Monday, August 31, 2009

Royals Extras (and Carlos Silva)

1) Sidney (Prince of Aruba) Ponson: FB, SL, CU, CB
5/6: 85 pitches. 1 strike swinging. Fastball.
  • Ponson is a 6-1, 260 pound righty. The 32 year old has a medium frame that is maxed out with a lot of bad weight in the lower body and he has an extremely thick lower half. Also appears to have a little bit of a gut. He came from a high 3/4 release in a fairly clean delivery, though he lands hard on his front foot which isn't a good thing at his weight. His fastball has some run in on righties and some sink. His curve is a sharp 12-6 with average depth that has good downward action to it. His slider is a 2-7 pitch with good bite. He throws a lot of 2-seamers and doesn't throw many off-speed offerings. His change has some fade from lefties and a touch of sink. Ponson generated virtually zero swinging strikes, meaning he wasn't fooling anybody. His fastball is solid, but none of his other off-speed offerings are very good. I would like to see him as a 1-inning reliever and given a shot there, but he just may get arrested if I told him that because he would probably punch me.

1st: FB (92-95), CB (78)

2nd: FB (91-94)

3rd: FB (91-94), CB (77), SL (81-83)

4th: FB (92-94), SL (82-84), CU (84-85) - FB

5th: FB (90-95), SL (81-83), CU (82)

6th: FB (92), SL (83), CU (84-86)

7th: FB (89-91), SL (80-82)

8th: FB (89-91), CB (75)

2) Carlos Silva: FB, CU, SL

5/6: 70 pitches. 4 strikes swinging. 2 Fastballs, 2 Changeups.

  • Silva is a 6-4, 250 pound righty. The 30 year old has big frame that is maxed out with some definite bad weight. He has a classic drop and drive delivery that is real slow in the beginning, but no real red flags mechanically. His fastball has good run in on righties and good sink. His change has some fade from lefties and some sink that he will throw to righties and his go-to offspeed offering. Almost looks like he guides the ball in there and that there may be some more velocity there in shorter spurts. His command is not as good as it used to be and catches a lot of the middle of the plate with his sinkers. He can still force a lot of groundballs. Silva's best case is a # 5 starter for a great infield defensive team, so the Mariners are his best fit to have a chance at salvaging his career.

1st: FB (88-91), CU (80-81)

2nd: FB (86-91), CU (81) - FB, CU

3rd: FB (87-92), CU (78-83) - FB, CU

3) Horacio Ramirez: FB, SL, CU, Cut, CB

5/6: 9 pitches. 3 strikes swinging. 2 Fastballs, Slider.

5/22: 30 pitches. 0 strikes swinging.

  • Ramirez is a 6-1, 220 pound lefty. The 29 year old has a medium frame that is maxed out. He came from an over the top release with pretty clean mechanics from the stretch. His slider is a 11-5 with average bite. His fastball has a some run in on lefties and a little sink. His change has a little fade from righties and a little sink. His cutter has a little cut. Just a 4-A pitcher. Not enough stuff to start and doesn't have a dominant pitch to be a solid reliever. Can't be a LOOGY, as his slider just isn't good enough and there is little deception in his delivery.

5/6

8th: FB (90-92), SL (79-80) - 2 FB, SL

5/22:

7th: FB (90-92), SL (83), CU (84), Cut (90)

8th: FB (89-91), SL (79-83), CU (84), Cut (88)

4) Robinson Tejeda: FB, SL, CU

8/29: 28 pitches. 2 strikes swinging. Fastball, Slider.

  • Tejeda is a 6-3, 250 pound righty. The 27 year old has a big frame that looks lighter then his listed weight. He has a thick lower half and has a little bit of a gut. He came from a 3/4 release with pretty clean mechanics. His fastball has a little run in on righties. His slider is a sharp 2-7 pitch with slightly below average bite. His change is fairly straight with a little sink that he will throw to righties. Looks like his current role as a long man is best, as he doesn't have an off-speed offering that is real swing and miss and can battle his command at times. Low leverage situation reliever.

5th: FB (91-96), SL (83-86), CU (83-85) - SL

6th: FB (91-95), CU (82-85) - FB

5) Doug Waechter: FB, SL, CU

8/6: 13 pitches. 0 strikes swinging.

  • Waechter is a 6-4, 225 pound righty. The 28 year old has a big frame that can add a little more muscle to his upper body, but has a built lower half. He came from an over the top, almost high 3/4 release and breaks his hands high, adding extra strain to his shoulders. His fastball has good run in on righties and some sink. His change is straight and flashes some fade from lefties with some sink. Waechter looks like a 4-A pitcher, as his stuff did not look very good.

9th: FB (89-91), CU (82-84)

6) Yasuhiko Yabuta: FB, Split, SL

8/29: 10 pitches. 0 strikes swinging.

  • Yabuta is a 6-2, 190 pound righty. The 36 year old has a medium frame that can add a litt more muscle, but I would not count on it. Typical japanese build. Over the top release with the typical japanese scrunch up when pitching with everything in towards his chest. He has a mini pause at the balance point, but nothing crazy. His fastball is a pretty straight 4-seam that flashes some run in on righties. His slider is 2-7 with some mythical bite, as it sure looked pretty straight... His splitter has above average fade from lefties and a little sink. Another 4-A reliever whose combo of straight pitches will not allow him to get major league hitters out.

7th: FB (88-92), Split (75), SL (82)

Chart Observations: 8/30 TOR @ BOS

1) Paul Byrd: 83 pitches. (FB, SL, CU, CB, Cut). 1 strike swinging. Slider.
  • Byrd is a 6-1, 190 pound righty. The 38 year old has a small frame that won't be adding any more muscle. He came from a high 3/4 release with his typical lots of moving parts delivery with a lot of unnecessary motion, but nothing that adds more stress. His fastball is a 2-seam with some run in on righties and some sink. His cutter has some cut and some sink. His slider is a sweeping 3-8 offering with okay bite. His change is just a straight change that is 7 or 8 miles per hour slower that he will throw to righties. His curve is a 1-7 offering with below average depth. Will throw any pitch in any count and am not going to break down the specifics of when he threw off-speed in fastball counts, as there are too many instances. Looks like a # 5 starter and innings eater. You don't want him starting a game in the playoffs.

1st: FB (86-88), Cut (84-88), SL (79), CU (79)

2nd: FB (85-87), Cut (86-87), SL (80), CU (79-80), CB (73-75)

3rd: Cut (85), SL (78-81), CU (79), CB (74-76)

4th: FB (86-87), Cut (86-87), SL (78-83), CU (80-81)

5th: Cut (84-87), SL (77-79), CU (78) - SL

6th: Cut (84-87), SL (79), CU (78)

2) Roy Halladay: 103 pitches. (Cut, FB, CB, CU). 10 strikes swinging. 5 Cutters, 4 Curveballs, Fastball.

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

1st: FB (92-93), Cut (90-92), CB (78-80), CU (86) - 3 Cut

2nd: FB (92-93), Cut (88-91), CB (78-80) - FB, Cut

3rd: FB (90-92), Cut (89-91), CB (77-79), CU (85)

4th: FB (91-92), Cut (88-91), CB (77), CU (84)

5th: FB (91-93), Cut (89-91), CB (77-79), CU (85-87) - Cut

6th: FB (92-93), Cut (91), CB (78-79) - 4 CB

3) Manny Delcarmen: 12 pitches. (FB, CB, CU). 0 strikes swinging.

  • Delcarmen came from an over the top release and showed a fastball with some run in on righties and good sink, a change with good late sink that looks like a fastball out of his hand and a sharp 1-7 curve with slightly below average depth.

7th: FB (91-96), CB (77), CU (79-80)

4) Shawn Camp: 13 pitches. (FB, CU, SL). 1 strike swinging. Slider.

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

7th: FB (89-90), CU (83-85), SL (80-81) - SL

5) Billy Wagner: 16 pitches. (FB, SL, CU). 5 strikes swinging. 3 Fastballs, 2 Sliders.

  • Wagner is a 5-11, 205 pound lefty. The 38 year old has a small frame that won't be changing any. He came from a 3/4 release in his same delivery he has utilized in his career with no changes. His fastball has some run in on lefties and some sink. His slider is a 11-5 offering with good bite. He looks to be back to his old self and still has all around disgusting pitches.

8th: FB (93-95), SL (83-84) - 3 FB, 2 SL

6) Jesse Carlson: 12 pitches. (FB, SL, CU). 4 strikes swinging. 2 Fastballs, 2 Sliders.

  • Carlson came from a sidearm release and showed a fastball with some run in on lefties and a sweeping 9-4 slider with good bite.

8th: FB (88-90), SL (80-83) - 2 FB, 2 SL

7) Takashi Saito: 24 pitches. (FB, SL, CB, Split). 2 strikes swinging. Fastball, Curveball.

  • Saito came from a high 3/4 release and showed a fastball with some run in on righties, a 1-7 curve with slightly above average depth and a 3-8 slider with solid bite.

9th: FB (91-93), SL (81-83), CB (77-78) - FB, CB

You Want Minor Reports? This is the Majors!

Got reports on two teams for you guys: the Bowie Baysox (Orioles) and the Reading Phillies (Phillies, saw twice). I also saw the Erie Seawolves (Tigers) once, but may see them again later this week, so I am going to hold off on those reports for now. On to some of the good stuff:

Impressive:
  1. Scott Mathieson (Phillies) - 6-3, 190 pound 25 year old righty reliever may be all the way back. In his 2 innings of work, he showed a fastball at 90-93 and a slider at 83-86 before 2 strikes. Once he got to 2 strikes, he showed a fastball at 95-99 and a slider at 89. He should be able to help the Phillies in September.
  2. Luis Lebron (Orioles) - 6-1, 175 pound 24 year old righty reliever was insanely impressive in his inning of work. He showed a fastball at 94-96, a power 12-6 curve at 83-86 and a change at 87-89. He has the look of at least being a future set-up man, if not closer.
  3. Brandon Erbe (Orioles) - 6-4, 180 pound 22 year old righty starter was dominant minus 1 inning. He showed a fastball at 90-94, a slider at 79-81 and a change at 83-86. The fastball had good movement in on righties and he was able to pound the zone with it and his slider is a slightly above average offering.
  4. Freddy Galvis (Phillies) - 5-10, 154 pound 19 year old shortstop is very similar to another youngster who played in AA last season, but a mini version of him: Elvis Andrus. Galvis is above average slick with the glove (not Gold Glove worthy), shows an ability to pull the ball for a little pop and some line drive gap hitting ability and solid above average speed.
  5. Mike Stutes (Phillies) - 6-1, 185 pound 23 year old righty starter showed a FB at 90-94, a SL at 81-83, a CB at 73-79 and a CU at 82-84. He showed a good enough slider and fastball to be a factor at the back of a pen at the worst.

