Chart Observations: 9/26: OAK @ LAA

1) Dana Eveland: 79 pitches. FB, SL, CU, CB, Cut. 4 strikes swinging. Fastball, Cutter, Curveball, Changeup.

• Eveland came from an over the top release and showed a fastball with some run in on lefties and some sink, a cutter with some cut and some sink, a 11-5 curve with slightly above average depth, a change with some fade from righties and some sink that he will throw 2-0 and a 11-5 slider with solid bite.

1st: FB (89-94), Cut (86-90), CB (79), CU (84-86) - Cut (Abreu), CU (Rivera)

2nd: FB (88-90), Cut (86), CB (78-79), CU (84), SL (84) - CB (Izturis)

3rd: FB (88-91), Cut (86-89), CB (77-79), SL (85-86) - FB (Hunter)

4th: FB (88-90), Cut (89), CB (77-79), CU (84-86), SL (83-86)

2) John Lackey: 92 pitches. FB, CB, SL, CU. 7 strikes swinging. 3 Fastballs, 3 Curveballs, Slider.

• Lackey came from an over the top release and showed a fastball with a little run in on righties and a little sink, a 2-7 slider with good bite, a 12-6 curve with above average depth

1st: FB (90-95), CB (78-82), SL (81-86) - FB (Lackey), SL (Lackey)

2nd: FB (89-92), CB (78-80), SL (83) - 2 CB (Davis, Kennedy)

3rd: FB (90-94), CB (79-80) - FB (Cust)

4th: FB (90-94), CB (78-82) - FB (Ellis), CB (Patterson)

5th: FB (89-93), CB (78-81), SL (84)

3) Brad Kilby: 38 pitches. FB, SL, CU. 5 strikes swinging. 3 Fastballs, Changeup, Slider.

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

4th: FB (91-94), CU (82-83) - FB (Guerrero)

5th: FB (91-95), CU (83), SL (84) - 2 FB (Mathis - 2), CU (Mathis), SL (Kendrick)

4) Darren Oliver: 28 pitches. FB, SL, CU. 3 strikes swinging. Fastball, 2 Sliders.

• Oliver came from a high 3/4 release and showed a fastball with good run in on lefties and a 11-5 slider with above average bite

6th: FB (90-92), SL (78-79) - FB (Davis), 2 SL (Pennington, Sweeney)

5) Brad Ziegler: 29 pitches. FB, SL, CU. 5 strikes swinging. 3 Sliders, 2 Changeups.

• Ziegler came from a submarine release and showed a fastball with good run in on righties and some sink, a change with good fade from lefties and solid sink and a 4-7 slider with solid bite.

6th: FB (86-88), SL (72-74), CU (78) - 3 SL (Guerrero - 3), CU (Abreu)

7th: FB (85-89), SL (73-75), CU (77-78) - CU (Morales)

6) Jason Bulger: 22 pitches. FB, CB, CU. 3 strikes swinging. Fastball, Curveball, Changeup.

• Bulger came from an over the top release and showed a fastball with some run in on righties and some sink, a sharp 12-6 curve with average depth and a change with good fade from lefties and some sink.

7th: FB (92-96), CB (80-84), CU (86-88) - FB (Ellis), CB (Cust), CU (Cust)

7) Kevin Jepsen: 30 pitches. FB, Cut, CB. 1 strike swinging. Fastball.

• Jepsen came from an over the top release and showed a straight 4-seam fastball, a sharp 12-6 curve with slightly above average depth and a cutter that has evolved into a 2-7 slider with good bite.

8th: FB (95-100), Cut (88), CB (84-85) - FB (Davis)

8) Matt Palmer: 11 pitches. FB, Cut, CB, CU. 0 strikes swinging.

• Palmer came from an over the top release and showed a 12-6 curve with above average depth, a cutter with some cut and sink and a fastball with some run in on righties and some sink.

8th: FB (90-92), Cut (89), CB (77-78)

9) Craig Breslow: 31 pitches. FB, SL, CB, CU. 3 strikes swinging. 2 Fastballs, Slider.

• Breslow came from an over the top release and showed a sharp 11-5 slider with good bite, a fastball with some run in on righties and a straight change that kind of floated to the plate.

7th: FB (90-93), SL (84-85), CU (76) - FB (Matthews Jr.)

8th: FB (88-94), SL (84-88), CU (81) - FB (Hunter), SL (Guerrero)

10) Sean O'Sullivan: 20 pitches. FB, CB, CU. 3 strikes swinging. 2 Fastballs, Curveball.

• O'Sullivan came from an over the top release and showed a fastball with some run in on righties and good sink, a 12-6 curve with average depth and a change with some fade from lefties and some sink.

9th: FB (91-94), CB (80-83), CU (81) - 2 FB (Davis, Cust), CB (Davis)

11) Andrew Bailey: 20 pitches. FB, Cut, CB, CU. 1 strike swinging. Fastball.

• Bailey came from an over the top release and showed a fastball with a little natural cut, a 12-6 curve with above average depth and a cutter with above average cut and some sink

9th: FB (93-96), Cut (89), CB (78-79) - FB (Morales)

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: 9/17 CLE @ OAK

1) Justin Masterson: 93 pitches. (FB, SL, CU). 11 strikes swinging. 9 Sliders, 2 Fastballs.

• Masterson came from a 3/4 release and showed a fastball with good run in on righties and good sink that flashes good tilting action, a 3-8 sweeping slider with good bite and a change with good fade from lefties and a little sink. He starts to guide the ball when has issues finding the strike zone, causing a loss in velocity and movement and making him much more hittable. Slider down and on his gloveside corner (in on lefties, away from righties) is his out pitch.

1st: FB (88-95), SL (83-86) - FB (Suzuki), SL (Davis)

2nd: FB (89-95), SL (84-85) - 2 SL (Powell - 2)

3rd: FB (86-94), SL (79-86), CU (85) - 4 SL (Davis - 2, Powell - 2)

4th: FB (88-94), SL (83-86), CU (84-87) - 2 SL (Davis, Suzuki), FB (Suzuki)

2) Clayton Mortensen: 91 pitches. (FB, SL, CU). 10 strikes swinging. 6 Changeups, 2 Sliders, 2 Fastballs.

• Mortensen came from a high 3/4 release and showed a power sinker with some run in on righties and above average sink, a 1-7 slider with solid bite and a change with some fade from lefties and good sink that he will throw to righties.

