9/30: CHW @ CLE

1) Fausto Carmona: FB, SL, CU. 103 pitches. 5 strikes swinging. 3 Changeups, 2 Sliders.

• Carmona came from a high 3/4 release and showed a fastball with good run in on righties and good sink that flashes above average run, a change with good fade from lefties and good sink that he will throw to righties and a 2-7 slider with good bite. No real out pitch. Gets ahead 0-2 and then struggles to find a pitch to put them away. Has a tendency to hang his slider.

1st: FB (92-96), SL (86-87), CU (88)

2nd: FB (93-95), SL (86-88)

3rd: FB (92-95), SL (86-87), CU (85-89)

4th: FB (92-95), SL (85-87), CU (86-88) - CU (Rios), SL (Nix)

5th: FB (92-94), SL (86), CU (86-88) - 2 CU (Podsednik, Beckham)

6th: FB (93-94), CU (86-87)

7th: FB (91-93), SL (84-86), CU (85-88) - SL (Nix)

2) Carlos Torres: FB, Cut, CB, CU. 108 pitches. 4 strikes swinging. 2 Cutters, Fastball, Curveball.

• Torres came from an over the top release and showed a fastball with some a little cut and a little sink, a cutter with solid cut, a sharp 12-6 curve with slightly above average depth and a change with some fade from lefties and some sink. Really battles his command every outing I see of him.

1st: FB (90-94), Cut (86-90), CB (83), CU (80) - CB (Cabrera)

2nd: FB (89-93), Cut (84-88), CB (76-82) - FB (Crowe)

3rd: FB (90-91), Cut (87-88), CU (79-80) - Cut (Peralta)

4th: FB (89-95), Cut (87-90), CU (79-81)

5th: FB (87-92), Cut (82)

6th: FB (87-93), Cut (84-85), CB (80-81) - Cut (Crowe)

3) Randy Williams: FB, Cut, CB, CU. 24 pitches. 3 strikes swinging. Cutter, Curveball, Changeup.

• Williams came from a high 3/4 release and showed a fastball with a little run in on lefties, a cutter with some cut, a sweeping 11-5 curve with average depth and a change with some fade from righties and a little sink.

7th: FB (89-94), Cut (86-87), CB (74-77), CU (79) - Cut (Choo), CB (Choo)

8th: FB (88-93), Cut (84-88), CB (75), CU (78) - CU (LaPorta)

4) Chris Perez: FB, SL, CB. 28 pitches. 2 strikes swinging. Fastball, Slider

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

8th: FB (93-95), SL (82-84)

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

• Tyler Flowers (for frame and other data, please refer to U.S. roster for Futures Team). Swing can get long at times, but should be an above average power hitter. 4.6 to 1st. Will let the ball hit him to get on base and won't be getting out of the way. Left game after getting hit by a pitch.
• Brent Lillibridge: 4.1, 4.2 to 1st
• Lou Marson: 1.9 on Lillibridge CS.

9/18: CLE @ OAK

1) Brett Anderson: 89 pitches. 6 strikes swinging. 5 Sliders, Fastball.

• Anderson 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 above average bite, a 11-5 curve with slightly above average depth and a change with some fade from righties and some sink.

1st: FB (92-94), SL (82-85) - SL (Choo)

2nd: FB (93-95), SL (83-85), CB (75-78)

3rd: FB (89-95), SL (84-86) - 2 SL (Romero, Brantley)

4th: FB (91-96), SL (83-85), CB (78), CU (85) - SL (Choo)

5th: FB (93-94), SL (83-85), CB (78-79), CU (85) - FB (LaPorta), SL (Crowe)

6th: FB (90-95), SL (82-86), CB (77)

2) David Huff: 103 pitches. 8 strikes swinging. 4 Changeups, 3 Fastballs, Slider.

• Huff came from an over the top release and showed a fastball with a little run in on lefties and a little sink, a 11-5 curve with slightly above average depth that he will throw 3-2, a 11-5 slider with solid bite and a change with good fade from lefties and good sink that he will throw 3-2.

1st: FB (89-92), CU (82-83), SL (81-82), CB (78) - 2 CU (Hairston - 2)

2nd: FB (88-92), CU (81-84), CB (78) - CU (Pennington)

3rd: FB (88-90), CU (80-84), SL (82-83), CB (74-76)

4th: FB (88-92), CU (81-84), SL (79-82) - 3 FB (Carson, Pennington - 2), SL (Carson)

5th: FB (87-90), CU (80-81), SL (81), CB (76) - CU (Hairston)

6th: FB (88-92), CU (80-83), SL (81)

3) Jeff Gray: 14 pitches. 4 strikes swinging. 2 Fastballs, 2 Sliders.

