Chart Observations: 9/16 OAK @ TEX

1) Dustin Nippert: 84 pitches. (FB, CU, CB). 5 strikes swinging. 4 Fastballs, Changeup.

• Nippert came from an over the top release and showed a fastball with some run in on righties and some sink, a 12-6 curve with above average depth and a change with some fade from lefties and some sink that he will throw to righties.

1st: FB (90-93), CU (82-84), CB (75) - 3 FB (Kennedy, Davis, Powell)

2nd: FB (91-93), CU (81-83), CB (73-74)

3rd: FB (88-93), CU (82-83), CB (75)

4th: FB (91), CU (81-82), CB (73-75) - CU (Hairston)

5th: FB (89-92), CU (81), CB (74) - CB

6th: FB (88-93), CU (80-82), CB (73-76) - FB (Hairston)

2) Trevor Cahill: 94 pitches. (FB, CU, SL, CB). 9 strikes swinging. 5 Changeups, 4 Fastballs.

• Cahill came from an over the top release and showed a fastball with good run in on righties and good sink, a change with good fade from lefties and good sink that he will throw in 2-0 and counts and to righties, a 2-7 slider with good bite and a 1-7 curve with average depth that is sharp.

1st: FB (87-92), CU (83-85), SL (83-84) - FB (Murphy)

2nd: FB (88-91), CU (78-84), SL (82-84), CB (79) - 2 FB (Teagarden - 2), 2 CU (Davis - 2)

3rd: FB (87-89), CU (79-80), SL (83)

4th: FB (88-90), CU (80-84), SL (84)

5th: FB (90-91), CU (79-81), SL (83) - CU (Davis)

6th: FB (86-90), CU (80-81), SL (85) - FB (Vizquel), CU (Vizquel)

7th: FB (85-90), CU (77-81), SL (82-84) - CU (Byrd)

3) Darren O'Day: 20 pitches. (FB, SL, CU). 0 strikes swinging.

• O'Day came from a sidearm, almost submarine release and showed a fastball with some run in on righties and some sink and a 3-8 slider with some bite.

6th: FB (82), SL (74)

7th: FB (83-86), SL (76-77)

4) C.J. Wilson: 25 pitches. (FB, SL, CU, Cut, CB). 2 strikes swinging. 2 Fastballs.

• Wilson came from a high 3/4 release and showed a cutter with some cut, a sharp 11-5 curve with slightly above average depth, a fastball with a little late run in on lefties and a sharp 11-5 slider with solid bite.

8th: FB (91-93), SL (85), Cut (89-92), CB (75) - 2 FB (Powell, Kennedy)

5) Michael Wuertz: 17 pitches. (SL, FB, CU, CB). 2 strikes swinging. 2 Sliders.

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

8th: FB (87-89), SL (81-84), CU (82-84) - 2 SL (Davis, German)

6) Frank Francisco: 18 pitches. (FB, Split, CB). 3 strikes swinging. 2 Splitters, Fastball.

• Francisco came from an over the top release and showed a fastball with some run in on righties, a split with good dive and a 12-6 curve with average depth.

9th: FB (91-94), Split (83-85), CB (78) - 2 Split (Pennington, Patterson), FB (Patterson)

7) Andrew Bailey: 9 pitches. (FB, Cut, CB, CU). 1 strike swinging. Curveball.

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

9th: FB (91-92), Cut (86), CB (77) - CB (Borbon)

Rangers Extras

1) Kris Benson: FB, Sl, Cut, CB, CU
6/6: 42 pitches. 2 strikes swinging. Fastball, Slider.

• Benson is a 6-4, 205 pound righty. The 34 year old has a big frame that can add a lot more muscle and looks the exact same as when he was drafted. He came from an over the top release with pretty clean mechanics. His fastball has a little run in on righties. His cutter has some cut, but can straighten out. His change has good sink and some fade from lefties that he will throw to righties. His slider is 2-7 with some bite. Benson looked done and none of his pitches were very good.

5th: FB (92)

6th: FB (91-92), Cut (84-86), CU (82-83), SL (84-86)

7th: FB (90-93), Cut (84-86), CU (82-84), SL (84-85) - FB, SL

2) Willie Eyre: FB, SL, CU, Cut

9/5: 14 pitches. 0 strikes swinging.

• Eyre is a 6-2, 205 pound righty. The 31 year old has a medium frame that is maxed out with a thick lower half. He came from an over the top release with fairly clean mechanics and no real red flags. His fastball has some run in on righties and some sink. His slider is a sharp 2-7 offering with some bite, but not a real big breaker and he will throw it 3-2. Looks like he could be a solid middle reliever, but the lack of bite in his slider will make it hard for him to be solid all season.

8th: FB (93-95), SL (82-86)

3) Warner Madrigal: FB, SL, Split

6/2: 39 pitches. 2 strikes swinging. 2 Fastballs.

• Madrigal is a 6-0, 200 pound righty. The 25 year old has a small frame that can add a little more muscle in the upper body. Squatty build. He came from an over the top release in a classic drop and drive delivery with no real red flags, though it is a high effort delivery. He will both slide step and leg kick at any time to mess with a hitter's timing. His fastball is a pretty straight 4-seam that can flash some run in on righties and flash some sink. His split has some diving action. His slider is a 2-7 with a little bite. He can battle his command at times, primarily of his fastball. He is young to pitching, but I usually like to see a higher velocity fastball from convertees, as it is usually difficult for them to find a consistent off-speed offering. I think Madrigal will wind up being a classic 4-A guy. He needs to really tighten his slider and improve his strike throwing ability.

6th: FB (89-94), SL (76-86), Split (79-82) - 2 FB

4) Brandon McCarthy: FB, SL, CU, CB

5/24: 124 pitches. 7 strikes swinging. 3 Sliders, 2 Fastballs, Curveball, Changeup.

• McCarthy is a 6-7, 200 pound righty. The 26 year old has a big frame that is real long and lanky and extremely skinny. He can get up to at least 215 comfortably if he so chooses. He looks like a twig out there. His mechanics appear to put extra pressure on his shoulder, as he really over rotates that shoulder and has a moderate head jerk. It looks like his arm is playing catch-up to the rest of his body. Max effort delivery that has me question if he can ever get through a season fully healthy as a starter. He came from an over the top release and showed a fastball with good natural sink due to him generating a good downhill plane for his pitches and some run in on righties. His "slider" is really just a power 12-6 sharp curve with above average depth. He can over throw it at times and he has the confidence to throw it for strikes. His change looks like a fastball out of his hand and has some fade from lefties and some sink. His curve is a 12-6 that isn't as sharp or as hard, but has plus depth. The curve appears to be his out pitch and he has good enough command of the pitch to throw it for strikes or bounce it at will. McCarthy looks like he should be a solid # 3 or # 4 starter when he pitches, but I would never count on anything more then 20 starts out of him.

1st: FB (88-90)

2nd: FB (89-91), SL (80-82), CB (76-77), CU (77-79) - CU

3rd: FB (88-92), SL (81-82), CB (78) - CB

4th: FB (88-90), CB (75-76), CU (78) - FB

5th: FB (89-92), SL (80-81), CB (75) - FB

6th: FB (88-91), SL (79-81), CB (77), CU (77) - SL

7th: FB (86-92), SL (79-81), CB (73-76) - SL

8th: FB (87-91), SL (80-81), CB (75)

9th: FB (87-90), SL (78-81), CB (74) - SL

5) Luis Mendoza: FB, SL, CB, CU

5/2: 22 pitches. 0 strikes swinging.

• Mendoza is a 6-3, 210 pound righty. The 25 year old has a medium frame that appears to be close to maxed out, can add a little more muscle to his lower half. Athletically built guy. He came from a high 3/4 release and showed a little cocking action when the arm is at the bottom of the arm circle, but nothing too serious. His fastball has some run in on righties and a little sink. His change is a straight change that isn't very good. His curve is a power 1-7 offering with slightly above average depth. He appears to have the stuff to be a solid middle reliever, though he should only face the occasional lefty.

6th: FB (90-93), CU (86), CB (77-80)

6) Guillermo Moscoso: FB, CB, CU

6/13: 14 pitches. 0 strikes swinging.

• Moscoso is a 6-1, 165 pound righty. The 25 year old has a medium frame that can add a lot more muscle, though he does look to be about 175 or 185 as opposed to 165. He can add muscle to both his lower and upper body and has an athletic build. Classic drop and drive delivery where he lands hard on his front leg and kind of kicks it out. He came from a high 3/4 release. His fastball has a little run in on righties. His curve is a flat 2-7 with below average depth that really doesn't do much. He has a tendency to lose it to his armside, flattening it out even more. He was fairly unimpressive in this outing, but could project into a solid middle reliever if he can sit in the 92-94 range with his fastball.

