ARI @ CIN

1) Dan Haren: 111 pitches. 11 strikes swinging. Fastball (3rd), Curveball (3rd), 4 on Cutters (3rd, 5th, 2 in 7th), 5 on Splitters (1st, 2 in 4th, 5th, 6th)

• Haren comes from an over the top release with a 2-seam fastball that some sink and run in on righties, a cutter with some solid cut and a little sink, a split with above average dive that serves as his out pitch and a 12-7 curveball that has good depth, but has flattened out a little lately. He will also throw the occasional straight 4-seam. He will throw any pitch in any count and has plus-plus command of all his offerings, which is amazing.

1st: FB (91-93), CB (80), Split (87-89), Cut (87)

2nd: FB (90-94), CB (79-81), Cut (86-89)

3rd: FB (91-95), CB (79), Cut (87)

4th: FB (89-93), CB (78-79), Split (86), Cut (85-88)

5th: FB (91), CB (78-79), Split (85-87), Cut (86-87)

6th: FB (90-92), CB (78-79), Split (87), Cut (85-86)

7th: FB (89-92), CB (80), Cut (84-88)

2) Bronson Arroyo: 105 pitches. 6 strikes swinging. Fastball (3rd), 2 on Sliders (4th, 6th), Curveball (6th), Changeup (6th), Cutter (2nd)

• Arroyo is a 6-5, 195 pound righty. The 32 year old has a big frame that can add a lot more muscle. He comes from a 3/4, almost high 3/4 release and will throw pitches anywhere from sidearm to high 3/4. He has a very quiet windup with his patented flamingo kick. His fastball is a 2-seam with good sink and fade, though he will mix in a straight 4-seam on occasion. His changeup has good sink and fade from lefties. His slider is a 2-7 pitch with good bite and sink. He will throw frisbee sliders from sidearm and even threw 1 fastball from sidearm. His cutter has some cut, but not a ton. His curveball is a 12-7 offering with solid bite and good depth. You would think throwing every pitch known to man he would have an out pitch, but none of his pitches are very spectacular. He battled his command from hitter to hitter and I would say he is a # 4 starter.

1st: FB (90-91), SL (76-77), CU (80-84)

2nd: FB (88-90), Cut (84-86), CB (72-74), CU (77-83), Frisbee SL (70-74)

3rd: FB (80-90, 80 to Haren when behind in the count), Cut (87), SL (74-77), CU (78), F-SL (78)

4th: FB (87-90), Cut (84-87), CB (71-75), CU (84-85), SL (75-77)

5th: FB (87-90), Cut (89), CB (70-72), CU (80-82), SL (77-80)

6th: FB (87-90), CB (69-74), CU (80-84), SL (77)

3) Carlos Fisher: 29 pitches. 3 strikes swinging. 2 on Fastballs (6th, 7th) and Slider (6th)

• Fisher comes from an over the top release with a fastball that has a little run in on righties, but is straight and his slider is a 2-7 pitch with good bite. His cutter has some cut, but can sometime be tough to see with the naked eye.

6th: FB (94-96), SL (82-84), Cut (90-92)

7th: FB (94-97), SL (81-84), Cut (89-93)

4) Jared Burton: 23 pitches. 6 strikes swinging. 4 on Sliders, 2 on Cutters.

• Burton came from an over the top release and showed a cutter with solid cut, a fastball with some run in on righties and some sink and a hard change that has a little fade from lefties.

8th: Cut (87-89), CU (85), SL (82-83), FB (90-92)

5) Tony Pena: 16 pitches. 0 strikes swinging.

• Pena came from an over the top release and showed a straight 4-seam and a sharp 2-7 slider with solid bite. His command continues to be a question mark and is extremely erratic from his max effort delivery.

8th: FB (94-96), SL (87-89)

6) Scott Schoeneweis: 1 pitch. No, he hit it.

• Scho comes from a high 3/4 release and threw a straight 4-seam fastball to Joey Votto. He hit it hard for a single.

8th: FB (89)

7) Jon Rauch: 9 pitches. 2 strikes swinging.

• Rauch comes from an over the top release with a 2-seam fastball with some sink, a 2-7 slider with good bite. He will also throw a straight 4-seam and mix in a cutter with some cut.

