Chart Observations: 9/13 KC @ CLE

1) Carlos Carrasco: 79 pitches. (FB, CU, CB, SL). 7 strikes swinging. 4 Curveballs, 2 Fastballs, Changeup.

• Carrasco is a 6-3, 215 pound righty. The 22 year old has a medium frame that appears to be maxed out, though he may be able to add a little more muscle to his lower body. He came from a high 3/4 release with a classic drop and drive delivery with pretty clean mechanics. His fastball has some run in on righties and a little sink. His change has some fade from lefties and a little sink that he will throw to righties. His curve is a 12-6 offering with above average depth. He should still be a solid starter, but likely more of an innings eater # 4 then a # 3.

1st: FB (91-95), CU (86), CB (78-79) - CB

2nd: FB (92-93), CU (85-86)

3rd: FB (91-94), CU (85-87), CB (79) - CB

4th: FB (91-94), CU (84-86), CB (75-79) - 2 FB, CB

5th: FB (90-93), CU (84-85), CB (77) - CB

6th: FB (91-94), CU (83-86), CB (77) - CU

2) Kyle Davies: 108 pitches. (FB, CU, CB, Cut). 6 strikes swinging. 3 Fastballs, 3 Changeups.

• Davies came from an over the top release and showed a fastball with a little run in on righties and a little sink, a change with good fade from lefties and good sink that he will throw to righties and in 2-0 and 3-2 counts, a 12-6 curve with slightly above average depth and a

1st: FB (90-93), CU (80-84), CB (76-79) - FB, CU

2nd: FB (87-91), CU (80-81) - FB

3rd: FB (88-93), CU (81-84) - CU

4th: FB (90-92), CU (81-84), CB (73-74) - CU

5th: FB (89-93), CU (81-82), CB (74-76) - FB

6th: FB (90-92), CU (82-84), CB (74-76)

3) Mike Gosling: 34 pitches. (FB, CU, SL, CB). 2 strikes swinging. 2 Sliders.

• Gosling came from an over the top release and showed a fastball with good run in on lefties, a 11-5 slider with good bite, a big breaking 11-5 curve with above average depth and a change with some fade from righties and some sink.

7th: FB (90-94), CU (82), SL (79-82), CB (71-75) - 2 SL

4) Roman Colon: 30 pitches. (FB, SL, Split). 4 strikes swinging. 3 Fastballs, Slider.

• Colon came from an over the top release and showed a pretty straight 4-seam fastball, a big breaking 2-7 slider with above average bite that can resemble a curveball and a splitter with a little dive.

7th: FB (93-95), SL (78-82) - 3 FB

8th: FB (93-95), SL (80-82), Split (88) - SL

5) Rafael Perez: 8 pitches. (FB, SL, CU). 1 strike swinging. Slider.

• Perez came from a high 3/4 release and showed a 11-5 slider with solid bite and a fastball with a little cutting action.

8th: FB (93), SL (84-86) - SL

6) Kerry Wood: 26 pitches. (FB, Cut, CB, SL). 3 strikes swinging. 2 Fastballs, Cutter.

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

9th: FB (93-97), Cut (90-91), CB (77-79) - 2 FB, Cut

7) Carlos Rosa: 11 pitches. (FB, SL, CU). 0 strikes swinging.

• Rosa is a 6-1, 210 pound righty. The 24 year old has a medium frame that can add a little more muscle to his lower body, but not much. He came from an over the top release with a long arm action that puts extra stress on his shoulder. Also has some cocking action. His fastball is a pretty straight 4-seam. His slider is a 2-7 with solid bite. Looks like he could be a strong middle reliever with an outside shot of being a late inning guy.

9th: FB (94-96), SL (88)

Michael Brantley: To 1st: 4.4

Chart Observations: 8/27 CLE @ KC

1) David Huff: 94 pitches. (FB, CU, SL, CB). 4 strikes swinging. 3 Fastballs, Slider.

• Huff came from an over the top release and showed a fastball with some run in on lefties and some sink a change with some fade from righties and good sink that he will throw to lefties, a 11-5 slider with good bite and a 11-5 curve with solid depth.

1st: FB (88-92), CU (81-82), SL (82-83) - FB

2nd: FB (88-92), SL (80-81), CB (73-76)

3rd: FB (87-91), CU (82-83), SL (81), CB (76) - FB

4th: FB (89-90), CU (82), SL (78-82), CB (74)

5th: FB (87-92), CU (81-83), SL (83), CB (76-77) - FB, SL

6th: FB (88-91), SL (79-82)

2) Luke Hochevar: 116 pitches. (FB, SL, CB, Split). 15 strikes swinging. 10 Fastballs, 3 Sliders, 2 Curveballs.

