Score Observations (7/4 ARI @ COL): COL Pitches

1) Aaron Cook: 82 pitches. 5 strikes swinging. 5 Fastballs (1st, 3rd, 4th, 2 in 5th)

• Cook is a 6-3, 215 pound righty. The 30 year old has a medium frame that can add a little more muscle. He comes from an over the top release. His fastball is a 2-seam sinker that is his primary pitch and has good run in on righties with some sink and is a late breaking pitch. His change moves like a fastball, but slower. His slider is a sharp 2-7 with good bite. His curve is a big breaking 12-6 with good bite. A perfect fit for his ballpark. He left the game with an injury after making a diving play and throwing the ball away.

1st: FB (88-92), SL (88), CU (86)

2nd: FB (87-92)

3rd: FB (88-94)

4th: FB (89-94), CU (87)

5th: FB (89-94), CB (73)

6th: FB (88-91)

2) Alan Embree: 16 pitches. 0 strikes swinging.

• He came from a high 3/4 release and showed a 11-4 slider with good bite and a straight 4-seam fastball.

6th: FB (92-93), SL (78-81)

7th: FB (90-93), SL (79-80)

3) Juan Rincon: 6 pitches. 0 strikes swinging.

• A graduate (or starter) of the Kiko Calero school of pitching, Rincon is a 5-11, 210 pound righty. The 30 year old has a small frame that is maxed out. He comes from an over the top release with a sharp 2-7 slider with good bite.

7th: SL (83-86)

4) Joel Peralta: 23 pitches. 1 strike swinging. Fastball.

• He came from an over the top release and showed a fastball with a little run in on righties, a split with good dive that can be flat and serves as his out pitch and a 2-7 slider with good bite.

8th: FB (91-93), SL (77-79), Split (81-84)

5) Randy Flores: 12 pitches. 3 strikes swinging. 2 Sliders, Curveball

• Flores came from a high 3/4 release and showed a big breaking 11-4 curve with good depth and a sharp 10-4 slider with good bite to go with his straight 4-seam fastball.

8th: FB (90), SL (81-83), CB (74-76)

6) Matt Daley: 23 pitches. 0 strikes swinging.

• Daley is a 6-2, 175 pound righty. The 27 year old has a medium frame that can add a lot more muscle. The sidearming righty has a bent knee start in the stretch and can have some herky-jerk to him. His fastball has good run in on righties and has some good late life with sink. His change has good fade from lefties with sink and is his out pitch. His curve is a 1-7 pitch with solid depth. The best you can hope for is Chad Bradford reincarnated.

9th: FB (89-91), CU (82-84), CB (79)

Heading to Wal-Mart real quick. Got 5 games to add still...

Score Observations (7/4 ARI @ COL): ARI Pitchers

1) Yusmeiro Petit: 55 pitches. 9 strikes swinging. 4 on Fastballs (1st, 2 in 2nd, 3rd), Slider (1st), 2 on Curves (2nd, 3rd), 2 on Changes (1st, 3rd)

• I have no idea how he generated that many swings and misses. Petit is a 6-1, 255 pound righty that has a maxed out medium frame with some bad weight in the mid section. The 24 year old comes from an over the top release. His fastball is a 2-seam with a little run and sink in on righties. His change has good sink and fade from lefties. His curve is a 12-6 pitch with good depth. His slider is a 2-7 pitch with some bite. He will throw 2-0 changes and will throw it to righties. Petit is a back of the rotation starter at best and needs to improve his command to reach that modest ceiling.

1st: FB (86-88), CB (74-76), SL (81-84), CU (78)

2nd: FB (86-88), CB (73-76), SL (80-82), CU (79)

3rd: FB (85-89), CB (75-76), SL (80-81), CU (78-79)

2) Blaine Boyer: 26 pitches. 1 strike swinging. Fastball (4th)

• The Blaine Boyer scenic tour has traveled to the west coast now. The 6-3, 215 pound righty has a medium frame that can add a little more muscle. The 27 year old comes from a 3/4 release. His fastball has some run in on righties with sink. His slider is a 2-7 pitch with some bite and his cutter has some cut. Still think he is a solid middle reliever, but he keeps making me look stupid.

4th: FB (92-96)

5th: FB (93-96), SL (80-83), Cut (86)

3) Juan Gutierrez: 31 pitches. 2 strikes swinging. Fastball (6th) and Slider (6th)

• Gutierrez comes from an over the top release and shows a pretty straight 4-seam fastball, a 12-6 curve with okay bite and a sharp 2-7 slider.

6th: FB (95-97), CB (80), SL (84-86)

7th: FB (93-95), CB (80-82), SL (82-85)

4) Scott Schoeneweis: 6 pitches. 1 strike swinging. Fastball

• He (I don't feel like trying to spell his name again) came from a 3/4 release with a fastball with some run in on rightesi and sharp 10-4 slider with good bite.

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

5) Clay Zavada: 28 pitches. 1 strike swinging. Changeup

• Zavada came from a high 3/4 release and showed a straight 4-seam fastball, a change with good fade from righties with sink and a big breaking 11-5 curve with good depth. Battled his command this outing.

8th: FB (87-90), CU (79-83), CB (72)

6) Tony Pena: 5 pitches. 1 strike swinging. Slider

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

8th: FB (95-96), SL (88-90)

7) Chad Qualls: 16 pitches. 0 strikes swinging.

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

8th: SL (86-87)

9th: FB (90-93), SL (84-88)

Score Observations (7/4 Game): MIL @ CHC

1) Rich Harden: 52 pitches. 2 strikes swinging. Fastball (1st), Changeup (2nd)

• Harden is a 6-1, 195 pound righty. The 27 year old has a medium frame that can add a lot more muscle. He comes from a high 3/4, almost over the top release. His change has good fade and sink and does appear to be his only off speed offering and it flashes plus, but not consistent. His fastball has some run in on righties. Someone should tell Harden that since he abandoned his other pitches to stay healthy, that he has been pretty worthless lately throwing just 2 pitches.

1st: FB (89-94), CU (82-84)

2nd: FB (88-94), CU (81-86)

3rd: FB (88-91), CU (83)

2) Braden Looper: 112 pitches. 2 Fastballs (2nd, 4th), Splitter (3rd)

• Looper came from a high 3/4 release with a fastball that has some run and sink in on righties, a split with solid dive and 2-7 slider with some bite. Anytime he gives you 5 innings, it's a win for the Brewers, as I have no idea how he gets guys out.

1st: FB (88-90), SL (85-87), Split (82-85)

2nd: FB (89-90), SL (85-86), Split (82-84)

3rd: FB (88-90), SL (83-86), Split (82-85)

4th: FB (87-90), SL (84-85), Split (80-83)

5th: FB (87-88), SL (81-84), Split (82-83)

6th: FB (86-89), SL (82-83), Split (79-82)

3) David Patton: 37 pitches. 1 strike swinging. Fastball (4th)

• Patton came from a 3/4 release and showed a fastball with some run in on righties and a power 1-7 curve with good depth.

3rd: FB (88-90), CB (77-78)

4th: FB (88-91), CB (76-79)

4) Jeff Samardzija: 45 pitches. 1 strike swinging. Fastball (5th)

• The NFL must really want this guy, because someone stole his stuff and they are the prime culprit. He comes from an over the top release with a fastball with good run in on righties, a 2-7 slider with solid bite and a solid splitter. Not impressed with what he worked with.

5th: FB (90-92), Split (82-84), SL (79-83)

6th: FB (91-93), SL (79-81)

7th: FB (89-94), Split (83-84), SL (79-81)

5) Carlos Villanueva: 7 pitches. 2 strikes swinging. Changeup, Slider.

• Villanueva came from an over the top release with a straight 4-seam fastball, a change that looks like a fastball out of his hand and has good late from lefties with sink and a sharp 2-7 slider with good bite.

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

6) Todd Coffey: 9 pitches. 3 strikes swinging. 3 Sliders.

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

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

7) Kevin Hart: 23 pitches. 2 strikes swinging. Fastball (9th), Curveball (9th)

• Hart came from an over the top release with a fastball with good run in on righties with sink, a cutter with good cut that flashes 2-7 slider movement and a 1-7 curve with solid depth.

8th: FB (91-93), Cut (87-88), CB (79)

9th: FB (91-93), Cut (85), CB (78-80)

8) Chris Narveson: 14 pitches. 2 strikes swinging. Fastball, Curveball

• Narveson is a 6-3, 205 pound lefty. The 27 year old has a medium frame that can add a little more muscle. He comes from a high 3/4 release. He has a couple of pauses in his delivery and holds the break of his hands for a little while. His fastball is a straight 4-seam while his curve is a big breaking 11-4 with good depth. 4-A guy.