1st: FB (87-93), SL (85-86), CU (83) - SL (Brantley)

2nd: FB (90-92), SL (85-87), CU (83-85) - 2 FB (Peralta, Valbuena), SL (Crowe)

3rd: FB (88-92), SL (84-86), CU (83-84) - 3 CU (Brantley, Peralta - 2)

4th: FB (89-91), SL (84-86), CU (82-83) - 2 CU (Hafner, Valbuena)

5th: FB (89-90), SL (84-86), CU (83-84) - CU (Peralta)

3) Jensen Lewis: 22 pitches. (FB, CU, SL, CB). 6 strikes swinging. 4 Fastballs, 2 Changeups.

• Lewis came from an over the top release and showed a fastball with some run in on righties, a change with good late fade from lefties and good late sink

5th: FB (87-91), CU (79-80) - 2 FB (Cust - 2), CU (Cust)

6th: FB (88-91), CU (76-81) - 2 FB (Davis - 2), CU (Barton)

4) Brad Kilby: 10 pitches. (FB, SL, CU). 0 strikes swinging.

• Kilby came from a high 3/4 release and showed a fastball that had some run in on lefties.

6th: FB (90-93)

5) Craig Breslow: 23 pitches. (FB, SL, CU, CB). 4 strikes swinging. 2 Fastballs, Slider, Changeup.

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

7th: FB (89-91), SL (83-87), CU (76) - 2 FB (Marson, Crowe), CU (Crowe)

8th: FB (89-92), SL (88), CB (77) - SL (Choo)

6) Mike Gosling: 8 pitches. (FB, CU, SL, CB)

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

7th: FB (89-91), CU (80-82)

7) Jose Veras: 24 pitches. (FB, CB, Split). 1 strike swinging. Fastball.

• Veras came from a high 3/4 release and showed a fastball with some run in on righties and some sink, a 12-6 curve with average depth and a split with good diving action.

7th: FB (93-94), CB (77)

8th: FB (93-95), CB (77-79), Split (81-82) - FB (Barton)

8) Michael Wuertz: 15 pitches. (FB, SL, CU, CB). 3 strikes swinging. 3 Sliders.

• Wuertz came from an over the top release and showed a 1-7 slider with above average bite and a fastball with some run in on righties and some sink.

8th: FB (90), SL (83-87) - 3 SL (Hafner, LaPorta - 2)

9) Andrew Bailey: 19 pitches. (FB, Cut, CB, CU). 3 strikes swinging. 2 Fastballs, Curveball.

• Bailey came from an over the top release and showed a fastball with some cut, a 12-6 curve with above average depth that is sharp and a cutter with above average cut and some sink.

9th: FB (93-95), Cut (88), CB (78-81) - 2 FB (Valbuena, Marson), CB (Crowe)

Brantley to 1st: 4.1

Chart Observations: 9/9 OAK @ CHW (Through Top 10)

1) Freddy Garcia: 87 pitches. (FB, SL, CU, Split, CB). 9 strikes swinging. 7 Sliders, Changeup, Splitter.

• Garcia is a 6-4, 260 pound righty. The 32 year old has a big frame that appears to be in more of the 240-250 range. His frame appears to have the ability to add more muscle to his lower body, but likely won't. He came from an over the top release with his typical windup and cocking action of the arm. His fastball has some run in on righties and a little sink. His change has some fade from lefties and above average sink. His split has slightly above average diving action. His slider is a big breaking 1-7 with good bite and more of a downward action pitch then a side to side offering that he will throw 3-2. His curve is a slow, big breaking 12-6 with above average depth. Solid # 5 starter, but he isn't the pitcher he used to be, but can eat innings for you.

1st: FB (87-89), SL (77-81), CU (80-81), Split (77) - SL, CU

2nd: FB (87-90), SL (80-81), CU (76), Split (77), CB (69) - Split

3rd: FB (85-91), SL (77-82), CU (79-81), Split (77-82)

4th: FB (85-89), SL (80-85), CU (82), Split (79) - 3 SL

5th: FB (85-87), SL (79-83), CU (79) - SL

6th: FB (86-89), SL (79-84) - 2 SL

2) Trevor Cahill: 74 pitches. (FB, CU, SL, CB). 5 strikes swinging. 3 Changeups, 2 Fastballs.

• Cahill came from a high 3/4 release and showed a fastball with good run in on righties that flashes Brandon Webb type sink at times, a change with some fade from lefties and some sink that he will throw to righties and it serves as his out pitch that he will throw in 3-1 counts, a 2-7 slider with okay bite that can flatten out at times and a power 1-7 curve with below average depth and can hang at times. He will also mix in a straight 4-seamer on occasion.

1st: FB (89-94), CU (80-84), SL (84-85), CB (81) - FB, 2 CU

2nd: FB (89-93), CU (78-85), SL (82-85), CB (80) - FB, CU

3rd: FB (87-92), CU (79-83), SL (82-83), CB (80)

3) Jeff Gray: 20 pitches. (FB, SL, CB, CU). 0 strikes swinging.

• Gray came from a high 3/4 release with a fastball with good run in on righties and some sink, a sharp 2-7 slider with good bite and a 12-6 curve with slightly above average depth.

4th: FB (93-96), SL (85-88), CB (79)

5th: FB (94-96), SL (85-87)

4) Jerry Blevins: 15 pitches. (FB, CB, CU, Cut). 1 strike swinging. Changeup.

• Blevins came from a sidearm release and showed a fastball with some tail in on righties and a little sink, a cutter with some cut, a change with good fade from righties and some sink that looks like a fastball out of his hand and a sweeping 10-4 curve with slightly above average depth.

5th: FB (91-93), CB (71-73), CU (84), Cut (84-87) - CU

5) Brad Ziegler: 17 pitches. (FB, CU, SL). 4 strikes swinging. 2 Fastballs, 2 Sliders.

• Ziegler came from a submarine release and showed a fastball with good run in on righties and good sink, a 4-7 slider with just enough bite to start on the corner and miss the bat and a change that moves just like his fastball, but slower.

6th: FB (85-87), CU (77), SL (72-73) - 2 FB, 2 SL

6) Matt Thornton: 17 pitches. (FB, SL, Cut, CU). 2 strikes swinging. 2 Fastballs.

• Thornton came from an over the top release and showed a straight 4-seam fastball and a sweeping 11-5 slider with good bite.

7th: FB (95-97) - FB

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

7) Michael Wuertz: 27 pitches. (SL, FB, CB, CU). 1 strike swinging. Slider.

