Chart Observations: 9/6 SD @ LAD

1) Hiroki Kuroda: 89 pitches. (FB, SL, Split). 6 strikes swinging. 3 Sliders, 3 Splitters.

• Kuroda came from an over the top release and showed a fastball with good run in on righties and some sink, a split with some dive and a 2-7 slider that was a little loopy.

1st: FB (90-94), SL (82), Split (87-90) - 2 Split

2nd: FB (92-94), SL (87), Split (87-88) - Split

3rd: FB (91-96), SL (82-85), Split (89-90) - SL

4th: FB (92-94), SL (84)

5th: FB (89-95), SL (81-88), Split (89-90) - 2 SL

2) Tim Stauffer: 104 pitches. (FB, SL, CB, CU). 5 strikes swinging. 2 Changeups, 2 Cutters, Fastball.

• Stauffer came from a high 3/4 release and showed a fastball with some run in on righties and some sink, a change with good fade from lefties and good sink that he will throw to righties, a 12-6 curve with above average depth and a cutter with some cut and some sink.

1st: FB (89-91), CB (76), CU (80-82) - CU

2nd: FB (90-92), CB (75-77), CU (80-81), Cut (85-87)

3rd: FB (89-90), CB (74-75), CU (79-80), Cut (85)

4th: FB (88-92), CB (77), CU (80), Cut (85-87)

5th: FB (88-90), CB (75-77), CU (80-81), Cut (85) - CU

6th: FB (89-90), CB (75-78), CU (80), Cut (84-85) - 2 Cut

7th: FB (88-90), CU (78-81), Cut (83-86) - FB

3) Jeff Weaver: 25 pitches. (FB, SL, CU, CB). 2 strikes swinging. 2 Sliders.

• Weaver came from a high 3/4 release (though he will throw anywhere from there to sidearm) and showed a 11-5 curve with average depth, a fastball with some run in on righties and some sink, a change with some fade from lefties, a frisbee slider with some bite and some sink and a sharp 2-7 slider with average bite.

6th: FB (89-91), SL (80-82), CU (84), CB (74) - SL

7th: FB (89-90), SL (80-82), CU (84), CB (75), FSL (78) - SL

4) Joe Thatcher: 5 pitches. (FB, SL, CU). 0 strikes swinging.

• Thatcher came from a sidearm release and showed a fastball with some tail in on righties.

7th: FB (88)

5) Luke Gregerson: 18 pitches. (FB, SL, CU). 5 Sliders, Fastball.

• Gregerson came from a 3/4 release and showed a sharp 2-7 slider with good bite, a fastball with some run in on righties and some sink and a change with some fade from lefties and a touch of sink.

7th: SL (82-84) - SL

8th: FB (92), SL (82-85), CU (81) - 4 SL, FB

6) Ronald Belisario: 4 pitches. (FB, SL, CU). 0 strikes swinging.

• Belisario came from a 3/4 release and showed a fastball with some run in on righties and a little sink.

8th: FB (95-96)

7) George Sherrill: 3 pitches. (FB, SL, CU). 0 strikes swinging.

• Sherrill came from a high 3/4 release and showed a pretty straight 4-seam fastball.

8th: FB (89-91)

8) Hong-Chih Kuo: 26 pitches. (FB, SL, CU, CB). 2 strikes swinging. 2 Fastballs.

• Kuo came from a high 3/4 release and showed a straight 4-seam fastball, a 10-5 curve with average depth and a sharp 11-5 slider with good bite

9th: FB (94-97), SL (85-87), CB (78-79) - 2 FB

9) Heath Bell: 22 pitches. (FB, CB, CU). 2 strikes swinging. 2 Fastballs.

• Bell came from an over the top release and showed a fastball with some sink and a sharp 11-5 curve with above average depth that he will throw 3-2.

