Chart Observations: 9/25: ATL @ WAS

1) John Lannan: 122 pitches. FB, SL, CB, CU. 9 strikes swinging. 4 Sliders, 3 Fastballs, 2 Changeups.

• Lannan came from an over the top release and showed a fastball with some run in on lefties, a straight change with some sink that he will throw to lefties, a 11-5 slider with solid bite and a 12-6 curve with above average depth.

1st: FB (87-91), SL (81-84), CU (81-85) - 2 SL (McCann, LaRoche), CU (McLouth)

2nd: FB (87-91), SL (81), CU (80), CB (74-75)

3rd: FB (89-91), SL (81-83), CU (81-83), CB (73-75) - CU (Jones)

4th: FB (88-90), SL (79-81), CU (78-82) - FB (McLouth), SL (LaRoche)

5th: FB (87-91), SL (80), CU (82-84), CB (73) - FB (McCann)

6th: FB (88-92), SL (80-81), CU (81-85), CB (73) - FB (Diaz), SL (LaRoche)

7th: FB (89-91), SL (79-81), CU (80-83), CB (72)

2) Javier Vazquez: 104 pitches. FB, SL, CB, CU. 14 strikes swinging. 6 Fastballs, 4 Curveballs, 2 Sliders, 2 Changeups.

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

1st: FB (89-91), SL (86), CB (72-76), CU (80) - CB (Willingham), SL (Willingham)

2nd: FB (90-94), SL (79-85), CB (68-76), CU (81) - 2 FB (Bard, Maxwell)

3rd: FB (87-92), SL (83), CB (69), CU (78-83) - 2 CU (Lannan, Harris), CB (Harris)

4th: FB (90-93), SL (84-85), CB (69-76), CU (83) - FB (Zimmerman), CB (Orr)

5th: FB (89-92), SL (85), CB (73-74) - FB (Maxwell)

6th: FB (90-91), SL (83-84), CB (76)

7th: FB (90-91), SL (80-87), CB (73) - SL (Zimmerman)

8th: FB (90-92), SL (81-83), CB (70-73), CU (74-80) - FB (Maxwell), CB (Harris)

9th: FB (91-93), SL (84), CB (69-79) - FB (Desmond)

3) Jason Bergmann: 13 pitches. FB, SL, CB, CU. 0 strikes swinging.

• Bergmann came from a high 3/4 release and showed a 1-7 curve with slightly above average depth, a fastball with some run in on righties and a sharp 2-7 slider with some bite.

8th: FB (93-94), SL (87-88), CB (79-80)

4) Ron Villone: 4 pitches. FB. SL, CU. 0 strikes swinging.

• Villone came from an over the top release and showed a 11-5 slider with some bite and a fastball with some run in on lefties and some sink.

8th: FB (90-91), SL (80-81)

5) Saul Rivera: 8 pitches. FB, Cut, SL, CU. 0 strikes swinging.

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

9th: FB (90-91), Cut (86-90)

Chart Observations: 9/15 WAS @ PHI

1) Cliff Lee: 124 pitches. (FB, CU, CB, Cut, SL). 12 strikes swinging. 4 Fastballs, 4 Curveballs, 3 Cutters, Changeup

• Lee came from an over the top release and showed a fastball with some run in on lefties, a cutter with good cut and some sink, a change with good fade from righties and solid sink that he will throw to lefties and in 3-2 counts, a 12-6 curve with above average depth and a 11-5 slider with solid bite.

1st: FB (92-93), CU (85), CB (76), Cut (86-87) - CU (Guzman), Cut (Maxwell)

2nd: FB (91-92), CU (85), CB (74), Cut (83-85) - FB (Willingham), Cut (Dunn)

3rd: FB (90-93), CU (84), Cut (84) - Cut (Maxwell)

4th: FB (90-92), CU (84-85), CB (73-76), Cut (83-86) - 2 CB (Willingham, Bard)

5th: FB (91-92), SL (82)

6th: FB (90-92), CU (84), CB (74-78), Cut (83-84)

7th: FB (91-93), CU (84), CB (75-78), Cut (83-85), SL (82) - CB (Bard)

8th: FB (91-93), CU (84-86), CB (75-77), Cut (84-86), SL (79) - CB (Morse)

9th: FB (91-94), CU (84-85), CB (77), Cut (85) - 3 FB (Dukes, Bard - 2)

2) Garrett Mock: 107 pitches. (FB, CU, SL, CB). 6 strikes swinging. 4 Changeups, Fastball, Curveball.

• Mock came from a high 3/4 release and showed a fastball with some run in on righties and some sink, a change with good fade from lefties and above average sink that he will throw to righties, a 12-6 curve with slightly above average depth and a 1-7 slider with solid bite that he will throw in 3-2 counts. He may also throw an occasional cutter and we are in the process of double checking with the Nats to see if that's true.

1st: FB (90-92), CU (80-83), CB (76-79) - CU (Utley)

2nd: FB (91-93), CU (82), CB (76-77), SL (82-85) - CB (Rollins)

3rd: FB (87-93), CU (80), CB (76-78), SL (84) - FB (Werth)

4th: FB (88-91), CU (81), SL (81) - CU (Victorino)

5th: FB (89-91), CU (80-82), CB (76-77), SL (81-83) - CU (Ibanez)

6th: FB (87-90), CU (78-80), CB (76), SL (80-81) - CU (Lee)

3) Saul Rivera: 7 pitches. (FB, Cut, SL, CU). 0 strikes swinging.

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

7th: FB (89-91), Cut (90)

4) Ron Villone: 13 pitches. (FB, SL, CU). 1 strike swinging. Slider.

