Chart Observations: 8/24 OAK @ SEA

1) Ian Snell: 99 pitches. 8 strikes swinging. 4 Fastballs (1st, 2 in 5th, 6th), 3 Sliders (4th, 2 in 6th), Curveball (3rd)

• Snell came from a 3/4 release and showed a fastball with some run in on righties and a little sink, a 12-6 curve with average depth, a change with some fade from lefties and some sink and a 2-7 slider with solid bite.

1st: FB (88-91), CB (79)

2nd: FB (89-92), CU (82)

3rd: FB (90-95), CB (77-81), CU (83-85), SL (86-89)

4th: FB (92-95), CU (83), SL (83-88)

5th: FB (89-95), CB (78-79), CU (82-83), SL (88)

6th: FB (90-95), CB (82), CU (81-83), SL (82-86)

2) Vin Mazzaro: 99 pitches. 5 strikes swinging. 4 Fastballs (2 in 1st, 2 in 2nd), Slider (2nd)

• Mazzaro came from a 3/4 release and showed a fastball with good run in on righties with good sink, a sharp 2-7 slider with good bite, a change with some fade from lefties with good sink and a 2-7 curve with below average depth.

1st: FB (91-95), SL (84-87)

2nd: FB (90-95), SL (86-87)

3rd: FB (91-93), SL (82-84), CB (80), CU (83)

4th: FB (91-95), SL (83-87), CB (77), CU (86)

5th: FB (92-93), SL (81-83), CU (84-85)

3) Jeff Gray: 32 pitches. 0 strikes swinging.

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

6th: FB (93-95), SL (86), CB (80)

7th: FB (94-96), SL (84-86), CB (78-80)

4) Sean White: 23 pitches. 1 strike swinging. Slider (8th)

• White came from an over the top release and showed a fastball with good run in on righties with good sink, a change with good fade from lefties with good sink, a sharp 12-6 curve with slightly above average depth and a 1-7 slider with solid bite. He will throw his changeup to righties.

7th: FB (92-94), CU (84-85)

8th: FB (91-95), CU (84), SL (88), CB (79)

5) Jay Marshall: 18 pitches. 0 strikes swinging.

• Marshall is a 6-5, 205 pound lefty. The 26 year old has a big frame that can get up to at least 215 comfortably and he is almost rail thin. He is a submariner. His slider is a 8-5 offering with solid bite. His fastball has a little tail in on righties with some late sink and his change has a little fade from righties, but is fairly straight. If Randy Choate can be a LOOGY, I think Marshall could do the same thing. He needs one good year and it will give him a lot of chances.

7th: FB (81-83), SL (70-71)

8th: FB (81-85), SL (71), CU (72-75)

6) David Aardsma: 12 pitches. 2 strikes swinging. 2 Fastballs.

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

9th: FB (93-95)

Chart Observations: 8/20: SEA @ DET

1) Ryan Rowland-Smith: 86 pitches. 5 strikes swinging. 2 Fastballs (4th, 6th), 2 Curveballs (2nd, 4th), Slider (4th)

• Rowland-Smith is a 6-3, 240 pound lefty. The 26 year old has a medium frame that is maxed out with a muscular lower body. He came from an over the top release. His fastball is a sinker that can flatten out and it has a little run in on lefties with some sink. His curve is a big breaking 11-5 with above average depth. His change has some fade from righties with some sink. His slider is a 11-5 with solid bite that he will only throw to lefties. Solid back of the rotation starter, though I wouldn't expect too much more.

1st: FB (87-91), CU (80), CB (70-72)

2nd: FB (86-89), CB (72-73), SL (78)

3rd: FB (87-88), CU (79), CB (72)

4th: FB (88-92), CU (79-80), CB (70-73), SL (77)

5th: FB (86-89), CB (69-72)

6th: FB (85-89), CU (78), CB (69-70), SL (78-79)

2) Jarrod Washburn: 94 pitches. 4 strikes swinging. 2 Fastballs (1st, 2nd), 2 Sliders (1st, 4th)

• Washburn came from a 3/4 release and showed a fastball with some run in on righties and a little sink, a change with good fade from righties with good sink, a 11-5 curve with slightly above averaeg depth, a 11-5 slider with good bite and a cutter with solid cut.

