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: 8/18 STL @ LAD

1) Mitch Boggs: 83 pitches. 6 strikes swinging. Fastball (1st, 3rd), 4 Sliders (2 in 2nd, 2 in 5th)

• Boggs is a 6-4, 215 pound righty. The 25 year old has a big frame that can add a little more muscle. He came from a 3/4 release with a fast windup that is real scrunched up until his breaks. He straightens his arm on the backtake fairly hard as well. His fastball has above average run in on righties and some sink. His change has some fade from lefties and a little sink. His curve is a 1-7 pitch with solid depth. His slider is a 2-7 pitch with good bite that can move like a cutter at times. Solid pitcher, but likely no better then a # 4 or # 5 starter.

1st: FB (93-96), SL (84-87), CU (83)

2nd: FB (90-94), SL (83-85), CU (81), CB (77-79)

3rd: FB (89-95), SL (86-87), CB (77-79)

4th: FB (90-93), SL (84-85), CU (79), CB (78-80)

5th: FB (90-93), SL (84-87)

2) Chad Billingsley: 77 pitches. 8 strikes swinging. 7 Fastballs (2 in 1st, 3rd, 5th, 3 in 6th), Curveball (6th)

• Billingsley came from an over the top release and showed a straight 4-seam fastball, a 12-6 curve with slightly above average depth, a cutter with some cut and a change with some fade from lefties with sink. He will throw get me over and out pitch curveballs.

1st: FB (91-94), CB (79)

2nd: FB (90-92), CB (70-81)

3rd: FB (90-94), CB (74-81)

4th: FB (89-93), CB (77-80), Cut (88-89)

5th: FB (90-92), CB (77), Cut (89)

6th: FB (88-93), CB (77-82), Cut (88-93), CU (86)

3) Jason Motte: 11 pitches. 1 strike swinging. Splitter.

• Motte came from an over the top release and showed a 2-seam fastball with some run and sink on righties, a cutter with some cut, a straight 4-seam fastball, a straight change and a split with good dive.

5th: FB (91-98), Cut (89-93), Split (81), CU (86)

4) Brad Thompson: 28 pitches. 3 strikes swinging. 3 Curveballs (All in 7th)

• Thompson is a 6-1, 190 pound righty. The 27 year old has a medium frame that can get up to 205. He came from a 3/4 release and showed a fastball with good run in on righties with good sink, a change with some fade from lefties with good sink and a 12-6 curve with below average depth. Long reliever is probably his best chance at sticking on a roster.

6th: FB (87-88), CU (80-82), CB (79)

7th: FB (87-89), CU (80-82), CB (77-79)

5) James McDonald: 7 pitches. 0 strikes swinging.

• McDonald came from an over the top release with a fastball with a little run in on righties and a sharp 12-6 curve with above average depth.

7th: FB (91-95), CB (76)

6) George Sherrill: 27 pitches. 1 strike swinging. Slider (7th)

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

7th: FB (89-91), SL (75-77)

8th: FB (88-91), SL (73-75)

7) Blake Hawksworth: 13 pitches. 0 strikes swinging.

• Blake came from a 3/4 release and showed a fastball with good run in on righties and solid sink and a change with above average sink and good fade from lefties that he will throw to righties.

8th: FB (92-93), CU (81-83)

8) Jonathan Broxton: 20 pitches. 3 strikes swinging. 2 Fastballs, Slider (All in 9th)

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

8th: FB (97), SL (89)

9th: FB (96-99), SL (89-90)

MIL @ LAD

1) Manny Parra: 102 pitches. 6 strikes swinging. 2 Fastballs (2nd, 8th), 2 Changeups (both in 4th), Curveball (8th), Splitter (8th)

• Parra came from an over the top release and showed a fastball with some run in on lefties and solid sink, a 10-4 curve with solid depth, a splitter with solid dive and a change with some fade from righties with sink that he will throw in 2-0 counts. This is the best he has looked, as his fastball appeared to have more movement then it normally does and he was pounding the strike zone, constantly getting ahead.