• Villone came from a high 3/4 release and showed a fastball with solid tail in on righties and a 11-5 slider with some bite.

7th: FB (89-91), SL (82-86) - SL (Howard)

5) Logan Kensing: 18 pitches. (FB, SL, Cut, CU). 1 strike swinging. Cutter.

• Kensing came from a high 3/4 release with a fastball with some run in on righties, a cutter with some cut and a change with some fade from lefties and a little sink that is more of a hanger that he will throw to righties.

8th: FB (91-94), Cut (85-88), CU (87) - Cut (Ruiz)

Chart Observations: 9/10 PHI@ WAS

1) Livan Hernandez: 106 pitches. (FB, SL, CU, CB). 4 strikes swinging. 2 Changeups, Fastball, Slider.

• Hernandez 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, a 12-6 curve with slightly above average depth and a 2-7 slider with some bite.

1st: FB (84-87), SL (80), CU (78), CB (63-71)

2nd: FB (83-88), SL (76-83), CB (66-71)

3rd: FB (83-88), SL (74-81), CB (63-71)

4th: FB (82-88), SL (77-83), CU (79), CB (67) - FB, CU

5th: FB (85-88), SL (79-83) - SL

6th: FB (83-87), CU (79) - CU

7th: FB (84-86), SL (82), CU (77), CB (58-62)

8th: FB (83-86)

2) Joe Blanton: 99 pitches. (FB, CU, SL, CB). 6 strikes swinging. 5 Changeups, Curveball.

• Blanton came from an over the top release and showed a fastball with some run in on righties and some sink, a change with some fade from lefties with good sink that he will throw to righties and in any count, a sharp 12-6 with slightly below plus depth and a 1-7 slider with solid bite.

1st: FB (88-91), CU (80-82), SL (85), CB (74-77) - 2 CU, CB

2nd: FB (89-91), CU (79-81), SL (84), CB (76)

3rd: FB (88-91), CU (80-84), CB (73-76) - 2 CU

4th: FB (89-91), CU (81), SL (82-83), CB (75-76)

5th: FB (90-92), CU (81-83), SL (83), CB (73-77) - CU

3) Tyler Walker: 17 pitches. (FB, SL, CU). 2 strikes swinging. Fastball, Changeup.

• Walker 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 solid bite and a change with a little fade from lefties and some late sink.

5th: FB (89), SL (82)

6th: FB (90-92), SL (80-84), CU (80-81) - FB, CU

4) Chad Durbin: 22 pitches. (FB, Cut, CU, SL, CB). 2 strikes swinging. Fastball, Cutter.

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

7th: FB (89-93), Cut (87-90) - FB, Cut

5) Sean Burnett: 9 pitches. (FB, SL, CU, CB). 1 strike swinging. Slider.

• Burnett 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 that he will throw 3-2.

8th: FB (88-90), SL (76-79) - SL

6) Brad Lidge: 24 pitches. (SL, FB, CU).

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

8th: FB (93-95), SL (83-86) - 4 SL

7) Zach Segovia: 20 pitches. (FB, SL). 2 strikes swinging. 2 Sliders.

• Segovia is a 6-2, 245 pound righty. The 26 year old has a medium frame that is maxed out and doesn't appear to be carrying any bad weight. He came from a 3/4 release with a real herky jerky delivery with limbs going everywhere. His fastball has some run in on righties. His slider is a hard 2-7 with solid bite. He battled the command of both his slider and fastball and it appears it can come and go. He has the stuff to be a traditional FB-SL reliever, but needs to further refine his command.

9th: FB (92-95), SL (80-86) - 2 SL

8) Mike MacDougal: 5 pitches. (FB, SL, CB). 0 strikes swinging.

• MacDougal came from a 3/4 release and showed a fastball with good run in on righties,

9th: FB (94-96)

9) Ron Villone: 10 pitches. (FB, SL, CU). 1 strike swinging. Fastball

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

9th: FB (89-91), SL (82-85) - FB

• Ian Desmond is a 6-2, 210 pound shortstop. The 24 year old has a medium frame that is still pretty long and lanky. He has a straight up, open stance with a slight bat tap. His trigger has a little swaying action to it, but it is a stride to square himself up and a cocking of the bat. His back shoulder appears to drop a little in the trigger, causing him to be a little more flyball prone. He has a nice compact swing that shows gap to gap ability and also projects to have above average power for a SS. He has above average bat speed and may have above average power right now, as he hit a 430 foot bomb in this game. Defensively, his primary release point appears to be a sidearm release, which can make throws sail on him from time to time. He has an average arm and quick hands and can turn the double play quickly with good feet around the bag. He has above average speed and trusts it, causing him to make some aggressive mistakes. He has always been highly regarded as a toolsy guy and those tools have come out, though he is still a little raw defensively and offensively. I think he is a Troy Tulowitzki type package offensively with a little less average and should be right around an average defensive shortstop.

Chart Observations: 9/5 FLA @ WAS

1) Josh Johnson: 82 pitches. (FB, SL, CU). 6 strikes swinging. 4 Sliders, 2 Fastballs.

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

1st: FB (94-96), SL (89), CU (87)

2nd: FB (94-97), SL (85-91), CU (87) - FB

3rd: FB (93-97), SL (88), CU (86-89) - FB

4th: FB (95-96), SL (86-88), CU (88) - SL

5th: FB (95-96), SL (87-89), CU (87-88) - 3 SL

2) Livan Hernandez: 107 pitches. (FB, SL, CU, CB). 3 strikes swinging. 2 Curveballs, Changeup.

