All Caught Up

Well, that didn't take long. More conventional schedule here on out, here is my schedule for the next 3 days with pitching rotation factored in (not available after that day):

7/8: Chart, 7:08 TOR (Tallet) @ TB (Kazmir): Trying to trade this score for a chart, as I have seen both these guys.

7/9: Chart, 10:05 TEX (Hunter) @ SEA (Hernandez): AWESOME!

7/10: Off, Tri-County League All Star Game

More Tri-Co news, we had our first real test game-wise, as we played the 2nd place team who were just a game back of us. We won 7-4 and were able to keep a stranglehold on 1st. Went 3-4 with 2 runs and made a nice leaping catch. One of the guys said that he was thinking why would I even do a token jump to catch the ball. People now think I am somewhat black b/c I can jump and am fast. Another game today and then All-Star break.

Chart Observations (7/5 Game): STL @ CIN

1) Chris Carpenter: 104 pitches. 10 strikes swinging. 6 Cutters (2nd, 2 in 3rd, 4th, 2 in 5th), 3 Curves (2 in 2nd, 5th), Fastball (7th)

• Carpenter comes from a high 3/4 release and shows a fastball with some run in on righties, a change with good fade with lefties with good sink that is hard, a cutter with solid cut and a little sink (not a SL as previously thought) and a sharp 12-6 curve with great depth that is his out pitch that he bounces or throws for a strike at will.

1st: FB (91-95), Cut (87), CB (75), CU (85)

2nd: FB (92-94), Cut (87-88), CB (74-76)

3rd: FB (92-94), Cut (88-91), CB (74-77)

4th: FB (93-94), Cut (86-89), CB (76-77)

5th: FB (93-96), Cut (86-90), CB (74)

6th: FB (89-95), Cut (86-87), CB (73-74), CU (86)

7th: FB (93-95), Cut (87-90), CB (75-76)

2) Bronson Arroyo: 89 pitches. 3 strikes swinging. 2 Curveballs (2nd, 4th), Changeup (4th)

• Arroyo came from an over the top release and showed a plethora of pitches. He showed a change with some fade from lefties and sink. A frisbee (read, sidearm) slider that is a 9-3 with good late bite. A 2-seam fastball with some run and sink. A rare 4-seam fastball that is straight. A sidearm fastball that is more for deception that he will throw on occasion. A 1-7 curve with good depth. And, finally, a cutter with some cut and a little sink. His curve is his out pitch and I had him for more curves then we typically had charted.

1st: FB (85-89), F-SL (72-74), CU (77-83)

2nd: FB (88), F-SL (73-75), CU (79), CB (74-76), Cut (84)

3rd: FB (86-88), CU (83), CB (75), SL (79)

4th: FB (86-89), CU (78-83), CB (71-76)

5th: FB (87-89), F-SL (74), CU (78-83), CB (69-74), Cut (84), SL (76-77)

6th: FB (84-88), F-SL (72), CU (80-84), Cut (86), SL (78)

3) Josh Roenicke: 14 pitches. 0 strikes swinging.

• He came from an over the top release and showed a cutter with good cut and some sink, a fastball with above average run in on righties with a little sink and a big breaking 12-6 curve with good depth. The best young reliever no one has heard about. Think Andrew Bailey with a little less command.

6th: FB (94-95), Cut (87-88)

7th: FB (93-95), CB (79)

4) Carlos Fisher: 42 pitches. 2 strikes swinging. Cutter (8th), Fastball (9th)

• Fisher came from an over the top release and showed a fastball with some run in on righties that flashes good sink, a 2-7 slider with solid bite and a cutter with some cut that can be tough to see with the naked eye. Command is an issue for him due to a high effort delivery that lands hard on his front foot.

8th: FB (92-94), Cut (91-93), SL (81-83)

9th: FB (92-95), SL (80-84)

5) Jason Motte: 22 pitches. 3 strikes swinging. 3 Fastballs.

• Motte came from an over the top release and showed a straight 4-seam fastball, a splitter wtih decent dive and a cutter with some cut and sink. He has no command of his offspeed pitches and has a tendency to leave his fastball up, but I like him.

8th: FB (93-96), Cut (87), Split (79-81)

6) Dennys Reyes: 5 pitches. 1 strike swinging. Slider.

