Wednesday Observations

Had 2 scores (SEA vs. CHA, HOU vs. CIN) and I think 2 scores are the easiest thing ever. But I prefer charts because I think they are more fun.

• Erik Bedard started for Seattle. This was my 1st time really watching him pitch ever and I was not a very big fan of him (still aren't for the package they gave up to get him), but he is a legit # 2 for a contender. Sat in the low 90's with his fastball, but his true weapon is his curveball. He has one that acts as a get-me-over pitch when behind in the count and a hard biter that serves as his strikeout pitch. He also throws an average change. He didn't have his best stuff today, but he made big pitches when he needed to. When he has his curves working and can locate his fastball, he is very tough to beat.
• Gavin Floyd was very similar to Bedard. He sat in the low 90's and was in the mid 90's early in the game. He also throws a cutter (what White Sox don't throw cutters?) and his main out pitch, a big curveball. I think his breakout was for real and he will continue to be a solid middle of the rotation starter.
• Shawn Kelley is a strong option for the Mariners middle relief core. He throws an average to plus fastball sitting anywhere from 92-95. His main weapon though is a hard-breaking dirty slider in the mid 80's that he can throw for strikes or bury. He probably isn't a closer, but can he a pretty solid set-up man or middle reliever.
• Adrian Beltre is amongst the top defensive third basemen in the game right now. He also went 4-4 at the plate, but none were real rocket shots that made you think he was breaking out, but he is getting closer.
• Edinson Volquez is filthy. If you think his rookie year was a fluke, think again. This past start, he seemed to say "screw it, if they hit it, they hit it." He challenged the Astros hitters and they had no chance. He worked with a plus fastball, plus changeup and average curveballs and sliders. With command, he is a legit ace. Without command, he is a 3 or 4, as he can only get you about 5 innings before having to come out due to pitch count.
• Felipe Paulino is everything I said about him before. Keep an eye on this kid. Houston may have a future All-Star. BTW, heard the Houston announcers saying when Brian Moehler comes back, they may shift him to the pen. Not a smart decision. Yes, Paulino can be valuable out of the pen with a fastball sitting in the high 90's and a sharp slider. But, he is also more valuable giving a non-contending team innings as a starter and building towards something greater. Keep an eye on this.
• Adam Rosales was back in the big leagues tonight. For those of you that are fans of hustling players who are actually having fun out there, then you will like this kid. For those of you that like 3rd base production from a 3rd basemen? Not so much.
• Laynce Nix (yes, the former top prospect from the Rangers) swung a good bat again tonight. Yes, he has his weaknesses (should probably avoid LH's and will still strike out a good amount), but he provides power, a batting eye and solid defense in the corner outfield. If this sounds like a 4th OF, it is. But, he could probably start as the main guy in a platoon for quite a few teams interested in cutting costs.
• J.R. Towles is not a big leaguer right now. Still looks over-matched at the plate and was slow in getting the ball out on the Willy Taveras stolen base. Now, we don't know he handles the staff (did only allow 2 runs on his watch) and I tend to value that higher then anything he offers offensively, but he is running out of time in establishing himself before Jason Castro arrives on the scene.

Have the day off tomorrow and will return to work Friday with a chart and a score.

Syracuse Commitment Evals

Syracuse University football has picked up commitments from 3 kids to play football in 2010:

John Kinder is a dual threat QB who shows tremendous speed. Ryan Murray of Cuseconfidential.com believes that he will be rated no worse then 3 stars. With the new offensive direction of Rob Spence and Doug Marrone, Kinder MAY have a shot at competing for the job as a true frosh, as we don't have a QB of his running ability.

Myles Davis is a MIKE/TE prospect. With some conversions to linebacker in spring ball, the need isn't as great as it was when spring ball began, but this is still a quality prospect. Syracuse beat out Rutgers for this talented player and he will likely redshirt, but should then be in line for a starting job his redshirt frosh season (after we lose Hogue and Smith to graduation).

Macky MacPherson is the grandson of the former great Syracuse head coach. He committed on the spot once receiving an offer. Don't know much about him as a prospect, but Syracuse is in massive need of quality offensive lineman.

Score Impressions: PIT @ MIL

• Paul Maholm had some issues with his control. He was also left in the game too long in my opinion, but he continues to show solid average stuff. His fastball sat in the high 80's, but he showed a quality changeup, quality slider and quality curveball. Can he maintain his current level of performance with low K numbers (12 in 32 IP)? I think it may be a stretch, but he is a solid middle of the rotation starter (and Pitt is chock full of them).
• Dave Bush pitched the same game in my opinion as his last start. He still showed solid command of his stuff, he just didn't elicit many swings and misses. He also showed some of his Jekyll and Hyde stuff, as he struck out the first 2 batters, hit the next 2, allowed a 2-run double, then struck out the last hitter. He worked a good curveball in this outing, but seemed to struggle with his cutter.
• Prince Fielder's downward trend against lefties continues. He really struggled last night against Maholm and Sean Burnett. These lefties fed him sliders on the outside part all night and he couldn't make an adjustment to drive them the other way yet at this stage of the season. Given the struggles he had last season against left handers, this has to be a little concerning to Brewers fans.
• Jesse Chavez is still a solid middle reliever in my mind (believed this when I saw him in Indianopolis). Mixes a low to mid 90's fastball, slider, curveball and changeup. Is greater then the sum of his parts.
• Rickie Weeks has turned a corner. The guy hit every ball hard last night and may be slowly converting myself into a believer. Do I believe 2B is his best position? No. I think once Mike Cameron's contract expires, they may move Weeks to CF and put Alcides Escobar (after getting a year apprenticeship in AAA) at 2B (especially with the news that Lorenzo Cain, their CF of the future, may be done for the year).
• Pittsburgh didn't do anything too impressive offensively. Was shocked they called off a sac bunt attempt in the top of the ninth. They may have been playing a bit over their head, but if they continue playing great defense, their pitchers are ones to allow hits in play and be beneficiaries of it.

Got 2 live scoring assignments tonight (Bedard and Floyd, Paulino and Volquez) and will relay what I see here later tonight.

Want me to talk about something else? Get an opinion on a player you are curious about? Let me know and I will find tape and look at him.