8/21: SEA @ CLE

1) Luke French: 100 pitches. 11 strikes swinging. 3 Fastballs (2 in 2nd, 6th), 6 Sliders (2 in 2nd, 2 in 3rd, 2 in 6th), 2 Changeups (2nd, 3rd)

• French came from a high 3/4 release and showed a fastball with good run in on lefties and flashes some sink, a change with some fade from righties with good sink that he will throw to lefties and a 11-5 slider with good bite that was sharper then when I last saw him.

1st: FB (87-91), CU (76)

2nd: FB (85-90), CU (74-79), SL (81-82)

3rd: FB (87-90), CU (77-78), SL (80-82)

4th: FB (84-90), CU (77-80), SL (79-81)

5th: FB (86-91), CU (78-80), SL (79-83)

6th: FB (87-92), CU (79-80), SL (78-82)

2) David Huff: 84 pitches. 2 strikes swinging. Fastball (3rd), Changeup (3rd)

• Huff came from an over the top release and showed a fastball with some run in on lefties, a change with some fade from righties with sink that he will throw to lefties, a 11-5 slider with solid bite and a big breaking 11-5 curve with above average depth. He nibbled, causing him to fall behind in the count, causing him to throw cockshots, causing him to get hammered.

1st: FB (91-93), CU (82-83)

2nd: FB (89-92), CU (82-83), SL (82)

3rd: FB (90-92), CU (81-85), SL (82-83), CB (76-79)

4th: FB (89-92), SL (82), CB (76-77)

3) Tomo Ohka: 56 pitches. 5 strikes swinging. 3 Fastballs (all in 4th), 2 Changeups (both in 7th)

• Ohka came from an over the top release and showed a fastball with good sink and some run in on righties, a 2-7 slider with some bite, a cutter with some cut, a 12-6 curve with average depth and a change with some fade from lefties with some sink.

4th: FB (86-89), SL (83-85)

5th: FB (86-90), SL (82-86), Cut (86)

6th: FB (86-89), Cut (86-87), CU (84), CB (72-74)

7th: FB (87-90), SL (84), Cut (85), CU (84-85)

8th: FB (84-87), CB (71)

4) Kerry Wood: 22 pitches. 3 strikes swinging. Fastball, 2 Cutters.

• Wood came from an over the top release with a straight 4-seam fastball, a sharp 12-6 curve with slightly above average depth and a cutter with solid cut.

9th: FB (95-98), CB (78-82), Cut (90-93)

5) Miguel Batista: 26 pitches. 2 strikes swinging. Cutter (7th), Fastball (8th)

• Batista came from a 3/4 release and showed a fastball with good run in on righties with some sink, a cutter with good cut and some sink and a 2-7 curve with average depth.

7th: FB (93-96), Cut (90-92)

8th: FB (94-96), Cut (88-89), SL (82)

6) Sean White: 12 pitches. 0 strikes swinging.

• White came from an over the top release and showed a fastball with some run in on righties and some sink, a sharp 2-7 slider with good bite and a change with some fade from lefties and some sink.

9th: FB (93-96), SL (90), CU (85-86)

8/11: CHW @ SEA

1) John Danks: 99 pitches. 10 strikes swinging. Fastball (6th), 3 Changeups (4th, 6th, 8th), 5 Cutters (4th, 5th, 7th, 2 in 8th), Curveball (1st)

• Danks came from a high 3/4 release and showed a fastball with a little run in on lefties with some sink, a cutter that moves like a 11-5 slider with good bite, a 11-5 curve with slightly above average depth and a change with good fade from righties with good sink that he will throw to lefties.

1st: FB (88-91), Cut (85-87), CB (78)

2nd: FB (89-92), CB (74-77), CU (82-83)

3rd: FB (89-91), CU (82-83)

4th: FB (88-91), Cut (87), CU (82)

5th: FB (89-91), Cut (86-87), CB (76), CU (82-83)

6th: FB (90-91), Cut (86), CU (78-83)

7th: FB (87-89), Cut (86-87), CB (76), CU (81-83)

8th: FB (90-91), Cut (84-88), CB (76-79), CU (81-82)

2) Doug Fister: 94 pitches. 7 strikes swinging. 4 Fastballs (2nd, 4th, 2 in 6th), 2 Changeups (4th, 6th), Slider (6th)

• Fister is a 6-8, 200 pound righty. The 25 year old has a huge frame that can add a ton more muscle. He came from an over the top release with a little herky jerk in his delivery that may put a little extra stress on his shoulder. His fastball has good run in on righties with good late sink. His change moves like his fastball, but with more sink. His slider is a 1-7 with some bite that is somewhat loopy. His curve is a 12-6 with above average depth. He will throw his change to righties, 3-2 sliders and 3-0 changeups. A finesse pitcher that has just slightly above average command, he can't afford to issue as many walks as he issued in this game. His upside is that of a # 5 and is similar in stuff to Dustin Nippert.

