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)

Chart Observations: 9/30: HOU @ PHI

1) Pedro Martinez: 84 pitches. FB, CU, Cut, CB. 7 strikes swinging. 3 Curveballs, 2 Fastballs, 2 Changeups.

• Martinez came from a 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 cutter with good cut and a 12-6 curve with slightly above average depth.

1st: FB (85-92), CU (77-79), Cut (80-83), CB (71) - 2 FB (Blum, Pence), CU (Pence)

2nd: FB (83-90), CU (75-78), Cut (80-84), CB (70-73) - 2 CB (Tejada, Berkman), CU (Bourn)

3rd: FB (84-88), CU (77), Cut (79-83), CB (69-75) - CB (Pence)

4th: FB (85-89), CU (79), Cut (77-79), CB (70)

2) Brian Moehler: 73 pitches. FB, Cut, CB, CU, SL. 2 strikes swinging. Changeup, Curveball.

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

1st: FB (87-89), CU (81) - CU (Utley)

2nd: FB (86-89), Cut (85-86), CB (78-79)

3rd: FB (87-89), CU (80), SL (81-82)

4th: FB (87-89), CU (79-81), Cut (85), CB (78-79), SL (81-83) - CB (Victorino)

5th: FB (86-88), CU (78), CB (76-79)

3) Kyle Kendrick: 53 pitches. FB, CU, SL. 5 strikes swinging. 3 Fastballs, Cutter, Changeup.

• Kendrick came from a high 3/4 release and showed a fastball with good run in on righties and good sink, a cutter with some cut and some sink and a change with some fade from lefties and some sink.

5th: FB (89-93), Cut (85-86), CU (87) - 2 FB (Berkman, Blum)

6th: FB (91-93), Cut (85-87), CU (82-85) - Cut (Johnson)

7th: FB (89-93), Cut (82-85), CU (86) - FB (Lee), CU (Blum)

4) Wesley Wright: 3 pitches. FB, SL, CB, CU. 0 strikes swinging.

• Wright came from a high 3/4 release and showed a fastball with some run in on lefties and some sink and a sweeping 11-5 curve with average depth.

5th: FB (89-90), CB (81)

5) Sam Gervacio: 12 pitches. FB, SL, CU. 2 strikes swinging. Fastball, Changeup.

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

6th: FB (88-91), SL (84-88), CU (82-86) - FB (Kendrick), CU (Kendrick)

6) Tim Byrdak: 21 pitches. FB, SL, CU, CB. 1 strike swinging. Changeup.

• Byrdak came from an over the top release and showed a straight 4-seam fastball, a 11-5 slider with good bite and a change with some fade from righties and a little sink.

7th: FB (87-92), SL (78-84), CU (81-83) - CU (Howard)

7) Chad Durbin: 17 pitches. FB, Cut, CU, CB, SL. 1 strike swinging. Fastball.

• Durbin came from a 3/4 release and showed a cutter with good cut and some sink, a fastball with some run in on righties and some sink and a 12-6 curve with average depth.

8th: FB (88-91), Cut (86-91), CB (74-75) - FB (Matsui)

8) Jose Valverde: 17 pitches. FB, Split, SL. 1 strike swinging. Fastball.

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

8th: FB (94-96), Split (84-88) - FB (Tracy)

9) Scott Eyre: 6 pitches. FB, SL, CU. 0 strikes swinging.

• Eyre came from an over the top release and showed a fastball with some run in on lefties and some sink and a 11-5 slider with good bite.

9th: FB (88-91), SL (82)

10) Brad Lidge: 1 pitch. FB, SL, CU. 0 strikes swinging.

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

9th: FB (94)

9/29: HOU @ PHI

1) J.A. Happ: 119 pitches. (FB, Cut, CU, CB). 11 strikes swinging. 7 Fastballs, 2 Cutters, 2 Changeups.

• Happ came from an over the top release and showed a pretty straight 4-seam fastball, a straight change that looks like a fastball out of his hand that he will throw in 2-0., 3-0 and 3-1 counts, a cutter with good downward action to it and a 11-5 curve with average depth.

1st: FB (89-92), Cut (81-83), CU (80-81) - FB (Matsui), Cut (Berkman)

2nd: FB (89-91), Cut (84-85), CU (78-81), CB (74) - 2 FB (Pence - 2), Cut (Michaels)

3rd: FB (87-89), Cut (81-83), CU (79-80), CB (72)

4th: FB (88-92), Cut (81-83), CU (79-81) - CU (Michaels)

5th: FB (87-91), Cut (81-83), CU (79-81) - 2 FB (Matsui, Keppinger)

6th: FB (88-91), Cut (80), CU (79-80) - 2 FB (Johnson, Matsui), CU (Johnson)

2) Wilton Lopez: 57 pitches. (FB, SL, CU). 3 strikes swinging. 3 Fastballs.

• Lopez came from a high 3/4 release and showed a fastball with some run in on righties and some sink, a change with some fade from lefties and some sink and a 2-7 with a little bite.

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

2nd: FB (90-95), CU (85) - 3 FB (Howard - 2, Ibanez)

3rd: FB (90-93), CU (83-84)

4th: FB (89-93), CU (82-85), SL (83-84)

3) Wesley Wright: 27 pitches. (FB, SL, CB). 2 strikes swinging. 2 Fastballs.

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

4th: FB (91)

5th: FB (90-93), SL (84-86), CB (81-82) - 2 FB (Howard, Werth)

4) Chad Paronto: 19 pitches. (FB, SL, CU). 0 strikes swinging.

• Paronto is a 6-5, 285 pound righty. The 34 year old righty has a big frame that is maxed out with quite a bit of bad weight and he has a gut. He probably needs to get his weight down to about 270. He came from a high 3/4 release working predominately from the stretch with solid mechanics. His fastball has some run in on righties and some sink. His slider is a 2-7 with a hint of bite. His change has some fade from lefties and a little sink. 4-A pitcher at best. Left the game with an apparent knee injury.

