Chart Observations: 8/15 HOU @ MIL

1) Brian Moehler: 104 pitches. 5 strikes swinging. Fastball (5th), 2 Sliders (3rd, 5th), 2 Changeups (3rd, 5th)

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

1st: FB (88-90), CU (79)

2nd: FB (87-90), CU (80-81), SL (78-82), Cut (87-88)

3rd: FB (87-90), CU (80-81), SL (78-84), Cut (85-89)

4th: FB (88-90), CU (81), SL (78), Cut (84), CB (77-78)

5th: FB (88-92), CU (80-81), SL (80-84), Cut (88-89)

2) Mike Burns: 90 pitches. 7 strikes swinging. 2 Fastballs (both in 6th), 4 Sliders (1st, 4th, 2 in 7th), Curveball (1st)

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

1st: No Gameday

2nd: FB (86-90), Split (77)

3rd: FB (88-90), Split (78-82)

4th: FB (88-92), Split (83), SL (82), CB (70)

5th: FB (88), SL (80-82), CB (70-71)

6th: FB (87-92), Split (79-81), SL (83-85), CB (72)

7th: FB (86-91), Split (81), SL (77-81), CB (70)

3) Alberto Arias: 21 pitches. 2 strikes swinging. Fastball, Curveball

• Arias came from a 3/4 release and showed a fastball with good run in on righties with some sink and a power 12-6 curve with good depth.

6th: FB (94-96), CB (82-85)

4) Tim Byrdak: 3 pitches. 0 strikes swinging.

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

6th: FB (91), SL (85-86)

5) Samuel Gervacio: 6 pitches. 0 strikes swinging (4 of the pitches were intentional balls)

• Gervacio is a 6-0, 175 pound righty. The undersized 24 year old has a medium frame that can add a little more muscle, maybe up to 185. He came from a 3/4 release and bounces up and down while waiting to come set until he finally comes set and it amazes me that they don't call a balk everytime. He showed a fastball with some run in on righties and solid sink and a 3-8 slider with solid bite. He threw 2 legit pitches, so I am not sure how I would grade him.

6th: FB (93), SL (85)

6) Yorman Bazardo: 25 pitches. 2 strikes swinging. 2 Sliders (7th, 8th)

• Bazardo came from a high 3/4 release and showed a change with above average sink and good fade from lefties and a 2-7 slider with some bite.

7th: FB (92-94), CU (80-84), SL (81-82)

8th: FB (91-94), CU (82-85), SL (83-84)

7) Dave Weathers: 9 pitches. 0 strikes swinging.

• Weathers came from a 3/4 release and showed a fastball with good run in on righties and a change with some fade from lefties with okay sink.

8th: FB (88-90), CU (85)

8) Todd Coffey: 9 pitches. 2 strikes swinging. Fastball, Slider.

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

9th: FB (96-97), SL (85)

Chart Observations: 8/8 MIL @ HOU

1) Manny Parra: 107 pitches. 9 strikes swinging. 5 Fastballs (2 in 1st, 4th, 5th, 6th), 4 Splitters (2nd, 4th, 2 in 5th)

• Parra came from an over the top release with a fastball that has a little tail on righties, a power 11-5 curve with average depth, a change with some fade from righties with sink and a split with good diving action. He will throw his change in any count.

1st: FB (91-94), CU (85), Split (83-85)

2nd: FB (90-93), CU (84-85), CB (77), Split (83)

3rd: FB (91-93), CU (84-85), CB (76), Split (82)

4th: FB (90-95), CU (83-85), CB (74-76), Split (83-84)

5th: FB (90-95), CU (82), CB (72), Split (82-84)

6th: FB (87-93), CU (85), CB (72), Split (81)

2) Mike Hampton: 48 pitches. 2 strikes swinging. 2 Cutters (1st, 2nd)

• Hampton came from a high 3/4 release with a fastball with a little run in on lefties, a cutter that looks like a slider with 11-5 movement, a change with good fade from righties with good sink, a big breaking 11-5 curve with solid depth. He was leaving his change up and on his armside. He left the game with an injury, again.

