Showing posts with label Ramon Troncoso. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Ramon Troncoso. Show all posts

Saturday, October 3, 2009

Chart Observations: 10/2 COL @ LAD

1) Randy Wolf: 91 pitches. FB, CB, SL, CU. 2 strikes swinging. 2 Fastballs.
  • Wolf came from a high 3/4 release and showed a fastball with a little run in on lefties, a sweeping 11-5 slider with good bite, a big breaking 12-6 curve with above average depth and a change with some fade from righties and a little sink that he will throw 3-2.

1st: FB (89-93), CB (67-69), SL (79-80), CU (79-81) - FB (Spilborghs)

2nd: FB (89-91), CB (66-67), SL (80-81)

3rd: FB (88-91), CB (66-67), SL (77-82), CU (78-79) - FB (Spilborghs)

4th: FB (86-89), CB (67-68), SL (80-81), CU (77)

5th: FB (87-90), CB (68), SL (82), CU (79)

2) Ubaldo Jimenez: 115 pitches. FB, SL, CU, CB. 14 strikes swinging. 5 Changeups, 3 Fastballs, 3 Curveballs, 3 Sliders.

  • Jimenez came from an over the top release and showed a fastball with a little run in on righties, a 12-6 curve with average depth, a changeup thrown with a splitter grip that has slightly above average diving action that he will throw in 2-0 and 3-2 counts and a hard 2-7 slider with good bite.

1st: FB (93-100), CB (80)

2nd: FB (97-100), SL (88-92), CU (89-90)

3rd: FB (93-100), SL (88-91), CU (88-90), CB (81) - 2 FB (Hudson, Kemp), 2 SL (Ethier, Kemp), CU (Ethier), CB (Ramirez)

4th: FB (94-98), SL (87-89), CU (86-88), CB (80-81) - 3 CU (Loney, Hudson - 2), CB (Hudson), FB (Blake)

5th: FB (95-97), SL (87-89), CU (86-89), CB (77) - SL (Pierre), CU (Ramirez)

6th: FB (96-99), SL (84-89), CU (86-89), CB (76-79) - CB (Blake)

3) Ramon Troncoso: 20 pitches. FB, CB, CU.

  • Troncoso came from a high 3/4 release and showed a fastball with good run in on righties and some sink and a sharp 12-6 curve with average depth.

6th: FB (92-94), CB (78-80)

4) Scott Elbert: 2 pitches. FB, SL, CU. 0 strikes swinging.

  • Elbert is a 6-1, 215 pound lefty. The 24 year old has a medium frame that is maxed out. He came from a high 3/4 release with a classic drop and drive delivery. His fastball is a straight 4-seam. His slider moves more like a cutter and has some bite. Strong arm, but needs to refine his command.

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

5) Ronald Belisario: 17 pitches. FB, SL, CU. 2 strikes swinging. 2 Fastballs.

  • Belisario came from a 3/4 release and showed a hard sinker with good run in on righties and some sink and a 3-8 slider with some bite.

7th: FB (95-97), SL (86-91) - 2 FB (Atkins, Spilborghs)

6) Matt Daley: 28 pitches. FB, CB, CU. 0 strikes swinging.

  • Daley came from a sidearm release and showed a 2-7 slider with good bite, a fastball with some run in on righties and some sink and a change with good sink and some fade from lefties.

7th: FB (89-91), SL (76-80), CU (81-82)

7) Joe Beimel: 2 pitches. FB, CB, CU. 0 strikes swinging.

  • Beimel came from a high 3/4 release and showed a pretty straight 4-seam fastball and a flat 2-7 curve with average depth.

7th: FB (88), CB (74)

8) Rafael Betancourt: 18 pitches. FB, SL, CU. 4 strikes swinging. 4 Fastballs.

  • Betancourt came from an over the top release and showed a straight 4-seam fastball and a 1-7 slider with good bite.

7th: FB (93-94), SL (81-83) - 2 FB (Ramirez, Kemp)

8th: FB (92-93), SL (83) - 2 FB (Blake - 2)

9) George Sherrill: 14 pitches. FB, SL, CU. 1 strike swinging. Slider.

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

8th: FB (88-91), SL (74-76) - SL (McCoy)

10) Huston Street: 17 pitches. FB, SL, CU. 1 strike swinging. Changeup

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

8th: SL (83)

9th: FB (91-93), SL (83-85), CU (83)

11) Jonathan Broxton: 17 pitches. FB, SL, CU. 3 strikes swinging. 3 Fastballs.