• Reyes came from a high 3/4 release with a fastball with a little run in on lefties and a sharp 11-4 slider with good bite. He will drop down sidearm to throw sliders to lefties with 2 strike counts.

8th: FB (90), SL (79-84)

7) Kyle McClellan: 17 pitches. 2 strikes swinging. 2 Fastballs.

• Kyle is a 6-2, 215 pound righty. The 25 year old has a medium frame that can add a lot more muscle. He comes from an over the top release with some cocking arm action. His fastball is a 2-seam with good run in on righties. His cutter has solid cut. His curve is a big breaking 12-6 with good depth.

9th: FB (90-92), CB (74-77), Cut (86-88)

• Jarrett Hoffpauir is a 5-9, 190 pound 2B who is R/R. The 26 year old has a small frame that is maxed out. He has a slightly open, slightly crouhced stance with a bat tap on his shoulder. His trigger is a double step and a cocking of the bat. He showed good pull power. Wanted to give the vitals on him, but hard to get a read on a guy in 1 AB and 2 innings in the field with no grounders at him.
• Drew Sutton, with only seeing 1 at bat, is a guy I do like. The 26 year old switch hitter/righty thrower has a medium 6-3, 185 pound frame that can get up to 200. He has straight up, stand up stance with a little bat tap. His trigger is a cocking of the bat and a stride. He is likely a super utility player who can play some short for you, but is just a tick below average there. However, he reminds me a ton of Ben Zobrist when he came up. I think he has that sort of potential and needs to get consistent at bats. His minor league #'s at AAA Louisville say I am an idiot though (.254-.388-.492) but you stat geeks will love that OBP, so maybe there is hope yet.

Chart Observations (7/5 Game): MIL @ CHC

1) Ted Lilly: 112 pitches. 14 strikes swinging. 8 on Fastballs (2 in 3rd, 2 in 5th, 3 in 6th, 7th), 3 on Changeups (1st, 2nd, 6th), 2 on Sliders (4th, 5th), Curveball (5th)----Someone's curve didn't generate many swings and misses... :-)

• Lilly came from a high 3/4 release with a fastball with a little run in on lefties, a 11-4 slider with good bite, a 12-6 curve with above average depth and a change with above average sink and good late fade. He will throw changeups to lefties. He will also drop down sidearm to throw curves to lefties with 2 strikes.

1st: FB (86-90), SL (82-84), CU (78), CB (71)

2nd: FB (88-90), SL (84), CU (77-79)

3rd: FB (87-90), SL (83-85), CU (76)

4th: FB (84-91), SL (82-85), CU (79), CB (73-75)

5th: FB (86-91), SL (83-85), CU (76-79), CB (73)

6th: FB (86-91), SL (82-85), CU (77-81), CB (71-72)

7th: FB (86-90), SL (81-82), CU (76-79), CB (72)

2) Mike Burns: 81 pitches. 5 strikes swinging. 3 Sliders (3rd, 4th, 5th), Curveball (4th), Splitter (4th)

• Burns 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 split with a little dive but not much and a big breaking 12-6 curve with good depth. His best role would be one where he only has to go through an order once, but he is a 4-A arm.

1st: FB (86-88), SL (78-81), CB (69)

2nd: FB (85-87), SL (77-79), CB (69-71)

3rd: FB (85-89), SL (76-78), CB (69), Split (79)

4th: FB (86-88), SL (77-80), CB (68), Split (77-78)

5th: FB (84-88), SL (77-78), CB (68)

3) Mark DiFelice: 5 pitches. 0 strikes swinging.

• DiFelice is a 6-2, 190 pound righty. The 32 year old has a medium frame that can get up to at least 205. He came from a low 3/4 release and showed a cutter with good cut and some sink. Solid middle reliever with plus command and does a good job of getting out with what he has.

5th: Cut (79-82)

4) Chris Narveson: 24 pitches. 2 strikes swinging. 2 Changeups

• Narveson came from a high 3/4 release with a straight 4-seam fastball, a change with good late run and sink and a big breaking 11-4 curve with good depth.

6th: FB (85-90), CB (73-74), CU (80-81)

5) Chris Smith: 11 pitches. 3 strikes swinging. 2 Changeups, Slider.

• Smith is a 6-2, 200 pound righty. The 28 year old has a medium frame that can add a little more muscle. He came from a high 3/4, almost over the top release. His fastball is a 2-seam with good run in on righties and some sink. His slider is a 2-7 with solid bite. His change has a little run in on lefties with a little sink. It flashes above average fade and above average sink. Another guy who is a middle reliever at best, but doesn't have the command of a DiFelice.

