Chart Observations: 9/18 TOR @ TB

1) James Shields: 97 pitches. (FB, CU, Cut, CB). 12 strikes swinging. 4 Fastballs, 4 Changeups, 3 Cutters, Curveball.

• Shields came from an over the top release and showed a fastball with some run in on righties and some sink, a change with good fade from lefties and above average sink that he will throw to righties and in 3-2 counts, a cutter with some cut and some sink and a sharp 12-6 curve with average depth.

1st: FB (90-92), CU (81-83), Cut (87-91), CB (80) - CU (Wells), Cut (Wells)

2nd: FB (91-94), CU (82-83), Cut (87-90) - 2 Cut (Barajas, Snider)

3rd: FB (91-93), CU (81-84), Cut (89-90), CB (80) - 3 FB (McDonald, Bautista - 2), 2 CU (Wells, Bautista), CB (Wells)

4th: FB (90-92), CU (81-83), Cut (88-89), CB (79) - FB (Barajas)

5th: FB (90-92), CU (81-82), Cut (87-88) - CU (Hill)

6th: FB (90-91), CU (81-82), Cut (87-89), CB (78)

2) Scott Richmond: 63 pitches. (FB, SL, CB, CU). 2 strikes swinging. 2 Fastballs.

• Richmond 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 above average depth and a change with some fade from lefties and a little sink.

1st: FB (90-91), SL (82), CB (76-77) - FB (Longoria)

2nd: FB (89-92), SL (82-84), CB (73-79) - FB (Aybar)

3rd: FB (89-92), SL (81-84), CB (78-80), CU (83)

3) Brian Wolfe: 36 pitches. (FB, CB, Cut). 2 strikes swinging. 2 Fastballs.

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

3rd: FB (90-94), CB (78-82), Cut (91) - 2 FB (Zaun, Upton)

4th: FB (90-94), CB (79-80), Cut (90-91), CU (83)

4) Dirk Hayhurst: 57 pitches. (FB, SL, CB, CU). 6 strikes swinging. 3 Changeups, 2 Fastballs, Slider.

• Hayhurst came from an over the top release and showed a fastball wtih some run in on righties, a 12-6 curve with slightly above average depth, a change with good fade from lefties and good sink that he will throw to righties and a 2-7 slider with good bite.

4th: FB (87-90), CB (73-74), CU (79-80) - FB (Zaun)

5th: FB (87-89), CB (70-73), CU (77-79), SL (78-79) - CU (Bartlett), SL (Upton)

6th: FB (86-88), CB (72-73), CU (78-80), SL (79) - FB (Aybar), 2 CU (Crawford, Longoria)

5) Josh Roenicke: 32 pitches. (FB, Cut, SL, CU). 5 strikes swinging. 2 Cutters, 2 Changeups, Fastball.

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

7th: FB (92-93), Cut (89), CU (84) - Cut (Gross)

8th: FB (92-93), Cut (86-88), CU (83-84), CB (79-80) - FB (Aybar), Cut (Bartlett), 2 CU (Aybar, Crawford)

6) Dan Wheeler: 17 pitches. (FB, CU, SL, CB). 3 strikes swinging. Fastball, Cutter, Curveball.

• Wheeler came from an over the top release and showed a fastball with some run in on righties, a cutter with a little cut and sink, a 1-7 slider with good bite, a 12-6 curve with average depth and a change with some fade from lefties and some sink.

7th: FB (86-90), CU (83), SL (77-80), CB (75-76), Cut (82-84) - FB (Wells), Cut (Bautista), CB (Wells)

7) Russ Springer: 8 pitches. (FB, Cut, CB, CU). 3 strikes swinging. 3 Fastballs.

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

8th: FB (92-93), Cut (85) - 3 FB (Ruiz - 3)

8) Randy Choate: 8 pitches. (FB, SL, CU). 1 strike swinging. Fastball.

• Choate came from a sidearm release and showed a fastball with some run in on lefties and a sweeping 9-4 slider with good bite.

8th: FB (87-88), SL (77-79) - FB (Snider)

9) Grant Balfour: 16 pitches. (FB, SL, CB, CU). 2 strikes swinging. 2 Fastballs.

• Balfour came from an over the top release and showed a straight 4-seam fastball and a 12-6 curve with average depth.