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

9th: FB (97-100), SL (91) - 3 FB (Tulowitzki - 2, Stewart)

Friday, July 31, 2009

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)

Sunday, July 26, 2009

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)

Tuesday, July 21, 2009

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)

Tuesday, July 14, 2009

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)

Saturday, July 11, 2009

Chart Observations: LAD @ MIL: Dodgers Pitchers

1) Chad Billingsley: 110 pitches. 4 strikes swinging. 2 Cutters (1st, 5th), 2 Curveballs (2nd, 5th)
  • Billingsley came from an over the top release with a fastball with some run in on righties, a big breaking 12-6 curve with good depth, a cutter with good cut and the slider is a sharp 2-7 with good late bite.

1st: FB (89-92), CB (78-79), Cut (88-91)

2nd: FB (88-93), CB (77-78), Cut (87), SL (86)

3rd: FB (91-93), CB (77-79), Cut (88)

4th: FB (88-93), CB (78), Cut (87-88)

5th: FB (90-92), CB (68-79), Cut (86-89), SL (82)

6th: FB (91-93), CB (81), Cut (88-91), SL (85)

2) Guillermo Mota: 6 pitches. 0 strikes swinging.

  • Mota came from a 3/4 release with a fastball with good run in on righties, a flat slider and a change with good fade from lefties with sink that he will throw to righties.

6th: FB (94-95), SL (87), CU (85)

3) Cory Wade: 13 pitches. 0 strikes swinging.

  • Wade came from an over the top release and showed a fastball with good run in on righties and a big breaking 12-6 curve with good depth that served as his out pitch.

7th: FB (90-92), CB (74-76)

4) Brent Leach: 8 pitches. 0 strikes swinging.

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

8th: FB (92-93), CB (77-79)

5) Ramon Troncoso: 22 pitches. 2 strikes swinging. 2 Fastballs (9th)

  • Troncoso came from an over the top release with a fastball with good run in on righties with good sink and a power 1-7 curve with good depth.

8th: FB (91-92)

9th: FB (91-93), CB (76-79)

6) Jonathan Broxton: 28 pitches. 0 strikes swinging.

  • Broxton is a 6-4, 295 pound man child. The 25 year old righty has a big frame that is maxed out and shockingly doesn't seem to have any bad weight there. He came from an over the top release. His fastball has some late run in on righties and his slider is a sharp 2-7 with above average bite. One of the best (and unknown) closers in baseball.

10th: FB (95-99), SL (88-89)

Friday, July 10, 2009

Chart Observations (7/8 Game): LAD @ NYM

1) Hiroki Kuroda: 91 pitches. 3 strikes swinging. 2 Fastballs (2nd, 5th), Slider (3rd)
  • Kuroda came from an over the top release and showed a fastball with some run in on righties and a slider and split that are indistinguishable.

1st: FB (88-94), SL (83-85), Split (84-86)

2nd: FB (92-95), SL (80-81), Split (86)

3rd: FB (91-94), SL (80-84)

4th: FB (88-94)

5th: FB (90-94), SL (84), Split (86)

2) Oliver Perez: 108 pitches. 2 strikes swinging. 2 Sliders (1st, 2nd)

  • Perez is a 6-3, 210 pound lefty. The 27 year old has a medium frame that can add a little more muscle. He comes from a 3/4 release. His fastball has some run in on righties. His slider is a 10-4 pitch with good bite and his change has some fade from righties with a little sink. He has absolutely zero idea where the ball is going.

1st: FB (89-93), SL (76-80), CU (85)

2nd: FB (86-93), SL (77-79)

3rd: FB (89-93), SL (76-79)

4th: FB (87-92), SL (77-81)

5th: FB (90-93), SL (78-81)

3) Cory Wade: 17 pitches. 0 strikes swinging.

  • Wade came from an over the top release with a fastball with some run in on righties, a change with good fade and sink from lefties and a 12-6 curve with good depth.

5th: FB (90-91), CB (75-78), CU (79)

4) Bobby Parnell: 31 pitches. 2 strikes swinging. Fastball (6th), Slider (6th)

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

6th: FB (93-97), SL (85-88), CU (88-89)

7th: FB (95-98), SL (86-89)

5) Guillermo Mota: 18 pitches. 1 strike swinging. Slider (6th)

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

6th: FB (94-95), SL (87-88), CU (84-85)

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

6) Pedro Feliciano: 3 pitches. 0 strikes swinging.