Disappointed:
  1. Pedro Beato (Orioles) - The 6-6, 230 pound 22 year old righty starter really struggled. His mechanics are truly a mess and he can't repeat them, which means his fastball velocity is all over the place. While he shutout Reading, he didn't look good doing it and was probably 87-89 with his FB, 80 with a SL, 72-73 with a 1-7 average curve and 78-83 with a below average change.
  2. Pat Overholt (Phillies) - After watching the 6-3, 190 pound 25 year old righty reliever, I wonder how he was ranked in the handbook. 88-91 with his fastball and 81-86 with his slider.
  3. Josh Bell (Orioles) - 6-3, 235 pound 1st basemen (he will be) showed he can't be a 3rd basemen, demonstrating below average range and getting bad reads. He has an average arm, but should end up at 1st. His bat has a hitch in it, where he drops the bat then accelerates. He will hit for more power this way, but not much average. The key of a trade should be a little bit more of a sure thing.

Undecided:

  1. B.J. Rosenberg (Phillies) - 6-2, 200 pound 23 year old righty reliever who featured a straight 4-seam that was 93-94 and showed a 2-7 slider with above average bite at 81-84 in his 2/3 innings of work. He struggled to command them and also showed a slightly above average change in warmups. I like his stuff, but not his command.
  2. Vance Worley (Phillies) - 6-2, 220 pound 22 year old righty starter whos showed a fastball at 88-93 (both 2 and 4 seams), a slider at 78-81 and a change at 81. He throws a ton of fastballs and has good command, but his off-speed offerings are either inconsistent (slider) or not good (changeup). Has the build similar to Joe Blanton and should be a decent option as a back-end starter.
  3. Chance Chapman (Phillies) - 6-4, 210 pound righty reliever showed average stuff across the board and is likely a 4-A guy, though I would like to see him in 1 inning spurts. FB (88-91), SL (79-81), CB (75-77)
  4. Quentin Berry (Phillies) - 6-1, 165 pound centerfielder really didn't show me enough to have a good feel for him, but he should at the minimum be a 4th OF.
  5. Eddie Gamboa (Orioles) - 6-2, 195 pound righty reliever who showed a fastball with above average movement and a decent changeup, but bad velocity (89-90).

The Man, The Myth, The Legend: Dominic Brown really struggled when we watched him, but he still showed an ability to put the barrel of the bat on the ball. He doesn't really wow you with any tools, but when you observe the total package, add in his youth (22) and his frame (6-5, 204 and likely isn't 204 dripping wet, so add about 30 pounds of muscle to it) it is very easy to get excited. More potential then present right now, his overall package could leave some scouts drooling.

Sidenote: These are very short summaries on all these players. I have much more detailed reports on all of them and I would show them to you, but then I would have to kill you. Seriously, I can't be posting the entirety of these reports just due to the fact I need these as separators from other potential job candidates. If you have questions on a certain player or would like me to go more in depth on someone, shoot me an email at kaytea@bluffton.edu.

Sunday, August 30, 2009

8/30: SD @ FLA

1) Sean West: 89 pitches. 11 strikes swinging. 6 Fastballs, 3 Sliders, 2 Changeups.
  • West came from a high 3/4 release and showed a fastball with a little run in on lefties and some sink that can also show some tail in on righties, a 11-5 slider with solid bite and a change with some fade from righties and some sink that he will throw 3-2 and to righties.

1st: FB (88-91), SL (82-85), CU (83-85) - FB

2nd: FB (88-90), SL (80-82) - FB

3rd: FB (86-90), SL (80-82), CU (82-85) - FB, SL, CU

4th: FB (87-91), SL (80-83), CU (84-86) - 2 FB, SL

5th: FB (87-90), SL (83), CU (82-84)

6th: FB (87-91), SL (82), CU (81-82) - FB, SL, CU

2) Mat Latos: 80 pitches. 9 strikes swinging. 4 Fastballs, 3 Changeups, 2 Sliders.

  • Latos came from an over the top release and showed a straight 4-seam fastball, a change that has a little sink and looks like a fastball out of his hand, a hard 2-7 slider with good bite. The ball explodes out of his hand and even when hitters sit on his fastball, they struggle to catch up to it and end up fouling it off or swinging through it. Struggles to throw the slider for strikes, but can bounce it well. Inability to throw off-speed stuff for strikes means he falls behind and has to come to hitters when behind in the count with fastballs and hitters adjust the more they see it.

1st: FB (95-96), SL (88), CU (81-83) - FB, CU

2nd: FB (95-97), SL (86-89) - 2 FB, SL

3rd: FB (93-96), SL (88-91), CU (84) - FB, CU

4th: FB (92-95), SL (83-89), CU (81-84) - SL, CU

3) Edward Mujica: 49 pitches. 5 strikes swinging. 4 Splitters, Fastball.

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

4th: FB (92-94), Split (85-88) - FB

5th: FB (91-93), Split (85-89) - Split

6th: FB (93-94), Split (84-88), SL (81-84) - 3 Split

4) Renyel Pinto: 27 pitches. 1 strike swinging. Changeup.

  • Pinto came from a 3/4 release and showed a fastball with some run in on lefties and some sink and a change with some fade from righties with some sink.

7th: FB (88-92), CU (81-85) - CU

5) Ryan Webb: 27 pitches. 1 strike swinging. Slider.

  • Webb is a 6-6, 215 pound righty. The 23 year old has a big frame that can add a little more muscle to his upper half and appears to have an athletically built lower half. He came from a high 3/4 release and showed a fastball with some run in on righties and some sink. His slider is a 2-7 offering with good downward bite that he will throw as a get ahead pitch and as a strikeout pitch. Can really battle his fastball command. He looks like he could be a solid middle reliever, but his control needs to be refined.

7th: FB (92-96), SL (81-87) - SL

6) Matt Lindstrom: 13 pitches. 2 strikes swinging. Fastball, Splitter.

  • Lindstrom came from a high 3/4 release and showed a fastball with good run in on righties and some sink, a split with some dive that can be just a straight change at times

8th: FB (94-97), Split (88) - FB, Split

7) Greg Burke: 28 pitches. 1 strike swinging. Fastball.

  • Burke came from a 3/4 release and showed a fastball with some run in on righties and some sink, a 2-7 slider with some bite

8th: FB (88-91), SL (81-83) - FB

8) Leo Nunez: 15 pitches. 0 strikes swinging.

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

9th: FB (92-96), CU (84-88)

Chart Observations: 8/30 OAK @ LAA

1) Vin Mazzaro: 99 pitches. (FB, SL, CB, CU). 4 strikes swinging. 2 Fastballs, Slider, Changeup.
  • Vin came from a high 3/4 release and showed a fastball with some run in on righties and some sink, a change with some fade from lefties and some sink that he will throw 2-0, a 1-7 curve with average depth and a 3-8 slider with solid bite.

1st: FB (92-95), SL (85-86), CB (82), CU (86)

2nd: FB (92-95), SL (85-87), CU (86-87)

3rd: FB (92-95), SL (84-86), CB (81-82)

4th: FB (92-96), SL (85-87), CU (86-88), CB (81-82) - 2 FB, SL, CU

5th: FB (92-94), SL (87), CB (80-82)

2) Jered Weaver: 119 pitches. (FB, CU, SL, CB). 8 strikes swinging. 3 Fastballs, 5 Changeups.

  • Weaver came from an over the top release and showed a fastball with a little cut action that he can also make have some run in on righties with some sink, a 12-6 curve with above average depth, a 1-7 slider with good bite that he will throw 3-2 and a change with some fade from lefties and good sink that looks like a fastball out of his hand that he will throw to righties and will throw 3-2, 2-0. Fastball up appears to be his go-to 0-2 pitch.

1st: FB (89-93), CU (77-80), SL (80-81), CB (71) - 2 FB, 2 CU

2nd: FB (87-91), CU (76-80), SL (77-79), CB (71)

3rd: FB (87-90), CU (76-79), SL (77-79), CB (69-70) - CU

4th: FB (87-91), CU (76-77), SL (76-78)

5th: FB (86-88), CU (76-79), CB (71) - CU

6th: FB (86-89), CU (73-79), SL (78-79), CB (70) - FB, CU

3) Jeff Gray: 19 pitches. (FB, SL, CB). 1 strike swinging. Fastball.

  • Gray came from a high 3/4 release and showed a fastball with good run in on righties and good sink, a 12-6 curve with above average depth and a sharp 2-7 slider.

6th: FB (92-97), SL (87-89), CB (80-81) - FB

4) Brad Ziegler: 7 pitches. (FB, SL, CU). 1 strike swinging. Fastball.

  • Ziegler came from a submarine release and showed a fastball with good run in on righties and good sink.

7th: FB (85-87) - FB

5) Jose Arredondo: 19 pitches. (FB, Split, SL)

  • Arredondo came from an over the top release and showed a fastball with a little run in on righties and a little sink, a split with good bite

7th: FB (91-94), Split (82-85) - FB, Split

6) Rafael Rodriguez: 38 pitches. (FB, SL, CU). 1 strike swinging. Slider.

  • Rodriguez is a 6-1, 175 pound righty. The 24 year old has a medium frame that can add a little more muscle, especially in the lower body. He came from a high 3/4 release and had a somewhat max effort delivery with breaking his hands high and lands hard on his front leg. His slider is a 2-7 offering with above average bite. His fastball has good run in on righties and some sink. His change has good fade from lefties and good sink. He will throw 3-2 sliders.

7th: FB (93), SL (86)

8th: FB (90-93), SL (84-87), CU (88-89)

9th: FB (91-94), SL (83-85) - SL

7) Michael Wuertz: 14 pitches. (FB, SL, CB, CU). 3 strikes swinging. 3 Sliders.

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

8th: FB (91-94), SL (86-88) - 3 SL

8) Andrew Bailey: 12 pitches. (FB, Cut, CB, CU). 0 strikes swinging.

  • Bailey came from an over the top release and showed a fastball with a little cut action, a cutter with above average cut and good sink and a 12-6 curve with above average depth.

9th: FB (94-96), Cut (88-89), CB (80)

Saturday, August 29, 2009

8/29: TOR @ BOS

1) Ricky Romero: 116 pitches. 9 strikes swinging. 4 Fastballs, 4 Changeups, Slider.
  • Romero came from a high 3/4 release and showed a fastball with some run in on lefties and some sink, a change with good fade from righties and good sink that looks like a fastball out of his hand that he will throw 3-1, 3-2 and to lefties, a 11-5 slider with some bite and a 11-5 curve with slightly above average depth. Worked in and out of trouble in the first 2 innings, mainly due to him falling behind counts constantly. Fastball command can change from at-bat to at-bat and from inning to inning. He loses 2 or 3 miles per hour out of the stretch. Rarely throws a fastball 3-2, throwing either changeups or sliders.

1st: FB (91-95), CU (86-87) - 4 FB

2nd: FB (90-94), CU (85), SL (83-85) - 2 CU

3rd: FB (91-95), CU (84-86), SL (81-83), CB (76-80) - CU

4th: FB (88-93), CU (82-84), SL (81-83), CB (77-79) - CU

5th: FB (90-93), CU (83-84), SL (81-82), CB (76) - SL

6th: FB (89-93), CU (83-84), SL (81-82), CB (76-78)

2) Clay Buchholz: 107 pitches. 15 strikes swinging. Fastball, 2 Sliders, 11 Changeups, Curveball.