9th: FB (93-96), CB (82) - 2 FB (McDonald - 2)

Phillips Pop Time: 1.9

Chart Observations: 9/1 BOS @ TB

1) Jon Lester: 97 pitches. (FB, CB, Cut, CU). 12 strikes swinging. 5 Fastballs, 3 Curveballs, 3 Cutters, Changeup

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

1st: FB (92-94), CB (77), Cut (88-89), CU (83-84) - CB, CU

2nd: FB (92-95), CB (76-80), Cut (87-90), CU (84) - FB, Cut, CB

3rd: FB (91-93), Cut (87-88)

4th: FB (91-95), CB (77-79), Cut (88), CU (84) - 2 FB

5th: FB (91-94), CB (78-79), Cut (87-90) - 2 FB, Cut

6th: FB (90-95), CB (76-78), Cut (86-88), CU (82) - Cut, CB

2) Andy Sonnanstine: 91 pitches. (Cut, FB, CB, SL, CU). 4 strikes swinging. 2 Cutters, Curveball, Slider.

• Sonnanstine came from a high 3/4 release and showed a cutter with solid cut, a fastball with some run in on righties and a touch of sink, a 12-6 curve with below average depth, a 2-7 slider with solid bite and a change with some fade from lefties and a touch of sink, but it can straighten out.

1st: FB (87-89), Cut (86-89), CB (75-78), SL (78-82) - Cut

2nd: FB (86-88), Cut (86-89), CB (75-77), SL (77-80)

3rd: FB (85-87), Cut (84-86), CB (73), SL (76-80)

4th: FB (85-87), Cut (84-86), CB (75), SL (76-80), CU (80) - CB, SL

5th: Cut (82-84), SL (78) - Cut

3) Brian Shouse: 12 pitches. (FB, SL, CU). 0 strikes swinging.

• Shouse came from a sidearm, almost submarine release and showed a fastball with some tail in on righties and good sink and a sweeping 9-4 slider with solid bite.

5th: FB (79-80), SL (74)

4) Lance Cormier: 19 pitches. (Cut, FB, CB, CU). 0 strikes swinging.

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

5th: Cut (86-87), CB (77-78)

6th: Cut (86-87), CB (76-77), FB (87-88)

5) Chad Bradford: 7 pitches. (FB, SL, CU). 0 strikes swinging.

• Bradford 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 good sink that he will throw to righties and a flat 3-8 slider with some bite.

6th: FB (79-80), SL (67), CU (73)

6) Randy Choate: 25 pitches. (FB, SL, CU). 1 strike swinging. Slider.

• Choate came from a sidearm release and showed a fastball with some run in on lefties and a little sink and a 9-4 slider with solid bite.

6th: FB (88-89)

7th: FB (85-88), SL (78) - SL

8th: FB (85-87)

7) Billy Wagner: 13 pitches. (FB, SL, CU). 3 strikes swinging. 2 Fastballs, Slider.

• Wagner came from a 3/4 release and showed a fastball with some run in on lefties and a sharp 10-5 slider with good bite

7th: FB (93-94), SL (80-83) - 2 FB, SL

8) Hideki Okajima: 20 pitches. (FB, CB, Split). 1 strike swinging. Splitter.

• Okajima came from an over the top release and showed a fastball with a little run in on lefties, a 11-5 curve with slightly above average depth and a split with a little dive.

8th: FB (85-88), CB (74-77), Split (80-83) - Split.

9) Jonathan Papelbon: 28 pitches. (FB, SL, Split). 4 strikes swinging. 2 Fastballs, 2 Splitters.

• Papelbon came from a high 3/4 release and showed a fastball with some run in on righties and a split with some dive.

8th: FB (92-94), Split (88) - 2 FB

9th: FB (91-95), Split (88) - 2 Split

10) Dan Wheeler: 13 pitches. (FB, SL, CU, CB). 1 strike swinging. Changeup.

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

8th: FB (88-90), CU (81-83) - CU

11) Grant Balfour: 20 pitches. (FB, SL, CB, CU). 2 strikes swinging. 2 Fastballs.

• Balfour came from an over the top release and showed a fastball with a little run in on righties and a 2-7 slider with good bite.