1st: FB (86-89), SL (82), CU (82), CB (76)

2nd: FB (88-90), SL (83-84), CU (80-82), CB (73-75)

3rd: FB (86-89), SL (83), CU (78-79), CB (74-75)

4th: FB (87-90), SL (82), CU (79-82)

5th: FB (86-89), SL (82-83), CU (79)

6th: FB (87-90), SL (82), CU (78-81)

3) Miguel Batista: 19 pitches. 2 strikes swinging. 2 Cutters.

• Batista came from a high 3/4 release and showed a cutter with good cut and a fastball with some run in on righties with sink.

7th: FB (92-94), Cut (87-91)

4) Mark Lowe: 10 pitches. 2 strikes swinging. Fastball (8th), Changeup (8th)

• Lowe came from an over the top release and showed a straight 4-seam fastball, a change with some fade from lefties with some sink and a 2-7 slider with good bite.

7th: FB (96)

8th: FB (95-98), SL (89), CU (88-89)

5) David Aardsma: 28 pitches. 2 strikes swinging. 2 Fastballs.

• Aardsma came from an over the top release and showed a straight 4-seam fastball, a 2-7 slider with solid bite and a split with good late dive. His fastball looked extremely flat in this game and hung a bad splitter to Alexei Ramirez that he hit the go ahead home run on.

9th: FB (91-96), Split (87-89), SL (83)

6) Shawn Kelley: 3 pitches. 1 strike swinging. Fastball.

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

9th: FB (90-92)

7) Bobby Jenks: 12 pitches. 0 strikes swinging.

• Jenks came from a high 3/4 release and showed a fastball with some run in on righties, a 2-7 slider with okay bite and a sharp 12-6 curve with average depth.

9th: FB (95-97), SL (85-89), CB (82)

Chart Observations: CLE @ SEA

1) Cliff Lee: 99 pitches. 8 strikes swinging. Fastball (5th), 4 Changeups (2 in 4th, 6th, 7th), Curveball (2nd), 2 Cutters (both in 6th)

• Lee came from a high 3/4 release and showed a fastball with some run in on lefties and some sink, a change with above average sink and some fade from righties, a big breaking 11-5 curve with excellent depth and a cutter with good cut and some sink.

1st: FB (88-92), CU (83-84), CB (75)

2nd: FB (91-92), CB (76-77), Cut (85)

3rd: FB (90-92), CB (74), Cut (85)

4th: FB (91-92), CU (84-85), CB (76), Cut (86)

5th: FB (90-92), CU (85), CB (75-76), Cut (84-86)

6th: FB (90-93), CU (83-85), Cut (86-88)

7th: FB (91-93), CU (84-85), CB (76-77), Cut (85-88)

2) Jason Vargas: 86 pitches. 8 strikes swinging. 2 Fastballs (3rd, 4th), 6 Changeups (2 in 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th)

• Vargas is a 6-0, 215 pound lefty. The 26 (seems like he has been around longer) year old has a medium frame that is maxed out. He came from a high 3/4 release and works very fast on the mound and has good tempo, reminiscent of Mark Buerhle minus the stuff. His fastball has some tailing action in on righties and solid sink. His change has good fade from righties with good sink that serves as his out pitch to both lefties and righties. His curve is a big breaking 11-5 with above average depth and his slider is a 10-4 with solid bite. You could do worse as a # 5 starter, though he is likely pitching at his ceiling right now.

1st: FB (87-90), CU (79-81), SL (80), CB (74)

2nd: FB (86-89), CU (79), SL (81)

3rd: FB (86-87), CU (79-80), SL (80)

4th: FB (86-89), CU (79-81), SL (81-83)

5th: FB (86-88), CU (80), SL (79), CB (73)

3) Mike Gosling: 39 pitches. 6 strikes swinging. 2 Fastballs (both in 9th), 2 Changeups (both in 9th), Curveball (9th) and Slider (8th)

• Gosling is a 6-2, 210 pound lefty. The 28 year old has a medium frame that is close to maxed out, maybe to 215. He came from an over the top release. His fastball has good run in on lefties with some sink. His slider is a 11-5 offering with good bite. His curve is a big breaking 11-5 with above average depth. His change has good fade from righties with good sink that he will throw to lefties. Not a bad 2nd lefty to have in a pen and should be fairly solid as long as his command stays with him.

