Chart Observations: 10/1: PHI @ HOU (First 8)

1) Cliff Lee: 89 pitches. FB, CU, Cut, CB, SL. 6 strikes swinging. 2 Fastballs, Slider, Cutter, Curveball, Changeup.

• Lee came from an over the top release and showed a straight 4-seam fastball, a 12-6 curve with above average depth, a straight change with some sink, a 11-5 slider with good bite and a cutter with good cut.

1st: FB (91-92), CU (84), Cut (86-87), CB (75-76)

2nd: FB (90-92), CU (84), Cut (86), CB (76), SL (79) - FB (Paulino), SL (Bourn)

3rd: FB (91), Cut (84), CB (74)

4th: FB (89-92), CU (83), Cut (83-86), CB (73-76)

5th: FB (91-93), Cut (86), CB (77) - FB (Paulino), Cut (Quintero), CB (Bourn)

6th: FB (89-93), CU (83-85), Cut (84-86), CB (74-75), CU (78) - CU (Pence)

2) Felipe Paulino: 110 pitches. FB, SL, CU, CB. 13 strikes swinging. 10 Sliders, 3 Curveballs, Fastball.

• Paulino 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 good bite, a 12-6 curve with slightly above average depth and a

1st: FB (92-95), SL (85-87), CB (75-76) - CB (Howard)

2nd: FB (94-95), SL (86-88), CB (74-77) - 4 SL (Feliz - 3, Lee)

3rd: FB (93-96), SL (85-88), CB (75-79) - 2 SL (Francisco, Bruntlett), FB (Ibanez), CB (Cordero)

4th: FB (93-95), SL (87), CB (76)

5th: FB (92-96), SL (84-89), CB (75-76) - 4 SL (Francisco, Bruntlett - 2, Howard), CB (Howard)

3) Clay Condrey: 3 pitches. FB, SL, Cut, CU. 0 strikes swinging.

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

6th: FB (89), SL (84-85)

4) Jeff Fulchino: 20 pitches. FB, SL, Split. 3 strikes swinging. 2 Splitters, Slider.

• Fulchino came from an over the top release and showed a 2-7 slider with solid bite, a straight 4-seam fastball and a splitter with good dive.

6th: FB (92-94), SL (80-86), Split (83-85) - 2 Split (Dobbs - 2), SL (Feliz)

5) Brett Myers: 18 pitches. FB, CB, SL, CU, Split. 2 strikes swinging. Curveball, Slider.

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

7th: FB (90-92), CB (78-80), SL (85-87), Split (85) - CB (Berkman), SL (Pence)

6) Wesley Wright: 26 pitches. FB, SL, CB, CU. 2 strikes swinging. Fastball, Curveball.

• Wright came from a high 3/4 release and showed a 11-5 curve with slightly above average depth, a fastball with some run in on lefties, a straight change with a little fade from righties and some sink and a sharp 11-5 slider with good bite.

7th: FB (89-92), SL (82-85), CB (78-81), CU (85) - FB (Howard), CB (Rollins)

7) Tyler Walker: 8 pitches. FB, SL, CU. 2 strikes swinging. 2 Sliders.

• Walker came from an over the top release and showed a 2-7 slider with solid bite and a fastball with some run in on righties and some sink

8th: FB (89-92), SL (82-83) - 2 SL (Michaels - 2)

8) LaTroy Hawkins: 21 pitches. FB, SL, CB, CU. 3 strikes swinging. 2 Fastballs, Slider.

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

8th: FB (93-96), SL (89), CB (78) - 2 FB (Bako - 2), SL (Bruntlett)

9) Sergio Escalona: 7 pitches. FB, CB, CU, SL. 0 strikes swinging.

• Escalona came from a high 3/4 release and showed a fastball with good run in on lefties and some sink, a 11-5 curve with slightly above average depth and a cutter with some cut.

9th: FB (90-91), CB (78-80), Cut (86)

10) Jose Valverde: 20 pitches. FB, Split, SL. 0 strikes swinging.

• Valverde came from a high 3/4 release and showed a splitter with good dive, a fastball with some run in on righties.

9th: FB (93-95), Split (81-85)

CIN @ HOU

1) Justin Lehr: FB, Split, CB, Cut, SL

• Lehr came from an over the top release and showed a fastball with some run in on righties and some sink, a split with some dive, a 12-6 curve with slightly above average depth, a cutter with some cut and a 2-7 slider with some bite.