• Gray came from an over the top release with a fastball with some run in on righties and some sink and a 2-7 slider with above average bite

7th: FB (94-97), SL (88-89) - 2 FB (Shoppach, LaPorta), 2 SL (Shoppach, Marson)

4) Jess Todd: 13 pitches. 5 strikes swinging. 5 Sliders.

• Todd came from a high 3/4 release and showed a 2-7 slider with above average bite, a cutter with some cut and a 2-seam sinker with good run in on righties and good sink

7th: Cut (90-91), FB (90), SL (84-85) - 5 SL (Carson - 3, Davis - 2)

5) Craig Breslow: 11 pitches. 0 strikes swinging.

• Breslow came from a high 3/4 release and showed a fastball with some run in on lefties and some sink, a change with good fade from righties and some sink and a 11-5 slider with good bite.

8th: FB (89-92), SL (87), CU (77)

6) Chris Perez: 13 pitches. 2 strikes swinging. 2 Sliders.

• Perez came from a 3/4 release and showed a straight 4-seam fastball and a sharp 2-7 slider with above average bite

8th: FB (95-96), SL (83-86) - 2 SL (Suzuki, Hairston)

7) Brad Ziegler: 22 pitches. 1 strike swinging. Fastball.

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

9th: FB (85-88), SL (72-73), CU (78) - FB (LaPorta)

• Matt Carson is a 6-2, 200 pound outfielder. The 28 year old righty hitter/thrower has a medium frame that can get up to 215 if he so desires. He has a crouched stance with a little bit of a bat wiggle and is similar to Pujols, except a little more over the plate and the bat is straight up (doesn't look as relaxed as Albert). His trigger is a stride to square himself up and a cocking of the bat. Was 4.3 down the line. 4-A outfielder who just doesn't bring enough to the table to be a 4th OF.


• Niuman Romero is a 6-0, 160 pound utility infielder. Playing shortstop tonight, the 24 year old switch hitter, righty thrower has a small frame that can add some more muscle everywhere, at least to 175. Athletic, skinny build. Defensively, he has pretty good fielding mechanics with a slightly above average throwing arm and soft hands. Appears able to handle every position on the diamond. From the right side, he has a straight on, straight up stance with a bat wiggle. His trigger is a double stride, picking his foot off the ground and then taking a big leg kick, and a cocking of the bat. He will bunt for hits. 4-A guy who really can't be a utility player for a winning team.

Chart Observations: 8/27 CLE @ KC

1) David Huff: 94 pitches. (FB, CU, SL, CB). 4 strikes swinging. 3 Fastballs, Slider.

• Huff came from an over the top release and showed a fastball with some run in on lefties and some sink a change with some fade from righties and good sink that he will throw to lefties, a 11-5 slider with good bite and a 11-5 curve with solid depth.

1st: FB (88-92), CU (81-82), SL (82-83) - FB

2nd: FB (88-92), SL (80-81), CB (73-76)

3rd: FB (87-91), CU (82-83), SL (81), CB (76) - FB

4th: FB (89-90), CU (82), SL (78-82), CB (74)

5th: FB (87-92), CU (81-83), SL (83), CB (76-77) - FB, SL

6th: FB (88-91), SL (79-82)

2) Luke Hochevar: 116 pitches. (FB, SL, CB, Split). 15 strikes swinging. 10 Fastballs, 3 Sliders, 2 Curveballs.

• Hochevar came from a high 3/4 release with good run in on righties and solid sink, a 12-6 curve with average depth, a 2-7 slider with okay bite that flashes above average bite and a split with above average dive.

1st: FB (92-94), SL (87-89), CB (77-81) - CB

2nd: FB (92-94), SL (83-85), CB (74-78) - 3 FB, 2 SL

3rd: FB (89-95), SL (84-87), CB (75), Split (82) - 2 FB

4th: FB (90-94), SL (83-85), CB (79) - FB, SL

5th: FB (90-95), CB (78) - FB

6th: FB (92-95), CB (77-78), SL (83-86) - FB, CB

7th: FB (90-94), CB (77), SL (83-85) - 2 FB

3) John Bale: 10 pitches. (FB, CB, CU). 0 strikes swinging.