1st: FB (87-90), CU (82-83), SL (77), CB (69)

2nd: FB (87-89), CU (82-83), Cut (86-88)

3rd: FB (86-89), CU (82-83), SL (80), Cut (87-88)

4th: FB (88-89), SL (77-80), CB (66-67)

5th: FB (87-89), CU (80), SL (77-80)

6th: FB (86-89), SL (77-78), CB (67), Cut (87-88)

3) Chris Jakubauskas: 17 pitches. 0 strikes swinging.

• Chris came from an over the top release and showed a big breaking 12-6 curve with above average depth and a fastball with some run in on righties with some sink.

6th: FB (88-93), CB (74-78)

4) Shawn Kelley: 24 pitches. 6 strikes swinging. 3 Fastballs (2 in 7th, 8th), 3 Sliders (all in 7th)

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

7th: FB (91-95), SL (85-86)

8th: FB (91-93), SL (83-85)

5) Zach Miner: 26 pitches. 3 strikes swinging. 2 Fastballs (7th, 8th), Curveball (8th)

• Miner came from a high 3/4 release and showed a fastball with good run in on righties and some sink, a 2-7 slider with good bite, a change with above average fade that serves as his out pitch and he will throw it to righties and a 12-6 curve with above average depth.

7th: FB (88-93), SL (81), CU (75-78)

8th: FB (91-94), SL (84), CU (79), CB (74-75)

6) Bobby Seay: 9 pitches. 0 strikes swinging.

• Seay came from a sidearm release and showed a fastball with some run in on rigthies and some sink and a sweeping 10-4 slider with good bite.

9th: FB (90-93), SL (80-81)

7) David Aardsma: 27 pitches. 2 strikes swinging. 2 Fastballs

• Aardsma came from an over teh top erlease and showed a straight 4-seam fastball and a splitter with solid dive.

9th: FB (92-95), Split (86-87)

• Alex Avila is a 5-11, 220 pound catcher. The 22 year old L/R has a small frame that is maxed out. He has a slightly open stance where he is up on his toe and has a bat tap. His trigger is a stride and a cocking of the bat. Avila has a very good looking swing that looks to be more of a gap to gap guy, but he should have solid power as well. I like his package offensively and he didn't jump out good or bad on defense. With only seeing him play half a game, I think he could be a major league starting catcher.

8/11: CHW @ SEA

1) John Danks: 99 pitches. 10 strikes swinging. Fastball (6th), 3 Changeups (4th, 6th, 8th), 5 Cutters (4th, 5th, 7th, 2 in 8th), Curveball (1st)

• Danks came from a high 3/4 release and showed a fastball with a little run in on lefties with some sink, a cutter that moves like a 11-5 slider with good bite, a 11-5 curve with slightly above average depth and a change with good fade from righties with good sink that he will throw to lefties.

1st: FB (88-91), Cut (85-87), CB (78)

2nd: FB (89-92), CB (74-77), CU (82-83)

3rd: FB (89-91), CU (82-83)

4th: FB (88-91), Cut (87), CU (82)

5th: FB (89-91), Cut (86-87), CB (76), CU (82-83)

6th: FB (90-91), Cut (86), CU (78-83)

7th: FB (87-89), Cut (86-87), CB (76), CU (81-83)

8th: FB (90-91), Cut (84-88), CB (76-79), CU (81-82)

2) Doug Fister: 94 pitches. 7 strikes swinging. 4 Fastballs (2nd, 4th, 2 in 6th), 2 Changeups (4th, 6th), Slider (6th)

• Fister is a 6-8, 200 pound righty. The 25 year old has a huge frame that can add a ton more muscle. He came from an over the top release with a little herky jerk in his delivery that may put a little extra stress on his shoulder. His fastball has good run in on righties with good late sink. His change moves like his fastball, but with more sink. His slider is a 1-7 with some bite that is somewhat loopy. His curve is a 12-6 with above average depth. He will throw his change to righties, 3-2 sliders and 3-0 changeups. A finesse pitcher that has just slightly above average command, he can't afford to issue as many walks as he issued in this game. His upside is that of a # 5 and is similar in stuff to Dustin Nippert.