  • Clay came from an over the top release and showed a fastball with some run in on righties and some sink, a 2-7 slider with above average bite, a sharp 12-6 curve with above average depth and a change with good fade from lefties and good sink that he will throw to righties. Throws a lot of 1st pitch fastballs for strikes (not quality strikes, catch a lot of the plate) and will need to throw some breaking pitches for 1st pitch strikes to keep hitters off balance. After writing that, he threw a 1st pitch change to Lind that he swung right through. In the 5th inning, he lost his fastball command, but got it back in the 6th. Changeup was filthy in the 7th and 8th and he had command of it, which isn't fair for Toronto hitters. Best stuff from him I have seen all year.

1st: FB (93-95), CU (78), SL (87), CB (77)

2nd: FB (92-95), CU (78-80), SL (84-85), CB (75) - SL, CU

3rd: FB (92-94), CB (77) - FB

4th: FB (92-95), CU (79), SL (86), CB (76-77) - CB, CU

5th: FB (90-95), CU (77)

6th: FB (92-95), CU (77-79), SL (84-87), CB (77) - 2 CU, SL

7th: FB (89-93), CU (76-79), CB (75-77) - 4 CU

8th: FB (93-95), CU (78-80), CB (76-78) - 2 CU

9th: FB (92-94), CU (79), CB (75-77) - CU

3) Casey Janssen: 4 pitches. 0 strikes swinging.

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

6th: FB (91-92), SL (84)

4) Jesse Carlson: 3 pitches. 1 strike swinging. Slider.

  • Carlson came from a sidearm release and showed a 9-4 slider with good bite

6th: SL (80-82) - SL

5) Brandon League: 27 pitches. 5 strikes swinging. 3 Splitters, 2 Sliders.

  • League came from a 3/4 release and showed a fastball with good run in on righties and some sink, a 3-8 slider with good bite and a splitter with good dive.

6th: FB (94-96), SL (84), Split (83-84)

7th: FB (95), SL (85-86), Split (84-86) - 3 Split, 2 SL

6) Scott Downs: 26 pitches. 2 strikes swinging. Fastball, Curveball.

  • Downs came from a 3/4 release and showed a fastball with some run in on lefties and some sink and a sharp, sweeping 11-5 curve with slightly above average depth.

8th: FB (87-90), CB (75-76) - FB, CB

7) Hideki Okajima: 4 pitches. 0 strikes swinging.

  • Okajima came from an over the top release and showed a fastball with good run in on lefties and some sink and a 12-6 curve with average depth.

9th: FB (86-87), CB (76)

8) Jonathan Papelbon: 5 pitches. 0 strikes swinging.

  • Papelbon came from a high 3/4 release and showed a fastball with a little run in on righties and a little sink, a 3-8 slider with good bite

9th: FB (94-95), SL (80)

Programming Note

Tigers extra reports (include Jeremy Bonderman and Dontrelle Willis) can be found under 8/28. I started these reports when I was stuck in a rain delay last night and have finished them today. I really wish that these reports would file under when I FINISHED them and not when I start them.

Buchholz vs. Romero tonight

Chart Observations: COL @ SF

1) Tim Lincecum: 127 pitches. (FB, CU, CB, SL). 14 strikes swinging. 4 Fastballs, 5 Curveballs, 3 Changeups, 2 Sliders.
  • Lincecum came from an over the top release and showed a fastball with some run in on righties and some sink, a 12-6 curve with above average depth, a change with good fade from lefties and above average sink and a 2-7 slider with above average bite.

1st: FB (91-96), CU (85), CB (77-80), SL (82) - FB, CB, SL

2nd: FB (90-95), CU (85-86), CB (78-81) - FB, CU

3rd: FB (88-93), CB (75-76) - FB

4th: FB (92), CU (81-83), CB (75-80), SL (80)

5th: FB (89-93), CB (74-80), SL (80-82) - 3 CB, SL

6th: FB (90-94), CU (80-84), CB (77-78), SL (80-82) - CB, 2 CU

7th: FB (90-93), CB (75-81)

8th: FB (90-94), CU (84), CB (77-80) - FB

2) Ubaldo Jimenez: 102 pitches. (FB, SL, CU, CB). 10 strikes swinging. 7 Fastballs, 2 Changeups, Slider.

  • Jimenez came from a high 3/4 release and showed a fastball with some run in on righties and some sink, a sharp 2-7 slider with good bite, a hard change with good fade from lefties and some sink and a sharp 12-6 curve with slightly above average bite.

1st: FB (94-99), SL (86-89)

2nd: FB (95-99), SL (85-89), CU (87-89), CB (80-81) - FB, SL

3rd: FB (92-99), CU (85-88), CB (77-79) - FB, CU

4th: FB (96-98), SL (86-87), CU (88-89), CB (78-79) - FB

5th: FB (95-99), SL (86-88), CU (86-87), CB (72-78) - 3 FB, CU

6th: FB (91-97), SL (85), CU (85-88)

7th: FB (92-97), CB (76-77) - FB

3) Matt Daley: 7 pitches. (FB, SL, CU). 1 strike swinging. Fastball.

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

8th: FB (89-91), SL (78) - FB

4) Brian Wilson: 19 pitches. (FB, Cut, SL). 5 strikes swinging. 5 Fastballs.

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

9th: FB (94-99), Cut (89-90) - 5 FB

Chart Observations: 8/28 TEX @ MIN

1) Brian Duensing: 96 pitches. (FB, CU, SL, CB). 11 strikes swinging. 8 Fastballs, 2 Sliders, Changeup.
  • Duensing came from a high 3/4 release and showed a fastball with some run in on lefties and some sink, a 11-5 curve with average depth, a 11-5 slider with good bite and a change with good fade from righties and some sink that he will throw in 3-2 counts.

1st: FB (91-93), CU (83), SL (82-84), CB (70-74) - FB

2nd: FB (89-94), CU (84), SL (81), CB (73) - 2 FB, SL

3rd: FB (89-91), CU (82-83), CB (73)

4th: FB (89-93), CU (80-85), SL (81), CB (72-74) - FB, SL, CU

5th: FB (89-92), SL (81), CB (73-74) - FB

6th: FB (88-93), SL (80-82), CB (70-73) - 2 FB

7th: FB (90-93), CU (83-84), SL (79-84), CB (73) - FB

2) Tommy Hunter: 102 pitches. (FB, Cut, CB, CU). 4 strikes swinging. 3 Curveballs, Cutter.

  • Hunter came from an over the top release and showed a fastball with a little run in on righties and a little sink, a sharp 1-7 curve with slightly above average depth that he will throw 3-2, a cutter with good cut and some sink and a change with some fade from lefties and some sink that he will throw to righties. He did not have his best command in this game as Teagarden consistently wanted inside cutters and he repeatedly missed over the middle of the plate or away off the plate.

1st: FB (90-93), Cut (89), CB (74-79)

2nd: FB (88-92), CB (78), CU (84)

3rd: FB (90-92), Cut (90), CB (76-79) - Cut

4th: FB (87-90), Cut (87-89), CB (75-79), CU (84) - CB

5th: FB (88-90), Cut (86-89), CB (75)

6th: Cut (89), CB (76-77), CU (82-83) - 2 CB

7th: FB (88-90), Cut (86-89), CB (75-76)

3) Matt Guerrier: 16 pitches. (FB, SL, CB, CU). 1 strike swinging. Slider.

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

8th: FB (90-92), SL (85-86), CB (79-80) - SL

4) Pedro Strop: 13 pitches. (FB, SL, Split). 2 strikes swinging. Fastball, Splitter.

  • Strop is a 6-0, 160 pound righty. The 24 year old righty has a small frame that looks bigger then his listed 160 at about 170 with a thick lower half. He is in the very infant stages of his pitching career, having been picked up as a position player by the Rockies. He came from a 3/4 release in a fairly clean, though violent (max effort) delivery. His fastball may have a little run in on righties, but it is pretty straight. His slider is a 2-7 pitch with a little bite and really doesn't do much at all. His split has some dive. Strop has a plus fastball and little else, including command. His control wasn't bad, but didn't locate his fastball and caught a lot of the plate. He could be a set-up guy, but he is probably a year or two away, especially pitching all his home games in Texas.

8th: FB (96-97), SL (83-86), Split (87-89) - FB, Split

5) Joe Nathan: 18 pitches. (FB, SL, CB, CU). 2 strikes swinging. Fastball, Slider.

  • Nathan came from a high 3/4 release and showed a 11-5 curve with average depth that is sharp, a 2-7 slider with good bite and a fastball with good run in on righties and some sink.

9th: FB (93-96), SL (86-89), CB (80-83) - FB, SL

Friday, August 28, 2009

Tigers Extras

1) Jeremy Bonderman: FB, SL, CU

6/8: 85 pitches. 5 strikes swinging. 4 Fastballs, Slider.
  • Bonderman is a 6-2, 220 pound righty. The 26 year old has a medium frame that is maxed out. He came from a high 3/4 release with fairly clean mechanics that look the same prior to his injury. His fastball has some run in on righties. His change had a little fade from lefties with a touch of sink. His slider is a 1-7 with above average bite. Bonderman has lost a lot from when I last saw him. His velocity was down, his slider was still good, but is loopy as opposed to sharp. He now looks like a # 4 or # 5 starter if he can ever get out of injury hell.

1st: FB (90-92), SL (80-84), CU (84-85) - SL

2nd: FB (88-91), SL (79-82), CU (83) - 3 FB

3rd: FB (87-90), SL (81), CU (83) - FB

4th: FB (87-89), SL (81), CU (82)

5th: FB (87-89), SL (77-82), CU (81-82)

2) Eddie Bonine: FB, SL, CU, CB

7/24: 81 pitches. 5 strikes swinging. 4 Sliders, Fastball.

  • Bonine is a 6-5, 220 pound righty. The 28 year old has a big frame that can add a lot more muscle. Extremely skinny in both the lower and upper body and doesn't look anything close to 220. He came from a high 3/4 release with a fairly violent delivery after his break. He accelerates quickly through and appears to land hard on his front leg. His fastball has some run in on righties and good sink. His slider is a 1-7 offering with solid bite. His change has some fade from lefties and above average sink. Bonine is not a viable option for a major league team as a starter and if he is taking the ball every 5th day, you are in trouble.

1st: FB (88-90), SL (79-81)

2nd: FB (88-90), SL (78-81), CU (82) - FB, SL

3rd: FB (86-90), SL (77-80), CU (79-81) - SL

4th: FB (84-88), SL (76-78), CU (80-81)

5th: FB (85-88), SL (77-79), CU (81)

6th: FB (86-89), SL (77-83), CU (80-81) - 2 SL

3) Chris Lambert:

8/11: 81 pitches. 7 strikes swinging. 5 Fastballs, Curveball, Changeup.

