Chart Observations: 9/6 SD @ LAD

1) Hiroki Kuroda: 89 pitches. (FB, SL, Split). 6 strikes swinging. 3 Sliders, 3 Splitters.

• Kuroda came from an over the top release and showed a fastball with good run in on righties and some sink, a split with some dive and a 2-7 slider that was a little loopy.

1st: FB (90-94), SL (82), Split (87-90) - 2 Split

2nd: FB (92-94), SL (87), Split (87-88) - Split

3rd: FB (91-96), SL (82-85), Split (89-90) - SL

4th: FB (92-94), SL (84)

5th: FB (89-95), SL (81-88), Split (89-90) - 2 SL

2) Tim Stauffer: 104 pitches. (FB, SL, CB, CU). 5 strikes swinging. 2 Changeups, 2 Cutters, Fastball.

• Stauffer 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 good sink that he will throw to righties, a 12-6 curve with above average depth and a cutter with some cut and some sink.

1st: FB (89-91), CB (76), CU (80-82) - CU

2nd: FB (90-92), CB (75-77), CU (80-81), Cut (85-87)

3rd: FB (89-90), CB (74-75), CU (79-80), Cut (85)

4th: FB (88-92), CB (77), CU (80), Cut (85-87)

5th: FB (88-90), CB (75-77), CU (80-81), Cut (85) - CU

6th: FB (89-90), CB (75-78), CU (80), Cut (84-85) - 2 Cut

7th: FB (88-90), CU (78-81), Cut (83-86) - FB

3) Jeff Weaver: 25 pitches. (FB, SL, CU, CB). 2 strikes swinging. 2 Sliders.

• Weaver came from a high 3/4 release (though he will throw anywhere from there to sidearm) and showed a 11-5 curve with average depth, a fastball with some run in on righties and some sink, a change with some fade from lefties, a frisbee slider with some bite and some sink and a sharp 2-7 slider with average bite.

6th: FB (89-91), SL (80-82), CU (84), CB (74) - SL

7th: FB (89-90), SL (80-82), CU (84), CB (75), FSL (78) - SL

4) Joe Thatcher: 5 pitches. (FB, SL, CU). 0 strikes swinging.

• Thatcher came from a sidearm release and showed a fastball with some tail in on righties.

7th: FB (88)

5) Luke Gregerson: 18 pitches. (FB, SL, CU). 5 Sliders, Fastball.

• Gregerson came from a 3/4 release and showed a sharp 2-7 slider with good bite, a fastball with some run in on righties and some sink and a change with some fade from lefties and a touch of sink.

7th: SL (82-84) - SL

8th: FB (92), SL (82-85), CU (81) - 4 SL, FB

6) Ronald Belisario: 4 pitches. (FB, SL, CU). 0 strikes swinging.

• Belisario came from a 3/4 release and showed a fastball with some run in on righties and a little sink.

8th: FB (95-96)

7) George Sherrill: 3 pitches. (FB, SL, CU). 0 strikes swinging.

• Sherrill came from a high 3/4 release and showed a pretty straight 4-seam fastball.

8th: FB (89-91)

8) Hong-Chih Kuo: 26 pitches. (FB, SL, CU, CB). 2 strikes swinging. 2 Fastballs.

• Kuo came from a high 3/4 release and showed a straight 4-seam fastball, a 10-5 curve with average depth and a sharp 11-5 slider with good bite

9th: FB (94-97), SL (85-87), CB (78-79) - 2 FB

9) Heath Bell: 22 pitches. (FB, CB, CU). 2 strikes swinging. 2 Fastballs.

• Bell came from an over the top release and showed a fastball with some sink and a sharp 11-5 curve with above average depth that he will throw 3-2.

9th: FB (93-95), CB (81-84) - 2 FB

Chart Observations: 8/19 STL @ LAD

1) Adam Wainwright: 99 pitches. 8 strikes swinging. 3 Fastballs (2nd, 2 in 3rd), 3 Cutters (1st, 3rd, 5th), 2 Curveballs (3rd, 5th)

• Wainwright came from a high 3/4 release and showed a 2-seam fastball with good run in on righties and good sink, a cutter with good cut and a little sink, a 12-6 curve with slightly above average depth and a change with some fade from lefties with sink.