1st: FB (84-87), Split (81-82), CB (72-73)

2nd: FB (83-87), Split (81-84), CB (71-72), Cut (82-84), SL (78) - 2 Split (Blum, Paulino)

3rd: FB (83-87), Split (80), CB (69-74), Cut (83) - CB (Blum)

4th: FB (84-88), Split (79-81), CB (70), Cut (81)

5th: FB (84-87), Split (80-81), CB (70-71), Cut (80-81) - Split (Bourn)

2) Felipe Paulino: FB, SL, CU, CB. 92 pitches. 12 strikes swinging. 4 Fastballs, 3 Sliders, 3 Changeups, Curveball.

• Paulino came from an over the top release and showed a fastball with a little run in on righties, a 12-6 curve with average depth, a 2-7 slider with some bite and in 3-1 and 3-2 counts and a change with some fade from lefties and some sink.

1st: FB (96-97), SL (87-89), CB (75) - FB (Votto), SL (Phillips)

2nd: FB (93-97), SL (87-88), CU (83) - FB (Francisco), CU (Bruce)

3rd: FB (94-96), SL (87-88), CU (85-87) - FB (Bruce), 2 CU (Votto, Francisco)

4th: FB (91-96), SL (83-88), CB (74) - FB (Janish), SL (Lehr), CB (Janish)

5th: FB (92-96), SL (85-88), CU (85-87), CB (75-78) - 2 SL (Phillips, Miller)

3) Doug Brocail: FB, SL, CB, CU, Cut. 11 pitches. 0 strikes swinging.

• Brocail came from an over the top release and showed a cutter with good cut, a fastball with some run in on righties, 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.

6th: FB (89-91), SL (86), CB (77), CU (79), Cut (85-89)

4) Micah Owings: FB, SL, CU. 23 pitches. 1 strike swinging. Fastball.

• Owings came from a 3/4 release and showed a fastball with a little cutting action, a change with some fade from lefties and some sink and a 2-7 slider with some bite.

6th: FB (89-92), SL (72), CU (75-77) - FB (Matsui)

7th: FB (88-90), CU (76-78)

5) Tim Byrdak: FB, SL, CU, CB. 13 pitches. 0 strikes swinging.

• Byrdak came from an over the top release and showed a fastball with some run in on lefties, a change with some fade from righties and some sink and a 11-5 slider with some bite that he will throw 3-1.

7th: FB (88-92), SL (80-86), CU (81)

6) Danny Ray Herrera: FB, CU, SL, Cut. 6 pitches. 1 strike swinging. Cutter.

• Herrera came from an over the top release and showed a cutter with some cut, a 11-5 slider with good bite, a change with plus dive that is basically a screwball, a fastball with some run in on lefties and some sink.

7th: FB (86), CU (67), SL (74), Cut (81-83) - Cut (Bourn)

7) Sam Gervacio: FB, SL, CU. 13 pitches.

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

8th: FB (90-93), SL (85-86), CU (83-84) - 3 FB (Miller - 2, Stubbs), 2 CU (Nix - 2)

8) Nick Masset: FB, Cut, Split, CB. 13 pitches.

• Masset came from an over the top release and showed a fastball with some run in on righties and a little sink, a cutter with some late cutting action,

8th: FB (96-97), Cut (90-92), Split (90) - 3 Cut (Lee - 2, Pence)

9) Jeff Fulchino: FB, SL, Split. 21 pitches. 6 strikes swinging.

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

9th: FB (92-95), SL (83-86), Split (85-86) - FB (Phillips, Bruce, Francisco), SL (Votto, Francisco), Split (Votto, Francisco)

10) Jared Burton: FB, Cut, SL, CU. 10 pitches. 1 strike swinging. Slider.

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

9th: FB (88-89), Cut (91-93), SL (83) - SL (Matsui)

COL @ HOU

Game went extras and I wanted to try and get some sleep before today, so here are my views on the Rockies-Stros game a day late

• Ubaldo Jimenez is a 25 year old who stands 6-4, 200. The right hander has a big frame with room to add more muscle. He comes at you from a 3/4 release. His mechanics look tough to repeat, but he did a fairly good job and he straightens his arm on the backtake before beginning the arm circle, which looks interesting. His fastball is a straight 4-seam. his slider is a 2-7 offering with decent bite. His change has good fade and sink. His curveball is a 1-7 offering with good depth. His fastball will flash some fade. None of his off-speed pitches are consistent by any measure (command, break). His slider flashes above average with great bite, but he tends to over throw it. All his off-speed flash above average, but you never know what you will get from him start to start. A good # 3 starter right now, he has the potential to be a # 2 depending on how much consistency he can gain for his off-speed stuff.