9th: FB (87-90), CB (73)

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Chart Observations (7/3 Game): PIT @ FLA

1) Chris Volstad: 47 pitches (left due to rain delay), 2 strikes swinging. 2 Changeups (3rd)

• Volstad came from an over the top release and showed a 2-seam fastball with sink and above average run in on righties. His offspeed stuff is a big breaking 12-6 curve with good depth that can be a K pitch and a changeup with good sink and fade from lefties that he will throw to righties. Has the potential to be a # 2 starter and is a solid # 3 right now.

1st: FB (91-93), CB (80-81)

2nd: FB (90-92), CB (78-80), CU (84)

3rd: FB (90-91), CB (75-80), CU (82-84)

2) Charlie Morton: 91 pitches. 7 strikes swinging. Fastball (4th), 3 Curveballs (2nd, 2 in 5th), 3 Changeups (2nd, 2 in 6th)

• Morton is a 6-4, 190 pound righty. The 25 year old has a big frame that can add a lot more muscle. He comes from a high 3/4 release with a 2-seam fastball with slightly above average sink and run in on righties. It flashes plus every once in awhile. His change has good fade from lefties with good sink and he will throw the pitch to righties. His curve is a big breaking 12-6 with good depth and serves as his out pitch. His slider is a 2-7 offering with solid bite that he threw just once in this game. Morton's velocity was up from when I saw him late at the year and he looks like he should be a solid middle of the rotation starter. Even though his frame isn't maxed, I believe his velocity is.

1st: FB (89-95), CU (85), CB (80)

2nd: FB (90-95), CU (82-83), CB (82)

3rd: FB (88-91), CU (80-81)

4th: FB (88-94), CU (81-82), CB (78-80)

5th: FB (87-94), CU (82), CB (79-80)

6th: FB (87-93), CU (81-82), CB (78-79), SL (82)

3) Tim Wood: 36 pitches. 3 strikes swinging. 2 Fastballs (5th, 6th), Slider (6th)

• Wood is a 6-1, 185 pound righty. The 26 year old has a medium frame that can get up to at least 200. He comes from a 3/4 release. His fastball has good run in on righties with solid sink. His change has excellent diving action and can look like a splitter. His slider is a 2-7 pitch with good late bite. Wood has the makings of a late inning reliever, but will likely be a middle reliever.

4th: FB (92-93), SL (85-87)

5th; FB (91-93), SL (87)

6th: FB (92-94), CU (87), SL (86)

4) Chris Leroux: 32 pitches. 2 strikes swinging. Slider, Changeup.

• Leroux came from a high 3/4 release with a fastball with excellent run in on righties with solid sink that looks like it would be like hitting a brick. However, the pitch can flatten out and he can also struggle with his command of it. His change shows good fade from lefties with sink. His slider is a 2-7 pitch with solid bite. I think Leroux is a set-up man down the road.

7th: FB (92-95), CU (87), SL (84-86)

5) Joel Hanrahan: 29 pitches. 3 strikes swinging. 2 Fastballs, Slider

• Hanrahan came from an over the top release with a fastball that has some sink and a 2-7 slider with good bite. Somehow, barrels keep finding his ball.

7th: FB (94-96), SL (84-86)

6) Brian Sanches: 17 pitches. 1 strike swinging. Slider.

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

8th: FB (88-90), SL (83), Split (79-83)

7) John Grabow: 11 pitches. 2 strikes swinging. Slider, Changeup

• Comes from a 3/4 release with a straight 4-seam fastball, a straight change with some late sink and a slurvy 10-4 slider with solid bite. He will throw the changeup to lefties. Solid setup guy, but better fit as a middle reliever in the 6th or 7th.

8th: FB (89-92), SL (84), CU (83)

8) Renyel Pinto: 14 pitches. 2 strikes swinging. Fastball, Slider

• Pinto came from a high 3/4 release with a fastball with good run in on righties, a straight change with some sink and a 10-4 slider with good bite.

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

9) Jeff Karstens: 22 pitches. 2 strikes swinging. 2 Curveballs

• Karstens comes from an over the top release and shows a fastball with some run in on righties with sink, a 12-6 big breaking curve with good depth, a 2-7 slider with solid bite and a change with solid fade from lefties and sink that he will throw to righties.

9th: FB (88-91), SL (79), CU (78-79), CB (69-72)

Hairston to Athletics

In what is looking to be a firesale by the Padres, they have sent Scott Hairston to the A's for Ryan Webb, Craig Italiano and a PTBNL.


A's Side: Hairston is under control through 2011 and has a had a strong year, hitting .299-.358-.533 in some limited PT after an injury earlier in the year. Not sure where he fits now, as this move pretty much ensures Jack Cust would be the everyday DH and Giambi at 1B if they want him playing everyday in the OF, but Hairston is not a great defensive RF and I struggle to believe he is better then Ryan Sweeney right now.


Padres Side: Webb is a 23 year old who is 7-1, 4.34 at AAA as a reliever. 15 BB, 39 K in 45.2 IP. Italiano is 22, 23 later this month and is 5-6, 5.63 with 40 BB and 75 K's in 76.2 IP at High A Stockton. I think Webb is the traditional Padres reliever and will be one who is a good fit for PETCO's ability to keep the ball in the park. Italiano is all projection at this point and I will bet he ends up in the pen if he makes it.


Overall: I know I will be in the minority of this, but I think the Padres won this deal. Hairston goes from the weaker league to the stronger league and will be counted on to produce. I just don't see him maintaining his current level of play, as he has always been a good bit player, but struggled as an everyday player (until this season). The Athletics have plenty of OF's who need at bats, such as Aaron Cunningham, Eric Patterson, Ryan Sweeney and Travis Buck and Hairston's addition only slows their development times. Meanwhile, San Diego gets Webb, who is a good fit for their park and should be a solid reliever, an upside arm in Italiano and a PTBNL.


The Pads win by default b/c I think the addition of Hairston will end up hurting the A's in regards to the development of their younger OF's and the fact they are not going to be making the playoffs.


Look for most of the data I have collected in the last 3 days to be posted after our baseball game tonight.

My 4th of July Celebration

While some of you are cooking out, watching fireworks or out getting drunk b/c its Saturday night, I have a special celebration planned: The infamous 4-game day. I have 2 charts tomorrow (1 extra) and 2 scores (1 extra). So yea, tough break those of you actually out having fun, some of us have work that never ends (love the fact I can call watching baseball work and actually get paid)
My 2 scores:
1:05 MIL @ CHC (My extra, so pray for fast game): Braden Looper vs. Rich Harden

• Supposedly Harden only throws FB-CU, but his CU can look like a SL at times (if you think that sounds retarded, join the group) and I hope to watch it tomorrow to be sure

8:10 ARI @ COL: Yusmeiro Petit vs. Aaron Cook

• Petit used to be loved by the sabermetric community while the scouts were skeptical. Never really watched him pitch, so I am looking forward to it.

Chart Observations: NYM @ PIT: PIT Pitchers

1) Paul Maholm: 81 pitches. 2 strikes swinging. Fastball (4th), Slider (4th)

• Maholm comes from a high 3/4 release with a 2-seam fastball wtih good armside run and above average sink, a 11-4 curve with above average depth, a change with above average sink and looks like a fastball out of his hand and a sweeping 11-5 slider with good bite.

1st: FB (86-89), CB (73), CU (81-82), SL (80)

2nd: FB (87-89)

3rd: FB (86-90), CB (75), CU (82-84), SL (81)

4th: FB (87-91), CB (74-77), CU (84-85), SL (81-83)

5th: FB (87-90), CB (74-75), CU (82-83), SL (82)

2) Jeff Karstens: 25 pitches. 0 strikes swinging.

• Karstens comes from an over the top release with a sharp 2-7 slider with good bite, a fastball with good armside and a little sink, a big breaking 12-6 curve and a change with some fade and sink from lefties.

5th: FB (87-90), SL (79), CU (79), CB (68-72)

6th: FB (87-91), SL (77), CB (69-76)

3) Evan Meek: 15 pitches. 0 strikes swinging.

• Meek is a 6-0, 220 pound righty. The 26 year old has a medium frame that is maxed out. He comes from an over the top release. He is fairly difficult to chart, as he throws a FB, CB, Cut, SL and CU. I believe he is similar to some of these other pitchers that throw predominantly cutters, but some disagree. I believe his cutter has good cut, but the amount can be inconsistent and it can flash being straight. His 4-seam fastball has some run in on righties. His curveball is a 12-6 pitch with good depth. I like him and he has plus velocity, but his command can come and go.

