Chart Observations: 9/15 WAS @ PHI

1) Cliff Lee: 124 pitches. (FB, CU, CB, Cut, SL). 12 strikes swinging. 4 Fastballs, 4 Curveballs, 3 Cutters, Changeup

• Lee came from an over the top release and showed a fastball with some run in on lefties, a cutter with good cut and some sink, a change with good fade from righties and solid sink that he will throw to lefties and in 3-2 counts, a 12-6 curve with above average depth and a 11-5 slider with solid bite.

1st: FB (92-93), CU (85), CB (76), Cut (86-87) - CU (Guzman), Cut (Maxwell)

2nd: FB (91-92), CU (85), CB (74), Cut (83-85) - FB (Willingham), Cut (Dunn)

3rd: FB (90-93), CU (84), Cut (84) - Cut (Maxwell)

4th: FB (90-92), CU (84-85), CB (73-76), Cut (83-86) - 2 CB (Willingham, Bard)

5th: FB (91-92), SL (82)

6th: FB (90-92), CU (84), CB (74-78), Cut (83-84)

7th: FB (91-93), CU (84), CB (75-78), Cut (83-85), SL (82) - CB (Bard)

8th: FB (91-93), CU (84-86), CB (75-77), Cut (84-86), SL (79) - CB (Morse)

9th: FB (91-94), CU (84-85), CB (77), Cut (85) - 3 FB (Dukes, Bard - 2)

2) Garrett Mock: 107 pitches. (FB, CU, SL, CB). 6 strikes swinging. 4 Changeups, Fastball, Curveball.

• Mock came from a high 3/4 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, a 12-6 curve with slightly above average depth and a 1-7 slider with solid bite that he will throw in 3-2 counts. He may also throw an occasional cutter and we are in the process of double checking with the Nats to see if that's true.

1st: FB (90-92), CU (80-83), CB (76-79) - CU (Utley)

2nd: FB (91-93), CU (82), CB (76-77), SL (82-85) - CB (Rollins)

3rd: FB (87-93), CU (80), CB (76-78), SL (84) - FB (Werth)

4th: FB (88-91), CU (81), SL (81) - CU (Victorino)

5th: FB (89-91), CU (80-82), CB (76-77), SL (81-83) - CU (Ibanez)

6th: FB (87-90), CU (78-80), CB (76), SL (80-81) - CU (Lee)

3) Saul Rivera: 7 pitches. (FB, Cut, SL, CU). 0 strikes swinging.

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

7th: FB (89-91), Cut (90)

4) Ron Villone: 13 pitches. (FB, SL, CU). 1 strike swinging. Slider.

• Villone came from a high 3/4 release and showed a fastball with solid tail in on righties and a 11-5 slider with some bite.

7th: FB (89-91), SL (82-86) - SL (Howard)

5) Logan Kensing: 18 pitches. (FB, SL, Cut, CU). 1 strike swinging. Cutter.

• Kensing came from a high 3/4 release with a fastball with some run in on righties, a cutter with some cut and a change with some fade from lefties and a little sink that is more of a hanger that he will throw to righties.

8th: FB (91-94), Cut (85-88), CU (87) - Cut (Ruiz)

7/24 Score: SD @ WAS

1) Mat Latos: 94 pitches. 7 strikes swinging. Fastball (2nd), 5 Sliders (2nd, 3rd, 5th, 2 in 6th), Changeup (5th)

• Latos came from an over the top release and showed a fastball with some run in on righties and a little sink, a 2-7 slider with above average bite and a change that flashes plus, but is more commonly below average with some fade from lefties that he has a tendency to hang. He will throw 3-2 changeups to righties. Has the early makings of an ace (Plus fastball, above average off-speed offering) and the development of his change will be key. He had solid command of his fastball. Refer to the Futures Game coverage for his frame and other data.

1st: FB (93-96), CU (80-81)

2nd: FB (93-96), SL (81-83)

3rd: FB (91-95), SL (80-82), CU (82)

4th: FB (92-95), SL (81-83)

5th: FB (93-95), SL (81-84), CU (81)

6th: FB (92-96), SL (79-82), CU (81-83)

2) Garrett Mock: 90 pitches. 3 strikes swinging. Fastball (5th), 2 Sliders (1st, 6th)

• Mock 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 above average depth, a 2-7 slider with good bite and a change with some fade from lefties with sink. Could be a # 4, but his struggles with his command will impede his progress.

1st: FB (89-93), CB (75-77), SL (83-84)

2nd: FB (89-90), CB (75-76), CU (77)

3rd: FB (89-93), SL (82-84), CU (79)

4th: FB (89-92), CB (74), SL (81-83)

5th: FB (89-91), CB (75-79), SL (81-83), CU (79)

6th: FB (89-93), CB (76), SL (81-84), CU (78)

3) Jason Bergmann: 18 pitches. 1 strike swinging. Cutter (6th)

• Bergmann came from a high 3/4, almost over the top release and showed a cutter with good cut, a fastball with run in on righties with good sink and a power 12-6 curve that can be a strikeout pitch.