• Hochevar came from a high 3/4 release with good run in on righties and solid sink, a 12-6 curve with average depth, a 2-7 slider with okay bite that flashes above average bite and a split with above average dive.

1st: FB (92-94), SL (87-89), CB (77-81) - CB

2nd: FB (92-94), SL (83-85), CB (74-78) - 3 FB, 2 SL

3rd: FB (89-95), SL (84-87), CB (75), Split (82) - 2 FB

4th: FB (90-94), SL (83-85), CB (79) - FB, SL

5th: FB (90-95), CB (78) - FB

6th: FB (92-95), CB (77-78), SL (83-86) - FB, CB

7th: FB (90-94), CB (77), SL (83-85) - 2 FB

3) John Bale: 10 pitches. (FB, CB, CU). 0 strikes swinging.

• Bale came from a high 3/4 release and showed a fastball with some tail in on righties, a change with some fade from righties with sink and a 10-4 curve with solid depth

7th: FB (89-91), CB (72), CU (81-82)

4) Joe Smith: 13 pitches. (FB, SL, CU). 0 strikes swinging.

• Smith came from a sidearm release and showed a fastball with good run in on righties and good sink, a change with good fade from lefties and a little sink that he will throw to righties and a 3-8 slider with good bite.

7th: FB (89-91), SL (82-83), CU (77-78)

5) Chris Perez: 14 pitches. (FB, SL, CB). 1 strike swinging. Slider.

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

8th: FB (95-96), SL (83-84) - SL

6) Kyle Farnsworth: 11 pitches. (FB, SL, CU). 2 strikes swinging. Fastball, Slider.

• Farnsworth came from an over the top release with a 4-seam fastball with some run in on righties and a sharp 2-7 slider with good bite.

8th: FB (96-100), SL (89-92) - FB, SL

7) Jamey Wright: 13 pitches. (FB, Cut, CB, CU). 0 strikes swinging.

• Wright came from a high 3/4 release and a cutter with good cut and some sink, a 12-6 curve with slightly above average depth and a fastball with some run in on righties and some sink.

9th: FB (92-94), Cut (85-90), CB (79-80)

8) Kerry Wood: 11 pitches. (FB, SL, Cut, CB). 0 strikes swinging.

• Wood came from an over the top release and showed a straight 4-seam fastball, a cutter with some cut that flashes sink and a sharp 12-6 curve with slightly above average depth.

9th: FB (95-97), Cut (90-93), CB (79)

Chart Observations: 8/22 SEA @ CLE

1) Doug Fister: 86 pitches. 8 strikes swinging. 2 Fastballs (1st, 2nd), Curveball (2nd), 3 Sliders (all in 4th), 2 Changeups (5th, 6th)

• Fister came from an over the top release and showed a fastball with some run in on righties and some sink, a change with some fade from lefties with above average sink, a big breaking 12-6 curve with above average depth and a 1-7 slider with solid bite. He will throw his change to righties.

1st: FB (86-89), CU (77-81), CB (74)

2nd: FB (86-89), CU (78-80), CB (73-74)

3rd: FB (86-90), CU (78-81)

4th: FB (86-89), CU (77-81), SL (80-83)

5th: FB (85-88), CU (78-79), CB (72-74), SL (79-81)

6th: FB (86-88), CU (79-81), CB (72)

7th: FB (85-87), CB (74), SL (78-79)

2) Aaron Laffey: 113 pitches. 4 strikes swinging. 3 Fastballs (2 in 1st, 2nd), Slider (5th)

• Laffey is a 6-0, 185 pound lefty. The 24 year old has a medium frame that can add a little more muscle everywhere to about 195. He came from a high 3/4 release. His 2-seamer has good run in on lefties and good sink. His 4-seam has a little run in on lefties and a little sink. His slider is a 11-5 offering with good bite. His change is straight with some sink. I think he may also mix in an occasional cutter, but I am not completely sure on that. He is a back of the rotation starter or a groundball machine out of the bullpen against lefties with his 2-seam.

1st: FB (86-93), SL (81-83)

2nd: FB (84-92), SL (81-82)

3rd: FB (86-91), SL (77-80), CU (83-84)

4th: FB (87-91), SL (78-83), CU (79-81)

5th: FB (88-92), SL (75-80), CU (79-82)

6th: FB (85-90), SL (78), CU (80)

7th: FB (83-90), CU (80-82)

3) Mark Lowe: 23 pitches. 3 strikes swinging. 3 Fastballs (all in 8th)

• Lowe came from an over the top release and showed a 2-7 slider with good bite, a fastball with a little run in on righties and a change with some fade from lefties and some sink.