7th: Cut (88-94), FB (93), CB (78)

4) Steven Jackson: 33 pitches. 4 strikes swinging. 3 on Sliders (8th, 2 in 9th), Changeup (8th)

• Jackson is a 6-5, 215 pound righty. The 27 year old has a big frame that has room to add a lot more muscle. He comes from an over the top release. His slider is a 2-7 pitch with solid bite, but can flatten out or flash as plus. His fastball is a 2-seam with some armside run and sink. His changeup has good fade and sink that he will throw occasionally to righties. I am not a big fan of him as a 1 inning reliever, and his velocity isn't good enough to really be a guy I would be confident in as a Scot Shields type. I think he is a swingman for a contender at best.

8th: FB (88-89), SL (80-83), CU (81-83)

9th: FB (87-90), SL (80-82), CU (81-83)

5) Jesse Chavez: 1 pitch.

• Chavez threw a fastball with some movement. Got a groundout and I do like his stuff.

9th: FB (93)

6) Matt Capps: 25 pitches. 3 strikes swinging. 2 Fastballs, Changeup

• Capps is a 6-2, 245 pound righty. The 26 year old has a medium frame that is maxed out with a little bit of bad weight. He comes from an over the top release. His fastball has some run in on righties. His slider is a big breaking 2-7 with good bite, but doesn't appear to be a true strikeout pitch due to some loopy action. His change is straight with a little late fade from lefties. Solid closer, but more of a set-up guy or middle reliever on a contender.

10th: FB (91-94), SL (82-84), CU (87-88)

On a personal note, despite a (what seems like) 0-13 slump (more of a junior year slump then the senior year FLA slump, made the same adjustment I did after FLA that year and am back to hitting the ball hard by getting my stride foot down quicker, just not getting the hits to show for it yet), I have been selected to the Tri County League All Star team. The game is next Friday (July 10th) and luckily I have off work that day, so this should be interesting.

Ladies, take note. I am an All-Star. True Story. :-)

Chart Observations: NYM @ PIT: NYM Pitchers

1) Tim Redding: 49 pitches. 4 strikes swinging. 3 on Fastballs (2 in 2nd, 3rd), Slider (3rd)

• Redding came from an over the top release with a 2-seam fastball with some late armside run, a change with good armside fade and sink, a big breaking 12-6 curve with good depth and a 2-7 slider with okay bite.

1st: FB (87-90), SL (85), CU (80-82)

2nd: FB (87-90), SL (81-83), CU (79-83), CB (75-77)

3rd: FB (86-89), SL (81-83), CU (81), CB (74)

2) Pat Misch: 6 pitches. 0 strikes swinging.

• Misch came from a high 3/4, almost over the top release and showed a fastball with some gloveside run and sink and a 11-4 slider that just keeps going down.

3rd: FB (83-85), SL (81-84)

3) Elmer Dessens: 19 pitches. 0 strikes swinging.

• Dessens came from an over the top release and showed a fastball with good armside run and above average sink, a 2-7 slider with good bite and a change with good armside fade and some sink. He will throw his change to righties.

4th: FB (86-90), SL (85-87), CU (84)

4) Brian Stokes: 21 pitches. 5 strikes swinging. 2 on Fastballs (both in 6th), 2 on Changeups (both in 5th) and a Curveball (6th)

• Stokes came from an over the top release with a 4-seam fastball with a little run in on righties and a change with good fade from lefties and sink. He also threw a 12-6 curve with good depth.

5th: FB (93-96), CB (80), CU (80-82)

6th: FB (92-95), CB (78-80)

5) Pedro Feliciano: 18 pitches. 0 strikes swinging.

• Feliciano is a sidearming lefty who featured a fastball with some late armside fade and sink, a cutter with good cut, a 9-4 slider with solid bite and a straight change that moves like his fastball.

7th: FB (87-89), Cut (82-84), SL (74-77), CU (77-79)

6) Sean Green: 25 pitches. 2 strikes swinging. Changeup (8th), Slider (8th).

• Green is a sidearming righty whose fastball has excellent armside run and sink, a 1-7 slider with good bite and a change that moves like a fastball with more sink then fade from lefties.

7th: FB (88), SL (74-75)

8th: FB (87-91), SL (73-75), CU (80-83)

7) Francisco Rodriguez: 46 pitches. 8 strikes swinging. 2 on Fastballs (9th), 2 on Curveballs (9th), 4 on Changeups (2 in 9th, 2 in 10th

• K-Rod came from an over the top release and showed a fastball with late run in on righties with sink, a change that moves like a fastball with excellent late fade from lefties and a sharp 12-6 curve with excellent depth.

9th: FB (92-95), CB (79-82), CU (84-88)

10th: FB (92-94), CB (81), CU (83-87)

Chart Observations: BAL @ LAA

1) Jeremy Guthrie: 112 pitches. 7 strikes swinging. 3 on Fastballs (1st, 2 in 6th), 3 on Sliders (2nd, 3rd, 6th), Changeup (5th)

• Guthrie is a 6-1, 195 pound righty. The 30 year old has a medium frame that can add a little more muscle. He comes from an over the top release. His fastball has some armside run. His slider is a 2-7 with good bite. His changeup has some fade to lefties and a little sink. His curve is a 12-6 with good depth. He will throw his change to righties. He will drop down sidearm to throw fastballs with 2 strikes against lefties. I think he is a # 3 starter and should be one who pitches a lot better if he can get out of the AL East.

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

2nd: FB (90-93), SL (83-84), CU (82-83), CB (71)

3rd: FB (90-93), SL (83), CU (84-85), CB (71-72)

4th: FB (89-93), SL (81-82), CU (83), CB (72-73)

5th: FB (88-94), SL (82-85), CU (84-86), CB (72)

6th: FB (90-94), SL (81-83), CU (83), CB (72-73)

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

2) John Lackey: 114 pitches. 11 strikes swinging. Fastball (5th), 7 on Sliders (3 in 5th, 6th, 3 in 8th), 3 on Curveballs (3rd, 4th, 7th)

• Lackey is a 6-6, 245 pound righty. The 29 year old has a big frame that is maxed out. He comes from an over the top release. His fastball has above average armside run and a little sink. His curve is a 12-6 offering with good depth. His slider is a sharp 1-7 with good bite. His change has good fade from lefties with some sink. He can throw the curveball for strikes or bury it and it served as his out pitch early on. He is still a # 2 starter regardless of the stats and looks to make a lot of money this offseason.

1st: FB (91-93)

2nd: FB (90-93), SL (83), CB (79-82)

3rd: FB (91-93), SL (82-84), CB (78-82), CU (83-84)

4th: FB (91-93), CB (79-82), CU (85)

5th: FB (90-92), SL (81-83), CB (77-82)

6th: FB (89-92), SL (80-82), CB (77-79)

7th: FB (90-92), SL (83), CB (76-77)

8th: FB (90-92), SL (79-82), CB (77-81)

3) Chris Ray: 13 pitches. 0 strikes swinging.

• Ray is a 6-3, 225 pound righty. The 27 year old has a medium frame that is maxed out. He is a little herky jerky from a sidearm release. His fastball has good armside run and his slider is a 3-8 pitch with good bite. Looks to still be a solid middle relief option, but not the setup man or closer he once flashed being.

8th: FB (93-95), SL (84-86)

4) Brian Fuentes: 8 pitches. 0 strikes swinging

• Fuentes came from a low 3/4, almost sidearm release and is a slinger. His fastball has some gloveside run and his slider is a slurvy 10-4 with good bite.

9th: FB (89-91), SL (75)

IronPigs Observations

We live about 5 minutes from the Phillies AAA team, so I will file some reports on them on occasion. This was my 2nd time there and my 1st was a bust (thought we would see Carrasco, saw Kendrick, awesome). Luckily, this time we got to see Carrasco and I will also give you a note on the Indian we saw oppose Kendrick from last outing.

THE PROSPECT: CARRASCO, Carlos (R/R)

Age: 3/21/87 = 22 years old

Build: 6-3, 215. Big frame that is maxed out. Very big thighs.

Delivery: Very quite delivery with hands going over his head. A little hitch from both the wind and stretch that he has to keep his weight back.

Stuff: FB, CB, SL, CU. Fastball has some armside run that he has above average command of. His curveball is a 1-7 pitch with pretty good depth that he had solid command for and is a slightly above average pitch. His slider is tight with good bite and should be a solid major league offering. His change is his breadwinner and it showed good sink and fade from righties, but may be a tad overhyped, as I think it is just slightly above average. Overall, he has above average command and was locating and keeping the ball down.

1st Inning: FB (86-92), CU (80)

Settled In: FB (88-92), SL (80-85), CB (76-79), CU (80-84)

Touched 93 and 94 once.

Outlook: Carrasco is big league ready. He has had some struggles in AAA, but there isn't much else he can learn here. What you see with him is what you get, a solid pitcher, but not a great one. His upside is that of a # 3 starter and he is probably a # 4 or 5 right now. He just needs to tighten his off speed stuff a little more and continue to develop his command.