6th: FB (87-90), SL (83)

7th: FB (89-91), SL (81-85), CU (83)

5) Jamie Moyer: 24 pitches. (FB, CU, Cut, CB). 0 strikes swinging.

• Moyer came from a high 3/4 release and showed a fastball with some run in on lefties and some sink, a change with some late fade from righties and some sink and a cutter with good cut. Left the game with an apparent groin injury.

6th: FB (83-84), CU (77)

7th: FB (79-84), CU (74-77), Cut (77-82)

6) Jeff Fulchino: 7 pitches. (FB, SL, Split). 1 strike swinging. Splitter.

• Fulchino came from an over the top release and showed a fastball with a little run in on righties and a splitter with some dive.

7th: FB (94-95), Split (85-87) - Split (Ibanez)

7) Ryan Madson: 27 pitches. (FB, CU, Cut). 1 strike swinging. Fastball.

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

8th: FB (95-97)

9th: FB (94-97), Cut (90), CU (83) - FB (Lee)

8) Sam Gervacio: 14 pitches. (FB, SL, CU). 1 strike swinging. Slider.

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

9th: FB (89-92), SL (83-86), CU (84) - SL (Bako)

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)

Cubs/Astros Extras

1) Geoff Geary: FB, SL, CB, CU
4/25: 34 pitches. 2 strikes swinging. 2 Sliders.

• Geary is a 6-0, 180 pound righty. The 33 year old righty has a small frame that can add a little more muscle to the lower body. He came from an over the top release with pretty clean mechanics working predominately from the stretch. His fastball has some run in on righties and a little sink. His slider is a 2-7 offering with good bite that can hang and he threw a lot of hanging sliders in this outing. His curve is a 12-6 with slightly below average depth. His change has some fade from lefties and some sink that he will throw to righties. His constant hanging of off-speed pitches is what prevents him from being a solid middle reliever.

10th: FB (91-92), SL (82-83), CB (80) - SL (Hall)

11th: FB (90-91), SL (82-83), CB (80-81), CU (82) - SL (Hart)

2) Chad Fox: FB, SL

5/7: 17 pitches. 0 strikes swinging.

• Fox is a 6-3, 215 pound righty. The 39 year old has a medium frame that won't be adding anything to his frame. He came from an over the top release with pretty clean mechanics. His fastball has a little run in on righties, but is fairly straight. His slider is a 2-7 offering with some bite. He is down with another serious arm injury, so his career may be over.

9th: FB (93-94), SL (82-84)

3) Neal Cotts: FB, SL, CU

5/25: 25 pitches. FB (88-91), SL (81-86)

• Cotts is a 6-1, 200 pound lefty. The 29 year old has a medium frame that can add more muscle everywhere and get up to about 215. He came from a high 3/4 release with pretty clean mechanics working predominately from the stretch. His fastball has a little run in on lefties, but is a pretty straight offering. I believe Cotts is throwing both a cutter and a slider. His cutter has some cut and a little sink while his slider is a 10-5 offering with okay bite. I think he can still help someone as a full inning reliever, but he needs to starter proving it.

6th: FB (88-91), SL (81-84), Cut (84-86)

4) Jason Waddell: FB, CB, SL

5/31: 14 pitches. 2 strikes swinging. 2 Fastballs

• Waddell is a 6-2, 200 pound lefty. The 28 year old has a medium frame that can add a little more muscle to his frame. Athletic build. He came from a high 3/4 release and showed a fastball with good run in on lefties. His mechanics were pretty clean and he worked predominately from the stretch. His curve is a 11-5 offering with good depth. I feel he can help someone as a LOOGY, but he can't face too many righties. His fastball has good movement that is tough on lefties and his curve does enough to be an out pitch to them.

6th: FB (87-90), CB (73-75) - 2 FB (Milton, Furcal)

5) Mitch Atkins: FB, SL, CB

7/30: 13 pitches. FB (89-90), SL (83-87), CB (75-76)

• Atkins is a 6-3, 230 pound righty. The 23 year old has a medium frame that is maxed out. Strong, athletic build. He came from a high 3/4 release with pretty clean mechanics. His curve is a 1-7 pitch with average depth. His fastball is a pretty straight 4-seam. His cutter has some cut. Looks like a 4-A pitcher to me, as he does not have an above average pitch.

8th: FB (89-90), Cut (83-87), CB (75-76)

Chart Observations: 9/17 HOU @ CIN

1) Yorman Bazardo: 87 pitches. (FB, CU, SL). 3 strikes swinging. 2 Fastballs, Slider.

• Bazardo came from a high 3/4 release and showed a fastball with some run in on righties and some sink, a 2-7 slider with some bite and a change with some fade from lefties and some sink that he will throw to righties.

1st: FB (89-94), SL (82-87) - FB (Rolen)

2nd: FB (89-92), SL (83-86)

3rd: FB (91-94), SL (83-86), CU (83-84)

4th: FB (92-94), SL (82-84), CU (84) - FB (Balentien), SL (Tatum)

5th: FB (92-94), SL (81-85), CU (84)

2) Justin Lehr: 99 pitches. (FB, Split, Cut, CB, SL). 10 strikes swinging. 6 Splitters, 3 Cutters, Curveball.

• Lehr is a 6-2, 215 pound righty. The 32 year old has a medium frame that appears to be maxed out. He came from an over the top release with fairly clean mechanics and no real red flags. His fastball has some run in on righties and some sink. His split has good dive. His curve is a 12-6 with slightly above average depth that is a little loopy that he will throw 3-2. His slider is a 2-7 with below average bite. His cutter has some cut and some sink. The splitter is his out pitch to both lefties and righties.