• Hernandez came from an over the top release and showed a fastball with some run in on righties and some sink, a 1-7 slider with some depth, a straight change with a little sink that he will throw to righties, a 12-6 curve with above average depth that he will throw 3-2 and a cutter with some cut.

1st: FB (82-87), SL (75-77), CU (77), CB (60-68), Cut (80-83) - CU, CB

2nd: FB (82-86), SL (76), CU (77-81), CB (64), Cut (80-81)

3rd: FB (83-87), SL (76-78), CU (76-80), CB (70-71), Cut (82) - CB

4th: FB (82-87), CU (77-81)

5th: FB (83-86), SL (77-78), CB (63-70)

3) Victor Garate: 25 pitches. (FB, SL, CU). 2 strikes swinging. 2 Fastballs.

• Garate is a 6-2, 210 pound lefty. The 24 year old has a medium frame that appears to be maxed out with a thick lower half. He came from a low 3/4 release with a very blatant hip turn that moves his entire body prior to release. His fastball has good late run in on lefties and a touch of sink. His slider is a 9-4 with okay bite. He had better command of his slider and struggled to finish his fastball, resulting in him leaving it well off the armside of the plate. He shows potential as a LOOGY, but won't ever be anything more then that in my opinion.

6th: FB (86-90), SL (76-79) - 2 FB

4) Cristhian Martinez: 34 pitches. (FB, CU, SL). 2 strikes swinging. 2 Changeups.

• Martinez came from a 3/4 release and showed a change with some fade from lefties and some sink that he will throw to righties and serves as his primary out pitch, a fastball with some run in on righties and some sink and a 3-8 slider with some bite.

6th: FB (91-93), CU (85-87), SL (82-85) - 2 CU

7th: FB (91), CU (85-87), SL (82-84)

5) Jorge Sosa: 8 pitches. (FB, SL, CU)

• Sosa came from a 3/4 release and showed a fastball with good run in on righties and some sink and a 3-8 slider with solid bite.

7th: FB (90), SL (84-86) - 2 SL

6) Ron Villone: 27 pitches. (FB, SL, CU). 1 strike swinging. Fastball.

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

8th: FB (88-91), SL (84-87), CU (82) - FB

7) Jason Bergmann: 14 pitches. (FB, SL, CB, CU). 2 strikes swinging. Slider, Curveball.

• Bergmann came from a high 3/4 release and showed a sharp 2-7 slider that moved more like a cutter, a hard sinker with good run in on righties and some sink and a sharp 12-6 curve with slightly above average depth.

8th: SL (87)

9th: FB (92-94), SL (87-89), CB (80) - SL, CB

8) Dan Meyer: 16 pitches. (FB, SL, CU, CB). 1 strike swinging. Fastball.

• Meyer came from a high 3/4 release and showed a cutter with good cut, a pretty straight 4-seam fastball and a change with good sink and a touch of fade from righties that he will throw to lefties.

7th: FB (91-93), Cut (86-87), CU (81) - FB

8th: FB (89-92), Cut (87-88), CU (80-82)

9) Brian Sanches: 30 pitches. (FB, SL, Split, CB). 2 strikes swinging. 2 Fastballs.

• Sanches 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 some bite

8th: FB (89-91), SL (80-83) - FB

9th: FB (89-91), SL (83) - FB

8/9: ARI @ WAS

1) Yusmeiro Petit: 83 pitches. 8 strikes swinging. 5 Fastballs (2nd, 2 in 3rd, 2 in 4th), 3 on Curveballs (1st, 2nd, 4th)

• Petit came from an over the top release with a 12-6 curve with average depth, a fastball with a little run in on righties, a change with some fade from lefties, a 2-7 slider with some bite, a cutter with some cut and he will throw any pitch in any count.

1st: FB (86-89), CU (76-77), SL (76-78), CB (72-74), Cut (82-84)

2nd: FB (86-89), CU (77), SL (77), CB (73-75), Cut (82-84)

3rd: FB (86-89), CU (76-79), CB (73-75), Cut (79-82)

4th: FB (86-88), CU (76), CB (74-76), Cut (79-81)

2) J.D. Martin: 87 pitches. 4 strikes swinging. Fastball (3rd), Curveball (3rd), Cutter (3rd), Changeup (1st)

• Martin is a 6-4, 200 pound righty. The 26 year old has a big frame that can add more muscle everywhere. He is real long and lanky and came from a high 3/4 release. His change has good run in on lefties and some sink, a sharp 12-6 curve with average depth, a pretty straight 4-seam fastball and a cutter with some cut and a little sink. 4-A guy who really doesn't have the stuff to be a good # 5 starter in the majors.

1st: FB (86-88), Cut (85), CB (72), CU (80-82)

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

3rd: FB (85-88), Cut (81-84), CB (71), CU (82)

4th: FB (85-88), Cut (81-84), CB (71-73), CU (80-82)

5th: FB (84-89), Cut (83-86), CB (70-71), CU (80)

3) Clay Zavada: 24 pitches. 1 strike swinging. Fastball (6th)

• Zavada came from a high 3/4 to 3/4 release and showed a change with some fade from righties with sink, a fastball with some run in on lefties and a 10-4 curve with solid depth.

5th: FB (88), CU (78-81)

6th: FB (87-89), CU (78-83), CB (70)

4) Leo Rosales: 21 pitches. 4 strikes swinging. Fastball (7th), 3 Changeups (2 in 6th, 7th)

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

6th: FB (88-91), CU (78-81), SL (81)

7th: FB (87-89), CU (79-80)

5) Tyler Clippard: 11 pitches. 1 strike swinging. Changeup.