1st: FB (91-95), CU (82-86), CB (78), Split (88)

2nd: FB (92-93), CU (83-84)

3rd: FB (92-94), CU (83), CB (76-78)

4th: FB (91-93), CU (83-85)

5th: FB (89-93), CB (76), Split (83-84)

6th: FB (90-94), CU (82-84), CB (76), Split (82)

7th: FB (90-93), CU (82), CB (75)

8th: FB (91-93), CB (74-76), Split (83)

9th: FB (91-92), CU (83)

2) Clayton Kershaw: 92 pitches. 9 strikes swinging. 9 Fastballs (1st, 2 in 2nd, 2 in 3rd, 3 in 4th, 5th)

• Kershaw came from an over the top release and showed a fastball with some run in on lefties, a big breaking 11-5 curve with excellent depth, a change with some fade from righties with sink and a 11-5 slider with good bite. He can get out of control mechanically at times and can struggle to find his release point and make mechanical adjustments from pitch to pitch.

1st: FB (94-97), CB (71-72)

2nd: FB (93-96), CB (71-72), CU (82-83)

3rd: FB (93-95), CB (70-73), CU (84), SL (77)

4th: FB (93-95), CB (69-71), CU (81), SL (78)

5th: FB (93-94), CU (83), SL (79)

3) Jeff Weaver: 50 pitches. 5 strikes swinging. 4 Sliders (5th, 2 in 6th, 7th), Fastball (6th)

• Weaver came from a 3/4 release and showed a fastball with some run in on righties and some sink, a 2-7 slider with some bite, a 1-7 curve with some depth and a change with some fade from lefties with sink. He will drop down and throw frisbee sliders to righties with 2 strikes.

5th: FB (89-92), SL (81-83)

6th: FB (90-93), SL (80-85), CB (77-79), CU (85-87)

7th: FB (90), SL (80-83)

4) James McDonald: 18 pitches. 1 strike swinging. Fastball (9th)

• McDonald came from an over the top release and showed a straight 4-seam fastball, a 12-6 curve with above average depth and a change with some fade from lefties with some sink.

8th: FB (93-95), CB (73), CU (76)

9th: FB (92-95), CB (77-78), CU (76)

5) Trevor Hoffman: 15 pitches. 1 strike swinging. Changeup.

• Hoffman came from an over the top release and showed a change with above average fade from lefties with above average sink, a 12-6 curve with above average depth, a pretty straight 4-seam fastball and a 2-7 slider with some bite.

9th: FB (83-87), CU (72-74), SL (79-81), CB (72)

7/24 Score: FLA @ LAD

1) Clayton Kershaw: 106 pitches. 11 strikes swinging. 5 Fastballs (2 in 1st, 2 in 5th, 6th), 2 Sliders (3rd, 4th), 3 Curveballs (4th, 2 in 6th), Changeup (5th)

• Kershaw came from an over the top release and showed a fastball with some run in on lefties, a big breaking 12-6 with excellent depth that can be a strikeout pitch, a change withs ome fade from righties and sink and a 11-4 slider with good bite. Can lose command of his fastball, but appears to have the ability to throw his curve for strikes whenever he wants. He will throw 3-1 changeups.

1st: FB (94-95), CB (72-73), CU (82)

2nd: FB (93-96), CB (73), SL (81)

3rd: FB (93-95), CB (71-73), SL (84)

4th: FB (94-95), CB (72-73), CU (83), SL (82)

5th: FB (93-95), CB (70-77), CU (81-83), SL (79-80)

6th: FB (94-95), CB (71-73), SL (78-81)

2) Josh Johnson: 100 pitches. 9 strikes swinging

• Johnson came from an over the top release and showed a fastball with some run in on righties, a 2-7 slider with above average bite that can be cutter like and a change with good fade from lefties with a little sink that he will throw to righties.

1st: FB (94-99), SL (90), CU (90)

2nd: FB (94-97), SL (86-89)

3rd: FB (94-97), SL (90), CU (89-90)

4th: FB (94-98), SL (87-90), CU (90)

5th: FB (93-97), SL (87-88), CU (90)

6th: FB (94-97), SL (85-88), CU (89-90)

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

3) James McDonald: 19 pitches. 1 strike swinging. Curveball.

• McDonald came from an over the top release and showed a fastball with a little run in on righties and a big breaking 12-6 curve with excellent depth that is sharp enough to be a strikeout pitch.

