Score: 7/12 CIN @ NYM: NYM Pitchers

1) Mike Pelfrey: 115 pitches. 4 strikes swinging. 3 on Fastballs (1st, 5th, 7th), Slider (5th)

• Pelfrey came from a high 3/4 release and showed a fastball with good run in on righties and good sink, a 2-7 slider with some bite and a curve that is just a little slower and has okay depth.

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

2nd: FB (90-93), SL (83-84), CB (76)

3rd: FB (91-94), SL (82)

4th: FB (90-93), SL (81-83)

5th: FB (88-94), SL (81-87), CB (78)

6th: FB (91-94), SL (84), CB (77)

7th: FB (91-94), SL (80)

2) Sean Green: 9 pitches. 0 strikes swinging.

• Green is a sidearming righty who showed a fastball with good run in on righties with good sink and a frisbee 3-8 slider with good bite.

8th: FB (88-91), SL (73-75)

3) Pedro Feliciano: 7 pitches. 0 strikes swinging.

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

8th: FB (86-89), Cut (81)

4) Bobby Parnell: 23 pitches. 3 strikes swinging. 3 Fastballs.

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

8th: FB (95-99), SL (85-89)

5) Francisco Rodriguez: 24 pitches. 3 strikes swinging. 2 on Changeups, Fastball.

• K-Rod came from an over the top release and showed a fastball with some run in on righties, a change with excellent dive and a big breaking 12-6 curve with good depth.

9th: FB (90-95), CB (80), CU (83-89)

Score: 7/12 CIN @ NYM: CIN Pitchers

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

• Harang is a 6-7, 260 pound righty. The 31 year old has a big frame that is maxed out. He comes from an over the top release. His fastball has some run in on righties with good sink. His change moves like a fastball with more sink. His slider is a 2-7 pitch with good bite while his curve is a 12-6 big breaker with good depth. Would say he is a # 3 starter.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

8th: FB (92-96)

Chart Observations: CLE @ DET

1) Carl Pavano: 101 pitches. 9 strikes swinging. 5 on Fastballs (1st, 2 in 4th, 5th, 6th), 3 on Sliders (3rd, 4th, 5th) and a Changeup (2nd)

• Pavano came from an over the top release and showed a 2-seam fastball with good sink and run in on righties, a 2-7 slider with good bite and a change with excellent fade from lefties with above average sink. Can over throw the change at times and may mix in a hard splitter as well (to account for some changes thrown in the 87-88 range).

1st: FB (88-91), CU (81-83)

2nd: FB (89-92), CU (80-82)

3rd: FB (89-92), CU (82-84), SL (85-87)

4th: FB (91-93), CU (80-87), SL (85)

5th: FB (91-93), CU (88), SL (84-86)

6th: FB (90-92), CU (80-83), SL (82-85)

7th: FB (89-90), CU (79-80), SL (84)

8th: FB (88-90), CU (81-85), SL (82-83)

2) Kerry Wood: 14 pitches. 1 strike swinging. Fastball.

• Wood came from an over the top release and showed a straight 4-seam fastball, a cutter with okay cut and some sink and a big breaking 12-6 curve with good depth.

9th: FB (93-98), Cut (88-91), CB (79)

3) Armando Galarraga: 103 pitches. 8 strikes swinging. 6 on Sliders (2nd, 3rd, 2 in 4th, 2 in 6th), a Changeup (3rd) and Fastball (2nd)

• He came from a 3/4 release and showed a 2-seam fastball with some run in on righties and a little sink, a 2-7 slider with some bite and a change with some fade from lefties and sink. His slider is his out pitch. He is no better then a back of the rotation starter.

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

2nd: FB (89-92), SL (82-88), CU (86-87)

3rd: FB (87-92), SL (82-87), CU (85-87)

4th: FB (89-92), SL (82-86)

5th: FB (86-89), SL (85), CU (84-86)

6th: FB (91-92), SL (82-87), CU (82-86)

7th: FB (88-91), SL (85-87), CU (84-87)

4) Fu Te Ni: 12 pitches. 0 strikes swinging.