  • Lambert is a 6-1, 205 pound righty. The 26 year old has a medium frame that can add a little more muscle. He has a fairly athletic lower half that is fairly muscular. He came from a 3/4 release with a slinging arm action, but clean mechanics. His fastball has a little run in on righties and a touch of sink. His change has a little fade from lefties and a little sink. His curve is a sweeping offering that is a 2-7 offering with some depth. Lambert pitches by the book, meaning he is FB-CB to righties and FB-CU to lefties and he didn't throw the other pitch to the other side. He is a 4-A pitcher and one that should be about emergency option # 18 heading into a season.

2nd: FB (88-92), CU (78-82), CB (74-78) - FB

3rd: FB (88-91), CU (80-81), CB (73-77)

4th: FB (89-92), CU (79-82), CB (75-78) - 2 FB, CB

5th: FB (89-91), CU (79-82), CB (75-78)

6th: FB (87-91), CU (80-81) - 2 FB, CU

4) Clay Rapada:

4/29: 29 pitches. 1 strike swinging. Fastball.

  • Rapada is a 6-5, 200 pound lefty. The 28 year old has a big frame that can add a lot more muscle, especially in the lower half. He came from a sidearm release with a big (almost El Duque like) leg kick. He has pretty clean mechanics. He will drop down to submarine as well. His fastball has good run in on lefties and some sink. His slider is a 9-4 offering with some bite and is a sweeping offering. Lefties didn't look uncomfortable hitting against him, mainly because his slider just doesn't have enough action to make them nervous in the box and have them look for something other then his 85 mile per hour fastball. Likely a AAA guy.

4th: FB (85-87), SL (74-77)

5th: FB (84-87), SL (76-80) - FB

5) Dontrelle Willis:

5/24: 105 pitches. 5 strikes swinging. 3 Fastballs, 2 Sliders.

  • Willis is a 6-4, 225 pound lefty. The 27 year old has a big frame that appears to be maxed out. He comes from a high 3/4 release with mechanics that appear to have been tamed down a bit. He still has the rocking action back and the high leg kick, but it doesn't appear to be as high effort. His fastball has a little run in on lefties and a touch of natural sink due to the downward plane he generates. It appears he can cut his fastball or run it in on the hands of lefties and away from righties. His change has some sink and a little fade from righties. His change yells Hit Me Now and hitters are more then likely to suffice, as it just hangs there. His slider is a 11-5 offering with good bite. Willis's stuff has badly regressed and he can still battle his command. He looks like he would struggle at AAA right now and I can't really say anything good for his future.

1st: FB (84-89)

2nd: FB (84-90), CU (76)

3rd: FB (84-92), CU (78-79), SL (78-81) - 2 SL

4th: FB (84-87), CU (77)

5th: FB (84-90), SL (77-81) - 3 FB

6th: FB (85-88)

7th: FB (84-92), SL (77-81)

8/28: ATL @ PHI

1) Tommy Hanson: 29 pitches. 7 strikes swinging. 3 Sliders, 2 Fastballs, 2 Curveballs.

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

1st: FB (92-93), SL (84), CB (77) - CB

2nd: FB (91-93), SL (79-82), CB (74-80) - 2 FB, 3 SL, CB

2) Pedro Martinez: 25 pitches. 1 strike swinging. Changeup.

  • Martinez came from a 3/4 release and showed a fastball with some run in on righties and some sink, a cutter with good cut and some sink, a change with good fade from lefties and solid sink that he will throw to righties and a 12-6 curve with above average depth.

1st: FB (87-88), Cut (79-82), CU (76)

2nd: FB (87-89), Cut (79-82), CU (74-78), CB (68-69) - CU

3) Jamie Moyer: 61 pitches. 9 strikes swinging. 7 Changeups, Cutter, Fastball.

  • Moyer came from a high 3/4 release and showed a fastball with some run in on lefties and some sink, a cutter that moves like a 11-5 slider with good bite, a change that has some fade from lefties with good sink that he will throw to lefties and a 11-5 curve with above average depth.

3rd: FB (80-84), Cut (79), CU (76) - FB, 3 CU

4th: FB (81-83), Cut (78), CU (75-76), CB (71) - 3 CU

5th: FB (82-83), Cut (79), CU (75-76), CB (70) - Cut, CU

6th: FB (82-83), Cut (77-78), CB (69)

7th: CU (76)

4) Kris Medlen: 33 pitches. 3 strikes swinging. Fastball, 2 Changeups.

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

3rd: FB (90-93), CU (81-83), CB (78) - CU

4th: FB (90-92), CU (81-84), CB (81-82) - FB, CU

5) Eric O'Flaherty: 24 pitches. 3 strikes swinging. 2 Sliders, Fastball.

  • O'Flaherty came from a high 3/4 release and showed a fastball with some run in on lefties and a little sink, a change with some fade from righties and good sink that he will throw to lefties and a 11-5 slider with good bite. He will throw 2-0 sliders.

5th: FB (89-91), CU (83), SL (85) - SL

6th: FB (87-91), CU (83-85), SL (82-86) - FB, SL

6) Chan Ho Park: 7 pitches. 1 strike swinging. Slider.

  • Park came from a high 3/4 release and showed a fastball with some run in on righties and some sink, a change with some fade from lefties and good sink that he will throw to righties, a 12-6 curve with above average depth and a 2-7 slider with good bite.

7th: FB (91-94), SL (88), CB (79), CU (84) - SL

7) Peter Moylan: 11 pitches. 2 strikes swinging. Slider, Changeup.

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

7th: FB (89-92), SL (80), CU (81) - SL, CU

8) Ryan Madson: 25 pitches. 3 strikes swinging. 3 Changeups.

  • Madson came from an over the top release and showed a cutter with good cut and some sink, a straight 4-seam fastball that flashes some run in on righties and a change with good fade from lefties and solid sink that he will throw to righties.

8th: FB (93-97), Cut (89-91), CU (84-86) - 3 CU

9) Mike Gonzalez: 12 pitches. 1 strike swinging. Slider.

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

8th: FB (89-94), SL (78-86) - SL

10) Brad Lidge: 12 pitches. 2 strikes swinging. 2 Sliders.

  • Lidge came from an over the top release and showed a sharp 2-7 slider with good bite and a straight 4-seam fastball.

9th: FB (93-94), SL (83-85) - 2 SL

Quick Programming Note

Extra Reports on the White Sox and Indians can be found under 8/26. I began working on these then, so it got posted there even though I didn't finish them until today. Notables include Carlos Torres, Scott Lewis and Zach Jackson.

Hanson-Pedro tonight.

Chart Observations: 8/27 CHW @ BOS

1) John Danks: 108 pitches. (FB, Cut, CU, CB). 9 strikes swinging. 2 Fastballs, 3 Cutters, 4 Changeups.
  • Danks came from a high 3/4 release and showed a fastball with some run in on lefties and marginal sink, a cutter with some cut, a change with good fade from righties and good sink that he will throw to lefties and a 11-5 curve with above average depth. Has an above average pick-off move with slide step as opposed to a leg kick move.

1st: FB (89-92), Cut (86-88), CU (82-83) - Cut, CU

2nd: FB (90-92), Cut (85-88), CU (83-84) - FB

3rd: FB (89-92), CU (81-83), CB (76-77) - CU

4th: FB (88-92), Cut (85-86), CU (82-83), CB (75-76) - FB, CU

5th: FB (89-93), Cut (85-88), CU (80-83), CB (73) - 2 Cut

6th: FB (88-90), CU (82-83) - CU

2) Junichi Tazawa: 85 pitches. (FB, CB, Split). 6 strikes swinging. 2 Fastballs, 3 Curveballs, Splitter.

  • Tazawa came from a high 3/4 release and showed a fastball with some run in on righties, a 12-6 curve with above average depth and a splitter with solid dive. Throws both get-me-over and power (strikeout) curves. The power curve can resemble more of a slider.

1st: FB (90-92), CB (70-81), Split (84) - CB

2nd: FB (89-92), CB (72-80), Split (83) - 2 FB, CB

3rd: FB (88-90), CB (68-79), Split (81)

4th: FB (88-91), CB (67-76), Split (81-82) - Split, CB

3) Manny Delcarmen: 25 pitches. (FB, CU, CB). 1 strike swinging. Changeup.

  • Delcarmen came from an over the top release and showed a fastball with some run in on righties, a change with a little fade from lefties and a little sink that he will throw to righties that looks like a fastball out of his hand and a 1-7 curve with average depth.

5th: FB (93), CU (77-81), CB (79) - CU

6th: FB (92-94), CU (80-84), CB (76-79)

4) Ramon Ramirez: 15 pitches. (FB, CU, SL). 3 strikes swinging. 2 Sliders, Changeup.

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

7th: FB (92-95), CU (88-89), SL (85-88) - 2 SL, CU

5) Octavio Dotel: 32 pitches. (FB, SL, CB). 3 strikes swinging. 2 Fastballs, Slider.

  • Dotel came from a 3/4 release and showed a fastball with some run in on righties or some cut in on lefties, a 3-8 slider with good bite and a sharp 2-7 curve with slightly above average depth.

7th: FB (91-94), SL (81-85), CB (79) - 2 FB, SL

8th: FB (92-94), SL (82)

6) Randy Williams: 2 pitches. (FB, Cut, CU, CB). 1 strike swinging. Cutter.

  • Williams came from a high 3/4 release and showed a cutter with good cut.

8th: Cut (87-89) - Cut

7) Bobby Jenks: 13 pitches. (FB, SL, CB, CU). 1 strike swinging. Fastball.

  • Jenks came from a high 3/4 release and showed a fastball with a little run in on righties, a sharp 1-7 curve with slightly above average depth and a sharp 2-7 slider with solid bite.

9th: FB (91-95), SL (87-89), CB (84) - FB

Chart Observations 8/27: NYM @ FLA

1) Tim Redding: 95 pitches. (FB, SL, CU, CB). 4 strikes swinging. 4 Curveballs.
  • Redding came from a high 3/4 release and showed a fastball with some run in on righties and some sink, a change with some sink and some fade from lefties that he will throw to righties, a 2-7 slider with good bite, a 3-8 frisbee slider with some bite and a 12-6 curve with average depth. He will throw 3-0 sliders.

1st: FB (88-90), SL (84-85), CU (81-83)

2nd: FB (88-93), SL (82-85), CU (80), CB (75-76) - CB

3rd: FB (89-91), SL (83), CB (74-77) - CB

4th: FB (89-91), SL (82-83), CB (74), CU (86)

5th: FB (88-90), SL (82-85), CB (74-76), CU (82) - CB

6th: FB (89-91), CB (71-73)

7th: FB (88-91), SL (82-84), CB (75), CU (81), F-SL (76) - CB

2) Anibal Sanchez: 82 pitches. (FB, SL, CU, CB). 6 strikes swinging. 3 Fastballs, 2 Changeups, Slider.

  • Sanchez came from an over the top release and showed a fastball with a little run in on righties, a 2-7 slider with good bite, a change with some fade from lefties and a touch of sink and a 12-6 curve with some depth. He will throw 2-0 and 3-1 sliders and changeups and 3-2 changeups.