1st: FB (83-91), Cut (84-87), CU (77-79)

2nd: FB (84-91), Cut (84-88), CU (77-78), CB (73-78)

3) Yorman Bazardo: 41 pitches. 1 strike swinging. Fastball.

• Bazardo is a 6-2, 220 pound righty. The 25 year old has a medium frame that is maxed out. He came from a high 3/4, almost 3/4 release. His fastball has good run in on righties with good sink. His slider is a 2-7 offering with slightly above average bite. His change has some fade from lefties with good sink that he will throw to righties. The change is his out pitch. He is a better fit as a starter then a reliever due to all his offerings being slightly average. He will struggle as a reliever.

3rd: FB (89-93), CU (82-84), SL (81-85)

4) Wesley Wright: 61 pitches. 4 strikes swinging. 2 Fastballs (4th, 6th), Changeup (5th), Slider (6th)

• Wright is a 5-11, 175 pound lefty. The 24 year old has a small frame that can add more muscle everywhere. He came from anywhere form a high 3/4 to 3/4 release. His curveball is a 11-5 offering with slightly above average depth. His fastball has some run in on lefties. His slider is a 10-4 offering with good late bite. His change has some fade from righties with sink. He looks to have the look to be a solid middle reliever eventually.

4th: FB (91-94), CB (79-82), SL (85-86)

5th: FB (90-93), CB (80-83), SL (85-86), CU (86)

6th: FB (91-94), CB (80-81), SL (83-87), CU (85-86)

5) Claudio Vargas: 23 pitches. 1 strike swinging. Fastball (7th)

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

6th: FB (89-92)

7th: FB (90-93), SL (80-82)

6) Tim Byrdak: 38 pitches. 1 strike swinging. Fastball (7th)

• Byrdak came from an over the top release with a fastball with some run in on righties, a change that moves like his fastball with a little sink, a 11-5 slider with solid bite and a 11-5 curve with some depth that he will hang.

7th: FB (85-92), SL (82-84), CU (81-84), CB (77)

8th: FB (89-91), SL (79-83), CU (80-85)

7) Chris Smith: 17 pitches. 1 strike swinging. Changeup.

• Smith came from an over the top release and showed a fastball with good run in on righties with good sink and a change with some fade from lefties with sink that he will throw to righties.

8th: FB (87-90), CU (74-76)

8) Alberto Arias: 16 pitches. 0 strikes swinging.

• Arias came from a 3/4 release and showed a fastball with good run in on righties with sink and a power 12-6 curve with solid depth.

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

9) Mike Burns: 12 pitches. 0 strikes swinging.

• Burns came from an over the top release with a straight 4-seam fastball and a 2-7 slider with below average bite.

9th: FB (89-92), SL (79-82)

Chart Observations: DET @ HOU

1) Justin Verlander: 118 pitches. 10 strikes swinging. 8 on Fastballs (3 in 1st, 2nd, 2 in 3rd, 4th, 6th) and 2 on changeups (both in 1st)

• He came from an over the top release and showed a fastball with some run and a little sink in on righties, a change with excellent fade and sink, a 12-6 curve with good depth and bite and a sharp 2-7 slider with some bite, but not much. He will throw changes to righties and only threw the slider to righties, mostly Hunter Pence. Verlander's command wasn't as good as it has been and he was pitching to the middle of the plate quite a bit.

