PIT @ CHC: Game 2

1) Carlos Zambrano: FB, Split, SL, CB, Cut. 117 pitches. 9 strikes swinging. 5 Fastballs, 2 Sliders, Splitter, Cutter.

• Zambrano came from a high 3/4 release and showed a fastball with good run in on righties and some sink, a sweeping 2-7 slider with good bite, a cutter with some cut. a 12-6 curve with average depth and a splitter with good dive.

1st: FB (89-94), Split (84-86), SL (80-81), Cut (90-92) - 3 FB (LaRoche, Jones, Milledge), 2 SL (LaRoche - 2), Cut (Jones)

2nd: FB (87-93), Split (81), SL (77), Cut (87-90)

3rd: FB (88-91), Split (81-82), SL (75-79) - FB (LaRoche), Split (Young)

4th: FB (86-91), Split (81-85), SL (78) - FB (Karstens)

5th: FB (90-92), Split (81-84), CB (73)

6th: FB (88-93), Split (84), SL (79-81)

2) Jeff Karstens: FB, SL, CB, CU. 61 pitches. 2 strikes swinging. Fastball, Slider.

• Karstens came from an over the top release and showed a 12-6 curve with good sharpness and slightly above average depth, a fastball with some run in on righties and some sink, a 2-7 slider with good bite and a change with some fade from lefties that he will throw to righties. His curve can float at times.

1st: FB (88-90), SL (76-79), CB (70-72), CU (79-80)

2nd: FB (87-90), SL (76-78), CB (72) - SL (Baker)

3rd: FB (86-89), SL (75), CB (70-72), CU (77-79) - FB (Lee)

4th: FB (85-87), SL (76), CB (71), CU (79)

5th: FB (85-86), CB (70), CU (78)

3) Donald Veal: FB, SL, CB, CU. 18 pitches. 1 strike swinging. Fastball

• Veal came from an over the top release and showed a fastball with some run in on lefties and some sink and a 11-5 curve with slightly above average depth.

6th: FB (90-93), CB (75-79) - FB (Lee)

4) Steven Jackson: FB, SL, CU. 3 pitches. 0 strikes swinging.

• Jackson came from a high 3/4 release and showed a change with some fade from lefties and some sink that he will throw to righties and a fastball with some run in on righties and some sink.

6th: FB (89), CU (80-81)

5) Justin Berg: FB, SL, CU. 6 pitches. 0 strikes swinging.

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

7th: FB (89-91), SL (83-84)

6) John Grabow: FB, SL, CU. 23 pitches. 1 strike swinging. Fastball.

• Grabow came from a high 3/4 release and showed a fastball with some run in on lefties and some sink, a change with good fade from righties and some sink and a 11-5 slider with solid bite.

7th: FB (87-90), CU (77-82), SL (82-83) - FB (Milledge)

7) Jesse Chavez: FB, SL, CU. 15 pitches. 2 strikes swinging. Fastball, Slider.

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

7th: FB (92-93), SL (81-83), CU (85-87) - FB (Baker), SL (Johnson)

8) Esmailin Caridad: FB, CB, CU. 11 pitches. 2 strikes swinging. 2 Curveballs.

• Caridad came from an over the top release and showed a fastball with a little run in on righties, a straight change with a little sink and a sweeping 1-7 curve with average depth.

8th: FB (91-94), CB (76-78), CU (89) - 2 CB (McCutchen, LaRoche)

9) Virgil Vasquez: FB, Cut, CB, CU. 2 strikes swinging. Fastball, Cutter.

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

8th: FB (88-91), Cut (84-86), CB (72) - FB (Hill), Cut (Hill)

9th: FB (88-91), Cut (85-87), CB (72-73)

10) Carlos Marmol: FB, SL. 21 pitches. 1 strike swinging. Slider.

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

9th: FB (92-95), SL (82-85) - SL (Vazquez)

Chart Observations: 9/22 CHC @ MIL

1) Dave Bush: 52 pitches. FB, CB, Cut, CU, SL. 3 strikes swinging. Cutter, Curveball, Slider.