1st: FB (95-98), SL (89-90)

2nd: FB (95-100), SL (89), CU (85), CB (79-80)

3rd: FB (96-98), SL (87), CB (81)

4th: FB (95-98), SL (86), CB (77-80)

5th: FB (94-100), SL (82-88), CU (86), CB (76-77)

6th: FB (94-98), SL (83-88), CU (86), CB (77-78)

• Felipe Paulino, a 25 year old who stands 6-2, 260 opposed him. The right hander has a medium frame that is maxed out and there may be some bad weight there. He attacks from a high 3/4 release. He explodes toward the hitters. His fastball is a 4-seam with some sink and fade. His slider is a sharp 2-7 offering with good bite and is a borderline plus pitch. His changeup is a straight change that looks like a fastball out of his hand. He likes to pound the outside corner with his fastball and start it off the plate and have it run back over. He started missing in the middle of the plate with his fastball in the 4th. He tends to be prone to big innings and seems to struggle to make the mechanical adjustments necessary to get the ball back to the corners. Still has the potential to be a # 2 and just needs to refine his change and stop big innings.

1st: FB (93-97), SL (85-87)

2nd: FB (95-97), SL (84)

3rd: FB (93-98), SL (84-88)

4th: FB (96-97), SL (84-88), CU (86-89)

5th: FB (95-97), SL (87-88), CU (89)

6th: FB (94-97), SL (87-88)

• Randy Flores is a 6-0, 190 pound left hander. The 33 year old has a high 3/4, almost over the top release. His slider is a 10-4 type pitch. His fastball is a fairly straight 4-seam. I saw him throw 2 pitches, who knows?

7th: FB (88), SL (78)

• Joel Peralta attacks hitters from a high 3/4 release. His fastball is a straight 4-seam. His curveball is a big breaking 2-7 offering and his splitter shows good fade and dive. Solid middle reliever, though he does seem to have flyball tendencies and is playing home games at Coors.

7th: FB (92-94), Split (84-85), CB (80-81)

• Jeff Fulchino is a 29 year old who stands 6-5, 275. The right hander has a big frame that is maxed out and there could be a little bad weight there. He comes at you from a high 3/4 release. His split shows good fade and sink. His fastball is a 4-seam with some fade. His slider is an average 2-7 offering. Decent command, but can hit patches where he struggles to locate his stuff. Seems to have the stuff to be a solid middle reliever.

7th: FB (92-95), SL (82-86), Split (86)

• Tim Byrdak is a 35 year old who stands 5-11, 195. The left hander has a small frame that is maxed out. He comes from a 3/4 release. His fastball is a 4 seam that has some run. His slider is a 2-7 offering with good bite. Solid lefty middle reliever who can get out the occasional righty.

8th: FB (90-92), SL (84-86), CU (86)

• Manny Corpas attacks from a 3/4 release that is almost sidearm. The right hander features a slider that is a 3-9, 3-8 type pitch and a fastball with excellent fade and some sink. He likes to work a fastball that starts off the plate to his gloveside before running it back over with 2 strikes. Solid middle reliever, but no longer a set-up man or closer.

8th: FB (91-93), SL (82-86)

• Alberto Arias is a 25 year old who stands 5-11, 155. The right hander has a small frame that can add more muscle. He attacks from a 3/4 release. His fastball shows great late fade and sink. His curveball is a 3-8 offering with good depth and he can add and subtract velocity to it and it flashes plus. His command can be spotty at times and that is his biggest question mark. I like him and think he has the potential to be a solid set-up man.

9th: FB (90-95), CB (77-82)

• Huston Street is a 25 year old who stands 6-0, 190. The right hander has a medium frame that can add more muscle. He attacks from a low 3/4 release, almost sidearm. His slider is a 3-8 offering that flashes plus. His fastball has good fade and sink. His change shows some sink and a little fade. More of a set-up man then a closer to me and he can occasionally battle his control.

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

• LaTroy Hawkins is a 37 year old who stands 6-5, 215. The right hander has a big frame that is maxed out. He comes at you from an over the top release. His fastball is a straight 4-seam with a little fade. His slider is a solid 2-8 type pitch that can also move more like a cutter. Good reliever who has been doing this for awhile and looks like he can continue doing it, as his fastball velocity and command are still there.