8th: FB (91-93), SL (80), CB (74)

9th: FB (90-92), SL (81), CB (73-76), CU (82-85)

4) Shawn Kelley: 29 pitches. 2 strikes swinging. 2 Sliders.

• Kelley came from an over the top release and showed a 2-7 slider with above average bite, a fastball with some run in on righties and marginal sink and a straight change with marginal sink.

5th: FB (92-95), SL (80-86), CU (83)

5) Miguel Batista: 42 pitches. 3 strikes swinging. 3 Cutters (6th, 2 in 7th)

• Batista came from a release point anywhere from over the top to 3/4 and showed a 2-seam fastball with some sink and run in on righties, a split with good dive, a cutter with solid cut and a sharp 12-6 curve with average depth that can be a strikeout pitch.

6th: FB (89-91), Cut (82-85), CB (74-79), Split (80)

7th: FB (89-95), Cut (84-87), Split (80-83)

6) Sean White: 16 pitches. 1 strike swinging. Curveball.

• White is a 6-4, 210 pound righty. The 28 year old has a big frame that can get up to at least 220. He has a high effort delivery that lands hard on his front leg and comes from an over the top release. He generates a very good downhill plane for his pitches, giving his fastball some good natural sink and some run in on righties. His curve is a big breaking 12-6 with above average depth that can be a strikeout pitch and a change with good fade from lefties with good sink that he will throw to righties. Solid set-up guy.

8th: FB (92-95), CU (83), CB (83)

7) Mark Lowe: 21 pitches. 3 strikes swinging. 2 Fastballs, Slider.

• Lowe came from an over the top release and showed a fastball with good run in on righties with good sink, a hard change with good fade from lefties with sink and a 2-7 slider with above average bite.

9th: FB (96-98), SL (86), CU (90-91)

Chart Observations: SD @ SEA

1) Chad Gaudin: 113 pitches, 15 strikes swinging. 3 Fastballs (3rd, 4th, 5th), 11 Sliders (1st, 2 in 2nd, 4th, 2 in 5th, 6th, 4 in 7th) and 1 Changeup (1st)

• He came from a 3/4 release and showed a fastball with good run in on righties and good sink, a straight 4-seam fastball that he has better command of, a change with excllent fade and alte sink and a 3-8 slider that can have good late bite or can move like a cutter with little downward action. He spotted his slider very well and started it on the outside corner to righties and let the movement take it out of their swing path. Another 11 strikeout game that wasn't dominant.

1st: FB (90-92), SL (79-82), CU (86)

2nd: FB (90-93), SL (79-83), CU (87)

3rd: FB (91-92), SL (81), CU (87)

4th: FB (91-92), SL (81-82)

5th: FB (89-92), SL (79-83)

6th: FB (88-94), SL (80-83)

7th: FB (91-93), SL (78-82)

2) Garrett Olson: 82 pitches. 2 strikes swinging. 1 on Curveball (3rd) and 1 on Fastball (5th)

• He is a 6-1, 205 pound lefty. The 25 year ol has a medium frame that can add a little more muscle. He comes from a high 3/4 release with a drop and drive delivery. His fastball has some run in on lefties and flashes some late sink, but is inconsistent and most of the time is a straight 4-seam. His curveball is a sharp 11-5 wtih good depth and late bite. His change is a straight change with a little sink that he will throw 2-0, but he doesn't have good command of it. He shows good command of his fastball-curveball combo, but doesn't have a true 3rd pitch. Swingman.

1st: FB (90-91), CB (80)

2nd: FB (88-90), CB (79)

3rd: FB (88-90), CB (79-81)

4th: FB (89-90), CB (80), CU (82)

5th: FB (88-91), CB (76-81), CU (82)

6th: FB (89-91), CB (79-81), CU (81)

3) Roy Corcoran: 35 Pitches. 0 strikes swinging.

• He is a 5-10, 185 pound righty. The 29 year old has a small frame that can add a little more muscle. He comes from a 3/4 release. His fastball has above average run and sink in on righties. His curveball is a 1-7 pitch with solid depth, but it can hang and it can also flash slider like movement. He has zero command of his stuff and appears to try and nibble, living on the corners and at the knees. Not a major league pitcher.