• Bush is a 6-2, 205 pound righty. The 29 year old has a medium frame that can add a little more muscle, but is pretty much maxed out. He came from a 3/4 release with fairly clean mechanics. His fastball has good run in on righties and some sink. His curve is a big breaking 12-6 with above average depth. His change has some fade from lefties and some sink that he will throw to righties and in 3-2 counts. His slider is a 2-7 offering with some bite. His cutter has some cut. Solid # 5 starter, but that is about it.

1st: FB (87-89), CB (67-69), Cut (83), CU (81-82), SL (80-82) - Cut (Baker), CB (Baker), SL (Soto)

2nd: FB (87-89), CB (68-70), Cut (83-85), CU (79-82), SL (81)

2) Randy Wells: 89 pitches. FB, SL, CU. 8 strikes swinging. 6 Sliders, 2 Fastballs.

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

1st: FB (89-92), CU (84-85)

2nd: FB (89-92), CU (84-86), SL (84-87) - 3 SL (Cameron, C.Smith - 2)

3rd: FB (90-93), CU (84-86), SL (85-88) - SL (Fielder)

4th: FB (89-94), SL (85-87) - FB (Gamel), SL (Escobar)

5th: FB (89-93), CU (84-86), SL (86) - FB (Fielder), SL (Fielder)

6th: FB (90-91), SL (81-87)

3) Chris Smith: 42 pitches. FB, CU, SL, CB. 3 strikes swinging. Fastball, Slider, Changeup.

• Smith came from an over the top release and showed a 2-7 slider with good bite that he will throw 3-2, a fastball wtih some run in on righties, a change with good fade from lefties and good sink that he will throw to righties and a

2nd: FB (87-90), CU (73-75), SL (78-79) - SL (Ramirez)

3rd: FB (89-91), CU (75-76), SL (77-79) - CU (Colvin)

4th: FB (89-91), CU (74), SL (77-78) - FB (Theriot)

4) Mike Burns: 28 pitches. FB, SL, CB, Split. 2 strikes swinging. 2 Fastballs.

• Burns 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 good bite, a 12-6 curve with above average depth and a splitter with some dive.

5th: FB (89-91), SL (79-82), CB (70) - 2 FB (Fox, Baker)

6th: FB (88-90), SL (81-82), CB (70-71), Split (80-81)

5) Todd Coffey: 15 pitches. FB, SL, Split. 5 strikes swinging. 4 Sliders, Fastball.

• Coffey came from a high 3/4 release and showed a sharp 2-7 slider with good bite and a fastball with good run in on righties.

7th: FB (94-97), SL (84-87) - FB (Fox), 4 SL (Lee, Fox - 2, Baker)

6) Sean Marshall: 19 pitches. FB, SL, CB, Cut, CU. 0 strikes swinging.

• Marshall came from a high 3/4 release and showed a cutter with good cut, a big breaking 11-5 curve with above average depth, a fastball with a little tail in on righties and a 11-5 slider with good bite.

7th: FB (92-93), SL (85-87), CB (75-78), Cut (87-92)

7) Claudio Vargas: 15 pitches. FB, SL, CU. 0 strikes swinging.

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

8th: FB (92-93), SL (83-84)

9th: FB (91-92)

8) Esmailin Caridad: 16 pitches. FB, CB, CU. 0 strikes swinging.

• Caridad came from a high 3/4 release and showed a fastball with some run in on righties and a 1-7 curve with slightly above average depth

8th: FB (94-97), CB (76-79)

9) John Axford: 5 pitches. FB, CB, SL, CU. 0 strikes swinging.

• Axford came from an over the top release and showed a fastball with some run in on righties and some sink and a 1-7 slider with above average bite.

9th: FB (94-95), SL (84-85)

10) John Grabow: 16 pitches. FB, CU, SL. 0 strikes swinging.

• Grabow came from a high 3/4 release and showed a fastball with some run in on lefties, a change with some fade from righties and some sink and a 11-5 slider with good bite.

9th: FB (91-94), CU (84), SL (85-86)

Tyler Colvin is a plus defender in center and can cover a lot of ground.

Chart Observations: 9/20 CHC @ STL (To Top 11)

1) Adam Wainwright: 104 pitches. (FB, CB, SL, CU). 14 strikes swinging. 7 Curveballs, 4 Cutters, 2 Changeups, Fastball.