9th: FB (90-92), CB (78-80)

7) Josh Rupe: FB, SL, CU, CB

4/10: 38 pitches. 2 strikes swinging. Fastball, Slider.

• Rupe is a 6-2, 210 pound righty. The 27 year old has a medium frame that can add muscle to get up to about 220 if he so desires. He has a real thin lower half with small thighs that shows a lot of room to add muscle. He came from a high 3/4 release with a cocking arm action and is a slinger. He is another Rangers pitcher that does the kick out thing with his front leg. His slider is a 2-7 pitch with solid bite. His fastball has good run in on righties and some sink. He does not have good command of his fastball. His curve is a 12-6 offering with above average depth. His change has some fade from lefties and some sink. He has the stuff to be a big league reliever in the mold of a Doug Mathis, he just does not have the command.

7th: FB (88-92), SL (84-85), CB (70-73) - FB, SL

8th: FB (88-91), SL (82-83), CB (68-71), CU (78)

Chart Observations: 8/31 TOR @ TEX

1) Brett Cecil: 85 pitches. (FB, SL, CB, CU). 4 strikes swinging. Fastball, Curveball, Slider, Changeup.

• Cecil came from a high 3/4 release and showed a fastball with a little late run in on lefties and some sink, a change with a little run in on righties and above average sink that he will throw to lefties, a 11-5 slider with good bite and a 12-6 curve with average depth.

1st: FB (87-89), CU (81), SL (81)

2nd: FB (87-91), CU (82), SL (82) - CU

3rd: FB (86-89), CU (82-84), SL (82), CB (79-80)

4th: FB (86-89), CU (78-80), SL (79-80)

5th: FB (85-90), CU (79-81), SL (80-82), CB (77-79) - FB, CB, SL

2) Derek Holland: 71 pitches. (FB, SL, CU, CB). 7 strikes swinging. 3 Fastballs, 2 Curveballs, 2 Sliders.

• Holland came from a high 3/4 release and showed a fastball that had a little run in on lefties, but was fairly straight, a 11-5 curve with average depth, a change with some fade from righties and some sink and a sharp 11-5 slider with solid bite. The slider serves as his out pitch and he only threw it in this outing when he had 2 strikes on a hitter.

1st: FB (88-92), CU (82-85), CB (74)

2nd: FB (89-92), CU (82), CB (72-75), SL (82) - SL

3rd: FB (90-93), CU (81-82), CB (72-73) - 2 FB

4th: FB (88-90), CU (82), CB (72-74), SL (77-79) - FB, 2 CB, SL

3) Doug Mathis: 50 pitches. (FB, SL, CB, CU). 1 strike swinging. Curveball.

• Mathis came from a high 3/4 release and showed a fastball that has some run in on righties and flashes some sink and flashes above average run and above average sink at times, a 2-7 slider with solid bite, a 12-6 curve with average depth and a change with good sink and some fade from lefties. He just peppered the outside corner to righties with his good moving fastball and they were all at the knees just on it or just off it.

4th: FB (89-90), SL (83-84)

5th: FB (88-90), SL (81-83), CB (75-77)

6th: FB (87-90), SL (83), CB (78-79), CU (81) - CB

4) Casey Janssen: 25 pitches. (FB, Cut, CB, SL, CU). 4 strikes swinging. 3 Curveballs, Cutter.

• Janssen came from an over the top release and showed a fastball with some run in on righties and some sink, a 2-7 slider with some bite, a sharp 12-6 curve with slightly above average depth and a cutter with some cut

6th: FB (89-90), Cut (85-90), CB (74-76), SL (81-83) - Cut, 3 CB

5) Jesse Carlson: 21 pitches. (FB, SL, CU). 0 strikes swinging.

• Carlson came from a sidearm release and showed a sweeping 9-4 slider with good bite, a fastball with some run in on lefties and some sink and a change with some fade from righties with some sink that he spiked at about 45 feet.

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

7th: FB (85-88), SL (79-81), CU (80)

6) Scott Downs: 19 pitches. (FB, CB, SL). 0 strikes swinging.

• Downs came from a 3/4 release and showed a 10-5 curve with slightly above average depth and a fastball with good late tailing action in on righties and some late sink.

7th: FB (87-89), CB (73)

8th: FB (86-88), CB (74)

7) Darren O'Day: 27 pitches. (FB, SL, CU). 7 strikes swinging. 2 Fastballs, 5 Sliders.

• O'Day came from a sidearm release and showed a 3-8 slider that has some bite that almost moves like a cutter, a fastball with good run in on righties

7th: FB (83-85), SL (76-77) - 2 FB, 4 SL

8th: FB (83-85), SL (75-77) - SL

8) Jason Grilli: 15 pitches. (FB, SL, CU). 1 strike swinging. Slider.

• Grilli came from an over the top release and showed a fastball with good run in on righties and some sink, a 1-7 slider with good bite and a change with some fade from lefties and good sink.

9th: FB (90-92), SL (82-83), CU (82) - SL

9) Pedro Strop: 40 pitches. (FB, SL, Split). 5 strikes swinging. 3 Fastballs, Slider, Splitter.

• Strop came from a high 3/4 release and showed a straight 4-seam fastball that flashed a little run in on righties, a sharp 1-7 slider with good bite and a splitter with some dive. Had no problems getting ahead, but then he tried to be too fine with his pitches and ended up walking guys. Struggles to throw his off-speed stuff for strikes.

9th: FB (93-95), SL (80-83), Split (84-87) - 3 FB, SL, Split

10) Jason Frasor: 14 pitches. (FB, SL, Split, CU). 2 strikes swinging. Fastball, Slider.

• Frasor came from an over the top release and showed a fastball with a little run in on righties, a sharp 2-7 slider with average bite and a split with good dive.

9th: FB (91-93), SL (83-84), Split (83-85) - FB, SL

Random Observation: Chris Davis received a steady diet of curveballs from Blue Jays pitching and even saw Jesse Carlson (the Jays LOOGY who throws primarily sliders) pulled in favor of Scott Downs (primarily curveball lefty). The reports on him are obviously that he can't hit a curve or see it well.

Chart Observations: 8/28 TEX @ MIN

1) Brian Duensing: 96 pitches. (FB, CU, SL, CB). 11 strikes swinging. 8 Fastballs, 2 Sliders, Changeup.

• Duensing came from a high 3/4 release and showed a fastball with some run in on lefties and some sink, a 11-5 curve with average depth, a 11-5 slider with good bite and a change with good fade from righties and some sink that he will throw in 3-2 counts.

1st: FB (91-93), CU (83), SL (82-84), CB (70-74) - FB

2nd: FB (89-94), CU (84), SL (81), CB (73) - 2 FB, SL

3rd: FB (89-91), CU (82-83), CB (73)

4th: FB (89-93), CU (80-85), SL (81), CB (72-74) - FB, SL, CU

5th: FB (89-92), SL (81), CB (73-74) - FB

6th: FB (88-93), SL (80-82), CB (70-73) - 2 FB

7th: FB (90-93), CU (83-84), SL (79-84), CB (73) - FB

2) Tommy Hunter: 102 pitches. (FB, Cut, CB, CU). 4 strikes swinging. 3 Curveballs, Cutter.

• Hunter came from an over the top release and showed a fastball with a little run in on righties and a little sink, a sharp 1-7 curve with slightly above average depth that he will throw 3-2, a cutter with good cut and some sink and a change with some fade from lefties and some sink that he will throw to righties. He did not have his best command in this game as Teagarden consistently wanted inside cutters and he repeatedly missed over the middle of the plate or away off the plate.

1st: FB (90-93), Cut (89), CB (74-79)

2nd: FB (88-92), CB (78), CU (84)

3rd: FB (90-92), Cut (90), CB (76-79) - Cut

4th: FB (87-90), Cut (87-89), CB (75-79), CU (84) - CB

5th: FB (88-90), Cut (86-89), CB (75)

6th: Cut (89), CB (76-77), CU (82-83) - 2 CB

7th: FB (88-90), Cut (86-89), CB (75-76)

3) Matt Guerrier: 16 pitches. (FB, SL, CB, CU). 1 strike swinging. Slider.

• Guerrier came from a high 3/4 release and showed a 2-seam fastball with some run in on righties and some sink, a 2-7 slider with good bite and a 12-6 curve with slightly above average depth.

8th: FB (90-92), SL (85-86), CB (79-80) - SL

4) Pedro Strop: 13 pitches. (FB, SL, Split). 2 strikes swinging. Fastball, Splitter.