9th: FB (93-95), SL (87) - 2 FB

12) J.P. Howell: 5 pitches. (FB, CB, CU). 0 strikes swinging.

• Howell came from an over the top release and showed a 11-5 curve with slightly above average depth and a fastball with some run in on lefties and some sink.

9th: FB (84-86), CB (79-80)

7/29: NYY @ TB

1) Matt Garza: 110 pitches. 8 strikes swinging. 2 Fastballs (1st, 6th), 4 Sliders (2 in 2nd, 4th, 5th), Curveball (6th), Changeup (7th)

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

1st: FB (89-94), SL (85-88), CB (74)

2nd: FB (88-94), SL (86-87), CB (75)

3rd: FB (90-93), SL (84), CB (73), CU (84)

4th: FB (88-93), SL (86), CB (76), CU (82-83)

5th: FB (90-95), SL (84-89), CB (75-76)

6th: FB (89-94), SL (83-87), CB (74-76), CU (80-82)

7th: FB (90-94), SL (86), CB (77), CU (84)

2) Joba Chamberlain: 101 pitches. 10 strikes swinging. 3 Fastballs (2nd, 3rd, 5th), 6 on Sliders (3rd, 2 in 5th, 6th, 7th, 8th), Curveball (3rd)

• Joba came from an over the top release and showed a fastball with good run in on righties, a 2-7 slider with above average bite that he threw both 3-1 and 3-2, a big breaking 12-6 curve and a change with some fade from lefties.

1st: FB (90-95), SL (83)

2nd: FB (91-94), SL (83), CB (74)

3rd: FB (90-94), SL (83-85), CB (75-80)

4th: FB (91-94), CB (75-81)

5th: FB (90-95), SL (84-87), CB (75), CU (81)

6th: FB (91-94), SL (81-86), CB (75)

7th: FB (92-95), SL (83-85)

8th: FB (90-94), SL (83-85), CB (75)

3) Brian Shouse: 1 pitch. 0 strikes swinging.

• Shouse is a 5-10, 190 pound lefty. The 40 year old has a small frame that is nearly maxed out. I didn't get a good look at his fastball.

8th: FB (79)

4) Lance Cormier: 9 pitches. 1 strike swinging. Curveball.

• Cormier came from an over the top release and showed a 1-7 curve with average depth, a cutter with solid cut and a fastball with some run in on righties and a little sink.

8th: FB (89), CB (76-77), Cut (87-88)

5) Dan Wheeler: 14 pitches. 0 strikes swinging.

• Wheeler came from an over the top release and showed a fastball with some run in on righties and a cutter with some cut.

9th: FB (87-89), Cut (83-84)

6) Brian Bruney: 15 pitches. 0 strikes swinging.

• Bruney came from an over the top release and showed a fastball with a little run and sink on righteis and a 2-7 slider with average bite.

9th: FB (90-94), SL (85-88)

7) Mariano Rivera: 14 pitches. 3 strikes swinging. 3 Cutters.

• Rivera came from an over the top and showed a cutter with excellent cut.

9th: Cut (89-93)

Chart Observations: TOR @ TB

1) Marc Rzepczynski: 105 pitches. 9 strikes swinging. 4 on Fastballs (2nd, 3rd, 5th, 6th), 3 on Sliders (1st, 2nd, 6th) and 2 on Changeups (1st, 6th)

• Marc (not even going to try and respell or pronounce this cats name) is a 6-1, 205 pound lefty. The 23 year old has a medium frame that is close to being maxed out. He has a drop and drive delivery with a 3/4 release. He puts a lot of pressure on his back leg and pushes off very well. His slider is a slurvy 10-4 with solid bite. He throws 2 different types of fastballs: a straight 4-seam and a 2-seam with great run in on lefties and solid sink. His change has great sink and a little run in on righties, but it's break can be inconsistent and it can be straight. He has a lot of confidence in himself, willing (and preferring) to throw 3-2 sliders. He can struggle to finish his pitches and leave any of his pitches in the armside batters box. He has good stuff, but did start to tire as the game went deeper. He has flown through the Jays system, pitching all last season at low A and pitched at AA and AAA before making the bigs this year. I think his ceiling is that of a # 4 starter, but I think his best role is as a LOOGY, as the Rays lefties were extremely uncomfortable in the box against him.