• Wainwright came from an over the top release and showed a fastball with some run in on righties and some sink, a change with good fade from lefties and good sink, a sharp 12-6 curve with above average depth that serves as his out pitch to both lefties and righties and a cutter with good cut and some sink that he will throw in any count.

1st: FB (91-95), CB (75-76), CU (83) - CB (Scales), CU (Scales)

2nd: FB (90-94), CU (81), Cut (84-86) - Cut (Soto)

3rd: FB (89-92), CB (72-75), CU (82-83), Cut (83-87) - 2 CB (Zambrano, Scales)

4th: FB (91-92), CB (73-76), CU (82), Cut (84-86) - CB (Ramirez)

5th: FB (90-93), CB (73-76), CU (82-83), Cut (83-86) - CU (Fontenot), 2 Cut (Soto, Fukudome)

6th: FB (91-93), CB (71-75), CU (80-85), Cut (85-88) - CB (Fontenot), Cut (Soto)

7th: FB (91-94), CB (72-75), CU (80), Cut (86) - FB (Zambrano), 2 CB (Zambrano, Fukudome)

2) Carlos Zambrano: 102 pitches. (FB, Split, Cut, SL, CB). 10 strikes swinging. 5 Sliders, 4 Splitters, Fastball.

• Zambrano came from an over the top release and showed a fastball with good run in on righties and some sink, a splitter with good dive that he will throw 3-2 and that serves as his out pitch to both lefties and righties, a cutter with subtle cut, a 2-7 slider with some bite and a slow 12-6 curve with slightly above average depth.

1st: FB (89-95), Split (84-87), Cut (93-94)

2nd: FB (92-96), Split (84-87), SL (82-84) - 2 SL (Wainwright - 2)

3rd: FB (90-96), Split (87-89), Cut (91-94), SL (78-83), CB (68)

4th: FB (90-95), Split (84-86), Cut (91-92), SL (82) - FB (Molina), 3 Split (Ludwick - 2, Ankiel)

5th: FB (89-94), Split (82-86), Cut (90), SL (82) - Split (Holliday), 2 SL (Wainwright, Holliday)

6th: FB (89-94), Split (80-81), Cut (88), SL (84), CB (67) - SL (Ryan)

3) John Grabow: 7 pitches. (FB, SL, CU). 1 strike swinging. Changeup.

• Grabow came from a 3/4 release and showed a fastball with good run in on lefties and a change with some fade from righties and some sink.

7th: FB (90-91), CU (82-84) - CU (DeRosa)

4) Kevin Gregg: 31 pitches. (FB, SL, Split, Cut, CU). 5 strikes swinging. 3 Splitters, Fastball, Slider.

• Gregg came from an over the top release and showed a fastball with a little run in on righties, but is pretty straight, a sharp 1-7 slider with above average bite that can resemble a curveball, a split with good dive and a cutter with some cut and some sink.

7th: FB (91-92), SL (79), Split (85)

8th: FB (90-93), SL (80-81), Split (83-86), Cut (87-89) - 3 Split (Rasmus - 2, Ludwick), FB (Ankiel), SL (Ankiel)

5) Blake Hawksworth: 14 pitches. (FB, CU, Cut, CB). 0 strikes swinging.

• Hawksworth came from a high 3/4 release and showed a fastball with good run in on righties and some sink and a change with good late fade from lefties and some late sink that he will throw to righties.

8th: FB (91-95), CU (83-84)

6) Trever Miller: 1 pitch. (FB, SL, CU). 0 strikes swinging.

• Miller came from a high 3/4 release and showed a fastball with good run in on lefties.

8th: FB (88)

7) Jason Motte: 5 pitches. (FB, SL, Cut, Split, CB). 1 strike swinging. Slider.

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

8th: FB (97-98), SL (85-86) - SL (Soto)

8) Dennys Reyes: 20 pitches. (FB, SL, CU). 2 strikes swinging. 2 Sliders.

• Reyes came from a high 3/4 release and showed a 11-5 slider with good bite, a fastball with good run in on lefties and a change with some fade from righties and some sink.