1st: FB (86-89), SL (82), CU (82), CB (76)

2nd: FB (88-90), SL (83-84), CU (80-82), CB (73-75)

3rd: FB (86-89), SL (83), CU (78-79), CB (74-75)

4th: FB (87-90), SL (82), CU (79-82)

5th: FB (86-89), SL (82-83), CU (79)

6th: FB (87-90), SL (82), CU (78-81)

3) Miguel Batista: 19 pitches. 2 strikes swinging. 2 Cutters.

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

7th: FB (92-94), Cut (87-91)

4) Mark Lowe: 10 pitches. 2 strikes swinging. Fastball (8th), Changeup (8th)

• Lowe came from an over the top release and showed a straight 4-seam fastball, a change with some fade from lefties with some sink and a 2-7 slider with good bite.

7th: FB (96)

8th: FB (95-98), SL (89), CU (88-89)

5) David Aardsma: 28 pitches. 2 strikes swinging. 2 Fastballs.

• Aardsma came from an over the top release and showed a straight 4-seam fastball, a 2-7 slider with solid bite and a split with good late dive. His fastball looked extremely flat in this game and hung a bad splitter to Alexei Ramirez that he hit the go ahead home run on.

9th: FB (91-96), Split (87-89), SL (83)

6) Shawn Kelley: 3 pitches. 1 strike swinging. Fastball.

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

9th: FB (90-92)

7) Bobby Jenks: 12 pitches. 0 strikes swinging.

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

9th: FB (95-97), SL (85-89), CB (82)

Chart Observations: SEA @ CLE

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

9th: FB (93-96)

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

6th: FB (91-92)

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Score Observations (Yesterday): TEX @ SEA

1) Tommy Hunter: 104 pitches. 7 strikes swinging. 4 on Fastballs (3rd, 3 in 6th), 2 Changeups (1st, 3rd) and a Curveball (2nd)

• Hunter came from an over the top release and showed a 2-seam fastball with good run in on righties and sink, a cutter with good cut and sink, a power 12-6 curve with good depth that serves as his out pitch and a change with some fade from lefties with sink. Hunter will also throw a get-me over CB in the high 70's. He didn't have great command of the power curve last night, but threw his cutter to both corners well and showed a better change then his last outing. He just looks like a bulldog on the mound and I am a fan.

1st: Cut (90-93), FB (90-92), CB (77-82), CU (84)

2nd: Cut (89-91), FB (91-92), CB (79-82), CU (83)

3rd: Cut (89-91), FB (90-91), CB (81), CU (82-84)

4th: Cut (88-91), FB (90-92), CB (77-81)

5th: Cut (88-90), FB (89), CB (77-81), CU (82-83)

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

2) Felix Hernandez: 112 pitches. 15 strikes swinging. 4 on Fastballs (2nd, 4th, 5th, 7th), 3 on Changeups (3rd, 4th, 8th), 5 on Sliders (4th, 2 in 6th, 2 in 8th), 3 on Curveballs (3rd, 5th, 8th) (Is there a more dominant repetoire in baseball?)

• Hernandez came from a high 3/4, almost over the top release. His fastball has good run in on righties with some sink. His change has some fade from lefties. His slider is a 2-7 with good bite. His curve is a big breaking 12-6 with good depth. His change is his main offspeed pitch and will throw it to righties. Absolutely dominant, as the only run he allowed scored on a wild pitch.

1st: FB (94-97), SL (88), CU (89)

2nd: FB (94-96), SL (87-89), CU (90-91), CB (84)

3rd: FB (94-96), SL (88), CU (89-90), CB (79)

4th: FB (94-96), SL (86-89), CU (89-91)

5th: FB (94-97), CB (81-82)

6th: FB (93-97), SL (88-89), CU (88-92), CB (83)

7th: FB (94-96), CU (90)

8th: FB (93-96), SL (86-88), CU (89-91), CB (81)

3) Darren O'Day: 10 pitches. 0 strikes swinging.

• O'Day is a sidearming righty whose fastball has good run in on righties and his slider is a 9-3 pitch with good bite.

7th: FB (85-88), SL (78-79)

4) C.J. Wilson: 28 pitches. 3 strikes swinging. 3 Fastballs.