7th: FB (86-89), SL (77-79), CU (73-76)

6) Aaron Heilman: 19 pitches. 0 strikes swinging.

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

7th: FB (92), CU (84)

8th: FB (90-94), CU (84-86), SL (81)

7) Todd Coffey: 10 pitches. 1 strike swinging. Splitter.

• Coffey came from a high 3/ release and showed a fastball with some late run in on righties and a little sink, a splitter with some dive that is an average offering and a sharp 2-7 slider with above average bite.

8th: FB (93-94), SL (82), Split (87-89)

8) Carlos Marmol: 17 pitches. 2 strikes swinging. 2 Sliders.

• Marmol came from a 3/4 release and showed a fastball with some run in on righties and a sharp 2-7 slider with good bite that can look like a cutter. Still haven't seen his control issues yet personally either.

9th: FB (92-94), SL (79-83)

Score Observations (7/5 Game): ATL @ WAS

1) Scott Olsen: 116 pitches. 12 strikes swinging. 8 on Sliders (1st, 2nd, 4th, 2 in 5th, 2 in 7th, 8th), 2 on Fastball (2 in 2nd) and 2 on Changeups (3rd, 8th)

• Olsen is a 6-4, 210 pound lefty. The 25 year old has a big frame that can add a lot more muscle everywhere. He came from an over the top release. His fastball is a straight 4-seam. His slider is a sharp 2-7 with solid bite that can flatten out. His change fades from righties with a little sink. Keeps some velocity in reserve for when he needs it. His strong outing was more a reflection of the anemic Braves offense then him pitching overly well. Solid # 4 starter if he can be consistent with his command.

1st: FB (88-90), SL (79-80), CU (83-84)

2nd: FB (87-94), SL (81), CU (83)

3rd: FB (88-90), SL (79-81), CU (83-86)

4th: FB (88-92), SL (78), CU (80-82)

5th: FB (88-91), SL (77-80)

6th: FB (88-91), SL (80), CU (82)

7th: FB (86-91), SL (78-80), CU (82)

8th: FB (86-92), SL (78-83), CU (81-83)

9th: FB (87-90), SL (79), CU (81)

2) Mike MacDougal: 14 pitches. 0 strikes swinging.

• MacDougal nearly blew it, but came from a 3/4 release with a fastball with good armside run and sink and a sharp 2-7 slider that moved more like a cutter, and may be a cutter.

9th: FB (96-98), SL (92)

3) Derek Lowe: 85 pitches. 4 strikes swinging. 2 on Sliders (2nd, 6th), Fastball (2nd), Changeup (3rd)

• Lowe came from a 3/4 release and showed a sinker with above average sink and some run in on righties, a sharp 2-7 slider with solid bite and a change with some fade and sink from lefties. Lowe's command has been off with some bad luck on balls in play and that has been the result of the current slide he is in. He is between a # 2 and a # 3 for me.

1st: FB (87-89), SL (81-82)

2nd: FB (87-89), SL (81), CU (85)

3rd: FB (87-89), SL (80-82), CU (84)

4th: FB (87-88), SL (79-81), CU (82)

5th: FB (88), SL (80-82), CU (84)

6th: FB (87-88), SL (81-83)

4) Boone Logan: 6 pitches. 0 strikes swinging.

• Logan is a 6-5, 215 pound lefty. The 24 year old has a big frame that can get up to at least 225. He comes from a low 3/4 release. His fastball has some late run in on lefties and his slider is a sharp 10-4 with okay bite. Got to like his velocity and hate his command. Potential to be a # 1 lefty.

6th: FB (93), SL (77-81)

5) Manny Acosta: 2 pitches. 0 strikes swinging.

• Came from an over the top release and showed a 12-6 curve with solid depth.

6th: CB (78-79)

6) Kris Medlen: 33 pitches. 5 strikes swinging. 4 on Changeups (2 in 7th, 2 in 8th), Fastball (7th)

• Medlen is a 5-10 (uh huh, I am sure he is..., probably 5-6, 5-7) 190 pound righty. The 23 year old has a small frame that is maxed out. He came from an over the top release. His curve is a 1-7 pitch with okay depth. His change looks like a fastball out of his hand and has above average fade and sink. He will throw the pitch when behind in the count. His fastball has some late run in on righties. I believe this is Medlen's role. He needs to tighten his curve to be a back of the rotation starter, but I think he has more value as a long reliever. Solid command, but needs to improve that as well to be a starter.