9th: FB (89-90), SL (82-85), CU (85-86) - 2 SL (Miles - 2)

9) Sean Marshall: 2 pitches. (FB, SL, CB, Cut, CU). 0 strikes swinging.

• Marshall came from a high 3/4 release and showed a 11-5 slider with good bite and a 11-5 curve with above average depth.

9th: SL (84), CB (76)

10) Aaron Heilman: 6 pitches. (FB, CU, SL)

• Heilman came from a high 3/4 release and showed a change with good fade from lefties and good sink.

9th: CU (85-86)

11) Esmailin Caridad: 16 pitches. (FB, CB, CU). 3 strikes swinging. 3 Fastballs.

• Caridad came from a high 3/4 release and showed a fastball with some run in on righties and a 2-7 curve with below average bite that is sharp and can look like a slider.

9th: FB (92-93)

10th: FB (92-96), CB (78) - 3 FB (Ankiel, Molina - 2)

12) Mitch Boggs: 44 pitches. (FB, SL, CU, CB). 5 strikes swinging. 4 Fastballs, Slider.

• Boggs came from an over the top release and showed a fastball with some run in on righties, a 1-7 slider with good bite

10th: FB (96-99), SL (85-86) - 3 FB (Lee, Taguchi, Soto)

11th: FB (93-97), SL (83-86) - FB (Fukudome), SL (Theriot)

Chart Observations: 9/13 CIN @ CHC

1) Ted Lilly: 119 pitches. (FB, SL, CU, CB). 10 strikes swinging. 7 Fastballs, 2 Sliders, Changeup.

• Lilly came from a high 3/4 release and showed a fastball with good run in on lefties and some sink, a sweeping 10-5 slider with solid bite that he will throw 2-0, a big breaking 12-6 curve with plus depth and a change with good fade from righties and some sink that he will throw to lefties.

1st: FB (83-87), SL (78-83), CU (76), CB (69)

2nd: FB (85-88), SL (82), CB (70) - FB, SL

3rd: FB (83-89), SL (82-83), CU (78-80), CB (67) - 3 FB, CU

4th: FB (85-89), SL (80), CU (78), CB (69) - 2 FB

5th: FB (84-89), SL (81), CU (76-81) - FB

6th: FB (85-88), SL (80-83), CU (77-80), CB (72) - SL

2) Homer Bailey: 115 pitches. (FB, SL, CB, Split). 17 strikes swinging. 16 Fastballs, Splitter.

• Bailey came from a high 3/4 release and showed a fastball with some run in on righties and some sink, a sharp 2-7 slider with above average bite, a split with some dive and a sharp 12-6 curve with above average depth that can be a strikeout pitch that he will throw 3-2.

1st: FB (92-96), SL (87) - 3 FB

2nd: FB (92-95), SL (85-87), Split (87) - 2 FB

3rd: FB (91-96), Split (87) - 2 FB, Split

4th: FB (92-96), SL (85-87), Split (89), CB (75-79) - 7 FB

5th: FB (92-96), CB (78) - 2 FB

6th: FB (92-96), SL (86), CB (74-77)

3) Pedro Viola: 3 pitches. (FB, SL, CU). 0 strikes swinging.

• Viola came from a high 3/4 release and showed a fastball with some run in on lefties and some sink.

6th: FB (91-93)

4) Jared Burton: 19 pitches. (Cut, FB, SL, CU). 2 strikes swinging. Cutter, Fastball.

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

6th: Cut (90-91)

7th: Cut (89-91), FB (87-88) - Cut, FB

5) Esmailin Caridad: 15 pitches. (FB, CB, CU). 1 strike swinging. Fastball.

• Caridad is a 5-10, 195 pound righty. The 25 year old has a small frame that can add a little more muscle to about 205 if his listed weight is correct, which I don't think it is. Athletic build that can get stronger in the lower body. He came from a 3/4 release with fairly clean mechanics, though he does have almost a twisting arm action which has to put extra stress on it. His fastball has some run in on righties and some sink. His curve is a slurvy 2-7 with slightly below average depth. His change has some fade from lefties and some sink that he will throw to righties. Just a typical middle reliever who I think is pitching over his head right now.