1st: FB (90-93), SL (82-85), CU (82-85), CB (73) - FB, CU

2nd: FB (90-95), SL (84-86), CU (85-86), CB (73-77) - FB

3rd: FB (89-91), SL (85-87), CB (73) - SL

4th: FB (89-92), SL (81-84), CU (82) - FB, CU

3) Cristhian Martinez: 50 pitches. (FB, CU, SL). 2 strikes swinging. 2 Changeups.

  • Martinez came from a high 3/4 release and showed a fastball with some run in on righties, a changeup with good fade from lefties that looks like a fastball out of his hand that he will throw to righties and a 2-7 slider with good bite.

4th: FB (90-91), CU (85-86), SL (84) - 2 CU

5th: FB (90-92), CU (84-86), SL (83-86)

6th: FB (91-92), CU (86), SL (82-84)

7th: FB (90-91), CU (82)

4) Elmer Dessens: 2 pitches. (FB, SL, CU, CB). 0 strikes swinging.

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

7th: FB (88-89)

5) Pedro Feliciano: 4 pitches. (FB, Cut, SL, CU)

  • Feliciano came from a sidearm release and showed a fastball with good run in on lefties and some sink and a cutter with good cut.

8th: FB (86), Cut (81) - FB

6) Sean Green: 10 pitches. (FB, SL, CU). 1 strike swinging. Fastball.

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

8th: FB (87-90), SL (76) - FB

7) Kiko Calero: 15 pitches. (SL, FB, CU). 3 strikes swinging. 2 Fastballs, Changeup.

  • Calero came from an over the top release and showed a fastball with some run in on righties and marginal sink, a 1-7 slider with above average bite and a change with good fade from lefties and some sink. Threw a ton of fastballs and not many sliders in this outing.

8th: FB (87-88), SL (79-80), CU (82) - 2 FB, CU

8) Renyel Pinto: 15 pitches. (FB, CU, SL). 2 strikes swinging. Fastball, Changeup.

  • Pinto came from a high 3/4 release and showed a fastball with some run in on lefties and a change with good fade from righties and some sink that he will throw to lefties.

9th: FB (89-91), CU (82-84) - FB, CU

9) Brian Stokes: 16 pitches. (FB, CB, CU). 0 strikes swinging.

  • Stokes came from an over the top release and showed a fastball with good run in on righties and some sink, a 1-7 curve with average depth that looks like a slider and a change with some fade from lefties and a little sink that he will throw to righties.

9th: FB (91-95), CU (80), CB (81)

Thursday, August 27, 2009

Chart Observations: 8/27 CLE @ KC

1) David Huff: 94 pitches. (FB, CU, SL, CB). 4 strikes swinging. 3 Fastballs, Slider.
  • Huff came from an over the top release and showed a fastball with some run in on lefties and some sink a change with some fade from righties and good sink that he will throw to lefties, a 11-5 slider with good bite and a 11-5 curve with solid depth.

1st: FB (88-92), CU (81-82), SL (82-83) - FB

2nd: FB (88-92), SL (80-81), CB (73-76)

3rd: FB (87-91), CU (82-83), SL (81), CB (76) - FB

4th: FB (89-90), CU (82), SL (78-82), CB (74)

5th: FB (87-92), CU (81-83), SL (83), CB (76-77) - FB, SL

6th: FB (88-91), SL (79-82)

2) Luke Hochevar: 116 pitches. (FB, SL, CB, Split). 15 strikes swinging. 10 Fastballs, 3 Sliders, 2 Curveballs.

  • Hochevar came from a high 3/4 release with good run in on righties and solid sink, a 12-6 curve with average depth, a 2-7 slider with okay bite that flashes above average bite and a split with above average dive.

1st: FB (92-94), SL (87-89), CB (77-81) - CB

2nd: FB (92-94), SL (83-85), CB (74-78) - 3 FB, 2 SL

3rd: FB (89-95), SL (84-87), CB (75), Split (82) - 2 FB

4th: FB (90-94), SL (83-85), CB (79) - FB, SL

5th: FB (90-95), CB (78) - FB

6th: FB (92-95), CB (77-78), SL (83-86) - FB, CB

7th: FB (90-94), CB (77), SL (83-85) - 2 FB

3) John Bale: 10 pitches. (FB, CB, CU). 0 strikes swinging.

  • Bale came from a high 3/4 release and showed a fastball with some tail in on righties, a change with some fade from righties with sink and a 10-4 curve with solid depth

7th: FB (89-91), CB (72), CU (81-82)

4) Joe Smith: 13 pitches. (FB, SL, CU). 0 strikes swinging.

  • Smith came from a sidearm release and showed a fastball with good run in on righties and good sink, a change with good fade from lefties and a little sink that he will throw to righties and a 3-8 slider with good bite.

7th: FB (89-91), SL (82-83), CU (77-78)

5) Chris Perez: 14 pitches. (FB, SL, CB). 1 strike swinging. Slider.

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

8th: FB (95-96), SL (83-84) - SL

6) Kyle Farnsworth: 11 pitches. (FB, SL, CU). 2 strikes swinging. Fastball, Slider.

  • Farnsworth came from an over the top release with a 4-seam fastball with some run in on righties and a sharp 2-7 slider with good bite.

8th: FB (96-100), SL (89-92) - FB, SL

7) Jamey Wright: 13 pitches. (FB, Cut, CB, CU). 0 strikes swinging.

  • Wright came from a high 3/4 release and a cutter with good cut and some sink, a 12-6 curve with slightly above average depth and a fastball with some run in on righties and some sink.

9th: FB (92-94), Cut (85-90), CB (79-80)

8) Kerry Wood: 11 pitches. (FB, SL, Cut, CB). 0 strikes swinging.

  • Wood came from an over the top release and showed a straight 4-seam fastball, a cutter with some cut that flashes sink and a sharp 12-6 curve with slightly above average depth.

9th: FB (95-97), Cut (90-93), CB (79)

Wednesday, August 26, 2009

8/26: TOR @ TB

1) Scott Kazmir: 15 strikes swinging. 9 Fastballs, 3 Sliders, 3 Changeups.
  • Kazmir came from a high 3/4 release and showed a fastball with some run in on lefties and some sink, a 11-5 slider with solid bite and a change with some fade from righties and a little sink. Will throw 3-2 changeups. Good control, but struggles to command his stuff, causing him to lose strike calls.

1st: FB (91-95), SL (84-85), CU (81-82) - FB, SL, CU

2nd: FB (92-95), SL (82-85), CU (81) - FB, SL, CU

3rd: FB (91-93), SL (83-85), CU (79-81) - CU

4th: FB (91-95), CU (82) - 2 FB

5th: FB (91-94), SL (82-83), CU (78-79) - 3 FB

6th: FB (88-95), SL (82-84), CU (78-79) - 2 FB, SL

2) Marc Rzepczynski: 116 pitches. 11 strikes swinging. 9 Sliders, Fastball, Changeup.

  • Marc came from a 3/4 release and showed a fastball with above average run in on lefties and some sink, a 11-5 slider with good bite and a change with good fade from righties and some sink. Will throw 3-2 sliders. His curve is a 11-5 with average depth that is very sharp and can look like his slider. Works on the black of the plate and is okay with giving up walks, but will not throw anything down the middle. Mixes his pitches superbly and keeps hitters off balance by throwing any pitch in any count.

1st: FB (87-89), SL (80-82), CB (78) - 2 SL

2nd: FB (87-89), SL (80-82), CB (78-80), CU (82)

3rd: FB (86-90), SL (80-82), CB (76-79), CU (80-81) - FB, 2 SL

4th: FB (88-90), SL (79-81), CB (79)

5th: FB (86-90), SL (80-82), CU (83-84) - 3 SL, CU

6th: FB (88-89), SL (80-82), CB (78-80), CU (83) - 2 SL

3) Jesse Carlson: 16 pitches. 2 strikes swinging. 2 Sliders.

  • Carlson is a sidearming lefty who showed a fastball with some run in on lefties and a little sink and a sweeping 9-4 slider with solid bite.

7th: FB (88-90), SL (79-84) - 2 SL

4) Russ Springer: 19 pitches. 2 strikes swinging. 2 Fastballs.

  • Springer came from a 3/4 release and showed a fairly straight 4-seam fastball, a cutter with good cut and a little sink and a sharp 12-6 curve with average depth.

7th: FB (91-94), Cut (84-85), CB (74-77) - 3 FB

5) Scott Downs: 16 pitches. 2 strikes swinging. 2 Fastballs.

  • Downs came from a 3/4 release with a fastball with some run in on lefties and some sink and a loopy 11-5 curve with solid depth

8th: FB (89-91), CB (75-77) - 2 Fastballs

6) Grant Balfour: 16 pitches. 2 strikes swinging. 2 Fastballs.

  • Balfour came from an over the top release and showed a 4-seam fastball with a little run in on righties.

8th: FB (94-97) - 2 Fastballs.

7) J.P. Howell: 35 pitches. 3 strikes swinging. 2 Changeups, Curveball.

  • Howell came from an over the top release and showed a 11-5 curve with above average depth that is sharp, a fastball with good run in on lefties and some sink and a changeup with some fade from righties and good sink. Is uncharacteristically wild in this outing.

8th: FB (87), CB (81-82) - CB

9th: FB (85-88), CB (81-84), CU (79-83) - 2 CU

8) Brandon League: 21 pitches. 3 strikes swinging. 3 Splitters.

  • League came from a 3/4 release with good run in on righties and a little sink, a split with solid dive and a 3-8 slider with solid bite.

9th: FB (94-96), Split (82-85), SL (85) - 3 Split

Extra Reports: White Sox, Indians

1) Lance Broadway: FB, CU, SL
5/5: 23 pitches. 2 strikes swinging. 2 Changeups
  • Broadway is a 6-3, 195 pound righty. The 26 year old has a medium frame that can add a lot more muscle. Real skinny lower body. He came from an over the top release with a classic drop and drive delivery with no real red flags. His change has some fade from lefties with above average sink. His fastball has some run in on righties with a little sink. His slider is a 2-7 offering with some bite. Looks to be a 4-A player, as he doesn't have a good enough repetoire to be able to get the same hitters out 2 or 3 times in a game or the one dominant out pitch to be a reliever.

11th: FB (87-90), SL (80-84), CU (77-78)

2) Carlos Torres: FB, Cut, CB, CU

8/8: 72 pitches. 4 strikes swinging. 2 Curveballs, 2 Cutters.

  • Torres is a 6-2, 195 pound righty. The 26 year old has a medium frame that can add a lot more muscle, especially in his lower half, and should be able to get up to about 205 comfortably. He came from a high 3/4 release and he worked predominately from the stretch. He has a fairly violent head jerk, but that is the only real red flag with him from the stretch. His primary fastball appears to be his cutter and it has above average cut. His cutter will also flash some good sink and can move like a 2-7 slider at times. His fastball has a little run in on righties and a little sink. He can battle his cutter command at times, causing him to throw his below average 2-seamer. His curveball is a sharp 1-7 with average depth. His slower curve is just that, slower, and he tends to throw this one as an attempt to get a strike, but its movement is similar with just a little bigger break. The slower one is low to mid 70's while the harder one is high 70's to low 80's and serves as his out pitch. His change is basically a floater that screams "HIT ME". He will also mix in a rare straight 4-seam fastball in the lower mid 90's (93-95). Has a tendency to miss with his cutter on his armside (in on righties, away from lefties) up around the letters. Overall, I like him as a reliever, as he already throws out of the stretch primarily and can then focus on his 2 best offerings, his cutter (which is very difficult for a catcher to catch due to its movement) and his power curve. He will always likely have some problems throwing strikes due to his head jerk and the movement on his cutter, but I would be willing to give him that chance.

