Chart Observations: 9/30: STL @ CIN

1) Bronson Arroyo: FB, SL, CB, CU, Cut. 111 pitches. 10 strikes swinging. 3 Fastballs, 3 Frisbee Sliders, 3 Changeups, Curveball.

• Arroyo came from an over the top release and showed a fastball with good run in on righties and some sink, a change with good fade from lefties and some sink that he will throw to righties, a 12-6 curve with slightly above average depth, a cutter with some cut and a 3-8 frisbee slider with some bite.

1st: FB (87-90), FSL (75-78), CB (69-74), CU (81) - FB (Schumaker)

2nd: FB (86-88), FSL (68-76) - FB (Rasmus)

3rd: FB (86-90), FSL (72-74), CB (65), CU (74)

4th: FB (86-89), FSL (69-73), CU (76-83), Cut (88) - 2 FSL (Rasmus - 2), CU (DeRosa)

5th: FB (87-88), FSL (74-75), CB (67-70), CU (81-83) - FSL (Ludwick)

6th: FB (88-89), FSL (68), CB (69), CU (81-83) - FB (Thurston), CU (Thurston)

7th: FB (87-88), FSL (74), CB (69), CU (79-83) - CU (Pujols), CB (Holliday)

8th: FB (88-89), FSL (72-75), CU (80-83)

9th: FB (88), FSL (69-72), CU (77-84)

2) John Smoltz: FB, SL, Split, CB, CU. 87 pitches. 10 strikes swinging. 5 Curveballs, 5 Sliders.

• Smoltz came from a high 3/4 release and showed a fastball with a little run in on righties, a 2-7 slider with good bite, a 12-6 curve with average depth, a change with some fade from lefties and some sink and a

1st: FB (91), SL (82-85), CB (74-75) - SL (Janish), CB (Votto)

2nd: FB (89-91), SL (81-87), CB (75-77), CU (85) - 4 SL (Bruce, Hanigan - 2, Janish), CB (Nix)

3rd: FB (89-91), SL (83-86), CB (74-76) - 3 CB (Nix - 2, Arroyo)

4th: FB (88-90), CB (76), CU (82)

3) Dennys Reyes: FB, SL, CU. 12 pitches. 2 strikes swinging. Fastball, Changeup.

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

5th: FB (88-89), SL (82-83), CU (84) - FB (Arroyo), CU (Arroyo)

4) Josh Kinney: FB, SL, CB. 18 pitches. 0 strikes swinging.

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

6th: FB (90-91), SL (81-84)

7th: FB (88-90), SL (82)

5) Brad Thompson: FB, CB, CU. 17 pitches. 0 strikes swinging.

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

8th: FB (85-87), CB (75-77)

6) Nick Masset: FB, CB, Cut, Split. 18 pitches. 3 strikes swinging. 2 Cutters, Fastball.

• Masset came from an over the top release and showed a splitter with some dive, a 12-6 curve with slightly above average depth, a cutter with some cut and a straight 4-seam fastball.

9th: FB (94), CB (79-82), Cut (89-90), Split (87-89) - 2 Cut (Pujols - 2), FB (Ludwick)

Drew Stubbs: Consistently under 4.0 to 1st from the right side. Plus speed.

CIN @ HOU

1) Justin Lehr: FB, Split, CB, Cut, SL

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

1st: FB (84-87), Split (81-82), CB (72-73)

2nd: FB (83-87), Split (81-84), CB (71-72), Cut (82-84), SL (78) - 2 Split (Blum, Paulino)

3rd: FB (83-87), Split (80), CB (69-74), Cut (83) - CB (Blum)

4th: FB (84-88), Split (79-81), CB (70), Cut (81)

5th: FB (84-87), Split (80-81), CB (70-71), Cut (80-81) - Split (Bourn)

2) Felipe Paulino: FB, SL, CU, CB. 92 pitches. 12 strikes swinging. 4 Fastballs, 3 Sliders, 3 Changeups, Curveball.

• Paulino 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 2-7 slider with some bite and in 3-1 and 3-2 counts and a change with some fade from lefties and some sink.

1st: FB (96-97), SL (87-89), CB (75) - FB (Votto), SL (Phillips)

2nd: FB (93-97), SL (87-88), CU (83) - FB (Francisco), CU (Bruce)

3rd: FB (94-96), SL (87-88), CU (85-87) - FB (Bruce), 2 CU (Votto, Francisco)

4th: FB (91-96), SL (83-88), CB (74) - FB (Janish), SL (Lehr), CB (Janish)

5th: FB (92-96), SL (85-88), CU (85-87), CB (75-78) - 2 SL (Phillips, Miller)

3) Doug Brocail: FB, SL, CB, CU, Cut. 11 pitches. 0 strikes swinging.

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

6th: FB (89-91), SL (86), CB (77), CU (79), Cut (85-89)

4) Micah Owings: FB, SL, CU. 23 pitches. 1 strike swinging. Fastball.

• Owings came from a 3/4 release and showed a fastball with a little cutting action, a change with some fade from lefties and some sink and a 2-7 slider with some bite.

6th: FB (89-92), SL (72), CU (75-77) - FB (Matsui)

7th: FB (88-90), CU (76-78)

5) Tim Byrdak: FB, SL, CU, CB. 13 pitches. 0 strikes swinging.

• Byrdak came from an over the top release and showed a fastball with some run in on lefties, a change with some fade from righties and some sink and a 11-5 slider with some bite that he will throw 3-1.

7th: FB (88-92), SL (80-86), CU (81)

6) Danny Ray Herrera: FB, CU, SL, Cut. 6 pitches. 1 strike swinging. Cutter.

• Herrera came from an over the top release and showed a cutter with some cut, a 11-5 slider with good bite, a change with plus dive that is basically a screwball, a fastball with some run in on lefties and some sink.

7th: FB (86), CU (67), SL (74), Cut (81-83) - Cut (Bourn)

7) Sam Gervacio: FB, SL, CU. 13 pitches.

• Gervacio came from a 3/4 release and showed a fastball with good run in on righties and some sink, a change with good fade from lefties and some sink and a 3-8 slider with good bite.

8th: FB (90-93), SL (85-86), CU (83-84) - 3 FB (Miller - 2, Stubbs), 2 CU (Nix - 2)

8) Nick Masset: FB, Cut, Split, CB. 13 pitches.

• Masset came from an over the top release and showed a fastball with some run in on righties and a little sink, a cutter with some late cutting action,

8th: FB (96-97), Cut (90-92), Split (90) - 3 Cut (Lee - 2, Pence)

9) Jeff Fulchino: FB, SL, Split. 21 pitches. 6 strikes swinging.

• Fulchino came from a high 3/4 release with a 2-7 slider with a little bite, a fastball with a little run in on righties and a split with some dive.

9th: FB (92-95), SL (83-86), Split (85-86) - FB (Phillips, Bruce, Francisco), SL (Votto, Francisco), Split (Votto, Francisco)

10) Jared Burton: FB, Cut, SL, CU. 10 pitches. 1 strike swinging. Slider.

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

9th: FB (88-89), Cut (91-93), SL (83) - SL (Matsui)

Reds Extras (Plus 2 Diamondbacks)

1) Edinson Volquez: FB, CU, CB, SL
5/10: 108 pitches. 16 strikes swinging. 9 Changeups, 6 Fastballs, Slider.

• Volquez is a 6-0, 210 pound righty. The 26 year old has a small frame that appears to be maxed out. He came from a high 3/4 release with a classic drop and drive delivery. He has a real long arm action, with the arm straightening out at the bottom of the arm circle and then bending again as he comes back up through the zone. His fastball has good run in on righties and good sink. His fastball is explosive and has some late giddy-up to it. His change has some fade from lefties and some sink that looks like a fastball out of his hand until its late break. His slider is a sharp 2-7 with good bite. His curve is a sharp 12-6 with average depth. Looks like an ace, but will need to come back from TJS with his stuff intact.

1st: FB (91-97), CU (81-82) - FB (Pujols), 3 CU (Ludwick, Duncan - 2)

2nd: FB (91-94), CU (78-80), SL (79), CB (74) - CU (Greene), SL (Greene)

3rd: FB (91-96), CU (79-81), SL (78-80) - 3 FB (Ludwick, Molina - 2), CU (Wainwright)

4th: FB (91-94), SL (78-79)

5th: FB (93-97), CU (82), SL (81), CB (76) - 2 CU (Ludwick, Duncan)

6th: FB (93-96), CU (80-81), SL (80), CB (76) - FB (Barden), CU (Molina)

7th: FB (92-96), CU (80-84), SL (80), CB (75) - FB (Schumaker), CU (Schumaker)

2) Bobby Korecky: FB, SL, CU

5/11: 49 pitches. 3 strikes swinging. Fastball, Slider, Changeup.