  • Feliciano is a sidearming lefty who showed a fastball with a little run in on lefties and a cutter with solid cut.

7th: FB (88), Cut (81)

7) Brent Leach: 7 pitches. 2 strikes swinging. 2 Fastballs.

  • Leach came from a high 3/4 release with a fastball with some run in on lefties and a 11-5 curve with good depth.

7th: FB (91-93), CB (75-76)

8) Sean Green: 12 pitches. 0 strikes swinging.

  • Green is a sidearming righty who showed a sweeping 3-8 slider with good bite, a fastball with above average run in on righties and a change with good fade from lefties with sink.

8th: FB (88-90), SL (73-75), CU (82)

9) Ramon Troncoso: 17 pitches. 0 strikes swinging.

  • Troncoso came from a high 3/4 release with a 2-seam fastball with good run in on righties and a sharp 1-7 curve.

8th: FB (90-93), CB (78-79)

10) Francisco Rodriguez: 16 pitches. 2 strikes swinging. 2 Changeups.

  • K-Rod came from an over the top release and showed a straight 4-seam fastball, a 12-6 curve with good depth and a change with excellent dive.

9th: FB (92-94), CB (81), CU (82-87)

Friday, June 26, 2009

Chart Observations: LAD @ CHW

1) Chad Billingsley: 107 pitches. 11 strikes swinging. 3 on Fastballs (1st, 2 in 6th), 1 on a Curveball (1st), 5 on Sliders (2nd, 4th, 5th, 2 in 6th), 2 on Cutters (3rd, 5th)
  • He is a 6-1, 245 pound righty. The 24 year old has a medium frame that is maxed out. He comes from an over the top release. His fastball has a little run in on righties and I believe was down from his typical velocity. His cutter has above average cut with a little sink. His curve is a sharp 12-6 with good depth and bite that can be a strike out pitch, but the White Sox hitters were able to continue to foul the balls off. His slider is a sharp 2-7 with above average bite that was his out pitch to most righties. His cutter flattened out in the 4th. Obviously Jeff Weaver has had an effect on him, as he dropped down sidearm to throw a fastball. He worked with plus command and did a nice job of locating.

1st: FB (89-93), CB (79), Cut (88-90)

2nd: FB (89-91), CB (67-77), Cut (89-90), SL (85)

3rd: FB (89-92), CB (79-80), Cut (87-89), SL (85)

4th: FB (89-92), CB (79-80), Cut (86-87), SL (85)

5th: FB (88-92), CB (69-81), Cut (87-89), SL (84-86)

6th: FB (87-93), CB (80-81), Cut (88-89), SL (83-84)

2) Clayton Richard: 85 Pitches. 5 strikes swinging. Slider (2nd), 3 on changeups (All in 4th) and 1 on a cutter (2nd)

  • Richard is a 6-5, 240 pound lefty. The 25 year old has a big frame that can add a little more muscle. He comes from a 3/4 release with a drop and drive delivery, though he is more of a slinger arm action. His 2-seam fastball has some run in on righties and flashes some sink and his 4-seam is straight that he really only used when throwing a high fastball. His cutter has some cut and a little sink. His change has some fade from righties and sink and is his best off-speed offering. His slider is a slurvy 11-4 with solid bite. He got a lot of hype for being in the Jake Peavy deal, but I am undecided on him. He likely isn't going to start throwing any harder and his stuff is just average in my opinion. I think he is a # 4, # 5 type starter.

1st: FB (90-92)

2nd: FB (89-94), Cut (84-89), SL (80-84), CU (82-83)

3rd: FB (87-93), CU (81-84)

4th: FB (89-92), Cut (86), SL (79), CU (79-84)

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

3) D.J. Carrasco: 39 Pitches. 3 strikes swinging. 2 on Sliders (5th, 6th) and a Fastball (6th)

  • Carrasco came from an over the top release with a cutter that has some cut, a 2-seam fastball with some run in on righties and sink that he threw more then he usually does. He also showed a 1-7 curve with good bite. He will throw a frisbee (we chart curve, I will call it a slider) when he drops down with 2 strikes to right handers. He will also throw a fastball from the same angle that is usually 86-88. He is very consistent with using this frisbee slider as his out pitch to righties and they must be ready for it. His change has some fade, but is below average.