1st: FB (92-94), Cut (87-92), CB (83) - Cut, CB

2nd: FB (91-95), Cut (85-91), CB (73-83), CU (82) - CB

3rd: FB (91-95), Cut (84-91), CB (80) - Cut

4th: Cut (87-92), CB (72)

3) Zach Jackson: FB, SL, CU (81-84), Cut (85-87), CB (70-77)

5/27: 88 pitches. 5 strikes swinging. 2 Fastballs, 2 Changeups, Cutter.

  • Jackson is a 6-5, 220 pound lefty. The 26 year old has a big frame that appears to be maxed out. Athletic, muscular build with a strong lower half. Very bizarre mechanics. Pitches from the 1st base side of the rubber and begins by taking a large step towards 3rd base, almost off the side of the mound, while bringing his hands over his head. He then accelerates quickly to the balance point, with his leg and hands meeting at the same time and then as he drops, he proceeds extremely slowly, almost like he is trying to keep his balance. He then accelerates through and fires the pitch from a 3/4, almost high 3/4 release. Will do a step off move and a leg kick move. His fastball has a little late run in on lefties and some sink. His cutter has some cut. His slider is a 11-5 offering with good bite. His change has some fade from righties with good sink. His curve is a 11-5 offering with average depth that moves like a slurve. 4-A pitcher, a guy that will likely continue to get spot starts, but he has less stuff then both Jeremy Sowers and Aaron Laffey, which is very hard to have.

1st: FB (86-90), Cut (85-87), CU (82-84), SL (83) - FB, CU

2nd: FB (87-88), Cut (85), CU (81-82), SL (82-85) - CU

3rd: FB (85-89), Cut (85), CU (80-82), CB (78) - Cut

4th: FB (85-89), Cut (86), CU (83-85), SL (84-85) - FB

4) Greg Aquino: FB, SL, CU

5/27: 48 pitches. 3 strikes swinging. 2 Fastballs, Changeup.

  • Aquino is a 6-1, 190 pound righty. The 31 year old has a medium frame that can add more muscle everywhere and is very skinny. He needs to add more muscle and hit the weight room hard. He came from an over the top release with some mechanics that look clean, but may have some shoulder problems as he overfinishes every pitch. His fastball has some run in on righties and marginal sink and it can also show some cut instead of run at times. His slider is a 1-7 loopy offering that can hang and it's bite is average. His change has good fade from lefties and solid sink. Aquino looks like he would be a better fit in an NL bullpen then an AL bullpen and looks to have the stuff to be a decent middle reliever.

5th: FB (90-93), SL (81-83) - FB

6th: FB (90-93), CU (82-85) - FB, CU

5) Luis Vizcaino: FB, SL, Split

5/27: 40 pitches. 4 strikes swinging. Fastball, 3 Sliders.

  • Vizcaino is a 5-11, 210 pound righty. The 36 year old has a small frame that is maxed out. He came from a high 3/4 release from a delivery that appears to put a lot of torque on his elbow. His slider is a 2-7 offering with good bite that can get loopy. His fastball has good run in on righties. His splitter has some late diving action. Another guy who is a better fit in the NL as opposed to the AL. Should be a decent middle relief option for someone though.

7th: FB (91-92), SL (79-83), Split (87) - FB

8th: FB (91-92), SL (81-84), Split (87-88)

9th: FB (91-92), SL (83-84), Split (87) - 3 SL

6) Rich Rundles: FB, SL, CU

5/25: 31 pitches. 4 strikes swinging. 3 Fastballs, Changeup.

  • Rundles is a 6-5, 210 pound lefty. The 28 year old has a big frame that can add a lot more muscle, especially in the lower half where he is built like a twig. Sidearming lefty. His fastball has some run in on lefties and marginal sink. He has a little bit of a slinging arm action and his delivery is very casual that looks like he doesn't utilize his lower half at all. His change has a little fade from righties that he will throw to lefties. His slider is a sweeping 3-8 with a good change in velocity and it has solid bite. Can really battle his command of all his pitches. Rundles is a AAA guy, as his slider is too slow to be a real out pitch against a lefty.

4th: FB (82-84), SL (67-70), CU (74-76) - 3 FB, CU.

7) Scott Lewis: FB, CU, CB, SL

4/10: 94 pitches. 4 strikes swinging. 3 Fastballs, Changeup.

  • Lewis is a 6-0, 185 pound lefty. The 26 year old has a small frame that appears to be maxed out, maybe get up to 190 or 195 as he adds some muscle to the upper body. Fairly thick lower half. He came from a high 3/4 release with a pretty clean delivery. His front leg kind of moves in and out as he is about to deliver, but that is the only interesting action in there. His fastball has a little late run in on lefties and some sink. His slider is a 11-5 offering with some bite. His change has some fade from righties and some sink and it looks like a fastball out of his hand. His curve is a 11-5 pitch with average depth. Has no wiggle room to miss and can leave his fastball up, which gets hammered. Has to throw his changeup for strikes to be successful. Lewis's ceiling is that of a # 5 starter, but I think it will be too difficult for him to reach it trying to bounce back from an injury which will likely deplete his already slightly below average fastball.

1st: FB (86-89), CU (80), SL (79)

2nd: FB (85-89), CU (80), SL (78), CB (73-75)

3rd: FB (85-89), CU (79-80) - FB

4th: FB (85-88), CU (78-80), CB (74-75) - 2 FB

5th: FB (85-88), CU (78-79), CB (76) - CU

Chart Observations: 8/25 CIN @ MIL (Extras)

1) Trevor Hoffman: 10 pitches. (FB, CU, SL, CB). 1 strike swinging. Changeup.
  • Hoffman came from an over the top release and showed a fastball with a little run in on righties, a changeup with good fade from lefties and plus sink,

10th: FB (85-87), CU (73-74) - CU

2) Carlos Fisher: 21 pitches. (FB, SL, Cut). 3 strikes swinging. Fastball, 2 Sliders.

  • Fisher came from a high 3/4 release and showed a fastball with good run in on righties and solid sink, a 2-7 slider with above average bite

10th: FB (93-96), SL (83-86) - SL

11th: FB (93-97), SL (85-88) - FB, SL

3) Todd Coffey: 46 pitches. (FB, SL, Split). 6 strikes swinging. 4 Fastballs, 2 Sliders.

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

11th: FB (94-98), SL (85-88) - 3 FB, 2 SL

12th: FB (96-98), SL (87) - FB

13th: FB (97-98), SL (85-88)

4) Danny Ray Herrera: 28 pitches. (FB, SL, CU, Cut). 3 strikes swinging. Fastball, 2 Sliders.

  • Herrera came from a high 3/4 release and showed a cutter with good cut and some sink, a fastball with some late run in on lefties and some late sink, a 11-5 slider with good bite and a screwball as a change which has above average sink and some fade from righties.

12th: FB (86-87), SL (77-78), CU (68-69), Cut (83-84) - SL

13th: FB (82-85), SL (74-79), CU (66) - FB, SL

Chart Observations: 8/25 CIN @ MIL (1st 9 innings)

1) Bronson Arroyo: 116 pitches. (FB, SL, CU, CB, Cut, F-SL). 6 strikes swinging. 3 Fastballs, 3 Frisbee Sliders, Curveball.
  • Arroyo came from anywhere from an over the top to sidearm release and showed a 3-8 frisbee slider with solid bite, a change with good fade from lefties with solid sink, a 2-seam fastball with some run in on righties and some sink, a 12-6 curve with above average depth that he will throw 3-0, a cutter with a little cut, a high 3/4 slider that has good bite

1st: FB (88-92), F-SL (70-72), CU (79-86), CB (72)

2nd: FB (91-92), F-SL (71-77), CB (70-73), SL (78-79), Cut (88) - FB, CB

3rd: FB (90-92), F-SL (72-77), CU (81-86), CB (70-72), Cut (88)

4th: FB (90-92), F-SL (72), CU (84), CB (70-73), SL (75-76) - FB

5th: FB (89-91), F-SL (72-78), CU (79), CB (70) - 2 F-SL

6th: FB (88-91), F-SL (73-76), CU (81-85), CB (69) - FB

7th: FB (88-91), F-SL (74-75), CU (82)

2) Jeff Suppan: 90 pitches. (FB, SL, CU, CB). 2 strikes swinging. Fastball, Slider.

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

1st: FB (88-91), SL (83-87), CU (82-84) - SL

2nd: FB (86-91), SL (84-87), CU (81-83), CB (73) - FB

3rd: FB (89-91), SL (85-86), CU (81-83)

4th: FB (87-91), SL (86-87), CU (79-81), CB (73)

5th: FB (87-92), SL (87-89), CU (82-83), CB (74-75)

3) Mark DiFelice: 3 pitches. (Cut, FB, CU, CB). 0 strikes swinging.

  • DiFelice came from a 3/4 release and showed a cutter with good cut and a straight 4-seam fastball.

5th: FB (87), Cut (83-84)

4) Carlos Villanueva: 25 pitches. (FB, CU, SL, CB). 6 strikes swinging. 5 Sliders, Changeup

  • Villanueva came from an over the top release and showed a fastball with some run in on righties and some sink, a change with good fade from lefties and good sink that he will throw to righties, a 12-6 slider with good bite that looks more like a power curve and a big breaking 12-6 curve with above average depth.

6th: FB (90-91), CU (82), SL (82), CB (72) - 2 SL

7th: FB (89-92), CU (82-83), SL (79-83), CB (66-73) - 3 SL, CU

5) Mike Burns: 11 pitches. (FB, SL, CB, Split). 4 strikes swinging. 3 Fastballs, Slider.

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

8th: FB (90-91), SL (82), CB (72) - 3 FB, SL

6) Nick Masset: 10 pitches. (FB, Cut, CB, Split). 1 strike swinging. Splitter.

  • Masset came from an over the top release and showed a straight 4-seam fastball, a sharp 12-6 curve with above average depth and a split with good dive.

8th: FB (96-98), CB (84), Split (91) - Split.

7) Chris Narveson: 22 pitches. (FB, CB, CU, SL). 2 strikes swinging. Fastball, Changeup.

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

9th: FB (87-92), CB (71-72), CU (79-81) - FB, CU

8) Jared Burton: 21 pitches. (Cut, SL, FB, CU). 1 strike swinging. Cutter.

  • Burton came from a high 3/4 release and showed a cutter with solid cut and some sink,

9th: Cut (92-95) - Cut

9) Arthur Rhodes: 7 pitches. (FB, SL, CU). 0 strikes swinging.