9th: FB (93-95), CB (81-84) - 2 FB

Chart Observations: 8/18 STL @ LAD

1) Mitch Boggs: 83 pitches. 6 strikes swinging. Fastball (1st, 3rd), 4 Sliders (2 in 2nd, 2 in 5th)

• Boggs is a 6-4, 215 pound righty. The 25 year old has a big frame that can add a little more muscle. He came from a 3/4 release with a fast windup that is real scrunched up until his breaks. He straightens his arm on the backtake fairly hard as well. His fastball has above average run in on righties and some sink. His change has some fade from lefties and a little sink. His curve is a 1-7 pitch with solid depth. His slider is a 2-7 pitch with good bite that can move like a cutter at times. Solid pitcher, but likely no better then a # 4 or # 5 starter.

1st: FB (93-96), SL (84-87), CU (83)

2nd: FB (90-94), SL (83-85), CU (81), CB (77-79)

3rd: FB (89-95), SL (86-87), CB (77-79)

4th: FB (90-93), SL (84-85), CU (79), CB (78-80)

5th: FB (90-93), SL (84-87)

2) Chad Billingsley: 77 pitches. 8 strikes swinging. 7 Fastballs (2 in 1st, 3rd, 5th, 3 in 6th), Curveball (6th)

• Billingsley came from an over the top release and showed a straight 4-seam fastball, a 12-6 curve with slightly above average depth, a cutter with some cut and a change with some fade from lefties with sink. He will throw get me over and out pitch curveballs.

1st: FB (91-94), CB (79)

2nd: FB (90-92), CB (70-81)

3rd: FB (90-94), CB (74-81)

4th: FB (89-93), CB (77-80), Cut (88-89)

5th: FB (90-92), CB (77), Cut (89)

6th: FB (88-93), CB (77-82), Cut (88-93), CU (86)

3) Jason Motte: 11 pitches. 1 strike swinging. Splitter.

• Motte came from an over the top release and showed a 2-seam fastball with some run and sink on righties, a cutter with some cut, a straight 4-seam fastball, a straight change and a split with good dive.

5th: FB (91-98), Cut (89-93), Split (81), CU (86)

4) Brad Thompson: 28 pitches. 3 strikes swinging. 3 Curveballs (All in 7th)

• Thompson is a 6-1, 190 pound righty. The 27 year old has a medium frame that can get up to 205. He came from a 3/4 release and showed a fastball with good run in on righties with good sink, a change with some fade from lefties with good sink and a 12-6 curve with below average depth. Long reliever is probably his best chance at sticking on a roster.

6th: FB (87-88), CU (80-82), CB (79)

7th: FB (87-89), CU (80-82), CB (77-79)

5) James McDonald: 7 pitches. 0 strikes swinging.

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

7th: FB (91-95), CB (76)

6) George Sherrill: 27 pitches. 1 strike swinging. Slider (7th)

• Sherrill came from a 3/4, almost high 3/4 release and showed a 10-4 slider with good bite and a fastball with some run in on lefties.

7th: FB (89-91), SL (75-77)

8th: FB (88-91), SL (73-75)

7) Blake Hawksworth: 13 pitches. 0 strikes swinging.

• Blake came from a 3/4 release and showed a fastball with good run in on righties and solid sink and a change with above average sink and good fade from lefties that he will throw to righties.

8th: FB (92-93), CU (81-83)

8) Jonathan Broxton: 20 pitches. 3 strikes swinging. 2 Fastballs, Slider (All in 9th)

• Broxton came from an over the top release and showed a fastball with some run in on righties and a sharp 2-7 slider with okay bite.

8th: FB (97), SL (89)

9th: FB (96-99), SL (89-90)

8/10: LAD @ SF

1) Hiroki Kuroda: 93 pitches. 9 strikes swinging. 5 Fastballs (1st, 2 in 2nd, 2 in 4th), 4 Sliders (2 in 1st, 2 in 2nd), Splitter (3rd)

• Kuroda came from a high 3/4 release and showed a fastball with above average run in on righties with solid sink, a split with slightly above average dive and a 2-7 slider with good bite that he can hang and can be inconsistent break-wise. He will throw 3-2 splitters.