• Wuertz came from an over the top release and showed a fastball with some run in on righties, a sharp 2-7 slider with above average bite and a change with some fade from lefties and some sink that he will throw 3-2.

7th: FB (91-93), SL (85-87), CU (88) - SL

8th: FB (91-93), SL (84-87), CU (89)

8) Tony Pena: 12 pitches. (FB, SL, CU). 3 strikes swinging. 2 Changeups, Slider.

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

8th: FB (95), SL (87-90), CU (86-87) - SL , 2 CU

9) Bobby Jenks: 19 pitches. (FB, SL, CB, CU). 0 strikes swinging.

• Jenks came from a high 3/4 release and showed a fastball with a little run in on righties, a big breaking 12-6 curve with above average depth and a 2-7 slider with good bite.

9th: FB (93-95), CB (85)

10th: FB (93-95), SL (88)

10) Craig Breslow: 11 pitches. (FB, SL, CU, CB). 0 strikes swinging.

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

9th: FB (90-92), SL (82), CU (78-79)

Chart Observations: 9/8 OAK @ CHW

1) Brett Tomko: 82 pitches. (FB, SL, CB, Split, CU). 3 strikes swinging. 2 Fastballs, Curveball.

• Tomko came from a 3/4 release and showed a fastball with a little late run in on righties, a 12-6 curve with above average depth, a 2-7 slider with some bite and a split with some dive.

1st: FB (92-94), SL (82-84), CB (75-77) - FB

2nd: FB (91-93), SL (82), CB (76-77)

3rd: FB (89-93), SL (80-83), CB (77)

4th: FB (91-92), SL (83), CB (75) - FB

5th: FB (89-91), SL (80-82), CB (73-76), Split (84) - CB

6th: FB (92-94), SL (82-84), CB (75-76), Split (85)

2) Carlos Torres: 22 pitches. (FB, Cut, CB, CU). 2 strikes swinging. 2 Fastballs.

• Torres came from a high 3/4 release and showed a cutter that moved like a 2-7 slider with good bite, a fastball with a little sink and a 12-6 curve with above average depth. He just got lit up. He almost appeared not to be loose, as he was throwing 84 and 85 mile per hour fastballs until the bases got loaded.

1st: FB (84-94), Cut (81-88), CB (81) - 2 FB

3) D.J. Carrasco: 55 pitches. (Cut, FB, CB, SL, CU). 0 strikes swinging.

• Carrasco came from a high 3/4 release and showed a fastball with good run in on righties and some sink, a cutter with some cut, a big breaking 12-6 curve with above average depth, a 2-7 slider with solid bite and a change with some fade from lefties and some sink. He will throw drop down fastballs and frisbee sliders with 2 strikes.

1st: FB (90), Cut (88-89)

2nd: FB (90-93), Cut (88-90), CB (75), SL (79-80)

3rd: FB (90-92), Cut (88-90), CB (75), SL (78-80), DDFB (88)

4th: FB (90-93), Cut (87-89), SL (78-79), CU (83-85), FSL (71)

4) Dan Hudson: 46 pitches. (FB, SL, CU). 6 strikes swinging. 2 Fastballs, 2 Sliders, 2 Changeups.

• Hudson is a 6-4, 220 pound righty. The 22 year old righty has a big frame that appears to be maxed out. He has a strong, athletic build with a strong lower half. He has a classic drop and drive delivery and comes from a 3/4 release. It is a max effort delivery. He is a Justin Masterson clone. Similar delivery, but Masterson has a cleaner delivery. Almost looks like he tries to stop his arm after releasing the ball, which would put a ton of extra stress on his shoulder. There is a definite recoil in there. His fastball has some run in on righties and some sink. His change has some fade from lefties and good sink. His change is late breaking and is an above average offering movement wise that he will throw 3-2 and to righties. His slider is a sharp 3-8 with good downward aciton, but not much side to side movement. 1.4 to the plate on a FB and stolen base. Needs to get faster. He is similar to Masterson in stuff, but Masterson's is better. Hudson will need to add more movement to his fastball and tighten his slider. I see him as a solid late inning reliever, but don't think he will be able to hold up as a starter.

5th: FB (94-95), CU (83-85) - FB, 2 CU

6th: FB (93-95), CU (83-84), SL (85) - FB

7th: FB (93-94), CU (84-85), SL (83-84) - 2 SL

5) Craig Breslow: 22 pitches. (FB, SL, CU, CB). 2 strikes swinging. Slider, Changeup.

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

6th: SL (83-85)

7th: FB (89-92), SL (81-87), CU (78-79) - SL, CU

6) Randy Williams: 11 pitches. (FB, Cut, CU, CB). 2 strikes swinging. Fastball, Cutter.

• Williams came from a high 3/4 release and showed a fastball with some run in on lefties and a cutter with some cut

7th: FB (90-94), Cut (87-90) - FB, Cut

7) Jhonny Nunez: 19 pitches. (FB, Cut). 2 strikes swinging. 2 Cutters

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

8th: FB (93-95), Cut (83-88) - 2 Cut

8) Jerry Blevins: 7 pitches. (FB, CB, CU, Cut). 2 strikes swinging. 2 Fastballs.

• Blevins came from a high 3/4 release and showed a fastball with a little run in on lefties and a straight change that has a little sink and a little fade from righties

8th: FB (92-93), CU (85-87) - 2 FB

9) Scott Linebrink: 34 pitches. (FB, CU, SL, Split). 2 strikes swinging. Fastball, Slider.

• Linebrink came from an over the top release with a fastball with some run in on righties and some sink, a straight change with some late from lefties and a little late sink, a split with above average dive that can look like a curve at times and serves as his out pitch and a big breaking 2-7 slider with good bite.

9th: FB (91-94), CU (82), SL (78-79), Split (81-82) - FB, SL

10) Brad Kilby: 14 pitches. (FB, SL). 5 strikes swinging. 5 Fastballs.

• Kilby came from a high 3/4 release and showed a fastball that was a pretty straight 4-seam, though it flashed a little run in on lefties and a 11-5 slider with solid bite.