1st: FB (87-88), SL (79-81), CU (83)

2nd: FB (86-88), SL (79-82)

3rd: FB (85-88), SL (79-80), CU (80)

4th: FB (86-88), SL (78-80), CU (81)

5th: FB (85-88), SL (78-80), CU (81)

6th: FB (86-88), SL (79-80), CU (81-82)

2) James Shields: 105 pitches. 7 strikes swinging. 3 on Fastballs (1st, 2nd, 5th), 3 on Changeups (1st, 2nd, 5th), Cutter (4th)

• He came from an over the top release and showed a fastball with good run in on righties with good sink, a cutter with good cut and a little sink, a change with good fade from lefties with above average sink that looks like a fastball out of his hand and a big breaking 12-6 curve with good depth. He will throw his changeup to righties.

1st: FB (90-92), CU (82), Cut (83-86), CB (78)

2nd: FB (89-91), CU (83), Cut (84-88), CB (74)

3rd: FB (90-93), CU (83-84), Cut (85-87), CB (77-78)

4th: FB (89-91), CU (82), Cut (85-86), CB (76-77)

5th: FB (89-92), CU (81), Cut (86-87)

6th: FB (87-91), CU (82), Cut (86-88), CB (77)

7th: FB (87-91), CU (82-83), Cut (83-87), CB (75)

8th: FB (89-90), Cut (84-85)

3) Shawn Camp: 29 pitches. 2 strikes swinging. Changeup (7th), Fastball (9th)

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

7th: FB (88), CU (81-83)

8th: FB (85-87), SL (79), CU (81-84)

9th: FB (84-88), SL (79), CU (80-84)

4) Randy Choate: 1 pitch.

• Choate threw a fastball that had some run in Adam Lind.

8th: FB (85)

5) Chad Bradford: 2 pitches. 0 strikes swinging.

• Bradford is a 6-5, 215 pound 34 year old. The sidearming righty has a big frame that can add a little more muscle. His fastball has good run in on righties with a little sink.

8th: FB (78)

6) J.P. Howell: 21 pitches. 0 strikes swinging.

• Howell came from an over the top, almost high 3/4 release. His curveball is a big breaking 11-4 with good depth. His fastball has some run in on lefties with a little sink and his change is a straight change with some sink.

8th: FB (82-84), CB (76-80)

9th: FB (82-84), CB (80-81), CU (79)

7) Dan Wheeler: 21 pitches. 0 strikes swinging.

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

10th: FB (88-89), CU (84), Cut (82)

11th: FB (86-88), CU (82-84), Cut (81), SL (77-81)

8) Brandon League: 31 pitches. 3 strikes swinging. 3 Splitters (10th, 2 in 11th)

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

10th: FB (94-95), Split (84-87)

11th: FB (95-97), Split (85-87), SL (87)

Chart Observations (7/3 Game): TB @ TEX

1) Scott Kazmir: 99 pitches. 13 strikes swinging. 6 on Fastballs (2 in 2nd, 4 in 4th), 5 on Sliders (1st, 2 in 2nd, 3rd, 4th) and 2 on Changeups (1st, 5th)

• Kazmir is a 6-0, 190 pound lefty. The 25 year old has a medium frame that can add a lot more muscle and get up to at least 205. His fastball is a straight 4-seam. His slider is a sharp 11-5 with solid bite and his change has some run in on righties with a little sink. Solid # 2 starter and if he can ever get consistent command and pitch beyond the 5th inning consistently, he is an ace.

1st: FB (90-92), SL (80-83), CU (77-80)

2nd: FB (90-91), SL (81-84), CU (78-79)

3rd: FB (89-92), SL (81-83), CU (79-80)

4th: FB (89-91), SL (80-82), CU (78-79)

5th: FB (88-92), SL (80-82), CU (78-82)

2) Tommy Hunter: 90 pitches. 10 strikes swinging. 5 on Fastballs (2 in 1st, 2 in 3rd, 6th), 2 on Curves (2nd, 5th), 2 on Cutters (3rd, 5th) and a Changeup (4th)

• Tommy Hunter really impressed me. The 6-3, 255 pound righty has a big frame that is maxed out. The 23 year old comes from an over the top release. His fastball is a 2-seam with some run in on righties. His cutter has some cut and sink. His curve is a sharp 2-7 with good depth and can be a strikeout pitch. His change is straight with little sink and is below average and he will throw it to righties. Likes to throw his cutter in on the hands of lefties and has a very quiet delivery with hands going over his head. I think Hunter is a # 4 right now and he has the potential to be a strong # 3 starter for a contender. I am a fan of his windup and he has a very good mound presence in my opinion. He does need to improve his change though.

