Tuesday, August 18, 2009

Chart Observations: 8/17 STL @ LAD

1) Charlie Haeger: 80 pitches. 6 strikes swinging. 6 Knuckleballs (2nd, 3 in 3rd, 4th, 6th)
  • Haeger is a 6-1, 210 pound righty. The 25 year old has a medium frame that appears to be maxed out. He came from an over the top release with a knuckle with good movement (that he had solid control of) and a fastball with good run in on righties. If Tim Wakefield can succeed, why can't he?

1st: KNU (65-71), FB (83)

2nd: KNU (65-74)

3rd: KNU (65-74), FB (83)

4th: KNU (66-74)

5th: KNU (65-72)

6th: KNU (67-75)

7th: KNU (66-74)

2) Chris Carpenter: 110 pitches. 11 strikes swinging. 3 Fastballs (2nd, 6th, 8th), 3 Curveballs (3rd, 6th, 7th), 5 Cutters (3rd, 4th, 2 in 5th, 8th)

  • Carpenter came from an over the top release and showed a fastball with good run in on righties with good sink, a 12-6 curve with above average depth and a cutter with good cut and some sink.

1st: FB (88-93), CB (72)

2nd: FB (93-95), CB (72-76), Cut (85-87)

3rd: FB (92-95), CB (74-76), Cut (89)

4th: FB (94-96), CB (73-78), Cut (87-89)

5th: FB (94-96), CB (74-77), Cut (87-90)

6th: FB (92-94), CB (73-77), Cut (87)

7th: FB (92-95), CB (74-77)

8th: FB (93-96), CB (74-76), Cut (88-91)

3) Hong Chih-Kuo: 9 pitches. 1 strike swinging. Slider.

  • Kuo came from a 3/4 release and showed a fastball with a little run in on lefties and a 10-4 slider with good bite.

8th: FB (92-95), SL (78-79)

4) Jonathan Broxton: 14 pitches. 2 strikes swinging. Fastball, Slider.

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

9th: FB (95-98), SL (87-89)

5) Trever Miller: 1 pitch. 0 strikes swinging.

  • Miller is a sidearmer who showed a fastball with some run in on lefties.

9th: FB (86)

6) Ryan Franklin: 3 pitches. 0 strikes swinging.

  • Franklin came from a high 3/4 release and showed a fastball with a little run in on righties.

9th: FB (90-91)

Chart Observations: 8/17 MIN @ TEX

1) Francisco Liriano: 61 pitches. 5 strikes swinging. 3 Sliders (all in 1st), Changeup (1st), Fastball (2nd)
  • Liriano came from a high 3/4 release and showed a 11-5 slider with good bite, a change with some fade from righties with a little sink and a fastball with some run in on lefties with sink. He will throw 2-0 sliders and 3-1 changeups and sliders. The slider is his out pitch and he will normally throw it gloveside and bounce it in the dirt just after the plate.

1st: FB (88-91), SL (81-86), CU (81-84)

2nd: FB (88-91), SL (83-85), CU (84)

2) Tommy Hunter: 101 pitches. 7 strikes swinging. Fastball (1st), 4 Curveballs (2nd, 4th, 2 in 5th), Cutter (2nd), Changeup (5th)

  • Hunter came from an over the top release and showed a fastball with above average run in on righties with some sink, a power 12-6 curve with average depth, a cutter with some cut and sink and a change with good fade from lefties and a little sink that he will throw to righties. He throws both a get-me over and out pitch curves. He likes to go high fastball and then curveball for a strike when he is ahead in the count 0-2.

1st: FB (88-91), Cut (88-89), CB (80)

2nd: FB (88-91), Cut (86-89), CB (74-79), CU (80)

3rd: FB (86-90), Cut (89), CU (78-80)

4th: FB (86-88), CB (75-80), CU (80)

5th: FB (86-92), Cut (88-90), CB (74-77), CU (79)

6th: FB (85-88), Cut (87-89), CB (75-78), CU (78-80)

3) Bob Keppel: 47 pitches. 4 strikes swinging. 3 Fastballs (2 in 3rd, 5th), Slider (3rd)

  • Keppel 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 some bite, a 12-6 curve with average dpeth and a change with good fade from lefties with solid sink that he will throw to righties.