• Strop is a 6-0, 160 pound righty. The 24 year old righty has a small frame that looks bigger then his listed 160 at about 170 with a thick lower half. He is in the very infant stages of his pitching career, having been picked up as a position player by the Rockies. He came from a 3/4 release in a fairly clean, though violent (max effort) delivery. His fastball may have a little run in on righties, but it is pretty straight. His slider is a 2-7 pitch with a little bite and really doesn't do much at all. His split has some dive. Strop has a plus fastball and little else, including command. His control wasn't bad, but didn't locate his fastball and caught a lot of the plate. He could be a set-up guy, but he is probably a year or two away, especially pitching all his home games in Texas.

8th: FB (96-97), SL (83-86), Split (87-89) - FB, Split

5) Joe Nathan: 18 pitches. (FB, SL, CB, CU). 2 strikes swinging. Fastball, Slider.

• Nathan came from a high 3/4 release and showed a 11-5 curve with average depth that is sharp, a 2-7 slider with good bite and a fastball with good run in on righties and some sink.

9th: FB (93-96), SL (86-89), CB (80-83) - FB, SL

Chart Observations: 8/17 MIN @ TEX

1) Francisco Liriano: 61 pitches. 5 strikes swinging. 3 Sliders (all in 1st), Changeup (1st), Fastball (2nd)

• Liriano came from a high 3/4 release and showed a 11-5 slider with good bite, a change with some fade from righties with a little sink and a fastball with some run in on lefties with sink. He will throw 2-0 sliders and 3-1 changeups and sliders. The slider is his out pitch and he will normally throw it gloveside and bounce it in the dirt just after the plate.

1st: FB (88-91), SL (81-86), CU (81-84)

2nd: FB (88-91), SL (83-85), CU (84)

2) Tommy Hunter: 101 pitches. 7 strikes swinging. Fastball (1st), 4 Curveballs (2nd, 4th, 2 in 5th), Cutter (2nd), Changeup (5th)

• Hunter came from an over the top release and showed a fastball with above average run in on righties with some sink, a power 12-6 curve with average depth, a cutter with some cut and sink and a change with good fade from lefties and a little sink that he will throw to righties. He throws both a get-me over and out pitch curves. He likes to go high fastball and then curveball for a strike when he is ahead in the count 0-2.

1st: FB (88-91), Cut (88-89), CB (80)

2nd: FB (88-91), Cut (86-89), CB (74-79), CU (80)

3rd: FB (86-90), Cut (89), CU (78-80)

4th: FB (86-88), CB (75-80), CU (80)

5th: FB (86-92), Cut (88-90), CB (74-77), CU (79)

6th: FB (85-88), Cut (87-89), CB (75-78), CU (78-80)

3) Bob Keppel: 47 pitches. 4 strikes swinging. 3 Fastballs (2 in 3rd, 5th), Slider (3rd)

• Keppel came from an over the top release and showed a fastball with some run in on righties and some sink, a 2-7 slider with some bite, a 12-6 curve with average dpeth and a change with good fade from lefties with solid sink that he will throw to righties.

3rd: FB (91-93), SL (85-88)

4th: FB (92-93), SL (87), CB (77-78), CU (86)

5th: FB (92-94), SL (85-87), CB (77-80), CU (84)

6th: FB (92-93), SL (87), CB (79), CU (84)

4) Jose Mijares: 24 pitches. 4 strikes swinging. 2 Fastballs (both in 7th), 2 Changeups (both in 7th)

• Mijares came from a high 3/4 release and showed a loopy 11-5 slider with good bite, a change with some fade from righties with solid sink that he will throw to lefties and a fastball with some tail in on righties.

6th: FB (89-92), SL (79-82), CU (83-84)

7th: FB (91-93), SL (79-84), CU (81-82)

5) Darren O'Day: 15 pitches. 3 strikes swinging. 2 Fastballs, Slider.

• O'Day came from a sidearm release and showed a 3-8 slider with little bite and a fastball with good run in on righties with some sink.

6th: FB (84-87), SL (75-78)

6) Neftali Feliz: 26 pitches. 3 strikes swinging. 3 Fastballs (all in 7th)

• Feliz came from a high 3/4 release with a fastball with some run in on righties and some sink, a 12-6 curve with average depth and a change with good fade from lefties with good sink. He has real easy arm action and for info on his data, go to the Futures Game scouting reports for the World roster.

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

7th: FB (91-97), CB (79), CU (85-90)

7) Matt Guerrier: 12 pitches. 1 strike swinging. Fastball.

• Guerrier came from a high 3/4 release with a slider with 2-7 bite, a fastball with some run in on righties, a sharp 12-6 curve with above average depth and a change with some fade from lefties with good sink that he will throw to righties.

7th: FB (89-91), SL (85), CB (77-78), CU (80)

8) Brian Duensing: 16 pitches. 2 strikes swinging. Slider, Changeup.

• Duensing came from a high 3/4 release and showed a straight change with some late fade from righties, a 11-5 curve with above average depth, a fastball with some tail in on righties and a 11-5 slider with good bite.

8th: FB (90-92), CU (82-83), SL (80-81), CB (71-75)

9) Jason Jennings: 15 pitches. 0 strikes swinging.

• Jennings came from an over the top release and shwoed a fastball with good run in on righties with good sink and a 1-7 slider with good bite.

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

10) C.J. Wilson: 4 pitches. 0 strikes swinging.

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

8th: FB (94), SL (86)

11) Frank Francisco: 10 pitches. 1 strike swinging. Fastball.

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

9th: FB (92-94), CB (80)

Chart Observations: 8/16 BOS @ TEX

1) Junichi Tazawa: 97 pitches. 1 strike swinging. Fastball (6th).

• Tazawa is a 5-11, 180 pound righty. The 23 year old has a small frame that can add a little more muscle. He has small arms and an even smaller lower body. He came from a high 3/4 release. His fastball has good run in on righties with some sink and it flashes above average run. His curve is a sharp 1-7 with above average depth and a split with average dive. The lack of swings and misses concern me and he doesn't have a true out pitch in his repetoire. His command is slightly above average. Looks like, at the max, a # 3 starter to me.

1st: FB (87-89), CB (71-76), Split (77-82)

2nd: FB (87-89), CB (73-74), Split (79)

3rd: FB (87-89), CB (71-76), Split (80)

4th: FB (86-90), Split (77-81)

5th: FB (87-89), CB (73-75), Split (78-82)

6th: FB (88-90), CB (78), Split (81)

2) Dustin Nippert: 98 pitches. 5 strikes swinging. Fastball (1st), 4 Changeups (2nd, 3 in 5th)

• Nippert came from an over the top release and showed a fastball with some run in on righties with some sink, a change with good fade from lefties and a little sink and a big breaking 12-6 curve with above average depth. He will throw the change in 2-0 counts, 3-2 counts and to righties.

1st: FB (90-94), CU (83-84)

2nd: FB (91-94), CU (81-83), CB (75)

3rd: FB (91-95), CU (83-86), CB (74-77)

4th: FB (91-95), CU (82-84), CB (73-76)

5th: FB (87-93), CU (82-84), CB (74)

6th: FB (88-92), CB (74)

3) Hideki Okajima: 18 pitches. 1 strike swinging. Splitter (7th)

• Okajima came from an over the top release with a split with some dive, a fastball with some run in on lefties and sink and a 11-5 curve with above average depth.

6th: FB (83-85), Split (78)

7th: FB (84-85), Split (79-81), CB (73-74)

4) Doug Mathis: 21 pitches. 0 strikes swinging.

• Mathis came from a high 3/4 release and showed a fastball with some run in on righties with some sink, a change with plus sink and above average fade from lefties, a cutter with solid cut and a 12-6 curve with average depth.

7th: FB (90-92), Cut (87-88), CB (77), CU (83-85)

5) C.J. Wilson: 22 pitches. 2 strikes swinging. Fastball, Slider.

• Wilson came from a high 3/4 release and showed a fastball with a little run in on lefties, a 11-5 slider with good bite, a cutter with good cut and a 11-5 curve with above average depth.

8th: FB (91-95), SL (85-86), Cut (91), CB (77)

6) Ramon Ramirez: 21 pitches. 1 strike swinging. Changeup.

• Ramirez came from an over the top release with a change with some diving action and a fastball with a little run in on righties.

8th: FB (88-92), CU (83-86)

7) Frank Francisco: 10 pitches. 2 strikes swinging. Fastball, Curveball.

• Francisco came from an over the top release with a straight 4-seam fastball, a split with good dive and a sharp 12-6 curve with average depth.

9th: FB (91-94), Split (84), CB (81)

Chart Observations: 8/14: BOS @ TEX

1) Jon Lester: 117 pitches. 19 strikes swinging. 6 Fastballs (1st, 2nd, 3 in 4th, 6th), 10 Cutters (4 in 1st, 4th, 5th, 4 in 6th), 2 Curveballs (1st, 6th), Changeup (3rd)

• Lester came from a high 3/4 release and showed a fastball with a little run in on lefties, a cutter with solid cut, a change with some fade from righties with good sink and a 11-5 curve with above average depth. He likes to throw the cutter in on rigthies.