7th: FB (95-98), SL (85-87), CU (89-90)

8th: FB (96-98), SL (86-88)

4) Chris Perez: 13 pitches. 1 strike swinging. Fastball.

• Perez came from a 3/4 release and showed a fastball with some run in on righties and a sharp 2-7 slider with above average bite.

8th: FB (95-96), SL (85-87)

5) Kerry Wood: 15 pitches. 2 strikes swinging. Fastball, Cutter.

• Wood came from an over the top release and showed a sharp 12-6 curve with above average depth, a cutter with good cut and a straight 4-seam fastball.

9th: FB (96-99), Cut (90), CB (77)

6) Shawn Kelley: 30 pitches. 4 strikes swinging. 3 Sliders, Fastball (all in 9th)

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

9th: FB (92-96), SL (85-86)

10th: FB (91-95), SL (84-85)

7) Tony Sipp: 10 pitches. 1 strike swinging. Fastball.

• Sipp came from an over the top release and showed a change with some fade from righties with good sink, a straight 4-seam fastball and a 11-5 slider with good bite.

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

8) Joe Smith: 15 pitches. 0 strikes swinging.

• Smith is a sidearming righty who showed a 3-8 slider with good bite, a change with some fade from lefties with solid sink that he will throw to righties and a fastball with good run in on righties and some sink.

10th: FB (91), SL (80-84), CU (77)

11th: FB (89-91), SL (82-84), CU (77)

9) Rafael Perez: 6 pitches. 0 strikes swinging.

• Perez came from a high 3/4 release and showed a 10-5 slider with good bite and a fastball with some cut and a little sink.

11th: FB (91), SL (86-87)

10) Randy Messenger: 9 pitches. 0 strikes swinging.

• Messenger is a 6-6, 265 pound righty. The 28 year old has a big frame that is maxed out. He came from an over the top release. His fastball has some run in on righties. His curve is a 12-6 offering with above average depth while his change has some fade from lefties with good sink. He is no longer a closer, but he should be able to be a decent option as a middle reliever.

11th: FB (90-94), CB (77-78), CU (87)

8/21: SEA @ CLE

1) Luke French: 100 pitches. 11 strikes swinging. 3 Fastballs (2 in 2nd, 6th), 6 Sliders (2 in 2nd, 2 in 3rd, 2 in 6th), 2 Changeups (2nd, 3rd)

• French came from a high 3/4 release and showed a fastball with good run in on lefties and flashes some sink, a change with some fade from righties with good sink that he will throw to lefties and a 11-5 slider with good bite that was sharper then when I last saw him.

1st: FB (87-91), CU (76)

2nd: FB (85-90), CU (74-79), SL (81-82)

3rd: FB (87-90), CU (77-78), SL (80-82)

4th: FB (84-90), CU (77-80), SL (79-81)

5th: FB (86-91), CU (78-80), SL (79-83)

6th: FB (87-92), CU (79-80), SL (78-82)

2) David Huff: 84 pitches. 2 strikes swinging. Fastball (3rd), Changeup (3rd)

• Huff came from an over the top release and showed a fastball with some run in on lefties, a change with some fade from righties with sink that he will throw to lefties, a 11-5 slider with solid bite and a big breaking 11-5 curve with above average depth. He nibbled, causing him to fall behind in the count, causing him to throw cockshots, causing him to get hammered.

1st: FB (91-93), CU (82-83)

2nd: FB (89-92), CU (82-83), SL (82)

3rd: FB (90-92), CU (81-85), SL (82-83), CB (76-79)

4th: FB (89-92), SL (82), CB (76-77)

3) Tomo Ohka: 56 pitches. 5 strikes swinging. 3 Fastballs (all in 4th), 2 Changeups (both in 7th)

• Ohka came from an over the top release and showed a fastball with good sink and some run in on righties, a 2-7 slider with some bite, a cutter with some cut, a 12-6 curve with average depth and a change with some fade from lefties with some sink.

4th: FB (86-89), SL (83-85)

5th: FB (86-90), SL (82-86), Cut (86)

6th: FB (86-89), Cut (86-87), CU (84), CB (72-74)

7th: FB (87-90), SL (84), Cut (85), CU (84-85)

8th: FB (84-87), CB (71)

4) Kerry Wood: 22 pitches. 3 strikes swinging. Fastball, 2 Cutters.

• Wood came from an over the top release with a straight 4-seam fastball, a sharp 12-6 curve with slightly above average depth and a cutter with solid cut.