• Korecky is a 5-11, 185 pound righty. The 30 year old has a small frame that can add a little more muscle, but not much. He came from an over the top release working predominately from the stretch with pretty clean mechanics. His slider is a 2-7 offering with some bite. His fastball has some run in on righties and some sink. His change has some fade from lefties and some sink. 4-A pitcher that likely can't be a full-time reliever.

6th: FB (89-91), SL (79-81), CU (84-85) - FB (Bruce), CU (Hernandez)

7th: FB (89-91), SL (78-80), CU (84-86) - SL (Arroyo)

3) Mike Lincoln: FB, CB, Cut, SL, CU

5/11: 11 pitches. 0 strikes swinging.

• Lincoln is a 6-2, 220 pound righty. The 34 year old has a medium frame that is maxed out. He came from an over the top release with clean mechanics. His fastball has some run in on righties and some sink. His curve is a big breaking 12-6 with above average depth. His cutter has a little cut. Solid middle reliever who should have another year or two left.

9th: FB (89-91), CB (75-77), Cut (88)

4) Johnny Cueto: FB, SL, CU

5/13: 100 pitches. 8 strikes swinging. 5 Fastballs, 2 Sliders, Changeup.

• Cueto is a 5-10, 200 pound righty. The 23 year old has a small frame that appears to be maxed out with a strong, athletic build. He came from an over the top release with pretty clean mechanics, though he does have a slight twist in his arm action. His fastball is a pretty straight 4-seam with a little late run in on righties. His slider is a 2-7 offering with good bite. His change has some fade from lefties and some sink. Solid pitcher who should be a fairly solid # 3 who will likely have a Cy Young consideration season on of the years.

1st: FB (90-94), SL (85-89) - SL (Upton)

2nd: FB (91-93), SL (85-88), CU (83)

3rd: FB (91-95), SL (88-89) - FB (Augenstein)

4th: FB (94-96), SL (86-90) - 3 FB (Upton - 2, Drew)

5th: FB (90-94), SL (84-88) - FB (Augenstein), SL (Augenstein)

6th: FB (93-96), SL (84-90), CU (83)

7th: FB (93-94), SL (84-89), CU (83-84) - CU (Ojeda)

5) Bryan Augenstein: FB, SL, CU

5/13: 95 pitches. 4 strikes swinging. 2 Fastballs, 2 Changeups.

• Augenstein is a 6-6, 230 pound righty. The 23 year old has a big frame that is maxed out. He came from a 3/4 release and showed a fastball with good run in on righties and solid sink. His mechanics were very clean. His change has good fade from lefties and some sink that he will throw to righties. His slider is a sweeping 9-4 with good bite. Like him better as a groundball forcing reliever who should be able to get more velocity and be more consistent with it.

1st: FB (85-92), SL (77-80), CU (80) - CU (Bruce)

2nd: FB (84-91), SL (75-79), CU (77-82) - FB (Hernandez), CU (Phillips)

3rd: FB (87-90), SL (72-77), CU (73-83)

4th: SL (75), CU (83)

5th: FB (86-87), SL (75-76), CU (80-82)

6th: FB (87-89), SL (75-78)

7th: FB (83-88), SL (75-79) - FB (Taveras)

Chart Observations: 9/19 FLA @ CIN

1) Bronson Arroyo: 117 pitches. (FB, SL, CB, CU, Cut). 3 strikes swinging. Frisbee Slider, Changeup, Curveball.

• Arroyo came from an over the top release while mixing in a variety of release points and showed a 12-6 curve with slightly above average depth that he will throw 2-0, a frisbee slider with solid bite, a change with good fade from lefties and good sink, a fastball with good run in on righties and good sink, a sharp 2-7 slider with good bite and a cut with some cut.

1st: FB (86-89), FSL (72), CB (70), CU (72)

2nd: FB (86-90), FSL (72-76), CB (66-67), CU (76-83), SL (77)

3rd: FB (87-88), FSL (69-76), CB (69)

4th: FB (88-90), FSL (71-77), CU (77-83)

5th: FB (88-90), FSL (73-75), CB (68), CU (82-83)

6th: FB (87-90), FSL (67-74), CB (68-74), CU (80-83) - FSL (Nolasco), CB (Nolasco)

7th: FB (85-89), CB (64), CU (78-83) - CU (Uggla)

8th: FB (87-89), FSL (74), CU (76-82)

2) Ricky Nolasco: 96 pitches. (FB, SL, CB, Split). 15 strikes swinging. 7 Fastballs, 5 Sliders, 3 Splitters.

• Nolasco came from an over the top release and showed a fastball with some run in on righties, a split with some dive, a 2-7 slider with some bite and a 12-6 curve with above average depth.

1st: FB (89-92), SL (82-84), Split (84-87) - FB (Francisco), Split (Nix)

2nd: FB (88-93), SL (85), CB (76) - 3 FB (Arroyo - 3)

3rd: FB (91-93), SL (81-86), CB (76) - SL (Phillips)

4th: FB (91-93), SL (83-84), CB (76) - 3 SL (Francisco, Bruce - 2)

5th: FB (91-92), SL (79-85), CB (77)

6th: FB (91-93), SL (84-85), CB (73-75), Split (84-86) - SL (Phillips)

7th: FB (90-94), SL (83-86), CB (76), Split (85-88) - 3 FB (Bruce - 2, Janish), 2 Split (Francisco - 2)

3) Brian Sanches: 14 pitches. (FB, SL, Split, CB). 0 strikes swinging.

• Sanches 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 split with good dive.

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

9th: FB (88), SL (82), Split (77)

4) Ramon Ramirez: 10 pitches. (FB, SL, CU). 2 strikes swinging. 2 Changeups.

• Ramirez is a 6-0, 190 pound righty. The 27 year old has a small frame that is maxed out. He came from a high 3/4 release in a max effort delivery, that appears to be fairly clean. His fastball has good run in on righties. His change has good fade from lefties and some sink that he will throw to righties. His slider is a 2-7 pitch with solid bite. Appears to have the stuff to be a solid middle reliever.

9th: FB (91-92), SL (80), CU (83-84) - 2 CU (Uggla - 2)

5) Dan Meyer: 4 pitches. (FB, SL, CU, CB). 0 strikes swinging.

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

9th: FB (92-93)

6) Matt Lindstrom: 8 pitches. (FB, SL, Split). 1 strike swinging. Fastball.

• Lindstrom came from a high 3/4 release and showed a fastball with some run in on righties.

9th: FB (95-98) - FB (Rolen)

Chart Observations: 9/17 HOU @ CIN

1) Yorman Bazardo: 87 pitches. (FB, CU, SL). 3 strikes swinging. 2 Fastballs, Slider.

• Bazardo came from a high 3/4 release and showed a fastball with some run in on righties and some sink, a 2-7 slider with some bite and a change with some fade from lefties and some sink that he will throw to righties.

1st: FB (89-94), SL (82-87) - FB (Rolen)

2nd: FB (89-92), SL (83-86)

3rd: FB (91-94), SL (83-86), CU (83-84)

4th: FB (92-94), SL (82-84), CU (84) - FB (Balentien), SL (Tatum)

5th: FB (92-94), SL (81-85), CU (84)

2) Justin Lehr: 99 pitches. (FB, Split, Cut, CB, SL). 10 strikes swinging. 6 Splitters, 3 Cutters, Curveball.

• Lehr is a 6-2, 215 pound righty. The 32 year old has a medium frame that appears to be maxed out. 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 split has good dive. His curve is a 12-6 with slightly above average depth that is a little loopy that he will throw 3-2. His slider is a 2-7 with below average bite. His cutter has some cut and some sink. The splitter is his out pitch to both lefties and righties.

1st: FB (83-87), Split (78-80), Cut (82), CB (69-73), SL (78) - 2 Split (Bourn, Blum)

2nd: FB (84-86), Split (80-81), Cut (84), CB (71-72), SL (77) - Split (Manzella)

3rd: FB (82-87), Split (77-82), Cut (84-85), CB (70-73), SL (78-79) - Split (Blum)

4th: FB (83-87), Split (79-82), Cut (82), CB (70-73), SL (78) - Split (Pence), CB (Manzella)

5th: FB (85), Split (79-80), Cut (83-85), CB (70-72), SL (78) - Split (Blum), 3 Cut (Towles - 2, Manzella)

3) Pedro Viola: 11 pitches. (FB, SL, CU). 0 strikes swinging.