• Bale came from a high 3/4 release and showed a fastball with some tail in on righties, a change with some fade from righties with sink and a 10-4 curve with solid depth

7th: FB (89-91), CB (72), CU (81-82)

4) Joe Smith: 13 pitches. (FB, SL, CU). 0 strikes swinging.

• Smith came from a sidearm release and showed a fastball with good run in on righties and good sink, a change with good fade from lefties and a little sink that he will throw to righties and a 3-8 slider with good bite.

7th: FB (89-91), SL (82-83), CU (77-78)

5) Chris Perez: 14 pitches. (FB, SL, CB). 1 strike swinging. Slider.

• Perez 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.

8th: FB (95-96), SL (83-84) - SL

6) Kyle Farnsworth: 11 pitches. (FB, SL, CU). 2 strikes swinging. Fastball, Slider.

• Farnsworth came from an over the top release with a 4-seam fastball with some run in on righties and a sharp 2-7 slider with good bite.

8th: FB (96-100), SL (89-92) - FB, SL

7) Jamey Wright: 13 pitches. (FB, Cut, CB, CU). 0 strikes swinging.

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

9th: FB (92-94), Cut (85-90), CB (79-80)

8) Kerry Wood: 11 pitches. (FB, SL, Cut, CB). 0 strikes swinging.

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

9th: FB (95-97), Cut (90-93), CB (79)

Chart Observations: 8/22 SEA @ CLE

1) Doug Fister: 86 pitches. 8 strikes swinging. 2 Fastballs (1st, 2nd), Curveball (2nd), 3 Sliders (all in 4th), 2 Changeups (5th, 6th)

• Fister 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 with above average sink, a big breaking 12-6 curve with above average depth and a 1-7 slider with solid bite. He will throw his change to righties.

1st: FB (86-89), CU (77-81), CB (74)

2nd: FB (86-89), CU (78-80), CB (73-74)

3rd: FB (86-90), CU (78-81)

4th: FB (86-89), CU (77-81), SL (80-83)

5th: FB (85-88), CU (78-79), CB (72-74), SL (79-81)

6th: FB (86-88), CU (79-81), CB (72)

7th: FB (85-87), CB (74), SL (78-79)

2) Aaron Laffey: 113 pitches. 4 strikes swinging. 3 Fastballs (2 in 1st, 2nd), Slider (5th)

• Laffey is a 6-0, 185 pound lefty. The 24 year old has a medium frame that can add a little more muscle everywhere to about 195. He came from a high 3/4 release. His 2-seamer has good run in on lefties and good sink. His 4-seam has a little run in on lefties and a little sink. His slider is a 11-5 offering with good bite. His change is straight with some sink. I think he may also mix in an occasional cutter, but I am not completely sure on that. He is a back of the rotation starter or a groundball machine out of the bullpen against lefties with his 2-seam.

1st: FB (86-93), SL (81-83)

2nd: FB (84-92), SL (81-82)

3rd: FB (86-91), SL (77-80), CU (83-84)

4th: FB (87-91), SL (78-83), CU (79-81)

5th: FB (88-92), SL (75-80), CU (79-82)

6th: FB (85-90), SL (78), CU (80)

7th: FB (83-90), CU (80-82)

3) Mark Lowe: 23 pitches. 3 strikes swinging. 3 Fastballs (all in 8th)

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

7th: FB (95-98), SL (85-87), CU (89-90)

8th: FB (96-98), SL (86-88)

4) Chris Perez: 13 pitches. 1 strike swinging. Fastball.

• Perez came from a 3/4 release and showed a fastball with some run in on righties and a sharp 2-7 slider with above average bite.

8th: FB (95-96), SL (85-87)

5) Kerry Wood: 15 pitches. 2 strikes swinging. Fastball, Cutter.

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

9th: FB (96-99), Cut (90), CB (77)

6) Shawn Kelley: 30 pitches. 4 strikes swinging. 3 Sliders, Fastball (all in 9th)

• Kelley came from an over the top release and showed a straight 4-seam fastball and a 2-7 slider with good bite.

9th: FB (92-96), SL (85-86)

10th: FB (91-95), SL (84-85)

7) Tony Sipp: 10 pitches. 1 strike swinging. Fastball.

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

10th: FB (92-95), CU (84), SL (84)

8) Joe Smith: 15 pitches. 0 strikes swinging.

• Smith is a sidearming righty who showed a 3-8 slider with good bite, a change with some fade from lefties with solid sink that he will throw to righties and a fastball with good run in on righties and some sink.

