (80-85)

3rd: FB (89-94), CU (79-82), SL (84-86), CB (80)

4th: FB (86-92), CU (80-82), SL (82-86), CB (79)

5th: FB (87-91), CU (79-81), SL (84), CB (79-80)

2) Josh Beckett: 103 pitches. 9 strikes swinging. 3 Fastballs (1st, 5th, 6th), 5 Curveballs (1st, 2nd, 4th, 6th, 7th), Changeup (4th)

• Beckett came from an over the top release and showed a fastball with good run in on righties with good sink, a 1-7 curve with above average depth and is sharp enough to be a strikeout pitch that he can throw for strikes or bounce at will, a change with good dive that he will throw to righties and a cutter with solid cut.

1st: FB (95-97), CB (77-80)

2nd: FB (95-97), CB (79-80)

3rd: FB (93-96), CB (79), CU (90-92)

4th: FB (94-96), CB (78-80), CU (90)

5th: FB (94-96), CB (78-79), Cut (94)

6th: FB (93-96), CB (76-80), CU (89), Cut (93)

7th: FB (93-94), CB (76)

3) Santiago Casilla: 25 pitches. 1 strike swinging. Fastball.

• Casilla came from a 3/4 release and showed a fastball with good run in on righties, a change with some fade form lefties and a little sink and a 2-7 slider with above average bite.

6th: FB (94-97), SL (84-89), CU (88)

4) Edgar Gonzalez: 35 pitches. 1 strike swinging. Fastball (7th)

• Gonzalez is a 6-2, 210 pound righty. The 26 year old has a medium frame that is maxed out. He came from a high 3/4 release and has a little bit of a gut. His fastball has some run in on righties. His curve is a slow 1-7 with average depth. His change has some fade from lefties that he will throw 2-0 to righties. His cutter has some cut. His slider is a 2-7 with some bite. He will also drop down and throw frisbee sliders at random times. He throws a lot of pitches and not one is better then league average. 4-A guy.

7th: FB (90-93), CB (73-75), CU (78-79), SL (77-79), Cut (84-85)

8th: FB (90-92), CB (74), SL (79), F-SL (73)

5) Daniel Bard: 21 pitches. 4 strikes swinging. 2 Fastballs, 2 Sliders.

• Bard came from an over the top release and showed a fastball with some run in on righties and a 2-7 slider with above average bite. Please watch video of this guy. His mechanics are so quiet and looks to be throwing low 90's and then the gun says 100. It is incredible.

8th: FB (97-100), SL (83-87)

6) Manny Delcarmen: 11 pitches. 0 strikes swinging.

• Delcarmen came from an over the top release and showed a fastball with a little run in on righties, a change with good late fade from lefties with solid sink and a 1-7 curve with average depth that is sharp enough to be a strikeout pitch.

9th: FB (92-95), CB (76), CU (84)

Chart Observations: CLE @ SEA

1) Cliff Lee: 99 pitches. 8 strikes swinging. Fastball (5th), 4 Changeups (2 in 4th, 6th, 7th), Curveball (2nd), 2 Cutters (both in 6th)

• Lee came from a high 3/4 release and showed a fastball with some run in on lefties and some sink, a change with above average sink and some fade from righties, a big breaking 11-5 curve with excellent depth and a cutter with good cut and some sink.

1st: FB (88-92), CU (83-84), CB (75)

2nd: FB (91-92), CB (76-77), Cut (85)

3rd: FB (90-92), CB (74), Cut (85)

4th: FB (91-92), CU (84-85), CB (76), Cut (86)

5th: FB (90-92), CU (85), CB (75-76), Cut (84-86)

6th: FB (90-93), CU (83-85), Cut (86-88)

7th: FB (91-93), CU (84-85), CB (76-77), Cut (85-88)

2) Jason Vargas: 86 pitches. 8 strikes swinging. 2 Fastballs (3rd, 4th), 6 Changeups (2 in 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th)

• Vargas is a 6-0, 215 pound lefty. The 26 (seems like he has been around longer) year old has a medium frame that is maxed out. He came from a high 3/4 release and works very fast on the mound and has good tempo, reminiscent of Mark Buerhle minus the stuff. His fastball has some tailing action in on righties and solid sink. His change has good fade from righties with good sink that serves as his out pitch to both lefties and righties. His curve is a big breaking 11-5 with above average depth and his slider is a 10-4 with solid bite. You could do worse as a # 5 starter, though he is likely pitching at his ceiling right now.