8th: FB (93-94), SL (85), Cut (88-89)

8) Josh Roenicke: 13 pitches. 1 strike swinging. Fastball

• Roenicke comes from an over the top release and shows a straight 4-seam fastball, a power 12-6 curve (not a slider as I originally had considered, thanks BA Prospect Handbook) and a cutter with some cut and some sink. Watch this kid, he has the looks of a strong major league reliever.

9th: FB (92-95), Cut (86-88), CB (78-79)

9) Chad Qualls: 10 pitches. 1 strike swinging. Slider

• Qualls comes from a 3/4 release and shows a fastball with excellent run in on righties and some sink and a 2-7 slider with good bite.

9th: FB (92-94), SL (85-88)

• Danny Richar was once the jewel of the Diamondbacks system and now finds himself as a bench player for the Reds. The 6-1, 195 pound lefty hitter, righty swinger has a medium frame that can add a little more muscle. The 26 year old has a crouched stance that is similar to Phillips (though not in hand placement). He has a little bat wiggle and doesn't do much for a trigger, just cocking the bat. He is a gap to gap hitter who doesn't show much power. He showed slightly above average speed and looks to have the upside of that of a utilityman, as he just won't have the power or pitch recognition to play everyday.

+/- IP Re-Eval

Removed Jim Mecir, Paul Quantrill and Hector Carrasco from 2000

Removed Ugueth Urbina, Jay Powell, Rod Beck, Billy Wagner and Ricardo Rincon from 2001

Removed Scott Williamson, Antonio Osuna and Valerio De Los Santos from 2002

Removed Dan Miceli, Guillermo Mota, Tom Gordon, Kyle Farnsworth, Matt Mantei, Aaron Fultz and Mariano Rivera from 2003

Removed Ricky Bottalico, Mike Koplove, Trevor Hoffman, Jason Isringhausen, Giovanni Carrara and Josias Manzanillo from 2004

Removed Mike MacDougal, Al Reyes, Russ Springer, Jose Valverde, Bob Wickman, Julio Mateo, Bobby Howry, Brian Fuentes, Brendan Donnelly, Giovanni Carrara and Doug Brocail from 2005

Removed Oscar Villarreal, Rick Bauer, Joe Beimel, Tom Martin, Jon Adkins, Matt Herges, Chad Bradford, Joe Borowski and Ron Mahay from 2006

Removed Jesus Colome, Eric Gagne, Doug Brocail, Antonio Alfonseca, Michael Wuertz, David Riske, Javier Lopez and Rudy Seanez from 2007

Removed Jeff Bennett, Eddie Guardado, Tyler Walker, Ramon Ramirez, B.J. Ryan, Jesse Crain, Octavio Dotel, Arthur Rhodes, Luis Ayala, Manny Delcarmen, Ryan Madson and Huston Street from 2008

The Pirates Trades: Who Wins?

Yankees Get:
Eric Hinske: A very good bench bat, the Yankees did good to acquire another hitter who should help fill a little bit of the void left by Xavier Nady being done for the year. For the price, the Yankees did very well in this analyst's opinion.

Nationals Get:
Nyjer Morgan: a 27 year old OF, Morgan is having a strong season for the expectations that were set in front of him. Hitting mostly 2nd, Morgan is hitting .277-.351-.356 with 18 stolen bases, though he has been caught 10 times. He will immediately (hopefully) play centerfield and allow Elijah Dukes to move to a corner. Morgan is playing at his highest potential however. He is a slap hitter who will never provide a ton of power and I am somewhat wary of him continuing his production. He is a guy who wasn't part of the Pirates future and now moves to a team where he may be the starting CF for quite awhile (more because of their system then his talent).

Sean Burnett: A lefty reliever, Burnett has shown some potential this season with an ERA of 3.06. Burnett is just an extra arm and I don't understand why the Nats want him when 2 of their best relievers this season (Ron Villone and Joe Beimel) are also left handed. Might we be seeing a possible conversion to a starting pitcher?

Pirates Get:
From Yankees
Casey Erickson: Wish I could tell you something about him. Is a 23 year old pitching in Low-A and has appeared in 21 games (3 starts) and is 3-3 with a 2.25 ERA and 13 walks against 37 strikeouts in 44 innings.