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

8th: FB (93-96), Cut (91), SL (85-89), CU (86)

5) David Aardsma: 6 pitches. 0 strikes swinging.

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

9th: FB (93-95)

Chart Observations: ARI @ SEA

• Jon Garland comes from an over the top release and shows a 2-seam fastball with good sink and run, a change with good fade and sink, a cutter with good late cut, a 2-7 slider with good bite and a big breaking 12-5, 12-6 curve with good depth. He will throw his change to righties and likes to start his cutter on the outside corner and have it break off the plate.

1st: FB (90-92), SL (83-85), CU (83), Cut (88-90)

2nd: FB (89-91), SL (83-85), CU (80), Cut (88-89)

3rd: FB (89-93), SL (82-84), CU (79-80), Cut (87-89), CB (74)

4th: FB (87-92), SL (83-84), CU (80-81), Cut (90)

5th: FB (88-90), CU (80), Cut (87-88), CB (77)

6th: FB (89-90), SL (82-84), Cut (88)

7th: FB (89-92), SL (82), Cut (87-88)

• Jarrod Washburn is a 6-1, 195 pound lefty. The 34 year old has a medium frame that can add a little more muscle. He comes from a high 3/4 release. His fastball is a 4 seam that is straight. His cutter has some cut and a little run. His change has good fade and sink. His slider is a 10-5 pitch with good bite that he throws to lefties and his curve is a big breaking 11-4 with good depth that is his breaking pitch to righties. He is a solid # 4 starter who is a perfect fit for Safeco.

1st: FB (90-92), Cut (88-90), CU (84)

2nd: FB (89-91), Cut (87-89), CU (81-84), SL (78)

3rd: FB (87-91), Cut (89), CU (79-82), SL (77-78), CB (71)

4th: FB (87-90), Cut (87-88), CU (82)

5th: FB (87-89), Cut (88-89), CU (82), SL (78), CB (70-71)

6th: FB (88-89), Cut (89), SL (79), CB (71)

7th: FB (88-90), Cut (87-88), CU (83), SL (80), CB (70)

• Miguel Batista comes from a 3/4 release and shows a fastball with good run and sink, a cutter with good late cut and a loopy 2-7 curveball.

8th: FB (91-93), Cut (85-87), CB (78)

• Scott Schoeneweis come from a 3/4 release and shows a fastball with good run and sink and a sweeping 10-4 slider with solid bite.

8th: FB (89-90), SL (81)

• Tony Pena comes from a high 3/4 release and shows a fastabll taht has some run and sink and a 2-7 slider that can have inconsistent bite.

8th: FB (96-98), SL (87-90)

• David Aardsma comes from an over the top release and shows a 4-seam fastball with good run and a splitter that showed good diving action.

9th: FB (94-97), Split (87)

Chart Observations: SEA @ LAA

• Felix Hernandez is a 23 year old standing 6-3, 225. The right hander has a medium to big frame that still has room to add more muscle. He attacks from a high 3/4 release. His changeup shows average fade and a little sink. His fastball is a 2-seam with good fade and sink. He will also mix in a straight 4-seam. His slider is a sharp 2-7 offering with good depth. His curveball is a 12-6 offering with great bite and drops off the table. Still an ace.

1st: FB (93-97), CU (88), SL (86-89)

2nd: FB (94-96), CU (87-89), SL (87-88), CB (82-83)

3rd: FB (92-95), CU (87-89), SL (87-90)

4th: FB (94-95), CU (88-90)

5th: FB (94-95), CU (90), CB (85)

6th: FB (93-96), CU (88-90), SL (88-89), CB (86)

7th: FB (93-96), CU (88-90), SL (86), CB (85)

• Matt Palmer, a 6-2 225 pound 30 year old, opposed him. The right hander has a medium frame that is maxed out. He attacks from a 3/4 release. His fastball is a 2-seam with above average fade and a little sink. His cutter is his main fastaball and it shows solid cut. He has tremendous command of this pitch and can start it on the outside corner at will. His curveball is a sharp 1-8 offering that shows good bite and can be a strikeout pitch. His change moves similar to his 2-seam with above average fade and some sink. Was FB-CB the 1st time through the order, and then worked the cutter-CB combo with the occasional 2-seam. Solid back of the rotation starter due to his plus command of slightly above average stuff.