1st: FB (83-87), Split (78-80), Cut (82), CB (69-73), SL (78) - 2 Split (Bourn, Blum)

2nd: FB (84-86), Split (80-81), Cut (84), CB (71-72), SL (77) - Split (Manzella)

3rd: FB (82-87), Split (77-82), Cut (84-85), CB (70-73), SL (78-79) - Split (Blum)

4th: FB (83-87), Split (79-82), Cut (82), CB (70-73), SL (78) - Split (Pence), CB (Manzella)

5th: FB (85), Split (79-80), Cut (83-85), CB (70-72), SL (78) - Split (Blum), 3 Cut (Towles - 2, Manzella)

3) Pedro Viola: 11 pitches. (FB, SL, CU). 0 strikes swinging.

• Viola came from a high 3/4 release and showed a fastball with some run in on lefties and some sink, a 11-5 slider with solid bite and a straight change with some sink.

6th: FB (92-94), SL (80), CU (88)

4) Jared Burton: 18 pitches. (Cut, SL, FB, CU). 3 strikes swinging. 2 Changeups, Slider.

• Burton came from a 3/4 release and showed a cutter with solid cut, a change with some fade from lefties and some sink that he will throw to righties and a 2-7 slider with good bite.

6th: Cut (91-92), CU (86-87)

7th: Cut (90-91), CU (87-88), SL (83-84) - 2 CU (Towles - 2), SL (Blum)

5) Wilton Lopez: 22 pitches. (FB, SL, CU). 2 strikes swinging. 2 Fastballs.

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

6th: FB (90-93), SL (83-85) - 2 FB (Tatum, Bruce)

6) Wesley Wright: 7 pitches. (FB, SL, CB, CU). 0 strikes swinging.

• Wright came from a high 3/4 release and showed a 11-5 slider with good bite that he will throw 3-2 and a fastball with some run in on lefties and some sink.

7th: FB (90-92), SL (84-85)

7) Jeff Fulchino: 31 pitches. (FB, SL, Split). 8 strikes swinging. 4 Splitters, 2 Sliders, 2 Fastballs.

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

7th: FB (93-94), SL (81-85), Split (82-85) - FB (Barker), 2 Split (Francisco, Balentien)

8th: FB (93), SL (82-85), Split (82-86) - FB (Bruce), 2 Split (Bruce, Janish), 2 SL (Stubbs - 2)

8) Nick Masset: 9 pitches. (FB, Cut, CB, Split). 1 strike swinging. Curveball.

• Masset came from an over the top release and showed a straight 4-seam fastball, a cutter with some cut, a 12-6 curve with above average depth and a split with some dive that can flatten out.

8th: FB (94-95), Cut (90), CB (81-84), Split (89) - CB (Coste)

9) Francisco Cordero: 11 pitches. (FB, SL, CU). 1 strike swinging. Slider.

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

9th: FB (94-96), SL (87-88) - SL (Pence)

• Tommy Manzella is a 6-2, 200 pound shortstop. The 26 year old righty/righty has a medium frame that can get up to about 215 if he so desires. Athletic, skinny build. His stance is a slightly crouched, straight on stance that is fairly generic. He has a long load and cocks the bat, almost moving it a touch forward before he moves it back. He also has a step in his trigger. Has a long swing and also lacks pitch recognition, not a good combination. On defense, he has an above average arm and soft hands. Utility player who will never hit enough to be a starter.
• Juan Francisco is a 6-2, 180 pound third basemen who made a pinch hit appearance. The 22 year old lefty hitter, righty thrower has a medium frame that looks like it can add more muscle to his upper body. Strong lower half with an athletic build. He has an open stance where he is up on his front toe and has a little bit of a bat wiggle. His trigger is a cocking of the bat and a stride to square himself up. Kind of hunches over as he prepares to hit, which will limit his power production. Is a timing hitter, meaning he likes to guess and can look silly at the plate at times. Solid eye at the plate. Nothing I saw in his 1 at bat would lead me to believe he can't be an everday hitter.

9/10: ATL @ HOU

1) Roy Oswalt: 71 pitches. 9 strikes swinging. 4 Fastballs, 2 Sliders, 2 Curveballs, Changeup.

• Oswalt came from an over the top release and showed a fastabll with some run in on righties and some sink, a change with some fade from lefties and some sink that he will throw 3-2, a big breaking 12-6 curve with slightly above average depth and a 2-7 slider with solid bite.

1st: FB (91-94), CB (71-76), SL (84-85), CU (83-85) - 3 FB, 2 CB

2nd: FB (90-95), CB (65-74), SL (80-81), CU (83-85) - FB, 2 SL, CU

2) Derek Lowe: 101 pitches. 6 strikes swinging. 4 Sliders, 2 Fastballs.

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

1st: FB (88-90), SL (80-82), CU (83), Cut (87) - FB

2nd: FB (88-89), Cut (86)

3rd: FB (87-89), SL (78-81)

4th: FB (87-89), SL (80-83) - FB, 2 SL

5th: FB (86-89), SL (81-84), CU (83), Cut (85-86) - 2 SL

6th: FB (88-89), SL (81-82)

3) Billy Sadler: 25 pitches. 3 strikes swinging. 2 Curveballs, Fastball.

• Sadler is a 6-0, 195 pound righty. The 28 year old has a medium frame that can get up to 205 at least. He came from a 3/4 release with real bizarre mechanics and is extremely herky jerky. He has a classic drop and drive, but really exaggerates his hip turn and his limbs are moving every which way. His fastball has some run in on righties. His curve is a 10-5 with average depth. His change is straight with a little sink that he will throw to righties and it is not very good. 4-A guy who just doesn't have great stuff.