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

6th: FB (89-91), SL (80), CU (79-80)

6) Jason Bergmann: 9 pitches. 2 strikes swinging. Fastball, Slider.

• Bergmann came from a 3/4 release with a fastball with some run in on righties and a hard 2-7 slider that has cutter-like movement with okay bite.

6th: FB (91-93), SL (85-86)

7) Ron Villone: 13 pitches. 2 strikes swinging. Fastball, Changeup.

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

7th: FB (89-92), SL (79-85), CU (82-84)

8) Jorge Sosa: 22 pitches. 5 strikes swinging. 5 Sliders (2 in 7th, 8th, 2 in 9th)

• Sosa is a 6-2, 230 pound righty. The 32 year old has a medium frame that is maxed out with some bad weight. He came form a 3/4 release and showed a 2-7 slider with good bite and a fastball withs ome run in on righties and some sink.

7th: SL (84-85)

8th: SL (84-86), FB (90-91)

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

9) Scott Schoeneweis: 14 pitches. 0 strikes swinging.

• Scott came from a high 3/4 release and showed a fastball with a little run in on lefties and a 10-4 slider with some bite.

8th: FB (86-88), SL (76-78)

10) Blaine Boyer: 14 pitches. 2 strikes swinging. Fastball, Curveball.

• Boyer came from an over the top release and showed a sharp 12-6 curve with good depth, a 2-7 slider with okay bite, a change with good fade from lefties that he will throw to righties and a fastball with good run in on righties.

8th: FB (93-98), CB (83), SL (82-85), CU (86-87)

7/24 Score: SD @ WAS

1) Mat Latos: 94 pitches. 7 strikes swinging. Fastball (2nd), 5 Sliders (2nd, 3rd, 5th, 2 in 6th), Changeup (5th)

• Latos came from an over the top release and showed a fastball with some run in on righties and a little sink, a 2-7 slider with above average bite and a change that flashes plus, but is more commonly below average with some fade from lefties that he has a tendency to hang. He will throw 3-2 changeups to righties. Has the early makings of an ace (Plus fastball, above average off-speed offering) and the development of his change will be key. He had solid command of his fastball. Refer to the Futures Game coverage for his frame and other data.

1st: FB (93-96), CU (80-81)

2nd: FB (93-96), SL (81-83)

3rd: FB (91-95), SL (80-82), CU (82)

4th: FB (92-95), SL (81-83)

5th: FB (93-95), SL (81-84), CU (81)

6th: FB (92-96), SL (79-82), CU (81-83)

2) Garrett Mock: 90 pitches. 3 strikes swinging. Fastball (5th), 2 Sliders (1st, 6th)

• Mock came from an over the top release and showed a fastball with some run in on righties and some sink, a sharp 12-6 curve with above average depth, a 2-7 slider with good bite and a change with some fade from lefties with sink. Could be a # 4, but his struggles with his command will impede his progress.

1st: FB (89-93), CB (75-77), SL (83-84)

2nd: FB (89-90), CB (75-76), CU (77)

3rd: FB (89-93), SL (82-84), CU (79)

4th: FB (89-92), CB (74), SL (81-83)

5th: FB (89-91), CB (75-79), SL (81-83), CU (79)

6th: FB (89-93), CB (76), SL (81-84), CU (78)

3) Jason Bergmann: 18 pitches. 1 strike swinging. Cutter (6th)

• Bergmann came from a high 3/4, almost over the top release and showed a cutter with good cut, a fastball with run in on righties with good sink and a power 12-6 curve that can be a strikeout pitch.

6th: Cut (85-87)

7th: FB (91-92), Cut (85-86), CB (79)

4) Luke Gregerson: 24 pitches. 3 strikes swinging. 3 Sliders (7th)

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

6th: FB (90), SL (82)

7th: FB (90-92), SL (81-84), CU (80-81)

5) Ron Villone: 15 pitches. 0 strikes swinging.

• Villone came from an over the top release and shwoed a fastball with some run in on lefties, a change with some fade from righties and sink and a 10-4 slider with good bite.

7th: FB (87-89), CU (81), SL (84)

6) Mike Adams: 18 pitches. 2 Fastballs, Curveball.

• Adams is a 6-5, 205 pound righty. The 31 year old has a big frame that can get up to at least 215. He came from an over the top release. His fastball has some run in on righties. His cutter has some cut and sink. His curve is a 12-6 with average depth that can be a strikeout pitch. His change has some fade from lefties with solid sink that he will throw to righties.

8th: FB (92-94), Cut (87-89), CB (81), CU (83)

7) Sean Burnett: 8 pitches. 2 strikes swinging. 2 Sliders.

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

8th: FB (90-91), SL (77-83)

8) Logan Kensing: 13 pitches. 3 strikes swinging. 2 Fastballs, Cutter.

• Kensing is a 6-1, 185 pound righty. The 27 year old has a medium frame that can get up to at least 195. He came from a high 3/4 release and showed a fastball with some run in on righties and a cutter with solid cut.

9th: FB (94-96), Cut (88-89)

9) Greg Burke: 11 pitches. 0 strikes swinging.

• Burke came from an over the top release and showed a fastball with above average run in on righties with good sink and a 2-7 slider with solid bite.