• Ni is a 6-0, 170 pound lefty. The 26 year old has a medium frame that can add a little more muscle. He comes from a 3/4 release with a slinging arm action. His fastball has good late run in on lefties. His change has some fade from righties with good sink. His slider is a loopy 11-4 with solid bite. His FB/CU and SL come out of his hand differently, as the FB/CU moves towards the plate 1st and his slider moves up a tad first. Extra arm.

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

8th: FB (90-91), SL (76-79)

5) Freddy Dolsi: 26 pitches. 1 strike swinging. Changeup (9th)

• Dolsi came from an over the top release and showed a fastball with good run in on righties, a sharp 2-7 slider with good bite and a change with above average fade from lefties with a little sink. He struggles to find the release point for his slider, throwing one 40 feet then throwing the next at a righties head. Dolsi has good control, but below average command, constantly missing spots.

8th: FB (94-96), SL (84-88), CU (87)

9th: FB (93-95), SL (85), CU (86-88)

Score Observation (7/11): KC @ BOS: BOS Pitchers

1) John Smoltz: 97 pitches. 9 strikes swinging. 7 on Sliders (1st, 2 in 3rd, 4th, 3 in 5th), Fastball (2nd), Splitter (2nd)

• Smoltz is a 6-3, 220 pound righty. The 42 year old has a big frame that is maxed out. He comes from a high 3/4 release. His fastball has some run in on righties. His slider is a sharp 2-7 will good bite that is very tight. His splitter has okay dive. He struggled to command his fastball in the zone. His slider is back to where it was with the Braves, as was his fastball velocity, he just needs a little more fine tuning.

1st: FB (91-94), SL (86-88), Split (86-87)

2nd: FB (91-92), SL (83-87), Split (86)

3rd: FB (91-93), SL (85-87)

4th: FB (91-93), SL (84-86), Split (86-87)

5th: FB (90-92), SL (83-86), Split (86)

2) Justin Masterson: 25 pitches. 0 strikes swinging.

• Masterson came from a 3/4 release and showed a fastball with good run in on righties with sink and a loopy 3-8 slider he uses as a get-me over pitch and a sharper one as a strikeout pitch. He battled his command and left quite a few sliders and sinkers over the middle of the plate.

6th: FB (90-96), SL (82-87)

3) Manny Delcarmen: 10 pitches. 0 strikes swinging.

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

6th: FB (91-96), CU (80), CB (78)

4) Hideki Okajima: 23 pitches. 1 strike swinging. Fastball (7th)

• Okajima came from an over the top release and showed a fastball with a little run in on righties, a sharp 12-6 curve with solid depth and a split with okay dive. Gets by on deception more then stuff now.

6th: FB (88-89), CB (77)

7th: FB (88-89), CB (76-77), Split (83-84)

5) Daniel Bard: 30 pitches. 4 strikes swinging. 3 on Fastballs (3 in 8th) and a Slider (7th)

• Bard came from a high 3/4 and showed a pretty straight 4-seam fastball and a sharp 2-7 slider with good bite.

7th: FB (98-99), SL (84-85)

8th: FB (96-99), SL (85-86)

6) Takashi Saito: 10 pitches. 1 strike swinging. Slider

• Saito came from a high 3/4 release and showed a 2-7 slider with solid bite, a fastball that was pretty straight and a split with some dive.

9th: FB (92-93), SL (82-83), Split (89)

Score Observations (7/11) KC @ BOS: KC Pitchers

1) Gil Meche: 87 pitches. 4 strikes swinging. 2 on Curveballs (2nd, 3rd), Cutter (1st), Changeup (2nd)

• Meche 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 a high 3/4, almost over the top release. His fastball has some run in on righties. His curve is a 1-7 with good depth. His cutter has good cut and some sink. His chnage has some fade from lefties with sink. His curve is sharp and can be an out pitch. His main issue right now is command, as he is just leaving too many pitches in the middle of the plate (especially the cutter) and his defense is failing to help him.