5th: FB (89-91), Cut (88), CB (80), SL (72)

6th: FB (86-92), Cut (89-90), SL (71)

7th: FB (88-93), Cut (88-90), CB (80), SL (73), CU (80)

4) Ronald Belisario: 18 Pitches. 1 strike swinging. Fastball (7th)

  • He came from a 3/4 release with a fastball that has excellent run in on righties and above average sink. His slider is a 2-7 pitch with solid bite that can flatten out and he needs to improve his consistency with this pitch.

7th: FB (93-96), SL (85-87)

8th: FB (94-96), SL (85)

5) Scott Linebrink: 18 Pitches. 1 strike swinging. Fastball.

  • Linebrink is a 6-2, 210 pound righty. The 32 year old has a medium frame that is maxed out. He comes from an over the top release. His fastball has some late run and sink in on righties. His split has great late downward movement and can be confused with a curve (shockingly), but the one he threw went about 45 feet. His change is a straight change with a litle sink.

8th: FB (93-95), CU (83-84), Split (84)

6) Brent Leach: 16 Pitches. 0 strikes swinging.

  • He came from a high 3/4 release and showed a 11-5 curve with good depth that is a little slurvy, a straight 4-seam fastball and has added a 11-5 slider that is sharp with some break. His command is very inconsistent and is what is holding him back from being the # 1 lefty for the Dodgers.

8th: FB (92-93), CB(78)

9th: FB (92), SL (87-88)

7) Matt Thornton: 13 Pitches. 0 strikes swinging.

  • Thornton is a massive 6-6, 235 pound lefty. The 32 year old has a big frame that can add a little more muscle. He comes from a high 3/4 release with a straight 4-seam fastball and a 10-4 slider with some bite. One of the best lefty relievers in the game.

9th: FB (93-96), SL (89)

8) Ramon Troncoso: 27 Pitches, 3 strikes swinging. 2 on Fastballs (Both in 9th) and a curve (10th)

  • Troncoso is a 6-1, 220 pound righty. The 26 year old has a medium frame that is maxed out. He comes from an over the top release with a high effort delivery where he breaks his hands fairly high. His fastball has excellent run and flashes sink. His curve is a sharp 12-6 with good depth and can be a K pitch. The combination of his excellent movement of his fastball and his mechanics lead me to believe he may struggle to consistently throw strikes.

9th: FB (91-95), CB (77-78)

10th: FB (91-94), CB (77-79)

9) Bobby Jenks: 18 Pitches. 3 strikes swinging. 2 on Fastballs, Slider

  • Jenks is a 6-3, 275 man beast who is maxed out and has some bad weight (there is a gut). The 28 year old righty came from an over the top release. His fastball has above average run and sink in on righties. His slider is a sharp 2-7 with solid bite. Above average closer.

10th: FB (93-96), SL (89-90)

10) Jeff Weaver: 57 Pitches. 4 strikes swinging. 3 on Fastballs (2 in 11th, 13th), Slider (12th)

  • Weaver came from a 3/4 release and showed a fastball with some run and sink in on righties, a change with some fade from lefties and some sink, but fairly straight, a 2-8 curve with okay depth and a frisbee 3-8 slider from sidearm or a sharp 2-7 from his normal release with solid bite. He will drop down sidearm to throw sliders and fastballs and appears to do this whenever he feels the need to F with hitters, as there is no distinguishable pattern, though he does like the drop down slider with 2 strikes, but isn't as committed to it as Carrasco. His stuff has regressed and he gets by with deception and command.

11th: FB (88-93), SL (79-82), CU (80), CB (73-76)

12th: FB (88-92), SL (79-84), CU (79), CB (75)

13th: FB (87-92), SL (79-81), CU (82)

11) Octavio Dotel: 23 Pitches. 7 (!) strikes swinging. 6 on Fastballs (11th, 5 in 12th), Slider (12th)

  • He came from a 3/4 release and showed a fastball with natural cut and sink and has great late life, a 2-7 curve with solid depth and a sharp 2-7 slider with good bite.

11th: FB (92-94), CB (78-81)

12th: FB (91-93), SL (82-84)

12) Aaron Poreda: 14 Pitches. 5 (!) strikes swinging. 4 on Fastballs, Slider.