1st: FB (90-94), SL (81-86), Split (87-88)

2nd: FB (91-94), SL (81-86), Split (88-89)

3rd: FB (91-95), SL (79-85), Split (86-90)

4th: FB (93-94), Split (89)

5th: FB (91-94), SL (85)

6th: FB (92-94)

7th: FB (92-95), SL (81)

2) Jonathan Sanchez: 91 pitches. 6 strikes swinging. 2 Fastballs (both in 4th), 2 Sliders (1st, 5th), 2 Changeups (2nd, 5th)

• Sanchez came from a 3/4 release and showed a fastball with a little run in on lefties, a change with some fade from righties with sink and a loopy 11-5 slider with some bite. He will throw 2-0 changes and 2-1 sliders. Stuff looked better, but still may be a step back from last year.

1st: FB (91-95), SL (79-85), CU (83-88)

2nd: FB (91-94), SL (78-85), CU (82-86)

3rd: FB (86-93), SL (79-80), CU (79-81)

4th: FB (89-93), SL (77-83), CU (78-87)

5th: FB (88-93), SL (80-84), CU (83-85)

3) Justin Miller: 31 pitches. 5 strikes swinging. 5 Sliders (3 in 6th, 2 in 7th)

• Miller came from a 3/4 release and showed a fastball with above average run in on righties with good sink, a split with solid dive and a 2-7 slider with solid bite.

6th: FB (88-90), SL (78-81), Split (79-80)

7th: FB (87-89), SL (77-81), Split (80)

4) Hong-Chih Kuo: 6 pitches. 1 strike swinging. Fastball.

• Kuo came from a high 3/4 release and showed an explosive fastball with some run in on lefties.

7th: FB (93-95)

5) Ronald Belisario: 3 pitches. 0 strikes swinging.

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

7th: FB (94), SL (85)

6) George Sherrill: 10 pitches. 0 strikes swinging.

• Sherrill came from a high 3/4 release and showed a fastball with some run in on righties and a 11-5 slider with solid bite.

8th: FB (89-90), SL (74-75)

7) Sergio Romo: 16 pitches. 0 strikes swinging.

• Romo came from a 3/4 release and showed a fastball with good run in on righties with good sink, a 3-9 slider with good bite that stays on the same plane as his fastball until breaking late and a change with good fade from lefties with okay sink.

8th: FB (88-90), SL (75-78), CU (81)

8) Merkin Valdez: 16 pitches. 0 strikes swinging.

• Valdez came from an over the top release and showed a straight 4-seam fastball, a 2-7 slider with some bite and a split with some dive.

9th: FB (91-97), SL (76-84), Split (86)

9) Jonathan Broxton: 11 pitches. 0 strikes swinging.

• Broxton came from an over the top release and showed a straight 4-seam fastball.

9th: FB (96-100)

7/28: KC @ BAL

1) Brian Bannister: 100 pitches. 6 strikes swinging. 2 on Cutters (1st, 4th), 3 on Changeups (4th, 5th, 6th), Curveball (4th).

• Bannister came from a high 3/4 release and showed a cutter with good cut and flashed some sink, a 12-6 curve with above average depth, a hard change with good fade from lefties with good sink that he uses as an out pitch to both righties and lefties and a fastball with a little run in on righties.

1st: Cut (86-89), CU (84-86), CB (70-76), FB (90)

2nd: Cut (86-88), CU (85)

3rd: Cut (87-90), CU (84-86), CB (76-78)

4th: Cut (88-89), CU (85-86), CB (77-78)

5th: Cut (86-89), CU (83-86)

6th: Cut (87-89), CU (85-87), CB (68-76)

2) Jason Berken: 88 pitches. 9 strikes swinging. 2 Fastballs (1st, 3rd), 4 Curves (1st, 4th, 2 in 6th), 2 Sliders (both in 2nd) and a Changeup (5th)

• Berken came from an over the top release and showed a fastball with some run in on righties and sink, a 2-7 slider with some bite, a sharp 12-6 curve with average depth and a change with some fade from lefties with sink that he will throw to righties.

1st: FB (92-95), SL (85), CU (86), CB (78-80)

2nd: FB (91-93), SL (84-85), CU (85), CB (78)

3rd: FB (92-93)

4th: FB (91-94), SL (84), CU (83-85), CB (80-81)

5th: FB (88-92), CU (83-84), CB (80)

6th: FB (91-93), CU (83-84), CB (78-80)

3) John Bale: 13 pitches. 2 strikes swinging. Fastball, Changeup.