1st: FB (88-90), Cut (87-90), CB (73-76)

2nd: FB (88-90), Cut (88-89), CB (75-76), CU (83)

3rd: FB (88-89), Cut (87-89), CB (74-75), CU (82-84)

4th: FB (87-89), Cut (85-88), CB (72-75)

5th: FB (88-89), Cut (86-87), CB (76)

6th: FB (88-89), Cut (86-87), CB (73-77), CU (82)

7th: FB (86-88), Cut (86-87), CB (75-76), CU (83)

• Mark Lowe is a 25 year old reliever standing 6-3, 210. The right hander has a medium to big frame that still has room to add more muscle. He attacks from a high 3/4 release. His fastball is a straight 4-seam that flashes fade. His slider is a 2-7 pitch with solid depth and is an above average offering. Lowe has the upside of a closer, though he is more likely to settle in as a set-up man.

7th: FB (96-98), SL (85)

• Darren Oliver is a 38 year old who stands 6-2, 200. The lefty has a medium frame that is maxed out and comes at you from a 3/4 release. His slider is a slurvy 10-4 offering with good depth and looks like a fastball out of his hand. His fastball is a straight 4-seam. Good reliever to have in a pen that can fill a multitude of roles (long, LOOGY, short spurts)

8th: FB (89-91), SL (77-78)

• Brandon Morrow is a 24 year old who stands 6-3, 195. The righty has a medium to big frame that has room to add another 10-15 pounds of muscle. He comes at you from an over the top release. His change will flash great fade and a little sink, but it can be inconsistent. His fastball is a dead straight 4-seam. His curveball is a 12-6 offering that flashes plus, but is also inconsistent. Morrow needs to gain consistency to reach his ceiling as a closer.

8th: FB (93-96), CU (88-89), CB (81)

• Brian Fuentes is a 38 year old who stands 6-4, 230. The left hander has a big frame that is maxed out and attacks from a sidearm release with a little bit of cocking action. His changeup has good sinking action and some run. His fastball is a straight 4-seam. He struggled to command his change, having it go armside and high almost every time. He got blooped and then blasted by Jose Lopez. Good set-up man, but he doesn't strike out enough guys for me to be comfortable with him as a closer.

9th: FB (89-91), CU (72-74)

• Miguel Batista is a 38 year old who stands 6-1, 210. The right hander has a medium frame that is maxed out. His fastball is a 2-seam with some fade and good sink. His cutter has decent cut and some sink. His split showed great dive and fade. May have been wrong on him and he can indeed be a reliable reliever for a contender, though I still wouldn't have him setup.

9th: FB (85-92), Cut (84-85), Split (85)

• Jose Arredondo is a 25 year old who stands 6-1, 205. The right hander has a medium frame that can add a little more muscle. His fastball has some fade and a little sink from an over the top release. His splitter is erratic in both break and command, but it flashes as plus with great dive and fade. Still think he is a future closer, but he is not yet ready and needs to refine his splitter.

10th: FB (90-94), Split (81-86)

• David Aardsma is a 27 year old who stands 6-4, 205. The righty has a big frame that can add more muscle. He attacks from an over the top release with some cocking action. His slider is a 2-7 offering with good depth. His splitter showed good dive and fade. He may be able to close, as he hasn't shown many of his old command issues when I have seen him.

10th: FB (93-95), SL (84), Split (89)

Stay tuned for my chart observations on the Rays-Twins, featuring the 11 strikeout performance of David Price. I will take care of that after I return from my baseball game tonight.

SEA vs. TEX

Yes, I had the same teams for a score 2 days in a row and got to watch them end in exciting fashions.