3rd: FB (89-91), CB (76), CU (82) - FB, CB

4th: FB (88-91), CB (77-78), CU (79-82) - CB

4) Wesley Wright: 8 pitches. 1 strike swinging. Slider.

• Wright came from a high 3/4 release and showed a fastball with some run in on lefties, a sweeping 11-5 slider with good bite

4th: FB (90-91), SL (79-81) - SL

5) Wilton Lopez: 27 pitches. 1 strike swinging. Fastball.

• Lopez is a 6-0, 200 pound righty. The 26 year old has a medium frame that can add a little more muscle to his lower half. Athletic build. He came from a 3/4 release with a drop and drive delivery that was fairly clean. His fastball has good run in on righties and some sink. His slider is a sharp 2-7 with some bite. His change has some fade from lefties and some sink. Solid middle reliever who should force a lot of groundballs.

5th: FB (90-94), SL (83-85), CU (83)

6th: FB (91-95) - FB

6) Eric O'Flaherty: 18 pitches. 1 strike swinging. Slider.

• O'Flaherty came from an over the top release and showed a fastball with good run in on lefties, a 11-5 slider with good bite and a change with some fade from righties and some sink.

6th: FB (89-92), SL (84) - SL

7th: FB (90-92), SL (83-85), CU (83-86)

7) Sam Gervacio: 14 pitches. 2 strikes swinging. 2 Sliders.

• Gervacio came from a 3/4 release and showed a fastball with good run in on righties and good sink, a tight 3-8 slider with okay bite and a

7th: FB (88-90), SL (83-85) - 2 SL

8) Peter Moylan: 23 pitches. 0 strikes swinging.

• Moylan came from a sidearm release and showed a 3-8 slider with good bite and a fastball with some run in on righties.

7th: FB (90), SL (77)

8th: FB (88-92), SL (78-80)

9) Tim Byrdak: 12 pitches. 2 strikes swinging. 2 Sliders.

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

8th: FB (87-90), SL (81-86) - 2 SL

10) Doug Brocail: 15 pitches. 1 strike swinging. Fastball.

• Brocail is a 6-5, 235 pound righty. The 42 year old has a big frame that is maxed out. He came from an over the top release in fairly clean mechanics and showed a fastball with some run in on righties and some sink. His curve is a big breaking 12-6 with above average depth. His cutter has some cut. Solid middle reliever, though this is probably his last hurrah.

9th: FB (87-91), CB (77), Cut (87) - FB

11) Mike Gonzalez: 22 pitches. 2 strikes swinging. 2 Sliders.

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

9th: FB (93-96), SL (77-86) - 2 SL

• Chris Johnson is a 6-3, 220 pound third basemen. The 24 year old has a medium frame that is maxed out. He has a fairly straight up stance with a slight bent. His trigger is a shifting of weight and a cocking of the bat. Bat looks a little slow in this game, he either isn't seeing the ball well or has a slow bat. Very clean stance with little wasted motion. Looks like he should be a solid gap to gap hitter.

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: 8/7 MIL @ HOU

1) Carlos Villanueva: 72 pitches. 6 strikes swinging. Fastball (4th), 4 Sliders (2 in 1st, 2nd, 5th), Changeup (4th)

• Villanueva came from an over the top release and showed a fastball with above average run in on righties, a 1-7 slider with above average bite, a change with good fade from lefties with good sink that he will throw to righties and a 12-6 curve with above average depth that is more of a get-ahead pitch. He can have bouts of wildness and his slider is his out pitch.

1st: FB (86-90), CU (80-82), SL (82), CB (73)

2nd: FB (87-89), CU (80-82), SL (79-82)

3rd: FB (87-89), CU (81), SL (79-81), CB (74)

4th: FB (87-90), CU (80-81), SL (79-81), CB (73)

5th: FB (87-89), CU (79-81), SL (78-81), CB (74)

6th: CU (79), CB (72)

2) Bud Norris: 105 pitches. 14 strikes swinging. 4 Fastballs (1st, 2nd, 3rd, 6th), 7 Cutters (2nd, 3 in 3rd, 3 in 4th), 3 Changeups (1st, 2 in 6th)

• Norris is a 6-0, 225 pound righty. The 24 year old has a medium frame that is maxed out with big thighs and has that short and stocky like build. He came from a high 3/4 release and was primarily fastball-cutter. His fastball has a little run in on righties while his cutter has solid cut. His change has above average fade from lefties with good sink that he will throw to righties, but he struggles to command it and doesn't have a lot of confidence in it. His changeup will play at this level and if he develops a feel for it, he can be a pretty sound # 2 starter. His command overall is fairly good and he will be able to translate to the pen and be a set-up guy if all else fails.

1st: FB (92-95), Cut (86-89), CU (86)

2nd: FB (93-95), Cut (87-90)

3rd: FB (92-94), Cut (87-88)

4th: FB (92-95), Cut (85-88), CU (85-87)

5th: FB (92-94), Cut (86-89)

6th: FB (92-96), Cut (88-91), CU (85-88)

3) Mark DiFelice: 15 pitches. 0 strikes swinging.

• DiFelice came from a 3/4 release and showed a cutter with good cut.

6th: Cut (82-84)

4) Claudio Vargas: 7 pitches. 0 strikes swinging.

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

7th: FB (88-91), SL (81)

5) Chris Sampson: 16 pitches. 2 strikes swinging. Fastball, Slider.

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

7th: FB (88-90), SL (80-83), CB (78-80)

6) Tim Byrdak: 8 pitches. 0 strikes swinging.

• Byrdak came from a 3/4 release with a 9-4 slider with solid bite, a fastball with a little run in on lefties and a flat 9-4 curve that can just hang.