7th: FB (92-96), CB (73-78)

4) Brent Leach: 3 pitches. 0 strikes swinging.

• Leach came from a high 3/4 release and showed a 11-4 curve with average depth and a fastball with some run in on lefties.

7th: FB (93), CB (79)

5) Ramon Troncoso: 21 pitches. 0 strikes swinging.

• Troncoso came from an over the top release and showed a fastball with good run in on righties and good sink and a 1-7 curve with average depth that is sharp enough to be a strikeout pitch.

8th: FB (91-94), CB (78-80)

6) Claudio Vargas: 22 pitches. 4 strikes swinging. 3 Fastballs (8th, 2 in 9th), Slider (9th)

• Vargas is a 6-4, 235 pound righty. The 31 year old has a big frame that is maxed out. He came from a high 3/4 release and showed a fastball with a little run in on righties and a little sink and a 2-7 slider with above average bite. Solid long reliever, just don't start him.

8th: FB (90-95), SL (81)

9th: FB (89-94), SL (80-82)

7) Brendan Donnelly: 15 pitches. 0 strikes swinging.

• Donnelly is a 6-3, 240 pound righty. The 38 year old has a big frame that is maxed out. He came from an over the top release and has a lot of herky jerky in his delivery with limbs going everywhere. His fastball has some run in on righties with sink. His change has good fade from lefties with above average sink. His cutter has good cut. Appears to still have the stuff to be a solid middle reliever.

8th: FB (90-91), Cut (88-89), CU (83-84)

8) Dan Meyer: 3 pitches. 0 strikes swinging.

• Meyer came from an over the top release and showed a cutter with good cut.

8th: Cut (84-86)

9) Kiko Calero: 3 pitches. 0 strikes swinging.

• Calero came from an over the top release and shows a 2-7 slider with above average bite.

9th: SL (76-80)

10) Leo Nunez: 10 pitches. 0 strikes swinging.

• Nunez came from a high 3/4 release and showed a fastball with some run in on rgihties and a change with above average sink and fade from lefties.

9th: FB (92-96), CU (85)

CIN @ LAD

1) Jason Schmidt: 91 pitches. 2 strikes swinging. Fastball (2nd), Curveball (4th)

• Jason is a 6-5, 220 pound righty. The 36 year old has a big frame that can get up to about 235, but likely won't. He comes from an over the top release. His fastball has some run in on righties. His split has some dive, but not a ton. His curve is a sharp 12-6 with above average depth that can be a strikeout pitch and that he can throw for strikes at will. Don't really know how the Reds didn't hit him harder after the 1st. He did a great job of living on the edges and throwing his slow curve for strikes, but his velocity is nowhere near where it used to be. A guy who profiles as, at best, a # 5 and that may even be a stretch.

1st: FB (86-89), Split (82-84), CB (71-73)

2nd: FB (86-88), Split (84), CB (70-73)

3rd: FB (85-87), CB (71-72)

4th: FB (85-88), Split (82-84), CB (69-73)

5th: FB (84-87), CB (69-70)

2) Micah Owings: 96 pitches. 6 strikes swinging. 2 on Fastballs (both in 1st), 3 on Sliders (all in 5th) and a Change (1st)

• Owings is a 6-5, 220 pound righty. The 26 year old has a big frame that can get up to about 235. He comes from a 3/4 release with a fastball with some cut, a change with good diving action from lefties that he will throw to righties and a sharp 2-7 slider with some bite. Said it before, but he needs to make a transformation to a hitter.

1st: FB (88-90), SL (81-83), CU (78-80)

2nd: FB (88-90), SL (80-83), CU (78-80)

3rd: FB (86-91), SL (81-84), CU (77-79)

4th: FB (86-88), SL (81-84), CU (76-79)

5th: FB (85-87), SL (79-84), CU (77-80)

3) James McDonald: 28 pitches. 2 strikes swinging. 2 Fastballs (both in 7th)

• James came from an over the top release and showed a fastball with some run in on righties, a sharp 12-6 curve with excellent depth that can be a strikeout pitch and a change with some fade from lefties.