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

Chart Observations: CHC @ WAS

1) Kevin Hart: 83 pitches. 3 strikes swinging. 2 on Cutters (2nd, 5th), Fastball (3rd)

• Hart came from an over the top release with a fastball with good run in on righties with solid sink, a cutter with good cut and sink and a sharp 12-6 curve with average depth that can be a strikeout pitch. I like him better as a reliever and wonder if he can hold up for a full season, as he has that rubbery arm action where his wrist joins in making an arm circle.
  

1st: FB (88-93), Cut (85-86)

2nd: FB (90-94), Cut (87), CB (80-81)

3rd: FB (91-94), Cut (87-89), CB (77-80)

4th: FB (90-94), Cut (86-88), CB (77-79)

5th: FB (87-94), Cut (83-87), CB (79)

2) Garrett Mock: 63 pitches. 7 strikes swinging. 4 on Fastballs (2 in 2nd, 2 in 4th), 3 on Curveballs (all in 2nd)

• Mock is a 6-3, 230 pound righty. The 26 year old has a big frame that is maxed out. He comes from a 3/4 release. His fastball has above average run in on righties with good sink. His change moves like his fastball, but slower. His curve is a big breaking 12-6 with above average depth that is sharp enough to be a strikeout pitch and he has shown an ability to bounce it or throw it for strikes. His slider is a sharp 2-7 with good bite. His stat line looked ugly, but he has good pure stuff. His command is a severe question mark though and he constantly fell behind. Another guy I think I would prefer as a reliever.

1st: FB (90-91)

2nd: FB (89-92), CB (73-76), CU (77-78)

3rd: FB (89-92), SL (83)

4th: FB (88-92), CB (74-76), CU (78), SL (81)

3) Julian Tavarez: 19 pitches. 1 strike swinging. Changeup.

• Tavarez came from a 3/4 release and showed a fastball with good run in on righties with good sink, a sharp 2-7 slider that can be flat and a chnage with some fade from lefties with above average sink. He was released after this game and I have been saying this (as many others have said) that he should have been released a while ago.

4th: FB (90-92), SL (80-85), CU (83-84)

4) Ron Villone: 46 pitches. 3 strikes swinging. Fastball (6th), 2 Sliders (both in 6th)

• Villone came from a high 3/4 release and showed a fastball with good run in on lefties, a loopy 11-4 slider with good bite and a change with late fade from righties.

5th: FB (88-89), SL (78-85), CU (83)

6th: FB (87-90), SL (78-86), CU (82)

5) Jeff Samardzija: 41 pitches. 5 strikes swinging. 2 on Fastballs (6th, 7th), 3 on Splitters (6th, 2 in 7th)

• Jeff came from an over the top release and showed a fastball with a little run in on righties, a split with average dive that has good late action and flashes above average dive and a big breaking 2-7 slider with good bite that appears to be a curve-slider hybrid.

6th: FB (93-96), Split (84)

7th: FB (93-96), Split (85-86), SL (82)

8th: FB (92-94), Split (85-86), SL (81)

6) Tyler Clippard: 20 pitches. 0 strikes swinging.

• Clippard is a 6-3, 200 pound righty. The 24 year old has a big frame that can get up to at least 220. He came from an over the top release with a lot of herky jerky action and a cocking arm action. His fastball has some run in on righties. His curve is a 12-6 with above average depth. His change is straight and looks like a fastball out of his hands with some fade fade from lefties that he will throw to righties. His slider is a 2-7 with solid bite and he will throw 3-2 changeups. Clippard is likely going to be a solid middle reliever, but he isn't going to be a guy who dominates and middle reliever is his likely ceiling.

7th: FB (90-92), CU (80-81), CB (75-76), SL (83)

7) Sean Burnett: 18 pitches. 2 strikes swinging. Fastball, Slider.

• Burnett came from a high 3/4 release and showed a fastball with good run in on lefties and a 10-4 slider with good bite.

8th: FB (90-92), SL (77-81)

8) Mike MacDougal: 11 pitches. 2 strikes swinging. 2 Fastballs.

• Mike came from a 3/4 release and showed a fastball with above average run in on righties.

9th: FB (94-97)

9) Jeff Stevens: 13 pitches. 0 strikes swinging.

• Stevens is a 6-2, 205 pound righty. The 25 year old has a medium frame that can get up to 210. He came from an over the top release. His fastball is a pretty straight 4-seam. His curve is a 12-6 with above average depth. His elbow is bent from when he starts his delivery until he finishes the pitch and I don't know if this takes away or adds stress to it. His command was a little bit of a question mark and looks like a 4-A guy to me.

9th: FB (91-93), CB (73)

WAS @ NYY

• C.C. Sabathia is a 6-7, 290 pound left hander. The 28 year old has a big frame that is maxed out. He comes from a high 3/4 release. His fastball is a straight 4-seam with a little run. His change is a straight change that looks like a fastball out of his hand. He will throw a slurvy SL that is a 11-4 pitch early to try and steal a strike and will throw a sharper slier with a little better bite as an out pitch, but it isn't where it was last year. It shows some late bite, but he is struggling to bury it as a true out pitch. He stays away from righties with the change and is FB-SL only to lefties. He has a classic drop and drive delivery. His slider regression makes him a strong # 2 as opposed to an ace to me. He still has plus-plus command, but the days of him striking out 10-12 a game will be gone unless he rediscovers that slider.