7th: FB (90-93), CB (75-76), CU (86) - FB

6) Kevin Gregg: 13 pitches. (FB, SL, Split, Cut, CU). 1 strike swinging. Fastball.

• Gregg came from a high 3/4 release and showed a fastball with good run in on righties and a little sink and a 1-7 slider that moves more like a sharp curve with above average bite.

8th: FB (91-92), SL (81) - FB

7) Carlos Fisher: 20 pitches. (FB, Cut, SL). 3 strikes swinging. 3 Fastballs.

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

8th: FB (91-94), SL (82-84) - 3 FB

8) John Grabow: 15 pitches. (FB, CU, SL). 0 strikes swinging.

• Grabow came from a 3/4 release and showed a fastball with some run in on lefties, a 11-5 slider with solid bite and a change with good fade from righties and some sink.

9th: FB (88-91), CU (80-83), SL (82)

7/29: PIT @ SF

1) Matt Cain: 111 pitches. 11 strikes swinging. 7 Fastballs (2nd, 2 in 4th, 5th, 2 in 6th, 7th), Curveball (2nd), 2 Changeups (6th, 9th), Slider (9th)

• Cain came from a 3/4 release and showed a fastball with a little run in on righties but fairly straight, a 2-7 slider with solid bite, a change with great dive that he will throw 3-2 and a 12-6 curve with above average depth.

1st: FB (92-93), SL (86-87), CU (88)

2nd: FB (91-93), SL (87), CU (85-88), CB (77-78)

3rd: FB (91-94), SL (88), CU (86)

4th: FB (93-94), SL (86-87), CU (86-88), CB (77-79)

5th: FB (90-93), CU (85-87)

6th: FB (91-95), SL (86), CU (88)

7th: FB (92-94), SL (86), CB (76-78)

8th: FB (91-93), CU (87), CB (75)

9th: FB (92-95), SL (86-87), CU (87-88), CB (78-79)

2) Zach Duke: 87 pitches. 5 strikes swinging. Fastball (5th), 2 Changeups (4th, 6th), 2 Curveballs (5th, 7th)

• Duke came from a high 3/4 release and showed a fastball with some run in on lefties and sink, a change that moves like his fastball, but is slower with more movement and is above average, a big breaking 12-6 with above average depth and a 11-5 slider with solid bite. He will throw his change 2-0.

1st: FB (87-90), CU (83)

2nd: FB (87-90), CU (80-81), CB (74), SL (79)

3rd: FB (87-88), CU (81), CB (73-74)

4th: FB (87-89), CU (81-82), CB (74-75)

5th: FB (87-88), CU (80-81), CB (72-73)

6th: FB (87-88), CU (79-81), CB (73)

7th: FB (85-89), CU (80-81), CB (71-74)

3) John Grabow: 20 pitches. 3 strikes swinging. 3 on Changeups (8th, 2 in 9th).

• Grabow came from a 3/4 release and showed a fastball with some run in on lefties, a change with some fade from righties and above average sink and a 10-4 slider with above average bite.

8th: FB (90-91), CU (82-83), SL (81)

9th: FB (89-91), CU (82-83)

4) Brian Wilson: 18 pitches. 2 strikes swinging. Fastball, Cutter.

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

10th: FB (94-98), Cut (87-88)

5) Matt Capps: 16 pitches. 2 strikes swinging. 2 Sliders.

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

10th: FB (92-95), SL (84-85)

Chart Observations: PIT @ SF

1) Tim Lincecum: 115 pitches. 15 strikes swinging. 3 on Fastballs (2 in 1st, 9th), 12 on Changeups (1st, 2nd, 3rd, 3 in 4th, 5th, 2 in 6th, 8th, 2 in 9th)

• Lincecum came from an over the top release and showed a fastball with good run in on righties, a 2-7 slider with good bite, a change with above average fade from lefties with excellent sink that serves as his out pitch and a 12-6 curve with above average depth that can be a strikeout pitch.