1st: FB (93-95), Cut (88-90), CU (86), CB (77-80)

2nd: FB (94-96), Cut (89-91), CU (87-89), CB (71-81)

3rd: FB (91-94), Cut (87-89), CU (87), CB (79)

4th: FB (91-92), Cut (84-85), CU (81), CB (71-78)

2) Ron Mahay: 34 pitches. 4 strikes swinging. 3 on Changeups (2 in 4th, 5th), Fastball (4th)

• Mahay came from an over the top release and showed a change with some fade from righties and sink that he will throw to lefties, a fastball with some run in on lefties and a 11-4 slider with late bite.

4th: FB (90-91), CU (84-85)

5th: FB (90-92), CU (85-86), SL (84)

6th: FB (90-92), CU (85-86)

3) Jamey Wright: 32 pitches. 1 strike swinging. Fastball.

• Wright came from a high 3/4 release and showed a fastball with some run in on righties, a sharp 12-7 curve with good depth and a cutter with some cut and sink.

7th: FB (91-94), Cut (88-89), CB (79-80)

4) Roman Colon: 39 pitches. 5 strikes swinging. 3 on Sliders (7th, 2 in 8th), 2 on Fastballs (7th, 8th)

• Colon came from an over the top release with a straight 4-seam fastball and a sharp 2-7 slider with good bite. His splitter had okay dive.

7th: FB (94-96), SL (82-84)

8th: FB (94-96), SL (81-84), Split (88)

Chart Observations: CHW @ MIN

1) John Danks: 114 pitches. 6 strikes swinging. Fastball (1st), 2 Cutters (2 in 1st), 2 Changeups (3rd, 6th), Curveball (6th)

• Danks came from a high 3/4 release and showed a straight 4-seam fastball, a change with good late fade and sink, a cutter with good cut that moves a little like a 11-4 slider and a sharp 11-4 curve with good depth. His command wasn't as good as it has been. He will throw the change to lefties.

1st: FB (88-92), Cut (86-89), CU (81-83)

2nd: FB (89-91), Cut (84-86), CU (82), CB (76)

3rd: FB (88-91), Cut (86), CU (82), CB (76-77)

4th: FB (88-90), Cut (83-88), CU (81), CB (75)

5th: FB (88-90), CU (81), CB (73-75)

6th: FB (91), Cut (83-85), CU (80-83), CB (75-76)

2) Nick Blackburn: 99 pitches. 4 strikes swinging. 2 on Fastballs (2nd, 6th) and 2 on Cutters (3rd, 4th)

• Blackburn came from a high 3/4 release and showed a 2-seam fastball wtih good run in on righties and good sink, a cutter with good cut that flashes movement similar to a 2-7 slider, a big breaking 12-6 curve with good depth and a change with some fade from lefties with sink that he will throw to righties.

1st: FB (90-92), Cut (86)

2nd: FB (89-92), Cut (84-86), CB (77)

3rd: FB (87-93), Cut (85-88), CB (78), CU (82-84)

4th: FB (89-90), Cut (83-86), CB (76), CU (82-83)

5th: FB (89-92), Cut (86), CB (77-78), CU (82-83)

6th: FB (89-92), Cut (83-85), CB (82), CU (81-82)

7th: FB (90-91), Cut (86-87), CB (80), CU (81)

3) Octavio Dotel: 9 pitches. 1 strike swinging. Slider (6th)

• Dotel came from a 3/4 release and showed a sharp 2-7 slider with good bite, a sharp 1-7 curve with good depth and a fastball with late life with cutting action or running action with sink.

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

7th: FB (90-92), CB (78)

4) Matt Thornton: 13 pitches. 0 strikes swinging.

• Thornton came from an over the top release with a straight 4-seam fastball and a 11-4 slider with good bite.

7th: FB (94-97), SL (83)

5) Bobby Jenks: 15 pitches. 3 strikes swinging. 3 Fastballs.