1st: FB (93), CU (87)

2nd: FB (93-94), CU (86-87), SL (77-81)

3rd: FB (92-94), CU (87)

4th: FB (93-94), CU (85-86), SL (76-81)

5th: FB (92-95), CU (84-85), SL (77-81)

6th: FB (93-95), CU (85-87), SL (77-79)

7th: FB (92-93), CU (84-85), SL (78)

8th: FB (92-95), CU (84-85), SL (79)

• Shairon Martis comes from a 3/4 release and shows a fastball with some fade and sink, a change that is his best off-speed offering that has movement like his fastball, but to a greater degree, and looks like a fastball out of his hand. His slider is a 3-8 pitch with some bite, but is just average, if that. He will throw his change to righties and in any count. His fastball command can be inconsistent. He loves to throw 3-2 changeups. He is very comfortable throwing to his armside corner, but struggles when asked to go the other corner. He is a nibbler. # 5 starter with little projection left.

1st: FB (88-92), CU (81-85), SL (82-84)

2nd: FB (88-91), CU (81-82), SL (78-83)

3rd: FB (86-91), CU (80-82), SL (84)

4th: FB (86-90), CU (82), SL (79-84)

5th: FB (86-90), SL (83)

6th: FB (86-89), CU (82), SL (81)

• Know how I know your team stinks? You bring in Ron Villone with a 1-run lead in the 7th. Villone comes from a high 3/4 release and has a little bit of herky-jerk in his delivery. His slider is a slurvy 11-4, his fastball has some sink, but can be straight and his change has good fade and sink and looks like a fastball out of his hand.

7th: FB (88-90), SL (78-80), CU (81-83)

• Brian Bruney is a 6-3, 235 pound righty. The 27 year old has a medium to big frame that is maxed out. He comes from an over the top release. His fastball is a straight 4-seam. His slider is a sharp 2-7 pitch with great bite. I believe he throws an occasional cutter and it was pretty straight. Good 8th inning guy and should be able to fill the role as long as he stays healthy.

8th: FB (96), SL (89), Cut (90)

• Mike MacDougal is a 6-4, 190 pound 32 year old. The righty has a big frame that can add a lot more muscle. He comes from a high 3/4 release with a closer's arsenal, featuring a fastball with some fade and a little sink and a sharp, late breaking 2-7 slider. The problem is he has absolutely zero idea where the ball is going.

8th: FB (94-97), SL (86)

• Joe Beimel comes from a high 3/4 release and throws across his body to generate extra deception. His fastball is a 4-seam with a little run. His curveball is a slow 11-4 with solid depth. His change is straight with a little fade.

8th: FB (84-89), CB (71-72), CU (80)

• Mariano Rivera is a 39 year old who stands 6-2, 185. The right hander has a medium frame that can add more muscle if he so desires. His cutter is still plus and has good hard cut and he can put it wherever he wants to. Talk of his demise are premature.

9th: Cut (90-93)

WAS @ TB

• James Shields is a 6-4, 220 pound righty. The 27 year old has a big frame that can add a little more muscle. He comes from an over the top release. His fastball is a 4-seam with a little fade and sink. His change shows great sink and some fade and is a plus offering. His curveball is a 12-6 pitch with good bite and depth. His cutter has good cut and flashes sink. His change is his out pitch and he has great command of it. He has a very clean drop and drive delivery. Borderline ace.

1st: FB (88-92), CU (80-83), Cut (87), CB (75-76)

2nd: FB (89-92), CU (81-83), Cut (85-86), CB (78)

3rd: FB (89-91), CU (84), Cut (86-88), CB (74-75)

4th: FB (89-90), CU (80-82), Cut (87), CB (75-78)

5th: FB (90), CU (79-82), Cut (84), CB (75-77)

6th: FB (87-90), CU (79), Cut (86)

7th: FB (86-89), CU (81)

• Ross Detwiler opposed him. The lefty comes from a high 3/4 release that is almost over the top. His fastball shows some fade and a little sink. His change is a straight change with some sink. His curveball is a slurvy 11-4 offering with okay depth. He battled his command was effectively wild, as he issued 5 walks and got 3 double play balls. He has a ways to go to reach his ceiling as a 3rd starter.

1st: FB (90-94), CU (82-84), CB (76)

2nd: FB (90-93), CU (82), CB (76)

3rd: FB (90-93), CU (82-84), CB (75-77)

4th: FB (89-92), CU (82-83), CB (75-77)

5th: FB (88-92), CU (83), CB (76)

6th: FB (88-91), CU (82-83)

• Julian Tavarez attacks from a 3/4 release with a fastball that shows good fade and sink and a 2-7 slider with decent bite.

7th: FB (88-92), SL (79-81)

• Randy Choate is a sidearming lefty who showed a sweeping 9-3 slider with good late bite and a fastball with some run.

7th: FB (87-89), SL (77-79)

• Ron Villone comes from a high 3/4 release and showed a pretty straight 4-seam fastball and a slurvy 10-4 slider with solid bite. He will tighten the slider and throw a sharper one as a strikeout pitch.

8th: FB (88-89), SL (77-84)

• Joe Beimel is a 6-3, 215 pound lefty. The 32 year old has a medium to big frame that is maxed out. He comes from a high 3/4 release and shows a fastball with some run and sink and a 11-4 curve with good bite. He is a solid lefty in a pen, though I don't know if he should be the 1st lefty in someone's pen.

8th: FB (83-85), CB (71)

• Dan Wheeler is a 31 year old righty. The 6-3, 220 pounder has a medium frame that is maxed out. He comes from an over the top release and showed a 4 pitch repetoire for a reliever: a 4-seam fastball with a litle fade, a 2-7 slider with good bite, a 12-6 curveball with good depth and a change with good fade and sink.

8th: FB (85-89), SL (81-83), CB (76-77), CU (82-83)

• J.P. Howell comes from an over the top release with a fastball with some fade and sink, a 10-4 curve with good depth and a straight change that looks like a fastball out of his hand. Likely the new closer with the injury to Troy Percival.