1st: FB (94-96), CU (83-86), SL (82)

2nd: FB (92-94), CU (85), CB (76)

3rd: FB (92-94), CU (82-85)

4th: FB (94-95), CU (83-87), CB (74-78)

5th: FB (89-95), CU (79-85), CB (71)

6th: FB (91-94), CU (84-87), CB (76-79)

7th: FB (90-93), CU (83-85), CB (76-78)

8th: CU (83-86), CB (73-78)

9th: FB (91-95), CU (84-87), CB (77)

2) Paul Maholm: 81 pitches. 7 strikes swinging. Fastball (5th), 2 Sliders (3rd, 4th), 3 Curveballs (2nd, 4th, 5th), Changeup (2nd)

• Maholm came from a high 3/4 release and showed a fastball with good run in on lefties and above average sink, a change with good fade from righties and above average sink, a 11-5 curve with above average depth and a 10-4 slider with good bite.

1st: FB (88-91), CB (74), CU (84-85), SL (82)

2nd: FB (87-90), CB (75-77), CU (84-85), SL (83)

3rd: FB (90), CB (73-74), CU (83-86), SL (81)

4th: FB (88-91), CB (72-76), CU (82), SL (82)

5th: FB (90), CB (73-77), CU (82-86)

6th: FB (88-90), CB (75), CU (85), SL (81-82)

3) Evan Meek: 9 pitches. 1 strike swinging. Cutter.

• Meek came from an over the top release and showed a cutter with good cut and a 12-6 curve with average depth.

7th: Cut (88-94), CB (77-82)

4) John Grabow: 30 pitches. 1 strike swinging. Fastball.

• Grabow came from a high 3/4 release and showed a fastball with some run in on righties, a change with good late fade from righties with sink that he will throw to lefties and in any count and a 10-4 slider with some bite.

8th: FB (88-91), CU (81-84), SL (84)

• Jesus Guzman is a 6-1, 215 pound righty hitting/throwing 1st basemen. The 25 year old has a medium frame that can add a little more muscle. He has a very slightly open stance with a toe tap and a bat wiggle where he holds his hands a little above his back shoulder. His trigger is a big leg kick with a cocking of the bat. He didn't show too much power and looks more of a gap hitter. He was replaced for a defensive replacement in the 7th, which shows you how much they like his defense. I think he is a tweener and his only use will be as a bench bat.

Chart Observations (7/3 Game): PIT @ FLA

1) Chris Volstad: 47 pitches (left due to rain delay), 2 strikes swinging. 2 Changeups (3rd)

• Volstad came from an over the top release and showed a 2-seam fastball with sink and above average run in on righties. His offspeed stuff is a big breaking 12-6 curve with good depth that can be a K pitch and a changeup with good sink and fade from lefties that he will throw to righties. Has the potential to be a # 2 starter and is a solid # 3 right now.

1st: FB (91-93), CB (80-81)

2nd: FB (90-92), CB (78-80), CU (84)

3rd: FB (90-91), CB (75-80), CU (82-84)

2) Charlie Morton: 91 pitches. 7 strikes swinging. Fastball (4th), 3 Curveballs (2nd, 2 in 5th), 3 Changeups (2nd, 2 in 6th)

• Morton is a 6-4, 190 pound righty. The 25 year old has a big frame that can add a lot more muscle. He comes from a high 3/4 release with a 2-seam fastball with slightly above average sink and run in on righties. It flashes plus every once in awhile. His change has good fade from lefties with good sink and he will throw the pitch to righties. His curve is a big breaking 12-6 with good depth and serves as his out pitch. His slider is a 2-7 offering with solid bite that he threw just once in this game. Morton's velocity was up from when I saw him late at the year and he looks like he should be a solid middle of the rotation starter. Even though his frame isn't maxed, I believe his velocity is.

1st: FB (89-95), CU (85), CB (80)

2nd: FB (90-95), CU (82-83), CB (82)

3rd: FB (88-91), CU (80-81)

4th: FB (88-94), CU (81-82), CB (78-80)

5th: FB (87-94), CU (82), CB (79-80)

6th: FB (87-93), CU (81-82), CB (78-79), SL (82)

3) Tim Wood: 36 pitches. 3 strikes swinging. 2 Fastballs (5th, 6th), Slider (6th)

• Wood is a 6-1, 185 pound righty. The 26 year old has a medium frame that can get up to at least 200. He comes from a 3/4 release. His fastball has good run in on righties with solid sink. His change has excellent diving action and can look like a splitter. His slider is a 2-7 pitch with good late bite. Wood has the makings of a late inning reliever, but will likely be a middle reliever.