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

6th: FB (92-94), SL (80), CU (88)

4) Jared Burton: 18 pitches. (Cut, SL, FB, CU). 3 strikes swinging. 2 Changeups, Slider.

• Burton came from a 3/4 release and showed a cutter with solid cut, a change with some fade from lefties and some sink that he will throw to righties and a 2-7 slider with good bite.

6th: Cut (91-92), CU (86-87)

7th: Cut (90-91), CU (87-88), SL (83-84) - 2 CU (Towles - 2), SL (Blum)

5) Wilton Lopez: 22 pitches. (FB, SL, CU). 2 strikes swinging. 2 Fastballs.

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

6th: FB (90-93), SL (83-85) - 2 FB (Tatum, Bruce)

6) Wesley Wright: 7 pitches. (FB, SL, CB, CU). 0 strikes swinging.

• Wright came from a high 3/4 release and showed a 11-5 slider with good bite that he will throw 3-2 and a fastball with some run in on lefties and some sink.

7th: FB (90-92), SL (84-85)

7) Jeff Fulchino: 31 pitches. (FB, SL, Split). 8 strikes swinging. 4 Splitters, 2 Sliders, 2 Fastballs.

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

7th: FB (93-94), SL (81-85), Split (82-85) - FB (Barker), 2 Split (Francisco, Balentien)

8th: FB (93), SL (82-85), Split (82-86) - FB (Bruce), 2 Split (Bruce, Janish), 2 SL (Stubbs - 2)

8) Nick Masset: 9 pitches. (FB, Cut, CB, Split). 1 strike swinging. Curveball.

• Masset came from an over the top release and showed a straight 4-seam fastball, a cutter with some cut, a 12-6 curve with above average depth and a split with some dive that can flatten out.

8th: FB (94-95), Cut (90), CB (81-84), Split (89) - CB (Coste)

9) Francisco Cordero: 11 pitches. (FB, SL, CU). 1 strike swinging. Slider.

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

9th: FB (94-96), SL (87-88) - SL (Pence)

• Tommy Manzella is a 6-2, 200 pound shortstop. The 26 year old righty/righty has a medium frame that can get up to about 215 if he so desires. Athletic, skinny build. His stance is a slightly crouched, straight on stance that is fairly generic. He has a long load and cocks the bat, almost moving it a touch forward before he moves it back. He also has a step in his trigger. Has a long swing and also lacks pitch recognition, not a good combination. On defense, he has an above average arm and soft hands. Utility player who will never hit enough to be a starter.
• Juan Francisco is a 6-2, 180 pound third basemen who made a pinch hit appearance. The 22 year old lefty hitter, righty thrower has a medium frame that looks like it can add more muscle to his upper body. Strong lower half with an athletic build. He has an open stance where he is up on his front toe and has a little bit of a bat wiggle. His trigger is a cocking of the bat and a stride to square himself up. Kind of hunches over as he prepares to hit, which will limit his power production. Is a timing hitter, meaning he likes to guess and can look silly at the plate at times. Solid eye at the plate. Nothing I saw in his 1 at bat would lead me to believe he can't be an everday hitter.

Chart Observations: 9/13 CIN @ CHC

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

6th: FB (91-93)

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

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

6th: Cut (90-91)

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Chart Observations: 9/9 CIN @ COL

1) Jason Hammel: 101 pitches. (FB, CB, SL, CU). 11 strikes swinging. 5 Fastballs, 3 Sliders, 3 Curveballs.

• Hammel came from an over the top release and showed a fairly straight 4-seam fastball, a 2-seam fastball with some run in on righties and some sink, a 12-6 curve with average depth, a 2-7 slider with good bite and a change with some fade from lefties and some sink.

1st: FB (92-93), CB (76), SL (83-86) - FB, SL

2nd: FB (91-93), CB (76), SL (83-84) - FB

3rd: FB (91-93), SL (84-86)

4th: FB (90-93), CB (78), CU (84) - FB

5th: FB (90-92), CB (77), SL (84-85) - FB, CB, SL

6th: FB (91-92), SL (82-85) - FB

7th: FB (92-93), CB (77-78), SL (84) - 2 CB, SL

8th: FB (91-93), CB (78), SL (83-85)

2) Bronson Arroyo: 100 pitches. (FB, SL, CU, CB, Cut). 9 strikes swinging. 3 Curveballs, 3 Changeups, 2 Fastballs, Frisbee Slider.

• Arroyo came from anywhere from an over the top release to a sidearm release and showed a change with some fade from lefties and some sink that he will throw to righties, a frisbee 9-4 slider with good bite, a 1-7 curve with slightly below average depth, a fastball with some run in on righties and a little sink that he will throw from sidearm release with 2 strikes and a cutter with some cut

1st: FB (88-90), FSL (68-72), CB (69-71), CU (74-83)

2nd: FB (88-91), FSL (74-78), CU (79)

3rd: FB (89-91), FSL (70-75), CB (70-75), CU (80-84), Cut (88) - FB, CB, 2 CU

4th: FB (88-90), FSL (78-79), CB (68-72), CU (82) - CU

5th: FB (86-91), FSL (69-76), CU (79-84) - FB, FSL

6th: FB (88-90), FSL (69-78), CB (69-71), CU (84), Cut (85)

7th: FB (88-90), FSL (74-78), CB (71-75) - 2 CB

3) Rafael Betancourt: 11 pitches. (FB, SL, CU). 1 strike swinging. Fastball.

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

8th: FB (92-94), SL (83-84) - FB

4) Joe Beimel: 4 pitches. (FB, CB, CU). 0 strikes swinging.

• Beimel came from a high 3/4 release and showed a 11-5 curve with average depth and a fastball with some tail in on righties.

8th: FB (88-89), CB (72-74)

5) Matt Daley: 18 pitches. (FB, CB, CU). 6 strikes swinging. 4 Fastballs, 2 Sliders.

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

8th: FB (91), SL (77-80) - FB, SL

9th: FB (89-91), SL (78-80) - 3 FB, SL

6) Arthur Rhodes: 9 pitches. (FB, SL, CU). 0 strikes swinging.

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

8th: FB (90-92), SL (80-81)

7) Nick Masset: 9 pitches. (FB, Cut, CB, Split). 1 strike swinging. Fastball.

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

8th: FB (95-96), Cut (90-91), CB (82-83), Split (90) - FB

8) Francisco Cordero: 24 pitches. (FB, SL, CU). 2 strikes swinging. 2 Fastballs.

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

9th: FB (94-98), SL (87-91) - 2 FB

Chart Observations: 9/8 CIN @ COL

1) Jason Marquis: 114 pitches. (FB, SL, CU, Cut, CB). 13 strikes swinging. 9 Sliders, 3 Cutters, Fastball

• Marquis is a 6-1, 210 pound righty. The 31 year old has a medium frame that can add a little more muscle. Athletically built, his lower half can get stronger. He came from an over the top release in pretty clean mechanics that have a nice hip turn to generate max velocity. His 2-seam has above average run in on righties and good sink. His slider is a 2-7 offering with above average bite and is a swing and miss offering. His cutter has some cut. Marquis kept everything down in the zone and just allowed the Reds hitters to hit weak groundballs. Very impressive outing and this season hasn't been a fluke. Solid # 3 starter.

1st: FB (91-92), SL (83-85), Cut (86) - 2 SL

2nd: FB (91-93), SL (85-86), Cut (86-88) - SL

3rd: FB (91-93), SL (85-86), Cut (86-88) - 2 SL, Cut

4th: FB (91-93), SL (84-88), Cut (86-87) - 2 SL, Cut

5th: FB (90-93), SL (85), Cut (86) - FB

6th: FB (90-91), SL (84), Cut (86)

7th: FB (89-92), SL (83-86), Cut (86) - 2 SL, Cut

8th: FB (89-91), SL (85), Cut (84-86)

2) Matt Maloney: 66 pitches. (FB, CU, CB, SL, Cut). 3 strikes swinging. 2 Cutters, Changeup.