  • Rhodes came from a high 3/4 release and showed a fastball with some tail in on righties

9th: FB (92-94)

10) Francisco Cordero: 12 pitches. (FB, SL, CU). 1 strike swinging. Fastball.

  • Cordero is a 6-3, 240 pound righty. The 34 year old has a medium frame that is maxed out that may have a little bit of bad weight. He came from an over the top release and showed a hard, sharp 2-7 slider with okay bite and a fastball with a little run in on righties.

9th: FB (97-99), SL (91-93) - FB

Chart Observations: 8/25 ARI @ SF

This will be the new set-up for charts. Now that my computer has been repaired, I bring it to work, as it makes it easier to access MLB.TV and this also saves me a ton of time moving info over. This means that only the total number of strike swingings will be next to the total pitches and to see specifics, just look inning by inning.

1) Dan Haren: 105 pitches. (FB, Cut, CB, SPLT). 6 strikes swinging. Fastball, 3 Splitters, Cutter, Curveball
  • Haren came from an over the top release and showed a fastball with some run in on righties and some sink that flashed above average run, a cutter with some cut, a split with some dive and a 12-6 curve with slightly above average depth.

1st: FB (90-92), Cut (85-88), CB (77-80), Split (85-86)

2nd: FB (89-92), Cut (86), CB (78), Split (85-87)

3rd: FB (90-92), Cut (85-89), CB (76-79), Split (85)

4th: FB (90-93), Cut (84-87), CB (77-80), Split (87) - FB, Split

5th: FB (89-90), Cut (83-89), CB (80), Split (85) - Cut, Split

6th: FB (90-92), Cut (88), CB (77-79), Split (85-86) - CB, Split

7th: FB (89-90), Cut (86-88), CB (76-78), Split (84)

2) Matt Cain: 102 pitches. (FB, CB, CU, SL). 5 strikes swinging. 4 Fastballs, 1 Changeup.

  • Cain came from a high 3/4 release and showed a fastball with some run in on righties and some sink, a changeup with above average fade from lefties with good sink, a 2-7 slider with solid bite and a sharp 12-6 curve with above average depth. He will also mix in a straight 4-seam on occasion when ahead in the count.

1st: FB (91-94), CU (86-88), SL (86) - CU

2nd: FB (92-95), CU (87), SL (89), CB (78-80)

3rd: FB (91-95), CU (87), SL (85-88), CB (77-78)

4th: FB (92-94), CU (85-86), SL (87-89) - 2 FB

5th: FB (92-93), CU (86-87), SL (86), CB (77-79) - FB

6th: FB (90-92), CU (82-84), CB (77)

7th: FB (92-95), SL (86-87), CB (76) - FB

3) Jon Rauch: 19 pitches. (FB, SL, CB, CU, Cut). 1 strike swinging. Slider.

  • Rauch came from an over the top release and showed a 12-6 curve with slightly above average depth that he will throw 3-2, a 1-7 slider with good bite, a fastball with some run in on righties and a little sink and a cutter with some cut and a little sink.

8th: FB (89-92), SL (84-86), CB (73-75), Cut (86-87) - SL

4) Bobby Howry: 7 pitches. (FB, SL, CU). 0 strikes swinging.

  • Howry came from a 3/4 release and showed a fastball with good run in on righties and some sink.

8th: FB (89-92)

5) Jeremy Affeldt: 15 pitches. (FB, CB, CU). 2 strikes swinging.

  • Affeldt came from an over the top release and showed a fastball with a little cut action and a 11-5 curve with slightly above average depth.

8th: FB (93-95), CB (78-79) - 2 FB

6) Brian Wilson: 29 pitches. (FB, Cut, SL, CU, CB). 1 strike swinging. Cutter.

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

9th: FB (92-98), Cut (86-90) - Cut

7) Sergio Romo: 6 pitches. (FB, SL, CU). 1 strike swinging. Slider.

  • Romo came from a 3/4 release and showed a 3-8 slider with above average bite,

9th: SL (77-80) - SL

  • Brandon Allen is a 6-2, 235 pound first basemen. The 23 year old is a lefty swinger, righty thrower who has a medium frame that appears to be maxed out. His stance is very similar to that of Alex Avila and is leaned back a little on his back leg and is slightly open. His hands are held somewhat close to his body, almost even with his back shoulder. He has a little bit of a bat tap. His trigger is a shift back with his body and a stride. There may be a hitch in his swing, as when he triggers, he sometimes drops too low which messes up his bat plane and can cause a lot of weak pop-ups and grounders. 4.5 down the line on a grounder. Allen's swing path is good and he has a pretty clean swing outside of the hitch. Should be a solid gap-to-gap hitter who can provide about 15-20 home runs a season and slightly below average defense from the first base position and a .280 or so batting average.

8/25: DET @ LAA

1) Jarrod Washburn (I apparently can't get enough of him): 107 pitches. 5 strikes swinging. 3 Fastballs (all in 5th), Curveball (3rd), Changeup (5th)
  • Washburn came from a high 3/4 release and showed a fastball with some late run in on lefties and good sink, a 11-5 slider with good bite, a change with good fade from righties with some sink, a cutter with some cut and a 11-5 curve with average depth.

1st: FB (86-90), CU (81-82), SL (80)

2nd: FB (87-89), CU (80-81)

3rd: FB (86-90), CU (81-82), SL (77), CB (68-70)

4th: FB (86-90), CU (82-83), CB (66-68)

5th: FB (87-91), CU (80-81)

6th: FB (85-90), CU (78-82), Cut (83)

2) John Lackey: 117 pitches. 11 strikes swinging. 3 Fastballs (2nd, 5th, 6th), 3 Sliders (2 in 4th, 5th), 3 Curveballs (2 in 1st, 2nd), 2 Changeups (2nd, 3rd)

  • Lackey came from a high 3/4 release and showed a fastball with some run in on righties and some sink, a sharp 12-6 curve with above average depth, a change with good fade from lefties with good sink that looks like a fastball out of his hand and a 2-7 slider with solid bite.

1st: FB (91-94), CB (80-82)

2nd: FB (91-93), CB (76-82), SL (83), CU (84)

3rd: FB (91-94), CB (80-81), SL (84), CU (86-87)

4th: FB (89-93), CB (78-80), SL (81-83)

5th: FB (91-93), CB (78-81), SL (82-83), CU (84)

6th: FB (91-92), CB (78-80), SL (83), CU (82)

7th: FB (91-92), CB (77-78)

3) Jason Bulger: 8 pitches. 0 strikes swinging.

  • Bulger came from an over the top release and showed a fastball with some run in on righties and a little sink and a sharp 12-6 curve with slightly above average depth.

7th: FB (95-97), CB (83)

4) Darren Oliver: 32 pitches. 3 strikes swinging. 3 Sliders (7th, 2 in 8th)

  • Oliver came from a high 3/4 release and showed a fastball with some tail in on righties and a 10-5 slider with good bite.

7th: FB (91-92), SL (77-81)

8th: FB (90-91), SL (77-78)

9th: FB (88-90)

5) Zach Miner: 42 pitches. 4 strikes swinging. 3 Fastballs (2 in 7th, 8th), Changeup (7th)

  • Miner came from a high 3/4 release and showed a fastball with good run in on righties with good sink, a 2-7 slider with solid bite and a change with good fade from lefties with solid sink and a 12-6 curve with average depth.

7th: FB (92-96), CU (81-82), SL (80-85)

8th: FB (90-95), CU (82), SL (80-85), CB (72-77)

6) Bobby Seay: 3 pitches. 0 strikes swinging.

  • Seay came from a sidearm release and showed a fastball with good run in on lefties.

8th: FB (93)

7) Fernando Rodney: 24 pitches. 1 strike swinging. Changeup.

  • Rodney came from a high 3/4 release and showed a change with good fade from lefties and above average sink, a straight 4-seam fastball and a 2-seam that has good run in on righties and some sink. He will throw 3-1 changeups.

9th: FB (94-100), CU (85-88)

8/25: NYM @ FLA

1) Nelson Figueroa: 78 pitches. 2 strikes swinging. 2 Fastballs.
  • Figueroa is a 6-1, 180 pound righty. The 35 year old has a medium frame that won't be adding any more muscle. He came from a 3/4 release with a little bit of a whipping arm action. His fastball has good run in on righties and some sink. His curve is a slow 3-8 with below average depth and is more of a side to side offering. His cutter has some cut and flashes some sink. His change has some fade from lefties with good sink that he will throw to righties. He will throw cutters in any count at any time, as he threw them 3-1 and 3-2 with the bases loaded. A solid emergency pitcher to have at AAA, but you hope you never have to break the glass and have him throw meaningful innings.

1st: FB (86-89), Cut (82-83), CB (72-73), CU (79-80)

2nd: FB (86-89), Cut (80-82), CB (72-73)

3rd: FB (87-89), Cut (80-83), CB (72-73), CU (79)

4th: FB (85-88), Cut (81), CB (72-73), CU (79)

5th: FB (85-88), Cut (82-83), CB (70), CU (80)

2) Sean West: 82 pitches. 3 strikes swinging. Fastball (4th), Slider (1st), Changeup (6th)

  • West came from a high 3/4 release and showed a fastball with some run in on lefties and good sink, a change with some fade from righties with sink and a 11-5 slider with good bite.

1st: FB (89-91), SL (82), CU (82-84)

2nd: FB (87-90), SL (78), CU (83)

3rd: FB (87-89), SL (78-79), CU (81-82)

4th: FB (89-90), SL (81-83), CU (79-84)

5th: FB (88-94), SL (79-84), CU (84-85)

6th: FB (89-93), SL (78-83), CU (83-86)

3) Sean Green: 50 pitches. 1 strike swinging. Slider (6th)

  • Green came from a sidearm release and showed a 9-4 slider with good bite, a fastball with good run in on righties and solid sink that has above average tilt and a change with some fade from lefties with some sink.

6th: FB (88-91), SL (74-77)

7th: FB (87-91), SL (74-78), CU (82)

4) Brian Sanches: 26 pitches. 0 strikes swinging.

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

7th: FB (85-91), SL (84-87), Split (80-83)

5) Matt Lindstrom: 14 pitches. 2 strikes swinging. 2 Fastballs.

  • Lindstrom came from a 3/4 release and showed a straight 4-seamer that flashes some run in on righties and a 2-7 slider with above average bite.

8th: FB (95-98), SL (82-85)

6) Francisco Rodriguez: 18 pitches. 4 strikes swinging. 2 Changeups, Fastball, Curveball.

  • K-Rod came from an over the top release and showed a sharp 1-7 curve with slightly above average depth, a straight 4-seam fastball and a change with good fade from lefties with plus sink that he will throw to righties.

8th: FB (89-93), CB (76-78), CU (81-84)

7) Leo Nunez: 10 pitches. 1 strike swinging. Changeup.

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

9th: FB (94-95), CU (86-89)

Tuesday, August 25, 2009

2009 AFL Roster Breakdown

The Arizona Fall League Rosters have been released. Let's take a mini breakdown of the teams (and remember, Futures Game scouting reports are on this site, so check out those for these players).