• Felix Hernandez started for the Mariners and didn't have his best stuff. The Rangers failed to get on him early and he settled in very well. His fastball sat at 88-94 (and was only 90-92 most of the time), a changeup at 84-89, a slider at 81-86 and a curveball at 80-83. No changes on my thinking of him, potential to be best starter in baseball.
• Matt Harrison opposed him and made me look like an idiot. As soon as you think someone is a borderline major league pitcher, they make some adjustments and turn a corner and Harrison has done that. Harrison, from a 3/4 release, has sped up his wind-up and is pitching with much better tempo, something that has been a staple of Mark Buehrle for years. He also is showing a new willingness to both pitch inside and throw offspeed stuff when behind in the count. Harrison's fastball sat at 87-93, his changeup was 77-81, his slider was 76-83, his curveball was 73-75 and I believe he has added a cutter, which was 83-86. He also showed plus command. If he can maintain this plus command, he is a solid # 3 starter. If not, back to back-of-the rotation starter. My money is now on him to be a # 3 starter. Mike Maddux has done wonders for those starters.
• David Aardsma was 90-93 with his fastball and threw a slider at 81 and a splitter at 86.
• Brandon Morrow blew another save in big fashion (allowed about a 460 foot shot by Hank Blalock followed by a 415 foot shot by Chris Davis that drove in the other 2 runs). He still has great stuff, but he only throws his fastball. His fastball was 93-96 and doesn't have the movement or command of it to be as effective as other fastball-happy closers, like a Jonathan Papelbon. Morrow shows good off-speed stuff but can't throw them for strikes and so they aren't called. His catchers will need to call more off-speed stuff or this will continue to occur.
• Wladimir Balentien, a 6-2 220 pound 24 year old, has a medium to large frame that can add on a little bit more muscle. He has a slightly open stance with a little bat wiggle and he utilizes a toe turn.. He currently has average power, but should get some more as he continues to develop his frame. He shows the ability to hit to all fields. Solid, major league average starting corner outfielder.
• David Murphy, a 6-4 205 pound 27 year old, has a big frame that can add a lot more muscle. He has a slightly open stance, but is hunched over a little bit. He has a fairly long swing, so he must cheat to hit fastballs. He has average speed. He is a guy who is a 4th OF who can't play CF and doesn't have great power. He is someone that may be finding his usefulness in the majors coming to a close. I think his upside is that of a 4th OF.
• Taylor Teagarden, a 6-1 200 pound 25 year old, has a medium frame with room to add more muscle, especially to his lower half. He has a fairly straight-up stance and brings his hands forward and back as part of his trigger. This causes his swing to lengthen at times, but allows him to generate a little more pop. Teagarden is an interesting guy, as he has failed to hit for average for quite awhile now. He is a quality catch and throw guy and does a good job blocking balls. He may follow in the path of another former top prospect in the AL West, Jeff Mathis, but provide more power.