7th: FB (89-91), CB (75-78), CU (80-82)

8th: FB (88-91), CB (76-80), CU (80-83)

Chart Observations (7/4 Game) TOR @ NYY: NYY Pitchers

1) Chien-Ming Wang: 66 pitches. 2 strikes swinging. Splitter (4th), Slider (5th)

• Wang came from a high 3/4 release and showed a sinker with good sink and run in on righties, a 2-7 slider that can be flat but is usually average with solid bite and a split with good dive that is his out pitch to lefties. Left the game with an injury and has since been put on the DL. That is God getting back at them for his previous DL stint for a shattered ego.

1st: FB (88-93), SL (82)

2nd: FB (90-93), SL (83), Split (86)

3rd: FB (91-93), SL (82-86)

4th: FB (90-92), SL (82), Split (84-86)

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

6th: FB (86-91), SL (80)

2) David Robertson: 29 pitches. 0 strikes swinging.

• Robertson came from an over the top release and showed a straight 4-seam fastball and a power 12-6 curve with good depth.

6th: FB (89-93), CB (75-79)

3) Brian Bruney: 13 pitches. 1 strike swinging. Slider.

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

7th: FB (92-93), SL (87-90)

4) Phil Hughes: 8 pitches. 0 strikes swinging.

• Hughes came from a high 3/4 release with a power 2-7 curve with good depth, a cutter with good cut and flashes some sink and a straight 4-seam fastball.

8th: FB (93-95), CB (75), Cut (89)

5) Mariano Rivera: 20 pitches. 1 strike swinging. Fastball.

• Rivera came from an over the top release and showed a cutter with excellent cut and a 2-seam fastball with good run in on righties with some sink.

9th: FB (90-91), Cut (91-93)

6) Phil Coke: 20 pitches. 5 strikes swinging. 3 on Fastballs (10th, 2 in 11th), Slider (11th), Changeup (11th)

• Coke came from a high 3/4 release and showed a straight 4-seam fastball, a sharp 11-4 slider with good bite and a straight change with some late sink.

10th: FB (94), SL (84)

11th: FB (91-94), SL (80), CU (81-83)

7) Brett Tomko: 17 pitches. 1 strike swinging. Fastball.

• Tomko is a 6-4, 220 pound righty. The 36 year old has a big frame that can add a lot more muscle. He comes from a high 3/4 release. His fastball is a straight 4-seam. His curve is a big breaking 12- 6 pitch with good depth. His slider is a 2-7 with good bite. His change has some fade from lefties with sink. 4-A arm at this stage of his career.

12th: FB (91-93), SL (85-88), CB (74-76), CU (82-84)

Chart Observations (7/4 Game): TOR @ NYY: TOR Pitchers

1) Roy Halladay: 108 pitches. 8 strikes swinging. 4 on Curves (2nd, 3rd, 4th, 6th), 3 on Cutters (1st, 3rd, 5th) and a Fastball (1st)

• Halladay is a 6-5, 225 pound righty. The 32 year old has a big frame that is maxed out, maybe a little more muscle in the upper body. He comes from a high 3/4, almost 3/4 release. His fastball has good sink and run in on righties. His cutter has good cut and he can throw it to either corner of the plate consistently. His curve is a big breaking 12-6 with good depth. His change has good fade from lefties with sink. True ace.

1st: FB (89-93), Cut (90-92), CB (78)

2nd: FB (93-95), Cut (90-93), CB (78)

3rd: FB (93-94), Cut (91-93), CB (76-80)

4th: FB (94), Cut (90-92), CB (79), CU (86-87)

5th: FB (91-94), Cut (91-93), CU (86)

6th: FB (93-94), Cut (90-92), CB (78-80)

7th: FB (91-94), Cut (91-92), CB (78)

2) Brandon League: 10 pitches. 1 strike swinging. Splitter.

• League comes from a 3/4 release and shows a fastball with excellent run in on righties and some sink and a split with excellent late dive. Watching him pitch, you always how wonder how his stats are as bad as they are. If he can find command, he can be a dominant closer.