Mesa Solar Sox (Marlins, Cubs, Red Sox, Twins, Angels)
  • Youngest Player: Starlin Castro (Cubs), Mike Stanton (Marlins): 19
  • Oldest Player: Jay Buente (Marlins), Garrett Parcell (Marlins), Dustin Richardson (Red Sox): 25
  • Most Intriguing Pitcher: Andrew Cashner (Cubs): The former 1st round pick out of TCU will look to continue his sprint to the Cubs with this audition. He is 2-3, 2.58 across two levels.
  • Most Intriguing Position Player: Stanton. A strong fall league may put him in position to start for the Marlins next season due to their payroll situation.
  • Futures Game Alum: Castro, Stanton, Rene Tosoni (Twins)
  • TK's Seen Play: John Gaub (Marlins, unimpressed), Jay Voss (Marlins, unimpressed), Matt Dominguez (Marlins, believe below average starter is ceiling at 3B), Ryan Kalish (Red Sox, solid starter), Bryan Peterson (Marlins, 4th OF)

Peoria Javelinas (Brewers, Mariners, White Sox, Dodgers, Tigers)

  • Youngest Player: Carlos Triunfel (Mariners): 19
  • Oldest Player: A ton of 24 year olds
  • Most Intriguing Pitcher: Phillipe Aumont (Mariners): Another former 1st round pick, the behemoth (6-7, 220) has moved to the pen under the new regime and a strong showing here could propel him to the Mariners pen next season if he shows command.
  • Most Intriguing Position Player: Triunfel, Lorenzo Cain (Brewers): Both these prospects lost a lot of time due to injury and it will be interesting to see how they perform here. Also have to mention Dustin Ackley (Mariners).
  • Futures Game Alum: Dayan Viciedo (White Sox), Scott Sizemore (Tigers).
  • TK's Seen Play: None

Peoria Saguaros (Padres, Astros, Indians, Braves, Reds)

  • Youngest Player: Freddie Freeman (Braves): 19
  • Oldest Player: Evan Englebrook (Astros): 27
  • Most Intriguing Pitcher: Mike Minor (Braves): Will be interesting to see how a guy who was thought to be a signability pick holds his own against this level of competition.
  • Most Intriguing Position Player: Jason Heyward (Braves): If you know anything of minor league baseball, nothing else needs to be said.
  • Futures Game Alum: Chia-Jen Lo (Astros), Jason Castro (Astros), Freeman, Heyward, Chris Heisey (Reds), Nick Weglarz (Indians)
  • TK's Seen Play: Freeman (solid starter), Heyward (Star), Heisey (solid starter), Craig Kimbrel (Braves, future set-up man), Josh Judy (Indians, could be closer)

Phoenix Desert Dogs: (Orioles, Rays, Nationals, Athletics, Blue Jays)-roster missing about 10 pitchers

  • Youngest Player: Derek Norris (Nationals): 20
  • Oldest Player: Ryohei Tanaka (Orioles): 26
  • Most Intriguing Pitcher: Stephen Strasburg (Nationals): Duh.
  • Most Intriguing Position Player: J.P. Arencibia (Blue Jays): Amongst the top prospects in the organization, can he begin to lay claim to the catching job?
  • Futures Game Alum: Danny Espinosa (Nationals), Jemile Weeks (Athletics)
  • TK's Seen Play: Shawn O'Malley (Rays, fast as hell, utility infielder)

Scottsdale Scorpions (Diamondbacks, Phillies, Giants, Pirates, Rockies)- roster missing quite a few pitchers.

  • Youngest Player: Wilin Rosario (Rockies): 20
  • Oldest Player: Joe Martinez (Giants), Mike Zagurski, Tuffy Gosewich (Phillies): 26
  • Most Intriguing Pitcher: Danny Moskos (Pirates): Can the 1st round pick start living up to the promise?
  • Most Intriguing Position Player: Close race, but I will say Buster Posey (Giants): Can he prove that Bengie Molina is no longer needed and taht he is ready?
  • Futures Game Alum: None
  • TK's Seen Play: Martinez

Surprise Rafters (Rangers, Royals, Yankees, Cardinals, Mets) - roster missing about 10 pitchers

  • Youngest Player: Austin Romine (Yankees), Mike Moustakas (Royals), Ruben Tejada (Mets): 20
  • Oldest Player: Ben Swaggerty (Royals): 27
  • Most Intriguing Pitcher: Ian Kennedy (Yankees): Can he recover from an injury plagued season to begin his quest to getting a rotation spot?
  • Most Intriguing Position Player: Moustakas: When will the best high school hitter start proving it?
  • Futures Game Alum: Daryl Jones (Cardinals)
  • TK's Seen Play: Romine (Future Starter), Brandon Laird (Yankees, good power, awful body, painfully slow)

Chart Observations: 8/24 OAK @ SEA

1) Ian Snell: 99 pitches. 8 strikes swinging. 4 Fastballs (1st, 2 in 5th, 6th), 3 Sliders (4th, 2 in 6th), Curveball (3rd)
  • Snell came from a 3/4 release and showed a fastball with some run in on righties and a little sink, a 12-6 curve with average depth, a change with some fade from lefties and some sink and a 2-7 slider with solid bite.

1st: FB (88-91), CB (79)

2nd: FB (89-92), CU (82)

3rd: FB (90-95), CB (77-81), CU (83-85), SL (86-89)

4th: FB (92-95), CU (83), SL (83-88)

5th: FB (89-95), CB (78-79), CU (82-83), SL (88)

6th: FB (90-95), CB (82), CU (81-83), SL (82-86)

2) Vin Mazzaro: 99 pitches. 5 strikes swinging. 4 Fastballs (2 in 1st, 2 in 2nd), Slider (2nd)

  • Mazzaro came from a 3/4 release and showed a fastball with good run in on righties with good sink, a sharp 2-7 slider with good bite, a change with some fade from lefties with good sink and a 2-7 curve with below average depth.

1st: FB (91-95), SL (84-87)

2nd: FB (90-95), SL (86-87)

3rd: FB (91-93), SL (82-84), CB (80), CU (83)

4th: FB (91-95), SL (83-87), CB (77), CU (86)

5th: FB (92-93), SL (81-83), CU (84-85)

3) Jeff Gray: 32 pitches. 0 strikes swinging.

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

6th: FB (93-95), SL (86), CB (80)

7th: FB (94-96), SL (84-86), CB (78-80)

4) Sean White: 23 pitches. 1 strike swinging. Slider (8th)

  • White came from an over the top release and showed a fastball with good run in on righties with good sink, a change with good fade from lefties with good sink, a sharp 12-6 curve with slightly above average depth and a 1-7 slider with solid bite. He will throw his changeup to righties.

7th: FB (92-94), CU (84-85)

8th: FB (91-95), CU (84), SL (88), CB (79)

5) Jay Marshall: 18 pitches. 0 strikes swinging.

  • Marshall is a 6-5, 205 pound lefty. The 26 year old has a big frame that can get up to at least 215 comfortably and he is almost rail thin. He is a submariner. His slider is a 8-5 offering with solid bite. His fastball has a little tail in on righties with some late sink and his change has a little fade from righties, but is fairly straight. If Randy Choate can be a LOOGY, I think Marshall could do the same thing. He needs one good year and it will give him a lot of chances.

7th: FB (81-83), SL (70-71)

8th: FB (81-85), SL (71), CU (72-75)

6) David Aardsma: 12 pitches. 2 strikes swinging. 2 Fastballs.

  • Aardsma came from an over the top release and showed a fastball with a little run in on righties.

9th: FB (93-95)

Monday, August 24, 2009

Chart Observations: 8/23 DET @ OAK

1) Rick Porcello: 92 pitches. 4 strikes swinging. 2 Fastballs (2nd, 3rd), Changeup (3rd), Slider (5th)
  • Porcello has apparently scrapped his curveball for the rest of the season. This means the Tigers have taken the reins off and are allowing him to throw the plus slider he had when he was drafted. He came from a 3/4 release and showed a fastball with good run in on righties with good sink, a 2-7 slider with above average bite that was a little slurvy and was a big breaker and a change with good fade from lefties with above average sink. Even if Brandon Webb was healthy, he may have the best sinker in all of baseball. It has unbelievable tilt when on and can go from the belt to the knees of a hitter at 95.

1st: FB (92-94), SL (85)

2nd: FB (91-96), CU (82)

3rd: FB (88-94), SL (81-83), CU (81-83)

4th: FB (89-91), SL (82), CU (79-80)

5th: FB (88-92), SL (80-83), CU (81-82)

6th: FB (89-90), SL (79-82), CU (80-81)

2) Brett Tomko: 87 pitches. 13 strikes swinging. 13 Fastballs (1-pitch pitcher much?, 3 in 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 5 in 5th, 3 in 6th)

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

1st: FB (91-94), SL (83), CB (77), Split (84)

2nd: FB (91-93), SL (85), CB (78), Split (84-86)

3rd: FB (90-93), SL (83), CB (76)

4th: FB (92-94), SL (84), CB (75-79)

5th: FB (89-94), SL (80-82), CB (79), Split (84)

6th: FB (91-93), SL (80-82), CB (74), Split (84)

3) Fu Te Ni: 33 pitches. 3 strikes swinging. Fastball, 2 Changeups (All in 8th)

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

6th: FB (87-89), SL (74-76)

7th: FB (87-89), SL (75-76), CU (79-80)

8th: FB (88-89), SL (74-75), CU (80-81)

4) Brad Ziegler: 23 pitches. 0 strikes swinging.

  • Ziegler came from a submarine release and showed a fastball with good run in on righties with good sink, a change with above average fade from lefties and good sink that he will throw to righties and a 4-8 slider with okay bite.

7th: FB (84-87), CU (75-76), SL (72-73)

5) Craig Breslow: 3 pitches. 0 strikes swinging.

  • Breslow came from a high 3/4 release and showed a fastball with some run in on lefties, a change with some fade from lefties with sink that he will throw to righties and a 11-5 slider with good bite.

7th: FB (89), SL (84), CU (77)

6) Michael Wuertz: 21 pitches. 3 strikes swinging. 3 Sliders (all in 8th)

  • Wuertz came from an over the top release and showed a 2-7 slider with good bite and a straight 4-seam fastball.

7th: SL (86-87)

8th: SL (86-89), FB (90-93)

7) Ryan Perry: 33 pitches. 5 strikes swinging. 3 Fastballs, 2 Sliders.

  • Perry came from a high 3/4 release and showed a straight 4-seam fastball and a slurvy 2-7 slider with good bite.

8th: FB (92-96), SL (82-85)

8) Jeff Gray: 10 pitches. 0 strikes swinging.

  • Gray is a 6-3, 195 pound righty. The 27 year old has a medium frame that is real long and skinny and shows the frame to get up to at least 215. He came from a high 3/4 release and showed a fastball with good run in on righties with good sink and a 12-6 curve with average depth. Looks like he has a chance to be a solid middle reliever with his sinker.

9th: FB (91-95), CB (79)