10th: FB (91), SL (80-84), CU (77)

11th: FB (89-91), SL (82-84), CU (77)

9) Rafael Perez: 6 pitches. 0 strikes swinging.

• Perez came from a high 3/4 release and showed a 10-5 slider with good bite and a fastball with some cut and a little sink.

11th: FB (91), SL (86-87)

10) Randy Messenger: 9 pitches. 0 strikes swinging.

• Messenger is a 6-6, 265 pound righty. The 28 year old has a big frame that is maxed out. He came from an over the top release. His fastball has some run in on righties. His curve is a 12-6 offering with above average depth while his change has some fade from lefties with good sink. He is no longer a closer, but he should be able to be a decent option as a middle reliever.

11th: FB (90-94), CB (77-78), CU (87)

DET @ CLE: CLE Pitchers

1) Fausto Carmona: 101 pitches. 5 strikes swinging. Fastball (1st), 4 Changeups (1st, 3rd, 4th, 5th)

• Carmon is a 6-4, 230 pound righty. The 25 year old has a big frame that is maxed out and this was his first start since his minor league hiatus. He came from a high 3/4 release. His fastball has above average run in on righties with some sink. His change has good fade from lefties with some sink that he will throw to righties and is his best offspeed offering. His slider is a 2-7 pitch with good bite. He will throw 3-1 changeups in special circumstances against good hitters, such as Miguel Cabrera. Carmona still struggles to command his stuff and his fastball movement can change from pitch to pitch. Has all the tools to be a middle of the rotation starter, but can he put it all together? I still like him.

1st: FB (93-97), CU (85-88)

2nd: FB (93-95), CU (87-88), SL (83-84)

3rd: FB (93-95), CU (86-89), SL (83-86)

4th: FB (93-96), CU (87-88), SL (84-86)

5th: FB (93-96), CU (87-89), SL (86-89)

2) Jose Veras: 10 pitches. 2 strikes swinging. Fastball, Curveball.

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

6th: FB (95-97), CB (79-81)

3) Chris Perez: 22 pitches. 1 strike swinging. Fastball.

• Perez came from a high 3/4 release and showed a fastball with some run in on righties and some sink and a sharp 2-7 slider with above average bite.

7th: FB (94-95), SL (83-86)

4) Tony Sipp: 2 pitches. 0 strikes swinging.

• Sipp came from an over the top release and showed a fastball with a little run in on lefties.

8th: FB (90-91)

5) Joe Smith: 14 pitches. 0 strikes swinging.

• Smith came from a sidearm release and showed a fastball with above average run in on righties with solid sink and a 3-8 slider with solid bite.

8th: FB (89-92), SL (82-85)

6) Kerry Wood: 27 pitches. 4 strikes swinging. Fastball (8th), 2 Curveball (both in 9th), Cutter (9th)

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

8th: FB (95-97), Cut (91), CB (81)

9th: FB (95-96), Cut (88-90), CB (78-80)

7) Tomo Ohka: 49 pitches. 9 strikes swinging. 6 Fastballs (11th, 3 in 12th, 13th), 2 Cutters (both in 10th) and a Slider (11th)

• Ohka is a 6-1, 200 pound righty. The 33 year old has a medium frame that can add a little more muscle. He came from an over the top release and showed a fastball with some run in on righties with solid sink, a 2-7 slider with good bite, a cutter with some cut and a little sink, a 12-6 curve with average depth and a change with some fade from lefties with sink.

10th: FB (88-90), SL (83-85), Cut (84), CB (76)

11th: FB (88-91), SL (82-85), Cut (86-88), CU (83)

12th: FB (88-90), SL (85)

13th: FB (86-89), Cut (88)

Chart Observations: SEA @ CLE

1) Felix Hernandez: 112 pitches. 11 strikes swinging. 4 on Fastballs (2 in 1st, 3rd, 7th), 4 on Changeups (4th, 5th, 6th, 7th), 3 on Sliders (2nd, 3rd, 7th)

• Hernandez came from an over the top release and showed a fastball with good run in on righties and good sink, a change with above average fade from elfties with good sink, a sharp late breaking 2-7 slider with above average bite and a 12-6 curve with above average depth and is sharp enough to be a strikeout pitch.

1st: FB (94-96), CU (91)

2nd: FB (94-96), SL (87)

3rd: FB (93-97), CU (89-91), SL (87-88), CB (81)

4th: FB (93-96), CU (90), SL (88), CB (83)

5th: FB (94-97), CU (88), SL (84-86), CB (81)

6th: FB (92-96), CU (90), SL (86-88), CB (82)

7th: FB (93-95), CU (88), SL (87), CB (81-82)

8th: FB (93-96), CU (91), SL (85-88)

2) David Aardsma: 13 pitches. 1 strike swinging. Fastball.