THE PROSPECT: BALESTER, Collin (R/R)

Age: 6/6/86 = 23 years old

Build: 6-5, 200. Big frame that can add a lot more muscle and should be able to get up to atleast 235. Twig like right now and no way he could handle the rigors of starting every day in the majors and stay healthy.

Delivery: Clean windup where he only moves his hands when he kicks his leg. Doesn't look like he is comfortable doing it, but repeats it well.

Stuff: FB, CB, CU. His fastball has some run in on righties, but he left it up in this outing. They were getting great contact and were squaring it up with no problem. His curveball is his go-to offering and is a sharp 11-5 (from our angle, 1-7 to him). It has great bite and can be a knee-buckler when right. It is his out pitch, but doesn't appear to have full confidence in it. He will guide it on occasion and was scared to bounce it with runners on 3rd. He chose instead to throw fastballs, which were hit. His change is a distant 3rd offering and has some fade from lefties with sink. He will need to either develop the change more or learn a slider to remain a starter. He has good control, but needs to improve his command and the quality of strikes he throws.

1st Inning: FB (87-92), CB (73-76)

Settled In: FB (89-91), CB (71-79), CU (79-83)

Touched 92 once.

Outlook: If Carrasco is a finished product, Balester is your project. Balester has all the tools to be a # 2 starter, but his more likely potential would have him be a # 3 or # 4 starter. Balester should be able to add a couple of ticks to his fastball and sit in the low 90's if he can add some more weight to his frame. However, the guy is now 23 and has pitched in the big leagues, so you have to wonder if he will continue to get stronger. I give him about a 5 % chance of being a # 2, but a 75 % chance at being a major league starting pitcher. You will likely see him in September.

I will post my observations from my 2 charts from today after I return from our baseball game.

Chart Observations: CHW @ CLE

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

2nd: FB (87-91)

3rd: FB (87-91)

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Chart Observations: LAA @ TEX

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

TB @ TOR

1) Ricky Romero: 113 pitches. 12 strikes swinging. 2 on Fastballs (1st, 4th), 10 on Changeups (2 in 1st, 2 in 3rd, 3 in 4th, 2 in 5th, 7th)

• Romero comes from a 3/4 release and showed a fastball with some run in on righties with sink, a 11-4 curve with good depth, a change with excellent sink and some fade from righties and a 10-4 slider with some bite. Romero is a future # 2 starter and has been absolutely dominant lately.

1st: FB (91-95), CB (80-83), CU (87)

2nd: FB (91-95), CU (84-85), SL (82-83)

3rd: FB (93-95), CB (80-81), CU (83-86)

4th: FB (92-94), CB (80), CU (84-86), SL (81)

5th: FB (91-93), CB (75-81), CU (83-88)

6th: FB (92-94), CU (85-86)

7th: FB (91-94), CU (81-87)

8th: FB (91-95), CB (78-79), CU (84-86), SL (83-86)

2) James Shields: 108 pitches. 11 strikes swinging. 2 on Fastballs (3rd, 4th), 3 on Curveballs (3rd, 2 in 6th), Changeup (7th), 5 on Cutters (1st, 2 in 2nd, 4th, 5th)

• Shields came from an over the top release with a fastball that has good run in on righties and sink, a sharp 12-6 curve with good depth, a cutter with solid cut and some sink that can flash 2-7 like slider movement and a change with excellent fade from lefties and some sink.

1st: FB (90-92), Cut (85-88), CB (74-77), CU (82)

2nd: FB (92-94), Cut (87-89), CU (83-84)

3rd: FB (92-94), Cut (84-87), CB (76-77), CU (82-84)

4th: FB (91-95), Cut (85-86), CB (77-78), CU (82-83)

5th: FB (91-93), Cut (86), CB (76-77), CU (83)

6th: FB (92-94), Cut (84-88), CB (76-78), CU (82-83)

7th: FB (92-94), Cut (86-87), CB (78), CU (82-83)

8th: FB (92), Cut (84-87), CB (75), CU (80-83)

3) Randy Choate: 2 pitches. 1 strike swinging. Slider.

• Choate is a sidearming lefty with a sweeping 9-4 slider with good late bite and a fastball with some run in on lefties with a little sink.

8th: FB (89), SL (79)

4) Grant Balfour: 5 pitches. 1 strike swinging. Fastball.

• Balfour comes from an over the top release with a straight 4-seam fastball.

8th: FB (95-97)

5) Jason Frasor: 16 pitches. 4 strikes swinging. 3 on Fastballs, Splitter

• Frasor comes from an over the top release with a straight 4-seam fastball and an out pitch that is his splitter that has good dive.

9th: FB (93-96), Split (86-89)

Color Me Confused

The Washington Nationals moves perplex me. Look at the Pirates trades thread for the 1st part.

To make room for Nyjer Morgan, the Nats have optioned Elijah Dukes to AAA. As everyone knows, Dukes is the toolsiest outfielder they have. He is also a little bit of a prima donna and is prone to making bad decisions. Why would you send down a guy that has the potential to be an everyday OF when this type of move could result in him just shutting down (Dear Washington: You did the same thing to Lastings Milledge. Good decision...).

This now leaves the Nats with an OF of (for the worst team in baseball): LF: 30 year old Josh Willingham or 29 year old Adam Dunn, CF: Nyjer Morgan, RF: Dunn, Willingham or 28 year old Austin Kearns. Willie Harris is also there. The Nats must make another deal. Maybe they did this so Willingham can play everyday (and thus hopefully enhance his trade value), but why not just cut loose Kearns?

Kearns is hitting a paltry .197-.330-.322 and has never really shown signs of being the player they expected him to be when they picked him up. He also has no place for their future. I am never in favor of releasing a 28 year old OF who has a plus arm and on base skills, but I would rather do that then option a player to the minors who is as likely to shut it down for the season as turn it around when he has the potential to be that guy.

Basically, the Nats need to do something. They will need to, by July 31st, trade Nick Johnson and Josh Willingham for sure. This would allow them to play Dunn at 1B, Kearns/Harris in LF, Morgan in CF and Dukes in RF. Everyone would slot correctly.

They are likely going to be unable to pull a major league ready arm (like a Manny Delcarmen) for either. But, I think a package of Nick Johnson to the Red Sox for a AA arm like Felix Doubront (21 year old, 4-2, 3.57, 58 IP, 29 BB, 58 K) and a young hitter, lets go with OF David Mailman (20 year old, .297-.357-.467 at low A prior to promotion at High A). I saw both these guys play and they don't seem to be as highly regarded, but I bet both play in the majors.

I think a good deal for the Nats would be dealing Willingham to the Braves for right handed reliever Craig Kimbrel, though he was the Braves 2nd round pick last June so they may still value him highly. If they want pitchers, they can look at Edgar Osuna (3-4, 3.19 in High A prior to promotion to AA), Cole Rohrbough (other analysts love, I was unimpressed in Low-A last season, 4-4, 4.96 in High A) or Jose Ortegano (3-5, 3.66). Yes, all 3 of these guys are developmental and may or may not work out, but why not give it a shot?

Another route if they don't want to deal inter-division would be dealing him to the Giants for 2B Nick Noonan, whose stock has taken a hit with his .243-.317-.359 line in High-A, but I still believe will be an average 2Bmen.

I limited these deals to players I have seen play and have no idea if the Braves/Giants/Red Sox would be interested in even considering dealing those assets.

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.

+/- IP Re-Eval

Removed Jim Mecir, Paul Quantrill and Hector Carrasco from 2000

Removed Ugueth Urbina, Jay Powell, Rod Beck, Billy Wagner and Ricardo Rincon from 2001

Removed Scott Williamson, Antonio Osuna and Valerio De Los Santos from 2002

Removed Dan Miceli, Guillermo Mota, Tom Gordon, Kyle Farnsworth, Matt Mantei, Aaron Fultz and Mariano Rivera from 2003

Removed Ricky Bottalico, Mike Koplove, Trevor Hoffman, Jason Isringhausen, Giovanni Carrara and Josias Manzanillo from 2004

Removed Mike MacDougal, Al Reyes, Russ Springer, Jose Valverde, Bob Wickman, Julio Mateo, Bobby Howry, Brian Fuentes, Brendan Donnelly, Giovanni Carrara and Doug Brocail from 2005

Removed Oscar Villarreal, Rick Bauer, Joe Beimel, Tom Martin, Jon Adkins, Matt Herges, Chad Bradford, Joe Borowski and Ron Mahay from 2006

Removed Jesus Colome, Eric Gagne, Doug Brocail, Antonio Alfonseca, Michael Wuertz, David Riske, Javier Lopez and Rudy Seanez from 2007

Removed Jeff Bennett, Eddie Guardado, Tyler Walker, Ramon Ramirez, B.J. Ryan, Jesse Crain, Octavio Dotel, Arthur Rhodes, Luis Ayala, Manny Delcarmen, Ryan Madson and Huston Street from 2008

The Pirates Trades: Who Wins?