9th: FB (91-94), SL (82) - 5 FB

Chart Observations: 8/23 DET @ OAK

1) Rick Porcello: 92 pitches. 4 strikes swinging. 2 Fastballs (2nd, 3rd), Changeup (3rd), Slider (5th)

• Porcello has apparently scrapped his curveball for the rest of the season. This means the Tigers have taken the reins off and are allowing him to throw the plus slider he had when he was drafted. He came from a 3/4 release and showed a fastball with good run in on righties with good sink, a 2-7 slider with above average bite that was a little slurvy and was a big breaker and a change with good fade from lefties with above average sink. Even if Brandon Webb was healthy, he may have the best sinker in all of baseball. It has unbelievable tilt when on and can go from the belt to the knees of a hitter at 95.

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

2nd: FB (91-96), CU (82)

3rd: FB (88-94), SL (81-83), CU (81-83)

4th: FB (89-91), SL (82), CU (79-80)

5th: FB (88-92), SL (80-83), CU (81-82)

6th: FB (89-90), SL (79-82), CU (80-81)

2) Brett Tomko: 87 pitches. 13 strikes swinging. 13 Fastballs (1-pitch pitcher much?, 3 in 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 5 in 5th, 3 in 6th)

• Tomko came from a high 3/4 release and showed a fastball with good run in on righties and good sink, a split with some dive, a 2-7 slider with good bite and a 12-6 curve with above average depth.

1st: FB (91-94), SL (83), CB (77), Split (84)

2nd: FB (91-93), SL (85), CB (78), Split (84-86)

3rd: FB (90-93), SL (83), CB (76)

4th: FB (92-94), SL (84), CB (75-79)

5th: FB (89-94), SL (80-82), CB (79), Split (84)

6th: FB (91-93), SL (80-82), CB (74), Split (84)

3) Fu Te Ni: 33 pitches. 3 strikes swinging. Fastball, 2 Changeups (All in 8th)

• Ni came from a 3/4 release and showed a fastball with some run in on lefties, a 10-4 slider with good bite and a change with some fade from righties with good sink.

6th: FB (87-89), SL (74-76)

7th: FB (87-89), SL (75-76), CU (79-80)

8th: FB (88-89), SL (74-75), CU (80-81)

4) Brad Ziegler: 23 pitches. 0 strikes swinging.

• Ziegler came from a submarine release and showed a fastball with good run in on righties with good sink, a change with above average fade from lefties and good sink that he will throw to righties and a 4-8 slider with okay bite.

7th: FB (84-87), CU (75-76), SL (72-73)

5) Craig Breslow: 3 pitches. 0 strikes swinging.

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

7th: FB (89), SL (84), CU (77)

6) Michael Wuertz: 21 pitches. 3 strikes swinging. 3 Sliders (all in 8th)

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

7th: SL (86-87)

8th: SL (86-89), FB (90-93)

7) Ryan Perry: 33 pitches. 5 strikes swinging. 3 Fastballs, 2 Sliders.

• Perry came from a high 3/4 release and showed a straight 4-seam fastball and a slurvy 2-7 slider with good bite.

8th: FB (92-96), SL (82-85)

8) Jeff Gray: 10 pitches. 0 strikes swinging.

• Gray is a 6-3, 195 pound righty. The 27 year old has a medium frame that is real long and skinny and shows the frame to get up to at least 215. He came from a high 3/4 release and showed a fastball with good run in on righties with good sink and a 12-6 curve with average depth. Looks like he has a chance to be a solid middle reliever with his sinker.

9th: FB (91-95), CB (79)

8/12: OAK @ BAL

1) Jason Berken: 86 pitches. 8 strikes swinging. Fastball (1st), Slider (1st), 3 Changeups (1st, 3rd, 4th), 3 Curveballs (all in 3rd)

• Berken 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, a change with some fade from lefties with sink and a 12-6 curve with below average depth.

1st: FB (92-94), SL (81-84), CU (83-84)

2nd: FB (91-94), CU (84-85), CB (79-81)

3rd: FB (90-95), SL (84), CU (84-85), CB (78-80)

4th: FB (91-92), CU (83-85), CB (77-78)

5th: FB (89-92), SL (83), CU (82)

2) Vin Mazzaro: 85 pitches. 6 strikes swinging. 5 Fastballs (3 in 1st, 2 in 3rd), Slider (1st)

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

1st: FB (91-94), SL (84-85), CU (83)

2nd: FB (87-92), SL (83-85)

3rd: FB (89-94), SL (84-88)

4th: FB (90-94), SL (80-85)

5th: FB (88-92), SL (85)

6th: FB (88-92), SL (84-85), CU (82)

3) Brian Bass: 28 pitches. 0 strikes swinging.

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

6th: FB (90-92), CB (76-78)

7th: FB (90-92), CB (76-78), SL (85)

4) Craig Breslow: 23 pitches. 2 strikes swinging. 2 Fastballs (both in 7th)

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

6th: FB (90-92), SL (85), CU (77)

7th: FB (88-94), SL (85-86), CU (76)

5) Michael Wuertz: 14 pitches. 0 strikes swinging.

• Wuertz came from an over the top release and showed af astball with a little run in on righties and a touch of sink and a sharp 1-7 slider with good late bite that he will throw in any count.

8th: FB (91-93), SL (85-86)

6) Mark Hendrickson: 10 pitches. 0 strikes swinging.

• Hendrickson came from a high 3/4 release and showed a fastball with some run in on lefties, a 11-5 curve with slightly above average depth and a change with some fade from righties with sink.

8th: FB (87-90), CB (73), CU (81)

7) Cla Meredith: 13 pitches. 2 strikes swinging. 2 Fastballs.

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

9th: FB (84-85), SL (78-80)

8) Andrew Bailey: 9 pitches. 0 strikes swinging.

• Bailey came from an over the top release and showed a fastball with a little late cut action and a cutter with above average cut.

9th: FB (93-96), Cut (88-89)

7/30: OAK @ BOS

1) Jon Lester: 104 pitches. 5 strikes swinging. 2 Fastballs (4th, 6th), 3 Cutters (all in 6th)

• Lester came from a high 3/4 release and showed a fastball with some run in on righties, a power 12-6 curve with good depth, a change with good fade from righties with a little sink and a cutter with good cut.

1st: FB (94-98), CB (80), CU (87)

2nd: FB (93-97), CB (78-79), Cut (90)

3rd: FB (92-96), CB (78-82), Cut (88-90)

4th: FB (93-97), CB (80), Cut (90-92)

5th: FB (94-97), CB (82), CU (88)

6th: FB (92-98), CB (79-83), CU (88), Cut (88-92)

2) Gio Gonzalez: 107 pitches. 9 strikes swinging. Fastball (2nd), 7 Curveballs (2 in 2nd, 2 in 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th), Changeup (3rd)

• Gonzalez is a 5-11, 195 pound lefty. The 23 year old has a small frame that is maxed out. He came from a 3/4 release. His fastball has some run in on lefties. His curve is a sharp 10-4 with solid depth and is a strikeout pitch. His change has good fade and some sink. As a starter, he probably profiles as a # 3 or 4 due to some command issues (though he showed none in this game) and as a reliever profiles as a potential set-up man that can get out both lefties and righties.