• Maloney came from an over the top release and showed a fastball with some run in on lefties, a recently added cutter when he was sent down that has some cut and some sink that he will throw 3-2, a change with above average fade from righties and good sink that is his best off-speed offering and he will throw it to lefties and a 11-5 curve with slightly above average depth.

1st: FB (88-91), Cut (84-87)

2nd: FB (88-91), Cut (86-87), CU (79), CB (70)

3rd: FB (89-91), Cut (85-86), CU (79) - Cut

4th: FB (87-90), Cut (84-86), CU (78-80) - Cut

5th: FB (86-89), Cut (85-86), CU (79-80), CB (68) - CU

3) Pedro Viola: 33 pitches. (FB, SL, CU). 3 strikes swinging. 2 Changeups, Slider.

• Viola is a 6-1, 185 pound lefty. The 26 year old has a medium frame that is nowhere near 185 unless he is soaking wet. Extremely skinny and can add a ton of muscle everywhere and looks like a twig. He came from a high 3/4 release and is a slinger arm action. His fastball has a little late run in on lefties. His slider is a slurvy 10-5 offering with solid bite that he will throw 3-1. His change is a straight change with some sink. He shows potential with his plus fastball velocity for a lefty, but he needs to tighten his breaking ball to be a solid middle reliever.

6th: FB (90-94), SL (78-80), CU (85) - SL, CU

7th: FB (90-93), SL (78), CU (84) - CU

4) Danny Ray Herrera: 14 pitches. (SL, FB, CU, Cut). 0 strikes swinging.

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

8th: FB (83-87), SL (73-78), CU (67-69), Cut (81-82)

5) Randy Flores: 2 pitches. (SL, FB, CB). 0 strikes swinging.

• Flores came from a high 3/4 release and showed a 11-5 slider with good bite.

8th: SL (82-83)

6) Rafael Betancourt: 10 pitches. (FB, SL, CU). 1 strike swinging. Fastball.

• Betancourt came from an over the top release and showed a 1-7 slider with good bite that he will throw 3-2 and a fastball with some run in on righties.

8th: FB (93-95), SL (84) - FB

7) Franklin Morales: 22 pitches. (FB, CB, CU). 3 strikes swinging. Fastball, Curveball, Changeup.

• Morales came from a high 3/4 release with a fastball with some tail in on righties, a straight change with some sink and a 11-5 curve with slightly above average depth.

9th: FB (94-97), CB (75-77), CU (86-88) - FB, CB, CU

• Craig Tatum is a 6-1, 225 pound catcher. The 26 year old has a medium frame that appears to be less then his listed weight (I would say about 215, 210). He has an athletic build that can add more muscle to every part of his body. He has a slightly crouched, straight-on stance. He has a bat tap and his trigger is a cocking of the bat and a toe turn with a step.

Chart Observations: 8/25 CIN @ MIL (Extras)

1) Trevor Hoffman: 10 pitches. (FB, CU, SL, CB). 1 strike swinging. Changeup.

• Hoffman came from an over the top release and showed a fastball with a little run in on righties, a changeup with good fade from lefties and plus sink,

10th: FB (85-87), CU (73-74) - CU

2) Carlos Fisher: 21 pitches. (FB, SL, Cut). 3 strikes swinging. Fastball, 2 Sliders.

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

10th: FB (93-96), SL (83-86) - SL

11th: FB (93-97), SL (85-88) - FB, SL

3) Todd Coffey: 46 pitches. (FB, SL, Split). 6 strikes swinging. 4 Fastballs, 2 Sliders.

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

11th: FB (94-98), SL (85-88) - 3 FB, 2 SL

12th: FB (96-98), SL (87) - FB

13th: FB (97-98), SL (85-88)

4) Danny Ray Herrera: 28 pitches. (FB, SL, CU, Cut). 3 strikes swinging. Fastball, 2 Sliders.

• Herrera came from a high 3/4 release and showed a cutter with good cut and some sink, a fastball with some late run in on lefties and some late sink, a 11-5 slider with good bite and a screwball as a change which has above average sink and some fade from righties.

12th: FB (86-87), SL (77-78), CU (68-69), Cut (83-84) - SL

13th: FB (82-85), SL (74-79), CU (66) - FB, SL

Chart Observations: 8/25 CIN @ MIL (1st 9 innings)

1) Bronson Arroyo: 116 pitches. (FB, SL, CU, CB, Cut, F-SL). 6 strikes swinging. 3 Fastballs, 3 Frisbee Sliders, Curveball.

• Arroyo came from anywhere from an over the top to sidearm release and showed a 3-8 frisbee slider with solid bite, a change with good fade from lefties with solid sink, a 2-seam fastball with some run in on righties and some sink, a 12-6 curve with above average depth that he will throw 3-0, a cutter with a little cut, a high 3/4 slider that has good bite

1st: FB (88-92), F-SL (70-72), CU (79-86), CB (72)

2nd: FB (91-92), F-SL (71-77), CB (70-73), SL (78-79), Cut (88) - FB, CB

3rd: FB (90-92), F-SL (72-77), CU (81-86), CB (70-72), Cut (88)

4th: FB (90-92), F-SL (72), CU (84), CB (70-73), SL (75-76) - FB

5th: FB (89-91), F-SL (72-78), CU (79), CB (70) - 2 F-SL

6th: FB (88-91), F-SL (73-76), CU (81-85), CB (69) - FB

7th: FB (88-91), F-SL (74-75), CU (82)

2) Jeff Suppan: 90 pitches. (FB, SL, CU, CB). 2 strikes swinging. Fastball, Slider.

• Suppan 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 that he will throw to righties, a 2-7 slider with solid bite and a big breaking 12-6 curve with above average depth.

1st: FB (88-91), SL (83-87), CU (82-84) - SL

2nd: FB (86-91), SL (84-87), CU (81-83), CB (73) - FB

3rd: FB (89-91), SL (85-86), CU (81-83)

4th: FB (87-91), SL (86-87), CU (79-81), CB (73)

5th: FB (87-92), SL (87-89), CU (82-83), CB (74-75)

3) Mark DiFelice: 3 pitches. (Cut, FB, CU, CB). 0 strikes swinging.

• DiFelice came from a 3/4 release and showed a cutter with good cut and a straight 4-seam fastball.

5th: FB (87), Cut (83-84)

4) Carlos Villanueva: 25 pitches. (FB, CU, SL, CB). 6 strikes swinging. 5 Sliders, Changeup

• Villanueva came from an over the top release and showed a fastball with some run in on righties and some sink, a change with good fade from lefties and good sink that he will throw to righties, a 12-6 slider with good bite that looks more like a power curve and a big breaking 12-6 curve with above average depth.

6th: FB (90-91), CU (82), SL (82), CB (72) - 2 SL

7th: FB (89-92), CU (82-83), SL (79-83), CB (66-73) - 3 SL, CU

5) Mike Burns: 11 pitches. (FB, SL, CB, Split). 4 strikes swinging. 3 Fastballs, Slider.

• Burns came from an over the top release and showed a fastball with some run in on righties and marginal sink, a big breaking 12-6 curve with above average depth and a 2-7 slider with good bite.

8th: FB (90-91), SL (82), CB (72) - 3 FB, SL

6) Nick Masset: 10 pitches. (FB, Cut, CB, Split). 1 strike swinging. Splitter.

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

8th: FB (96-98), CB (84), Split (91) - Split.

7) Chris Narveson: 22 pitches. (FB, CB, CU, SL). 2 strikes swinging. Fastball, Changeup.

• Narveson came from a high 3/4 release and showed a fastball with some run in on lefties, a change with some fade from righties and solid sink, a 11-5 curve with slightly above average depth.

9th: FB (87-92), CB (71-72), CU (79-81) - FB, CU

8) Jared Burton: 21 pitches. (Cut, SL, FB, CU). 1 strike swinging. Cutter.

• Burton came from a high 3/4 release and showed a cutter with solid cut and some sink,

9th: Cut (92-95) - Cut

9) Arthur Rhodes: 7 pitches. (FB, SL, CU). 0 strikes swinging.

• Rhodes came from a high 3/4 release and showed a fastball with some tail in on righties

9th: FB (92-94)

10) Francisco Cordero: 12 pitches. (FB, SL, CU). 1 strike swinging. Fastball.

• Cordero is a 6-3, 240 pound righty. The 34 year old has a medium frame that is maxed out that may have a little bit of bad weight. He came from an over the top release and showed a hard, sharp 2-7 slider with okay bite and a fastball with a little run in on righties.

