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)

Chart Observations: 9/2 KC @ OAK

1) Brian Bannister: 32 pitches. (Cut, CU, FB, CB). 2 strikes swinging. 2 Changeups.

• Bannister came from an over the top release and showed a fastball with some run in on righties and good sink, a cutter with some cut, a change with good fade from lefties and good sink and a 12-6 curve with above average depth. He threw a lot of fastballs in this outing, more then he normally does. Hurt? And then the inning after I wrote that, he left the game due to an injury (injured neck/shoulder).

1st: FB (88-91), Cut (88-90), CU (84-85), CB (75-76) - 2 CU

2nd: FB (89-91), CU (85)

2) Trevor Cahill: 84 pitches. (FB, CU, SL, CB). 6 strikes swinging. 2 Fastballs, 2 Sliders, 2 Changeups.

• Cahill came from an over the top release with a fastball with good run in on righties and above average sink with good tilt on his fastball, a change with some fade from lefties and above average sink that he will throw to righties, a 2-7 slider with good, but inconsistent, bite.

1st: FB (91-94), CU (79-83)

2nd: FB (89-94), CU (80-82), SL (85) - 2 CU, SL

3rd: FB (90-92), CU (77-85), SL (85) - FB

4th: FB (89-92), SL (81-83) - FB

5th: FB (89-93), CU (81), SL (81-85) - SL

3) Yasuhiko Yabuta: 30 pitches. (FB, Split, SL, CU). 0 strikes swinging.

• Yabuta came from an over the top release and showed a fastball with some run in on righties and some sink, a straight change with a little sink that he will throw 2-0, a 2-7 slider with some bite and a split with some dive.

2nd: FB (87-93), Split (74-79), SL (83-84), CU (81-84)

4) Bruce Chen: 70 pitches. (FB, CU, CB, SL). 2 strikes swinging. Fastball, Slider.

• Chen came from a high 3/4 release and showed a fastball with some tail in on righties, a change with a little late fade from righties and good sink that he will throw 2-0 and 3-2 and to lefties, a sweeping 9-4 slider with solid bite that he will throw 3-1 and a 11-5 curve with slightly above average depth.

3rd: FB (85-90), CU (76-80), CB (80), SL (82-84) - SL

4th: FB (85), CU (78-80), SL (82-83)

5th: FB (86-91), CU (78-81), CB (77-80), SL (82-84) - FB

6th:FB (86-90), CU (78-81)

5) Brad Kilby: 24 pitches. (FB, SL). 3 strikes swinging. 3 Fastballs.

• Kilby is a 6-1, 235 pound lefty. The 26 year old has a medium frame that is maxed out with a very thick lower half. He has a little bit of the Jimenez arm action on the backtake, but he almost rubs the ball along his butt before throwing it. Some weird wrist action. He came from a high 3/4, almost a 3/4 release. His fastball has a little late run in on lefties and a touch of sink. His slider is 10-5 with solid bite, though it can flatten out. Interesting guy with solid velocity for a left hander, looks like he could be a solid middle reliever or LOOGY.

6th: FB (91-92)

7th: FB (90-93), SL (82-83) - 3 FB

6) Roman Colon: 20 pitches. (FB, SL, Split). 1 strike swinging. Slider.

• Colon came from an over the top release and showed a 2-7 slider with good downward action and good bite, a fastball with a little run in on righties and a splitter with some dive.

7th: FB (93-96), SL (79-84), Split (87-88) - SL

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

7) Jerry Blevins: 21 pitches. (FB, CB, Cut, CU). 1 strike swinging. Fastball.

• Blevins is a 6-6, 180 pound lefty. The 26 year old has a big frame that can add a lot more muscle. He came from a high 3/4 release with fairly clean mechanics, though his release point can drop on occasion. His cutter has some cut. His fastball has some run in on lefties. His curve is kind of a loopy 10-5 with slightly above average depth. His change has some fade from righties and some sink. More of a LOOGY candidate then full inning guy, as neither the cutter or change is good enough to get out righties consistently. Curveball can really screw with lefties.