9th: FB (95-98), CB (78-82), Cut (90-93)

5) Miguel Batista: 26 pitches. 2 strikes swinging. Cutter (7th), Fastball (8th)

• Batista came from a 3/4 release and showed a fastball with good run in on righties with some sink, a cutter with good cut and some sink and a 2-7 curve with average depth.

7th: FB (93-96), Cut (90-92)

8th: FB (94-96), Cut (88-89), SL (82)

6) Sean White: 12 pitches. 0 strikes swinging.

• White came from an over the top release and showed a fastball with some run in on righties and some sink, a sharp 2-7 slider with good bite and a change with some fade from lefties and some sink.

9th: FB (93-96), SL (90), CU (85-86)

DET @ CLE

1) Rick Porcello: 91 pitches. 6 strikes swinging. 4 on Fastballs (2 in 1st, 2 in 6th), Curveball (3rd), Changeup (4th)

• Porcello is a 6-5, 200 pound righty. The 20 year old has a big frame that can get up to at least 215 and can add a lot more muscle everywhere. He came from an over the top release that generates easy velocity, but does have a lot of limbs moving at once. His fastball has good run in on righties and above average sink. His change has good fade from lefties with above average sink. His curve is a 12-6 with average depth that is sharp enough to be a strikeout pitch. Porcello isn't usually my type of pitcher, but he shows great pitchability and has confidence in himself. I don't think he has the potential to be an ace, but he can be a strong # 2. If he brings back the plus slider he had when he was drafted, I may think differently, as he is missing a true out pitch right now.

1st: FB (90-95), CU (81-83)

2nd: FB (90-94)

3rd: FB (92-93), CU (81), CB (81)

4th: FB (90-94), CU (81-82), CB (82)

5th: FB (89-94), CU (83), CB (79-81)

6th: FB (87-93), CU (78-82), CB (80)

7th: FB (88-92), CB (80-82)

8th: FB (88-91), CU (78), CB (79-83)

2) Jeremy Sowers: 95 pitches. 6 strikes swinging. 3 Fastballs (5th, 2 in 6th), 3 Changeups (2 in 5th, 6th)

• Sowers came from a 3/4 release and showed a fastball with some run in on lefties with a little sink, a change with good fade from lefties with sink and a 10-5 slider with good bite.

1st: FB (85-87), SL (78), CU (78)

2nd: FB (85-91), SL (79), CU (80-81)

3rd: FB (86-90)

4th: FB (87-90), CU (80-81)

5th: FB (88-91), SL (81-82), CU (80-82)

6th: FB (87-92), SL (80), CU (79-81)

3) Justin Masterson: 46 pitches. 3 strikes swinging. 2 Fastballs (8th, 9th), Slider (7th)

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

7th: FB (91-95), SL (87)

8th: FB (93-97), SL (86)

9th: FB (90-97), SL (84-88)

4) Fernando Rodney: 14 pitches. 2 strikes swinging. 2 Changeups.

• Rodney came from an over the top release and showed a change with above average fade from lefties with above average sink and a straight 4-seam fastball.

9th: FB (96-99), CU (83-85)

5) Ryan Perry: 12 pitches. 0 strikes swinging.

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

10th: FB (94-97), SL (84-85)

6) Kerry Wood: 13 pitches. 1 strike swinging. Fastball.

• Wood came from an over the top release and showed a straight 4-seam fastball and a sharp power 12-6 curve with above average depth.

10th: FB (96-98), CB (80-82)

7) Joe Smith: 7 pitches. 1 strike swinging. Slider.

• Smith came from a sidearm release and showed a fastball with good run in on righties with good sink and a 3-8 slider with good bite.

11th: FB (89-91), SL (80-82)

8) Tony Sipp: 3 pitches. 1 strike swinging. Slider.

• Sipp came from an over the top release and showed a fastball with a little late run in on lefties and a 11-5 slider with good bite.

11th: FB (93), SL (83-84)

9) Bobby Seay: 14 pitches. 5 strikes swinging. 2 Fastballs, 3 Sliders.

• Seay came from a sidearm release and showed a fastball with good run in on lefties with solid sink and a 9-4 slider with good bite.

11th: FB (91-92), SL (80-82)

10) Jose Veras: 30 pitches. 3 strikes swinging. 3 Fastballs.

• Veras came from an over the top release and showed a fastball with some run in on righties, a big breaking 12-6 with solid depth and a split with some dive.

12th: FB (94-97), CB (78-81), Split (85-87)

11) Zach Miner: 21 pitches. 0 strikes swinging.