9th: FB (97-99), SL (91-93) - FB

Chart Observations: 8/13 WAS @ CIN

1) Bronson Arroyo: 103 pitches. 8 strikes swinging. Fastball (7th), Changeup (1st), 2 Curveballs (2nd, 8th), 2 Frisbee Sliders (3rd, 6th), 2 Sliders (7th, 8th)

• Arroyo came anywhere from a high 3/4 to sidearm release and showed a fastball with some run in on righties and a little sink, a change with good fade from lefties with good sink, a frisbee slider with good bite, a 1-7, 12-6 like curve with above average depth, a 2-7 slider with solid bite, a cutter with some cut and sink and even frisbee changeups. Arroyo will throw any pitch in any count and will add and subtract from all his offerings.

1st: FB (87-90), CU (76-84), FSL (69-75)

2nd: FB (86-90), CU (84), FSL (79), CB (69-72), SL (77)

3rd: FB (89-91), CU (79-80), FSL (74-78), CB (71), SL (77)

4th: FB (88-91), CU (83), FSL (71-76), CB (73)

5th: FB (87-91), FSL (76), SL (75)

6th: FB (89-91), CU (84), FSL (74-76), CB (76), Cut (87)

7th: FB (89-91), CU (79), FSL (75), CB (72), SL (77-79), Cut (85)

8th: FB (88-89), FSL (72-75), CB (68-70), SL (75-76)

9th: FB (88-90), CU (78-84), FSL (76)

2) Collin Balester: 73 pitches. 4 strikes swinging. 3 Fastballs (2 in 1st, 4th), Curveball (3rd).

• Balester came from an over the top release and showed a straight 4-seam fastball, a 2-seam that has some run in on righties with some sink, a pretty straight change with a touch of fade from lefties that he will throw to righties and a sharp 12-6 curve with slightly above average depth. Looks like a reliever to me, as he doesn't throw many changes and leaves his fastball in the middle of the plate quite often.

1st: FB (93-95), CB (77-79)

2nd: FB (92-94), CB (76-80)

3rd: FB (91-94), CB (78)

4th: FB (89-93), CB (75-78)

5th: FB (91-94), CB (77-78), CU (86-87)

3) Jason Bergmann: 23 pitches. 1 strike swinging. Slider.

• Bergmann came from a 3/4 release and showed a fastball with good run in on righties and good sink, a power 2-7 curve with solid depth and a 2-7 slider with a little bite that moves more like a cutter.

6th: FB (91-93), SL (84-88), CB (77-79)

4) Saul Rivera: 14 pitches. 0 strikes swinging.

• Rivera is a 5-10, 175 pound righty. The 31 year old has a small frame that can add a little more muscle. His fastball has good run in on righties and solid sink from an over the top release. His change has some fade from lefties with sink. His slider is a 2-7 with good bite while his cutter has some cut. A pitcher that succeeds more with a vast repetoire then a dominant pitch, he may be on the downslope of his career.

7th: FB (89-90), SL (85-86), Cut (90), CU (84-86)

5) Mike MacDougal: 14 pitches. 1 strike swinging. Fastball.

• MacDougal came from a 3/4 release with a fastball with above average run in on righties and some sink and a 1-7 slider with good bite.

8th: FB (94-98), SL (86)

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)

Score: 7/12 CIN @ NYM: CIN Pitchers

1) Aaron Harang: 74 pitches. 5 strikes swinging. 3 on Sliders (2 in 2nd, 3rd), Fastball (3rd), Changeup (3rd)

• Harang is a 6-7, 260 pound righty. The 31 year old has a big 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 change moves like a fastball with more sink. His slider is a 2-7 pitch with good bite while his curve is a 12-6 big breaker with good depth. Would say he is a # 3 starter.

1st: FB (86-90), SL (78-80), CU (79)

2nd: FB (86-90), SL (80-83), CU (79-81)

3rd: FB (86-92), SL (78-84), CU (80-83), CB (72-73)

2) Josh Roenicke: 26 pitches. 1 strike swinging. Cutter.

• He came from a high 3/4 release and showed a fastball with some run in on righties and a little sink and a cutter with solid cut that can move like a 2-7 slider at times.

4th: FB (92-95), Cut (84-87)

3) Danny Ray Herrera: 2 pitches. 0 strikes swinging.

• Herrera is a 5-6, 165 pound lefty. The 24 year old has a small frame that can add a little more muscle. He comes from a 3/4 release with a 9-4 slider with good bite and a fastball with some run in on lefties. Solid LOOGY, but more of a # 2 lefty in a pen.

4th: FB (80), SL (73)

4) Robert Manuel: 39 pitches. 1 strike swinging. Fastball (5th)

• Manuel is a 6-3, 205 pound righty. The 26 year old has a big frame that can get up to at least 220. He come from over the top with a little herky jerk release. He separates hands quickly and seems to try and put his lead leg on the ground as fast as possible. His fastball has a little run in on righties. His change has good sink and a little fade from lefties. His slider is a 2-7 with some bite. Extra (4-A) arm.

5th: FB (84-87), SL (81), CU (76-82)

6th: FB (84-87), SL (78-81), CU (79-82)

5) Dave Weathers: 19 pitches. 1 strike swinging. Slider.

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

7th: FB (86-89), SL (82-83), CU (83-84)

6) Nick Masset: 5 pitches. 0 strikes swinging.

• Masset came from an over the top release and showed a fastball with some run in on righties and quickly dispatched the Mets in the 8th.

8th: FB (92-96)

Chart Observations (7/8): CIN @ PHI

Picked up this extra chart on the day of, so that is the reason I chose not to update last night (that and the fact I played tennis, but the above sounded more professional)

1) Homer Bailey: 95 pitches. 6 strikes swinging. 4 on Fastballs (2nd, 4th, 2 in 5th), 2 Sliders (3rd, 5th)

• Bailey is a 23 year old who stands 6-3, 210. The righty has a medium frame that can get up to 220. He comes from an over the top release with a little Ubaldo Jimenez like arm action where he likes to straighten the arm on the backtake, but fairly quiet delivery. He throws 2 different types of fastballs, a 4-seam that is fairly straight and a 2-seam that can flash above average run in on righties with some sink, but it can flatten out. His curve is a big breaking 12-6 with good depth. His split has some dive, but can look more like a straight change and it served as his out pitch to lefties early until he realized it literally wasn't moving... His slider is a hard, sharp 2-7 with solid bite. Bailey will never reach the expectations he has had, but it isn't out of the realm of possibility for him to be a middle of the rotation guy. He threw all 3 of his off-speed pitches between 5 and 10 % of the time and will always rely on his fastball, which he had good command of. I think he will be an above average # 3 starter in about 3 or 4 years.

1st: FB (91-95), CB (76-78), Split (87)

2nd: FB (92-96), CB (76), SL (86)

3rd: FB (92-95), SL (85-86), Split (86-89)

4th: FB (91-96), CB (76), SL (85-87), Split (86-89)

5th: FB (94-96), CB (78-79), SL (86-88), Split (89-90)

6th: FB (90-96), CB (76-77), SL (86-88)

2) Rodrigo Lopez (He's Back!): 69 pitches. 3 strikes swinging. Fastball (4th), 2 on Sliders (1st, 2nd)

• Lopez is a 6-1, 185 pound righty. The 33 year old has a medium frame that can get up to at least 200. He comes from a high 3/4 release. His fastball has some run in on righties. His change has some fade from lefties with some sink. His slider is a 2-7 with some bite. His cutter has some cut that he can throw to either corner, but prefers to throw it in on the hands of lefties. He will throw his change to righties. Won't kill you in the NL as a 5th starter.

1st: FB (86-90), CU (83-84), SL (81-84), Cut (89)

2nd: FB (88-91), CU (85), SL (80-84), Cut (88-91)

3rd: FB (86-91), SL (80), Cut (89)

4th: FB (86-91), CU (83-84), SL (81-82), Cut (88-89)

5th: FB (82-84) *left the game following this inning due to an injury and his arm speed was noticeably slower.

3) Chad Durbin: 32 pitches. 2 strikes swinging. 2 Cutters (6th, 7th)

• Durbin came from a high 3/4 release and showed a cutter with good cut and sink, a 2-seam fastball with good run in on righties, a sharp 12-6 curve with good depth and a change with good fade from lefties with a little sink.

6th: FB (89-92), Cut (87-89), CB (77), CU (80)

7th: FB (89-93), Cut (86-89), CB (77-78), CU (80)

4) J.C. Romero: 3 pitches. 0 strikes swinging.