1st: FB (89-92), Cut (89-91), CB (77-80)

2nd: FB (89-91), Cut (88-90), CB (75-81)

3rd: FB (89-93), Cut (88-90), CB (76-80), CU (81-82)

4th: FB (89-91), Cut (86-90), CB (75-79), CU (80-83)

5th: FB (86-92), Cut (86-88), CB (75-80), CU (81)

6th: FB (87-88), Cut (88), CU (81)

3) Joe Nelson: 17 pitches. 1 strike swinging. Changeup.

• Nelson came from an over the top release and showed a vulcan change with good sink and fade from lefties and a fastball with a little run in on righties that flashed above average sink. He really battles his command from outing to outing.

6th: FB (84-87), CU (74-75)

4) Grant Balfour: 32 pitches. 3 strikes swinging. 3 Fastballs (6th)

• Balfour came from an over the top release with a straight 4-seam fastball and a 2-7 slider with good bite. Still haven't seen his control issues personally.

6th: FB (92-95), SL (88)

7th: FB (92-96), SL (86-91)

8th: FB (91-93), SL (90)

5) Jason Jennings: 30 pitches. 1 strike swinging. Fastball (6th)

• Jennings came from an over the top release with a fastball with good run and sink in on righties and a slider that can look like a curve with good bite.

6th: FB (88-90), SL (81-83)

7th: FB (87-90), SL (82)

6) C.J. Wilson: 20 pitches. 1 strike swinging. Fastball.

• Wilson came from a high 3/4 release and showed a straight 4-seam fastball that flashes run in on righties, a sharp 11-4 slider with good bite, a cutter with good cut and a straight change with a little sink.

8th: FB (92-96), SL (84-86), CU (86), Cut (92)

7) Randy Choate: 3 pitches. 1 strike swinging. Slider.

• Choate came from sidearm with a fastball with some run and sink in on lefties and a sweeping 9-4 slider with good bite.

8th: FB (87-88), SL (77)

8) Dan Wheeler: 3 pitches. 0 strikes swinging.

• Wheeler came from an over the top release and showed a cutter with good cut and sink and a loopy 2-7 slider with good bite.

9th: Cut (83-84), SL (77)

9) Frank Francisco: 13 pitches. 1 strike swinging. Splitter

• Francisco came from an over the top release and showed a fastball with good run in on righties and a splitter with excellent dive.

9th: FB (93-96), Split (86-87)

Chart Observations: TB @ NYM

Due to the Braves game going so quick (a little over 2 hours), I did my extra chart that I had for tomorrow.

• Johan Santana comes from a high 3/4 release and shows a fastball with some run and sink, a late-breaking 10-4 slider with above average bite and a change that looks like a fastball out of his hand with excellent sink and above average fade that he will throw to lefties. His command is still not where it was last year, but is getting closer.

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

2nd: FB (90-94), SL (83-85), CU (82-83)

3rd: FB (89-92), CU (80-83)

4th: FB (91-93), SL (82), CU (83-84)

5th: FB (90-92), SL (85), CU (80-85)

6th: FB (91-93), SL (83), CU (79-82)

7th: FB (90-92), SL (82-83), CU (82-83)

8th: FB (86), CU (78-80) Rain Delay hit, causing his FB to be slow for the 1 batter before they called them in.

• James Shields came from an over the top release and showed a fastball with good run and a little sink, a change with excellent fade and sink, a cutter with good cut and some sink and a big breaking 12-6 curve. He did an excellent job of mixing his pitches and kept the Mets hitters off balance.