7th: FB (90-91), SL (82-83), CB (77)

7) Jeff Fulchino: 17 pitches. 3 strikes swinging. 2 Fastballs (7th, 8th), Splitter (7th)

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

7th: FB (91-94), SL (82), Split (82)

8th: FB (91-94), SL (81-83), Split (82-83)

8) Jesus Colome: 10 pitches. 1 strike swinging. Fastball.

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

8th: FB (93-95), SL (86)

9) Jose Valverde: 14 pitches. 0 strikes swinging.

• Valverde came from a 3/4 release and showed a splitter with above average dive and a straight 4-seam fastball with a little run in on righties.

9th: FB (95-98), Split (86)

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)

6/24 Score: KC @ HOU

Been really busy the last couple of days working on an extra project for BIS, but here is the 2 things that haven't yet been added:

1) Luke Hochevar: 93 strikes. 10 strikes swinging. 9 on sliders (4 in 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 3 in 7th) and 1 on a curveball (5th).

• He comes from a high 3/4 release. His fastball has good run and sink and is more of a late action pitch. His slider is a 2-7 pitch with good bite that he started on the outside corner and let the Astros flail at it. He starts his windup with the back of his left foot up and his right foot is already turned. His curveball is a 12-6 pitch with good depth that he didn't start using until the 2nd time through the order. For a pitcher who relies on a sinker, the lack of swing and misses has to be concerning. His upside is that of a # 3 starter.

1st: FB (90-93), SL (83)

2nd: FB (91-94), SL (83-86)

3rd: FB (91-93), SL (83-85)

4th: FB (90-93), SL (83-85), CB (73-74)

5th: FB (92-94), SL (83-86), CB (75-76)

6th: FB (91-93), SL (83-84), CB (76)

7th: FB (91-93), SL (82-85), CB (75)

2) Roy Oswalt: 106 pitches. 13 strikes swinging. 8 on Fastballs (2 in 2nd, 3 in 5th, 3 in 6th), 3 on Curveballs (3rd, 2 in 4th) and 2 on Sliders (4th, 6th)

• Roy is a 6-0 190 pound righty. The 31 year old has a medium frame that can add a little more muscle. He comes from an over the top release. His fastball is a 4-seam with some run in on righties and it flashes some sink, though he will also throw a harder one that is straight. His curveball is a 12-5 with solid depth and he throws it all over the place velocity wise. His curveball looks like a fastball out of his hand until it breaks downward. His slider is a sharp 2-7 with good bite. His change has some fade and sink, but is his 4th pitch. Ace stuff still, but his pitch counts have been high both games I have seen him this year, making him more of a very strong # 2.

1st: FB (91-95), CB (71-72)

2nd: FB (93-95), CB (70-80)

3rd: FB (93-94), CB (64-77), SL (85)

4th: FB (93-96), CB (68-72), SL (84-85)

5th: FB (92-94), CB (70-71), SL (83), CU (81)

6th: FB (90-96), CB (65-78), SL (84-86)

3) Chris Sampson: 9 pitches. 0 strikes swinging.

• He came from a high 3/4 release and showed a 2-seam fastball with some run and sink, a 12-6 curve with good depth and a 2-7 slider with good bite. Swingman.

7th: FB (89-90), SL (83), CB (77-78)

4) Latroy Hawkins: 7 pitches. 0 strikes swinging

• He came from an over the top release and showed a straight 4-seam fastball, big breaking 12-6 curve and a straight change that may have been a spinning slider (I don't study pitches as much in scores as I do in charts). He is back to the old Minnesota Hawkins and Ed Wade got a lot of grief for this deal at the time, but it looks good (the player they dealt, Matt Cusick, is hitting .266-.350-.379 in High A)

8th: FB (94-95), CB (80-81), CU (87)

5) Kyle Farnsworth: 3 pitches. 0 strikes swinging.

• He came from a 3/4 release and showed a fastball with some run in on righties and a cutter with solid cut. He left the game with an apparent groin injury and he went to the ground immediately.

8th: FB (96-97), Cut (90)

6) Jamey Wright: 18 pitches. 0 strikes swinging.

• He came from a high 3/4 release and probably wasn't fully loose when he decide to start pitching. His fastball is a 2-seam with some run in on righties and some sink. His curveball is a big breaking 12-6 with good depth.

8th: FB (88-94), CB (78-80)

7) Jose Valverde: 24 pitches. 1 strike swinging. Fastball

• Valverde comes from a 3/4 release and showed a fastball with good run in on righties and a split with solid dive. He also threw a 2-7 slider with good bite. It is possible some of these mile per hours for his sliders were splitters, as they can look similar when you aren't paying great attention to the pitch.

9th: FB (94-98), SL (85-87), Split (84-87)

8) Roman Colon: 14 pitches. 3 strikes swinging. Splitter and 2 Sliders

• He came from an over the top release and showed a 4-seam fastball with a little late run, a sharp 1-7 slider with good bite and a split that had some dive. His stuff hasn't ever been a question and now that he can just focus on short spurts, he should fulfill his potential and flashes the ability to be a late inning reliever.

9th: FB (93-95), SL (80-84), Split (89)

9) Tim Byrdak: 16 pitches. 3 strikes swinging. Fastball, Slider, Changeup.

• He came from a high 3/4 release. Another guy whose changeup and slider could be different. His change is a straight change that he will throw to lefties, his slider is a 10-5 with okay bite and his fastball is a straight 4-seam. Maybe a 2nd lefty, I have never been enamored with his stuff.

10th: FB (88-91), SL (82-85), CU (84)

10) Joakim Soria: 22 pitches. 1 strike swinging. Changeup.

• He came from a 3/4 release with a fastball that had some run in on righties, thought it could straighten out. His change has good fade and sink and he will throw it to righties and is his best off-speed offering. His curve is a 12-6 with good depth and his slider is a 2-7 pitch with solid bite.