1st: FB (91-94), CB (81-82)

2nd: FB (91-94), CB (78-82)

3rd: FB (91-95), CB (78-82), CU (85-87)

4th: FB (91-93), CB (80-82), CU (85)

5th: FB (90-93), CB (80-82), CU (85-87)

6th: FB (92-94), CB (78-83), CU (87)

3) Manny Delcarmen: 21 pitches. 2 strikes swinging. Fastball (6th), Changeup (7th)

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

6th: FB (93-96), CU (83)

7th: FB (95-97), CU (82-84)

4) Russ Springer: 8 pitches. 0 strikes swinging.

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

6th: FB (94-96), Cut (86)

5) Michael Wuertz: 19 pitches. 2 strikes swinging. 2 Sliders.

• Wuertz came from an over the top release and showed a fastball with a little tail and a 2-7 slider that is sharp with above average bite.

7th: FB (90-92), SL (84-87)

6) Craig Breslow: 8 pitches. 0 strikes swinging.

• Breslow came from a high 3/4 and showed a 11-5 curve with solid depth and a fastball with some run in on lefties.

7th: FB (89-92), CB (72)

7) Santiago Casilla: 14 pitches. 1 strike swinging. Fastball.

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

8th: FB (95-98), SL (86-87), CU (87)

8) Daniel Bard: 8 pitches. 1 strike swinging. Slider.

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

8th: FB (98-101), SL (84-86)

9) Jonathan Papelbon: 17 pitches. 1 strike swinging. Splitter

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

9th: FB (98-99), SL (87-88), Split (94)

7/28: OAK @ BOS (Extra Pitchers + Everidge)

1) Craig Breslow: 10 pitches. 0 strikes swinging.

• Breslow came from a high 3/4 release and showed a fastball with some run in on lefties, a 10-4 curve with average depth and a 10-4 slider with solid bite.

10th: FB (91-94), SL (86-87), CB (76)

2) Manny Delcarmen: 34 pitches. 1 strike swinging. Curveball (10th)

• Delcarmen came from an over the top release and showed a above average 12-6 curve, a fastball with some run in on righties and a change with good fade from lefties with sink.

10th: FB (95-96), CB (74-80), CU (83-87)

11th: FB (95-98), CB (78-82), CU (85-88)

3) Takashi Saito: 7 pitches. 2 strikes swinging. Fastball, Slider.

• Saito came from a 3/4 release and showed a fastball with some tail, a 3-8 curve with okay depth and a 3-8 slider with good bite.

11th: FB (93-95), SL (83-86), CB (78)

4) Andrew Bailey: 14 pitches. 0 strikes swinging.

• Bailey is a 6-3, 235 pound righty. The 25 year old has a medium frame that is maxed out. He came from an over the top release. His fastball is a straight 4-seam. His curve is a sharp 12-6 with above average depth that can be a strikeout pitch. His cutter has above average cut. A reliever on the rise and can be a closer for a contender.

11th: FB (95-98), Cut (89-93), CB (78)

• Tommy Everidge is a 6-1, 215 pound 1B. The righty/righty has a medium frame that is maxed out and may have a little bad weight. He has a straight on stance with a little crouch. His trigger is a double step (a small step back, then a stride forward) and a cocking of the bat. He is very quiet at the plate. He is a little bit stiff defensively. He shows the ability to turn on a good fastball. He isn't a very fast runner (4.8 and 4.6 down the line). He shows below average power for the position and looks to be more of a gap hitter and he doesn't have the defensive ability to offset the lack of production. A classic tweener who will need to develop more power or greatly improve defensively to be an every day player for a contender.

Chart Observations: 7/24 OAK @ NYY

1) Brett Anderson: 114 pitches. 12 strikes swinging. 6 Fastballs (1st, 2 in 2nd, 2 in 3rd, 7th), 6 Sliders (1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th)

• What a difference seeing him this outing did. He came from a high 3/4 release and showed a 2-seam fastball with some run in on lefties and a little sink, a sharp 11-4 slider with above average bite that served as his out pitch and preferred to throw it down and in on righties, a straight 4-seam fastball, a change with good fade from righties with sink and a 11-5 curve with good depth. He definitely has a pretty good shot of being a legit # 2 starter.

1st: FB (90-95), SL (85-86)

2nd: FB (90-96), SL (85-86)

3rd: FB (87-95), SL (81-86), CU (84)

4th: FB (88-92), SL (81-85), CB (77)

5th: FB (89-94), SL (81-85), CU (83-84), CB (77)

6th: FB (88-94), SL (81-86), CU (82-86), CB (75-78)

7th: FB (92-94), SL (81-85), CU (82-83), CB (76-77)

2) Joba Chamberlain: 100 pitches. 3 strikes swinging. 3 Sliders (3rd, 2 in 5th)

• Joba is a 6-2, 230 pound righty. The 23 year old has a medium frame that is maxed out. He came from an over the top release. His fastball has some run in on righties and a little sink. His curve is a 12-6 that is sharp with average depth. His slider is a sharp 2-7 with average bite. His change has good fade from lefties with some sink. Simply put, his stuff has taken a slight step back as he attempts to get acclimated to starting. That being said, I still think this kid is a future # 2 at least and some better fastball command would be a good first step towards that.

1st: FB (91-94), CB (77), SL (84)

2nd: FB (91-95), CB (76), SL (85-86)

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

4th: FB (93-96), CB (78), SL (83-85), CU (84)

5th: FB (91-96), CB( 76), SL (83-86)

6th: FB (91-94), CB (76-78), SL (84-85)

7th: FB (91-93), CB (78-80)

8th: FB (90-94)

3) Russ Springer: 8 pitches. 2 strikes swinging. 2 Fastballs.

• Springer is a 6-4, 225 pound righty. The 40 year old has a big frame that won't be adding any more muscle. He came from a high 3/4 release with a fastball with some late run in on righties and a cutter with solid cut and some sink.

7th: FB (92-94), Cut (85)

4) Craig Breslow: 14 pitches. 1 strike swinging. Curveball.