• Aardsma came from an over the top release and showed a fastball with good run in on righties.

9th: FB (93-96)

3) David Huff: 108 pitches. 5 strikes swinging. 4 on Changeups (2nd, 3rd, 2 in 4th) and a Slider (2nd)

• Huff is a 6-2, 190 pound lefty. The 24 year old has a medium frame that can get up to at least 200. He comes from an over the top release with a classic drop and drive delivery. His fastball has some run in on lefties. His slider is a sharp 11-4 with solid bite, but isn't a real swing and miss pitch. His change has some late fade from righties with good sink. His curve is an 11-5 with slightly above average depth. He was able to throw the slider to the glove side corner (in on righties, away from lefties) at hitter's knees at will. He will throw, 2-0, 2-1 and 3-2 sliders to lefties. He will throw the change to lefties. I don't understand why some people are so low on this guy. I see a middle of the rotation starter down the line, as he has above average command, above average velocity for a lefty and he has a good change.

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

2nd: FB (90-91), SL (81-82), CU (84-85), CB (76)

3rd: FB (90-92), SL (81-84), CU (85)

4th: FB (89-92), SL (80-84), CU (81-84), CB (78)

5th: FB (89-93), SL (80-82), CU (84-85), CB (78)

4) Jose Veras: 21 pitches. 1 strike swinging. Curveball.

• Veras came from an over the top release and showed a fastball with above average run in on righties, a split that has average dive and a sharp 12-6 curve with average depth that can be a strikeout pitch and he utilizes it as his out pitch. He also has apparently added a cutter that has minimal cut.

6th: FB (94-96), CB (79-81), Split (82), Cut (89)

5) Tony Sipp: 27 pitches. 4 strikes swinging. 4 Fastballs (1 in 6th, 3 in 7th)

• Sipp came from an over the top release and showed a fastball with some run in on lefties, a change with some fade from righties with a little sink and a sweeping 11-4 slider with solid bite.

6th: FB (91-92)

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

6) Joe Smith: 11 pitches. 2 strikes swinging. 2 Fastballs.

• Smith came from a sidearm release and showed a fastball with above average run in on righties with good sink, a change that moves just like his fastball but slower and a sweeping 3-8 slider with good bite.

8th: FB (90-91), SL (84), CU (78)

7) Chris Perez: 9 pitches. 0 strikes swinging.

• Perez came from an over the top, almost high 3/4 release. His fastball has good run in on righties while his slider is a 2-7 with slightly above average bite. He needs to tighten the slider a little bit.

9th: FB (95-97), SL (85-86)

Chart Observations: STL @ CLE

• Cliff Lee is a 6-3, 190 pound lefty. The 30 year old has a medium to big frame with room to add a lot more muscle. He comes from a high 3/4 release. His front (glove, right) arm stays bent throughout the entire wind-up. His fastball has some natural sink and run. His curveball is a big breaking 11-4 pitch with good depth. His cutter shows some cut and sink while his change is a straight offering with some sink that looks like a fastball out of his hand. His slider was thrown once and generated a weak groundball on an 0-2 count to a lefty. He is primarily FB-CU with some cutters and curves mixed in. He doesn't really have a true out pitch and he pitches to weak contact. While he had a no hitter through seven, he wasn't really dominant, as the Cardinals got some very good contact on him. Borderline ace, but one who will fall off quicker then some others.

1st: FB (88-92), CU (84-85), CB (75-77), Cut (88)

2nd: FB (91-92)

3rd: FB (91-94)

4th: FB (89-93), CU (84-86), CB (76-78)

5th: FB (89-92), CU (85), CB (74-76)

6th: FB (91-92), CU (85), Cut (88-89)

7th: FB (91-92), CU (84-85), CB (77-78)

8th: FB (91-92), CU (84-85), CB (76), Cut (88-89), SL (82)

9th: FB (88-92), CU (84-85), CB (78)

• Chris Carpenter is a 6-6, 230 pound righty. The 34 year old has a big frame that can get up to 240 if he so chooses. He comes from an over the top release from a very quiet delivery. His fastball shows some fade and a little sink. I believe he throws both a slider and cutter (we just chart slider) and his cutter has good cut. His curveball is a big breaking 12-6 with great depth and he shows the ability to throw it for a strike or bury it for a strikeout at will. His slider is a 2-7 pitch with great bite. He threw one change that went about 40 feet, so who knows how good it is? He is a true ace when healthy, just a question of how long he can stay it.