4th: FB (92-93), SL (85-87)

5th; FB (91-93), SL (87)

6th: FB (92-94), CU (87), SL (86)

4) Chris Leroux: 32 pitches. 2 strikes swinging. Slider, Changeup.

• Leroux came from a high 3/4 release with a fastball with excellent run in on righties with solid sink that looks like it would be like hitting a brick. However, the pitch can flatten out and he can also struggle with his command of it. His change shows good fade from lefties with sink. His slider is a 2-7 pitch with solid bite. I think Leroux is a set-up man down the road.

7th: FB (92-95), CU (87), SL (84-86)

5) Joel Hanrahan: 29 pitches. 3 strikes swinging. 2 Fastballs, Slider

• Hanrahan came from an over the top release with a fastball that has some sink and a 2-7 slider with good bite. Somehow, barrels keep finding his ball.

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

6) Brian Sanches: 17 pitches. 1 strike swinging. Slider.

• Sanches came from a high 3/4 release and showed a splitter with good dive, a 2-7 slider with good bite and a fastball with late run in on righties.

8th: FB (88-90), SL (83), Split (79-83)

7) John Grabow: 11 pitches. 2 strikes swinging. Slider, Changeup

• Comes from a 3/4 release with a straight 4-seam fastball, a straight change with some late sink and a slurvy 10-4 slider with solid bite. He will throw the changeup to lefties. Solid setup guy, but better fit as a middle reliever in the 6th or 7th.

8th: FB (89-92), SL (84), CU (83)

8) Renyel Pinto: 14 pitches. 2 strikes swinging. Fastball, Slider

• Pinto came from a high 3/4 release with a fastball with good run in on righties, a straight change with some sink and a 10-4 slider with good bite.

9th: FB (88-91), SL (82), CU (80)

9) Jeff Karstens: 22 pitches. 2 strikes swinging. 2 Curveballs

• Karstens comes from an over the top release and shows a fastball with some run in on righties with sink, a 12-6 big breaking curve with good depth, a 2-7 slider with solid bite and a change with solid fade from lefties and sink that he will throw to righties.

9th: FB (88-91), SL (79), CU (78-79), CB (69-72)

KC @ PIT

The LAA vs. ARI game was in the FOX time slot, so it was blacked out everywhere. I just did the play by play for it. With that in mind, here is the other games observations:

1) Paul Maholm: 85 pitches. 5 strikes swinging. 2 on Fastballs (both in 2nd), 1 on a Curve (4th) and 2 on Changeups (3rd, 6th)

• Maholm is a 6-2, 225 pound lefty. The 26 year old has a medium frame that is maxed out. He comes from a high 3/4 release. His fastball has some run in on righties and sink. His slider is an 11-4 pitch with solid bite. His change is a straight change with some sink. His curve is a big breaking 11-5 pitch that can be flat. He is a middle of the rotation starter (# 3, # 4) guy masquerading as an ace. Useful pitcher when he has above average defense behind him, as he won't walk many.

1st: FB (88-90), SL (80), CU (82)

2nd: FB (87-90), SL (80-81), CB (74)

3rd: FB (88-90), SL (75-83), CU (84-85), CB (75)

4th: FB (88-89), CU (83-84), CB (73-75)

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

6th: FB (89-91), SL (82), CU (83-85), CB (74-75)

7th: FB (89-90), CU (83-85), CB (73-74)

2) Bruce Chen (Seriously?): 76 pitches. 2 strikes swinging. Fastball (2nd), Changeup (4th)

• Chen is a 6-1, 215 pound lefty who has seemingly been around forever. The 32 year old has a medium frame that is maxed out. He comes from a high 3/4 release. His 2-seam fastball has some sink and run (typically 83-86) had some run in on righties and some sink. His 4-seam (87-89) was straight. His curve was a big breaking 11-5 and his changeup was a straight change with some late fade from righties and sink. He was primarily FB-CU with a few curves mixed in. He got into a pattern of, when he threw a first pitch strike with a FB, of immediately coming back with a changeup. He works fast and has above average command. Basically, he will be hammered by AL teams that have an idea at the plate. Emergency arm.