Eric Fryer: A 23 year old who is on his 3rd organization this season, he led the SAL in average last season but I never got to see him. In High A, he is .250-.333-.344 and is likely an OF, though there is some talk about catcher. He has good speed, as he has stolen 11 of 16 bases.

From Nationals:
Lastings Milledge: The enigmatic 24 year old has struggled at AAA this season (.253-.277-.316), but is a good risk. The youngster has 5 tool potential and now that he has a change of scenery, he may be ready to break out. I am not sure if he will start in the majors with the Pirates, but I would start him there ahead of recent call-up Garrett Jones (who I saw in Rochester 2 years ago and is just a place holder at best. Solid above average power, but can't hit off-speed stuff inside and changeups give him some trouble). The Pirates need to talk to him and tell him this is his last chance and to work your butt off and we will reward you with major league playing time. If you work.

Joel Hanrahan: Yes, he has struggled, but there is no denying his stuff. This should help him and he just needs to find a way to bring back his old slider.

Analysis:
Yankees: Get a bench bat for a couple mid level prospects. Good deal and Hinske is a tough out hitter who will make pitchers work.

Nationals: I really like Mike Rizzo, but I fail to understand this deal. He got back a MLB outfielder (which they don't really need) and a reliever and gave up a younger OF who has more tools and a reliever who has better stuff then the one they got back. This deal could really come back and bite them if Milledge turns it around.

Pirates: They got as much as they could have for Hinske. I will be surprised if either makes the majors, but at least they continue to stockpile the previously depleted system with some talent and I haven't seen either play, so maybe they are diamonds in the rough. Meanwhile, I really like their package for Morgan/Burnett. Milledge has the chance to be a special talent and will now be allowed to play (corner outfield) and hit (between 5th and 7th), which is where he is a better fit as opposed to CF and leadoff. Hanrahan still has the stuff to be good and I think he will really pitch well in Pittsburgh. If not, it cost them two pieces who weren't in their future anyways.

3 IP Extra Report: 6/29: COL @ LAD

Did 3 innings of this game for a chart to get myself 4 hours of work this morning in preparation of my night game featuring Dan Haren and Bronson Arroyo.

• Randy Wolf is a 5-10, 200 pound lefty. The 32 year old has a small frame that is maxed out. He comes from an over the top release. His fastball is a 4-seam with a little run and sink. His curve is a slow, big breaking 12-6 with great depth. His slider comes from the same release point and has the same initial movement, but is sharper and more 11-5. His change is a straight change with a little sink. Solid # 3 starter.

1st: FB (89-91), CB (68-70), SL (79-83) - 1 Fastball

2nd: FB (88-91), CB (66), SL (80), CU (82) - 1 Fastball

3rd: FB (89-92), CB (67-69), SL (80), CU (80-82) - 2 Curveballs

• Ubaldo Jimenez came from an over the top, almost high 3/4 release. He showed a fastball with some run in on righties, a power 12-6 curve with good depth, a sharp 2-7 slider that flashes plus bite or can be more of a cutter and move on just one plane and a change with some fade from lefties and sink. Legitimate arm with the potential to be a true ace.

1st: FB (94-97), SL (87-89), CB (76-80) - 1 Curveball

2nd: FB (98-99), SL (87-90), CB (78-81), CU (89) - 1 Curveball, 1 Slider

3rd: FB (96-98), SL (90)

Chart Observations: LAA @ TEX

1) Sean O'Sullivan: 90 pitches. 7 strikes swinging. 6 on Changeups (1st, 2nd, 3 in 3rd, 4th), Curveball (6th)

• He came from an over the top release with a fastball that is a 2-seam with good sink and a little run in on righties, a 12-6 curve with good depth and a change with excellent fade from lefties and some sink. He will throw his change to righties and it is his out pitch. His velocity was down from his MLB debut and looks to project now to a # 4 as opposed to # 3 if he loses the weight.