1st: FB (91-93), SL (87-88), CB (73-76), Cut (87-89)

2nd: FB (92-93), CB (75), Cut (87)

3rd: FB (92), SL (86), CB (75), Cut (87)

4th: FB (91-93), SL (85), CB (75-77), Cut (87)

5th: FB (90-95), SL (86-88), CB (74-78), CU (86)

6th: FB (92-93), CB (75-76), Cut (86-87)

7th: FB (91-92), CB (73-76)

• Chris Perez is a 6-4, 230 pound 23 year old. The righty has a big frame that can add a little more muscle, but not much. He comes from a 3/4 release. His slider is a 2-7 with above average bite and can serve as a strikeout pitch while his fastball has a little fade, but is pretty straight. He also takes the ball out of his glove immediately and taps it against his glove before beginning the arm circle. He could be a future closer, but he has shown command issues (though I haven't seen them) and is more likely to settle in as a set-up man. He is more advanced pitch-wise then fellow bullpen flamethrower Jason Motte, but his command isn't as good yet.

8th: FB (94-96), SL (83-85)

• Luis Valbuena is a 5-10, 195 pound middle infielder. The lefty hitter/righty thrower has a small frame that is close to being maxed out. The 23 year old is more effective with his glove then his bat. He has an above average arm, soft hands and very good range to his glove side. Offensively, he has a very slightly open stance and appears to be lightly holding onto the bat. The bat is a little in front of him and behind his back shoulder. His trigger is a stride where he actually brings his hands forward a little, which will severely limit his power potential. He will bunt for hits and is more of a slap hitter then a guy that hits gaps. Baseball America says he has a higher offensive upside then Asdrubal Cabrera, but I disagree. I think Valbuena's glove can play in the majors, but his bat will prevent him from being an everyday starter. Solid utility infielder though who can play SS, and those do have value.

Baseball game cancelled today. Got the Nats-Yanks (Martis vs. Sabathia) and the Angels-Giants (Santana vs. Sanchez) tomorrow. Traded out of my 8 o clock so that I could scout these games much better.

STL @ CIN

• Johnny Cueto is a very talented pitcher, but he is not better then Edinson Volquez. Cueto works with a fastball in the low to mid 90's, a solid average slider in the mid 80's and a decent change in the mid 80's. He has much better command then Volquez (probably above average), but Volquez's stuff is much better. Cueto is a very good # 3 starter and if he can tighten his slider a little more, he is a # 2. I think his ceiling is that of a # 2 for a contender.
• Joel Pineiro is a very useful starter to have at the back-end if your a contender. He attacks hitters with a high 80's fastball, mid 80's slider that moves like a cutter, mid to high 70's curve and mid 80's change. None of his pitches are great and he has occasional command problems, but he finds the "pitchability" to get hitters to put the ball in play weakly. He is pitching at his ceiling now and if he can maintain strong command, he should be a solid # 5 starter.
• Chris Perez lacked the explosive stuff I thought he had. He threw a low 90's fastball and mid 80's slider with some command issues. He still has the upside of a closer, but he seems to be a set-up man with his current offerings. He needs to refine his command tighten his slider a little bit more to reach his ceiling.
• Brad Thompson is an extra arm for a bullpen that can give you multiple innings. As long as he is earning the minimum, he is a good guy to have in a pen. If he is earning more, you are vastly overpaying. He attacks with a high 80's fastball and low 80's slider.
• Arthur Rhodes just keeps getting the job done. It appears he has lost very little from his fastball and he commands it so well that he doesn't need his mid 80's slider to be amazing. His fastball sat in the low 90's tonight.
• When Dave Weathers is missing in the zone, he is in trouble, as he throws a high 80's fastball and mid 80's slider. He typically has plus command, but you always have to wonder about a reliever his age and his ability to maintain his stuff for the season.
• Jared Burton got out his one guy. Burton attacks with a high 80's to low 90's cutter (Mariano style), a low 80's slider and a low 90's fastball.
• Francisco Cordero was great, with a mid 90's fastball and disappearing mid to high 80's slider. Is a legit closer for a contender and is pitching extremely well right now.
• Not sure why Tony La Russa stole Joe Thurston in the 9th. That was just bad baseball. Even if he makes it, you don't gain much. The only explanation would be stay out of the double play.

2 Charts tomorrow, with a baseball practice.