SEA vs. TEX

• Jarrod Washburn started for the Mariners and featured his 5 pitch mix of a fastball at 84-89, a cutter at 84-87, a changeup at 77-84 (2nd most thrown pitch), a slider at 74-80 that he used to lefties and righties to get ahead or put away and a curveball at 66-68 that he threw on the 1st pitch to get a cheap strike. No change on my opinion of him, but the lack of velocity on his fastball is concerning.
• Brandon McCarthy opposed him and he disappointed me. He has lost a lot of fastball velocity since he was a reliever for the White Sox. McCarthy showed a fastball at 87-90, a hard curveball from 76-81, a soft curveball from 72-75 and a changeup at 76-79. McCarthy's curveball is plus, but it isn't a strikeout pitch. His fastball is merely average and his changeup is a tick above average. If he can throw strikes with the curveball, he can be a middle of the rotation starter. If he doesn't, he is a back-end starter at best. He attacks hitters from straight over the top and showed above average command of all his pitches tonight.
• David Aardsma was 91-95 with his fastball and threw one slider at 81 that hung. His fastball is plus, but you have to wonder how long he can get away with it being his only pitch.
• Eddie Guardado is done in my opinion. Tonight, he was 84-86 with his fastball, 76-79 with his slider and threw a changeup at 77. Having 3 lefties (Guardado, Wilson and Derek Holland) is a luxury that this team needs to correct, especially since Guardado has had struggles this season.
• Darren O'Day is a side-arming, ground ball forcing right hander who has been phenomenal since coming over. He sat at 84-86 with his fastball and his slider was 76-77. He looks like a legitimate major league ROOGY (and even struck out Russell Branyan). It appears the Mets allowed another one to get away. I think he profiles very well as a right handed middle reliever, with his main role being to get out tough righties or to get double plays.
• Sean White showed a fastball at 90-92, an average slider at 83-86 and a plus changeup at 80-82. He needs to throw the change more, as this was his best off-speed pitch in my opinion. He may be getting the message, as he used it to strike out Marlon Byrd, a right hander.
• C.J. Wilson was in line to take the loss before Brandon Morrow's struggles, but he pitched well. He showcased a fastball at 91-93, a slider at 81-86 and a changeup at 83-85. He was over exposed as a closer, but he is a quality setup guy, as his fastball velocity is plus. His slider and changeup are both a tick above average. He showed strong command tonight as well.
• Garrett Olson made an appearance tonight and was in line to get the win. Olson attacked hitters with a fastball at 87-90, a curveball at 79-80 that moves more like a slider and a changeup at 80-82. Olson definitely doesn't have the stuff to be a starter and I don't think he has the stuff to be better then a long reliever/mop-up guy. He needs to further refine his command and his off-speed offerings.
• Brandon Morrow took the loss after allowing a shot to Hank Blalock that I thought was gone off the bat. He showed a plus fastball at 94-98 and plus curveball at 83-84. He should have had Josh Hamilton struck out looking on a great curveball, but the home plate umpire couldn't pull the trigger. He has great potential, but his command has a ways to go until you can feel confident when he is out there. Right now, every save will be an adventure.
• Elvis Andrus is a 20 year old who stands 6-0, 185 pounds. He has a medium frame with the room to add quite a bit more muscle, probably at least 10 pounds. He features a fairly straight up stance and holds the bat above his shoulder at a 45 degree angle. He shows a little bat wiggle. He seems to bring all his weight forward when he strides, limiting the time to make a decision to swing or not. He is a very aggressive hitter. He is a special fielder, one with great hands and an above average accurate arm. He has plus range to his right. He is a plus runner with borderline 75 speed. His worst case scenario in my opinion is a career like Omar Vizquel's, as he is close to the same class of fielder potentially. Best case? He is 20 and playing in the majors. The sky is the limit for this kid, though he will likely never be more then a 20 home run guy.

Tomorrow I have an extra chart and will see the same 2 teams again with a match-up of Felix Hernandez and Matt Harrison.

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.

Chart Observations: SEA @ MIN

• King Felix Hernandez started for the Mariners and did not have his best stuff. He also grimaced noticeably on the mound. Hernandez did not throw many curveballs, which I think may be his best (and most underutilized pitch) in favor of more changeup to the left handed heavy Twins lineup. Hernandez was sitting at 91-95 with his fastball, a mid 80's slider, a high 80's changeup that doesn't move much and a low 80's curveball. Felix is still amongst the best pitchers in the game irregardless of this one outing and is still a # 1 starter for a contender.
• Francisco Liriano opposed him (those 2 start and the final is 9-6?). Liriano pitched well through the 1st 3 innings, but then struggled to command his fastball to get ahead of hitters to set-up his plus changeup. Liriano was 90-92 with his fastball and threw a mid 80's slider and low 80's change. Liriano had right handers flailing at his changeup and lefties struggled to contact the slider, but with his velocity in the low 90's and struggling to command it, hitters were able to get into fastball counts.
• Sean White showed me an off-speed pitch in addition to his fastball sitting at 91-94. He threw a low 80's changeup and a low 80's curveball. Neither of these pitches were very special. White has a plus fastball, but has command issues and still appears to be looking for a 2nd pitch. Safeco can only cover up so much, but this kid appears to be a decent 10th guy in the bullpen.
• Denny Stark is currently in the middle of his obligatory 2-week call-up he gets every season. Stark actually featured a fastball at 91-95, much harder then I thought he threw. He also showed a mid 80's slider and mid 80's changeup. The fastball velocity helps explain why he keeps getting chances, but his lack of command coupled with no other real above average offering explains why he keeps riding the bus from Seattle to Tacoma.
• David Aardsma continues to showcase himself, sitting at 92-95 with his hard 4-seamer and was popping in sliders at 81-84. Aardsma has always had the stuff to close. A strong reliever when his command is right, has he finally figured it out?
• Miguel Batista attacked hitters with a fastball at 92-94, a cutter at 86-88 and a changeup at 79. His velocity is back and his cutter has enough movement for hitters to not square it up. I still think he is a little over exposed as a set-up man, but a middle reliever that can give you 2 or 3 innings at a time to bridge a gap are valuable (just not as valuable as what they are currently paying him).
• Luis Ayala was one of the pitchers that I have tabbed to regress this season. He pitched with a fastball at 89-91 and a slider and changeup that sat in the low to mid 80's. Ayala's slider just doesn't seem to have the same bite as it used to and he has begun to mix in more changeups (a fairly straight pitch and is a little below average) and his moving 2-seam fastball. I just don't see how he can last the full season in the pen.
• Matt Guerrier went after guys with a fastball at 90-91, a slider at 82-85, a curveball at 77-78 and a changeup at 83. His fastball is just average, but his slider and curveball are each above average pitches while his changeup drops just enough to make a hitter swing over the top of it. His plus command also allows his pitches to play up. Still think he is more of a middle reliever then an 8th inning guy.
• Joe Nathan didn't show too much of his formerly over-powering slider. He still features a plus fastball (93-95), but the slider was everywhere radar gun wise (82-87) and he also threw a slightly above average curveball (81-83). He is still a quality closer and is amongst the best in baseball and I think his slider will bounce back soon enough.