1st: FB (91-95), CB (77-79), Cut (87-90), CU (84)

2nd: FB (90-93), CB (77), Cut (87-89), CU (82)

3rd: FB (91-95), Cut (87-89), CU (84)

4th: FB (90-95), CB (76-80), Cut (85-90)

5th: FB (90-94), CB (76), Cut (85-87), CU (81-85)

6th: FB (89-94), CB (78-79), Cut (85-89), CU (83-84)

2) Kevin Millwood: 110 pitches. 9 strikes swinging. 8 on Fastballs (3 in 1st, 3rd, 4 in 4th), Slider (4th)

• Millwood came from an over the top release and showed a fastball with some run in on righties and good sink, a change with some fade from lefties and above average sink, a 2-7 slider with solid bite and a 12-6 curve with above average depth. He will throw the change to righties.

1st: FB (88-92), SL (83-84), CB (73-74)

2nd: FB (86-91), SL (83-86), CU (82)

3rd: FB (89-92), SL (83-85), CB (72-75)

4th: FB (88-92), SL (83-86), CB (71-75)

5th: FB (88-92), SL (83-86), CB (73), CU (83-85)

6th: FB (89-91), SL (85)

3) Eddie Guardado: 8 pitches. 0 strikes swinging.

• Guardado came from a 3/4 release and showed a fastball with some tail in on righties and a change with some fade from righties with sink.

6th: FB (85-86), CU (76)

4) Darren O'Day: 15 pitches. 0 strikes swinging.

• O'Day came from a sidearm release and showed a fastball with good run in on righties with good sink, a change with a little fade from lefties and a 3-8 slider with good bite.

7th: FB (84-87), SL (76-78)

5) Daniel Bard: 24 pitches. 4 strikes swinging. 3 Fastballs, Slider.

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

7th: FB (93-97), SL (80-83)

6) Takashi Saito: 15 pitches. 2 strikes swinging. Fastball, Slider.

• Saito came from a high 3/4 release and showed a fastball with good run in on righties with sink, a 12-6 curve with average depth and a 2-7 slider with solid bite.

8th: FB (89-92), SL (81-83), CB (76)

7) C.J. Wilson: 27 pitches. 2 strikes swinging. Cutter, Slider.

• Wilson came from a high 3/4 release and showed a cutter with good late cut, a fastball with some tail in on righties and a 11-5 slider with good bite.

8th: FB (92-96), SL (80-86), Cut (88-92)

8) Frank Francisco: 34 pitches. 1 strike swinging. Fastball.

• Francisco came from an over the top release and showed a straight 4-seam fastball, a splitter with solid dive and a 1-7 curve with solid depth.

9th: FB (92-95), Split (82-86), CB (79-80)

9) Jason Jennings: 6 pitches. 0 strikes swinging.

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

9th: FB (88-90)

10) Jonathan Papelbon: 21 pitches. 3 strikes swinging. Fastball, 2 Sliders.

• Papelbon came from a high 3/4 release and showed a fastball with good run in on righties with good sink, a split with above average dive and a 2-7 slider with good bite. I worry that Papelbon may be pitching through a minor injury, as his fastball was slow and he appeared to be nursing through his pitches.

9th: FB (90-93), Split (89), SL (82)

Chart Observations: MIN @ TEX

1) Scott Baker: 114 pitches. 11 strikes swinging. 9 on Fastballs (1st, 2 in 2nd, 5 (5!) in 6th, 8th) and 2 Sliders (1st, 8th)

• Baker is a 6-4, 220 pound righty. The 27 year old has a big frame that can add a little more muscle, probably about 230. He came from a high 3/4 release. His fastball has some run in on righties. His change has some fade from lefties with solid sink and his slider is a 2-7 pitch with slightly above average bite. His curve didn't do anything and just hung and then wasn't thrown again. Baker's stuff plays up due to his above average command. Solid # 4 starter.

1st: FB (88-91), SL (79-81)

2nd: FB (88-90), SL (77-84), CB (75)

3rd: FB (89-90), SL (80), CU (82)

4th: FB (88-92), SL (79-81), CU (82-83)

5th: FB (89-90), SL (77-81), CU (83)

6th: FB (87-90), SL (79), CU (82)

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

8th: FB (90-92), SL (78-81)

2) Scott Feldman: 105 pitches. 7 strikes swinging. 4 on Fastballs (3 in 2nd, 4th), 2 on Changeups (2nd, 4th) and a Cutter (3rd)

• Feldman is a 6-5, 210 pound righty. The 26 year old has a big frame that can add a lot more muscle, at least to 225. He came from an over the top release. His fastball has some run in on righties with sink. His cutter has some cut and sink and likes to throw cutters in and sinkers away against lefties. His curve is a 12-6 with average depth. His change has good fade from lefties with good sink. His slider is a 2-7 with good bite. Feldman is Jon Garland. There isn't a better comparison in baseball. And like Garland, he is a back end starter who will tease you with high win totals.

1st: FB (89-92), Cut (90-92), CB (76-78)

2nd: FB (89-93), Cut (88-91), CB (74-77), CU (83), SL (81-82)

3rd: FB (88-91), Cut (88-89)

4th: FB (91-92), Cut (90-91), CB (74), CU (83-85)

5th: FB (89-91), Cut (89-91), CB (74-79)

6th: FB (89-93), Cut (90-92), CB (74), CU (85)

3) Jason Jennings: 43 pitches. 2 strikes swinging. Fastball (7th), Slider (7th)

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

7th: FB (88-90), SL (81-83)

8th: FB (88-90), SL (81-82), CU (84-85)

4) Jason Grilli: 20 pitches. 3 strikes swinging. 2 on Slider (both in 8th), Fastball (9th)

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

8th: FB (91-92), SL (83-86)

9th: FB (90-92), SL (82-85)

5) Dustin Nippert: 10 pitches. 0 strikes swinging.

• Nippert is a 6-8, 225 pound righty. The 28 year old has a big frame that can add a lot more muscle. He came from an over the top release and is real herky jerky with his limbs and really jumps at the hitters. His fastball has some run in on righties.

9th: FB (88-92)

6) Joe Nathan: 15 pitches. 4 strikes swinging. 3 Fastballs, Slider.

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

9th: FB (90-93), SL (86-88)

Score Observations (Yesterday): TEX @ SEA

1) Tommy Hunter: 104 pitches. 7 strikes swinging. 4 on Fastballs (3rd, 3 in 6th), 2 Changeups (1st, 3rd) and a Curveball (2nd)

• Hunter came from an over the top release and showed a 2-seam fastball with good run in on righties and sink, a cutter with good cut and sink, a power 12-6 curve with good depth that serves as his out pitch and a change with some fade from lefties with sink. Hunter will also throw a get-me over CB in the high 70's. He didn't have great command of the power curve last night, but threw his cutter to both corners well and showed a better change then his last outing. He just looks like a bulldog on the mound and I am a fan.

1st: Cut (90-93), FB (90-92), CB (77-82), CU (84)

2nd: Cut (89-91), FB (91-92), CB (79-82), CU (83)

3rd: Cut (89-91), FB (90-91), CB (81), CU (82-84)

4th: Cut (88-91), FB (90-92), CB (77-81)

5th: Cut (88-90), FB (89), CB (77-81), CU (82-83)

6th: Cut (89-90), FB (90-91), CB (78-81), CU (81)

2) Felix Hernandez: 112 pitches. 15 strikes swinging. 4 on Fastballs (2nd, 4th, 5th, 7th), 3 on Changeups (3rd, 4th, 8th), 5 on Sliders (4th, 2 in 6th, 2 in 8th), 3 on Curveballs (3rd, 5th, 8th) (Is there a more dominant repetoire in baseball?)

• Hernandez came from a high 3/4, almost over the top release. His fastball has good run in on righties with some sink. His change has some fade from lefties. His slider is a 2-7 with good bite. His curve is a big breaking 12-6 with good depth. His change is his main offspeed pitch and will throw it to righties. Absolutely dominant, as the only run he allowed scored on a wild pitch.

1st: FB (94-97), SL (88), CU (89)

2nd: FB (94-96), SL (87-89), CU (90-91), CB (84)

3rd: FB (94-96), SL (88), CU (89-90), CB (79)

4th: FB (94-96), SL (86-89), CU (89-91)

5th: FB (94-97), CB (81-82)

6th: FB (93-97), SL (88-89), CU (88-92), CB (83)

7th: FB (94-96), CU (90)

8th: FB (93-96), SL (86-88), CU (89-91), CB (81)

3) Darren O'Day: 10 pitches. 0 strikes swinging.

• O'Day is a sidearming righty whose fastball has good run in on righties and his slider is a 9-3 pitch with good bite.