10th: FB (90-92), CU (84-86), CB (70), SL (79)

11) Jeff Fulchino: 23 pitches. 0 strikes swinging.

• He came from an over the top release and showed a fastball with some run and sink, a split with good dive and a 2-7 slider with solid bite.

11th: FB (91-95), SL (79-84), Split (85-87)

12) John Bale: 12 pitches. 1 strike swinging. Curveball.

• He came from a high 3/4 release and showed a straight 4-seam fastball, a straight change with some late sink and an 11-5 curve with good depth and bite. Interesting that he was the choice over Juan Cruz to save the game and this was his 1st big league save.

11th: FB (91-92), CB (73-74), CU (82)

HOU @ TEX

• Russ Ortiz comes from an over the top release and showed a straight 4-seam fastball, a slider with some good bite and is a 2-7 type pitch, a change with some sink and fade, a cutter with some cut and bite and a curveball that is a 12-5 pitch with good depth. His change can be just a floater at times. He pitched out of the stretch the entire time. He will also throw a 2-seam fastball with some fade and a little sink. Swingman.

1st: FB (88-89), CB (75-77), SL (84), Cut (87), CU (82)

2nd: FB (88-89), CB (76), Cut (87-88), CU (83-84)

3rd: FB (88-89), CB (76-77), SL (85), Cut (85-86), CU (83)

4th: FB (87-89), CB (77), Cut (86-87), CU (81-84)

5th: FB (86-90), CB (77), SL (84-85)

6th: FB (86-89), CB (73-80), Cut (85-86), CU (81-83)

• Matt Harrison, a 6-4, 225 pound lefty, opposed him. The 23 year old has a big frame that is close to maxed out. He comes from a high 3/4 release. His tempo has slowed back down between pitches, but still moves quickly in his motion. His command was off tonight again and may be because of a bad tempo, or he just may struggle to throw strikes period. His fastball is a straight 4-seam with a little run. His change is a straight change with some sink and fade and looks like a fastball out of his hand and is his best off-speed pitch. His cutter has some cut. His slider is a slurvy 10-4 pitch with okay bite. He will also throw a 2-seam fastball with some sink. Likes to throw the cutter in on righties. # 4 starter now and has the potential to be a # 3 depending on how much command he can learn.

1st: FB (90-94), CU (81-82), Cut (88)

2nd: FB (89-93), SL (77-79)

3rd: FB (88-91)

4th: FB (88-93), CU (80-81), SL (76-79)

5th: FB (87-92), CU (79-82), SL (75-79), Cut (86)

• Jason Grilli comes from an over the top release and shows a fastball that is a straight 4-seam and a slider that is a 2-7 pitch with good bite. Command is still an issue.

6th: FB (91-93), SL (84-87)

• Darren O'Day is a 6-4, 220 pound righty. The 26 year old has a big frame that can add more muscle. He is a sidearmer and almost comes submarine. His fastball has good run and sink and his slider just keep moving away from righties and has some bite (3-8 pitch). It is a sweeping slider that he can throw to both corners. He has plus command of his stuff. Solid middle reliever. Think Chad Bradford in his prime.

7th: FB (83-87), SL (76-79)

• Chris Sampson is a 6-1, 205 pound righty. The 31 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 2-seam with some sink and fade. His curveball is a 2-8 pitch with some depth. His slider is a 2-7 pitch that is more downward movement and has some good bite. I would rather see him as a swingman and don't like him as a 1 inning reliever.

7th: FB (86-88), CB (77), SL (82)

• Eddie Guardado is a 6-0, 225 pound lefty. The 38 year old has a medium frame that is maxed out. He comes from a high 3/4 release and shows a straight 4-seam fastball, a slurvy 11-4 slider with solid bite and a straight change that isn't anything special. He has plus command, but even with that command he can't get hitters out. He's done in my opinion.

8th: FB (84-88), SL (78-79), CU (82)

• LaTroy Hawkins comes from an over the top release and showed a straight 4-seam fastball and a slider that could be sharp or flat and was very inconsistent tonight. Solid middle reliever and can set up and close on occasion.

8th: FB (91-95), SL (87-90)

• C.J. Wilson is a 6-1, 215 pound lefty. The 28 year old has a medium frame that can get up to 225. He comes from a high 3/4 release. His fastball shows good run and sink. His slider is a 11-4 pitch with good late bite and is more of a downward action pitch. His cutter has some cut and sink and his change is a straight change with some sink. Good late inning reliever who has appeared to put his control issues in the past.

9th: FB (91-94), SL (83), CU (86), Cut (89)

10th: FB (93-94), SL (81-86), Cut (88)

• Jose Valverde is a 6-4, 280 pound behemoth righty. The 31 year old has a big frame that is maxed out with some bad weight. He comes from an over the top release and has some cocking arm action. His fastball is a straight 4-seam. His splitter shows good dive and is an above average pitch. He is just an average closer now.

9th: FB (93-96), Split (84-86)

• Jeff Fulchino comes from an over the top release and shows a straight 4-seam fastball and an average 2-7 slider with okay bite that he can subtract from to make it look like a curveball. Middle reliever.

10th: FB (89-94), SL (81-83)

2 charts (1 extra) and the Blue Jays game featuring the MLB debut of Brad Mills.

HOU @ ARI

• Dan Haren (the subject of a debate on here, just glad there was some convo for a little, cough POST COMMENTS cough) was back on the hill and he comes from an over the top release. His curveball is a 12-6 with good depth, his fastball shows good fade and sink, his split shows plus dive and is a pitch he typically buries for his out pitch and his cutter has good late cut and a little sink. All his pitches are above average and they play up due to his plus-plus command, as he may have left 3 or 4 pitches in the middle of the plate all night. Still a really good # 2 starter in my eyes. If there is a modern pitcher that is comparable to Greg Maddux, your looking at him.