3rd: FB (91-93), SL (85-88)

4th: FB (92-93), SL (87), CB (77-78), CU (86)

5th: FB (92-94), SL (85-87), CB (77-80), CU (84)

6th: FB (92-93), SL (87), CB (79), CU (84)

4) Jose Mijares: 24 pitches. 4 strikes swinging. 2 Fastballs (both in 7th), 2 Changeups (both in 7th)

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

6th: FB (89-92), SL (79-82), CU (83-84)

7th: FB (91-93), SL (79-84), CU (81-82)

5) Darren O'Day: 15 pitches. 3 strikes swinging. 2 Fastballs, Slider.

  • O'Day came from a sidearm release and showed a 3-8 slider with little bite and a fastball with good run in on righties with some sink.

6th: FB (84-87), SL (75-78)

6) Neftali Feliz: 26 pitches. 3 strikes swinging. 3 Fastballs (all in 7th)

  • Feliz came from a high 3/4 release with a fastball with some run in on righties and some sink, a 12-6 curve with average depth and a change with good fade from lefties with good sink. He has real easy arm action and for info on his data, go to the Futures Game scouting reports for the World roster.

6th: FB (92-96), CB (77)

7th: FB (91-97), CB (79), CU (85-90)

7) Matt Guerrier: 12 pitches. 1 strike swinging. Fastball.

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

7th: FB (89-91), SL (85), CB (77-78), CU (80)

8) Brian Duensing: 16 pitches. 2 strikes swinging. Slider, Changeup.

  • Duensing came from a high 3/4 release and showed a straight change with some late fade from righties, a 11-5 curve with above average depth, a fastball with some tail in on righties and a 11-5 slider with good bite.

8th: FB (90-92), CU (82-83), SL (80-81), CB (71-75)

9) Jason Jennings: 15 pitches. 0 strikes swinging.

  • Jennings came from an over the top release and shwoed a fastball with good run in on righties with good sink and a 1-7 slider with good bite.

8th: FB (88-90), SL (82-83)

10) C.J. Wilson: 4 pitches. 0 strikes swinging.

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

8th: FB (94), SL (86)

11) Frank Francisco: 10 pitches. 1 strike swinging. Fastball.

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

9th: FB (92-94), CB (80)

Extra Reports: Mostly BOS

1) Hunter Jones:
4/26: 8 pitches. 1 strike swinging. Fastball.
5/3: 12 pitches. 1 strike swinging. Fastball (7th)
  • Jones is a 6-4, 235 pound lefty. The 25 year old has a big frame that is maxed out and has a little bad weight, resembling a little bit of Dennys Reyes (not a good thing). He came from an over the top release and has more of a leg lift then a leg kick. His fastball is a pretty straight 4-seam while his slider is a 11-5 offering with solid bite that looks more like a curveball. Looks more like a 4-A arm to me.

4/26:

6th: FB (87-89), SL (77)

5/3:

7th: FB (85-86), SL (71-72)

8th: FB (85), SL (70-73)

2) Michael Bowden:

4/26: 31 pitches. 4 strikes swinging. 4 Fastballs (3 in 7th, 8th)

  • Bowden is a 6-3, 215 pound righty. The 22 year old has a medium frame that is maxed out. He is a big, muscular kid with a strong lower body and big thighs. He has interesting mechanics. His leg comes straight up and he breaking into cocking his arm, showing the ball to the hitter for a period of time. He holds his glove under his chin and it may touch his chin. He is classic drop and drive with his legs. While his mechanics are a little bizarre, doesn't appear to be any extra stress put on his arm. He came from an over the top release. His fastball has a little late run in on righties, but his command of the pitch can be spotty and he will miss up in the zone with it. His change has a little fade from lefties with okay sink and is a late moving offering. Hard to get a read on him, since this was a 2 IP relief appearance, but looks to be a guy that can be a factor, as the hitters didn't look comfortable in the box against him.