Yankees Get:
Eric Hinske: A very good bench bat, the Yankees did good to acquire another hitter who should help fill a little bit of the void left by Xavier Nady being done for the year. For the price, the Yankees did very well in this analyst's opinion.

Nationals Get:
Nyjer Morgan: a 27 year old OF, Morgan is having a strong season for the expectations that were set in front of him. Hitting mostly 2nd, Morgan is hitting .277-.351-.356 with 18 stolen bases, though he has been caught 10 times. He will immediately (hopefully) play centerfield and allow Elijah Dukes to move to a corner. Morgan is playing at his highest potential however. He is a slap hitter who will never provide a ton of power and I am somewhat wary of him continuing his production. He is a guy who wasn't part of the Pirates future and now moves to a team where he may be the starting CF for quite awhile (more because of their system then his talent).

Sean Burnett: A lefty reliever, Burnett has shown some potential this season with an ERA of 3.06. Burnett is just an extra arm and I don't understand why the Nats want him when 2 of their best relievers this season (Ron Villone and Joe Beimel) are also left handed. Might we be seeing a possible conversion to a starting pitcher?

Pirates Get:
From Yankees
Casey Erickson: Wish I could tell you something about him. Is a 23 year old pitching in Low-A and has appeared in 21 games (3 starts) and is 3-3 with a 2.25 ERA and 13 walks against 37 strikeouts in 44 innings.

Eric Fryer: A 23 year old who is on his 3rd organization this season, he led the SAL in average last season but I never got to see him. In High A, he is .250-.333-.344 and is likely an OF, though there is some talk about catcher. He has good speed, as he has stolen 11 of 16 bases.

From Nationals:
Lastings Milledge: The enigmatic 24 year old has struggled at AAA this season (.253-.277-.316), but is a good risk. The youngster has 5 tool potential and now that he has a change of scenery, he may be ready to break out. I am not sure if he will start in the majors with the Pirates, but I would start him there ahead of recent call-up Garrett Jones (who I saw in Rochester 2 years ago and is just a place holder at best. Solid above average power, but can't hit off-speed stuff inside and changeups give him some trouble). The Pirates need to talk to him and tell him this is his last chance and to work your butt off and we will reward you with major league playing time. If you work.

Joel Hanrahan: Yes, he has struggled, but there is no denying his stuff. This should help him and he just needs to find a way to bring back his old slider.

Analysis:
Yankees: Get a bench bat for a couple mid level prospects. Good deal and Hinske is a tough out hitter who will make pitchers work.

Nationals: I really like Mike Rizzo, but I fail to understand this deal. He got back a MLB outfielder (which they don't really need) and a reliever and gave up a younger OF who has more tools and a reliever who has better stuff then the one they got back. This deal could really come back and bite them if Milledge turns it around.

Pirates: They got as much as they could have for Hinske. I will be surprised if either makes the majors, but at least they continue to stockpile the previously depleted system with some talent and I haven't seen either play, so maybe they are diamonds in the rough. Meanwhile, I really like their package for Morgan/Burnett. Milledge has the chance to be a special talent and will now be allowed to play (corner outfield) and hit (between 5th and 7th), which is where he is a better fit as opposed to CF and leadoff. Hanrahan still has the stuff to be good and I think he will really pitch well in Pittsburgh. If not, it cost them two pieces who weren't in their future anyways.

3 IP Extra Report: 6/29: COL @ LAD

Did 3 innings of this game for a chart to get myself 4 hours of work this morning in preparation of my night game featuring Dan Haren and Bronson Arroyo.

• Randy Wolf is a 5-10, 200 pound lefty. The 32 year old has a small frame that is maxed out. He comes from an over the top release. His fastball is a 4-seam with a little run and sink. His curve is a slow, big breaking 12-6 with great depth. His slider comes from the same release point and has the same initial movement, but is sharper and more 11-5. His change is a straight change with a little sink. Solid # 3 starter.

1st: FB (89-91), CB (68-70), SL (79-83) - 1 Fastball

2nd: FB (88-91), CB (66), SL (80), CU (82) - 1 Fastball

3rd: FB (89-92), CB (67-69), SL (80), CU (80-82) - 2 Curveballs

• Ubaldo Jimenez came from an over the top, almost high 3/4 release. He showed a fastball with some run in on righties, a power 12-6 curve with good depth, a sharp 2-7 slider that flashes plus bite or can be more of a cutter and move on just one plane and a change with some fade from lefties and sink. Legitimate arm with the potential to be a true ace.

1st: FB (94-97), SL (87-89), CB (76-80) - 1 Curveball

2nd: FB (98-99), SL (87-90), CB (78-81), CU (89) - 1 Curveball, 1 Slider

3rd: FB (96-98), SL (90)

Chart Observations: LAA @ TEX

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Is Chad Billingsley Tired?

As some of you know, I keep an Excel spreadsheet of the pitchers I have seen with their miles per hour. I recently entered in Chad Billingsley and found something interesting. Look at these numbers:
4/8: FB (90-95), SL (87-91), CB (76-81), Cut (88-93)
5/3: FB (88-95), SL (81-83), CB (71-82), Cut (86-91)
6/25: FB (87-93), SL (83-86), CB (67-81), Cut (86-90)

His fastball velocity has dipped. His slider velocity was down in his last 2 starts. His curveball lacked the same bite it had shown in previous outings and was fought off fairly easily by the White Sox (6/25 start).

He is coming off his first career 200 IP season and his groundball rate is down .32 from 1.47 to 1.15. He is on pace to walk roughly 16 more hitters then last season and to strikeout about the same.

Billingsley is still a great pitcher. But will he still be that great pitcher when the playoffs come? The Dodgers better hope so.

NL All Star Team

Love the conversation the AL got. Here are my selections for the NL:

STARTERS
C: This crop is extremely weak. Pablo Sandoval is listed as a 3B, otherwise he would be the runaway choice. We will go with Brian McCann (Braves): .316-.405-.526
1B: Albert Pujols (no commentary necessary, Cardinals): .328-.451-.722
2B: Also an easy choice, Chase Utley (Phillies): .302-.433-.558
3B: A really difficult call between David Wright and Pablo Sandoval (Giants), but Sandoval has a higher OPS, so he gets the nod: .340-.391-.574
SS: Hanley Ramirez (Marlins) beats out Miguel Tejada and Cristian Guzman: .333-.400-.548
OF: Raul Ibanez (Phillies), Ryan Braun (Brewers), Carlos Beltran (Mets): Beltran narrowly beats out Justin Upton. Ibanez had a heck of a season (.312-.371-.656), Braun is raking (.324-.415-.575) and Beltran was putting up huge numbers before going on the DL (.336-.425-.527).
P: Dan Haren (Diamondbacks): I am man enough to admit I was wrong about him and slot him as the starter ahead of some very worthy candidates. He beat out Matt Cain, Yovani Gallardo and Tim Lincecum with his line of 6-5, 2.25 and a miniscule .81 WHIP. The 6 wins may prevent him from being the starter on the night however.


RESERVES (Follow last year's NL team format, 13 pitchers, 2 C, 6 IF, 3 OF, 1 Other)
P: Johan Santana (Mets): 9-5, 3.08
P: Matt Cain (Giants): 9-2, 2.57
P: Chad Billingsley (Dodgers): 9-3, 3.10
P: Yovani Gallardo (Brewers): 8-4, 2.86
P: Tim Lincecum (Giants): 7-2, 2.57
P: Chris Carpenter (Cardinals): 5-2, 1.78 (even with an injury, #'s are too good)
P: Josh Johnson (Marlins): 7-1, 2.76
P: Johnny Cueto (Reds): 8-4, 2.86
P: Zach Duke (Pirates): 8-5, 3.09
P: Heath Bell (Padres): 3-1, 21 sv, 1.39
P: Francisco Rodriguez (Mets): 1-2, 20 sv, 1.23
P: Ryan Franklin (Cardinals): 1-0, 18 sv, 0.93
P: Jonathan Broxton (Dodgers): 6-0, 18 sv, 2.27


C: The NL catchers are complete garbage. However since we need to carry two, my 2 choices are Yadier Molina (Cardinals): .277-.342-.378
C: Russell Martin (Dodgers): .247-.367-.300, leads MLB with 19 CS of 56 attempts (34 %) and his team is in 1st place.