• Bale came from a 3/4 to over the top release and showed a change with good sink and solid fade from righties, a 11-5 curve with above average depth and a fastball with some run in on lefties.

7th: FB (88-90), CB (70-72), CU (79-80)

4) Roman Colon: 21 pitches. 0 strikes swinging.

• Colon came from an over the top release and showed a fastball with some run in on righties, a split with some dive and a 2-7 slider with above average bite.

7th: FB (95-96)

8th: FB (95-97), SL (80), Split (86-89)

5) Mark Hendrickson: 11 pitches. 0 strikes swinging.

• Hendrickson came from an over the top release and shwoed a fastball with some run in on lefties, a 12-6 curve with above average depth and a cutter with decent cut.

7th: FB (88-90), Cut (84), CB (73-74)

6) Jim Johnson: 11 pitches. 1 strike swinging. Fastball.

• Johnson came from an over the top release and showed a fastball with good run in on righties and a change with marginal sink.

8th: FB (93-95), CU (88)

7) Jamey Wright: 21 pitches. 2 strikes swinging. Fastball (9th), Curveball (9th)

• Wright came from a 3/4 release and showed a fastball with some run in on righties with sink, a 11-5 curve with above average depth and a cutter with decent cut.

9th: FB (91-93), Cut (86), CB (77-79)

10th: FB (91-93), Cut (88), CB (77-84)

8) George Sherrill: 23 pitches. 3 strikes swinging. 3 Fastballs.

• George came from a high 3/4 release and showed a fastball with a little run in on lefties and a 11-5 slider with solid bite.

9th: FB (89-92), SL (72-75)

9) Danys Baez: 31 pitches. 0 strikes swinging.

• Baez is a 6-1, 235 pound righty. The 31 year old has a medium frame that is maxed out. He came from an over the top release. His fastball has a little run in on righties with some sink, a 12-6 curve with average depth and a split with some dive. He is a decent middle reliever right now, but should be nowhere near a setup role.

10th: FB (93-95), Split (89-91), CB (77)

11th: FB (92-95), Split (87-92), CB (77)

10) Joakim Soria: 19 pitches. 3 strikes swinging. 3 Fastballs.

• Soria came from a 3/4 release and showed a fastball with some run in on righties, a change with good late fade from lefties with sink and a 1-7 curve with above average depth. His change is his out pitch.

11th: FB (90-93), CB (70), CU (84-86)

Chart Observations: BAL @ BOS

1) David Hernandez: 110 pitches. 3 strikes swinging. Fastball (2nd), 2 Sliders (2nd, 5th)

• Hernandez is a 6-3, 215 pound righty. The 24 year old has a medium frame that may be able to add a little more muscle to his legs, but not much. He comes from a high 3/4 release with very quiet mechanics that remind me of Bartolo Colon minus the fat. His fastball has a little run in on righties, but is a fairly straight 4-seam. His slider is a sharp 2-7 with above average bite that he struggles to command (I think it resembles more of a power curve then a slider) and his change has marginal sink and only threw it once. His upside is that of a # 3, but he would need to develop his command and a change. I think he slots much better as a reliever, though he will still need to improve his command.

1st: FB (93-95)

2nd: FB (93-96), SL (78-80)

3rd: FB (93-95), CU (87)

4th: FB (92-96), SL (75-80)

5th: FB (92-95), SL (77-79)

6th: FB (91-94), SL (76-79)

7th: FB (92-96), SL (78-80)

2) John Smoltz: 83 pitches. 10 strikes swinging. 9 Sliders (2 in 1st, 3 in 2nd, 2 in 3rd, 4th, 5th), Fastball (5th)

• Smoltz came from a 3/4 release and showed a fastball with good run in on righties and a little sink, a 2-7 slider with solid bite that he started on the outside corner and let the Orioles hitters flail, a splitter with solid dive and a 1-7 curve with average depth. He needs to make some more strides with his command, but is getting close.