1st: FB (87-90), CU (79-81), SL (80), CB (74)

2nd: FB (86-89), CU (79), SL (81)

3rd: FB (86-87), CU (79-80), SL (80)

4th: FB (86-89), CU (79-81), SL (81-83)

5th: FB (86-88), CU (80), SL (79), CB (73)

3) Mike Gosling: 39 pitches. 6 strikes swinging. 2 Fastballs (both in 9th), 2 Changeups (both in 9th), Curveball (9th) and Slider (8th)

• Gosling is a 6-2, 210 pound lefty. The 28 year old has a medium frame that is close to maxed out, maybe to 215. He came from an over the top release. His fastball has good run in on lefties with some sink. His slider is a 11-5 offering with good bite. His curve is a big breaking 11-5 with above average depth. His change has good fade from righties with good sink that he will throw to lefties. Not a bad 2nd lefty to have in a pen and should be fairly solid as long as his command stays with him.

8th: FB (91-93), SL (80), CB (74)

9th: FB (90-92), SL (81), CB (73-76), CU (82-85)

4) Shawn Kelley: 29 pitches. 2 strikes swinging. 2 Sliders.

• Kelley came from an over the top release and showed a 2-7 slider with above average bite, a fastball with some run in on righties and marginal sink and a straight change with marginal sink.

5th: FB (92-95), SL (80-86), CU (83)

5) Miguel Batista: 42 pitches. 3 strikes swinging. 3 Cutters (6th, 2 in 7th)

• Batista came from a release point anywhere from over the top to 3/4 and showed a 2-seam fastball with some sink and run in on righties, a split with good dive, a cutter with solid cut and a sharp 12-6 curve with average depth that can be a strikeout pitch.

6th: FB (89-91), Cut (82-85), CB (74-79), Split (80)

7th: FB (89-95), Cut (84-87), Split (80-83)

6) Sean White: 16 pitches. 1 strike swinging. Curveball.

• White is a 6-4, 210 pound righty. The 28 year old has a big frame that can get up to at least 220. He has a high effort delivery that lands hard on his front leg and comes from an over the top release. He generates a very good downhill plane for his pitches, giving his fastball some good natural sink and some run in on righties. His curve is a big breaking 12-6 with above average depth that can be a strikeout pitch and a change with good fade from lefties with good sink that he will throw to righties. Solid set-up guy.

8th: FB (92-95), CU (83), CB (83)

7) Mark Lowe: 21 pitches. 3 strikes swinging. 2 Fastballs, Slider.

• Lowe came from an over the top release and showed a fastball with good run in on righties with good sink, a hard change with good fade from lefties with sink and a 2-7 slider with above average bite.

9th: FB (96-98), SL (86), CU (90-91)

Chart Observations: BAL @ BOS

1) David Hernandez: 110 pitches. 3 strikes swinging. Fastball (2nd), 2 Sliders (2nd, 5th)

• Hernandez is a 6-3, 215 pound righty. The 24 year old has a medium frame that may be able to add a little more muscle to his legs, but not much. He comes from a high 3/4 release with very quiet mechanics that remind me of Bartolo Colon minus the fat. His fastball has a little run in on righties, but is a fairly straight 4-seam. His slider is a sharp 2-7 with above average bite that he struggles to command (I think it resembles more of a power curve then a slider) and his change has marginal sink and only threw it once. His upside is that of a # 3, but he would need to develop his command and a change. I think he slots much better as a reliever, though he will still need to improve his command.

1st: FB (93-95)

2nd: FB (93-96), SL (78-80)

3rd: FB (93-95), CU (87)

4th: FB (92-96), SL (75-80)

5th: FB (92-95), SL (77-79)

6th: FB (91-94), SL (76-79)

7th: FB (92-96), SL (78-80)

2) John Smoltz: 83 pitches. 10 strikes swinging. 9 Sliders (2 in 1st, 3 in 2nd, 2 in 3rd, 4th, 5th), Fastball (5th)

• Smoltz came from a 3/4 release and showed a fastball with good run in on righties and a little sink, a 2-7 slider with solid bite that he started on the outside corner and let the Orioles hitters flail, a splitter with solid dive and a 1-7 curve with average depth. He needs to make some more strides with his command, but is getting close.