1st: FB (84-88), CU (76-77), CB (73-76)

2nd: FB (84-88), CU (76-77)

3rd: FB (83-89), CU (76-79)

4th: FB (84-89), CU (76-77), CB (74-79)

5th: FB (83-88), CB (73-77)

6th: FB (85-88), CB (76-79)

7th: FB (84-86), CU (76)

3) Roman Colon: 11 pitches. 1 strike swinging. Slider.

• He came from an over the top release. His fastball is a straight 4-seam while his slider is a 2-7 pitch with good downward bite, though he will hang them. His fastball command was also off and he showed his Jekyll and Hyde side in this game.

7th: FB (93-94), SL (80-82)

4) John Grabow: 16 pitches. 3 strikes swinging. 2 Sliders, 1 Changeup.

• Grabow is a 6-2, 205 pound lefty. The 30 year old has a medium frame that is maxed out. He comes from a high 3/4 release. His fastball is a straight 4-seam. His slider is an 11-5 offering with good bite that is slightly above average when on, but it can be flat. His change showed some fade from righties and a little sink. Solid full inning lefty reliever.

8th: FB (90-91), SL (82-84), CU (83-84)

5) John Bale: 25 pitches. 0 strikes swinging.

• He came from a 3/4 release with a fastball that has a little run in on righties, a slurvy 10-5 curve with solid depth and bite and a straight change. He will also throw pitches from a high 3/4 release.

8th: FB (87-89), CB (70-72), CU (78-80)

6) Jeff Karstens: 12 pitches. 1 strike swinging. Curveball (on a debatable check swing)

• Karstens is a 6-3, 185 pound righty. The 26 year old has a medium frame that can get up to 205. He comes from an over the top release that hides the ball well, as his glove hand breaks high and covers the spot where he will be releasing it, a la Jair Jurrjens. His fastball is a pretty straight 4-seam. His slider is a 2-7 with solid bite and his curve is a 12-6 with good depth. He lost his job in the rotation and is more of a swingman and is a borderline 4-A arm.

9th: FB (87-91), SL (79), CB (71)

2 charts and a baseball game tomorrow.

Relief Pitcher Check

For those of you unaware, I am author of a long study evaluating the regression of relief pitchers (and for those of you that do know, it is growing, I am currenly adding specific pitch type and a completely redone disabled list database). Anyways, I identified my top 5 candidates for regression according to the evals and here they are with a quick stat check and my reasoning:

Luis Ayala: Posted 2nd highest Days of Rest score in his career in 2008 and has regressed each time he has posted a qualifying Days of Rest score.

8 Appearances, 1-1, 6.48 ERA. 13 H, 2 BB, 6 K, 8.1 IP

Dennys Reyes: The last time he was worked as hard as he was in 2008 was 2006. In 2007, he regressed greatly.

9 Appearances, 0-1, 3.18 ERA. 3 H, 2 BB, 2 K, 5.2 IP

Brad Lidge: Qualified under 4 criteria in 2008, as well as the 3-season Total IP for 2006-2008. The last time he qualified under these criteria (2006), he suffered regression the next year.

8 Appearances, 0-1, 8.22 ERA. 10 H, 3 BB, 9 K, 7.2 IP

Pedro Feliciano: Qualified under the Days or Rest criteria in 2007 and showed regression in 2008. For 2008, he qualified under 4 criteria, including an even greater number in the Days of Rest evaluator.

9 Appearances, 0-1, 4.76 ERA. 5 H, 2 BB, 8 K, 5.2 IP

John Grabow: Qualified for the +/- Pitches category in 2006 and regressed in 2007. In 2008, he has qualified for the +/- Pitches in addition to the +/- Inning category.

7 Appearances, 1-0, 0.00 ERA. 7 H, 3 BB, 8 K, 7.1 IP

Updates as actions warrant on these 5 pitchers.