• Breslow came from a high 3/4 release and showed a 11-5 slider with solid bite, a 11-5 curve with average depth that was a little loopy, a change with above average sink that had some tail in on righties and a fastball with a little run in on lefties.

8th: FB (87-90), SL (82-85), CU (73), CB (74-76)

5) Santiago Casilla: 16 pitches. 2 strikes swinging. Slider, Changeup.

• Casilla came from a 3/4 release and showed a fastball with good run in on righties, a 1-7 slider with above average bite and a change with some fade from lefties.

8th: FB (92-95), SL (83-86), CU (85-88)

6) Phil Coke: 13 pitches. 3 strikes swinging. Fastball, 2 Sliders.

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

8th: FB (92-94), SL (81-83)

7) David Robertson: 19 pitches. 0 strikes swinging.

• Robertson came from an over the top release and showed a fastball with a little run in on righties and a power 12-6 curve with average depth that can be a strikeout pitch.

9th: FB (91-93), CB (77-81)

Chart Observations (7/4 Game): OAK @ CLE

1) Carl Pavano: 103 pitches. 5 strikes swinging. Fastball (4th), Slider (1st), 3 Changeups (2nd, 5th, 7th)

• Pavano is a 6-5, 240 pound righty. The 33 year old has a big frame that is maxed out. He comes from an over the top release with a fastball with some run in on righties with some sink. His slider is a sharp 2-7 with good bite and is his out pitch. Change has good fade from lefties with good sink and can move like a split or curve at times. It flashes plus with diving action similar to that of a splitter. Solid # 4 starter.

1st: FB (90-93), SL (81-84), CU (81-82)

2nd: FB (90-92), CU (80-82)

3rd: FB (90-91), SL (82), CU (81-84)

4th: FB (90-94), SL (83-84), CU (80-81)

5th: FB (90-93), SL (83-84), CU (81-86)

6th: FB (91-93), SL (83), CU (81-87)

7th: FB (88-93), SL (81), CU (79-82)

2) Vin Mazzaro: 99 pitches. 2 strikes swinging. Fastball (6th), Curveball (7th)

• Mazzaro came from a high 3/4 release and showed a power sinker with above average sink and some run in on righties. His change has some fade and sink from lefties. His slider is a 2-7 that flashes plus with sharp bite, but is usually average or below average with okay bite. His curve is a big breaking 12-6 with solid depth.

1st: FB (92-95), CU (87)

2nd: FB (91-95), CU (83), SL (87)

3rd: FB (91-94), CU (83-86), SL (85-87), CB (80-81)

4th: FB (90-93), CU (83-85), SL (86), CB (78-81)

5th: FB (90-91), CU (84), SL (84-85), CB (80)

6th: FB (89-93), CU (83), SL (82-84), CB (77-79)

7th: FB (88-92), CU (81-84), SL (83), CB (78)

3) Tony Sipp: 10 pitches. 0 strikes swinging.

• Sipp is a 6-0, 190 pound lefty. The 25 year old has a medium frame that can add quite a bit more muscle. He comes from an over the top release. His fastball has some run in on righties and a little sink. His change is a straight change with a little sink. He has some cocking arm action. He struggles to consistently throw strikes and if he can learn command, there is a place in a bullpen for him.

7th: FB (92)

8th: FB (91-92), CU (84)

4) Craig Breslow: 16 pitches. 1 strike swinging. Fastball (8th)

• Breslow came from a high 3/4 release and showed a fastball with some run in on righties, a big breaking 11-4 curve with good depth and a sharp 11-4 slider with solid bite.

7th: FB (87-91), SL (86), CB (74)

8th: FB (90-92), CB (72-78)

5) Joe Smith: 4 pitches. 0 strikes swinging.

• Smith is a sidearmer who showed a fastball with good run in on righties and some sink.

8th: FB (89-90)

6) Brad Ziegler: 5 pitches. 2 strikes swinging. Fastball, Slider.

• Ziegler is a sidearmer whose fastball has good sink and run in on righties and a 3-9 slider with good bite.

8th: FB (86-87), SL (72-73)

7) Kerry Wood: 9 pitches. 0 strikes swinging.

• Wood came from an over the top release and showed a straight 4-seam fastball, a sharp 12-7 curve with above average depth and a cutter with above average cut and some sink.

9th: FB (95-97), CB (82), Cut (90-91)

BAL @ OAK

• Vin Mazzaro attacked from a 3/4 release and once again looked very good, shutting out the Orioles for 7 and 1/3. The right hander's sink has some fade and sink and is a hard sinker, one that appears to be like hitting a brick. His slider is an inconsistent 2-7 offering that can be flat, loopy or sharp. He pounds the outside corner with his sinker and loves to backdoor pitches to his gloveside. His curveball is a 2-7 offering that is a bigger break then his slider. He looks pretty good to be a solid # 3 starter for a longtime.

1st: FB (93-95), SL (83), CU (87-88)

2nd: FB (90-94), SL (86-87), CU (86)

3rd: FB (92-95), SL (84-87)

4th: FB (91-95), SL (86), CB (81)

5th: FB (91-94), SL (87), CB (81-83)

6th: FB (90-94), SL (83-87), CU (88)

7th: FB (92-93), SL (83-85), CU (86), CB (80)

8th: FB (90-93), SL (85-86)

• Rich Hill opposed him. The 6-5, 205 pounder has a big frame that has room to add a lot more muscle. The 29 year old lefty comes at you from a high 3/4 release. His curveball is a 10-4 big breaker that he threw a lot. It has good depth and flashes plus and is consistently an above average offering. His fastball is a 4-seam with a litle run and sink and its velocity plays up due to his slow breaking ball. His change has some fade and a little sink. He lasted all of 2/3 innings, battling some control issues. He couldn't throw his fastball or curve for strikes consistently and most of his fastballs missed gloveside and down while his curves were up or up and armside. He got squeezed a little bit and he had a quick leash on him (only faced 8 hitters and had the 8th, Rajai Davis, struck out two different times on CB's that the umpire just couldn't pull the trigger on). I still like him as a # 4 starter, but his command is his bug-a-boo and he will need to find a way to adjust.

1st: FB (87-90), CB (70-73), CU (82)

• Brian Bass was a god send for the Orioles today. The righty showed a fastball with some fade and sink, a 2-7 slider with some late bite and a big breaking 12-6 curveball from a 3/4 release. He is a very fast worker on the mound and threw 4 and 1/3 scoreless.