1st: FB (91-93), SL (82-86), Split (87), CB (78)

2nd: FB (91-93), SL (83-87), Split (85)

3rd: FB (92-93), SL (84-89), Split (87), CB (77)

4th: FB (90-93), SL (86-87), Split (86)

5th: FB (92), SL (84-87), Split (83)

3) Justin Masterson: 23 pitches. 1 strike swinging. Fastball.

• Masterson came from a 3/4 release and showed a fastball with good run in on righties with good sink that has good late action and a sweeping 3-8 slider with above average bite. This was the best I have seen his slider all year and he was locating it well with a much better break.

6th: FB (90-96), SL (84-87)

7th: FB (92-96), SL (84-87)

4) Takashi Saito: 27 pitches. 1 strike swinging. Slider.

• Saito is a 6-2, 215 pound righty. The 39 year old has a medium frame that won't be adding any more muscle. He came from a high 3/4 release and showed a fastball with some late run in on righties, a 2-7 curve that is loopy and a 2-7 slider that has slightly above average bite. Solid middle reliever, but wouldn't trust him as an 8th or 9th inning guy anymore.

8th: FB (90-93), SL (81-84), CB (76-79)

9th: FB (88-93), SL (80-84)

5) Ramon Ramirez: 3 pitches. 0 strikes swinging.

• Ramirez came from an over the top release and showed a fastball with some run in on righties and some sink and a hard change with some fade from lefties with some sink.

9th: FB (93), CU (88)

6) Jim Johnson: 15 pitches. 1 strike swinging. Changeup.

• Johnson came from a high 3/4 release and showed a fastball with some run in on righties, a change with good fade from lefties with good sink and a big breaking 12-6 with above average depth that can be a strikeout pitch.

8th: FB (91-95), CB (80), CU (87-88)

7) George Sherrill: 14 pitches. 1 strike swinging. Fastball.

• Sherrill came from a 3/4 release and showed a fastball with good run in on lefties and a 11-5 slider that can be loopy and look like a curveball, but has good late bite.

9th: FB (90-92), SL (75-78)

4 Days Ahead...

Monday:
Chart
7:10 OAK @ BOS (Cahill vs. Beckett)

OFF TUESDAY

Wednesday:
Chart
3:45 PIT @ SF (Duke vs. Cain)
7:08 NYY @ TB (Chamberlain vs. Garza)

Thursday:
Chart
1:35 OAK @ BOS (Gio Gonzalez vs. Lester)

A lot of the A's-Red Sox series, need to find some time to see Dallas Braden as well.

Score (7/26): SD @ WAS

1) John Lannan: 81 pitches. 4 strikes swinging. 4 Fastballs (1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th)

• Lannan came from an over the top release and showed a 2-seam fastball with good run in on lefties with okay sink (also throws a cutter, but it is indistinguishable to my rookie eyes), a 11-5 slider with good bite, a change with some fade form righties with okay sink and a big breaking 11-5 curve with above average depth. Generates a lot of groundballs and if he was behind an above average defense, his #'s would be even better.

1st: FB (86-88), SL (81-83), CU (81)

2nd: FB (86-89), CB (71)

3rd: FB (86-90), CB (72)

4th: FB (87-89)

5th: FB (87-88), CB (71)

6th: FB (86-88), SL (79), CB (69)

7th: FB (84-87), CU (79)

8th: FB (86-88), SL (78-81), CB (70)

2) Chad Gaudin: 98 pitches. 5 strikes swinging. 5 Sliders (1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 7th)

• Gaudin came from a 3/4 release and showed a fastball with good run in on righties and good sink, a 2-7 slider with above average bite and a change with solid fade from lefties with a little sink that almost moves like a splitter.

1st: FB (87-93), SL (79-84)

2nd: FB (89-91), SL (77-82)

3rd: FB (86-92), SL (78-84)

4th: FB (85-92), SL (79-82)

5th: FB (86-90), SL (78-83), CU (82-83)

6th: FB (87-91), SL (80-82), CU (83)

7th: FB (85-91), SL (78-81)

3) Luke Gregerson: 26 pitches. 1 strike swinging. Slider.