1st: FB (90-94), CB (72-74), Cut (84-86)

2nd: FB (89-93), Cut (88)

3rd: FB (88-91), CB (73-75), Cut (83)

4th: FB (89-94), CB (73-77), Cut (85-87)

5th: FB (90-94), CB (73-76), Cut (88)

6th: FB (88-92), CB (73-75), Cut (83-87)

7th: FB (90-93), CB (75-77), Cut (85-87), CU (83)

2) Clayton Kershaw: 97 pitches. 10 strikes swinging. 4 Fastballs (1st, 2 in 2nd, 3rd), 4 Sliders (3 in 3rd, 4th), 2 Curveballs (1st, 2nd)

• Kershaw came from an over the top release and showed a straight 4-seam fastball, a 11-5 slider with good bite, a sharp 12-6 curve with above average depth and a straight change that had a little late fade from righties.

1st: FB (92-94), SL (77-80), CB (71)

2nd: FB (92-93), SL (78-79), CB (71-72), CU (82)

3rd: FB (92-94), SL (77-80), CB (71-73)

4th: FB (92-95), SL (76-79), CB (70-73)

3) James McDonald: 39 pitches. 3 strikes swinging. 2 Fastballs (4th, 5th), Curveball (6th)

• McDonald came from an over the top release and showed a straight 4-seam fastball, a sharp 12-6 curve with above average depth and a change with good fade from lefties with good sink that he will throw to righties.

4th: FB (92-94), CB (77)

5th: FB (91-94), CB (73-77), CU (75-76)

6th: FB (90-95), CB (75-79), CU (74)

4) Ronald Belisario: 17 pitches. 0 strikes swinging.

• Belisario came from a 3/4 release and showed a fastball with good run in on righties with good sink and a 2-7 slider with solid bite.

7th: FB (93-96), SL (85-88)

5) Hong-Chih Kuo: 14 pitches. 2 strikes swinging. Fastball, Slider.

• Kuo came from a 3/4 release and showed a fastball with some run in on lefties and a 11-5 slider with solid bite.

8th: FB (94-96), SL (83-88)

6) Kyle McClellan: 16 pitches. 1 strike swinging. Curveball.

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

8th: FB (91-92), Cut (87-88), CB (77)

7) Dennys Reyes: 1 pitch. 0 strikes swinging.

• Reyes came from a 3/4 release and showed a fastball with good run in on lefties (maybe too much, as he hit Ethier on the first fastball).

9th: FB (90)

8) Ryan Franklin: 13 pitches. 0 strikes swinging.

• Franklin came from a high 3/4 release and showed a straight 4-seam fastball, a 12-6 curve with slightly above average depth and a split with above average dive.

9th: FB (92-94), CB (77), Split (84-85)

9) Jonathan Broxton: 18 pitches. 3 strikes swinging. Fastball, 2 Sliders.

• Broxton came from an over the top release and showed a straight 4-seam fastball and a 2-7 slider that was sharp with good bite.

9th: FB (95-100), SL (89-92)

Chart Observations: 8/17 STL @ LAD

1) Charlie Haeger: 80 pitches. 6 strikes swinging. 6 Knuckleballs (2nd, 3 in 3rd, 4th, 6th)

• Haeger is a 6-1, 210 pound righty. The 25 year old has a medium frame that appears to be maxed out. He came from an over the top release with a knuckle with good movement (that he had solid control of) and a fastball with good run in on righties. If Tim Wakefield can succeed, why can't he?

1st: KNU (65-71), FB (83)

2nd: KNU (65-74)

3rd: KNU (65-74), FB (83)

4th: KNU (66-74)

5th: KNU (65-72)

6th: KNU (67-75)

7th: KNU (66-74)

2) Chris Carpenter: 110 pitches. 11 strikes swinging. 3 Fastballs (2nd, 6th, 8th), 3 Curveballs (3rd, 6th, 7th), 5 Cutters (3rd, 4th, 2 in 5th, 8th)

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

1st: FB (88-93), CB (72)

2nd: FB (93-95), CB (72-76), Cut (85-87)

3rd: FB (92-95), CB (74-76), Cut (89)

4th: FB (94-96), CB (73-78), Cut (87-89)

5th: FB (94-96), CB (74-77), Cut (87-90)

6th: FB (92-94), CB (73-77), Cut (87)

7th: FB (92-95), CB (74-77)

8th: FB (93-96), CB (74-76), Cut (88-91)

3) Hong Chih-Kuo: 9 pitches. 1 strike swinging. Slider.

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

8th: FB (92-95), SL (78-79)

4) Jonathan Broxton: 14 pitches. 2 strikes swinging. Fastball, Slider.

• Broxton came from an over the top release and showed a straight 4-seam and a sharp 2-7 slider with solid bite.