1st: FB (92-94), SL (86)

2nd: FB (92-94), CB (78-80)

3rd: FB (92-94), SL (86), CB (78)

4th: FB (92-93), SL (86)

5th: FB (91-94), SL (85), CB (79)

• Matt Albers attacked from a 3/4 release with a curveball that was a 1-7 tpe pitch with good depth and a fastball with some fade and some sink. Seems like your typical middle reliever to me.

6th: FB (93-95), CB (79-80)

7th: FB (92-95), CB (80)

• Jim Johnson came from an over the top release. His fastball is a 4-seam with some natural downward movement that he generates from getting a good downhill plane for his pitches. His change shows some fade and sink. The 1 curveball he threw was terrible and a hanger at the eyes.

8th: FB (94-96), CB (80), CU (87)

• Michael Wuertz comes from an over the top release with a straight 4-seam fastball and a sharp, late breaking slider with good bite that is a 2-7 offering. He battled his fastball command a little in this outing and profiles best as a middle reliever.

8th: FB (93-94), SL (88-89)

• Craig Breslow came from a high 3/4 release and got out Nick Markakis, who laced one of his sliders to center. His slider is a 11-4 type pitch.

8th: SL (82-85)

• Andrew Bailey is a legit closer. The right hander attacks from an over the top release. I wasn't sure what to think of him, but I have decided he is a frontline closer for a contender. He throws a 4-seam fastball with some fade, an exceptionally hard cutter that can flash slider like movement and a big breaking 12-6 curveball that has good depth.

9th: FB (94-97), Cut (88-90), CB (78-80)

• Gregorio Petit is a 5-10, 200 pound 24 year old. The righty thrower/hitter has a small frame that is maxed out. He has a straight-on stance with the bat horizonal just above his shoulder and has a little bit of a bat tap. He shows a short swing. His trigger is moving back on his back leg and cocking the bat. He is an utility infielder, as he will never have much power and doesn't look to be anything amazingly special with the glove.
• Matt Wieters is a big (for a catcher), 6-5, 230. The switch hitter/righty thrower has a big frame that can add a lot more muscle, though he may not want to due to losing mobility behind the plate. The 23 year old has a fairly straight up stance with a little bat wiggle. He has a big leg kick as his trigger with a cocking of the bat. He has plus raw power and has shown an ability to hit for average at his previous minor league stops, but he may take a little bit. His bat seemed slow and he was unsure of his plan of attack when in the box. He seems like he is subsceptible at this stage to pitchers that can mix speeds well or those that have power fastballs. Wieters has a strong arm and was very quick on the one stolen base on him in this game (1.7) and they stole it on the pitcher (Hill was 1.6 to the plate on a curveball). I do wonder some about his game calling, but he is a rookie and will have those moments. Give him a couple of years and he should reach his potential by then, which is probably right around Brian McCann with more average and a little better behind the plate.
• Oscar Salazar is a 6-0, 195 pound 30 year old. The righty hitter/thrower has a medium frame that can add a little more muscle. He appears to lunge at the ball in a straight-on stance with a little crouch. He holds the bat in front of him about even with his back shoulder. He has mashed at AAA, but I don't see how he hits home runs with his stance. His power (my assumption) is pull, as he looks like he could get his whole body into inside pitches. Another utility player, he probably fits better with an NL team as an occasional pinch hitter and spelling players at various positions (played 1B in this game).

2 charts and a baseball game tomorrow.

Extra Report: 6/2 OAK @ CWS

Baseball game got cancelled because it rains here everyday, so decided to go into work and scout this game.

• Bartolo Colon is a 36 year old who stands 5-11, 245. The pudgy right hander has a small frame that is maxed out with some bad weight there. He comes from a 3/4, almost high 3/4 release. His fastball has some late fade and sink, and all but 3 of his pitches were this fastball. He has the 2-seam that he likes to start just off the gloveside corner and run back over for a strike and a straight 4-seam that he will throw just to mix things up. His changeup moves like his fastball, but with more fade while his slider is a 2-7 offering that is slurvy. Both his off-speed pitches are average. Seems to be a good # 4 when healthy, as he will eat innings and tends to get a lot of weak contact from his moving fastball, but he can't have too many more seasons left.

1st: FB (86-89)

2nd: FB (86-87), CU (81)

3rd: FB (86-90)

4th: FB (86-92)

5th: FB (86-92), CU (81)

6th: FB (85-91), SL (79)

• Vin Mazzaro is a 6-1, 215 pound right hander. The 22 year old has a medium frame that has room to add a ton of muscle, especially in the lower body. He lands hard on his front leg and kicks his leg out, but his mechanics are otherwise very clean and maximize his velocity. His sinker is similar to that of Mike Pelfrey as opposed to Brandon Webb or Trevor Cahill. It's a 2-seamer with late fade and a little sink. His slider is a 2-7 offering with decent bite that is fairly average. He likes to throw his hard slider on the gloveside corner and have it break out of the zone (does this to both righties and lefties). His change looks like a fastball out of his hand and flashes between plus and average. The first change he threw was plus, as it showed great fade and sink. His others were just average, with some fade and a litle sink, but not a ton of movement. His fastball can straighten out at times. His curveball is just a slower slider, as it is a 2-7 pitch with less speed and more break and it is another pitch that is anywhere from average to above average. Jim Thome looked silly trying to hit it early on. His slider can flatten out to look like a cutter at times. Mazzaro probably doesn't have any velocity left, but needs to add muscle so that he can maintain his velocity deeper into games. At about 75 pitches, his velocity started coming down. He is a solid middle of the rotation starter down the line and is probably a # 5 right now due to the inconsistencies of his off-speed offerings, but he is a good bet to reach that ceiling in my opinion.

1st: FB (92-96), SL (87-89)

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

3rd: FB (91-94), SL (85), CU (86-87), CB (81-83)

4th: FB (91-93), SL (85-86), CU (84-85), CB (81-82)

5th: FB (89-92), SL (84-85), CU (85), CB (79)

6th: FB (89-91), SL (82-83), CU (84), CB (79)

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

• Jimmy Gobble is a 27 year old who stands 6-3, 210. The left hander has a medium to big frame that has room to add a little more muscle and can probably get up to 220 comfortably. He comes from a 3/4 release. Hangs back behind his leg kick a little and then accelerates through to pitch. His fastball is a 2-seam with some fade. His slider is a 9-3 offering with a little bite and sink. It is more of a sweeping slider and it's a late breaker. Generated about 5 or 6 swings and misses on the pitch. He can battle his fastball command at times and threw a lot of sliders. His change was over thrown and was way up and away. I think he is a 2nd lefty in someone's pen, one that you don't want facing a lot of righties, but should be able to get lefties out with FB-SL.