• Luke came from a 3/4 release and showed a fastball with above average run in on righties and above average sink, a 2-7 slider that is sharp with above average bite and a change with some fade from lefties with sink.

8th: FB (90-92), SL (81-84), CU (83)

4) Mike Adams: 16 pitches. 4 strikes swinging. 3 Fastballs, Changeup.

• Adams came from a 3/4 release and showed a fastball with good run in on righties with solid sink, a change with above average fade from lefties with above average sink, a cutter with good cut and a straight 4-seam fastball. He will throw changeups to righties and it appears to be his out pitch.

9th: FB (91-94), Cut (89), CU (82-83)

5) Mike MacDougal: 16 pitches. 1 strike swinging. Fastball.

• MacDougal came from a high 3/4 release and showed a fastball with good run in on righties and a 2-7 slider with okay bite.

9th: FB (94-97)

10th: FB (95-96), SL (87)

6) Joe Beimel: 7 pitches. 0 strikes swinging.

• Beimel came from a high 3/4 release and showed a 11-5 curve with solid depth, a fastball with some run in on lefties and a change with good fade from righties.

10th: FB (85-87), CB (71), CU (77-78)

7) Greg Burke: 13 pitches. 0 strikes swinging.

• Burke came from an over the top release and showed a fastball with good run in on righties with good sink and a 2-7 slider with good bite.

10th: FB (91-92), SL (81-84)

Chart Observations: 7/25 CLE @ SEA

1) Jeremy Sowers: 103 pitches. 9 strikes swinging. 4 Fastballs (1st, 3rd, 4th, 5th), 3 on Sliders (2 in 2nd, 4th), 2 on Changeups (4th, 6th)

• Sowers came from a 3/4 release and showed a fastball with some run in on lefties, a 10-4 slider with solid bite and a change with some fade from righties with sink. He will throw 3-2 changeups.

1st: FB (86-89), SL (76-79)

2nd: FB (85-90), SL (77-79), CU (77-79)

3rd: FB (85-88), SL (75-79), CU (78-79)

4th: FB (85-89), SL (76-78), CU (79-80)

5th: FB (83-87), SL (76-78)

6th: FB (85-88), SL (77), CU (78-79)

7th: FB (85-89), SL (76)

2) Erik Bedard: 81 pitches. 5 strikes swinging. 2 Fastballs (2 in 3rd), 3 on Curveballs (1st, 2nd, 3rd)

• Bedard is a 6-1, 200 pound lefty. The 30 year old has a medium frame that can get up to at least 215. He comes from a high 3/4 release and generates a good hip turn, maxing out his possible velocity. His fastball has some run in on lefties. His curve is a sharp, big breaking 11-5 with above average depth that can be a strikeout pitch. His cutter has some cut. He will drop down to 3/4 to throw curveballs and fastballs to both lefties and righties. His stuff says at least a # 2 starter, however his ability to pitch through pain and struggles with command says a # 4 or 5. I will call him a 3 and put it in the middle.

1st: FB (90-93), CB (77)

2nd: FB (90-93), CB (75-80)

3rd: FB (89-93), CB (76-80), Cut (90)

3) Chris Jakubauskas: 53 pitches. 0 strikes swinging.

• Chris came from an over the top release and showed a fastball with a little run in on righties with a little sink, a 12-6 curve with above average depth that could be a strikeout pitch and a change with a little fade from lefties with a little sink.

4th: FB (90-92), CB (76-77), CU (79)

5th: FB (88-91), CB (77), CU (77)

4) Garrett Olson: 61 pitches. 7 strikes swinging. 5 Fastballs (5th, 7th, 3 in 8th), Curveball (8th) and Changeup (9th)

• Olson came from a 3/4 release and showed a fastball with some run in on lefties, a power 11-5 curve with slightly above average depth and a pretty straight change that has a little fade from righties.

5th: FB (88-90), CB (79)

6th: FB (87-90), CB (80-81)

7th: FB (88-90), CU (80-82)

8th: FB (89-91), CB (81)

9th: FB (89-90), CB (79-81), CU (80-81)

5) Winston Abreu: 18 pitches. 0 strikes swinging.

• Abreu came from an over the top release and showed a fastball with some run in on righties and sink and a 2-7 slider with above average bite.