1st: FB (86-91), CB (77-79), CU (75-76)

2nd: FB (87-90), CB (76-78), CU (76)

3rd: FB (87-90), CB (75-78), CU (75-77)

4th: FB (85-87), CB (76), CU (75)

5th: FB (86-88), CB (75-76), CU (72-75)

6th: FB (86-88), CB (75-79), CU (74-75)

2) Vicente Padilla: 97 pitches. 6 strikes swinging. 4 on Fastballs (1st, 3rd, 4th, 5th), Splitter (4th), Curveball (3rd)

• Padilla is a 6-2, 220 pound righty. The 31 year old has a medium frame that is maxed out with a little bit of bad weight. He comes from a high 3/4 release. His fastball has some run in on righties and some sink and he will also throw a straight 4-seamer. His split has some dive and can also move like a change. His curveball is a slow, big breaking 12-6 with great depth that is pretty much an eephus pitch. His slider is a sharp 2-7 with pretty good bite. He will throw his split to righties and will also drop down sidearm (once) to throw a curveball that moves like a frisbee slider. Solid # 4 starter who would be much better if he could ever get out of Texas.

1st: FB (89-92), SL (76), Split (83)

2nd: FB (86-91), CB (61)

3rd: FB (85-91), CB (58-72)

4th: FB (87-94), CB (60-73), Split (75-82)

5th: FB (87-93), Split (78-81)

6th: FB (87-91), Split (81)

3) Jason Jennings: 23 pitches. 3 strikes swinging. 3 Sliders (6th, 2 in 7th)

• Jennings came from an over the top release and showed a 2-7 slider with good downward bite, a 2-seam fastball with good sink and run in on righties and a change that showed good fade and sink.

6th: FB (87-88), SL (79-82)

7th: FB (87-89), SL (80-81), CU (82)

4) Darren Oliver: 10 pitches. 1 strike swinging. Slider.

• Oliver came from a 3/4 release and showed a fastball with some run in on righties and a 9-4 slider with good bite.

7th: FB (86-89), SL (77-78)

5) Jason Grilli: 15 pitches. 0 strikes swinging.

• Grilli came from an over the top release with a fastball with some run in on righties and some marginal sink on righties and a slider that is an average 2-7.

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

6) Justin Speier: 20 pitches. 2 strikes swinging. 2 Sliders

• Speier came from a 3/4 release and showed a sharp slider that moved more like a cutter, a fastball with some run in on righties and a splitter that has some dive.

8th: FB (85-91), SL (82-85), Split (81-82)

7) Eddie Guardado: 14 pitches. 2 strikes swinging. 2 Fastballs

• Guardado came from a high 3/4 release and showed a straight 4-seam fastball and a slurvy 10-4 slider with okay bite.

9th: FB (84-87), SL (77)

8) Doug Mathis: 5 pitches. 0 strikes swinging.

• Mathis is a 6-3, 220 pound righty. The 26 year old has a medium to big frame with the room to add a little more muscle. He comes from an over the top release. His fastball is a 2-seam with a little sink and run in on righties. His curve is his best off-speed pitch and is a big breaking 12-6 with a little bite. His slider is a sharp 1-7 type pitch with some bite. More of a middle reliever who you don't want to pitch while winning and is a 10th or 11th guy in a pen.

9th: FB (89-90), CB (75-77), SL (83)

9) Brian Fuentes: 10 pitches. 1 strike swinging. Slider

• Fuentes is a slinger from a 3/4 release with a fastball that has some run in on righties and a 10-4 slider with good bite.

9th: FB (88-90), SL (76)

• Julio Borbon made his major league debut last night. The 6-1, 180 pound lefty is 23 years old. He has a medium frame that can get up to at least 205. He has a slightly open stance and is slightly crouched. He has a little bat wiggle and his trigger is a cocking of the bat and a step where he stands on his toe a little bit. He is a gap to gap hitter who supposedly has good speed (he DH'd and never hit the ball on the ground, striking out twice and popping out) and his swing can get long. He also has some strides to make in regards to pitch recognition, as he flailed at O'Sullivan's change. He showed a good ability to command the strike zone in AAA (25 BB, 29 K in 302 at bats) so he will likely just need time to do that in the majors. I don't think he will ever hit for much power. Not sure where he fits defensively since I haven't seen him, but his bat will likely only play in center.