IF: Adrian Gonzalez (Padres): .271-.413-.585
IF: Derrek Lee (Cubs): .289-.371-.483
IF: Freddy Sanchez (Pirates): .313-.351-.478
IF: David Wright (Mets): .342-.432-.487
IF: Miguel Tejada (Astros): .330-.358-.476
IF: Prince Fielder (Brewers): .301-.421-.598


OF: Justin Upton (Diamondbacks): .318-.399-.580
OF: Brad Hawpe (Rockies): .329-.402-.596
OF: Adam Dunn (Nationals): .257-.396-.518


Other: Francisco Cordero (Reds): 0-2, 18 sv, 1.97


Teams with No rep after 1st draft:
Cubs (shocker)


First Cuts (on original, but left out):
Would have been Tejada, as I initially viewed Theriot as the Cubs best rep, but then the Astros would have had zero reps. Ends up being Ryan Howard. Also thought about Ted Lilly replacing Zach Duke.


Evaluation: Cristian Guzman was very deserving, but left out due to me not putting 2 Nats in the All-Star Game and I have decided Adam Dunn would be a better rep. Others snubbed include: Jeremy Affeldt (15 HLDS, 1.59 ERA), Javier Vazquez (due to a 5-7 record), Adam Wainwright (8-5, 3.51), Juan Pierre (Who I will bet is in the real game, .323-.384-.414), Hunter Pence (.316-.389-.513), Ryan Zimmerman (.299-.371-.490), Mark Reynolds (.268-.358-.558), Joey Votto (.351-.449-.609, only 151 AB's due to missing almost a month, otherwise a lock), Todd Helton (.318-.397-.516), Nick Johnson (.300-.410-.430)


Lets get more feedback here.

Chart Observations: CHC @ CHW

1) John Danks: 110 pitches. 15 strikes swinging. 2 on Fastballs (1st, 2nd), 6 on Cutters (2nd, 3rd, 2 in 5th, 6th, 7th) and 7 on Changeups (2 in 1st, 4th, 4 in 6th)

• Danks comes from a high 3/4 release with a straight 4-seam fastball, a 2-seam fastball with some sink and run in on righties, a change has good fade and sink, a cutter that has above average cut and some sink and a curve that is a big breaking 11-4. Borderline ace.

1st: FB (87-93), Cut (87-88), CU (82-85)

2nd: FB (87-92), Cut (86-87), CU (83), CB (76)

3rd: FB (87-91), Cut (85)

4th: FB (91-93), Cut (88), CU (79-84)

5th: FB (88-91), Cut (85-87), CB (75-77)

6th: FB (89-91), Cut (84-87), CU (80-84), CB (75)

7th: FB (91-92), Cut (86-87), CU (81-82)

2) Carlos Zambrano: 97 pitches. 4 strikes swinging. 3 on Fastballs (3rd, 2 in 4th), Cutter (4th)

• Zambrano is a 6-5, 255 pound righty. The 28 year old has a big frame that is maxed out. He comes from a 3/4 release with a fastball that has good run in on righties, a split that shows good fade to lefties and sink that he will throw to righties and likes to use as his out pitch. His cutter has some cut, but not much. His slider is a 2-7 with solid bite that he will hang. More of a # 2 starter now.

1st: FB (87-92), Split (86)

2nd: FB (89-93), Split (84-85), Cut (87-93)

3rd: FB (91-95), Split (84-87), Cut (87), SL (80-85)

4th: FB (87-92), Cut (88-92)

5th: FB (88-92), Split (82-85), Cut (88-91), SL (80)

6th: FB (88-91), Cut (87-88)

3) David Patton: 27 pitches. 2 strikes swinging. 2 Fastballs (6th)

• Patton comes from a high 3/4 release with a fastball that has some run and sink, a power 12-6 curve with solid depth and his change has good fade from lefties and some sink. Solid middle reliever.

6th: FB (90-92), CB (80)

7th: FB (90-93), CB (77-80), CU (86)

4) Scott Linebrink: 29 pitches. 3 strikes swinging. 2 Fastballs (8th), Changeup (8th)

• Linebrink comes from an over the top release with a 4-seam fastball that has some run but is fairly straight. His change has some fade and sink from lefties and his splitter moves like a curveball and has excellent dive.

8th: FB (93-95), CU (83-84), Split (80-81)

9th: FB (92-94), CU (82-84), Split (81)

5) Kevin Hart: 20 pitches. 1 strike swinging. Fastball

• Hart is a 6-4, 220 pound righty. The 26 year old has a big frame that can add a little more muscle. He has a classic drop and drive delivery with a little herky-jerky action in his break, which he tries to do as fast as possible it appears. He comes from an over the top release. He has a straight 4-seam fastball and also throws a 2-seamer that shows some run and sink. His change has some fade and sink from lefties. His cutter has some cut and a little sink while his curve is a 12-6 with solid depth. He has a good fastball, but none of his off-speed pitches grade as more then above average. Looks like he could be a solid bullpen arm.

8th: FB (91-95), Cut (86-88), CB (78-80), CU (88-89)

Chart Observations: NYM @ NYY

1) Chien-Ming Wang: 85 pitches. 3 strikes swinging. Slider (1st), Splitter (3rd), Fastball (4th)

• Wang is a 6-3, 230 pound righty. The 29 year old has a medium frame that appears to be maxed out. He comes from an over the top, almost high 3/4 release. He pauses at the top of his windup and slows down during his leg kick. His fastball is a 2-seam sinker with inconsistent movement, showing plus run in on righties with sink or being a flat pitch in the middle of the plate. His slider is a 2-7 offering with good bite. It flashes plus bite and also can be dead straight and a spinning pitch. His change has some fade from lefties and a little sink. His split has more fade and the same amount of sink as his changeup. Wang is showing signs of returning to the ace he had been prior to this season. He needs to improve his command and regain the consistency of his slider.

1st: FB (91-93), SL (83-84)

2nd: FB (91-94), Split (85-87), CU (83)

3rd: FB (92-93), Split (86), CU (82-84)

4th: FB (92-95), SL (82-84), Split (87), CU (84)

5th: FB (90-94), SL (84), Split (86-87)

6th: FB (91-93), SL (80-82)

2) Livan Hernandez: 116 pitches. 2 strikes swinging. Slider (2nd), Changeup (3rd)

• Hernandez is a 6-2, 245 pound righty. The 34 year old has a medium frame that is maxed out. He comes from an over the top release with a quiet windup. His fastball is a 2-seam with above average run in on righties and some sink. His slider is a 2-7 pitch with some bite. His curveball is a slow, big breaking 12-6 pitch with good depth. His change has some sink and fade from lefties that he will throw to righties. He will also mix in a rare cutter in the low 80's. Solid # 5 starter who can only pitch in the NL.

1st: FB (83-87), SL (78-83), CB (61-67), CU (81)

2nd: FB (82-86), SL (80-81), CU (75-78)

3rd: FB (84-87), SL (77-79), CB (68), CU (78-81)

4th: FB (83-86), SL (79-81), CU (78), Cut (83-84)

5th: FB (84-87), SL (79)

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

7th: FB (82-86), SL (79), CU (78-79), CB (63-70)

3) Phil Coke: 6 pitches. 1 strike swinging. Fastball

• Coke is a 6-1, 210 pound lefty. The 26 year old has a medium frame that is maxed out. He comes from a high 3/4 release with a 4-seam fastball wtih a little run in on righties and a 11-5 slider with good bite. Has the looks of someone who can be a multiple inning reliever, but is probably best used as a LOOGY.

6th: FB (92-93), SL (81)

4) Phil Hughes: 16 pitches. 1 strike swinging. Fastball (7th)

• Hughes came from a 3/4, almost high 3/4 release wiht a fastball that is a straight 4-seam, a cutter that has some cut and a power 12-6 curve with good depth.

6th: Cut (89)

7th: FB (93-95), CB (77)

5) Pedro Felicano: 16 pitches. 1 strike swinging. Slider

• Feliciano is a sidearmer who has a fastball that shows good run in on righties, a sweeping 9-4 slider with good bite and a cutter that has good cut and some sink.

8th: FB (87-89), Cut (84-85), SL (76-77)

6) Sean Green: 10 pitches. 1 strike swinging. Slider

• Green is a sidearmer who shows a fastball that has good run and sink in on righties and a sweeping 2-6 slider with solid bite.

8th: FB (89-91), SL (74-75)

7) Brian Bruney: 15 pitches. 2 strikes swinging. 2 Fastballs

• Bruney comes from an over the top release with a straight 4-seam fastball that flashes some run in on righties and a sharp 2-7 slider with good bite.

8th: FB (93-95), SL (88-90)

8) Francisco Rodriguez: 38 pitches. 2 strikes swinging. Changeup, Curveball.

• K-Rod comes from an over the top release with a fastball that has some run in on righties a sharp 12-6 curve with good depth and a change with excellent fade and sink.

9th: FB (88-95), CB (76-82), CU (84-87)

9) Mariano Rivera: 23 pitches. 1 strike swinging. Cutter (9th)

• Rivera came from an over the top release with a cutter that has excellent cut that he can spot.