6th: FB (90-93), CB (80-83)

7th: FB (90-92), CB (81-83)

4) Miguel Batista: 24 Pitches. 0 strikes swinging

• He came from a 3/4 release and showed a 2-seam fastball with some sink and run in on righties and a cutter with good cut and some late sink that will flash movement like a 2-7 slider.

8th: FB (92-94), Cut (86-89)

9th: FB (91-94), Cut (88)

5) Greg Burke: 18 Pitches. 1 strike swinging. Fastball

• He came from a high 3/4, almost 3/4 release. His fastball showed good run in on righties and some sink and his slider was a flat 2-7 with marginal bite.

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

6) Edward Mujica: 3 Pitches. 0 strikes swinging.

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

8th: FB (92), Split (86), SL (81)

7) Heath Bell: 29 Pitches. 2 strikes swinging. Both on Curveballs.

• He came from an over the top release and showed a fastball with some late run and sink and a 12-7 curve with great depth. He was leaving his curve up and left his fastball in the middle of the plate, a terrible combination.

9th: FB (91-96), CB (79-83)

• Everth Cabrera is a 5-10, 175 pound 22 year old. The switch hitter/righty thrower has a small frame that can add a little more muscle, but not too much. As a righty, he leans back on his back leg with a slightly bent front leg that is similar to Gerardo Parra's stance but not as upright. His trigger is a slight cocking of the bat and a step to straighten himself out, as he is slightly open. From the left side, his stance is similar, but no leaned back as far or open as much. Shows a somewhat quick bat, but one designed to slap the ball around. Plus runner that will look to bunt for hits, he stole 2 bases back to back and was 3.0 from 2nd to 3rd on his steal and neither time was close to getting caught. Best case is a Chone Figgins like career. Worse case is Luis Ugueto. He probably settles in the middle as a super utility guy who can play SS and will hit for little power.
• Kyle Blanks is a massive 6-6, 285 pound righty hitter/thrower. The 22 year old has a big frame that is maxed out. He has a fairly straight on stance and he holds the bat in front of him and a little in front of his back shoulder. His trigger is a stride and a cocking of the bat. He looks like a guy that will struggle to hit plus fastballs and his swing can get a little long. He has a fly ball swing, a terrible fit for PETCO. He has a tendency to roll his wrists too early, causing would-be line drives to turn into groundouts to short. He showed better speed then I anticipated, as he was 4.3 and 4.4 down the line to first. He is in a bad situation, as he isn't going to beat out Adrian Gonzalez at 1st and is trying to play LF. He DH'd in this game. He should be a productive hitter down the road, but think Kevin Kouzmanoff type production, not Adam Dunn. PETCO will be a serious obstacle for him to try and overcome.

Chart Observations: ARI @ SEA

• Jon Garland comes from an over the top release and shows a 2-seam fastball with good sink and run, a change with good fade and sink, a cutter with good late cut, a 2-7 slider with good bite and a big breaking 12-5, 12-6 curve with good depth. He will throw his change to righties and likes to start his cutter on the outside corner and have it break off the plate.

1st: FB (90-92), SL (83-85), CU (83), Cut (88-90)

2nd: FB (89-91), SL (83-85), CU (80), Cut (88-89)

3rd: FB (89-93), SL (82-84), CU (79-80), Cut (87-89), CB (74)

4th: FB (87-92), SL (83-84), CU (80-81), Cut (90)

5th: FB (88-90), CU (80), Cut (87-88), CB (77)

6th: FB (89-90), SL (82-84), Cut (88)

7th: FB (89-92), SL (82), Cut (87-88)

• Jarrod Washburn is a 6-1, 195 pound lefty. The 34 year old has a medium frame that can add a little more muscle. He comes from a high 3/4 release. His fastball is a 4 seam that is straight. His cutter has some cut and a little run. His change has good fade and sink. His slider is a 10-5 pitch with good bite that he throws to lefties and his curve is a big breaking 11-4 with good depth that is his breaking pitch to righties. He is a solid # 4 starter who is a perfect fit for Safeco.

1st: FB (90-92), Cut (88-90), CU (84)

2nd: FB (89-91), Cut (87-89), CU (81-84), SL (78)

3rd: FB (87-91), Cut (89), CU (79-82), SL (77-78), CB (71)

4th: FB (87-90), Cut (87-88), CU (82)

5th: FB (87-89), Cut (88-89), CU (82), SL (78), CB (70-71)

6th: FB (88-89), Cut (89), SL (79), CB (71)

7th: FB (88-90), Cut (87-88), CU (83), SL (80), CB (70)

• Miguel Batista comes from a 3/4 release and shows a fastball with good run and sink, a cutter with good late cut and a loopy 2-7 curveball.

