TB @ CWS

1) Jeff Niemann: 100 pitches. 9 strikes swinging. 2 on Fastballs (2nd, 5th), 6 on Curveballs (2nd, 5th, 2 in 7th, 2 in 8th) and a Slider (4th)

• Niemann came from an over the top release and showed a fastball that is very straight that may have a little cut to it, a sharp, big breaking 12-6 curve with excellent depth that can be a strikeout pitch (and serves as his out pitch) and a sharp 2-7 slider with good bite. He straightens his arm behind him on the back take before beginning his acceleration through. Very impressive tonight and his curveball was plus for most of this outing.

1st: FB (91-94), SL (84), CB (79)

2nd: FB (91-94), CB (77)

3rd: FB (91-95), SL (84)

4th: FB (92-95), SL (85), CB (77-80)

5th: FB (92-95), CB (77-80)

6th: FB (92-94), CB (77-80)

7th: FB (90-95), CB (77-79)

8th: FB (91-94), SL (82), CB (76-80)

2) Clayton Richard: 116 pitches. 6 strikes swinging. 2 on Fastballs (2nd, 3rd) and 4 on Changeups (2 in 6th, 2 in 7th)

• Richard came from a high 3/4 release and showed a 2-seam fastball with some run in on lefties, a change that looks like a fastball out of his hand with good sink and fade form righties, a cutter with some cut in on righties and a 11-4 slider with above average bite. He also showed a straight 4-seam fastball and he has an excellent pick off move. He sold me tonight and retired the last 15 hitters he faced. Definite shot at being a # 2, but more likely to be a # 4.

1st: FB (90-95), CU (84), Cut (84-88)

2nd: FB (91-96), CU (85), SL (79)

3rd: FB (90-95), CU (82-86), SL (81)

4th: FB (91-96), CU (86), Cut (87), SL (79)

5th: FB (90-95), CU (86), SL (82-85)

6th: FB (90-94), CU (84-86), Cut (88), SL (77-83)

7th: FB (90-95), CU (84-87)

8th: FB (89-94), CU (81)

3) Bobby Jenks: 20 pitches. 1 strike swinging. Fastball.

• Jenks came from an over the top release and showed a fastball with run in on righties with sink, a 12-6 curve with above average depth sharp enough to be a strikeout pitch, a sharp 2-7 slider with solid bite and a change with some fade from lefties. Battled his command tonight.

9th: FB (92-95), SL (87-90), CB (84), CU (83-84)

4) J.P. Howell: 12 pitches. 4 strikes swinging. 3 on Curveballs, Changeup.

• Howell came from an over the top release and showed a fastball with some run in on lefties, a change with above average fade from lefties with good sink and a 11-5 curve with above average depth.

9th: FB (85-87), CB (82-83), CU (79)

Traded my games for Wednesday, so I have the day off. My first real day off (no baseball game, no work) in atleast 2 months. Looking forward to it.