8th: Cut (92-94)

9th: Cut (91-93)

Evaluating the DeRosa Deal

Cardinals Side: They acquire a multi position player (somewhere, Tony La Russa is jumping with joy) who has a lot of pop and can hit for average. DeRosa has remade himself into a legitimate super utility starter. He can help the Cards at 2B, 3B and the OF and La Russa will have a lot of fun moving him around to bring in some of his double switch favorites (Brian Barden, Skip Schumaker to CF, Joe Thurston). A great pick up for St. Louis.

Indians Side: Without knowing the PTBNL, we can only judge this with Chris Perez and Cleveland picked up a great young arm for the problem spot of their team. Perez should slot right in as the top setup man to Kerry Wood and overtake him maybe by next year. Perez is still somewhat raw, with a slider that can flatten out and some command issues, but the Indians bullpen is much better with him and recent acquiree Jose Veras then with some of the slop they have been running out there.

AL All Star Team

Here is my All-Star Team for the AL:
STARTERS
C: Joe Mauer - Is there really another choice? .394-.468-.691
1B: Miguel Cabrera - .340-.391-.573 is enough to be a starter
2B: Ian Kinsler - A really tough decision between him and Aaron Hill, but Kinsler wins out due to his stolen bases (16) and the more power he provides. .272-.351-.527
3B: Evan Longoria - .307-.386-.580 is enough to make him the class of the AL.
SS: Jason Bartlett - Even though he missed some time with a stint on the DL, there isn't really another choice (.366-.404-.566)
OF: Jason Bay, Torii Hunter, Ichiro Suzuki - Both Bay and Hunter have had amazing seasons (Bay (.278-.387-.550, 19 HR's), Hunter (.308-.385-.587, 17 HR's)) and Suzuki is currently hitting .375-.405-.505.
P: Zach Greinke - Was the best starter for most of the 1st half.

RESERVES (Will be done according to last years rosters, so 11 more pitchers, 2 C, 6 IF, 3 OF, 1 OTHER)
P: Roy Halladay: 10-1, 2.53 (Blue Jays)
P: Felix Hernandez: 8-3, 2.54 (Mariners)
P: Edwin Jackson: 6-4, 2.40 (Tigers)
P: Jered Weaver: 8-3, 2.65 (Angels)
P: Mark Buerhle: 7-2, 3.26 (White Sox)
P: Justin Verlander: 8-3, 3.40 (Tigers)
P: Joe Nathan: 1-1, 18 sv, 1.52 (Twins)
P: Jonathan Papelbon: 1-1, 18 sv, 1.91 (Red Sox)
P: George Sherrill: 0-1, 16 sv, 2.05 (Orioles
P: Brian Fuentes: 0-2, 21 sv (MLB Leader), 3.91 (Angels)
P: Andrew Bailey: 4-1, 2.18 (Athletics)

C: Victor Martinez: .323-.402-.538 (Indians)
C: No real obvious choice here, but we will go with Jorge Posada: .271-.361-.516 (Yankees)

IF: Brandon Inge: .271-.364-.514 (Tigers)
IF: Aaron Hill: .304-.343-.495 (Blue Jays)
IF: Chone Figgins: .321-.401-.412, 23 SB's (Angels)
IF: Mark Teixeira: .277-.387-.576 (Yankees)
IF: Derek Jeter: .308-.377-.451 (Yankees)
IF: Russell Branyan: .302-.399-.613 (Mariners)

OF: Adam Lind: .310-.387-.551 (Blue Jays)
OF: Jermaine Dye: .285-.354-.556 (White Sox)
OF: Carl Crawford: .314-.372-.442 (Rays)

Other: Ben Zobrist: .286-.402-.626 (Rays)

Teams That Didn't Have Anyone Originally:
Orioles

First Cuts (Player on Original Team, but got booted to satisfy 1 player per team requirement)
David Aardsma (Mariners): I believe George Sherrill was the best choice for the Orioles, barely ahead of Adam Jones.

Evaluation: Several deserving players, such as wins guys Kevin Slowey and Tim Wakefield (each tied with 10), Carlos Pena (who has 23 HR's, lost out to Russell Branyan), Nelson Cruz (18 HR's), Justin Morneau (16 HR's, .310-.390-.556), Scott Rolen (.329-.392-.479) got left out even my original list.

Jeter made the team due to its needing a backup SS. Fuentes made it due to being MLB's SV leader and those rarely get left out of All-Star Games, even though Aardsma has had a better year. Andrew Bailey was my choice as the A's rep.

Reaction? Who do you believe got snubbed and should have been a starter/on the team?

Chart Observations: CHC @ CHW

1) Mark Buerhle: 108 pitches. 6 strikes swinging. Slider (4th), 3 Changeups (1st, 2nd, 5th) and 2 on Cutters (2nd, 4th)

• Buerhle is a 6-2, 230 pound lefty. The 30 year old has a medium frame that is maxed out. He comes from a high 3/4 release. His 4-seam fastball is straight. His 2-seam fastball has some run in on righties and some sink. His change has good sink and a little fade away from righties. His curve is a big breaking 11-4 with good depth. His cutter moves a little bit like a slider and is a 10-4 offering. He has plus command and can locate all his pitches. He is a guy dealing with an incredibly small margin of error, especially with his home ballpark. When he starts slipping, it will be an instant. But, he could also be a Jamie Moyer who pitches until he is 40.

1st: FB (85-88), Cut (82-87), CU (78-80), CB (72)

2nd: FB (85-87), Cut (84-87), CU (77-79), SL (81)

3rd: FB (86-89), Cut (82-84), CU (79-81)

4th: FB (85-86), Cut (80-83), CU (77-78), SL (83)

5th: FB (85-88), Cut (82-86), CU (77-81)

6th: FB (83-85), Cut (82-86), CU (76)

2) Ryan Dempster: 104 pitches. 3 strikes swinging. 3 Sliders (4th, 2 in 5th)

• Dempster is a 6-2, 215 pound righty. The 32 year old has a medium frame that is maxed out. He has a glove wiggle to mask him setting up his splitter. He comes from a high 3/4 release. He shows a fastball with some run in on righties and some sink. His slider is a 2-7 with good bite. His split has solid dive.

1st: FB (90-92), SL (84-86), Split (82)

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

3rd: FB (90-92), SL (84), Split (81-82)

4th: FB (90-92), SL (83-86), Split (79)

5th: FB (88-93), SL (83-86), Split (82-83)

3) Aaron Heilman: 39 pitches. 6 strikes swinging. 2 Fastballs (6th, 7th), 2 Sliders (7th), 2 Changeups (7th)

• Heilman comes from a 3/4 release with a fastball that has some run in on righties and a little sink. His change shows good fade and sink. His slider is a 2-7 offering with good bite. He will throw his change to righties. Still has a dominant FB-CU combination.

6th: FB (91-94), CU (84-85)

7th: FB (91-93), CU (83-86), SL (80-83)

4) D.J. Carrasco: 30 pitches. 3 strikes swinging. Fastball (6th), 2 Cutters (6th, 7th)

• Carrasco came from a high 3/4 release with a 2-seam fastball with some sink and run in righties. He will throw his sidearm frisbee slider as his out pitch and a cutter that shows good late cut and some sink. His curve is a solid 12-6 pitch with good depth. Solid long reliever.

6th: FB (89-92), Cut (88-89), SL (71)

7th: FB (89-91), Cut (89-90), SL (79-80)

8th: FB (90), Cut (88-90), CB (79)

5) Carlos Marmol: 26 pitches. 0 strikes swinging.

• Marmol came from a 3/4 release with a fastball that had good sink and run in on righties and a sharp 2-7 slider with good bite. None of his command issues cropped up in this game.

8th: FB (90-94), SL (80-84)

6) Aaron Poreda: 7 pitches. 0 strikes swinging.

• Poreda came from a high 3/4 release with a fastball that has some run and sink in on righties.

8th: FB (92-94)

7) Octavio Dotel: 19 pitches. 2 strikes swinging. Fastball, Slider

• Dotel came from a 3/4 release with a fastball with some good cut, sink and some late life, a 2-7 slider with good bite and a loopy 2-8 curve.

8th: FB (91-94), SL (81-82), CB (77)

8) Bobby Jenks: 14 pitches. 2 strikes swinging. Fastball, Slider.

• Jenks came from a high 3/4 release with a fastball that had some run in on righties and a little sink, a hard, sharp 2-7 slider with good bite and a sharp 11-5 curve.

9th: FB (91-98), SL (89), CB (84-86)

9) Sean Marshall: 8 pitches. 0 strikes swinging.