6th: FB (87-88), SL (76-84)

7th: FB (89-91), SL (82-84), CU (80)

• D.J. Carrasco is a 6-3, 220 pounder right hander. He has a medium to big frame that is maxed out. He attacks from a 3/4 release. His fastball shows some fade and a little sink. His cutter shows good late cut and some sink. His slider is a 3-7 offering with good late movement and will drop down sidearm to throw sliders. Solid reliever, just not one you want closing or setting up.

7th: FB (92), Cut (89-90)

8th: Cut (88-89), SL (81), Sidearm SL (73)

• Craig Breslow is a 6-1, 180 pounder who has a medium frame that can add more muscle and should be able to get to 195. The 27 year old lefty attacked from a high 3/4 release and is on his 2nd team this season, as the Twins exposed him to waivers before being picked up by the A's. Breslow's primary fastball is a 2-seamer with some fade and he will mix in a straight 4-seam. His slider is a 10-3 offering with good bite. He is an 11th or 12th pitcher for a team and isn't a bad 2nd left hander in a pen if your team has that luxury.

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

• Brad Ziegler is a 29 year old who stands 6-4, 205. The right hnader has a big frame that has room to add more muscle. He is a submariner with a fastball that has good fade and sink and a slider that is a 5-8 (never thought I would type that type of pitch) with more side to side movement then bite. Solid middle reliever, but I think he pitched over his head at the beginning of last year. I think Chad Bradford in his prime is exactly what Ziegler is.

8th: FB (84-86), SL (71-72)

9th: FB (84-85)

• Wes Whisler was another pitcher who made his big league debut in this game. The 26 year old lefty stands 6-5, 240 and can add a little more muscle (probably to 245). He has a 3/4 release and is more of a slinger arm action. He pitches more with his body then his arm and his arm tends to lag behind. His fastball is a straight 4-seam with some run. His slider is a slurvy 10-4 offering and his change shows good sink and dive. I thought his change was his best off-speed offering, but that doesn't help him in regards to trying to be a LOOGY. Is another one of the Sox low-upside arms that is probably pitching at his ceiling right now, a 12th guy on a staff who was a starter in the minors, but doesn't have the pitches to do it in the bigs and he also doesn't have one lights out offspeed offering.

9th: FB (86-89), SL (82-84), CU (79-80)

My phone was pretty much dead, so I couldn't do any type of stop watch stuff.

Chart and a score tomorrow, with the score featuring the Diamondbacks (Scherzer) and Padres (Correia).

ARI @ OAK

• Trevor Cahill is a 21 year old who stands 6-3 and weighs 210 pounds. He has a medium to big frame that can add a lot more muscle. From a high 3/4 release, he showed a 2-seam sinker at 85-92 (typically sat around 89-91), a slider at 83, a curveball at 77-79 and a changeup at 77-81. His fastball showed great sink and fade and is the first I have seen that is comparable to Brandon Webb's when it is on. His changeup is his best off-speed offering and is above average/borderline plus with it great fade and it looks like a fastball out of his hand. His slider was flat and he only threw one. His curveball is a 12-6 offering that is more of a get ahead pitch then a put away pitch. Cahill still has some issues in regards to commanding his stuff within the strike zone and will likely have a little steeper learning curve for command then his peers due to the sheer movement of his fastball. He is a groundball machine with a plus fastball and changeup. He liked to use FB-CU the 1st time through the order and then began mixing his breaking pitches in. Cahill profiles best as a middle of the rotation starter for a contender. It isn't hard to project him to be sitting at 92-94 with his sinker with his frame. It isn't blasphemous to say he could be the next Webb.
• Billy Buckner opposed him. The 25 year old who stands 6-2 and 215 pounds has a medium frame with a lot of room to add muscle. From an over the top release, he showed a fastball at 87-92, a curveball at 76-82 and a changeup at 80-85. His changeup shows some consistent sink, but the fade is inconsistent. His fastball has some movement, but the sink is generated more from him generating a great downhill plane to throw his pitches. His curveball is a 12-6 pitch that shows some bite, but doesn't consistently finish it causing it to hang up in the zone. A classic tweener, I think he is best suited as a swingman in a pen giving you some spot starts. He is still projectable, but you have to wonder just how much more could be there. Likely a guy that bounces between the majors and AAA.
• Craig Breslow made his 1st appearance with the A's and showed a fastball at 87 and a slider at 83 to get his hitter to hit into a double play.
• Esmerling Vasquez is 25 years old and stands 6-1, 175 pounds. His medium frame has a ton of room to add muscle and he is very lanky with long arms, which could make it difficult for him to consistently repeat his mechanics. He threw one fastball at 93 to get his man out.
• Clay Zavada features a mustache that would make Rollie Fingers proud. He is 24 years old and is 6-1 195 pounds with a medium frame that can add more muscle, especially in the lower body. From a high 3/4 release, he showed a fastball at 87, a slider at 78 and a changeup at 78-80. Zavada's changeup shows good fade and sink and is an above average offering. His slider is a 10-5 type of pitch, but choked the only he threw. Looks like a rare lefty that may be able to get out both righties and lefties due to his above average curve. Profiles best as a middle reliever and could be a teams # 1 lefty out of the pen.
• Santiago Casilla is 28 years old and has a medium (6-0, 200) frame that is maxed out. From a high 3/4 release, he showed a fastball at 91-95, a slider at 83-86 and a changeup at 85. Casilla's changeup is a show pitch and he likes to go his sharp, late breaking slider to get strikeouts with 2 strikes. His fastball shows a little 2-seam movement. His command is average and that is what is holding him back from being a strong set up guy.
• Jon Rauch is a 30 year old imposing presence (6-11, 290). For such a big guy, he doesn't show great velocity from his maxed out frame, sitting at 91-93 with his fastball, throwing a curve at 75 and a changeup at 85-87. He generates a great downhill plane for his pitches, but his fastball is a straight 4-seam. His changeup is fairly straight and doesn't have a lot of action to it other then the velocity difference. His curveball is a 12-6 offering. He shows above average command and is a solid middle reliever who can set-up and close every once in awhile.

SEA @ MIN

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

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