10th: FB (93-96), SL (87-90)

• Russ Ortiz is a 6-1, 215 pounder. The 34 year old right hander has a medium frame that is maxed out. He comes at you from an over the top release. His fastball is a straight 4-seam. His curveball is a slow 1-7 pitch that has a little bit of downward movement. His change is straight with some downward action. His cutter is a 2-7 pitch with decent late bite. A 4-A arm.

11th: FB (90-92), Cut (87-89), CB (78), CU (84)

• Josh Fogg attacked from a 3/4 release. His cutter showed decent cut and sink while his fastball showed good fade and sink. Should be a good long man who won't walk guys.

10th: FB (86-90), Cut (84-87)

11th: FB (86), Cut (83-86)

• Edwin Maysonet is a 27 year old who stands 6-1, 190. The righty hitter/thrower has a medium frame that can add a lot more muscle. He has a slightly open stance with a little bat wiggle. He has a very short swing and is quick to the ball. He also showed above average speed and started at 2B and then moved to 3B when Matt Kata remained in the game after pinch running. He profiles best as a utility infielder. He won't ever hit for much power and is more of a line drive singles hitter, but he shows an ability to work counts and take some walks. He has good enough athleticism to play the outfield.

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.

Saturday Tidbits

Getting ready for a scrimmage in the semi-pro baseball league I am now playing in and will be toeing the rubber against live hitters for the 1st time in awhile. Hope the shoulder holds up.