8th: FB (95-96), Split (84-86)

3) Jeremy Accardo: 26 pitches. 1 strike swinging. Cutter.

• Accardo came from an over the top release with a straight 4-seam fastball, a 2-7 slider with good bite and a cutter with solid cut and some sink.

9th: FB (93-96), Cut (87-91), SL (84)

4) Jesse Carlson: 4 pitches. 0 strikes swinging.

• Carlson is a sidearmer who showed a fastball with some run in on righties and a sweeping 10-4 slider.

9th: FB (93-96), Cut (87-91), SL (84)

5) Shawn Camp: 44 pitches. 3 strikes swinging. 3 Changeups.

• Camp came from a 3/4 release and showed a 2-seam fastball with excellent run in on righties with sink, a change with good fade from lefties with sink and a sweeping 2-7 slider with good bite. He threw a ton of changes in this game.

10th: FB (87-88), SL (79-80), CU (81-85)

11th: FB (86-89), CU (83-86)

12th: FB (85-88), CU (79-84)

Chart Observations (7/4 Game): OAK @ CLE

1) Carl Pavano: 103 pitches. 5 strikes swinging. Fastball (4th), Slider (1st), 3 Changeups (2nd, 5th, 7th)

• Pavano is a 6-5, 240 pound righty. The 33 year old has a big frame that is maxed out. He comes from an over the top release with a fastball with some run in on righties with some sink. His slider is a sharp 2-7 with good bite and is his out pitch. Change has good fade from lefties with good sink and can move like a split or curve at times. It flashes plus with diving action similar to that of a splitter. Solid # 4 starter.

1st: FB (90-93), SL (81-84), CU (81-82)

2nd: FB (90-92), CU (80-82)

3rd: FB (90-91), SL (82), CU (81-84)

4th: FB (90-94), SL (83-84), CU (80-81)

5th: FB (90-93), SL (83-84), CU (81-86)

6th: FB (91-93), SL (83), CU (81-87)

7th: FB (88-93), SL (81), CU (79-82)

2) Vin Mazzaro: 99 pitches. 2 strikes swinging. Fastball (6th), Curveball (7th)

• Mazzaro came from a high 3/4 release and showed a power sinker with above average sink and some run in on righties. His change has some fade and sink from lefties. His slider is a 2-7 that flashes plus with sharp bite, but is usually average or below average with okay bite. His curve is a big breaking 12-6 with solid depth.

1st: FB (92-95), CU (87)

2nd: FB (91-95), CU (83), SL (87)

3rd: FB (91-94), CU (83-86), SL (85-87), CB (80-81)

4th: FB (90-93), CU (83-85), SL (86), CB (78-81)

5th: FB (90-91), CU (84), SL (84-85), CB (80)

6th: FB (89-93), CU (83), SL (82-84), CB (77-79)

7th: FB (88-92), CU (81-84), SL (83), CB (78)

3) Tony Sipp: 10 pitches. 0 strikes swinging.

• Sipp is a 6-0, 190 pound lefty. The 25 year old has a medium frame that can add quite a bit more muscle. He comes from an over the top release. His fastball has some run in on righties and a little sink. His change is a straight change with a little sink. He has some cocking arm action. He struggles to consistently throw strikes and if he can learn command, there is a place in a bullpen for him.

7th: FB (92)

8th: FB (91-92), CU (84)

4) Craig Breslow: 16 pitches. 1 strike swinging. Fastball (8th)

• Breslow came from a high 3/4 release and showed a fastball with some run in on righties, a big breaking 11-4 curve with good depth and a sharp 11-4 slider with solid bite.

7th: FB (87-91), SL (86), CB (74)

8th: FB (90-92), CB (72-78)

5) Joe Smith: 4 pitches. 0 strikes swinging.

• Smith is a sidearmer who showed a fastball with good run in on righties and some sink.

8th: FB (89-90)

6) Brad Ziegler: 5 pitches. 2 strikes swinging. Fastball, Slider.

• Ziegler is a sidearmer whose fastball has good sink and run in on righties and a 3-9 slider with good bite.

8th: FB (86-87), SL (72-73)

7) Kerry Wood: 9 pitches. 0 strikes swinging.

• Wood came from an over the top release and showed a straight 4-seam fastball, a sharp 12-7 curve with above average depth and a cutter with above average cut and some sink.

9th: FB (95-97), CB (82), Cut (90-91)