9th: FB (95-98), SL (87-89)

5) Trever Miller: 1 pitch. 0 strikes swinging.

• Miller is a sidearmer who showed a fastball with some run in on lefties.

9th: FB (86)

6) Ryan Franklin: 3 pitches. 0 strikes swinging.

• Franklin came from a high 3/4 release and showed a fastball with a little run in on righties.

9th: FB (90-91)

8/10: LAD @ SF

1) Hiroki Kuroda: 93 pitches. 9 strikes swinging. 5 Fastballs (1st, 2 in 2nd, 2 in 4th), 4 Sliders (2 in 1st, 2 in 2nd), Splitter (3rd)

• Kuroda came from a high 3/4 release and showed a fastball with above average run in on righties with solid sink, a split with slightly above average dive and a 2-7 slider with good bite that he can hang and can be inconsistent break-wise. He will throw 3-2 splitters.

1st: FB (90-94), SL (81-86), Split (87-88)

2nd: FB (91-94), SL (81-86), Split (88-89)

3rd: FB (91-95), SL (79-85), Split (86-90)

4th: FB (93-94), Split (89)

5th: FB (91-94), SL (85)

6th: FB (92-94)

7th: FB (92-95), SL (81)

2) Jonathan Sanchez: 91 pitches. 6 strikes swinging. 2 Fastballs (both in 4th), 2 Sliders (1st, 5th), 2 Changeups (2nd, 5th)

• Sanchez came from a 3/4 release and showed a fastball with a little run in on lefties, a change with some fade from righties with sink and a loopy 11-5 slider with some bite. He will throw 2-0 changes and 2-1 sliders. Stuff looked better, but still may be a step back from last year.

1st: FB (91-95), SL (79-85), CU (83-88)

2nd: FB (91-94), SL (78-85), CU (82-86)

3rd: FB (86-93), SL (79-80), CU (79-81)

4th: FB (89-93), SL (77-83), CU (78-87)

5th: FB (88-93), SL (80-84), CU (83-85)

3) Justin Miller: 31 pitches. 5 strikes swinging. 5 Sliders (3 in 6th, 2 in 7th)

• Miller came from a 3/4 release and showed a fastball with above average run in on righties with good sink, a split with solid dive and a 2-7 slider with solid bite.

6th: FB (88-90), SL (78-81), Split (79-80)

7th: FB (87-89), SL (77-81), Split (80)

4) Hong-Chih Kuo: 6 pitches. 1 strike swinging. Fastball.

• Kuo came from a high 3/4 release and showed an explosive fastball with some run in on lefties.

7th: FB (93-95)

5) Ronald Belisario: 3 pitches. 0 strikes swinging.

• Belisario came from a 3/4 release and showed a fastball with good run in on righties with some sink and a 2-7 slider with solid bite.

7th: FB (94), SL (85)

6) George Sherrill: 10 pitches. 0 strikes swinging.

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

8th: FB (89-90), SL (74-75)

7) Sergio Romo: 16 pitches. 0 strikes swinging.

• Romo came from a 3/4 release and showed a fastball with good run in on righties with good sink, a 3-9 slider with good bite that stays on the same plane as his fastball until breaking late and a change with good fade from lefties with okay sink.

8th: FB (88-90), SL (75-78), CU (81)

8) Merkin Valdez: 16 pitches. 0 strikes swinging.

• Valdez came from an over the top release and showed a straight 4-seam fastball, a 2-7 slider with some bite and a split with some dive.

9th: FB (91-97), SL (76-84), Split (86)

9) Jonathan Broxton: 11 pitches. 0 strikes swinging.

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

9th: FB (96-100)

7/29: LAD @ STL (Dodgers Pitchers)

1) Clayton Kershaw: 112 pitches. 10 strikes swinging. 8 Fastballs (1st, 2 in 2nd, 2 in 3rd, 2 in 5th, 7th), Curveball (2nd), Slider (3rd)

• Kershaw came from an over the top release and showed a fastball with some run in on lefties and a little sink, a 11-5 slider with some bite, a big breaking 11-5 curve with excellent depth that can be a strikeout pitch and a change with some fade from righties that he will throw 3-1.

1st: FB (93-95), CB (71-74), SL (79-80)

2nd: FB (94-97), CB (72-73)

3rd: FB (94-96), CB (73), SL (81-84)

4th: FB (95), CB (71-72), SL (77-79), CU (81)

5th: FB (93-96), CB (73)

6th: FB (94-96), CB (72-73), SL (77-80)

7th: FB (92-95), CB (71), SL (75-79)

8th: FB (95-96), CB (72), SL (82)

2) Jonathan Broxton: 16 pitches. 1 strike swinging. Fastball.