1st: FB (91-93), CU (82-84), Cut (86-89), CB (79)

2nd: FB (90-93), CU (83-84), Cut (85), CB (76-78)

3rd: FB (91-93), CU (82-83), Cut (88-90), CB (78)

4th: FB (91-92), CU (83-84), Cut (88), CB (78)

5th: FB (89-91), CU (81-85), Cut (87-88), CB (74)

6th: FB (89-92), CU (80), Cut (84-88), CB (74-78)

7th: FB (90-91), CU (80), Cut (89), CB (74-79)

• Bobby Parnell comes from an over the top release and showed a fastball with some run and a little sink and a 1-7 slider that was sharp with above average bite.

8th: FB (93-96), SL (86-87)

• Pedro Feliciano is a sidearming lefty who showed a fastball with good run away from lefties and a cutter with good cut and solid sink.

8th: FB (87-88), Cut (83)

• Dan Wheeler came from an over the top release and showed a fastball with good run and solid sink and a sharp 2-7 slider with solid bite.

8th: FB (87-89), SL (77-84)

• Sean Green is a sidearming righty who showed a fastball with excellent run and sink, a 3-7 slider with good bite and downward movement and a change with good sink and fade.

9th: FB (88-90), SL (72-76), CU (84)

• J.P Howell comes from an over the top release and showed a fastball with some run in on lefties, a sharp 12-6 curve with good depth and a straight change that had some late fade from righties and some sink.

9th: FB (85-88), CB (80-84), CU (81)

Got another chart, a score featuring Ricky Romero and Shairon Martis and a baseball game tomorrow.

WAS @ TB

• James Shields is a 6-4, 220 pound righty. The 27 year old has a big frame that can add a little more muscle. He comes from an over the top release. His fastball is a 4-seam with a little fade and sink. His change shows great sink and some fade and is a plus offering. His curveball is a 12-6 pitch with good bite and depth. His cutter has good cut and flashes sink. His change is his out pitch and he has great command of it. He has a very clean drop and drive delivery. Borderline ace.

1st: FB (88-92), CU (80-83), Cut (87), CB (75-76)

2nd: FB (89-92), CU (81-83), Cut (85-86), CB (78)

3rd: FB (89-91), CU (84), Cut (86-88), CB (74-75)

4th: FB (89-90), CU (80-82), Cut (87), CB (75-78)

5th: FB (90), CU (79-82), Cut (84), CB (75-77)

6th: FB (87-90), CU (79), Cut (86)

7th: FB (86-89), CU (81)

• Ross Detwiler opposed him. The lefty comes from a high 3/4 release that is almost over the top. His fastball shows some fade and a little sink. His change is a straight change with some sink. His curveball is a slurvy 11-4 offering with okay depth. He battled his command was effectively wild, as he issued 5 walks and got 3 double play balls. He has a ways to go to reach his ceiling as a 3rd starter.

1st: FB (90-94), CU (82-84), CB (76)

2nd: FB (90-93), CU (82), CB (76)

3rd: FB (90-93), CU (82-84), CB (75-77)

4th: FB (89-92), CU (82-83), CB (75-77)

5th: FB (88-92), CU (83), CB (76)

6th: FB (88-91), CU (82-83)

• Julian Tavarez attacks from a 3/4 release with a fastball that shows good fade and sink and a 2-7 slider with decent bite.

7th: FB (88-92), SL (79-81)

• Randy Choate is a sidearming lefty who showed a sweeping 9-3 slider with good late bite and a fastball with some run.

7th: FB (87-89), SL (77-79)

• Ron Villone comes from a high 3/4 release and showed a pretty straight 4-seam fastball and a slurvy 10-4 slider with solid bite. He will tighten the slider and throw a sharper one as a strikeout pitch.

8th: FB (88-89), SL (77-84)

• Joe Beimel is a 6-3, 215 pound lefty. The 32 year old has a medium to big frame that is maxed out. He comes from a high 3/4 release and shows a fastball with some run and sink and a 11-4 curve with good bite. He is a solid lefty in a pen, though I don't know if he should be the 1st lefty in someone's pen.

8th: FB (83-85), CB (71)

• Dan Wheeler is a 31 year old righty. The 6-3, 220 pounder has a medium frame that is maxed out. He comes from an over the top release and showed a 4 pitch repetoire for a reliever: a 4-seam fastball with a litle fade, a 2-7 slider with good bite, a 12-6 curveball with good depth and a change with good fade and sink.