But, on to some observations from last night and 2 very early morning charts

• Eric Stults is your typical finesse LH who can sit at 90. However, control issues plagued him last night as he struggled to get ahead of the Rockies hitters. Solid average curveball. Might be able to be a back-end starter, but once the scouting reports get out, it will be tough for him to continue to replicate his success.
• Aaron Cook has lost some control. His sinker is still very good, but his ability to command it is still in spring training form. Cook walked Stults twice on 9 pitches. As a guy who relies on the movement of his pitches and the ability to command them, he may be (and currently is) in the middle of a long season. Maybe he's hurt?
• For those of you that haven't seen Ronald Belisario, I am sorry. This kid is a legitimate back of the bullpen type talent. As a reliever, you only really need 1 plus pitch and an offspeed pitch that you can throw for strikes. Belisario's plus pitch is his 94-96 mph 2-seam fastball that has a lot of action. It is very difficult to square his ball up and hitters have said it is like hitting a brick. His slider is usable enough to not have hitters sit completely on it. Where do the Dodgers keep finding these arms?
• Huston Street and Manny Corpas are 2 guys who are struggling a little bit. Street actually looked fairly good last night, commanding his pitches well in the zone. However, both have a tendency to leave the ball up and Corpas' stuff just hasn't been the same since their October run in 2007.
• Hong-Chih Kuo blew the save, then got the win. Dude has plus velocity for a LHP (sat at the mid 90's) and his mechanics are actually fairly clean, so it may just be a bad arm that causes all the injuries he has had the past couple of seasons.
• Jonathan Broxton, stardom is awaiting. This dude appears to be underrated, but he needs to be mentioned amongst the best closers in the game. Poor Chris Iannetta just couldn't straighten out his 99 and 100 mile per hour fastballs last night and then waved at just a dirty slider to end the game.
• Andre Ethier has been a different hitter since Manny arrived in the lineup. Now hitting behind Manny, he is just lacing the ball. He has a very quiet setup and swing but the bat head gets through quickly and stays in the zone awhile. He may be on course for quite a few all star teams at this pace.
• Zach Greinke has been unreal. I said Bush wasn't dominant in his no hit bid, but Greinke was dominant against Detroit. The guy was locating 4 of his pitches and was getting the Tigers hitters to hit the pitches he wanted to. Just an unreal streak he has going on.
• Speaking of Greinke's opponent, this was my 2nd time watching Rick Porcello and my 1st time charting him. He has a great 2-seam fastball that has some movement (but not as much as Belisario) and sits in the low 90's with it. His issue right now is a consistent off-speed pitch. He had some big struggles with his curveball either bouncing it at the 40 foot mark or having it sail on him way out of the zone high. His changeup was strong against the Royals left handed hitters, but he had a tendency to bounce those as well. I think his ceiling is that of a # 2 starter (maybe a # 1 if he can start throwing his plus slider again).
• Nate Robertson, oh Nate Robertson. Guy is struggling with his command and he doesn't have the stuff to be constantly pitching behind hitters (even in the bullpen). If he can get strike one, he's fine. If he doesn't, well, hitters sit on that 87-90 mph fastball and tee off.
• Felipe Paulino really shocked me. I was expecting a protypical RHP b/c Houston's system is regarded as being terrible, but this guy has some legit potential. He was SITTING at 94 the entire night (6 IP) and was touching 96 and 97 when he needed to. His slider has good late bite and is another average to plus offering as he gains more command. His issue is he has nothing to attack left handed hitters. His changeup is fringy and he doesn't throw too many 2-seamers. If he can find a serviceable changeup to just have left handed hitters keep it in the back of their mind, he is a # 2 starter. As he is now, a middle of the rotation starter with a chance to be real special in the back-end of the bullpen.
• Yovani Gallardo fired a complete game win in his start and he looked great as well. His fastball velocity is right around 93 with the ability to get 95, but his weapon is a hammer curve that he can throw for strikes or bury. He also has a solid changeup that is enough to keep left handers worried, as it is straight and is slow enough (typically around 86-87) where they roll over on it and ground on routinely to first. He may not be the Cy Young winner I thought he might be this season, but he is a strong # 2 starter on a contending team and has the ability to be a legit ace in a couple of years.
• Mark Teahen's value to the Royals right now can't be measured. Guys that can play multiple positions and still be your 3 hole hitter? Hit a nice opposite field home run to LF last night and he is looking just like what he is, a .280-.360-.480 type hitter. That line would be incredible for a 2B, but for a 3B or corner outfielder, it is just average. Give Teahen his due.
• Michael Bourn has looked much better in April the couple of times I saw him. He no longer looks overmatched at the plate and seems to have an idea of what he wants to do. He is still pounding the ball on the ground and utilizing his best asset, his legs, to get singles. He is taking walks, which is something he didn't do at all last year. My only curiosity is where are the stolen base attempts once he reaches?
• Mike Cameron and Humberto Quintero had a huge collision (and if you haven't seen it, you probably should). Cameron is a big, strong guy and Quintero was up the line to field the throw and had no choice but to hold his ground to make a tag. Cameron LIT HIM UP. No way around it. It was a football collision in baseball minus pads. Quintero left the game with a few maladies and hopefully he isn't worse for the wear.
• May need to change my opinion on Bill Hall. I was never a big Hall fan (and seriously doubt he can put up 35 home runs again), but he is a valuable player. He is actually a pretty good defender at 3rd, which i did not expect. He has shown the ability to barehand balls when charging in, go to his left and throw across his body to get an out and go to his right to get an out. I believe that if Milwaukee called up Matt Gamel now, they would be doing themselves a disservice, as he would have no position and he would, from what I hear, be a DRASTIC step down from Hall defensively. Hitting won't be Milwaukee's problem. Pitching will need to be there and one of the best ways to help pitching is by having a strong defense (Seattle Mariners anyone?)
• Working in Columbus last year, I saw many fine young players who are 2 to 3 years from the big time. One, however, is fighting to get recognized now. Mike Stanton, a 19 (YES, 19) is playing in High A and is hitting .360-.448-.660. I graded Stanton out as a 6.5 (the only hitters ahead or equal to him were Jason Heyward of the Braves and Angel Villalona of the Giants. My scouting report on Stanton:

"Swing is a little slow, but should increase bat speed as he ages. Real wide base keeps weight from going forward or back. Big guy who can add more muscle (scary, as he is 6-5, 205 already). Very strong arm (7 out of 7) with accuracy. Overall, is a very good prospect who will stick in RF. 20-25 home run guy with a .260-.280 average and he will have some big years.

• In looking at it again now (and after hearing of the rave reviews he got at spring training), he may far eclipse what I set out for him. My main concern was the bat speed (as he was late on several high 80's fastballs from Jesse Darcy) and he appears to have gotten that fixed. His swing is a little long and he will always put up some big strikeout numbers (has 14 in 50 high A at bats), but his offensive production as a whole would be outstanding. That projection should now probably be bumped up to a 30-35 home run guy (though who knows how FLA's new ballpark will play) and I think he will have more big years (.280-.400-.550) then not. Things continue to look great for the player-development machine in FLA.