6th: FB (93-95), CB (77)

7th: FB (93-95), CB (77-78)

8th: FB (91-94), CU (74)

4) Carlos Fisher: 26 pitches. 4 strikes swinging. 3 Sliders (all in 7th), Fastball (6th)

• Fisher came from an over the top release with a fastball with a little run in on righties, a sharp 2-7 slider with above average bite and a cutter with some cut and sink.

6th: FB (92-95), SL (82-84)

7th: FB (91-95), SL (82-85), Cut (91)

5) Danny Ray Herrera: 18 pitches. 1 strike swinging. Changeup.

• Herrera came from a 3/4 release and showed a fastball with some run in on lefties, a 11-4 slider with good bite and a change with some fade from righties with great sink that looks like a screwball.

8th: FB (84-87), SL (75-77), CU (64-69)

6) Ramon Troncoso: 10 pitches. 0 strikes swinging.

• Troncoso came from an over the top release and showed a fastball with some run in on righties with good sink and a sharp 12-6 curve with above average depth that can be a strikeout pitch.

8th: FB (90-93), CB (79)

7) Jonathan Broxton: 8 pitches. 1 strike swinging. Fastball.

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

9th: FB (98-100)

Chart Observations: 7/12: LAD @ MIL

1) Clayton Kershaw: 103 pitches. 5 strikes swinging. 2 Fastballs (2 in 1st), Slider (3rd), Curveball (5th), Changeup (5th)

• Kershaw is a 6-3, 225 pound lefty. The 21 year old has a big frame that can add a little more muscle, but not much. He came from an over the top release with a classic drop and drive delivery. His fastball has some run in on lefties with a little sink. His change has good fade from righties with a little sink. His curveball is a sharp, big breaking 12-6 with excellent depth. His slider is a 10-5 pitch with good bite that is a little loopy and serves as his out pitch to lefties. He is a definite potential ace and is a good bet to reach his potential.

1st: FB (92-95), CB (71-74), CU (81-83)

2nd: FB (92-95), CB (73), CU (81)

3rd: FB (94-95), CB (71-74), SL (78-81)

4th: FB (93-94), CU (81-83)

5th: FB (92-95), CB (72-74), CU (84), SL (83)

6th: FB (93-94), CB (71)

7th: FB (90)

2) Yovani Gallardo: 93 pitches. 6 strikes swinging. 3 on Fastballs (2 in 1st, 2nd), 3 on Curveballs (2 in 1st, 4th)

• Gallardo is a 6-2, 220 pound righty. The 23 year old has a medium frame that is maxed out. He comes from an over the top release. His fastball has some run in on righties with good sink. His curveball is a sharp 12-6 with solid depth that can be a strikeout pitch. His slider is a 2-7 with good bite. His change has good fade from lefties with solid sink. He will also mix in a straight 4-seam. He is a definite potential ace and is a good bet to reach his ceiling.

1st: FB (90-94), CB (78-81), SL (85)

2nd: FB (89-93), CB (79), CU (84-85)

3rd: FB (91-93), CB (78-80), SL (85-86)

4th: FB (91-93), CB (80), SL (84-85), CU (84)

5th: FB (88-93), CB (81), SL (85-86)

3) Chris Smith: 8 pitches. 0 strikes swinging.

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

6th: FB (87-89), SL (76), CU (73)

4) Mark DiFelice: 27 pitches. 5 strikes swinging. 4 Cutters, Curveball

• DiFelice came from a high 3/4 release with a change with some fade from lefties and a little sink, a fastball with some run in on righties and sink, a cutter has good cut and a little sink and a 12-6 curve with good depth.

7th: Cut (81-83), FB (87), CU (76), CB (74)

5) Hiroki Kuroda: 23 pitches. 2 strikes swinging. 2 Fastballs (2 in 7th)

• Kuroda came from an over the top release and his pitches are actually distinguishable as a reliever. His slider is a 2-7 with some bite. His fastball has good run in on righties with some sink and his split has some dive.

7th: FB (90-94), SL (83-85), Split (87)

8th: FB (92-94), SL (82-83), Split (88)

6) Mitch Stetter: 17 pitches. 0 strikes swinging.