8th: FB (90-94), SL (82-86)

9th: FB (92)

6) Jose Veras: 18 pitches. 2 strikes swinging. 2 Fastballs.

• Veras came from a 3/4 release and showed a fastball with some run in on righties with sink, a 12-6 curve with above average depth that can be a strikeout pitch and a splitter with solid dive.

9th: FB (93-96), CB (78-79), Split (81)

• Michael Saunders is a 6-4, 210 pound L/R OF. The 23 year old has a big frame that can add a lot more muscle, especially in his legs, and should be able to get to at least 235, though it would cause the loss of speed. He has an open stance with the bat held even with his back shoulder and a little in front. He has a little bit of a bat wiggle in a circle. His trigger is a cocking of the bat and a stride to square himself up and his heel on his front foot is elevated off the ground and appears to be on his front toes. Saunders shows himself as a 5 tool guy, getting down the line on a groundout at 4.3 seconds (slightly above average) and was robbed of his 1st big league hit, a home run. He shows at least slightly above average in every tool I saw (did not see his arm) and think he is a future starting corner outfielder. Is definitely a better prospect then Wladimir Balentien was. I think worse case scenario for him is Mark Kotsay in his prime.

Chart Observations: 7/24 OAK @ NYY

1) Brett Anderson: 114 pitches. 12 strikes swinging. 6 Fastballs (1st, 2 in 2nd, 2 in 3rd, 7th), 6 Sliders (1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th)

• What a difference seeing him this outing did. He came from a high 3/4 release and showed a 2-seam fastball with some run in on lefties and a little sink, a sharp 11-4 slider with above average bite that served as his out pitch and preferred to throw it down and in on righties, a straight 4-seam fastball, a change with good fade from righties with sink and a 11-5 curve with good depth. He definitely has a pretty good shot of being a legit # 2 starter.

1st: FB (90-95), SL (85-86)

2nd: FB (90-96), SL (85-86)

3rd: FB (87-95), SL (81-86), CU (84)

4th: FB (88-92), SL (81-85), CB (77)

5th: FB (89-94), SL (81-85), CU (83-84), CB (77)

6th: FB (88-94), SL (81-86), CU (82-86), CB (75-78)

7th: FB (92-94), SL (81-85), CU (82-83), CB (76-77)

2) Joba Chamberlain: 100 pitches. 3 strikes swinging. 3 Sliders (3rd, 2 in 5th)

• Joba is a 6-2, 230 pound righty. The 23 year old has a medium frame that is maxed out. He came from an over the top release. His fastball has some run in on righties and a little sink. His curve is a 12-6 that is sharp with average depth. His slider is a sharp 2-7 with average bite. His change has good fade from lefties with some sink. Simply put, his stuff has taken a slight step back as he attempts to get acclimated to starting. That being said, I still think this kid is a future # 2 at least and some better fastball command would be a good first step towards that.

1st: FB (91-94), CB (77), SL (84)

2nd: FB (91-95), CB (76), SL (85-86)

3rd: FB (91-94), CB (77), SL (85)

4th: FB (93-96), CB (78), SL (83-85), CU (84)

5th: FB (91-96), CB( 76), SL (83-86)

6th: FB (91-94), CB (76-78), SL (84-85)

7th: FB (91-93), CB (78-80)

8th: FB (90-94)

3) Russ Springer: 8 pitches. 2 strikes swinging. 2 Fastballs.

• Springer is a 6-4, 225 pound righty. The 40 year old has a big frame that won't be adding any more muscle. He came from a high 3/4 release with a fastball with some late run in on righties and a cutter with solid cut and some sink.

7th: FB (92-94), Cut (85)

4) Craig Breslow: 14 pitches. 1 strike swinging. Curveball.

• Breslow came from a high 3/4 release and showed a 11-5 slider with solid bite, a 11-5 curve with average depth that was a little loopy, a change with above average sink that had some tail in on righties and a fastball with a little run in on lefties.

8th: FB (87-90), SL (82-85), CU (73), CB (74-76)

5) Santiago Casilla: 16 pitches. 2 strikes swinging. Slider, Changeup.

• Casilla came from a 3/4 release and showed a fastball with good run in on righties, a 1-7 slider with above average bite and a change with some fade from lefties.