1st: FB (90-91), CB (77-79), Split (86), Cut (84-88)

2nd: FB (89-91), CB (77-78), Split (83), Cut (86-87)

3rd: FB (90-91), CB (77-79), Split (84), Cut (85-87)

4th: FB (90-92), CB (78-79), Split (82-84), Cut (85-88)

5th: FB (90-91), CB (78-79), Cut (85-87)

6th: FB (90-93), CB (76-79), Cut (85-88)

7th: FB (88-90), CB (76), Cut (84-86)

8th: FB (88-91), CB (77), Cut (85-88)

9th: FB (89-92), CB (76), Cut (84-88)

• Mike Hampton, a 5-10, 195 pound 36 year old opposed him. The lefty has a small frame that can add a little more muscle, but likely won't. He comes from a high 3/4 release and has a larger repetoire then most. He throws a straight 4-seam, a 2-seam with good fade and sink, a cutter that moves like a SL and is a 11-4 type pitch, a curveball that is an 11-5 pitch with good depth and a change with sink and fade similar to his 2-seam. He is a tough guy to chart, let alone try and pick out pitches at full speed, but below is my best attempt at him.

1st: 4-Seam (87-89), 2-Seam (84-85), CB (76-77), CU (78-82), Cut (85-87)

2nd: 4 (87-90), 2 (84-86), CB (79), CU (80-82), Cut (85-86)

3rd: 4 (87-91), 2 (83-85), CB (78), CU (78-82), Cut (87)

4th: 4 (86-89), 2 (82-85), CU (77), Cut (83-88)

5th: 4 (87-88), 2 (81), CU (78-79), Cut (82-86)

• Brandon Backe finished the game and came from a high 3/4 release showing a fastball with a little fade, a change with good fade and some sink that he threw only to Stephen Drew (scouting report out on him maybe, as this was the first time Backe threw changes in the outings I have done for him), a hard 12-6 slider and a curve with similar movement but a bigger break. His cutter movement is hard to see from the naked eye and looks to be fairly marginal.

6th: FB (89-90), SL (80-81), CB (75-77), CU (81-82), Cut (87-88)

7th: FB (88-90), SL (81), CB (75-76), Cut (87-88)

8th: FB (86-90), SL (81-82), CB (71-76), CU (83)

Tomorrow will be a day from hell. I have a chart, a doubleheader for baseball and a 10 o clock score. Crap.

As always, if there are any pitchers/hitters you would like me to see, give me a game date and I will check it out on off days and provide an extra report (Will - Masterson start?)

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

• Wandy Rodriguez is a 5-11, 195 pound 30 year old. The left hander has a small frame that is maxed out. He attacks from a 3/4 release. His fastball is a 4-seam with some run. His change is a straight change with some sink. His curveball is an 11-4 type pitch that can be inconsistent with break, ranging anywhere from plus to average. The plus curve has great depth and just falls off the table, while the average ones tend to look like slurves. He has a classic drop and drive delivery and cocks his arm a little, as it stays up at the top of the arm circle longer then most. He struggled with his command, leaving a lot of fastballs belt high and throwing a ton of curveballs belt high. He had allowed 1 home run all season (something like 65 innings) and proceeded to allow 4 (Atkins twice, Spilborghs, Hawpe). Wandy is a # 3 starter at best. His main issue is that he is primarily FB-CB. These 2 pitches have enough speed difference that you can sit on one and still be able to foul the other off if he throws it. He was pitching over his head at the beginning of the season.

1st: FB (89-92), CB (77-79), CU (85)

2nd: FB (90-92), CB (75-78), CU (85-86)

3rd: FB (88-92), CB (75-79), CU (85-86)

4th: FB (89-92), CB (74-76)

5th: FB (85-90), CB (75-78), CU (84)

• Jason Hammel was acquired by the Rockies after he lost his bid against Jeff Niemann for the 5th spot in the Rays rotation. The 6-6, 220 pound right hander has a big frame that has room to add more muscle. The 26 year old comes at you from a high 3/4, almost over the top release. His change shows good fade and sink and will throw it to right handers. It will flash plus with excellent sink and looks like a fastball out of his hand. His fastball is a straight 4-seam. His curveball is a 12-6 pitch with good bite and depth. It has some good late downward action as well. His slider is a 2-7 offering with some bite and depth. The slider is just a harder thrown curve. He showed great command and had a loose arm with a little wrist circle while he was in his arm circle. Hammel's upside is that of a # 2 starter, but his realistic ceiling is a # 3. He can add quite a bit more muscle to his frame and has a good array of pitches.

1st: FB (92-94), SL (84), CB (76), CU (85)

2nd: FB (93-94), SL (83-84), CB (78), CU (85)

3rd: FB (91-94), CB (76-77), CU (85)

4th: FB (92-94), SL (83-85), CB (77), CU (85)

5th: FB (91-94), CB (77-78), CU (83-85)

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

7th: FB (91-93), CB (76-77), CU (83-84)

• Russ Ortiz was the 1st of two Houston long relievers that I am better off without seeing. He came from an over the top release. His fastball is a straight 4-seam. His curveball is a 12-6 big breaker with average break. His change is straight with a little fade and sink and is more of a show pitch. His cutter has good late action in on lefties and is an effective weapon. His slider is a 2-7 offering with good bite. I guess he can be solid as a long man, but isn't there someone in their system that can do that?