7th: FB (90-92)

8th: FB (90-92), CU (81-83)

3) Mark Melancon:

4/26: 22 pitches. 1 strike swinging. Curveball (8th)

8/6: 28 pitches. 1 strike swinging. Curveball (7th)

  • Melancon is a 6-2, 215 pound righty. The 24 year old has a medium frame that can get up to 230 and he really doesn't look 6-2. He stays real scrunched up until break and his front knee stays bent the whole time. He comes from an over the top release. His fastball is a straight 4-seam that flashes some cut and or sink. His curve is a sharp 12-6 pitch with above average depth and is a true out pitch. His change has okay fade from lefties and okay sink that he will throw to righties. I like him as a late inning option due to the dominant curveball, but he will need to improve the command of his fastball to be a closer or setup man due to its straightness.

4/26

7th: FB (93-95)

8th: FB (92-94), CB (82-84)

8/6

7th: FB (92-96), CB (84)

8th: FB (92-96), CB (84), CU (85-87)

4) Javier Lopez:

4/8: 20 pitches. 1 strike swinging. Slider

4/14: 25 pitches. 3 strikes swinging. 3 Fastballs.

  • Lopez is a 6-4, 220 pound lefty. The 32 year old has a big frame that can add a lot more muscle, especially in the lower half. He is a sidearmer. His fastball has a little run in on lefties and a little sink and his change moves just like his fastball, just a little slower. He will drop down to submarine to throw sliders, which is a 9-4 offering with okay bite. He tipped the slider in the 4/8 game by dropping that low everytime and in the 4/14 game he threw from that release point every pitch. Only chance is as a LOOGY and could probably be successful outside the AL East.

4/8

9th: FB (86-90), SL (73-77), CU (81)

4/14

12th: FB (83-87), SL (73-78), CU (83)

5) Dana Eveland:

4/14: 108 pitches. 3 strikes swinging. Fastball (1st), Slider (1st), Changeup (3rd)

  • Eveland is a 6-1, 225 pound lefty. The 25 year old has a medium frame that is maxed out and may have some bad weight. He came from a high 3/4 release and showed a fastball with solid sink and solid cut and he also threw a 2-seamer that had some run in on lefties and a straight 4-seamer. His slider is 11-5 with good bite. His change was straight with some sink and he will throw it in 3-2 counts. His curveball is a sharp 11-5 with average depth. Eveland looks like his upside is that of a # 5 starter and if he can't succeed in Oakland, he likely won't succeed anywhere.

1st: FB (86-91), SL (81-84), CU (81-82)

2nd: FB (86-89), SL (82-83), CU (80-81), CB (77-78)

3rd: FB (87-90), SL (80-84), CU (81-83)

4th: FB (88-89), SL (80-83), CU (81-82), CB (78)

5th: FB (87-88), SL (81-82), CU (82), CB (77-79)

6) Sean Gallagher:

4/14: 10 pitches. 0 strikes swinging.

  • Gallagher is a 6-2, 235 pound righty. The 23 year old has a medium frame that is maxed out. He came from an over the top release and showed a fastball with a little run in on righties and solid sink and a 2-7 slider with okay bite. Gallagher was acquired by the Padres and looks to be a solid shot to be a big leaguer in some role.

12th: FB (91-93), SL (85)

7) Billy Traber:

8/6: 70 pitches. 4 strikes swinging. 3 Changeups (5th), Slider (5th)

  • Traber is a 6-5, 205 pound lefty. The 29 year old has a big frame that can get up to at least 225. He is real long and lanky and is really herky jerky with arms and everything bounces up and down. He is a sidearmer with a 3-8 slider with okay bite, a fastball with a little run in on lefties and a change with a little fade and sink from righties. 4-A arm for sure.

4th: FB (85-88), SL (81-82), CU (74-77)

5th: FB (82-86), SL (79-81), CU (73-76)

6th: FB (82-85), SL (79-81), CU (73-75)

7th: FB (82-84), SL (80), CU (74-77)

8) Anthony Claggett:

8/6: 28 pitches. 2 strikes swinging. Fastball, Slider.

  • Claggett is a 6-3, 195 pound righty. The 25 year old has a medium frame that can get up to 215. He has real long arms and is lanky with skinny legs. He came from a high 3/4 release. His fastball has good run in on righties and some sink. His slider is a sharp 2-7 with good bite, but it can be flat and extremely hittable at times. His change is straight with a little sink. Claggett has solid stuff, but the results have not been there in those appearances. I think he could be a guy who does have some success, but he likely will need to get out of the pressure cooker that is New York to gain that success.