8th: FB (92-95), SL (83-86), CU (85-88)

6) Phil Coke: 13 pitches. 3 strikes swinging. Fastball, 2 Sliders.

• Coke came from a high 3/4 release and showed a fastball with some run and sink on lefties and a 11-5 slider with good bite.

8th: FB (92-94), SL (81-83)

7) David Robertson: 19 pitches. 0 strikes swinging.

• Robertson came from an over the top release and showed a fastball with a little run in on righties and a power 12-6 curve with average depth that can be a strikeout pitch.

9th: FB (91-93), CB (77-81)

7/24 Score: FLA @ LAD

1) Clayton Kershaw: 106 pitches. 11 strikes swinging. 5 Fastballs (2 in 1st, 2 in 5th, 6th), 2 Sliders (3rd, 4th), 3 Curveballs (4th, 2 in 6th), Changeup (5th)

• Kershaw came from an over the top release and showed a fastball with some run in on lefties, a big breaking 12-6 with excellent depth that can be a strikeout pitch, a change withs ome fade from righties and sink and a 11-4 slider with good bite. Can lose command of his fastball, but appears to have the ability to throw his curve for strikes whenever he wants. He will throw 3-1 changeups.

1st: FB (94-95), CB (72-73), CU (82)

2nd: FB (93-96), CB (73), SL (81)

3rd: FB (93-95), CB (71-73), SL (84)

4th: FB (94-95), CB (72-73), CU (83), SL (82)

5th: FB (93-95), CB (70-77), CU (81-83), SL (79-80)

6th: FB (94-95), CB (71-73), SL (78-81)

2) Josh Johnson: 100 pitches. 9 strikes swinging

• Johnson came from an over the top release and showed a fastball with some run in on righties, a 2-7 slider with above average bite that can be cutter like and a change with good fade from lefties with a little sink that he will throw to righties.

1st: FB (94-99), SL (90), CU (90)

2nd: FB (94-97), SL (86-89)

3rd: FB (94-97), SL (90), CU (89-90)

4th: FB (94-98), SL (87-90), CU (90)

5th: FB (93-97), SL (87-88), CU (90)

6th: FB (94-97), SL (85-88), CU (89-90)

7th: FB (94-96), SL (84-86)

3) James McDonald: 19 pitches. 1 strike swinging. Curveball.

• McDonald came from an over the top release and showed a fastball with a little run in on righties and a big breaking 12-6 curve with excellent depth that is sharp enough to be a strikeout pitch.

7th: FB (92-96), CB (73-78)

4) Brent Leach: 3 pitches. 0 strikes swinging.

• Leach came from a high 3/4 release and showed a 11-4 curve with average depth and a fastball with some run in on lefties.

7th: FB (93), CB (79)

5) Ramon Troncoso: 21 pitches. 0 strikes swinging.

• Troncoso came from an over the top release and showed a fastball with good run in on righties and good sink and a 1-7 curve with average depth that is sharp enough to be a strikeout pitch.

8th: FB (91-94), CB (78-80)

6) Claudio Vargas: 22 pitches. 4 strikes swinging. 3 Fastballs (8th, 2 in 9th), Slider (9th)

• Vargas is a 6-4, 235 pound righty. The 31 year old has a big frame that is maxed out. He came from a high 3/4 release and showed a fastball with a little run in on righties and a little sink and a 2-7 slider with above average bite. Solid long reliever, just don't start him.

8th: FB (90-95), SL (81)

9th: FB (89-94), SL (80-82)

7) Brendan Donnelly: 15 pitches. 0 strikes swinging.

• Donnelly is a 6-3, 240 pound righty. The 38 year old has a big frame that is maxed out. He came from an over the top release and has a lot of herky jerky in his delivery with limbs going everywhere. His fastball has some run in on righties with sink. His change has good fade from lefties with above average sink. His cutter has good cut. Appears to still have the stuff to be a solid middle reliever.

8th: FB (90-91), Cut (88-89), CU (83-84)

8) Dan Meyer: 3 pitches. 0 strikes swinging.

• Meyer came from an over the top release and showed a cutter with good cut.

8th: Cut (84-86)

9) Kiko Calero: 3 pitches. 0 strikes swinging.

• Calero came from an over the top release and shows a 2-7 slider with above average bite.