1st: FB (91-93), SL (82-86), Split (87), CB (78)

2nd: FB (91-93), SL (83-87), Split (85)

3rd: FB (92-93), SL (84-89), Split (87), CB (77)

4th: FB (90-93), SL (86-87), Split (86)

5th: FB (92), SL (84-87), Split (83)

3) Justin Masterson: 23 pitches. 1 strike swinging. Fastball.

• Masterson came from a 3/4 release and showed a fastball with good run in on righties with good sink that has good late action and a sweeping 3-8 slider with above average bite. This was the best I have seen his slider all year and he was locating it well with a much better break.

6th: FB (90-96), SL (84-87)

7th: FB (92-96), SL (84-87)

4) Takashi Saito: 27 pitches. 1 strike swinging. Slider.

• Saito is a 6-2, 215 pound righty. The 39 year old has a medium frame that won't be adding any more muscle. He came from a high 3/4 release and showed a fastball with some late run in on righties, a 2-7 curve that is loopy and a 2-7 slider that has slightly above average bite. Solid middle reliever, but wouldn't trust him as an 8th or 9th inning guy anymore.

8th: FB (90-93), SL (81-84), CB (76-79)

9th: FB (88-93), SL (80-84)

5) Ramon Ramirez: 3 pitches. 0 strikes swinging.

• Ramirez came from an over the top release and showed a fastball with some run in on righties and some sink and a hard change with some fade from lefties with some sink.

9th: FB (93), CU (88)

6) Jim Johnson: 15 pitches. 1 strike swinging. Changeup.

• Johnson came from a high 3/4 release and showed a fastball with some run in on righties, a change with good fade from lefties with good sink and a big breaking 12-6 with above average depth that can be a strikeout pitch.

8th: FB (91-95), CB (80), CU (87-88)

7) George Sherrill: 14 pitches. 1 strike swinging. Fastball.

• Sherrill came from a 3/4 release and showed a fastball with good run in on lefties and a 11-5 slider that can be loopy and look like a curveball, but has good late bite.

9th: FB (90-92), SL (75-78)