• Stetter is a sidarmer who showed a fastball with some late run in on lefties with some sink, a sweeping 9-3 slider with good bite and a straight change with a little sink.

8th: FB (84-85), SL (77-79), CU (80)

7) James McDonald: 12 pitches. 1 strike swinging. Fastball.

• McDonald is a 6-5, 195 pound righty. The 24 year old has a big frame that can get up to at least 215. He comes from an over the top release. His fastball is a pretty straight 4-seam. His curveball is a sharp 12-6 with above average depth that can be a strikeout pitch. His change has above average fade from lefties with good sink.

8th: FB (91-95), CB (77), CU (75)

8) Seth McClung: 16 pitches. 0 strikes swinging.

• McClung came from an over the top release with a fastball with some run in on righties and a little sink, a 12-6 curve with above average depth and a sharp 2-7 slider with some bite.

9th: FB (90-97), CB (78-80), SL (85)

9) Ramon Troncoso: 21 pitches. 2 strikes swinging. Fastball, Curveball

• Troncoso came from an over the top release with a fastball with good run in on righties with good sink and a 12-7 curve with above average depth.

9th: FB (91-94), CB (78-81)

Chart Observations: WAS @ LAD

Both bullpens really struggled in this exciting game.

• Randy Wolf started for the Dodgers and featured a high 80's fastball, a high 60's curveball, a high 70's slider and a low 80's changeup. He showed above average command of his pitches and did a good job keeping the Nats hitters off balance all night. I have never been a big fan of his, but he continues to be a solid # 3 starter, and I believe this is his ceiling that he is currently pitching at.
• Despite a bad first inning, Jordan Zimmermann threw really well and continues to have the look of a pitcher who can grow into a strong # 2 for a contender at least.
• Ramon Troncoso attacked hitters with his low to mid 90's 2-seamer and plus mid 70's curveball. He elevated his 2-seam a little too much and that resulted in him getting hit.
• The Dodgers really miss Joe Beimel (who featured a mid to high 80's fastball, low 70's curve and low to mid 80's change, he really isn't a guy to get RH's out, but is a very good LOOGY with his FB-CB combo combined with the deception he generates from his delivery). Will Ohman once again failed to retire the one LH he faced with high 80's fastball and low 80's slider while Brent Leach failed to retire either Adam Dunn or Nick Johnson. Leach featured a low 90's fastball and an above average high 70's slider. Leach is likely pitching against Ohman for that LOOGY job and the Dodgers will have to make a decision to go with a raw youth with better stuff or with a veteran in hopes that he will return to his career norms.
• Cory Wade pitched better then his line indicated, as he attacked hitters with a low to mid 90's fastball, a plus high 70's curveball (which I would like to see him bury a little more) and an above average low 80's changeup. He is a quality 3-pitch reliever and looks to be a solid set-up guy, as his command was above average as well. I don't know if he will be able to generate the strikeout numbers necessary to be a closer.
• Guillermo Mota attacked hitters with a 94 mile per hour fastball, an average mid 80's slider and an above average mid 80's change. Mota is an extra arm for a bullpen at this stage of his career.
• James McDonald came out of the pen and was blooped to death. He went after guys with a low 90's fastball, mid 70's 12-6 curveball and a high 80's change. The 12-6 is plus and flashed plus-plus and his changeup is an above average offering. McDonald did still show some flashes of above average command, but continued to miss with his fastball in the middle of the plate a little too often. Not sure where he profiles best, but I think I would prefer him as a back-end starter, as his potential (# 3 starter) is greater then that of a reliever.
• Ron Villone is back in the big leagues and shows the same stuff, a high 80's fastball, mid 80's change and low 80's slider. All his pitches are average, with the change being a bit above average. Useful reliever to have when you don't want to waste other guys, but is it better to have him eating the innings or a younger guy who may have a future?
• Kip Wells attacked guys with a mid 90's fastball, low 80's curveball, mid to high 80's slider and a high 80's changeup. Wells needs to be a 3 pitch pitcher as a reliever, as the slider was an average offering, while his fastball and curveball are each above average. He gets some good 2-seam action on his fastball and his curveball flashed plus. Still think he is a solid option as a late inning guy, but he once again showed a tendency to nibble.