7th: FB (85-88), SL (78-79)

4) C.J. Wilson: 28 pitches. 3 strikes swinging. 3 Fastballs.

• Wilson came from a high 3/4 release and showed a straight 4-seam fastball that had very little run in on lefties, a 11-4 slider with good bite, a cutter with good cut in on righties and a change with some fade from righties with sink.

8th: FB (93-96), Cut (91), SL (85-89), CU (86)

5) David Aardsma: 6 pitches. 0 strikes swinging.

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

9th: FB (93-95)

Chart Observations (7/3 Game): TB @ TEX

1) Scott Kazmir: 99 pitches. 13 strikes swinging. 6 on Fastballs (2 in 2nd, 4 in 4th), 5 on Sliders (1st, 2 in 2nd, 3rd, 4th) and 2 on Changeups (1st, 5th)

• Kazmir is a 6-0, 190 pound lefty. The 25 year old has a medium frame that can add a lot more muscle and get up to at least 205. His fastball is a straight 4-seam. His slider is a sharp 11-5 with solid bite and his change has some run in on righties with a little sink. Solid # 2 starter and if he can ever get consistent command and pitch beyond the 5th inning consistently, he is an ace.

1st: FB (90-92), SL (80-83), CU (77-80)

2nd: FB (90-91), SL (81-84), CU (78-79)

3rd: FB (89-92), SL (81-83), CU (79-80)

4th: FB (89-91), SL (80-82), CU (78-79)

5th: FB (88-92), SL (80-82), CU (78-82)

2) Tommy Hunter: 90 pitches. 10 strikes swinging. 5 on Fastballs (2 in 1st, 2 in 3rd, 6th), 2 on Curves (2nd, 5th), 2 on Cutters (3rd, 5th) and a Changeup (4th)

• Tommy Hunter really impressed me. The 6-3, 255 pound righty has a big frame that is maxed out. The 23 year old comes from an over the top release. His fastball is a 2-seam with some run in on righties. His cutter has some cut and sink. His curve is a sharp 2-7 with good depth and can be a strikeout pitch. His change is straight with little sink and is below average and he will throw it to righties. Likes to throw his cutter in on the hands of lefties and has a very quiet delivery with hands going over his head. I think Hunter is a # 4 right now and he has the potential to be a strong # 3 starter for a contender. I am a fan of his windup and he has a very good mound presence in my opinion. He does need to improve his change though.

1st: FB (89-92), Cut (89-91), CB (77-80)

2nd: FB (89-91), Cut (88-90), CB (75-81)

3rd: FB (89-93), Cut (88-90), CB (76-80), CU (81-82)

4th: FB (89-91), Cut (86-90), CB (75-79), CU (80-83)

5th: FB (86-92), Cut (86-88), CB (75-80), CU (81)

6th: FB (87-88), Cut (88), CU (81)

3) Joe Nelson: 17 pitches. 1 strike swinging. Changeup.

• Nelson came from an over the top release and showed a vulcan change with good sink and fade from lefties and a fastball with a little run in on righties that flashed above average sink. He really battles his command from outing to outing.

6th: FB (84-87), CU (74-75)

4) Grant Balfour: 32 pitches. 3 strikes swinging. 3 Fastballs (6th)

• Balfour came from an over the top release with a straight 4-seam fastball and a 2-7 slider with good bite. Still haven't seen his control issues personally.

6th: FB (92-95), SL (88)

7th: FB (92-96), SL (86-91)

8th: FB (91-93), SL (90)

5) Jason Jennings: 30 pitches. 1 strike swinging. Fastball (6th)

• Jennings came from an over the top release with a fastball with good run and sink in on righties and a slider that can look like a curve with good bite.

6th: FB (88-90), SL (81-83)

7th: FB (87-90), SL (82)

6) C.J. Wilson: 20 pitches. 1 strike swinging. Fastball.

• Wilson came from a high 3/4 release and showed a straight 4-seam fastball that flashes run in on righties, a sharp 11-4 slider with good bite, a cutter with good cut and a straight change with a little sink.

8th: FB (92-96), SL (84-86), CU (86), Cut (92)

7) Randy Choate: 3 pitches. 1 strike swinging. Slider.

• Choate came from sidearm with a fastball with some run and sink in on lefties and a sweeping 9-4 slider with good bite.

8th: FB (87-88), SL (77)

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

• Wheeler came from an over the top release and showed a cutter with good cut and sink and a loopy 2-7 slider with good bite.

9th: Cut (83-84), SL (77)

9) Frank Francisco: 13 pitches. 1 strike swinging. Splitter

• Francisco came from an over the top release and showed a fastball with good run in on righties and a splitter with excellent dive.

9th: FB (93-96), Split (86-87)

Chart Observations: LAA @ TEX

1) Jered Weaver: 96 pitches. 8 strikes swinging. 4 on Fastballs (1st, 4th, 5th, 6th), 2 on Sliders (1st, 6th) and 2 on Changeups (5th, 6th).

• Weaver is a 6-7, 205 pound righty. The 26 year old has a big frame that can add a lot more muscle. He comes from an over the top release. He has a fairly violent delivery after his break with a little head jerk and an arm action that appears to put a lot of pressure on his shoulder. His fastball is a straight 4-seam that flashes a little late run in on righties and gets some natural sink due to him generating a good downhill plane for his pitches. His slider is a 2-7 with good bite that flashes plus bite. He will be like his borther and drop down sidearm to throw frisbee sliders. His curveball is a big breaking 12-6 with good depth. His change has some fade from lefties and he will throw the pitch to righties. Was FB-SL with some CB's the first time through the order and then began to be more FB-CU the 2nd time through. I am unimpressed with his change and don't think it is good enough to be thrown as much as he does. Solid middle of the rotation starter, but looks to be pitching a little over his head right now.

1st: FB (88-92), SL (78-79)

2nd: FB (88-91), SL (75-81), CB (71), CU (80)

3rd: FB (86-90), SL (80), CB (72), CU (80-82)

4th: FB (87-90), CU (79-81)

5th: FB (88-92), SL (78), CB (74), CU (79)

6th: FB (88-90), SL (77-79), CB (70-73), CU (78-81)

2) Kevin Millwood: 104 pitches. 7 strikes swinging. 3 on Fastballs (2nd, 3rd, 5th), Slider (5th) and 3 on Curveballs (1st, 2nd, 5th)

• Millwood is a 6-4, 230 pound righty. The 34 year old has a big frame that is maxed out. He comes from an over the top release. He showed a change with some fade from lefties and a little sink. His slider is a 1-7 pitch with good bite. His curveball is a big breaking 12-6 with good depth. He throws both a straight 4-seam fastball and a 2-seam with some run in on righties and good sink and is his primary fastball. His curveball served as his out pitch and his slider flashed plus with excellent bite. He preferred to throw sliders in on lefties rather than throw changeups away. Another guy I view as a middle of the rotation starter and would probably be a # 2 if he got out of Texas for a year or two.

1st: FB (87-89), SL (83-84), CB (71), CU (79)

2nd: FB (88-91), SL (82-83), CB (72-73)

3rd: FB (87-90), SL (82-85), CB (71), CU (82-84)

4th: FB (88-90), SL (83-85)

5th: FB (89-91), SL (83-85), CB (71-74)

6th: FB (87-91), SL (84-85)

7th: FB (87-90), SL (84-86), CB (68)

3) Kevin Jepsen: 9 pitches. 0 strikes swinging.

• Jepsen comes from an over the top release with a 4-seam fastball with some run in on righties, a cutter with good cut that can flash 2-7 slider movement and a power 12-6 curve. This appeared to be the 1st outing he showed his cutter.

6th: FB (95-97), CB (83-84), Cut (92-93)

4) Matt Palmer: 26 pitches. 4 strikes swinging. 2 on Curveballs (8th) and 2 on Cutters (8th)

• Palmer is back in the pen and did not pick up velocity as so many other have. He comes from a high 3/4 with a 2-seam fastball that has good run in on righties, a big breaking 12-6 curve with good depth, a cutter with good cut and he will drop down sidearm to throw curves. Used the curveball as his out pitch.

7th: FB (88-90), Cut (88), CB (74)

8th: FB (88-90), Cut (87-88), CB (71-75)

5) Darren O'Day: 12 pitches. 1 strike swinging. Slider

• O'Day is a sidearming, almost submarine righty who showed a fastball with good run in on righties and a 9-4 slider with good bite.

7th: FB (83-84), SL (76-77)

6) C.J. Wilson: 4 strikes swinging. 2 Fastballs, Slider, Cutter

• Wilison came from a high 3/4 release and showed a fastball with good run in on righties, a sharp 10-4 slider with good late bite and a cutter that moves similar to his slider, but at a higher velocity.