9th: FB (89-93), SL (83-86), CU (83-85)

9) Enrique Gonzalez:

8/8: 43 pitches. 1 strike swinging. Fastball (7th)

  • Gonzalez is a 5-10, 225 pound righty. The 27 year old has a small frame that is maxed out and definitely has some bad weight in the mid section and is almost a Rich Garces wanna-be frame wise. He came from a high 3/4 release and showed a fastball with solid sink and some run in on righties. His slider is a 2-7 with okay bite. His change has some fade from lefties with a little sink. He is a 4-A guy.

7th: FB (90-93), SL (88-89)

8th: FB (89-91), SL (84-88), CU (83-86)

10) Fernando Cabrera:

8/13: 15 pitches. 3 strikes swinging. Fastball, 2 Sliders.

  • Cabrera came from a 6-4, 225 pound righty. The 27 year old has a big frame that can add more muscle and get up to 235. He sets his hands over his head and comes from a high 3/4 release. His fastball is a straight 4-seam and his slider is a 2-7 with good bite. He has a max effort delivery that will make it difficult to consistently throw strikes. Command, not stuff, has always been the question about Cabrera and he could still be a quality middle reliever in the bigs.

9th: FB (91-93), SL (82-83)

Chart Observations: 8/16 BOS @ TEX

1) Junichi Tazawa: 97 pitches. 1 strike swinging. Fastball (6th).
  • Tazawa is a 5-11, 180 pound righty. The 23 year old has a small frame that can add a little more muscle. He has small arms and an even smaller lower body. He came from a high 3/4 release. His fastball has good run in on righties with some sink and it flashes above average run. His curve is a sharp 1-7 with above average depth and a split with average dive. The lack of swings and misses concern me and he doesn't have a true out pitch in his repetoire. His command is slightly above average. Looks like, at the max, a # 3 starter to me.

1st: FB (87-89), CB (71-76), Split (77-82)

2nd: FB (87-89), CB (73-74), Split (79)

3rd: FB (87-89), CB (71-76), Split (80)

4th: FB (86-90), Split (77-81)

5th: FB (87-89), CB (73-75), Split (78-82)

6th: FB (88-90), CB (78), Split (81)

2) Dustin Nippert: 98 pitches. 5 strikes swinging. Fastball (1st), 4 Changeups (2nd, 3 in 5th)

  • Nippert came from an over the top release and showed a fastball with some run in on righties with some sink, a change with good fade from lefties and a little sink and a big breaking 12-6 curve with above average depth. He will throw the change in 2-0 counts, 3-2 counts and to righties.

1st: FB (90-94), CU (83-84)

2nd: FB (91-94), CU (81-83), CB (75)

3rd: FB (91-95), CU (83-86), CB (74-77)

4th: FB (91-95), CU (82-84), CB (73-76)

5th: FB (87-93), CU (82-84), CB (74)

6th: FB (88-92), CB (74)

3) Hideki Okajima: 18 pitches. 1 strike swinging. Splitter (7th)

  • Okajima came from an over the top release with a split with some dive, a fastball with some run in on lefties and sink and a 11-5 curve with above average depth.

6th: FB (83-85), Split (78)

7th: FB (84-85), Split (79-81), CB (73-74)

4) Doug Mathis: 21 pitches. 0 strikes swinging.

  • Mathis came from a high 3/4 release and showed a fastball with some run in on righties with some sink, a change with plus sink and above average fade from lefties, a cutter with solid cut and a 12-6 curve with average depth.

7th: FB (90-92), Cut (87-88), CB (77), CU (83-85)

5) C.J. Wilson: 22 pitches. 2 strikes swinging. Fastball, Slider.

  • Wilson came from a high 3/4 release and showed a fastball with a little run in on lefties, a 11-5 slider with good bite, a cutter with good cut and a 11-5 curve with above average depth.

8th: FB (91-95), SL (85-86), Cut (91), CB (77)

6) Ramon Ramirez: 21 pitches. 1 strike swinging. Changeup.

  • Ramirez came from an over the top release with a change with some diving action and a fastball with a little run in on righties.

8th: FB (88-92), CU (83-86)

7) Frank Francisco: 10 pitches. 2 strikes swinging. Fastball, Curveball.

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

9th: FB (91-94), Split (84), CB (81)