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

7th: FB (90-91)

5) Nick Masset: 15 pitches. 5 strikes swinging. Fastball, 4 Splitters.

• Masset is a 6-4, 235 pound righty. The 27 year old has a big frame that is maxed out. He comes from an over the top release. His fastball has good run in on righties with good sink. His splitter has above average dive and is a late breaking pitch. I am a huge fan of him and think he can be utilized similar to Scot Shields was with the Angels.

7th: FB (93-96), Split (88-90), SL (86)

6) Arthur Rhodes: 29 pitches. 3 strikes swinging. 3 Sliders.

• Rhodes is a 6-2, 210 pound lefty. The 39 year old has a medium frame that can add a little more muscle. He comes from a high 3/4 release with a straight 4-seam fastball and a 11-5 slider with good bite. Solid lefty setup man.

8th: FB (91-93), SL (80-84)

7) Dave Weathers: 28 pitches. 1 strike swinging. Slider (8th)

• Weathers is a 6-3, 240 pound righty. The 39 year old has a medium frame that is maxed out. He comes from a high 3/4 release. He showed a 2-7 slider with good bite, a 4-seam fastball with a little run in on righties and a change with good fade from lefties and solid sink. Another solid set-up guy.

8th: FB (89-90), SL (83-85)

9th: FB (87-90), SL (82-85), CU (85-86)

8) Ryan Madson: 17 pitches. 0 strikes swinging.

• Madson came from an over the top release and showed a straight 4-seam fastball, a cutter with good cut and a change with good fade from lefties with good sink.

8th: FB (96-98), CU (84-85), Cut (93)

9th: FB (94-96), CU (83), Cut (90-93)

Chart Observations (7/5 Game): STL @ CIN

1) Chris Carpenter: 104 pitches. 10 strikes swinging. 6 Cutters (2nd, 2 in 3rd, 4th, 2 in 5th), 3 Curves (2 in 2nd, 5th), Fastball (7th)

• Carpenter comes from a high 3/4 release and shows a fastball with some run in on righties, a change with good fade with lefties with good sink that is hard, a cutter with solid cut and a little sink (not a SL as previously thought) and a sharp 12-6 curve with great depth that is his out pitch that he bounces or throws for a strike at will.

1st: FB (91-95), Cut (87), CB (75), CU (85)

2nd: FB (92-94), Cut (87-88), CB (74-76)

3rd: FB (92-94), Cut (88-91), CB (74-77)

4th: FB (93-94), Cut (86-89), CB (76-77)

5th: FB (93-96), Cut (86-90), CB (74)

6th: FB (89-95), Cut (86-87), CB (73-74), CU (86)

7th: FB (93-95), Cut (87-90), CB (75-76)

2) Bronson Arroyo: 89 pitches. 3 strikes swinging. 2 Curveballs (2nd, 4th), Changeup (4th)

• Arroyo came from an over the top release and showed a plethora of pitches. He showed a change with some fade from lefties and sink. A frisbee (read, sidearm) slider that is a 9-3 with good late bite. A 2-seam fastball with some run and sink. A rare 4-seam fastball that is straight. A sidearm fastball that is more for deception that he will throw on occasion. A 1-7 curve with good depth. And, finally, a cutter with some cut and a little sink. His curve is his out pitch and I had him for more curves then we typically had charted.

1st: FB (85-89), F-SL (72-74), CU (77-83)

2nd: FB (88), F-SL (73-75), CU (79), CB (74-76), Cut (84)

3rd: FB (86-88), CU (83), CB (75), SL (79)

4th: FB (86-89), CU (78-83), CB (71-76)

5th: FB (87-89), F-SL (74), CU (78-83), CB (69-74), Cut (84), SL (76-77)

6th: FB (84-88), F-SL (72), CU (80-84), Cut (86), SL (78)

3) Josh Roenicke: 14 pitches. 0 strikes swinging.

• He came from an over the top release and showed a cutter with good cut and some sink, a fastball with above average run in on righties with a little sink and a big breaking 12-6 curve with good depth. The best young reliever no one has heard about. Think Andrew Bailey with a little less command.

6th: FB (94-95), Cut (87-88)

7th: FB (93-95), CB (79)

4) Carlos Fisher: 42 pitches. 2 strikes swinging. Cutter (8th), Fastball (9th)

• Fisher came from an over the top release and showed a fastball with some run in on righties that flashes good sink, a 2-7 slider with solid bite and a cutter with some cut that can be tough to see with the naked eye. Command is an issue for him due to a high effort delivery that lands hard on his front foot.

8th: FB (92-94), Cut (91-93), SL (81-83)

9th: FB (92-95), SL (80-84)

5) Jason Motte: 22 pitches. 3 strikes swinging. 3 Fastballs.

• Motte came from an over the top release and showed a straight 4-seam fastball, a splitter wtih decent dive and a cutter with some cut and sink. He has no command of his offspeed pitches and has a tendency to leave his fastball up, but I like him.

8th: FB (93-96), Cut (87), Split (79-81)

6) Dennys Reyes: 5 pitches. 1 strike swinging. Slider.

• Reyes came from a high 3/4 release with a fastball with a little run in on lefties and a sharp 11-4 slider with good bite. He will drop down sidearm to throw sliders to lefties with 2 strike counts.

8th: FB (90), SL (79-84)

7) Kyle McClellan: 17 pitches. 2 strikes swinging. 2 Fastballs.

• Kyle is a 6-2, 215 pound righty. The 25 year old has a medium frame that can add a lot more muscle. He comes from an over the top release with some cocking arm action. His fastball is a 2-seam with good run in on righties. His cutter has solid cut. His curve is a big breaking 12-6 with good depth.

9th: FB (90-92), CB (74-77), Cut (86-88)

• Jarrett Hoffpauir is a 5-9, 190 pound 2B who is R/R. The 26 year old has a small frame that is maxed out. He has a slightly open, slightly crouhced stance with a bat tap on his shoulder. His trigger is a double step and a cocking of the bat. He showed good pull power. Wanted to give the vitals on him, but hard to get a read on a guy in 1 AB and 2 innings in the field with no grounders at him.
• Drew Sutton, with only seeing 1 at bat, is a guy I do like. The 26 year old switch hitter/righty thrower has a medium 6-3, 185 pound frame that can get up to 200. He has straight up, stand up stance with a little bat tap. His trigger is a cocking of the bat and a stride. He is likely a super utility player who can play some short for you, but is just a tick below average there. However, he reminds me a ton of Ben Zobrist when he came up. I think he has that sort of potential and needs to get consistent at bats. His minor league #'s at AAA Louisville say I am an idiot though (.254-.388-.492) but you stat geeks will love that OBP, so maybe there is hope yet.

ARI @ CIN

1) Dan Haren: 111 pitches. 11 strikes swinging. Fastball (3rd), Curveball (3rd), 4 on Cutters (3rd, 5th, 2 in 7th), 5 on Splitters (1st, 2 in 4th, 5th, 6th)

• Haren comes from an over the top release with a 2-seam fastball that some sink and run in on righties, a cutter with some solid cut and a little sink, a split with above average dive that serves as his out pitch and a 12-7 curveball that has good depth, but has flattened out a little lately. He will also throw the occasional straight 4-seam. He will throw any pitch in any count and has plus-plus command of all his offerings, which is amazing.

1st: FB (91-93), CB (80), Split (87-89), Cut (87)

2nd: FB (90-94), CB (79-81), Cut (86-89)

3rd: FB (91-95), CB (79), Cut (87)

4th: FB (89-93), CB (78-79), Split (86), Cut (85-88)

5th: FB (91), CB (78-79), Split (85-87), Cut (86-87)

6th: FB (90-92), CB (78-79), Split (87), Cut (85-86)

7th: FB (89-92), CB (80), Cut (84-88)

2) Bronson Arroyo: 105 pitches. 6 strikes swinging. Fastball (3rd), 2 on Sliders (4th, 6th), Curveball (6th), Changeup (6th), Cutter (2nd)

• Arroyo is a 6-5, 195 pound righty. The 32 year old has a big frame that can add a lot more muscle. He comes from a 3/4, almost high 3/4 release and will throw pitches anywhere from sidearm to high 3/4. He has a very quiet windup with his patented flamingo kick. His fastball is a 2-seam with good sink and fade, though he will mix in a straight 4-seam on occasion. His changeup has good sink and fade from lefties. His slider is a 2-7 pitch with good bite and sink. He will throw frisbee sliders from sidearm and even threw 1 fastball from sidearm. His cutter has some cut, but not a ton. His curveball is a 12-7 offering with solid bite and good depth. You would think throwing every pitch known to man he would have an out pitch, but none of his pitches are very spectacular. He battled his command from hitter to hitter and I would say he is a # 4 starter.