• Broxton came from a high 3/4 release and showed a fastball with some tail and a hard, sharp 2-7 slider with above average bite.

9th: FB (97-100), SL (89-91)

3) Ramon Troncoso: 30 pitches. 1 strike swinging. Fastball (11th).

• Troncoso came from a high 3/4 release and showed a fastball with good run in on righties with good sink and a 1-7 curve with above average depth.

10th: FB (92-96), CB (79-80)

11th: FB (93-95), CB (80-81)

4) Hong-Chih Kuo: 6 pitches. 2 strikes swinging. 2 Fastballs.

• Kuo is a 6-1, 240 pound lefty, though he doesn't look to be that big. The 27 year old has a medium frame that is maxed out. He comes from a 3/4 release with a max effort delivery that has a lot of moving parts. His fastball has some run in on lefties while his slier is a sweeping 10-4 with good bite. Great reliever when healthy.

11th: FB (94-96), SL (86-87)

5) Guillermo Mota: 7 pitches. 3 strikes swinging. 2 Fastballs, Changeup.

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

12th: FB (94-95), SL (88), CU (86-88)

6) Jeff Weaver: 44 pitches. 3 strikes swinging. Fastball (15th), 2 Sliders (13th, 15th)

• Weaver came from a 3/4 release and showed a fastball with some run in on righties, a 3-8 slider with good bite and a change with some fade from lefties.

13th: FB (88-93), SL (82-84)

14th: FB (90-91), SL (81-83), CU (82-83)

15th: FB (89-94), SL (80-84)

Saturday Tidbits

Getting ready for a scrimmage in the semi-pro baseball league I am now playing in and will be toeing the rubber against live hitters for the 1st time in awhile. Hope the shoulder holds up.