8th: FB (91-93), Cut (85-87), CB (78)

• Scott Schoeneweis come from a 3/4 release and shows a fastball with good run and sink and a sweeping 10-4 slider with solid bite.

8th: FB (89-90), SL (81)

• Tony Pena comes from a high 3/4 release and shows a fastabll taht has some run and sink and a 2-7 slider that can have inconsistent bite.

8th: FB (96-98), SL (87-90)

• David Aardsma comes from an over the top release and shows a 4-seam fastball with good run and a splitter that showed good diving action.

9th: FB (94-97), Split (87)

Chart Observations: SEA @ LAA

• Felix Hernandez is a 23 year old standing 6-3, 225. The right hander has a medium to big frame that still has room to add more muscle. He attacks from a high 3/4 release. His changeup shows average fade and a little sink. His fastball is a 2-seam with good fade and sink. He will also mix in a straight 4-seam. His slider is a sharp 2-7 offering with good depth. His curveball is a 12-6 offering with great bite and drops off the table. Still an ace.

1st: FB (93-97), CU (88), SL (86-89)

2nd: FB (94-96), CU (87-89), SL (87-88), CB (82-83)

3rd: FB (92-95), CU (87-89), SL (87-90)

4th: FB (94-95), CU (88-90)

5th: FB (94-95), CU (90), CB (85)

6th: FB (93-96), CU (88-90), SL (88-89), CB (86)

7th: FB (93-96), CU (88-90), SL (86), CB (85)

• Matt Palmer, a 6-2 225 pound 30 year old, opposed him. The right hander has a medium frame that is maxed out. He attacks from a 3/4 release. His fastball is a 2-seam with above average fade and a little sink. His cutter is his main fastaball and it shows solid cut. He has tremendous command of this pitch and can start it on the outside corner at will. His curveball is a sharp 1-8 offering that shows good bite and can be a strikeout pitch. His change moves similar to his 2-seam with above average fade and some sink. Was FB-CB the 1st time through the order, and then worked the cutter-CB combo with the occasional 2-seam. Solid back of the rotation starter due to his plus command of slightly above average stuff.

1st: FB (88-90), Cut (87-90), CB (73-76)

2nd: FB (88-90), Cut (88-89), CB (75-76), CU (83)

3rd: FB (88-89), Cut (87-89), CB (74-75), CU (82-84)

4th: FB (87-89), Cut (85-88), CB (72-75)

5th: FB (88-89), Cut (86-87), CB (76)

6th: FB (88-89), Cut (86-87), CB (73-77), CU (82)

7th: FB (86-88), Cut (86-87), CB (75-76), CU (83)

• Mark Lowe is a 25 year old reliever standing 6-3, 210. The right hander has a medium to big frame that still has room to add more muscle. He attacks from a high 3/4 release. His fastball is a straight 4-seam that flashes fade. His slider is a 2-7 pitch with solid depth and is an above average offering. Lowe has the upside of a closer, though he is more likely to settle in as a set-up man.

7th: FB (96-98), SL (85)

• Darren Oliver is a 38 year old who stands 6-2, 200. The lefty has a medium frame that is maxed out and comes at you from a 3/4 release. His slider is a slurvy 10-4 offering with good depth and looks like a fastball out of his hand. His fastball is a straight 4-seam. Good reliever to have in a pen that can fill a multitude of roles (long, LOOGY, short spurts)

8th: FB (89-91), SL (77-78)

• Brandon Morrow is a 24 year old who stands 6-3, 195. The righty has a medium to big frame that has room to add another 10-15 pounds of muscle. He comes at you from an over the top release. His change will flash great fade and a little sink, but it can be inconsistent. His fastball is a dead straight 4-seam. His curveball is a 12-6 offering that flashes plus, but is also inconsistent. Morrow needs to gain consistency to reach his ceiling as a closer.

8th: FB (93-96), CU (88-89), CB (81)

• Brian Fuentes is a 38 year old who stands 6-4, 230. The left hander has a big frame that is maxed out and attacks from a sidearm release with a little bit of cocking action. His changeup has good sinking action and some run. His fastball is a straight 4-seam. He struggled to command his change, having it go armside and high almost every time. He got blooped and then blasted by Jose Lopez. Good set-up man, but he doesn't strike out enough guys for me to be comfortable with him as a closer.