8th: FB (92-95), SL (83-85), Cut (88-90)

7) Frank Francisco: 2 strikes swinging. Fastball, Splitter

• Francisco came from an over the top, almost high 3/4 release. His fastball has some run in on righties and some late sink. His curve is a sharp 12-6 with good depth. His fastball can flatten out and be dead straight. His split had okay dive and wasn't as good as I had seen it previously. He can throw a bad split that can resemble a slider. He really battled his command.

9th: FB (91-95), CB (80), Split (85-87)

8) Justin Speier: 15 pitches. 0 strikes swinging.

• Speier came from a 3/4 release and showed a fastball with some armside run, a sharp 2-7 slider with good bite or could just be a spinner and a splitter with solid dive.

9th: FB (87-90), SL (84-87), Split (81)

Chart Observations: LAA @ TEX

1) Sean O'Sullivan: 90 pitches. 7 strikes swinging. 6 on Changeups (1st, 2nd, 3 in 3rd, 4th), Curveball (6th)

• He came from an over the top release with a fastball that is a 2-seam with good sink and a little run in on righties, a 12-6 curve with good depth and a change with excellent fade from lefties and some sink. He will throw his change to righties and it is his out pitch. His velocity was down from his MLB debut and looks to project now to a # 4 as opposed to # 3 if he loses the weight.

1st: FB (86-91), CB (77-79), CU (75-76)

2nd: FB (87-90), CB (76-78), CU (76)

3rd: FB (87-90), CB (75-78), CU (75-77)

4th: FB (85-87), CB (76), CU (75)

5th: FB (86-88), CB (75-76), CU (72-75)

6th: FB (86-88), CB (75-79), CU (74-75)

2) Vicente Padilla: 97 pitches. 6 strikes swinging. 4 on Fastballs (1st, 3rd, 4th, 5th), Splitter (4th), Curveball (3rd)

• Padilla is a 6-2, 220 pound righty. The 31 year old has a medium frame that is maxed out with a little bit of bad weight. He comes from a high 3/4 release. His fastball has some run in on righties and some sink and he will also throw a straight 4-seamer. His split has some dive and can also move like a change. His curveball is a slow, big breaking 12-6 with great depth that is pretty much an eephus pitch. His slider is a sharp 2-7 with pretty good bite. He will throw his split to righties and will also drop down sidearm (once) to throw a curveball that moves like a frisbee slider. Solid # 4 starter who would be much better if he could ever get out of Texas.

1st: FB (89-92), SL (76), Split (83)

2nd: FB (86-91), CB (61)

3rd: FB (85-91), CB (58-72)

4th: FB (87-94), CB (60-73), Split (75-82)

5th: FB (87-93), Split (78-81)

6th: FB (87-91), Split (81)

3) Jason Jennings: 23 pitches. 3 strikes swinging. 3 Sliders (6th, 2 in 7th)

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

6th: FB (87-88), SL (79-82)

7th: FB (87-89), SL (80-81), CU (82)

4) Darren Oliver: 10 pitches. 1 strike swinging. Slider.

• Oliver came from a 3/4 release and showed a fastball with some run in on righties and a 9-4 slider with good bite.

7th: FB (86-89), SL (77-78)

5) Jason Grilli: 15 pitches. 0 strikes swinging.

• Grilli came from an over the top release with a fastball with some run in on righties and some marginal sink on righties and a slider that is an average 2-7.

8th: FB (90-92), SL (83-84)

6) Justin Speier: 20 pitches. 2 strikes swinging. 2 Sliders

• Speier came from a 3/4 release and showed a sharp slider that moved more like a cutter, a fastball with some run in on righties and a splitter that has some dive.

8th: FB (85-91), SL (82-85), Split (81-82)

7) Eddie Guardado: 14 pitches. 2 strikes swinging. 2 Fastballs

• Guardado came from a high 3/4 release and showed a straight 4-seam fastball and a slurvy 10-4 slider with okay bite.

9th: FB (84-87), SL (77)

8) Doug Mathis: 5 pitches. 0 strikes swinging.

• Mathis is a 6-3, 220 pound righty. The 26 year old has a medium to big frame with the room to add a little more muscle. He comes from an over the top release. His fastball is a 2-seam with a little sink and run in on righties. His curve is his best off-speed pitch and is a big breaking 12-6 with a little bite. His slider is a sharp 1-7 type pitch with some bite. More of a middle reliever who you don't want to pitch while winning and is a 10th or 11th guy in a pen.

9th: FB (89-90), CB (75-77), SL (83)

9) Brian Fuentes: 10 pitches. 1 strike swinging. Slider

• Fuentes is a slinger from a 3/4 release with a fastball that has some run in on righties and a 10-4 slider with good bite.

9th: FB (88-90), SL (76)

• Julio Borbon made his major league debut last night. The 6-1, 180 pound lefty is 23 years old. He has a medium frame that can get up to at least 205. He has a slightly open stance and is slightly crouched. He has a little bat wiggle and his trigger is a cocking of the bat and a step where he stands on his toe a little bit. He is a gap to gap hitter who supposedly has good speed (he DH'd and never hit the ball on the ground, striking out twice and popping out) and his swing can get long. He also has some strides to make in regards to pitch recognition, as he flailed at O'Sullivan's change. He showed a good ability to command the strike zone in AAA (25 BB, 29 K in 302 at bats) so he will likely just need time to do that in the majors. I don't think he will ever hit for much power. Not sure where he fits defensively since I haven't seen him, but his bat will likely only play in center.

Chart Observations: TEX @ SF

• Matt Cain is a 6-3, 245 pound righty. The 24 year old has a medium to big frame that is maxed out. He comes from an over the top release primarily, but will be anywhere between over the top and 3/4. His fastball shows some run and a little sink. His curveball is a power 12-6 with good depth that can be a strikeout pitch. His change has excellent fade and sink and is a pitch he will throw to righties. He also throws a hard slider that is a 2-7 pitch with good bite. It appears his arm can occasionally lag behind his delivery and he does have some command issues (but not control issues). He tends to pitch to the middle of the plate as opposed to the corners. Cain is a strong # 2 right now, as all his pitches are at least above average, but I want to see more consistent command before I call him an ace.

1st: FB (91-94), SL (88), CU (86-87), CB (77-78)

2nd: FB (92-95), SL (89), CU (88), CB (76)

3rd: FB (91-96), SL (88), CU (89), CB (77)

4th: FB (92-94), SL (86), CB (76)

5th: FB (91-95), CU (89), CB (75-78)

6th: FB (93-95), SL (86-88), CU (87-88), CB (75-80)

7th: FB (92-94), SL (89), CU (86-87)

8th: FB (92-94), SL (87), CU (86)

• Derek Holland is a 6-2, 185 pound lefty. The 22 year old has a medium frame that can get up to 205 at least. He comes from a high 3/4 release with a classic drop and drive delivery. He has a Bronson Arroyo type leg kick and has a very quiet delivery until right before release and he has a little bit of a head jerk. His fastball has good run in on righties and a little sink. His change is a straight change with some late sink and fade. His curveball is a 11-4 with good bite and it can be sharp or a get me over pitch. His slider is a flat, sharp 10-4 pitch that can show good bite, but is usually below average. Holland is currently a # 4 or # 5 starter, as he has no consistent off speed pitch or great command (probably right around average). However, he is a guy with a bright future (barring injury). He projects to be at least a strong # 2 or a closer. I think he settles in the back of a bullpen.

1st: FB (94-96), CU (84)

2nd: FB (93-96), CB (78-79), SL (81)

3rd: FB (92-95), CB (77-79), SL (85)

4th: FB (92-93)

5th: FB (91-96), CU (82-85), CB (74-78)

6th: FB (91-95), CB (73)

7th: FB (92-95), CU (84), CB (78), SL (84-86)

• Frank Francisco is a 6-3, 230 pound righty. The 29 year old has a medium to big frame that is maxed out. He comes from a high 3/4 release with a classic drop and drive delivery. His fastball shows good run and sink. His split shows excellent late dive and is a plus pitch. His curveball is a 12-6 pitch with good depth. Francisco is a very underrated closer who can run into the occasional control problem. He is an above average major league closer.

8th: FB (92-94), Split (84-86), CB (76)

• Darren O'Day is a sidearming righty who featured a fastball with good sink and run and a 3-8 slider with solid bite.

9th: FB (85-86), SL (76-78)

• Brian Wilson comes from a high 3/4 release and shows a straight 4-seam fastball with a little run and a cutter with good cut and some sink and can move like a sharp 2-7 slider at times.

9th: FB (96-97), Cut (89-92)

10th: FB (96-98), Cut (89-91)

• Jason Jennings is a 6-2, 235 pound righty. The 30 year old has a medium frame that is maxed out and has some bad weight, as his thighs are gargantuan and look to rub together as he walks. He comes from an over the top release. His arm action raises some concerns to me, as he almost throws with a straight arm and looks like he puts a lot of strain on his shoulder. His fastball shows above average sink and run. His slider is a 1-7 offering with good bite that can look like a curveball at times. Solid middle reliever for however long he can stay healthy. I wouldn't count on him for a full season due to his body and arm action.