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

12th: FB (90-95), CU (82)

DET @ CLE: CLE Pitchers

1) Fausto Carmona: 101 pitches. 5 strikes swinging. Fastball (1st), 4 Changeups (1st, 3rd, 4th, 5th)

• Carmon is a 6-4, 230 pound righty. The 25 year old has a big frame that is maxed out and this was his first start since his minor league hiatus. He came from a high 3/4 release. His fastball has above average run in on righties with some sink. His change has good fade from lefties with some sink that he will throw to righties and is his best offspeed offering. His slider is a 2-7 pitch with good bite. He will throw 3-1 changeups in special circumstances against good hitters, such as Miguel Cabrera. Carmona still struggles to command his stuff and his fastball movement can change from pitch to pitch. Has all the tools to be a middle of the rotation starter, but can he put it all together? I still like him.

1st: FB (93-97), CU (85-88)

2nd: FB (93-95), CU (87-88), SL (83-84)

3rd: FB (93-95), CU (86-89), SL (83-86)

4th: FB (93-96), CU (87-88), SL (84-86)

5th: FB (93-96), CU (87-89), SL (86-89)

2) Jose Veras: 10 pitches. 2 strikes swinging. Fastball, Curveball.

• Veras came from a 3/4 release and showed a curve with solid depth that is 12-6 and a fastball with good run in on righties.

6th: FB (95-97), CB (79-81)

3) Chris Perez: 22 pitches. 1 strike swinging. Fastball.

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

7th: FB (94-95), SL (83-86)

4) Tony Sipp: 2 pitches. 0 strikes swinging.

• Sipp came from an over the top release and showed a fastball with a little run in on lefties.

8th: FB (90-91)

5) Joe Smith: 14 pitches. 0 strikes swinging.

• Smith came from a sidearm release and showed a fastball with above average run in on righties with solid sink and a 3-8 slider with solid bite.

8th: FB (89-92), SL (82-85)

6) Kerry Wood: 27 pitches. 4 strikes swinging. Fastball (8th), 2 Curveball (both in 9th), Cutter (9th)

• Wood came from an over the top release and showed a cutter with solid cut, a straight 4-seam fastball and a sharp 12-6 curve with above average depth that can be a strikeout pitch.

8th: FB (95-97), Cut (91), CB (81)

9th: FB (95-96), Cut (88-90), CB (78-80)

7) Tomo Ohka: 49 pitches. 9 strikes swinging. 6 Fastballs (11th, 3 in 12th, 13th), 2 Cutters (both in 10th) and a Slider (11th)

• Ohka is a 6-1, 200 pound righty. The 33 year old has a medium frame that can add a little more muscle. He came from an over the top release and showed a fastball with some run in on righties with solid sink, a 2-7 slider with good bite, a cutter with some cut and a little sink, a 12-6 curve with average depth and a change with some fade from lefties with sink.

10th: FB (88-90), SL (83-85), Cut (84), CB (76)

11th: FB (88-91), SL (82-85), Cut (86-88), CU (83)

12th: FB (88-90), SL (85)

13th: FB (86-89), Cut (88)

Chart Observations: CLE @ DET

1) Carl Pavano: 101 pitches. 9 strikes swinging. 5 on Fastballs (1st, 2 in 4th, 5th, 6th), 3 on Sliders (3rd, 4th, 5th) and a Changeup (2nd)

• Pavano came from an over the top release and showed a 2-seam fastball with good sink and run in on righties, a 2-7 slider with good bite and a change with excellent fade from lefties with above average sink. Can over throw the change at times and may mix in a hard splitter as well (to account for some changes thrown in the 87-88 range).

1st: FB (88-91), CU (81-83)

2nd: FB (89-92), CU (80-82)

3rd: FB (89-92), CU (82-84), SL (85-87)

4th: FB (91-93), CU (80-87), SL (85)

5th: FB (91-93), CU (88), SL (84-86)

6th: FB (90-92), CU (80-83), SL (82-85)

7th: FB (89-90), CU (79-80), SL (84)

8th: FB (88-90), CU (81-85), SL (82-83)

2) Kerry Wood: 14 pitches. 1 strike swinging. Fastball.

• Wood came from an over the top release and showed a straight 4-seam fastball, a cutter with okay cut and some sink and a big breaking 12-6 curve with good depth.

9th: FB (93-98), Cut (88-91), CB (79)

3) Armando Galarraga: 103 pitches. 8 strikes swinging. 6 on Sliders (2nd, 3rd, 2 in 4th, 2 in 6th), a Changeup (3rd) and Fastball (2nd)

• He came from a 3/4 release and showed a 2-seam fastball with some run in on righties and a little sink, a 2-7 slider with some bite and a change with some fade from lefties and sink. His slider is his out pitch. He is no better then a back of the rotation starter.