  • Poreda is a 6-6, 240 pound man child. The # 2 prospect for the White Sox prior to the start of the season, the 22 year old has a big frame that can add a little more muscle. He comes from a high 3/4 release and generates easy velocity from a clean delivery with good arm action. His fastball (a surprise to me) was not a huge velocity pitch and had quite a bit natural cut and sink, though it does explode out of his hand. His slider is a slurvy 11-5 with good bite. He can be very special as a reliever, though I think it would be as more of a set-up man then a Billy Wagner style closer. Will be interesting to see if he becomes Joba Chamberlain and becomes a starter after this apprenticeship or a Jonathan Papelbon and stay a reliever. Pray he doesn't become Brandon Morrow and is allowed to settle into 1 role. This was his first major league win.

13th: FB (90-94), SL (77)

I never said this before, but if you want to know how someone played that I didn't mention, feel free to ask. Just because I didn't write a report on them doesn't mean I didn't study their at bats.

Friday, May 8, 2009

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.

Monday, May 4, 2009

Chart Observations: SD @ LAD

  • Chad Gaudin was on the bump for the pitching-deprived Padres. Gaudin featured a low 90's moving fastball, a high 70's to mid 80's slider and a mid 80's changeup from a low 3/4 release point. He showed average command of his stuff, but none of his offerings are real plus (and he only occasionally threw a change). What you get with him is what you get. He has some value as an innings eater when he isn't getting hit, but that is the extent of his value as a starter. That being said, Petco is the best place for him to try and be more.
  • Chad Billingsley is a strong # 2 at this point with a pretty good chance of turning into a legitimate ace. He features a mid 90's 4-seamer, low 90's 2-seamer, high 80's to low 90's cutter, mid 70's to low 80's curveball and a low 80's slider. Both the 4-seamer and curveball are plus pitches and his cutter is also close to being plus. His issue is that he has some command issues in games. He walked Gaudin on 5 pitches and had another time where he just struggled to find the plate. That being said, I fully anticipate for him to become a legitimate ace in the next 3 years, barring injury.
  • Will Ohman allowed hits to both left handers he faced (including a home run to Jody Gerut). He showed an average fastball in the high 80's and an average slider in the low 80's. He is just an average LOOGY now.
  • Ramon Troncoso has a quality 2-seam fastball that sits in the low 90's with good sink and a curveball in the low 80's that is an average big league offering. His 2-seam is plus and he pitches off of it very well. He has some mechanical issues, in that he opens up very early and also raises his hands above his shoulders, putting extra strain on the shoulder. Be very surprised if he doesn't go down to injury at some point this season.
  • Arturo Lopez is another Mexican League guy (should Adrian Gonzalez just be named GM now?) who may have some tools. He throws a straight 4-seamer in the low 90's, a slider in the low 80's and a changeup in the low 80's. The 4-seam is just a major league average pitch, as it has no cut or anything to it. The slider and change appear to be average pitches stuff-wise, but are below average due to his inability to command them. He comes from a high 3/4 release and appears to favor his change over his slider.
  • Luis Perdomo kind of popped up on the scene last season when he went to various teams in trades. He shows a plus 2-seam fastball sitting in the low to mid 90's and a below average slider in the high 80's or low 90's that moves like a cutter. His 2-seamer has tremendous fade and sink to it when it's on. He needs to work on his consistency, as sometimes the 2-seam will not have as much action on it or his slider just won't break and will be a hanging spinner. He could be a back-end guy, but I think he will be a solid 10th or 11th guy in a pen. I think a full year in AAA to work on that consistency would have done him wonders, but the Padres are desperate for arms.
  • Chase Headley should be an above average bat from the corner outfield. He has a very quiet setup and has a good looking swing. As he begins to learn more on how pitchers attack him, he should be a .280-.360-.480 type guy with some big average years mixed in. Of course, who knows how we will adjust to the cavern that is Petco.
  • Matt Kemp is having some serious issues. In his last 3 games, he is 0-10 with 7 strikeouts. He really struggled against Gaudin and his shoulder flew out very often. He is one of those funks where he tells himself to take a pitch and the pitcher throws a fastball right down the middle. Then, when he comes up thinking to be aggressive, he flails at a 1st pitch slider. This is just one of those things hitters get to go through. He will be fine.

Got the Twins-Tigers score tonight with a match-up of Francisco Liriano (3rd game of his I would have scored) and Edwin Jackson.