But, on to some observations from last night and 2 very early morning charts

• Eric Stults is your typical finesse LH who can sit at 90. However, control issues plagued him last night as he struggled to get ahead of the Rockies hitters. Solid average curveball. Might be able to be a back-end starter, but once the scouting reports get out, it will be tough for him to continue to replicate his success.
• Aaron Cook has lost some control. His sinker is still very good, but his ability to command it is still in spring training form. Cook walked Stults twice on 9 pitches. As a guy who relies on the movement of his pitches and the ability to command them, he may be (and currently is) in the middle of a long season. Maybe he's hurt?
• For those of you that haven't seen Ronald Belisario, I am sorry. This kid is a legitimate back of the bullpen type talent. As a reliever, you only really need 1 plus pitch and an offspeed pitch that you can throw for strikes. Belisario's plus pitch is his 94-96 mph 2-seam fastball that has a lot of action. It is very difficult to square his ball up and hitters have said it is like hitting a brick. His slider is usable enough to not have hitters sit completely on it. Where do the Dodgers keep finding these arms?
• Huston Street and Manny Corpas are 2 guys who are struggling a little bit. Street actually looked fairly good last night, commanding his pitches well in the zone. However, both have a tendency to leave the ball up and Corpas' stuff just hasn't been the same since their October run in 2007.
• Hong-Chih Kuo blew the save, then got the win. Dude has plus velocity for a LHP (sat at the mid 90's) and his mechanics are actually fairly clean, so it may just be a bad arm that causes all the injuries he has had the past couple of seasons.
• Jonathan Broxton, stardom is awaiting. This dude appears to be underrated, but he needs to be mentioned amongst the best closers in the game. Poor Chris Iannetta just couldn't straighten out his 99 and 100 mile per hour fastballs last night and then waved at just a dirty slider to end the game.
• Andre Ethier has been a different hitter since Manny arrived in the lineup. Now hitting behind Manny, he is just lacing the ball. He has a very quiet setup and swing but the bat head gets through quickly and stays in the zone awhile. He may be on course for quite a few all star teams at this pace.
• Zach Greinke has been unreal. I said Bush wasn't dominant in his no hit bid, but Greinke was dominant against Detroit. The guy was locating 4 of his pitches and was getting the Tigers hitters to hit the pitches he wanted to. Just an unreal streak he has going on.
• Speaking of Greinke's opponent, this was my 2nd time watching Rick Porcello and my 1st time charting him. He has a great 2-seam fastball that has some movement (but not as much as Belisario) and sits in the low 90's with it. His issue right now is a consistent off-speed pitch. He had some big struggles with his curveball either bouncing it at the 40 foot mark or having it sail on him way out of the zone high. His changeup was strong against the Royals left handed hitters, but he had a tendency to bounce those as well. I think his ceiling is that of a # 2 starter (maybe a # 1 if he can start throwing his plus slider again).
• Nate Robertson, oh Nate Robertson. Guy is struggling with his command and he doesn't have the stuff to be constantly pitching behind hitters (even in the bullpen). If he can get strike one, he's fine. If he doesn't, well, hitters sit on that 87-90 mph fastball and tee off.
• Felipe Paulino really shocked me. I was expecting a protypical RHP b/c Houston's system is regarded as being terrible, but this guy has some legit potential. He was SITTING at 94 the entire night (6 IP) and was touching 96 and 97 when he needed to. His slider has good late bite and is another average to plus offering as he gains more command. His issue is he has nothing to attack left handed hitters. His changeup is fringy and he doesn't throw too many 2-seamers. If he can find a serviceable changeup to just have left handed hitters keep it in the back of their mind, he is a # 2 starter. As he is now, a middle of the rotation starter with a chance to be real special in the back-end of the bullpen.
• Yovani Gallardo fired a complete game win in his start and he looked great as well. His fastball velocity is right around 93 with the ability to get 95, but his weapon is a hammer curve that he can throw for strikes or bury. He also has a solid changeup that is enough to keep left handers worried, as it is straight and is slow enough (typically around 86-87) where they roll over on it and ground on routinely to first. He may not be the Cy Young winner I thought he might be this season, but he is a strong # 2 starter on a contending team and has the ability to be a legit ace in a couple of years.
• Mark Teahen's value to the Royals right now can't be measured. Guys that can play multiple positions and still be your 3 hole hitter? Hit a nice opposite field home run to LF last night and he is looking just like what he is, a .280-.360-.480 type hitter. That line would be incredible for a 2B, but for a 3B or corner outfielder, it is just average. Give Teahen his due.
• Michael Bourn has looked much better in April the couple of times I saw him. He no longer looks overmatched at the plate and seems to have an idea of what he wants to do. He is still pounding the ball on the ground and utilizing his best asset, his legs, to get singles. He is taking walks, which is something he didn't do at all last year. My only curiosity is where are the stolen base attempts once he reaches?
• Mike Cameron and Humberto Quintero had a huge collision (and if you haven't seen it, you probably should). Cameron is a big, strong guy and Quintero was up the line to field the throw and had no choice but to hold his ground to make a tag. Cameron LIT HIM UP. No way around it. It was a football collision in baseball minus pads. Quintero left the game with a few maladies and hopefully he isn't worse for the wear.
• May need to change my opinion on Bill Hall. I was never a big Hall fan (and seriously doubt he can put up 35 home runs again), but he is a valuable player. He is actually a pretty good defender at 3rd, which i did not expect. He has shown the ability to barehand balls when charging in, go to his left and throw across his body to get an out and go to his right to get an out. I believe that if Milwaukee called up Matt Gamel now, they would be doing themselves a disservice, as he would have no position and he would, from what I hear, be a DRASTIC step down from Hall defensively. Hitting won't be Milwaukee's problem. Pitching will need to be there and one of the best ways to help pitching is by having a strong defense (Seattle Mariners anyone?)
• Working in Columbus last year, I saw many fine young players who are 2 to 3 years from the big time. One, however, is fighting to get recognized now. Mike Stanton, a 19 (YES, 19) is playing in High A and is hitting .360-.448-.660. I graded Stanton out as a 6.5 (the only hitters ahead or equal to him were Jason Heyward of the Braves and Angel Villalona of the Giants. My scouting report on Stanton:

"Swing is a little slow, but should increase bat speed as he ages. Real wide base keeps weight from going forward or back. Big guy who can add more muscle (scary, as he is 6-5, 205 already). Very strong arm (7 out of 7) with accuracy. Overall, is a very good prospect who will stick in RF. 20-25 home run guy with a .260-.280 average and he will have some big years.

• In looking at it again now (and after hearing of the rave reviews he got at spring training), he may far eclipse what I set out for him. My main concern was the bat speed (as he was late on several high 80's fastballs from Jesse Darcy) and he appears to have gotten that fixed. His swing is a little long and he will always put up some big strikeout numbers (has 14 in 50 high A at bats), but his offensive production as a whole would be outstanding. That projection should now probably be bumped up to a 30-35 home run guy (though who knows how FLA's new ballpark will play) and I think he will have more big years (.280-.400-.550) then not. Things continue to look great for the player-development machine in FLA.