9th: FB (86-87), CB (79-83), CU (80)

Have 2 charts (and a baseball game) tomorrow and all the games look pretty brutal, so it should be awesome...

Chart Observations: BAL @ WAS

• Koji Uehara is the only Japanese pitcher who had a reputation of being a command pitcher to have it translate in the big leagues. He is a 33 year old who stands 6-1, 190. His medium frame has a lot more room to add muscle. From a high 3/4 release, he showed a fastball at 87-90, a cutter at 84-85, a splitter at 79-82 and a curveball at 73. His fastball is a 2-seamer with good fade. His splitter has solid drop and fade, but is just an average offering. His cutter has more downward movement then side to side and is also just an average offering. His curveball was a 12-6 pitch that was also average. He has plus command and is your typical starting rotation placeholder while the prospects get ready. He can probably have a solid year this year, but his best case scenarios will always be with an ERA around 4.20-4.60.
• Ross Detwiler is a 23 year old who stands 6-5, 185. His big frame has A LOT of room to add more muscle. From a high 3/4 release, the left hander showed a fastball at 89-95, a curveball at 74-78 and changeup at 82-84. He has a "drop and drive" wind-up that allows him to maximize his frame, but he also throws across his body and has good deception throughout his delivery. His fastball is a straight 4-seam. His curveball is kind of a loopy 10-5, but got sharper as the game went out. His changeup is straight and teases as above average when he is able to throw it in the zone, which was once for about 18. He needs to work on finishing his change, as almost all of them were far out and away from righties. He still battles his command, having spurts pop up where he can't throw a strike to save his life (walked Uehara on 4 pitches and Brian Roberts on 5). He is a nibbler right now and needs to focus more on attacking with his above average fastball and above average curveball. He rarely comes inside, preferring to pound the outer half of the zone, which he does very well. A guy that could be a # 2 depending on if he is able to sit in the 93-94 range (not out of question with his frame), but is more likely to settle in as a middle of the rotation starter with above average velocity for a left hander.
• Justin Maxwell is a 25 year old who is 6-5 235. He has a big frame with room to add a lot more muscle. An open stance, he is slightly crouched and holds the bat horizontal over his shoulder. Struggles to recognize off-speed offerings and tends to check swing on balls that end up out of the zone. He will bunt for a hit. This guy needs consistent AB's, as he has a fairly long injury history. If he is up here, he should play everyday. If not, he should be in AAA getting 500 at bats. A potential 5-tool player, he will likely end up utilizing above average speed and have solid to above average power (15-25 homers) with a decent average (.260-.270). He is a strong defensive CF, making a tremendous catch to rob Adam Jones of a home run. He went up and over and pulled the ball back in. Should check that out on Gameday if it doesn't depress you too much (top of the 1st).
• Nolan Reimold is a 25 year old who is 6-4, 205. He is another big frame with room to add a lot more muscle. He has a fairly straight-up stance with a little bat wiggle. He also utilizes a double step for his trigger. He has a tendency to get a little long with his swing. He absolutely raked at AAA Norfolk to get his call-up (.394-.485-.743 with 9 HR's in 109 at bats) but also showed some contact issues (25 strikeouts or 20 % of the time he went to the plate, he struck out). Hard to get a feel for from the 1 game. He never put a good swing on a ball, but his stance shows a guy that should have above average pop. He will likely struggle against big league breaking balls in the early going. He shows average to a tick above average speed and profiles best as a corner outfielder. Don't have a feel for him yet.
• Brian Bass is a 27 year old who stands 6-2, 215. From a high 3/4 release, he featured a fastball at 91-93, a slider at 82-87, a curveball at 78-80 and a changeup at 80. When I saw him at Rochester 2 years ago, he impressed me and I thought he could be a serviceable reliever. He has proven me right as a swingman who can finish games and also help when a starter leaves early, resting other relievers. His fastball has good 2-seam movement with good fade. His slider is an average offering that has a little bite. His curveball is an above average 2-7 pitch with good bite and depth. His change moves like a fastball, but is much slower. Is pitching to his potential right now.
• Matt Albers is a 26 year old who stands 6-0, 205. His medium is maxed out and there also appears to be a little bad weight there. From a high 3/4 release, he showed a fastball at 91-93 and a curveball at 77-79. The fastball shows a little fade and sink. His curveball is a 12-6 that is sharp with good tilt and is a strikeout pitch. A solid middle reliever, but don't see him being a set-up guy or closer.
• Julian Tavarez was 91 with his fastball and 81-84 with his slider
• Ron Villone was 87-89 with his fastball, 84 with his slider and 82 with his change.
• Jason Bergmann is a 27 year old who stands 6-3, 220. His medium to big frame is maxed out. He featured a fastball at 91-93 and a curveball at 77-78 from a 3/4 release. His fastball is hard and had good fade. His curveball is a 12-6 like offering that has good tilt and could be a strikeout pitch. He releases the curveball a little higher then his fastball, which may be something opposing hitters will soon pick up on. A guy who was a starter that is trying to revive his career and he looks like he has a shot to be a solid middle reliever.
• Jim Johnson is a 25 year old who stands 6-5, 225. His big frame still has room to add a little more muscle. From an over the top release, he showed a fastball at 92-95 and a curveball at 78. His fastball is a straight 4-seam. His curveabll is a 12-6 offering that doesn't have great tilt and is more of an early strike pitch then a strikeout pitch. Another Orioles reliever that looks better as a middle reliever then a set-up man. I think he will have a hard time replicating the season he posted last year.
• Joel Hanrahan threw all fastballs at 94-95.
• George Sherrill is a 32 year old who stands 6-0, 230. His medium is maxed out and he doesn't look anything like a baseball player, more like a beer league softball player, as he is carrying what appears to be quite a bit of bad weight. From a high 3/4 release, he features a fastball at 89-92 and a slider at 72-75. He will slide step and leg kick. His fastball is a straight 4-seam. His slider is a loopy 11-5 offering that looks more like a curveball. It has good downward movement and shows good tilt and can be sharp. A solid lefty to have in a pen, but he isn't your protypical closer by any means.