6th: FB (88-91), CB (75-77), CU (81), Cut (89-91)

7th: FB (90-92), CB (74-78), Cut (87-90), SL (86)

• Brandon Backe was the other. Remember when he was a good starter? Neither does anyone else. The 6-0, 195 pound right hander has a medium frame that can add more muscle. The 31 year old featured a 3/4 release. His fastball has some fade, but is just an average offering. He really struggled to command the fastball and left them up, away, down and in. His slider is a 2-7 offering with average bite. His curveball is 12-6 with good late bite and depth. His cutter doesn't do much to the naked eye. Another guy who I guess could be a good long man. The Astros need to find some guys that actually have some upside to throw these meaningless innings in my opinion.

8th: FB (89-91), Cut (88-89), SL (81-83), CB (75)

9th: FB (86-90), CB (75)

• Jason Grilli continued his struggles. Coming from a high 3/4 release, the right hander showed a fastball with some fade, a slider that can be anywhere from average to plus and a change with some fade but little sink. His fastball is slightly above average and his slider can be anything on a given day, as his plus slider moved across nearly the entire plate with good bite while his average sliders had just a little bite . Solid middle reliever who has been battling his command and continued to do so tonight.

8th: FB (92-95), SL (82-87), CU (85-86)

• Alan Embree is what he always is, a left hander who pitches from a high 3/4 release with a 4-seam fastball with some run and a 11-4 slider with good bite. He can keep this up as long as he maintains his velocity. Take out the 88 pitch and he was 92-94 with his heat.

9th: FB (88-94), SL (77-80)

• Edwin Bellorin is a 27 year old catcher who was the guy to take Chris Iannetta's spot for the next week or so. The 5-9, 225 pounder has a small frame that is maxed out. He has an open stance with a little bat wiggle. He holds the bat similar to Matt Stairs with some cocking action, which is his trigger combined with a stride. His swing can get a little long. He doesn't look to profile well as anything more then a back-up catcher, as his bat looked fringy with slightly below average pop and may struggle to catch up to plus fastballs. He presented a big target to throw to and looked like he called a pretty good game. Who knows if he will gain membership into the 10 year back-up catcher club started by Tim Laker?

Off tomorrow!!!! Thank God. I need sleep. Got a baseball game though, so it's not like I have nothing to do. One of these days, I will.

One of the games on my get to watch list (going to try and watch it Sunday) is Vin Mazzaro's major league debut.

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.

HOU @ WAS

This game is currently in a rain delay in the 11th (of course its an extra, so I don't get more money), but will give you what I saw thus far:

• Roy Oswalt looks like the same pitcher he has always been. He features a low to mid 90's fastball, mid 80's slider, low 70's curveball and mid 80's changeup. He attacks hitters and forces them to try and put the ball in play. He left the game due to a bone bruise on his right index finger.
• Scott Olsen has lost some velocity on his fastball. He sits in the mid to high 80's with it, in addition to a mid 80's change and mid 80's slider. The real fun part is attempting to differentiate between these 2 pitches, as the slider's break can be fairly indistinguishable to the naked eye. Olsen had a chance at being a middle of the rotation guy when his fastball was in the low 90's, but with it in the high 80's, he is a back-end starter.
• Chris Sampson had some major command issues of his stuff and when you have a 2-seam fastball in the high 80's, you can't afford to be falling behind. He also showed a low 80's slider. Both pitches are major league average pitches (he also throws a high 70's curve and low 80's change). He is what he is, a long reliever who shouldn't be pitching in big situations.
• Tim Byrdak was the only Houston reliever who looked decent in this game. He attacks hitters with a low 90's fastball, a low 80's slider and a low 80's changeup. But, he is another pitcher who shouldn't be pitching at the end of games and is only a middle reliever, not a set-up man.
• Geoff Geary is another middle inning reliever throwing late innings. Geary attacks with a low 90's fastball, mid 80's slider and low 80's curveball. He is nothing amazing as a reliever and is a protypical RH reliever.
• Saul Rivera looked good for his 1 inning, mixing his high 80's 2-seamer, high 80's cutter and mid 80's slider very well. Looks to be back to what he is, a very durable middle reliever who can get you multiple outs.
• Julian Tavarez is another guy who is a solid middle reliever who shouldn't be pitching late in games (sense a trend here?). He attacks hitter with a mid to high 80's sinker that is plus and an average slider. He is a very good and versatile reliever to have at the front of a bullpen or in the middle to get ground balls, but you don't want to rely on him as your 8th or 9th inning guy.
• Garrett Mock is someone the Nats have high hopes for in the back of their pen. I don't see it. He is another guy who is probably a 10th or 11th pitcher with his low 90's fastball and a low 80's slider. Both pitches are only major league average pitches. He has/had solid command until he seemingly twisted his ankle on a Michael Bourn bunt pop out. Don't know if there is too much of a bigger ceiling here either.
• Kip Wells actually looks the part of a late innings reliever with his mid 90's fastball, low 80's curveball and high 80's changeup. Both the fastball and curveball are plus pitches, but he also showed a tendency to nibble as opposed to attacking hitters (which has been his M.O. for awhile). That being said, this is a good risk by the Nationals to see if he can become something as a reliever. Upside is of a set-up man, as he still shows a little tendency to the long ball.
• Joel Hanrahan didn't look great but got the job done with his stuff. He still shows closer stuff to me and needs to be back in that role.
• Elijah Dukes has grown a lot as a baseball player. One of the ultimate "toolsy" guys, he is showing signs of putting it all together. Pitchers used to feed him sliders that start on the outside and break off the zone and he would swing. Now, he is learning to let those pitches go and taking the free ball pitchers give him. This causes them to throw him more fastballs and he feasts in those situations (his HR off Oswalt was on a 94 mph fastball at the letters). You never know what your going to get from this guy in regards to off the field incidents, but he can be a strong corner outfielder (he is a little over exposed as a CF) and give you some fairly good production. The power is real and I think lines of .270-.330-.480 are not out of his grasp.

Back on the grind tomorrow with 2 charts.

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.