1st: FB (90-91), SL (76-77), CU (80-84)

2nd: FB (88-90), Cut (84-86), CB (72-74), CU (77-83), Frisbee SL (70-74)

3rd: FB (80-90, 80 to Haren when behind in the count), Cut (87), SL (74-77), CU (78), F-SL (78)

4th: FB (87-90), Cut (84-87), CB (71-75), CU (84-85), SL (75-77)

5th: FB (87-90), Cut (89), CB (70-72), CU (80-82), SL (77-80)

6th: FB (87-90), CB (69-74), CU (80-84), SL (77)

3) Carlos Fisher: 29 pitches. 3 strikes swinging. 2 on Fastballs (6th, 7th) and Slider (6th)

• Fisher comes from an over the top release with a fastball that has a little run in on righties, but is straight and his slider is a 2-7 pitch with good bite. His cutter has some cut, but can sometime be tough to see with the naked eye.

6th: FB (94-96), SL (82-84), Cut (90-92)

7th: FB (94-97), SL (81-84), Cut (89-93)

4) Jared Burton: 23 pitches. 6 strikes swinging. 4 on Sliders, 2 on Cutters.

• Burton came from an over the top release and showed a cutter with solid cut, a fastball with some run in on righties and some sink and a hard change that has a little fade from lefties.

8th: Cut (87-89), CU (85), SL (82-83), FB (90-92)

5) Tony Pena: 16 pitches. 0 strikes swinging.

• Pena came from an over the top release and showed a straight 4-seam and a sharp 2-7 slider with solid bite. His command continues to be a question mark and is extremely erratic from his max effort delivery.

8th: FB (94-96), SL (87-89)

6) Scott Schoeneweis: 1 pitch. No, he hit it.

• Scho comes from a high 3/4 release and threw a straight 4-seam fastball to Joey Votto. He hit it hard for a single.

8th: FB (89)

7) Jon Rauch: 9 pitches. 2 strikes swinging.

• Rauch comes from an over the top release with a 2-seam fastball with some sink, a 2-7 slider with good bite. He will also throw a straight 4-seam and mix in a cutter with some cut.

8th: FB (93-94), SL (85), Cut (88-89)

8) Josh Roenicke: 13 pitches. 1 strike swinging. Fastball

• Roenicke comes from an over the top release and shows a straight 4-seam fastball, a power 12-6 curve (not a slider as I originally had considered, thanks BA Prospect Handbook) and a cutter with some cut and some sink. Watch this kid, he has the looks of a strong major league reliever.

9th: FB (92-95), Cut (86-88), CB (78-79)

9) Chad Qualls: 10 pitches. 1 strike swinging. Slider

• Qualls comes from a 3/4 release and shows a fastball with excellent run in on righties and some sink and a 2-7 slider with good bite.

9th: FB (92-94), SL (85-88)

• Danny Richar was once the jewel of the Diamondbacks system and now finds himself as a bench player for the Reds. The 6-1, 195 pound lefty hitter, righty swinger has a medium frame that can add a little more muscle. The 26 year old has a crouched stance that is similar to Phillips (though not in hand placement). He has a little bat wiggle and doesn't do much for a trigger, just cocking the bat. He is a gap to gap hitter who doesn't show much power. He showed slightly above average speed and looks to have the upside of that of a utilityman, as he just won't have the power or pitch recognition to play everyday.

Chart Observations: ATL @ CIN

• Tommy Hanson came from a high 3/4 release. His fastball had good run and some sink. His slider is a 2-7 pitch that can be inconsistent with its break and can flatten out. His curveball is a 12-6, 1-7 pitch with good depth and good late break that is sharp. His change is a straight change with a little sink that he will throw to righties. His slider really flattened out in the 6th.

1st: FB (92-95), SL (84-87), CB (75-77), CU (82)

2nd: FB (91-95), SL (83-86), CB (76-77), CU (84)

3rd: FB (93-95), SL (82-83), CB (75), CU (83)

4th: FB (93-95), SL (79-81), CB (75), CU (83)

5th: FB (90-95), SL (80-83), CB (74-75), CU (87)

6th: FB (92-95), SL (82-84), CB (75-77), CU (84)

• Matt Maloney is a 6-4, 220 pound lefty. The 25 year old has a big frame that can get up to at least 230. He comes from a high 3/4 release. He has classic drop and drive mechanics and kicks his stride leg out a little farther then most. His fastball is a 4-seam with some run. His change is a straight change with some sink and is his best pitch that he will throw to lefties. It has excellent late sink and run and looks like a fastball out of his hand. His slider is an 11-4 offering with okay bite. His curveball is an 11-4 with good depth. I believe his slider is just a power curve, as they have similar movement. He looks to me like a # 5 starter or long reliever/swingman.

1st: FB (87-90), CU (78-81), SL (77), CB (71)

2nd: FB (87-88), CU (78-81)

3rd: FB (87-89), CU (78-79), CB (75)

4th: FB (88-91), CU (78-79), SL (77), CB (69-71)

5th: FB (87-90), CU (77-78), SL (76-77), CB (70)

6th: FB (87-91), CU (79-80), CB (69)

• Carlos Fisher is a 6-4, 225 pound righty. The 26 year old has a big frame that can add a little more muscle. He comes from an over the top release and takes a giant stride to the plate and it appears his arm lags behind at times. His fastball is a 4-seam with some run and his slider appears to be more of a curve with okay bite and is a 12-6 type offering. He throws to the middle of the plate too much and his command can be erratic. He has the tools to be a solid middle reliever down the road, but isn't quite ready.

6th: FB (92-96), SL (79)

7th: FB (92-97), SL (83-85)

• Peter Moylan is a sidearmer who showed a fastball with excellent run and some sink and a 9-3 slider with some bite.

7th: FB (91-94), SL (79-82)

• Josh Roenicke, a 6-3, 195 pound righty, made his season debut in this game. The 26 year old has a medium to big frame that can add a lot more muscle. He has some cocking action and almost short arms the ball from an over the top release. His fastball has some run and sink. His slider is a slurvy 1-7 offering with some late break and some bite that resembles a curve. His cutter is a 1-7 pitch with good late bite that moves like a slider. He has the tools to pitch in the back of a pen someday, but will likely be a middle reliever.

8th: FB (94-97), Cut (89), SL (79-81)

• Mike Gonzalez came from a high 3/4 release and showed a fastball with some run and sink, a 11-4 slider that he will add and subtract from depending on the count and a straight change.

8th: FB (93-96), SL (76-86), CU (79)

• Jared Burton is a 6-5, 230 pound righty. The 28 year old has a big frame that can add a little more muscle to the lower body. His cutter shows good cut and a little sink and his slider is a 2-7 offering with good bite from an over the top release. Serviceable middle reliever.

9th: Cut (88-93), SL (83)

• Rafael Soriano comes from a high 3/4 release and showed a 4-seam fastball with a little run and sink.

9th: FB (90-95)

Chart Observations: CIN @ SD

Yep, charted the 16 inning game from last night/this morning.