1st: FB (85-92), SL (84-87), CU (84-87)

2nd: FB (89-92), SL (82-88), CU (86-87)

3rd: FB (87-92), SL (82-87), CU (85-87)

4th: FB (89-92), SL (82-86)

5th: FB (86-89), SL (85), CU (84-86)

6th: FB (91-92), SL (82-87), CU (82-86)

7th: FB (88-91), SL (85-87), CU (84-87)

4) Fu Te Ni: 12 pitches. 0 strikes swinging.

• Ni is a 6-0, 170 pound lefty. The 26 year old has a medium frame that can add a little more muscle. He comes from a 3/4 release with a slinging arm action. His fastball has good late run in on lefties. His change has some fade from righties with good sink. His slider is a loopy 11-4 with solid bite. His FB/CU and SL come out of his hand differently, as the FB/CU moves towards the plate 1st and his slider moves up a tad first. Extra arm.

7th: FB (89-90), SL (79), CU (80)

8th: FB (90-91), SL (76-79)

5) Freddy Dolsi: 26 pitches. 1 strike swinging. Changeup (9th)

• Dolsi came from an over the top release and showed a fastball with good run in on righties, a sharp 2-7 slider with good bite and a change with above average fade from lefties with a little sink. He struggles to find the release point for his slider, throwing one 40 feet then throwing the next at a righties head. Dolsi has good control, but below average command, constantly missing spots.

8th: FB (94-96), SL (84-88), CU (87)

9th: FB (93-95), SL (85), CU (86-88)

Chart Observations (7/4 Game): OAK @ CLE

1) Carl Pavano: 103 pitches. 5 strikes swinging. Fastball (4th), Slider (1st), 3 Changeups (2nd, 5th, 7th)

• Pavano is a 6-5, 240 pound righty. The 33 year old has a big frame that is maxed out. He comes from an over the top release with a fastball with some run in on righties with some sink. His slider is a sharp 2-7 with good bite and is his out pitch. Change has good fade from lefties with good sink and can move like a split or curve at times. It flashes plus with diving action similar to that of a splitter. Solid # 4 starter.

1st: FB (90-93), SL (81-84), CU (81-82)

2nd: FB (90-92), CU (80-82)

3rd: FB (90-91), SL (82), CU (81-84)

4th: FB (90-94), SL (83-84), CU (80-81)

5th: FB (90-93), SL (83-84), CU (81-86)

6th: FB (91-93), SL (83), CU (81-87)

7th: FB (88-93), SL (81), CU (79-82)

2) Vin Mazzaro: 99 pitches. 2 strikes swinging. Fastball (6th), Curveball (7th)

• Mazzaro came from a high 3/4 release and showed a power sinker with above average sink and some run in on righties. His change has some fade and sink from lefties. His slider is a 2-7 that flashes plus with sharp bite, but is usually average or below average with okay bite. His curve is a big breaking 12-6 with solid depth.

1st: FB (92-95), CU (87)

2nd: FB (91-95), CU (83), SL (87)

3rd: FB (91-94), CU (83-86), SL (85-87), CB (80-81)

4th: FB (90-93), CU (83-85), SL (86), CB (78-81)

5th: FB (90-91), CU (84), SL (84-85), CB (80)

6th: FB (89-93), CU (83), SL (82-84), CB (77-79)

7th: FB (88-92), CU (81-84), SL (83), CB (78)

3) Tony Sipp: 10 pitches. 0 strikes swinging.

• Sipp is a 6-0, 190 pound lefty. The 25 year old has a medium frame that can add quite a bit more muscle. He comes from an over the top release. His fastball has some run in on righties and a little sink. His change is a straight change with a little sink. He has some cocking arm action. He struggles to consistently throw strikes and if he can learn command, there is a place in a bullpen for him.

7th: FB (92)

8th: FB (91-92), CU (84)

4) Craig Breslow: 16 pitches. 1 strike swinging. Fastball (8th)

• Breslow came from a high 3/4 release and showed a fastball with some run in on righties, a big breaking 11-4 curve with good depth and a sharp 11-4 slider with solid bite.

7th: FB (87-91), SL (86), CB (74)

8th: FB (90-92), CB (72-78)

5) Joe Smith: 4 pitches. 0 strikes swinging.

• Smith is a sidearmer who showed a fastball with good run in on righties and some sink.

8th: FB (89-90)

6) Brad Ziegler: 5 pitches. 2 strikes swinging. Fastball, Slider.

• Ziegler is a sidearmer whose fastball has good sink and run in on righties and a 3-9 slider with good bite.