6th: Cut (85-87)

7th: FB (91-92), Cut (85-86), CB (79)

4) Luke Gregerson: 24 pitches. 3 strikes swinging. 3 Sliders (7th)

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

6th: FB (90), SL (82)

7th: FB (90-92), SL (81-84), CU (80-81)

5) Ron Villone: 15 pitches. 0 strikes swinging.

• Villone came from an over the top release and shwoed a fastball with some run in on lefties, a change with some fade from righties and sink and a 10-4 slider with good bite.

7th: FB (87-89), CU (81), SL (84)

6) Mike Adams: 18 pitches. 2 Fastballs, Curveball.

• Adams is a 6-5, 205 pound righty. The 31 year old has a big frame that can get up to at least 215. He came from an over the top release. His fastball has some run in on righties. His cutter has some cut and sink. His curve is a 12-6 with average depth that can be a strikeout pitch. His change has some fade from lefties with solid sink that he will throw to righties.

8th: FB (92-94), Cut (87-89), CB (81), CU (83)

7) Sean Burnett: 8 pitches. 2 strikes swinging. 2 Sliders.

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

8th: FB (90-91), SL (77-83)

8) Logan Kensing: 13 pitches. 3 strikes swinging. 2 Fastballs, Cutter.

• Kensing is a 6-1, 185 pound righty. The 27 year old has a medium frame that can get up to at least 195. He came from a high 3/4 release and showed a fastball with some run in on righties and a cutter with solid cut.

9th: FB (94-96), Cut (88-89)

9) Greg Burke: 11 pitches. 0 strikes swinging.

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

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

Chart Observations: CHC @ WAS

1) Kevin Hart: 83 pitches. 3 strikes swinging. 2 on Cutters (2nd, 5th), Fastball (3rd)

• Hart came from an over the top release with a fastball with good run in on righties with solid sink, a cutter with good cut and sink and a sharp 12-6 curve with average depth that can be a strikeout pitch. I like him better as a reliever and wonder if he can hold up for a full season, as he has that rubbery arm action where his wrist joins in making an arm circle.
  

1st: FB (88-93), Cut (85-86)

2nd: FB (90-94), Cut (87), CB (80-81)

3rd: FB (91-94), Cut (87-89), CB (77-80)

4th: FB (90-94), Cut (86-88), CB (77-79)

5th: FB (87-94), Cut (83-87), CB (79)

2) Garrett Mock: 63 pitches. 7 strikes swinging. 4 on Fastballs (2 in 2nd, 2 in 4th), 3 on Curveballs (all in 2nd)

• Mock is a 6-3, 230 pound righty. The 26 year old has a big frame that is maxed out. He comes from a 3/4 release. His fastball has above average run in on righties with good sink. His change moves like his fastball, but slower. His curve is a big breaking 12-6 with above average depth that is sharp enough to be a strikeout pitch and he has shown an ability to bounce it or throw it for strikes. His slider is a sharp 2-7 with good bite. His stat line looked ugly, but he has good pure stuff. His command is a severe question mark though and he constantly fell behind. Another guy I think I would prefer as a reliever.

1st: FB (90-91)

2nd: FB (89-92), CB (73-76), CU (77-78)

3rd: FB (89-92), SL (83)

4th: FB (88-92), CB (74-76), CU (78), SL (81)

3) Julian Tavarez: 19 pitches. 1 strike swinging. Changeup.

• Tavarez came from a 3/4 release and showed a fastball with good run in on righties with good sink, a sharp 2-7 slider that can be flat and a chnage with some fade from lefties with above average sink. He was released after this game and I have been saying this (as many others have said) that he should have been released a while ago.

4th: FB (90-92), SL (80-85), CU (83-84)

4) Ron Villone: 46 pitches. 3 strikes swinging. Fastball (6th), 2 Sliders (both in 6th)

• Villone came from a high 3/4 release and showed a fastball with good run in on lefties, a loopy 11-4 slider with good bite and a change with late fade from righties.

5th: FB (88-89), SL (78-85), CU (83)

6th: FB (87-90), SL (78-86), CU (82)

5) Jeff Samardzija: 41 pitches. 5 strikes swinging. 2 on Fastballs (6th, 7th), 3 on Splitters (6th, 2 in 7th)

• Jeff came from an over the top release and showed a fastball with a little run in on righties, a split with average dive that has good late action and flashes above average dive and a big breaking 2-7 slider with good bite that appears to be a curve-slider hybrid.

6th: FB (93-96), Split (84)

7th: FB (93-96), Split (85-86), SL (82)

8th: FB (92-94), Split (85-86), SL (81)

6) Tyler Clippard: 20 pitches. 0 strikes swinging.