Chart and the 3:10 Dodgers-Rockies game tomorrow featuring Eric Stults and Jorge De La Rosa.

Chart Observations: PHI @ WAS (GM 2)

This game was called after 6 innings due to rain.

• Andrew Carpenter got a spot start for Philly and doesn't look to be much. He featured a 2-seam sinker at 86-91 (sat at 88-89), a slider at 83-86, a changeup at 82-83 and a splitter at 82-86 from a high 3/4 release. The splitter was his 2nd best pitch on this day and his slider was disappointing. He also showed some issues commanding his sinker and he needs to be able to spot this pitch to be successful. His upside is that of a middle of the rotation starter, as it isn't out of the realm of possibility for him to sit at 90-92 and to get another step-up in command. However, I think he winds up being a guy bouncing between AAA and the majors as his complimentary pitches really aren't good enough to complement a fastball in the high 80's.
• Daniel Cabrera used to have upside and command issues. Now he just has command issues. He has lost a lot of velocity, now sitting at 89-96 (and mostly at 92-93) and also showed a slider at 78-84 and a changeup at 77-85. He had zero idea where the changeup was going and also had a tendency to throw spinners as opposed to sliders. His slider no longer teases as a plus pitch, but is rather an average pitch when thrown well. Washington rescued him from the dumpster and may now be returning him. He really has no upside left at this point and is major league filler for a desperate organization at this point.
• Clay Condrey was 88-91 with his fastball, threw a cutter at 86 and showed a slider at 85-86. Solid middle reliever with his moving fastball and his ability to generate ground balls.
• Ron Villone was 87-88 with his fastball, 79-84 with his slider and 82 with his change. You know what you are going to get with him, as he has had command issues since he came up.

Off tomorrow (though have a baseball game) and return to work on Tuesday.

Sorry for these write ups being mainly pitchers, I just wanted to make sure I got the charts done well and didn't take time to make many notes about hitters due to time constraints.

Chart Observations: WAS @ LAD

Both bullpens really struggled in this exciting game.

• Randy Wolf started for the Dodgers and featured a high 80's fastball, a high 60's curveball, a high 70's slider and a low 80's changeup. He showed above average command of his pitches and did a good job keeping the Nats hitters off balance all night. I have never been a big fan of his, but he continues to be a solid # 3 starter, and I believe this is his ceiling that he is currently pitching at.
• Despite a bad first inning, Jordan Zimmermann threw really well and continues to have the look of a pitcher who can grow into a strong # 2 for a contender at least.
• Ramon Troncoso attacked hitters with his low to mid 90's 2-seamer and plus mid 70's curveball. He elevated his 2-seam a little too much and that resulted in him getting hit.
• The Dodgers really miss Joe Beimel (who featured a mid to high 80's fastball, low 70's curve and low to mid 80's change, he really isn't a guy to get RH's out, but is a very good LOOGY with his FB-CB combo combined with the deception he generates from his delivery). Will Ohman once again failed to retire the one LH he faced with high 80's fastball and low 80's slider while Brent Leach failed to retire either Adam Dunn or Nick Johnson. Leach featured a low 90's fastball and an above average high 70's slider. Leach is likely pitching against Ohman for that LOOGY job and the Dodgers will have to make a decision to go with a raw youth with better stuff or with a veteran in hopes that he will return to his career norms.
• Cory Wade pitched better then his line indicated, as he attacked hitters with a low to mid 90's fastball, a plus high 70's curveball (which I would like to see him bury a little more) and an above average low 80's changeup. He is a quality 3-pitch reliever and looks to be a solid set-up guy, as his command was above average as well. I don't know if he will be able to generate the strikeout numbers necessary to be a closer.
• Guillermo Mota attacked hitters with a 94 mile per hour fastball, an average mid 80's slider and an above average mid 80's change. Mota is an extra arm for a bullpen at this stage of his career.
• James McDonald came out of the pen and was blooped to death. He went after guys with a low 90's fastball, mid 70's 12-6 curveball and a high 80's change. The 12-6 is plus and flashed plus-plus and his changeup is an above average offering. McDonald did still show some flashes of above average command, but continued to miss with his fastball in the middle of the plate a little too often. Not sure where he profiles best, but I think I would prefer him as a back-end starter, as his potential (# 3 starter) is greater then that of a reliever.
• Ron Villone is back in the big leagues and shows the same stuff, a high 80's fastball, mid 80's change and low 80's slider. All his pitches are average, with the change being a bit above average. Useful reliever to have when you don't want to waste other guys, but is it better to have him eating the innings or a younger guy who may have a future?
• Kip Wells attacked guys with a mid 90's fastball, low 80's curveball, mid to high 80's slider and a high 80's changeup. Wells needs to be a 3 pitch pitcher as a reliever, as the slider was an average offering, while his fastball and curveball are each above average. He gets some good 2-seam action on his fastball and his curveball flashed plus. Still think he is a solid option as a late inning guy, but he once again showed a tendency to nibble.