8th: FB (86-87), SL (72-73)

7) Kerry Wood: 9 pitches. 0 strikes swinging.

• Wood came from an over the top release and showed a straight 4-seam fastball, a sharp 12-7 curve with above average depth and a cutter with above average cut and some sink.

9th: FB (95-97), CB (82), Cut (90-91)

Chart Observations: CHW @ CLE

1) Jose Contreras: 110 pitches. 11 strikes swinging. Fastball (2nd), 2 Sliders (7th, 8th) and 8 Splitters (1st, 3rd, 3 in 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th)

• Contreras is a 37 year old who stands 6-4, 255. The righty has a big frame that is maxed out with some bad weight. He comes from a high 3/4 release with a fastball with some run in on righties with some sink. His split has excellent dive and can look like a curveball at times. His slider is 2-7 with good bite. Splitter is his out pitch and if he gets 2 strikes on you, he will throw it. He will drop down sidearm to throw any of his pitches in any count and appears to be done at random. Will throw a rare straight change with some fade from lefties.

1st: FB (90-93), SL (83-86), Split (78-80)

2nd: FB (92-94), SL (84-86), Split (79-80)

3rd: FB (91-93), SL (83-86), Split (77-78)

4th: SL (81-87), Split (77-80)

5th: FB (92-93), SL (83-87), Split (78-80)

6th: FB (91-95), SL (82-85), Split (77-80)

7th: FB (90-94), SL (80-86), Split (77-78)

8th: FB (91-93), SL (82-84), Split (77-78), CU (81)

2) Jeremy Sowers: 79 pitches. 3 strikes swinging. Fastball (1st), 2 Sliders (1st, 4th)

• Sowers is a 26 year old who stands 6-1, 180. The lefty has a medium frame that can add a lot more muscle. He has some weird arm action where his arm is somewhat rubbery and moves around quite a bit on the backtake and going forward, whiplike. He comes from a high 3/4 release. His fastball has some run in on righties. His slider has good bite and is a 10-4 offering. His change is a straight change with a little sink. He needs to throw his off-speed stuff more, as he no longer has a plus fastball.

1st: FB (86-91), SL (77-80), CU (81)

2nd: FB (87-91)

3rd: FB (87-91)

4th: FB (87-92), SL (79)

5th: FB (88-90), SL (79), CU (81-82)

6th: FB (88-92), SL (80-82), CU (79-82)

3) Jose Veras: 16 pitches. 0 strikes swinging.

• Veras is a 6-5, 235 pound righty. The 28 year old has a big frame that is maxed out. He comes from an over the top release. His fastball has some armside run and a little sink. His splitter has some dive. His curve is a big breaking 12-6 pitch with good depth. There is a little herky-jerky in his windup and can be extremely inconsistent with his release points (anywhere from over the top to 3/4) and may help explain his command issues.

7th: FB (94-95), CB (78-80), Split (81)

4) Rafael Perez: 5 pitches. 0 strikes swinging.

• Perez is a 6-3, 195 pound lefty. The 27 year old has a medium frame that can add a lot more muscle. He comes from a high 3/4, almost over the top release. His fastball is a straight 4-seam and he also throws a sharp 11-4 slider with solid bite. He has lost any semblance of command and there isn't anything glaring mechanically. You have to wonder if it is in his head now.

7th: FB (91-92), SL (86-87)

5) Joe Smith: 14 pitches. 2 strikes swinging. 2 Sliders (8th)

• Smith is a 6-2, 205 pound righty. The 25 year old has a medium frame that can add a little bit more muscle. He is a sidearmer. His fastball has good armside run and some sink. His slider is a 3-8 offering with good bite. I tend to like sidearmers and Smith is no exception.

7th: FB (91), SL (81-83)

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

6) Kerry Wood: 10 pitches. 0 strikes swinging.

• Wood is a 6-5, 210 pound righty. The 32 year old has a big frame that can add more muscle. He comes from an over the top release. His cutter has good cut. His fastball is a straight 4-seam. His curve is a power 12-6 with good depth. Can battle his command at times, but not in this outing.

9th: FB (95-96), Cut (90-91), CB (81)

7) Matt Thornton: 24 pitches. 5 strikes swinging. 4 on Fastballs, Cutter

• Thornton comes from a high 3/4 release with a straight 4-seam fastball and a somewhat loopy 10-4 slider with okay bite. He has also added a cutter (just like every other White Sox pitcher) and it has solid cut that he seems to locate fairly well.