8th: FB (91-93), CB (72-73), Cut (85-88), CU (85) - FB

8) Dana Eveland: 11 pitches. (FB, SL, CU, CB, Cut). 1 strike swinging. Slider.

• Eveland came from a high 3/4 release and showed a fastball with some sink and a little late fade from righties, a 11-5 curve with average depth and a 11-5 slider with good bite. Got screwed over on the run he allowed, as Rajai Davis misplayed a fly ball out into a double.

9th: FB (88-91), SL (85), CB (79) - SL

Extra Reports: Mostly BOS

1) Hunter Jones:
4/26: 8 pitches. 1 strike swinging. Fastball.
5/3: 12 pitches. 1 strike swinging. Fastball (7th)

• Jones is a 6-4, 235 pound lefty. The 25 year old has a big frame that is maxed out and has a little bad weight, resembling a little bit of Dennys Reyes (not a good thing). He came from an over the top release and has more of a leg lift then a leg kick. His fastball is a pretty straight 4-seam while his slider is a 11-5 offering with solid bite that looks more like a curveball. Looks more like a 4-A arm to me.

4/26:

6th: FB (87-89), SL (77)

5/3:

7th: FB (85-86), SL (71-72)

8th: FB (85), SL (70-73)

2) Michael Bowden:

4/26: 31 pitches. 4 strikes swinging. 4 Fastballs (3 in 7th, 8th)

• Bowden is a 6-3, 215 pound righty. The 22 year old has a medium frame that is maxed out. He is a big, muscular kid with a strong lower body and big thighs. He has interesting mechanics. His leg comes straight up and he breaking into cocking his arm, showing the ball to the hitter for a period of time. He holds his glove under his chin and it may touch his chin. He is classic drop and drive with his legs. While his mechanics are a little bizarre, doesn't appear to be any extra stress put on his arm. He came from an over the top release. His fastball has a little late run in on righties, but his command of the pitch can be spotty and he will miss up in the zone with it. His change has a little fade from lefties with okay sink and is a late moving offering. Hard to get a read on him, since this was a 2 IP relief appearance, but looks to be a guy that can be a factor, as the hitters didn't look comfortable in the box against him.

7th: FB (90-92)

8th: FB (90-92), CU (81-83)

3) Mark Melancon:

4/26: 22 pitches. 1 strike swinging. Curveball (8th)

8/6: 28 pitches. 1 strike swinging. Curveball (7th)

• Melancon is a 6-2, 215 pound righty. The 24 year old has a medium frame that can get up to 230 and he really doesn't look 6-2. He stays real scrunched up until break and his front knee stays bent the whole time. He comes from an over the top release. His fastball is a straight 4-seam that flashes some cut and or sink. His curve is a sharp 12-6 pitch with above average depth and is a true out pitch. His change has okay fade from lefties and okay sink that he will throw to righties. I like him as a late inning option due to the dominant curveball, but he will need to improve the command of his fastball to be a closer or setup man due to its straightness.

4/26

7th: FB (93-95)

8th: FB (92-94), CB (82-84)

8/6

7th: FB (92-96), CB (84)

8th: FB (92-96), CB (84), CU (85-87)

4) Javier Lopez:

4/8: 20 pitches. 1 strike swinging. Slider

4/14: 25 pitches. 3 strikes swinging. 3 Fastballs.

• Lopez is a 6-4, 220 pound lefty. The 32 year old has a big frame that can add a lot more muscle, especially in the lower half. He is a sidearmer. His fastball has a little run in on lefties and a little sink and his change moves just like his fastball, just a little slower. He will drop down to submarine to throw sliders, which is a 9-4 offering with okay bite. He tipped the slider in the 4/8 game by dropping that low everytime and in the 4/14 game he threw from that release point every pitch. Only chance is as a LOOGY and could probably be successful outside the AL East.