8th: FB (85-89), SL (81-83), CB (76-77), CU (82-83)

• J.P. Howell comes from an over the top release with a fastball with some fade and sink, a 10-4 curve with good depth and a straight change that looks like a fastball out of his hand. Likely the new closer with the injury to Troy Percival.

9th: FB (86-87), CB (79-83), CU (80)

Have 2 charts (and a baseball game) tomorrow and all the games look pretty brutal, so it should be awesome...

Chart Observations: OAK @ TB

• James Shields started for the Rays and had exquisite command of his stuff. Shields featured a fastball at 88-92, a changeup at 80-84, a cutter at 83-86 and a curveball at 74-78. Shields attacks hitters from an over the top release and, as with many who come from that release, shows an above average curveball. His change is a plus-plus pitch that I didn't think he threw enough in this game (but still fired 8.1 shutout innings) and his cutter is just average. His fastball is above average due to his command. He is a # 2 for a contender.
• Josh Outman opposed him and featured a fastball at 91-94, a slider at 80-83, a changeup at 79-86, a soft curveball at 72-75 and a hard curveball at 76-81 from a high 3/4 release that is almost over the top. Outman liked to use the soft curve early in counts to try and get a cheap strike and would use the hard curve as more of a strikeout pitch. Outman has shown himself very well the 2 times I have seen him, but has left early in both outings due to a high pitch count. Outman has good control, but struggles to command his stuff within the strike zone, causing him to pitch behind and rack up big pitch counts. Potential to be a # 2 starter with a big bump in command, but probably settles in as a middle of the rotation starter.
• Michael Wuertz was 89-90 with his fastball and 82-86 with his slider from an over the top release. Wuertz's slider is a plus pitch due to it's sharp, late breaking action making it difficult for hitters to square or recognize quickly.
• Andrew Bailey was 91-95 with his fastball, 88-92 with his cutter and 75-77 with his curveball from an over the top release. The curveball is an above average offering. This is the 1st time I have seen him where he has thrown more curves then cutters.
• Santiago Casilla was 92-95 with his fastball, 83-86 with his slider and threw a change at 86 from a 3/4 release. Casilla has a max-effort delivery and relies on his strong legs to generate velocity. His slider is an above average pitch that has flashed plus due to it's sharp late break, but he has had some issues commanding it. His change is more of a show-me pitch then anything that can get hitters out and is a below average offering. Casilla's fastball is above average and features a little tailing action as well. Solid middle reliever who, if he can refine his command, could be a set-up guy.
• Russ Springer was 89-91 with his fastball, 84 with the 2 cutters he threw and a curveball at 79 from a high 3/4 release. Solid middle reliever.
• J.P. Howell was at 85-88 with his fastball, 79-81 with his curveball and threw a changeup at 80 from an over the top release. Howell is unique in that his fastball is just average, but he could be a set-up guy due to his plus-plus curveball and above average change. He also has plus command of all his pitches and looks ready to continue building on his breakout year last year. Solid set-up guy. Only worry is that when he doesn't have great command of his off-speed stuff, he is very hittable, as his deception can only help so much.
• Dan Wheeler faced 2 hitters and was 87-88 with his fastball, 80 with his slider and 75 with his curveball. The slider and curve are above average offerings and he is another Tampa Bay reliever who gets by more on command then stuff. Don't know how long he can keep this up as he is another whose fastball will get pounded if there is any regression to the off speed stuff.
• Joe Nelson featured a fastball at 85-87 and a vulcan changeup at 75-78. He is another one of those command and control guys and his change didn't have the same break as it usually does. He also struggled to get ahead of hitters and his deception did not help him when hitters know an 85-87 mile per hour fastball is coming. Solid middle reliever, but I think he is a little over extended as a guy that comes in to hold a lead.
• Aaron Cunningham is a 5-11 205 pound 23 year old outfielder. He is a right handed hitter and has a fairly prototypical stance with a slight crouch and is a little open. He also has a little bat wiggle and for a trigger, he strides and moves his hands back. Very conventional hitter. He has a medium frame that is maxed out. He is not plus on any tool, but is no worse then average on any tool. He has average power potential, he shows an ability to be able to put the ball in play. He is an above average runner. If this sounds like the profile to a 4th OF, it is. He doesn't have the speed to play CF consistenly or the power to play a corner.