• Edinson Volquez started for the Reds and had some struggles with his command, especially with his fastball. He also appeared to be throwing a lot more offspeed stuff then he typically did. He left the game in the bottom of the 6th with a back injury, but it didn't appear to be serious. Volquez featured a fastball at 88-96, a changeup at 77-82, a curveball at 74-79 and a slider at 75-81.
• Josh Geer opposed him and is your prototypical finesse right hander. He features a fastball from 83-88 (usually sits at 86-88), a slider at 76-80 and a changeup at 73-76 from a 3/4 release point. His fastball is a 2-seamer that has very good downward movement and bite, but his command is only above average, resulting in him leaving hittable pitches available for hitters in the zone. In evaluating Geer, I think his upside is that of a back of the rotation starter and he is just an extra arm for a contender. His flyball arsenal may be able to play in the bullpen, but who knows?
• Mike Lincoln featured a fastball at 89-90 and a curveball at 77. He only faced 2 batters. Looked to me like an extra arm in the pen and not someone that is one that will put up big numbers.
• Arthur Rhodes featured a fastball at 91-93 and a slider at 81-82. Solid left-handed setup man as long as his velocity stays in the low 90's and his command doesn't take any further drops.
• David Weathers really struggled with his command again. He featured a fastball at 88-90, a slider at 82-85 and a changeup at 82-84. As I said before, he needs to watch out, as these command issues may be a career ender.
• Daniel Ray Herrera is a small (5-9) left hander who features a slider at 74-76, a fastball at 83 and what appeared to be a screwball at 66. He has a unique repetoire of pitches and seems to have enough to not have hitters focused on other pitches. Debatable if he can consistenly get out right handers due to less then ideal velocity, but at worst he is a quality LOOGY.
• Jared Burton featured a fastball at 90-92, a cutter at 90-92, a slider at 82-83 and a changeup at 80-83. Another guy who profiles as just a middle reliever, as he has only average command and none of his pitches are plus. His primary pitch is the cutter and it didn't have as much cut on it as it had previously last night.
• Micah Owings finished the game featuring a fastball at 85-91, a slider at 79-83 and a changeup at 76-80. He has a slight chance of a future as a reliever with his fastball-change combination, but even that is a stretch at this point.
• Joe Thatcher is a side arming LOOGY who struck out Laynce Nix with fastballs at 87-88 and a slider at 76. He appears to be a guy that will always be battling his command. He profiles very well as a LOOGY if he has command and is a AAA pitcher if he doesn't have command.
• Greg Burke made his big league debut last night. He featured an above average moving 2-seam fastball at 91-93 and threw one slider at 84 from a high 3/4 release. The one slider was average. His command appeared to be above average and his mechanics were fairly clean. This is his shot at sticking with a big league team.
• Cla Meredith's slider has lost a lot. He sat with a fastball at 85-87 and his slider was 76-80. What was once a plus pitch is now barely league average and his fastball isn't enough to serve as a ROOGY. He may be in for a long season as a sidearmer.
• Heath Bell went after guys with a fastball at 92-96 and a curveball at 79-82 from an over the top release. His curveball didn't have great bite and he struggled to command it. He is still a quality closer, but is likely in that 3rd tier of elite closers.
• Edward Mujica showed a fastball at 93-95, a slider at 81-82 and a split at 87. Both off-speed pitches are below average and he really can't command them. His ability to spot his fastball can only work for so long before teams sit solely on it and start gripping and ripping.
• Luke Gregerson featured a fastball at 89-92, a slider at 83-86 and a changeup at 78-84 from a low 3/4 release. Gregerson appears to just be another middle reliever with his moving 2-seam fastball. His 2-seamer is above average, but the slider and change are just average offerings and he also showed just average command. He profiles best as a middle reliever, but will likely always be battling to be on a roster.
• Luis Perdomo still tantalizes myself with his stuff. Last night, he featured a moving 2-seamer at 91-93 and a slider at 87-89. He will need to refine his command and become more consistent with his stuff to succeed.

STL @ CIN

• Johnny Cueto is a very talented pitcher, but he is not better then Edinson Volquez. Cueto works with a fastball in the low to mid 90's, a solid average slider in the mid 80's and a decent change in the mid 80's. He has much better command then Volquez (probably above average), but Volquez's stuff is much better. Cueto is a very good # 3 starter and if he can tighten his slider a little more, he is a # 2. I think his ceiling is that of a # 2 for a contender.
• Joel Pineiro is a very useful starter to have at the back-end if your a contender. He attacks hitters with a high 80's fastball, mid 80's slider that moves like a cutter, mid to high 70's curve and mid 80's change. None of his pitches are great and he has occasional command problems, but he finds the "pitchability" to get hitters to put the ball in play weakly. He is pitching at his ceiling now and if he can maintain strong command, he should be a solid # 5 starter.
• Chris Perez lacked the explosive stuff I thought he had. He threw a low 90's fastball and mid 80's slider with some command issues. He still has the upside of a closer, but he seems to be a set-up man with his current offerings. He needs to refine his command tighten his slider a little bit more to reach his ceiling.
• Brad Thompson is an extra arm for a bullpen that can give you multiple innings. As long as he is earning the minimum, he is a good guy to have in a pen. If he is earning more, you are vastly overpaying. He attacks with a high 80's fastball and low 80's slider.
• Arthur Rhodes just keeps getting the job done. It appears he has lost very little from his fastball and he commands it so well that he doesn't need his mid 80's slider to be amazing. His fastball sat in the low 90's tonight.
• When Dave Weathers is missing in the zone, he is in trouble, as he throws a high 80's fastball and mid 80's slider. He typically has plus command, but you always have to wonder about a reliever his age and his ability to maintain his stuff for the season.
• Jared Burton got out his one guy. Burton attacks with a high 80's to low 90's cutter (Mariano style), a low 80's slider and a low 90's fastball.
• Francisco Cordero was great, with a mid 90's fastball and disappearing mid to high 80's slider. Is a legit closer for a contender and is pitching extremely well right now.
• Not sure why Tony La Russa stole Joe Thurston in the 9th. That was just bad baseball. Even if he makes it, you don't gain much. The only explanation would be stay out of the double play.

2 Charts tomorrow, with a baseball practice.

Chart Observations: PIT @ STL

• Got to watch Todd Wellemeyer and he continued to show his plus command of all his pitches. He was primarily FB, SL, CU and mixed in a few curveballs. Hasn't faced the best lineups, but is a middle of the rotation starter for a contender (decent 3, strong 4).
• Ross Ohlendorf opposed him. Ohlendorf attacked hitters with a low to mid 90's sinker, low 80's slider and low 80's changeup. Nothing about him is above average (including his command) and is a protypical RH. His ceiling is that of a back-end starter for a contender, as if his command improves, he should have the stuff (and the ability to pitch to contact) to be a solid # 4 or # 5.
• Blaine Boyer retired the only batter he faced, Craig Monroe, with a diet of plus curveballs and average fastballs. Still think he is a solid middle guy.
• Trever Miller is a good LOOGY to have in the pen. He features a high 80's fastball and a frisbee slider in the mid 70's. No reason to think he can't keep having success.
• Evan Meek could throw 3 pitches or he could throw 5. No one is really sure. He throws a fastball in the mid 90's (93-95) that has a lot of cutting action, a cut fastball in the high 80's to low 90's, a slider in the mid 80's, a curveball in the mid 70's to low 80's and a changeup (which I didn't see). No one is sure if the breaking pitch is the same pitch (I thought it was) or if he throws only cutters or if the action on the ball is just natural. That being said, he has the future to be a back-end reliever. He needs to tighten a breaking ball, as his fastball is his only real plus pitch. Think the ceiling is a closer if he develops the breaking pitch further, but is more likely to settle in as a quality middle reliever.
• Shane Robinson made his major league debut as a pinch-hitter. He is a small guy (5-9, 160) with a small frame. I thought he was African-American, but he is white. He is known as a speedster with little power and I gathered that much from his stance. He has one of those stances with the bat resting on his shoulder until he triggers, where everything works to get himself ready. He takes the bat off his shoulder and cocks it and also strides. He will never have much power hitting that way. With a whole sample size of 1 AB, I think his ceiling is as a 4th OF who can CF (those are fairly valuable) but one that will struggle to hit above .250 and provide zero power. Maybe Robinson can learn from Skip Schumaker and make himself into a super-utility guy by learning 2B.

Got the Reds-Cardinals game tonight featuring Johnny Cueto and Joel Pineiro.

Sorry about no comment on the Reds-Brewers game, but here are some from what I remember (went out last night and didn't get back to the apartment until 230)

• Braden Looper showed an inability to command his stuff last night and when he struggles like that, he will get hit (even by a Reds lineup that had 2 of their 3 best hitters sitting due to the flu). He features a high 80's to low 90's sinker/fastball, a low 80's slider and a low 80's splitter.
• Micah Owings upside is that of a # 5 starter. Just not much left there to work with. I think he needs to start focusing on his hitting and become an OF.
• Mark DiFelice continues to baffle hitters and people who like radar gun readings, as he continues to get people out. He primarily throws a low 80's cutter and a low 80's changeup. Who knows if he can keep this up? He has excellent command (and good thing b/c he is going to need it once the scouting reports are out).
• Nick Masset flashed some of his old command problems, but looks like a very capable pitcher to bridge the gap to the Reds set-up core.
• Thought Dusty made a bad decision by leaving in Arthur Rhodes to face the right handers. Turns out I am a moron.