9th: FB (89-91), CU (72-74)

• Miguel Batista is a 38 year old who stands 6-1, 210. The right hander has a medium frame that is maxed out. His fastball is a 2-seam with some fade and good sink. His cutter has decent cut and some sink. His split showed great dive and fade. May have been wrong on him and he can indeed be a reliable reliever for a contender, though I still wouldn't have him setup.

9th: FB (85-92), Cut (84-85), Split (85)

• Jose Arredondo is a 25 year old who stands 6-1, 205. The right hander has a medium frame that can add a little more muscle. His fastball has some fade and a little sink from an over the top release. His splitter is erratic in both break and command, but it flashes as plus with great dive and fade. Still think he is a future closer, but he is not yet ready and needs to refine his splitter.

10th: FB (90-94), Split (81-86)

• David Aardsma is a 27 year old who stands 6-4, 205. The righty has a big frame that can add more muscle. He attacks from an over the top release with some cocking action. His slider is a 2-7 offering with good depth. His splitter showed good dive and fade. He may be able to close, as he hasn't shown many of his old command issues when I have seen him.

10th: FB (93-95), SL (84), Split (89)

Stay tuned for my chart observations on the Rays-Twins, featuring the 11 strikeout performance of David Price. I will take care of that after I return from my baseball game tonight.

SEA @ MIN

Yes, I have seen a lot of Seattle this weekend. And yes, it really wasn't that enjoyable.

• Erik Bedard got the start for Seattle and battled himself. He only had 2 pitches (a fastball at 88-93 and a curveball at 75-80) and didn't throw his changeup or cutter at all in my eyes. He also has much better command of his curveball then his fastball, as he seemed to be able to throw the curveball over the plate at will while struggling to find the zone with his heater. He is still a # 2 starter, but this is the 2nd start I have seen where he hasn't had real good command of his stuff. While he didn't allow many runs (just 2 ER in 4 and 2/3), he needs to pitch deeper into games to allow the bullpen to not be taxed. He attacks hitters from a low 3/4 release.
• Nick Blackburn opposed him and was very sharp. Blackburn is not a pitcher who will overwhelm you, but will play a little smoke and mirrors game, as he has plus command of all his pitches: a FB at 87-93, a cutter at 83-88 and a curveball at 74-78. He appears to have a plan for every hitter and executes it extremely well. The cutter in particular is the pitch that sets him apart from other finesse righthanders, as he can locate it and it cuts hard in to lefties and hard away from righties, rarely resulting in solid contact. He attacks from a high 3/4 release and is pitching at his ceiling now, a solid # 3 starter.
• Mark Lowe pitched a rare multi-inning outing and looked pretty good with a fastball sitting at 93-95, a changeup at 85-86 and a slider at 82-83. His stuff is still closer-worthy, his question is will the command return after that arm injury? If not, still a very strong late game reliever as a setup guy.
• Miguel Batista is a guy I don't really enjoy watching pitch and I have seen him a ton. Today, he was 92-93 with his fastball and 84-85 with his cutter. He has a rubber arm and is the Mariners go-to-pitcher in their bullpen. Whether that is a good thing or bad thing is up to you.
• Jose Mijares showed the same issues that have always been his bugaboo, an inability to consistenly throw strikes. He walked Jose Lopez (not an easy thing to do) and proceeded to allow a game tying 2-run home run to Ken Griffey Jr. Mijares was 89-93 with his fastball and did not throw his slider, curveball or changeup. He is a bigger guy who comes at you from a high 3/4 release that is almost overhead. I still don't know what to think of him. Part of me says that he can be a set-up man to get out righties and lefties and another side says that he won't throw enough strikes to be a major league reliever. This is a pivotal year for him.
• Jesse Crain took the loss after not recording an out in the 8th inning. From a high 3/4 release, Crain attacked hitters with a fastball at 90-94, a slider at 89 and a curveball at 75. Still a late inning reliever and he had one of those nights every pitcher has.
• Matt Guerrier came from a high 3/4 release with his fastball sitting at 91, his slider at 84-86 and his curveball at 79.
• David Aardsma saw his velocity down in his 2nd game on back to back days, but recovered to strike out Carlos Gomez on a 95 mile per hour fastball (Gomez never had a chance on any FB thrown in the AB). For his inning, he was siting 89-95 with the fastball (and 89-92 before the Gomez AB) and threw an 84 mile per hour slider. You have to worry about the loss of velocity he showed in this appearance after throwing last night.
• Craig Breslow was a LOOGY trying to get some work and show his command was back after struggling with walks thus far this season. Breslow showed good command, but hung a changeup to Jose Lopez, who deposited it in the seats. Breslow showed a fastball at 88-91, a slider at 84-85, a curveball at 72 and a changeup at 76-77 (only threw them to Lopez). Not sure what to think of him, as he is a pitcher that shouldn't be facing too many righties, but his changeup is effective enough to get them out. He is a major league pitcher, just depends on how much you trust him to get out the big left handed bats.
• Brandon Morrow made it exciting by temporarily losing his control and throwing 10 straight pitches up and in to righthanders. His fastball was plus from high 3/4 release, sitting at 93-97 while his slider was 86-87 and his curveball was 85. He has closer stuff and can be a rock in the late innings with his fastball, but these temporary command losses can't be happening, though it was his first game back from the DL. Chance to be a real special closer.
• Rob Johnson is a 26 year old, 6-1, 215 pound catcher. He has a medium frame with a slightly open stance. His game is devoted to the defensive side of the ball, as he shows a plus arm, frames pitches very well and is very able to block balls in the dirt. That being said, we are looking at a major league backup. He double triggers, stepping when the pitcher begins his wind-up and then takes a mini step with a little toe turn as the ball is about to be released. The Twins also exposed a weakness to sliders down (and sliders period), as he struck out 3 times swinging at sliders. Johnson is a better hitter then some catchers who have nailed down back-up jobs though and I think he is in the Henry Blanco type defensive mold (and sadly, might even be a little weaker offensively). If he improves his pitch recognition and can lay off sliders, he is a very useful back up catcher.
• I saw Matt Tolbert when I worked for Rochester and he is the same player. The 27 year old, 6-0, 185 pound infielder is a switch hitter with a medium frame that is maxed out. He has an athletic crouch in his stance with a little bat wiggle. He will never hit for much power and will be overexposed as a regular at 2B, but he does have a future as an utility infielder who may be able to spell at SS every once in awhile. He features the same stance on both sides of the plate and really accelerates his hands back as a trigger, almost as if he is cheating to hit a fastball. He is a very pesky 2-strike hitter and he understands his role, as he is very patient and hustles all over the field. A useful utility player, but will likely be over exposed as a full-time regular.
• Every fly ball to left field was an adventure for Wladimir Balentien. He struggled in the Metrodome (seriously, who has a white dome for a baseball team), but showed some offensive ability. I think he has 20 home run power (though his swing does have some holes) and should be able to hit for a solid average, anywhere from .260 to .280. The issue is that if the power doesn't manifest itself, he is a very average corner outfielder and with prospects like Greg Halman looking to force the issue (10 HR's in AA, though only a .217 average in 106 AB's), Balentien has a very short window to try and impress. If he doesn't hit, he doesn't have much value, as his speed and defense are average tools.