• Clippard is a 6-3, 200 pound righty. The 24 year old has a big frame that can get up to at least 220. He came from an over the top release with a lot of herky jerky action and a cocking arm action. His fastball has some run in on righties. His curve is a 12-6 with above average depth. His change is straight and looks like a fastball out of his hands with some fade fade from lefties that he will throw to righties. His slider is a 2-7 with solid bite and he will throw 3-2 changeups. Clippard is likely going to be a solid middle reliever, but he isn't going to be a guy who dominates and middle reliever is his likely ceiling.

7th: FB (90-92), CU (80-81), CB (75-76), SL (83)

7) Sean Burnett: 18 pitches. 2 strikes swinging. Fastball, Slider.

• Burnett came from a high 3/4 release and showed a fastball with good run in on lefties and a 10-4 slider with good bite.

8th: FB (90-92), SL (77-81)

8) Mike MacDougal: 11 pitches. 2 strikes swinging. 2 Fastballs.

• Mike came from a 3/4 release and showed a fastball with above average run in on righties.

9th: FB (94-97)

9) Jeff Stevens: 13 pitches. 0 strikes swinging.

• Stevens is a 6-2, 205 pound righty. The 25 year old has a medium frame that can get up to 210. He came from an over the top release. His fastball is a pretty straight 4-seam. His curve is a 12-6 with above average depth. His elbow is bent from when he starts his delivery until he finishes the pitch and I don't know if this takes away or adds stress to it. His command was a little bit of a question mark and looks like a 4-A guy to me.

9th: FB (91-93), CB (73)

HOU @ WAS

This game is currently in a rain delay in the 11th (of course its an extra, so I don't get more money), but will give you what I saw thus far:

• Roy Oswalt looks like the same pitcher he has always been. He features a low to mid 90's fastball, mid 80's slider, low 70's curveball and mid 80's changeup. He attacks hitters and forces them to try and put the ball in play. He left the game due to a bone bruise on his right index finger.
• Scott Olsen has lost some velocity on his fastball. He sits in the mid to high 80's with it, in addition to a mid 80's change and mid 80's slider. The real fun part is attempting to differentiate between these 2 pitches, as the slider's break can be fairly indistinguishable to the naked eye. Olsen had a chance at being a middle of the rotation guy when his fastball was in the low 90's, but with it in the high 80's, he is a back-end starter.
• Chris Sampson had some major command issues of his stuff and when you have a 2-seam fastball in the high 80's, you can't afford to be falling behind. He also showed a low 80's slider. Both pitches are major league average pitches (he also throws a high 70's curve and low 80's change). He is what he is, a long reliever who shouldn't be pitching in big situations.
• Tim Byrdak was the only Houston reliever who looked decent in this game. He attacks hitters with a low 90's fastball, a low 80's slider and a low 80's changeup. But, he is another pitcher who shouldn't be pitching at the end of games and is only a middle reliever, not a set-up man.
• Geoff Geary is another middle inning reliever throwing late innings. Geary attacks with a low 90's fastball, mid 80's slider and low 80's curveball. He is nothing amazing as a reliever and is a protypical RH reliever.
• Saul Rivera looked good for his 1 inning, mixing his high 80's 2-seamer, high 80's cutter and mid 80's slider very well. Looks to be back to what he is, a very durable middle reliever who can get you multiple outs.
• Julian Tavarez is another guy who is a solid middle reliever who shouldn't be pitching late in games (sense a trend here?). He attacks hitter with a mid to high 80's sinker that is plus and an average slider. He is a very good and versatile reliever to have at the front of a bullpen or in the middle to get ground balls, but you don't want to rely on him as your 8th or 9th inning guy.
• Garrett Mock is someone the Nats have high hopes for in the back of their pen. I don't see it. He is another guy who is probably a 10th or 11th pitcher with his low 90's fastball and a low 80's slider. Both pitches are only major league average pitches. He has/had solid command until he seemingly twisted his ankle on a Michael Bourn bunt pop out. Don't know if there is too much of a bigger ceiling here either.
• Kip Wells actually looks the part of a late innings reliever with his mid 90's fastball, low 80's curveball and high 80's changeup. Both the fastball and curveball are plus pitches, but he also showed a tendency to nibble as opposed to attacking hitters (which has been his M.O. for awhile). That being said, this is a good risk by the Nationals to see if he can become something as a reliever. Upside is of a set-up man, as he still shows a little tendency to the long ball.
• Joel Hanrahan didn't look great but got the job done with his stuff. He still shows closer stuff to me and needs to be back in that role.
• Elijah Dukes has grown a lot as a baseball player. One of the ultimate "toolsy" guys, he is showing signs of putting it all together. Pitchers used to feed him sliders that start on the outside and break off the zone and he would swing. Now, he is learning to let those pitches go and taking the free ball pitchers give him. This causes them to throw him more fastballs and he feasts in those situations (his HR off Oswalt was on a 94 mph fastball at the letters). You never know what your going to get from this guy in regards to off the field incidents, but he can be a strong corner outfielder (he is a little over exposed as a CF) and give you some fairly good production. The power is real and I think lines of .270-.330-.480 are not out of his grasp.

Back on the grind tomorrow with 2 charts.