• Marshall came from a high 3/4 release and showed a straight 4-seam fastball, a 11-5 cutter that just keeps going down, a big breaking 11-5 curve with good depth and a sharp 11-4 slider with good bite.

9th: FB (91), SL (85), Cut (85-90), CB (74-76)

10) Jose Ascanio: 7 pitches. 1 strike swinging. Fastball

• Ascanio is a 6-0, 170 pound righty. The 24 year old has a medium frame that can add a little more muscle. He comes from a high 3/4 release. He showed a fastball with good run in on righties, a 2-7 slider with some bite and a curve that moves the same, but is slower.

9th: FB (94-97), CB (79), SL (87)

Chart Observations: NYY @ NYM

1) A.J. Burnett: 108 pitches. 12 strikes swinging. 2 on Fastballs (4th, 7th) and 10 on Curves (2 in 1st, 2nd, 4th, 2 in 5th, 3 in 6th, 7th)

• Burnett came from a 3/4 release and showed a fastball with good run in on righties, a plus power curve that was a sharp 12-6, 1-7 pitch with above average depth and a change that showed above average sink and fade from lefties that he will throw to righties. Burnett was simply dominant, as he generated those 10 swings and misses on curves after throwing 34 of them, a 29 % swing and miss rate.

1st: FB (94-96), CB (82-83)

2nd: FB (93-95), CB (78-83)

3rd: FB (93-95)

4th: FB (93-95), CB (80-82), CU (87)

5th: FB (92-96), CB (79-83), CU (88)

6th: FB (93-94), CB (80-83), CU (87)

7th: FB (93-94), CB (80-82), CU (87-88)

2) Tim Redding: 102 pitches. 5 strikes swinging. 4 on Fastballs (2nd, 2 in 4th, 5th) and a Slider (1st)

• Redding came from an over the top release and showed a fastball with some run and sink in on righties, a 2-7 slider with solid bite, a change with some fade and a little sink from lefties and a slurvy 12-6 to 2-7 curve with okay depth. Redding mixed speeds and eye level very well until the 6th, where he started the leaving the ball at the belt consistently.

1st: FB (88-92), SL (83-85), CB (77), CU (82)

2nd: FB (88-92), SL (83), CB (75-77), CU (82)

3rd: FB (86-92), SL (82-85), CB (73-75)

4th: FB (89-92), SL (86), CB (75-77), CU (80-81)

5th: FB (90-92), CB (74-77), CU (83)

6th: FB (89-91), SL (82-85), CB (76)

3) Brian Stokes: 25 pitches. 2 strikes swinging. Changeups (6th)

• Stokes came from an over the top release and showed a straight 4-seam fastball that falshed run and a little sink and a change with excellent fade and sink from lefties. The one curve he threw was overthrown and garbage.

6th: FB (95-96), CU (78-83)

7th: FB (93-96), CU (81-84), CB (80)

4) Pat Misch: 11 pitches. 0 strikes swinging.

• Misch is a 6-2, 195 pound lefty. The 27 year old has a medium frame that can add quite a bit more muscle to his frame. He comes from a high 3/4, almost over the top release. His fastball has good run in on righties and some sink. His slider has a sweeping 10-4 action with some bite. His change has some sink and run in on righties. His curve is an 11-5 pitch with solid depth. He is a tweener, not enough fastball to be a consistent starter and no real out pitch to be a reliever.

8th: FB (85-86), CB (74), CU (77-80), SL (84-85)

5) Brian Bruney: 7 pitches. 0 strikes swinging.

• Bruney came from an over the top release with a fastball that had some run in on righties and a little sink and a 2-7 slider that is sharp with good bite. They just wanted to get their 8th inning setup man some work.

8th: FB (92-94), SL (88)

6) Elmer Dessens: 23 pitches. 2 strikes swinging. Fastball, Slider.

• Dessens is a 5-11, 200 pound righty. The 38 year old has a small frame that is maxed out. He comes from an over the top release. His fastball has some run and a little sink in on righties. His change shows good fade from lefties and some sink. His slider is a 2-7 pitch with solid bite. His curve is a big breaking 12-6 with good depth. He has solid command, but is just a temporary solution type pitcher.

9th: FB (87-91), SL (84-85), CU (79-84), CB (75)

7) David Robertson: 17 pitches. 1 strike swinging. Fastball.

• Robertson comes from an over the top release with a straight 4-seam fastball and a power 12-6 curve with good depth. You have to like these Yankees relievers who all have strikeout stuff and average to above average command.

9th: FB (87-92), CB (76-78)

• Argenis Reyes is a 5-10, 165 pound 26 year old. The switch hitter, righty thrower has a small frame that can get up to at least 175. From the left side, he has an open stance that is fairly straight up and holds the bat somewhat in front of his back shoulder and moves the bat in a circle as he awaits the pitch. Trigger is a cocking of the bat and a stride. He is a utility infielder and not much more.

KC @ PIT

The LAA vs. ARI game was in the FOX time slot, so it was blacked out everywhere. I just did the play by play for it. With that in mind, here is the other games observations:

1) Paul Maholm: 85 pitches. 5 strikes swinging. 2 on Fastballs (both in 2nd), 1 on a Curve (4th) and 2 on Changeups (3rd, 6th)

• Maholm is a 6-2, 225 pound lefty. The 26 year old has a medium frame that is maxed out. He comes from a high 3/4 release. His fastball has some run in on righties and sink. His slider is an 11-4 pitch with solid bite. His change is a straight change with some sink. His curve is a big breaking 11-5 pitch that can be flat. He is a middle of the rotation starter (# 3, # 4) guy masquerading as an ace. Useful pitcher when he has above average defense behind him, as he won't walk many.

1st: FB (88-90), SL (80), CU (82)

2nd: FB (87-90), SL (80-81), CB (74)

3rd: FB (88-90), SL (75-83), CU (84-85), CB (75)

4th: FB (88-89), CU (83-84), CB (73-75)

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

6th: FB (89-91), SL (82), CU (83-85), CB (74-75)

7th: FB (89-90), CU (83-85), CB (73-74)

2) Bruce Chen (Seriously?): 76 pitches. 2 strikes swinging. Fastball (2nd), Changeup (4th)

• Chen is a 6-1, 215 pound lefty who has seemingly been around forever. The 32 year old has a medium frame that is maxed out. He comes from a high 3/4 release. His 2-seam fastball has some sink and run (typically 83-86) had some run in on righties and some sink. His 4-seam (87-89) was straight. His curve was a big breaking 11-5 and his changeup was a straight change with some late fade from righties and sink. He was primarily FB-CU with a few curves mixed in. He got into a pattern of, when he threw a first pitch strike with a FB, of immediately coming back with a changeup. He works fast and has above average command. Basically, he will be hammered by AL teams that have an idea at the plate. Emergency arm.

1st: FB (84-88), CU (76-77), CB (73-76)

2nd: FB (84-88), CU (76-77)

3rd: FB (83-89), CU (76-79)

4th: FB (84-89), CU (76-77), CB (74-79)

5th: FB (83-88), CB (73-77)

6th: FB (85-88), CB (76-79)

7th: FB (84-86), CU (76)

3) Roman Colon: 11 pitches. 1 strike swinging. Slider.

• He came from an over the top release. His fastball is a straight 4-seam while his slider is a 2-7 pitch with good downward bite, though he will hang them. His fastball command was also off and he showed his Jekyll and Hyde side in this game.

7th: FB (93-94), SL (80-82)

4) John Grabow: 16 pitches. 3 strikes swinging. 2 Sliders, 1 Changeup.

• Grabow is a 6-2, 205 pound lefty. The 30 year old has a medium frame that is maxed out. He comes from a high 3/4 release. His fastball is a straight 4-seam. His slider is an 11-5 offering with good bite that is slightly above average when on, but it can be flat. His change showed some fade from righties and a little sink. Solid full inning lefty reliever.

8th: FB (90-91), SL (82-84), CU (83-84)

5) John Bale: 25 pitches. 0 strikes swinging.

• He came from a 3/4 release with a fastball that has a little run in on righties, a slurvy 10-5 curve with solid depth and bite and a straight change. He will also throw pitches from a high 3/4 release.

8th: FB (87-89), CB (70-72), CU (78-80)

6) Jeff Karstens: 12 pitches. 1 strike swinging. Curveball (on a debatable check swing)

• Karstens is a 6-3, 185 pound righty. The 26 year old has a medium frame that can get up to 205. He comes from an over the top release that hides the ball well, as his glove hand breaks high and covers the spot where he will be releasing it, a la Jair Jurrjens. His fastball is a pretty straight 4-seam. His slider is a 2-7 with solid bite and his curve is a 12-6 with good depth. He lost his job in the rotation and is more of a swingman and is a borderline 4-A arm.

9th: FB (87-91), SL (79), CB (71)

2 charts and a baseball game tomorrow.