1st: FB (93-100), CB (77-83), CU (83-84)

2nd: FB (92-96), CB (78), CU (83)

3rd: FB (91-99), CB (79-83), CU (83), SL (88)

4th: FB (92-96), CB (77-80)

5th: FB (92-94), CB (77), CU (81), SL (87)

6th: FB (93-97), CB (78-81), CU (84)

2) Wandy Rodriguez: 106 pitches. 3 strikes swinging. 2 on Curves (both in 2nd) and a Change (1st)

• He came from a high 3/4 release and showed a straight 4-seam fastball, a big breaking 11-5 curve with good depth and a straight change with a little sink. I am not a huge fan, as his command is erratic and doesn't have a true out pitch. He is a # 3 or # 4 starter.

1st: FB (90-93), CB (75-78), CU (85-87)

2nd: FB (89-92), CB (78), CU (85)

3rd: FB (89-91), CU (83-84)

4th: FB (88-90), CB (74-77)

5th: FB (88-93), CB (75-81), CU (83)

6th: FB (87-90), CB (73-76)

3) Nate Robertson: 3 pitches. 0 strikes swinging.

• The Tigers latest attempt to make Nate Robertson relevant is to use him as a loogy. He came from a high 3/4 release and showed a fastball with some sink and a little run in on righties. He is a long reliever and doesn't make a good LOOGY due to him not having a dominant off speed pitch for lefties.

6th: FB (86-88)

4) Zach Miner: 18 pitches. 0 strikes swinging.

• Miner is a 6-3, 200 pound righty. The 27 year old has a medium to big frame that is nearly maxed out. He comes from a 3/4 release. His fastball is a 2-seam with excellent run in on righties and has some sink. His slider is a 2-7 pitch with good bite. His change has a little fade and sink that he will throw to righties. His curve is a 1-7 pitch with solid depth. He is in the perfect role for him, to pitch the 6th and 7th to get them to their end game guys. May be able to hold a Scot Shields type role for a couple of years.

6th: FB (93-94), SL (83)

7th: FB (92-95), SL (81), CU (81), CB (74)

5) Alberto Arias: 32 pitches. 2 strikes swinging. Fastball, Curve (both in 7th)

• He came from a high 3/4 release and showed a power 12-6 curve and a fastball with excellent run and sink in on righties. Still a fan of this guy.

7th: FB (92-96), CB (80-83)

8th: FB (92-94), CB (80-82)

6) Tim Byrdak: 10 pitches. 1 strike swinging. Fastball.

• He came from a high 3/4 release and showed a straight 4-seam fastball and a sharp 11-4 slider with solid bite.

8th: FB (90-92), SL (84-85)

7) Chris Sampson: 7 pitches. 0 strikes swinging.

• He came from a high 3/4 release and showed a 2-seam fastball with good run and sink in on righties, a 2-7 slider with solid bite and a 2-7 curve that had some depth and was slower then his slider.

8th: FB (87-89), SL (81-84), CB (76)

8) Joel Zumaya: 30 pitches. 0 strikes swinging.

• Zumaya is a 6-3, 210 pound righty. The 24 year old has a medium frame that is maxed out. He comes from a 3/4, almost high 3/4 release. His fastball is a dead straight 4-seam that can flash some run in on righties. He has a classic drop and drive delivery and alsoo shows a 1-8 power curve with good depth. His command was a question in this outing, but his mechanics appear to be pretty clean. Future closer.

7th: CB (80-81)

8th: FB (99-102), CB (80-82)

9) Freddy Dolsi: 3 pitches. 0 strikes swinging.

• Dolsi is a 6-0, 160 pound righty. The 26 year old has a medium frame that can add a lot more muscle. He is your typical long and lanky pitcher. He comes from an over the top release. His fastball has excellent run in on righties while his slider is a 2-7 pitch with okay bite. He was in the middle of the plate with his fastball and struggles to command it due to the movement he generates with it. He is a solid middle reliever who could be a set-up man if he figures out his fastball command.

8th: FB (95), SL (86)

10) LaTroy Hawkins: 10 pitches. 0 strikes swinging.

• Hawkins came from an over the top release and showed a sharp 12-6 curve with good depth, a sharp slider that moves more like a cutter and a straight 4-seam fastball.