Chart Observations: SEA @ MIN

• King Felix Hernandez started for the Mariners and did not have his best stuff. He also grimaced noticeably on the mound. Hernandez did not throw many curveballs, which I think may be his best (and most underutilized pitch) in favor of more changeup to the left handed heavy Twins lineup. Hernandez was sitting at 91-95 with his fastball, a mid 80's slider, a high 80's changeup that doesn't move much and a low 80's curveball. Felix is still amongst the best pitchers in the game irregardless of this one outing and is still a # 1 starter for a contender.
• Francisco Liriano opposed him (those 2 start and the final is 9-6?). Liriano pitched well through the 1st 3 innings, but then struggled to command his fastball to get ahead of hitters to set-up his plus changeup. Liriano was 90-92 with his fastball and threw a mid 80's slider and low 80's change. Liriano had right handers flailing at his changeup and lefties struggled to contact the slider, but with his velocity in the low 90's and struggling to command it, hitters were able to get into fastball counts.
• Sean White showed me an off-speed pitch in addition to his fastball sitting at 91-94. He threw a low 80's changeup and a low 80's curveball. Neither of these pitches were very special. White has a plus fastball, but has command issues and still appears to be looking for a 2nd pitch. Safeco can only cover up so much, but this kid appears to be a decent 10th guy in the bullpen.
• Denny Stark is currently in the middle of his obligatory 2-week call-up he gets every season. Stark actually featured a fastball at 91-95, much harder then I thought he threw. He also showed a mid 80's slider and mid 80's changeup. The fastball velocity helps explain why he keeps getting chances, but his lack of command coupled with no other real above average offering explains why he keeps riding the bus from Seattle to Tacoma.
• David Aardsma continues to showcase himself, sitting at 92-95 with his hard 4-seamer and was popping in sliders at 81-84. Aardsma has always had the stuff to close. A strong reliever when his command is right, has he finally figured it out?
• Miguel Batista attacked hitters with a fastball at 92-94, a cutter at 86-88 and a changeup at 79. His velocity is back and his cutter has enough movement for hitters to not square it up. I still think he is a little over exposed as a set-up man, but a middle reliever that can give you 2 or 3 innings at a time to bridge a gap are valuable (just not as valuable as what they are currently paying him).
• Luis Ayala was one of the pitchers that I have tabbed to regress this season. He pitched with a fastball at 89-91 and a slider and changeup that sat in the low to mid 80's. Ayala's slider just doesn't seem to have the same bite as it used to and he has begun to mix in more changeups (a fairly straight pitch and is a little below average) and his moving 2-seam fastball. I just don't see how he can last the full season in the pen.
• Matt Guerrier went after guys with a fastball at 90-91, a slider at 82-85, a curveball at 77-78 and a changeup at 83. His fastball is just average, but his slider and curveball are each above average pitches while his changeup drops just enough to make a hitter swing over the top of it. His plus command also allows his pitches to play up. Still think he is more of a middle reliever then an 8th inning guy.
• Joe Nathan didn't show too much of his formerly over-powering slider. He still features a plus fastball (93-95), but the slider was everywhere radar gun wise (82-87) and he also threw a slightly above average curveball (81-83). He is still a quality closer and is amongst the best in baseball and I think his slider will bounce back soon enough.