10th: FB (88), SL (80-82)

11th: FB (88-89), SL (81-82)

• Sergio Romo comes from a 3/4 release with a fastball that shows some run and flashes plus run and a 2-7 slider with some bite that is a latebreaker and stays on the same plane as his fastball until it breaks. He is pitching a little over his head right now and will likely be returning to earth shortly. Solid middle reliever, but not a guy who won't walk guys or be a set-up guy.

11th: FB (88-90), SL (76-78)

• Brandon Boggs made a pinch hit appearance and is a 5-11, 205 pound 26 year old. The switch hitter, righty thrower has a small frame that is maxed out and may have some bad weight and is another Ranger that has very big thighs. As a lefty, he has a slightly open stance where he stands fairly straight up with some bat wiggle. His trigger is a small step with weight shifting back and cocking of the bat. He struck out.

HOU @ TEX

• Russ Ortiz comes from an over the top release and showed a straight 4-seam fastball, a slider with some good bite and is a 2-7 type pitch, a change with some sink and fade, a cutter with some cut and bite and a curveball that is a 12-5 pitch with good depth. His change can be just a floater at times. He pitched out of the stretch the entire time. He will also throw a 2-seam fastball with some fade and a little sink. Swingman.

1st: FB (88-89), CB (75-77), SL (84), Cut (87), CU (82)

2nd: FB (88-89), CB (76), Cut (87-88), CU (83-84)

3rd: FB (88-89), CB (76-77), SL (85), Cut (85-86), CU (83)

4th: FB (87-89), CB (77), Cut (86-87), CU (81-84)

5th: FB (86-90), CB (77), SL (84-85)

6th: FB (86-89), CB (73-80), Cut (85-86), CU (81-83)

• Matt Harrison, a 6-4, 225 pound lefty, opposed him. The 23 year old has a big frame that is close to maxed out. He comes from a high 3/4 release. His tempo has slowed back down between pitches, but still moves quickly in his motion. His command was off tonight again and may be because of a bad tempo, or he just may struggle to throw strikes period. His fastball is a straight 4-seam with a little run. His change is a straight change with some sink and fade and looks like a fastball out of his hand and is his best off-speed pitch. His cutter has some cut. His slider is a slurvy 10-4 pitch with okay bite. He will also throw a 2-seam fastball with some sink. Likes to throw the cutter in on righties. # 4 starter now and has the potential to be a # 3 depending on how much command he can learn.

1st: FB (90-94), CU (81-82), Cut (88)

2nd: FB (89-93), SL (77-79)

3rd: FB (88-91)

4th: FB (88-93), CU (80-81), SL (76-79)

5th: FB (87-92), CU (79-82), SL (75-79), Cut (86)

• Jason Grilli comes from an over the top release and shows a fastball that is a straight 4-seam and a slider that is a 2-7 pitch with good bite. Command is still an issue.

6th: FB (91-93), SL (84-87)

• Darren O'Day is a 6-4, 220 pound righty. The 26 year old has a big frame that can add more muscle. He is a sidearmer and almost comes submarine. His fastball has good run and sink and his slider just keep moving away from righties and has some bite (3-8 pitch). It is a sweeping slider that he can throw to both corners. He has plus command of his stuff. Solid middle reliever. Think Chad Bradford in his prime.

7th: FB (83-87), SL (76-79)

• Chris Sampson is a 6-1, 205 pound righty. The 31 year old has a medium frame that can add a little more muscle. He comes from a high 3/4 release. His fastball is a 2-seam with some sink and fade. His curveball is a 2-8 pitch with some depth. His slider is a 2-7 pitch that is more downward movement and has some good bite. I would rather see him as a swingman and don't like him as a 1 inning reliever.

7th: FB (86-88), CB (77), SL (82)

• Eddie Guardado is a 6-0, 225 pound lefty. The 38 year old has a medium frame that is maxed out. He comes from a high 3/4 release and shows a straight 4-seam fastball, a slurvy 11-4 slider with solid bite and a straight change that isn't anything special. He has plus command, but even with that command he can't get hitters out. He's done in my opinion.

8th: FB (84-88), SL (78-79), CU (82)

• LaTroy Hawkins comes from an over the top release and showed a straight 4-seam fastball and a slider that could be sharp or flat and was very inconsistent tonight. Solid middle reliever and can set up and close on occasion.

8th: FB (91-95), SL (87-90)

• C.J. Wilson is a 6-1, 215 pound lefty. The 28 year old has a medium frame that can get up to 225. He comes from a high 3/4 release. His fastball shows good run and sink. His slider is a 11-4 pitch with good late bite and is more of a downward action pitch. His cutter has some cut and sink and his change is a straight change with some sink. Good late inning reliever who has appeared to put his control issues in the past.

9th: FB (91-94), SL (83), CU (86), Cut (89)

10th: FB (93-94), SL (81-86), Cut (88)

• Jose Valverde is a 6-4, 280 pound behemoth righty. The 31 year old has a big frame that is maxed out with some bad weight. He comes from an over the top release and has some cocking arm action. His fastball is a straight 4-seam. His splitter shows good dive and is an above average pitch. He is just an average closer now.

9th: FB (93-96), Split (84-86)

• Jeff Fulchino comes from an over the top release and shows a straight 4-seam fastball and an average 2-7 slider with okay bite that he can subtract from to make it look like a curveball. Middle reliever.

10th: FB (89-94), SL (81-83)

2 charts (1 extra) and the Blue Jays game featuring the MLB debut of Brad Mills.

SEA vs. TEX

Yes, I had the same teams for a score 2 days in a row and got to watch them end in exciting fashions.

• Felix Hernandez started for the Mariners and didn't have his best stuff. The Rangers failed to get on him early and he settled in very well. His fastball sat at 88-94 (and was only 90-92 most of the time), a changeup at 84-89, a slider at 81-86 and a curveball at 80-83. No changes on my thinking of him, potential to be best starter in baseball.
• Matt Harrison opposed him and made me look like an idiot. As soon as you think someone is a borderline major league pitcher, they make some adjustments and turn a corner and Harrison has done that. Harrison, from a 3/4 release, has sped up his wind-up and is pitching with much better tempo, something that has been a staple of Mark Buehrle for years. He also is showing a new willingness to both pitch inside and throw offspeed stuff when behind in the count. Harrison's fastball sat at 87-93, his changeup was 77-81, his slider was 76-83, his curveball was 73-75 and I believe he has added a cutter, which was 83-86. He also showed plus command. If he can maintain this plus command, he is a solid # 3 starter. If not, back to back-of-the rotation starter. My money is now on him to be a # 3 starter. Mike Maddux has done wonders for those starters.
• David Aardsma was 90-93 with his fastball and threw a slider at 81 and a splitter at 86.
• Brandon Morrow blew another save in big fashion (allowed about a 460 foot shot by Hank Blalock followed by a 415 foot shot by Chris Davis that drove in the other 2 runs). He still has great stuff, but he only throws his fastball. His fastball was 93-96 and doesn't have the movement or command of it to be as effective as other fastball-happy closers, like a Jonathan Papelbon. Morrow shows good off-speed stuff but can't throw them for strikes and so they aren't called. His catchers will need to call more off-speed stuff or this will continue to occur.
• Wladimir Balentien, a 6-2 220 pound 24 year old, has a medium to large frame that can add on a little bit more muscle. He has a slightly open stance with a little bat wiggle and he utilizes a toe turn.. He currently has average power, but should get some more as he continues to develop his frame. He shows the ability to hit to all fields. Solid, major league average starting corner outfielder.
• David Murphy, a 6-4 205 pound 27 year old, has a big frame that can add a lot more muscle. He has a slightly open stance, but is hunched over a little bit. He has a fairly long swing, so he must cheat to hit fastballs. He has average speed. He is a guy who is a 4th OF who can't play CF and doesn't have great power. He is someone that may be finding his usefulness in the majors coming to a close. I think his upside is that of a 4th OF.
• Taylor Teagarden, a 6-1 200 pound 25 year old, has a medium frame with room to add more muscle, especially to his lower half. He has a fairly straight-up stance and brings his hands forward and back as part of his trigger. This causes his swing to lengthen at times, but allows him to generate a little more pop. Teagarden is an interesting guy, as he has failed to hit for average for quite awhile now. He is a quality catch and throw guy and does a good job blocking balls. He may follow in the path of another former top prospect in the AL West, Jeff Mathis, but provide more power.