Chart Observations: BAL @ WAS

• Koji Uehara is the only Japanese pitcher who had a reputation of being a command pitcher to have it translate in the big leagues. He is a 33 year old who stands 6-1, 190. His medium frame has a lot more room to add muscle. From a high 3/4 release, he showed a fastball at 87-90, a cutter at 84-85, a splitter at 79-82 and a curveball at 73. His fastball is a 2-seamer with good fade. His splitter has solid drop and fade, but is just an average offering. His cutter has more downward movement then side to side and is also just an average offering. His curveball was a 12-6 pitch that was also average. He has plus command and is your typical starting rotation placeholder while the prospects get ready. He can probably have a solid year this year, but his best case scenarios will always be with an ERA around 4.20-4.60.
• Ross Detwiler is a 23 year old who stands 6-5, 185. His big frame has A LOT of room to add more muscle. From a high 3/4 release, the left hander showed a fastball at 89-95, a curveball at 74-78 and changeup at 82-84. He has a "drop and drive" wind-up that allows him to maximize his frame, but he also throws across his body and has good deception throughout his delivery. His fastball is a straight 4-seam. His curveball is kind of a loopy 10-5, but got sharper as the game went out. His changeup is straight and teases as above average when he is able to throw it in the zone, which was once for about 18. He needs to work on finishing his change, as almost all of them were far out and away from righties. He still battles his command, having spurts pop up where he can't throw a strike to save his life (walked Uehara on 4 pitches and Brian Roberts on 5). He is a nibbler right now and needs to focus more on attacking with his above average fastball and above average curveball. He rarely comes inside, preferring to pound the outer half of the zone, which he does very well. A guy that could be a # 2 depending on if he is able to sit in the 93-94 range (not out of question with his frame), but is more likely to settle in as a middle of the rotation starter with above average velocity for a left hander.
• Justin Maxwell is a 25 year old who is 6-5 235. He has a big frame with room to add a lot more muscle. An open stance, he is slightly crouched and holds the bat horizontal over his shoulder. Struggles to recognize off-speed offerings and tends to check swing on balls that end up out of the zone. He will bunt for a hit. This guy needs consistent AB's, as he has a fairly long injury history. If he is up here, he should play everyday. If not, he should be in AAA getting 500 at bats. A potential 5-tool player, he will likely end up utilizing above average speed and have solid to above average power (15-25 homers) with a decent average (.260-.270). He is a strong defensive CF, making a tremendous catch to rob Adam Jones of a home run. He went up and over and pulled the ball back in. Should check that out on Gameday if it doesn't depress you too much (top of the 1st).
• Nolan Reimold is a 25 year old who is 6-4, 205. He is another big frame with room to add a lot more muscle. He has a fairly straight-up stance with a little bat wiggle. He also utilizes a double step for his trigger. He has a tendency to get a little long with his swing. He absolutely raked at AAA Norfolk to get his call-up (.394-.485-.743 with 9 HR's in 109 at bats) but also showed some contact issues (25 strikeouts or 20 % of the time he went to the plate, he struck out). Hard to get a feel for from the 1 game. He never put a good swing on a ball, but his stance shows a guy that should have above average pop. He will likely struggle against big league breaking balls in the early going. He shows average to a tick above average speed and profiles best as a corner outfielder. Don't have a feel for him yet.
• Brian Bass is a 27 year old who stands 6-2, 215. From a high 3/4 release, he featured a fastball at 91-93, a slider at 82-87, a curveball at 78-80 and a changeup at 80. When I saw him at Rochester 2 years ago, he impressed me and I thought he could be a serviceable reliever. He has proven me right as a swingman who can finish games and also help when a starter leaves early, resting other relievers. His fastball has good 2-seam movement with good fade. His slider is an average offering that has a little bite. His curveball is an above average 2-7 pitch with good bite and depth. His change moves like a fastball, but is much slower. Is pitching to his potential right now.
• Matt Albers is a 26 year old who stands 6-0, 205. His medium is maxed out and there also appears to be a little bad weight there. From a high 3/4 release, he showed a fastball at 91-93 and a curveball at 77-79. The fastball shows a little fade and sink. His curveball is a 12-6 that is sharp with good tilt and is a strikeout pitch. A solid middle reliever, but don't see him being a set-up guy or closer.
• Julian Tavarez was 91 with his fastball and 81-84 with his slider
• Ron Villone was 87-89 with his fastball, 84 with his slider and 82 with his change.
• Jason Bergmann is a 27 year old who stands 6-3, 220. His medium to big frame is maxed out. He featured a fastball at 91-93 and a curveball at 77-78 from a 3/4 release. His fastball is hard and had good fade. His curveball is a 12-6 like offering that has good tilt and could be a strikeout pitch. He releases the curveball a little higher then his fastball, which may be something opposing hitters will soon pick up on. A guy who was a starter that is trying to revive his career and he looks like he has a shot to be a solid middle reliever.
• Jim Johnson is a 25 year old who stands 6-5, 225. His big frame still has room to add a little more muscle. From an over the top release, he showed a fastball at 92-95 and a curveball at 78. His fastball is a straight 4-seam. His curveabll is a 12-6 offering that doesn't have great tilt and is more of an early strike pitch then a strikeout pitch. Another Orioles reliever that looks better as a middle reliever then a set-up man. I think he will have a hard time replicating the season he posted last year.
• Joel Hanrahan threw all fastballs at 94-95.
• George Sherrill is a 32 year old who stands 6-0, 230. His medium is maxed out and he doesn't look anything like a baseball player, more like a beer league softball player, as he is carrying what appears to be quite a bit of bad weight. From a high 3/4 release, he features a fastball at 89-92 and a slider at 72-75. He will slide step and leg kick. His fastball is a straight 4-seam. His slider is a loopy 11-5 offering that looks more like a curveball. It has good downward movement and shows good tilt and can be sharp. A solid lefty to have in a pen, but he isn't your protypical closer by any means.

Chart and the 3:10 Dodgers-Rockies game tomorrow featuring Eric Stults and Jorge De La Rosa.