9th: FB (96-98), Cut (89-92), SL (85)

Chart Observations: CLE @ KC

• Fausto Carmona started for Cleveland really struggled commanding his stuff early. From a 3/4 release, Carmona attacks hitters with a fastball at 91-94, a slider at 81-84 and a changeup at 84-87. Carmona's fastball is a plus pitch because of its great movement down and away from lefties (or in to righties), but he has some issues commanding it due to its movement. He is a pitcher that needs to aim at the middle of the plate and allow the natural movement of the ball to take it to the corners. Carmona's slider is a fringe average pitch. His changeup is an above average offering that has similar fade and sink as his fastball, though he also has some issues commanding that pitch. He has average command of his stuff. He is currently a # 3 starter unless his command makes drastic strides and then he can be a # 2, which is his ceiling.
• Gil Meche opposed him. Meche featured a fastball at 92-96, a curveball at 72-80, a cutter at 84-89 and a changeup at 83-87 from an over the top release. Meche's fastball is a plus pitch due to its velocity. His curveball is another plus offering with its 12-6 action and the big disparity in velocity between the two. His cutter is an above average offering that really gets in on the hands of left handers when it's right. His changeup is just a change of pace pitch to lefties to ensure they can't just sit on the fastball and is an average offering. His command is everywhere from average to plus from appearance to appearance. Meche is a strong # 2 right now and has the ceiling to be an ace if he can consistently command his stuff.
• Aaron Laffey has shifted to the bullpen. You would think a starter that sat in the high 80's from the left side would have a difficult transition, but he has been throwing very well. From a high 3/4 release, Laffey attacked with a 2-seam fastball at 84-86, a 4-seam fastball at 87-90 and a slider at 79-82 (which he only threw to Mark Teahen). Laffey's fastball is average and his slider is a frisbee slider that is above average. He has some pretty good deception in his wind up and seems to hide the ball from lefties very well. With that taken into consideration, he has a shot to be a groundball generating LOOGY. Without seeing his changeup, it is hard to say if he is a guy that can consistently get out righties and lefties. Being a former starter, I would say its a good bet for him to have a ceiling as a multi-inning reliever, but one you would rather pitch when behind.
• Rafael Betancourt featured a fastball at 93-95, a slider at 83-85 and a changeup at 88. Betancourt is a solid set-up man, as he showed above average command of his 2 main offerings. His fastball is a pretty straight 4-seam and his slider has great bite to it and it just drops out of the strike zone. Pitching at his ceiling right now.
• Kerry Wood closed out the game and featured a 4-seam fastball at 93-96, a cut fastball at 88-92 and a curveball at 79-81. He still has a strong deuce, but it is just above average now. His cutter is an average offering that has just enough movement on it to make hitters pause a little bit. His 4-seam is a plus offering due to its velocity. He showed average command this outing and really struggled to get a release point on his cutter early. A solid closer, but not one of the elite's and he is currently pitching at his ceiling.
• Jamey Wright featured a fastball at 89-93, a curveball at 78-79 and a cutter at 89 from a high 3/4 release. Wright has been having success out of the pen, but I don't see it lasting. Wright's fastball is a tick above average, his curveball is above average and his 1 cutter was below average. Wright tends to allow balls in play, so he will need a strong defense behind him to be good over the course of a full season. His command is above average, but can desert him at times, especially with his curveball. A solid middle reliever, but he is miscast as a set-up guy.
• Sidney Ponson lost his job in the rotation and is now their long reliever. He attacked with a fastball at 88-92, a slider at 81-84, a changeup at 84-86 and a curveball at 76-77 from a high 3/4 release. All of his pitches are average offerings. His command can be erratic from appearance to appearance and even from batter to batter, which severely limits his use as a long reliever if he allows a lot of base runners. A guy that is likely pitching with his last chance at being in the bigs. Upside is that of a swingman, one that can start for you occasionally when minor injuries dictate it and that can finish some blowouts by throwing multiple innings.
• Robinson Tejeda's big arm has landed him in Kansas City. He attacks hitters from a 3/4 release with a fastball at 92-97, a slider at 80-87 and a changeup at 81-86. Tejeda's fastball is a plus offering and he shows above average command of it. His slider is a below average offering that flashes above average. He has a tendency to throw spinners and is not consistent with any part of throwing his slider (release point, velocity, command). His change is also below average that flashes average and he has the same issues with his slider. He has always been looking for an off speed pitch to complement his fastball and needs to refine these offerings to reach his upside of a set-up man. Tejeda reaches back when he gets ahead 2 strikes (which may be part of the problem with the off speed offerings), hitting 96-97 on the gun during these times.

Got the Pirates-Nats at 7 tonight featuring Ian Snell and the major league debut of Craig Stammen.