9th: SL (76-80)

10) Leo Nunez: 10 pitches. 0 strikes swinging.

• Nunez came from a high 3/4 release and showed a fastball with some run in on rgihties and a change with above average sink and fade from lefties.

9th: FB (92-96), CU (85)

7/24 Score: SD @ WAS

1) Mat Latos: 94 pitches. 7 strikes swinging. Fastball (2nd), 5 Sliders (2nd, 3rd, 5th, 2 in 6th), Changeup (5th)

• Latos came from an over the top release and showed a fastball with some run in on righties and a little sink, a 2-7 slider with above average bite and a change that flashes plus, but is more commonly below average with some fade from lefties that he has a tendency to hang. He will throw 3-2 changeups to righties. Has the early makings of an ace (Plus fastball, above average off-speed offering) and the development of his change will be key. He had solid command of his fastball. Refer to the Futures Game coverage for his frame and other data.

1st: FB (93-96), CU (80-81)

2nd: FB (93-96), SL (81-83)

3rd: FB (91-95), SL (80-82), CU (82)

4th: FB (92-95), SL (81-83)

5th: FB (93-95), SL (81-84), CU (81)

6th: FB (92-96), SL (79-82), CU (81-83)

2) Garrett Mock: 90 pitches. 3 strikes swinging. Fastball (5th), 2 Sliders (1st, 6th)

• Mock came from an over the top release and showed a fastball with some run in on righties and some sink, a sharp 12-6 curve with above average depth, a 2-7 slider with good bite and a change with some fade from lefties with sink. Could be a # 4, but his struggles with his command will impede his progress.

1st: FB (89-93), CB (75-77), SL (83-84)

2nd: FB (89-90), CB (75-76), CU (77)

3rd: FB (89-93), SL (82-84), CU (79)

4th: FB (89-92), CB (74), SL (81-83)

5th: FB (89-91), CB (75-79), SL (81-83), CU (79)

6th: FB (89-93), CB (76), SL (81-84), CU (78)

3) Jason Bergmann: 18 pitches. 1 strike swinging. Cutter (6th)

• Bergmann came from a high 3/4, almost over the top release and showed a cutter with good cut, a fastball with run in on righties with good sink and a power 12-6 curve that can be a strikeout pitch.

6th: Cut (85-87)

7th: FB (91-92), Cut (85-86), CB (79)

4) Luke Gregerson: 24 pitches. 3 strikes swinging. 3 Sliders (7th)

• Luke came from a 3/4 release and showed a fastball with above average run in on righties and good sink, a 2-7 slider with above average bite and a change with good fade from lefties with good sink.

6th: FB (90), SL (82)

7th: FB (90-92), SL (81-84), CU (80-81)

5) Ron Villone: 15 pitches. 0 strikes swinging.

• Villone came from an over the top release and shwoed a fastball with some run in on lefties, a change with some fade from righties and sink and a 10-4 slider with good bite.

7th: FB (87-89), CU (81), SL (84)

6) Mike Adams: 18 pitches. 2 Fastballs, Curveball.

• Adams is a 6-5, 205 pound righty. The 31 year old has a big frame that can get up to at least 215. He came from an over the top release. His fastball has some run in on righties. His cutter has some cut and sink. His curve is a 12-6 with average depth that can be a strikeout pitch. His change has some fade from lefties with solid sink that he will throw to righties.

8th: FB (92-94), Cut (87-89), CB (81), CU (83)

7) Sean Burnett: 8 pitches. 2 strikes swinging. 2 Sliders.

• Burnett came from a high 3/4 release and showed a fastball with some run in on lefties and a 11-4 slider with good bite.

8th: FB (90-91), SL (77-83)

8) Logan Kensing: 13 pitches. 3 strikes swinging. 2 Fastballs, Cutter.

• Kensing is a 6-1, 185 pound righty. The 27 year old has a medium frame that can get up to at least 195. He came from a high 3/4 release and showed a fastball with some run in on righties and a cutter with solid cut.

9th: FB (94-96), Cut (88-89)

9) Greg Burke: 11 pitches. 0 strikes swinging.

• Burke came from an over the top release and showed a fastball with above average run in on righties with good sink and a 2-7 slider with solid bite.

9th: FB (91-93), SL (83)