SEA vs. TEX

• Jarrod Washburn started for the Mariners and featured his 5 pitch mix of a fastball at 84-89, a cutter at 84-87, a changeup at 77-84 (2nd most thrown pitch), a slider at 74-80 that he used to lefties and righties to get ahead or put away and a curveball at 66-68 that he threw on the 1st pitch to get a cheap strike. No change on my opinion of him, but the lack of velocity on his fastball is concerning.
• Brandon McCarthy opposed him and he disappointed me. He has lost a lot of fastball velocity since he was a reliever for the White Sox. McCarthy showed a fastball at 87-90, a hard curveball from 76-81, a soft curveball from 72-75 and a changeup at 76-79. McCarthy's curveball is plus, but it isn't a strikeout pitch. His fastball is merely average and his changeup is a tick above average. If he can throw strikes with the curveball, he can be a middle of the rotation starter. If he doesn't, he is a back-end starter at best. He attacks hitters from straight over the top and showed above average command of all his pitches tonight.
• David Aardsma was 91-95 with his fastball and threw one slider at 81 that hung. His fastball is plus, but you have to wonder how long he can get away with it being his only pitch.
• Eddie Guardado is done in my opinion. Tonight, he was 84-86 with his fastball, 76-79 with his slider and threw a changeup at 77. Having 3 lefties (Guardado, Wilson and Derek Holland) is a luxury that this team needs to correct, especially since Guardado has had struggles this season.
• Darren O'Day is a side-arming, ground ball forcing right hander who has been phenomenal since coming over. He sat at 84-86 with his fastball and his slider was 76-77. He looks like a legitimate major league ROOGY (and even struck out Russell Branyan). It appears the Mets allowed another one to get away. I think he profiles very well as a right handed middle reliever, with his main role being to get out tough righties or to get double plays.
• Sean White showed a fastball at 90-92, an average slider at 83-86 and a plus changeup at 80-82. He needs to throw the change more, as this was his best off-speed pitch in my opinion. He may be getting the message, as he used it to strike out Marlon Byrd, a right hander.
• C.J. Wilson was in line to take the loss before Brandon Morrow's struggles, but he pitched well. He showcased a fastball at 91-93, a slider at 81-86 and a changeup at 83-85. He was over exposed as a closer, but he is a quality setup guy, as his fastball velocity is plus. His slider and changeup are both a tick above average. He showed strong command tonight as well.
• Garrett Olson made an appearance tonight and was in line to get the win. Olson attacked hitters with a fastball at 87-90, a curveball at 79-80 that moves more like a slider and a changeup at 80-82. Olson definitely doesn't have the stuff to be a starter and I don't think he has the stuff to be better then a long reliever/mop-up guy. He needs to further refine his command and his off-speed offerings.
• Brandon Morrow took the loss after allowing a shot to Hank Blalock that I thought was gone off the bat. He showed a plus fastball at 94-98 and plus curveball at 83-84. He should have had Josh Hamilton struck out looking on a great curveball, but the home plate umpire couldn't pull the trigger. He has great potential, but his command has a ways to go until you can feel confident when he is out there. Right now, every save will be an adventure.
• Elvis Andrus is a 20 year old who stands 6-0, 185 pounds. He has a medium frame with the room to add quite a bit more muscle, probably at least 10 pounds. He features a fairly straight up stance and holds the bat above his shoulder at a 45 degree angle. He shows a little bat wiggle. He seems to bring all his weight forward when he strides, limiting the time to make a decision to swing or not. He is a very aggressive hitter. He is a special fielder, one with great hands and an above average accurate arm. He has plus range to his right. He is a plus runner with borderline 75 speed. His worst case scenario in my opinion is a career like Omar Vizquel's, as he is close to the same class of fielder potentially. Best case? He is 20 and playing in the majors. The sky is the limit for this kid, though he will likely never be more then a 20 home run guy.

Tomorrow I have an extra chart and will see the same 2 teams again with a match-up of Felix Hernandez and Matt Harrison.

Chart Impressions: OAK @ TEX

• Vicente Padilla was on the bump for Texas. I was not a Vicente Padilla fan, but let me tell you something, he may be one of the most underrated pitchers out there. It appears only he and Kevin Millwood have the ability to be consistent starters in Texas and I wonder what Padilla would be capable of in a real ballpark (as opposed to a bandbox). Padilla attacks hitters with a 4-seam fastball and a 2-seam fastball that has a lot of fade and very good movement. He also throws a solid average slider, solid average splitter and a curveball that is about 50-65 miles per hour. He also adjusts his gameplans based off what he is facing. Oakland threw out a lineup chock full of left handers and Padilla basically turned into a very effective fastball-splitter pitcher. Padilla may never get his due, but he has won me over.
• Dallas Braden looked good. I am as skeptical of pitchers who can't break 90 with their fastball as the next guy, but Braden can make himself a solid # 4 starter. His changeup is very good and has about a 15 mile per hour difference, more then enough to screw with the timing of hitters. He also throws a solid average slider and a rare (threw one) cutter. He had good command and with Oakland's current reliance on defense, he is one that may have a strong season (sub 4 ERA) because of it.
• Andrew Bailey is your typical right handed reliever who is fastball-cutter (he calls it a cutter, some have slider-like break). Fastball-slider relievers tend to grow on trees and he will need to prove he is not a 1-month wonder. I have my doubts, as he struggled with the command of his low 90's fastball in this outing.
• Russ Springer needs to have your respect just because he came back from a serious arm injury to turn himself into a solid middle reliever. Similar to Bailey in that he is fastball (low 90's) and cutter (mid 80's, also with slider-like break), but he also utilizes a curveball in the mid 70's. His ability to change speeds helps him compensate for the lack of a true out pitch.
• I was a Michael Wuertz fan when he was with the Cubs. I thought his stuff warranted more then just bus trips from Chicago to Omaha. After seeing him with Oakland though, he just doesn't have the command of his slider anymore (and he has also lost some bite from his Chicago days). I think I now agree with the Cubs that he is a 4-A reliever. A good guy to have when someone goes down, but you don't want to rely on this guy.
• As a starter, Jason Jennings was pounded. However, as a reliever, he may be a strong middle guy. Jennings will not over-power you with his 2 pitches (a high 80's 2-seamer with good sink and a low 80's slider), but he has enough command of the two to not allow hitters to really sit on either pitch. Now, as the scouting reports get out, his over reliance on his slider may hurt him, but I think he can be good over a full season if he stays healthy.
• Watch Texas' hitters next time you get a chance. They all seem to be fairly straight up in their stances and their heads are straight at the pitcher, not slanted. This allows them to keep their head in the same spot during their swing, allowing them to see the ball longer. There's a reason Rudy Jaramillo is the best in the business.
• Andruw Jones is back. He is in shape and can turn on fastballs again. The risk taken by Texas has paid off (though the risk was negligible enough where it wasn't too risky, just a minor league contract).
• Elvis Andrus is 20 and in the big leagues. He has all the familiar symptoms of a player that has been rushed. He has zero plate discipline and doesn't control the strike zone well. He still has very little muscle on his body with that end result meaning he doesn't have much power. My personal opinion was that Texas should have kept Michael Young at SS and played Hank Blalock or Chris Davis (whichever wasn't at 1B) at 3rd. But, Andrus is a big upgrade over Young defensively and defense is the new "it" thing nowadays (like OBP after Moneyball). Will this result in a stagnation of Elvis' skills, or will he be able to continue developing at the big league level? Only time will tell.
• Nelson Cruz has real power. Legitimate 80 power in my opinion. The fact that he can now utilize it without getting out on 9 out of 10 at bats mean that this kid may be a late bloomer. FYI: Cruz went through a little of what Elvis will be going through. Took him 3 seasons of big leagues and AAA to finally develop into the hitter he is. Don't be quick to judge.
• Oakland ran out a collection of who's who from their current roster to start yesterday. Landon Powell is a big-bodied catcher (how about the fact the A's drafted 2 college catchers in the 1st round and they both made it?) who may not actually catch. He reminds me a lot of Jack Cust, but that isn't a good thing, as he lacks Cust's ability to work the count and his power. He played 1st base yesterday, so who knows just how good he is behind the plate? I was a big Eric Patterson fan as well when he was with the Cubs (and Georgia Tech). I thought he just needed at-bats to establish himself. Well, he is a utility player. And one that won't hit. He just has no muscle on his frame and is not fast enough to get away with that. Another 4-A player. I also liked (but wasn't a huge fan) of Travis Buck, but I feel his swing has undergone some major changes (and not for the better in my opinion) since his strong rookie season. His front shoulder tends to fly out a ton and while he still has his ability to draw walks, he can't hit. Major league pitchers just need to challenge him, as his ability to translate his power has fallen off considerably.

Live scoring assignment tonight is the Mets and Phillies with a pitching match-up of the great Mike Pelfrey and the immeasurable Chan-Ho Park in Philadelphia. God Help Me.