Sunday Tidbits

• Props to Tony Fiammetta for getting drafted by the Panthers. He should have a pretty good NFL career.
• Charted Anthony Ortega's major league debut and was fairly unimpressed. The kid is your protypical RH starter. He had a high 80's to low 90's 2-seam fastball with some movement, but he had some issues commanding it within the strike zone. He has a plus changeup, but struggled to get ahead in counts to really utilize it. Also features an average curveball that he showed some ability to throw for strikes, but definitely could bury it when he wanted to. With some command help, he could be a middle of the rotation starter, but he is probably a back-end guy.
• Mariner's bullpen may be coming back to earth now. David Aardsma finally allowed a hit and, while he still features a plus fastball, has enough command issues to not really be a great late game option. Mark Lowe struggled to command his off-speed stuff (which is nothing new) and Miguel Batista was a fastball-cutter pitcher for his 2 innings. Once the scouting reports get out on at least these 3, I think they will return to their established career norms.
• Yuniesky Betancourt has zero plate discipline. Zero. It really is quite impressive to watch.
• I am a Howie Kendrick fan, and he has started to show signs of breaking out of his slump. I love his line drive swing and his track record as a hitter through the minors and I still believe in his ability to be an above average stick at the keystone while be an average defender.
• Jose Contreras threw well today. After a rough 1st inning (2 bloops and then a shot for a double off the bat of Adam Lind), he really settled down and matched Roy Halladay pitch for pitch. Contreras really had good command and movement on his splitter today which helped him counteract some of Toronto's quality left handed sticks. Is this an aberration or will he return to his old form? Only time can tell.
• Speaking of Halladay, EVERYTHING he throws, moves. The more amazing part is that he great command of it.
• Color me impressed with the work of the Toronto Blue Jays. Their offense has been dynamic despite the early struggles of Alex Rios (.247-.300-.370). They have gotten a huge boost from Marco Scutaro (.413 OBP out of the leadoff spot) and the return of Aaron Hill from injury (.376-.407-.624). While this offense will likely not last, it doesn't have to. The Jays likely need this offense to last another 2 or 3 weeks, when they are then primed to get rookie sensation Ricky Romero (no overwhelming pitch, but is a middle of the rotation starter for a contender) and Jesse Litsch (who threw off a flat mound yesterday and is hopeful to begin a rehab assignment) back from injury and that will take a lot of burden off the offense. The Jays bullpen also has been utilized tremendously by Cito Gaston, who today utilized Jason Frasor to get out Carlos Quentin and then used Jesse Carlson to get out both Jim Thome and Jermaine Dye. Scott Downs has been incredible in the early going and is a massive upgrade over B.J. Ryan (who was sitting at 87 in his last appearance against Texas) and may even keep the job when Ryan returns from the DL.
• Speaking of Cito Gaston, why did it take so long for him to get another job after leading the Jays to back-to-back championships in the early 90's?