Sunday Tidbits

• Props to Tony Fiammetta for getting drafted by the Panthers. He should have a pretty good NFL career.
• Charted Anthony Ortega's major league debut and was fairly unimpressed. The kid is your protypical RH starter. He had a high 80's to low 90's 2-seam fastball with some movement, but he had some issues commanding it within the strike zone. He has a plus changeup, but struggled to get ahead in counts to really utilize it. Also features an average curveball that he showed some ability to throw for strikes, but definitely could bury it when he wanted to. With some command help, he could be a middle of the rotation starter, but he is probably a back-end guy.
• Mariner's bullpen may be coming back to earth now. David Aardsma finally allowed a hit and, while he still features a plus fastball, has enough command issues to not really be a great late game option. Mark Lowe struggled to command his off-speed stuff (which is nothing new) and Miguel Batista was a fastball-cutter pitcher for his 2 innings. Once the scouting reports get out on at least these 3, I think they will return to their established career norms.
• Yuniesky Betancourt has zero plate discipline. Zero. It really is quite impressive to watch.
• I am a Howie Kendrick fan, and he has started to show signs of breaking out of his slump. I love his line drive swing and his track record as a hitter through the minors and I still believe in his ability to be an above average stick at the keystone while be an average defender.
• Jose Contreras threw well today. After a rough 1st inning (2 bloops and then a shot for a double off the bat of Adam Lind), he really settled down and matched Roy Halladay pitch for pitch. Contreras really had good command and movement on his splitter today which helped him counteract some of Toronto's quality left handed sticks. Is this an aberration or will he return to his old form? Only time can tell.
• Speaking of Halladay, EVERYTHING he throws, moves. The more amazing part is that he great command of it.
• Color me impressed with the work of the Toronto Blue Jays. Their offense has been dynamic despite the early struggles of Alex Rios (.247-.300-.370). They have gotten a huge boost from Marco Scutaro (.413 OBP out of the leadoff spot) and the return of Aaron Hill from injury (.376-.407-.624). While this offense will likely not last, it doesn't have to. The Jays likely need this offense to last another 2 or 3 weeks, when they are then primed to get rookie sensation Ricky Romero (no overwhelming pitch, but is a middle of the rotation starter for a contender) and Jesse Litsch (who threw off a flat mound yesterday and is hopeful to begin a rehab assignment) back from injury and that will take a lot of burden off the offense. The Jays bullpen also has been utilized tremendously by Cito Gaston, who today utilized Jason Frasor to get out Carlos Quentin and then used Jesse Carlson to get out both Jim Thome and Jermaine Dye. Scott Downs has been incredible in the early going and is a massive upgrade over B.J. Ryan (who was sitting at 87 in his last appearance against Texas) and may even keep the job when Ryan returns from the DL.
• Speaking of Cito Gaston, why did it take so long for him to get another job after leading the Jays to back-to-back championships in the early 90's?