4/8

9th: FB (86-90), SL (73-77), CU (81)

4/14

12th: FB (83-87), SL (73-78), CU (83)

5) Dana Eveland:

4/14: 108 pitches. 3 strikes swinging. Fastball (1st), Slider (1st), Changeup (3rd)

• Eveland is a 6-1, 225 pound lefty. The 25 year old has a medium frame that is maxed out and may have some bad weight. He came from a high 3/4 release and showed a fastball with solid sink and solid cut and he also threw a 2-seamer that had some run in on lefties and a straight 4-seamer. His slider is 11-5 with good bite. His change was straight with some sink and he will throw it in 3-2 counts. His curveball is a sharp 11-5 with average depth. Eveland looks like his upside is that of a # 5 starter and if he can't succeed in Oakland, he likely won't succeed anywhere.

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

2nd: FB (86-89), SL (82-83), CU (80-81), CB (77-78)

3rd: FB (87-90), SL (80-84), CU (81-83)

4th: FB (88-89), SL (80-83), CU (81-82), CB (78)

5th: FB (87-88), SL (81-82), CU (82), CB (77-79)

6) Sean Gallagher:

4/14: 10 pitches. 0 strikes swinging.

• Gallagher is a 6-2, 235 pound righty. The 23 year old has a medium frame that is maxed out. He came from an over the top release and showed a fastball with a little run in on righties and solid sink and a 2-7 slider with okay bite. Gallagher was acquired by the Padres and looks to be a solid shot to be a big leaguer in some role.

12th: FB (91-93), SL (85)

7) Billy Traber:

8/6: 70 pitches. 4 strikes swinging. 3 Changeups (5th), Slider (5th)

• Traber is a 6-5, 205 pound lefty. The 29 year old has a big frame that can get up to at least 225. He is real long and lanky and is really herky jerky with arms and everything bounces up and down. He is a sidearmer with a 3-8 slider with okay bite, a fastball with a little run in on lefties and a change with a little fade and sink from righties. 4-A arm for sure.

4th: FB (85-88), SL (81-82), CU (74-77)

5th: FB (82-86), SL (79-81), CU (73-76)

6th: FB (82-85), SL (79-81), CU (73-75)

7th: FB (82-84), SL (80), CU (74-77)

8) Anthony Claggett:

8/6: 28 pitches. 2 strikes swinging. Fastball, Slider.

• Claggett is a 6-3, 195 pound righty. The 25 year old has a medium frame that can get up to 215. He has real long arms and is lanky with skinny legs. He came from a high 3/4 release. His fastball has good run in on righties and some sink. His slider is a sharp 2-7 with good bite, but it can be flat and extremely hittable at times. His change is straight with a little sink. Claggett has solid stuff, but the results have not been there in those appearances. I think he could be a guy who does have some success, but he likely will need to get out of the pressure cooker that is New York to gain that success.

9th: FB (89-93), SL (83-86), CU (83-85)

9) Enrique Gonzalez:

8/8: 43 pitches. 1 strike swinging. Fastball (7th)

• Gonzalez is a 5-10, 225 pound righty. The 27 year old has a small frame that is maxed out and definitely has some bad weight in the mid section and is almost a Rich Garces wanna-be frame wise. He came from a high 3/4 release and showed a fastball with solid sink and some run in on righties. His slider is a 2-7 with okay bite. His change has some fade from lefties with a little sink. He is a 4-A guy.

7th: FB (90-93), SL (88-89)

8th: FB (89-91), SL (84-88), CU (83-86)

10) Fernando Cabrera:

8/13: 15 pitches. 3 strikes swinging. Fastball, 2 Sliders.

• Cabrera came from a 6-4, 225 pound righty. The 27 year old has a big frame that can add more muscle and get up to 235. He sets his hands over his head and comes from a high 3/4 release. His fastball is a straight 4-seam and his slider is a 2-7 with good bite. He has a max effort delivery that will make it difficult to consistently throw strikes. Command, not stuff, has always been the question about Cabrera and he could still be a quality middle reliever in the bigs.

9th: FB (91-93), SL (82-83)