9th: FB (93-96), SL (88-90), CB (79-81)

CHC @ HOU

• Ted Lilly is a 33 year old who stands 6-1, 190. The lefty has a medium frame that can add more muscle. He comes from an over the top release with a classic drop and drive delivery with a good hip turn that helps him hide the ball. His fastball shows some fade and sink and he will add and subtract from it. His slider shows good bite, but it can also hang. His curveball is a big breaking 12-6 while his change shows good fade and sink. Classic # 4 starter and a good innings eater.

1st: FB (86-91), SL (82-84), CU (81), CB (72-73)

2nd: FB (84-89), SL (80-85), CU (81), CB (71)

3rd: FB (85-91), SL (82-85), CB (72)

4th: FB (89-90), CU (79-81), CB (69-71)

5th: FB (82-87), SL (84-85), CU (82-84), CB (66-70)

6th: FB (86-91), SL (82-85), CU (81), CB (72-75)

7th: FB (87-89), SL (77-85), CU (80-81)

• Brian Moehler, a 6-3, 225 pound righty opposed him. The 37 year old has a medium to big frame that is maxed out. He comes from a high 3/4 release. His fastball is a 2-seam with some fade and sink. His change shows some sink and fade. His curveball is a 12-6 offering with okay depth. His cutter has some cut and sink. He battled his command a little bit in this outing, but did get hit around. He is a swingman who works best bouncing between roles. Sadly, the Astros have to many of these.

1st: FB (85-88), Cut (84-88), CU (78-80), CB (75-79), SL (78-82)

2nd: FB (86-88), Cut (83-87), CU (79-80), CB (75-78), SL (82)

3rd: FB (86-88), CB (77)

• Brandon Backe comes from a 3/4 release with a fastball that shows some fade and a little sink, a slider that is a 2-7 offering with good bite, a 12-6 curve with okay depth and a cutter that has little visible cut. Another swingman.

4th: FB (89-91), SL (83-84), CB (78), Cut (88-91)

5th: FB (87-92), SL (82-84), CB (74-79), Cut (87-90)

6th: FB (87-91), SL (81-83), CB (70-73), Cut (86-88)

• Alberto Arias comes from a high 3/4 release with a fastball that has good fade and sink and a power curve with good downward action that is a 1-8 offering. He is the only for sure major leaguer I saw from the Astros pitching tonight that I would want in my pen. His fastball command can be spotty.

7th: FB (90-94), CB (80-82)

8th: FB (91-94), CB (81-82)

• Tim Byrdak finished the game for the Astros. He comes from a high 3/4 release with a fastball that has some fade, a change with some fade and sink and a sweeping 3-9 slider. He struggled to command his pitches and was missing down and appeared to be nibbling. Useful as a 2nd lefty, but that is about it.

9th: FB (88-92), SL (83-86), CU (82-87)

• Aaron Heilman is a 30 year old who stands 6-5, 225. The right hander has a big frame that can add a little more muscle. He comes from a 3/4 release. His fastball shows good fade and sink. His slider is a 2-7 offering that shows good bite. His change shows good fade and sink and generates weak contact, as it looks like a fastball out of his hand. Good multi-inning reliever who can serve as a bridge to your closer with his ability to get out both lefties and righties.

7th: FB (93), SL (82-84)

8th: FB (92-93), SL (81-84), CU (83-87)

• Sean Marshall is a 26 year old who stands 6-7, 220. The lefty has a big frame that can add a lot more muscle. He comes from a high 3/4 release. His fastball has some fade. His slider is a 10-4 offering with decent bite and his curve is a big breaking 11-5 offering. Major league pitcher, just don't know what role. He doesn't have a wipeout breaking pitch, so I think he would fit better as a # 5 starter.

9th: FB (87-89), SL (84-85), CB (73-75)

Off tomorrow.

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.