Chart Observations: 7/25 CLE @ SEA

1) Jeremy Sowers: 103 pitches. 9 strikes swinging. 4 Fastballs (1st, 3rd, 4th, 5th), 3 on Sliders (2 in 2nd, 4th), 2 on Changeups (4th, 6th)

• Sowers came from a 3/4 release and showed a fastball with some run in on lefties, a 10-4 slider with solid bite and a change with some fade from righties with sink. He will throw 3-2 changeups.

1st: FB (86-89), SL (76-79)

2nd: FB (85-90), SL (77-79), CU (77-79)

3rd: FB (85-88), SL (75-79), CU (78-79)

4th: FB (85-89), SL (76-78), CU (79-80)

5th: FB (83-87), SL (76-78)

6th: FB (85-88), SL (77), CU (78-79)

7th: FB (85-89), SL (76)

2) Erik Bedard: 81 pitches. 5 strikes swinging. 2 Fastballs (2 in 3rd), 3 on Curveballs (1st, 2nd, 3rd)

• Bedard is a 6-1, 200 pound lefty. The 30 year old has a medium frame that can get up to at least 215. He comes from a high 3/4 release and generates a good hip turn, maxing out his possible velocity. His fastball has some run in on lefties. His curve is a sharp, big breaking 11-5 with above average depth that can be a strikeout pitch. His cutter has some cut. He will drop down to 3/4 to throw curveballs and fastballs to both lefties and righties. His stuff says at least a # 2 starter, however his ability to pitch through pain and struggles with command says a # 4 or 5. I will call him a 3 and put it in the middle.

1st: FB (90-93), CB (77)

2nd: FB (90-93), CB (75-80)

3rd: FB (89-93), CB (76-80), Cut (90)

3) Chris Jakubauskas: 53 pitches. 0 strikes swinging.

• Chris came from an over the top release and showed a fastball with a little run in on righties with a little sink, a 12-6 curve with above average depth that could be a strikeout pitch and a change with a little fade from lefties with a little sink.

4th: FB (90-92), CB (76-77), CU (79)

5th: FB (88-91), CB (77), CU (77)

4) Garrett Olson: 61 pitches. 7 strikes swinging. 5 Fastballs (5th, 7th, 3 in 8th), Curveball (8th) and Changeup (9th)

• Olson came from a 3/4 release and showed a fastball with some run in on lefties, a power 11-5 curve with slightly above average depth and a pretty straight change that has a little fade from righties.

5th: FB (88-90), CB (79)

6th: FB (87-90), CB (80-81)

7th: FB (88-90), CU (80-82)

8th: FB (89-91), CB (81)

9th: FB (89-90), CB (79-81), CU (80-81)

5) Winston Abreu: 18 pitches. 0 strikes swinging.

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

8th: FB (90-94), SL (82-86)

9th: FB (92)

6) Jose Veras: 18 pitches. 2 strikes swinging. 2 Fastballs.

• Veras came from a 3/4 release and showed a fastball with some run in on righties with sink, a 12-6 curve with above average depth that can be a strikeout pitch and a splitter with solid dive.

9th: FB (93-96), CB (78-79), Split (81)

• Michael Saunders is a 6-4, 210 pound L/R OF. The 23 year old has a big frame that can add a lot more muscle, especially in his legs, and should be able to get to at least 235, though it would cause the loss of speed. He has an open stance with the bat held even with his back shoulder and a little in front. He has a little bit of a bat wiggle in a circle. His trigger is a cocking of the bat and a stride to square himself up and his heel on his front foot is elevated off the ground and appears to be on his front toes. Saunders shows himself as a 5 tool guy, getting down the line on a groundout at 4.3 seconds (slightly above average) and was robbed of his 1st big league hit, a home run. He shows at least slightly above average in every tool I saw (did not see his arm) and think he is a future starting corner outfielder. Is definitely a better prospect then Wladimir Balentien was. I think worse case scenario for him is Mark Kotsay in his prime.

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.

Wednesday Observations

Had 2 scores (SEA vs. CHA, HOU vs. CIN) and I think 2 scores are the easiest thing ever. But I prefer charts because I think they are more fun.

• Erik Bedard started for Seattle. This was my 1st time really watching him pitch ever and I was not a very big fan of him (still aren't for the package they gave up to get him), but he is a legit # 2 for a contender. Sat in the low 90's with his fastball, but his true weapon is his curveball. He has one that acts as a get-me-over pitch when behind in the count and a hard biter that serves as his strikeout pitch. He also throws an average change. He didn't have his best stuff today, but he made big pitches when he needed to. When he has his curves working and can locate his fastball, he is very tough to beat.
• Gavin Floyd was very similar to Bedard. He sat in the low 90's and was in the mid 90's early in the game. He also throws a cutter (what White Sox don't throw cutters?) and his main out pitch, a big curveball. I think his breakout was for real and he will continue to be a solid middle of the rotation starter.
• Shawn Kelley is a strong option for the Mariners middle relief core. He throws an average to plus fastball sitting anywhere from 92-95. His main weapon though is a hard-breaking dirty slider in the mid 80's that he can throw for strikes or bury. He probably isn't a closer, but can he a pretty solid set-up man or middle reliever.
• Adrian Beltre is amongst the top defensive third basemen in the game right now. He also went 4-4 at the plate, but none were real rocket shots that made you think he was breaking out, but he is getting closer.
• Edinson Volquez is filthy. If you think his rookie year was a fluke, think again. This past start, he seemed to say "screw it, if they hit it, they hit it." He challenged the Astros hitters and they had no chance. He worked with a plus fastball, plus changeup and average curveballs and sliders. With command, he is a legit ace. Without command, he is a 3 or 4, as he can only get you about 5 innings before having to come out due to pitch count.
• Felipe Paulino is everything I said about him before. Keep an eye on this kid. Houston may have a future All-Star. BTW, heard the Houston announcers saying when Brian Moehler comes back, they may shift him to the pen. Not a smart decision. Yes, Paulino can be valuable out of the pen with a fastball sitting in the high 90's and a sharp slider. But, he is also more valuable giving a non-contending team innings as a starter and building towards something greater. Keep an eye on this.
• Adam Rosales was back in the big leagues tonight. For those of you that are fans of hustling players who are actually having fun out there, then you will like this kid. For those of you that like 3rd base production from a 3rd basemen? Not so much.
• Laynce Nix (yes, the former top prospect from the Rangers) swung a good bat again tonight. Yes, he has his weaknesses (should probably avoid LH's and will still strike out a good amount), but he provides power, a batting eye and solid defense in the corner outfield. If this sounds like a 4th OF, it is. But, he could probably start as the main guy in a platoon for quite a few teams interested in cutting costs.
• J.R. Towles is not a big leaguer right now. Still looks over-matched at the plate and was slow in getting the ball out on the Willy Taveras stolen base. Now, we don't know he handles the staff (did only allow 2 runs on his watch) and I tend to value that higher then anything he offers offensively, but he is running out of time in establishing himself before Jason Castro arrives on the scene.

Have the day off tomorrow and will return to work Friday with a chart and a score.