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

8th: FB (93-95), SL (89)

6) Matt Guerrier: 10 pitches. 0 strikes swinging.

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

8th: FB (92-93), SL (85-87), CB (78)

7) Joe Nathan: 17 pitches. 0 strikes swinging.

• Nathan came from an over the top release and showed a fastball with some run in on righties, a 12-6 curve with good depth and a sharp 2-7 slider with good bite.

9th: FB (91-94), SL (88-89), CB (81-82)

Chart Observations: LAD @ MIL: MIL Pitchers

1) Braden Looper: 98 pitches. 4 strikes swinging. 2 on Sliders (1st, 4th) and 2 on Splitters (2 in 1st)

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

1st: FB (90-92), Split (83-86), SL (85-87)

2nd: FB (87-90), Split (82-85), SL (85-86)

3rd: FB (88-90), Split (82-85), SL (84)

4th: FB (88-90), Split (84), SL (84-87)

5th: FB (88), Split (82-83), SL (84-85)

6th: FB (87-89), Split (82-84), SL (83-85)

2) Chris Smith: 6 pitches. 0 strikes swinging.

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

7th: FB (87), SL (76-77)

3) Mitch Stetter: 5 pitches. 0 strikes swinging.

• Stetter is a sidearming lefty who showed a fastball with some late run in on lefties and a sweeping 9-3 slider with good bite.

7th: FB (86), SL (78-80)

4) Mark DiFelice: 14 pitches. 2 strikes swinging. 2 Cutters

• DiFelice came from a 3/4 release and showed a cutter with good cut that he could locate to both sides of the plate.

8th: Cut (82-84)

5) Trevor Hoffman: 8 pitches. 0 strikes swinging.

• Hoffman came from an over the top release and showed a change with good fade from lefties and above average sink, a 1-7 slider with okay bite and a fastball that had a little run in on righties.

9th: FB (85-86), CU (73), SL (79-80)

6) Carlos Villanueva: 26 pitches. 1 strike swinging. Changeup.

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

10th: FB (87-90), CU (82-84), SL (80-82), CB (72)

7) Seth McClung: 7 pitches. 0 strikes swinging.

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

10th: FB (92-96), CU (85), CB (79) * CU was spiked, so no idea on how it moved yesterday.

Chart Observations: LAD @ MIL: Dodgers Pitchers

1) Chad Billingsley: 110 pitches. 4 strikes swinging. 2 Cutters (1st, 5th), 2 Curveballs (2nd, 5th)

• Billingsley came from an over the top release with a fastball with some run in on righties, a big breaking 12-6 curve with good depth, a cutter with good cut and the slider is a sharp 2-7 with good late bite.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

8th: FB (91-92)

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

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

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

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

Inter-Divison Swap

The Braves dealt Jeff Francouer to the Mets for Ryan Church.

Braves Side: Church is your prototypical Braves OF. He hits for no power, but for average (.280-.332-.375), but the move to Turner Field may actually help him hit for a little more (which is the 1st time I think that can be said of a hitter). Church has apparently graded out about even with Francouer defensively, but Frenchy has much better tools. Surprised this was all the return they could get. Church is solid, but is not the solution to the Braves problems even a little bit. Matt Diaz will be returning to a platoon role in right, likely with Church.

Mets Side: Francouer is an enigma. He isn't hitting for power and now goes to maybe the toughest ball park for home runs on the east coast. If he can hit gaps consistently, this could be a good move for him. He is hitting .250-.282-.352 on the season. He obviously still has potential and getting away from his hometown could be good for him. Francouer will likely get a shot as the everyday RF, as neither Tatis, Martinez or Sheffield will be playing there and Reed's stick is even worse.

Analysis: Braves didn't really get what there team needs and made a bad position a little bit below average instead. The Mets are making a reactionary move based off of injuries (Minaya quote: We really like the # of games Francouer plays) and are hoping to see him turn it around in a new place. I don't think there is a winner here. The Braves took all the risk and couldn't even get the Mets to throw in a Low-A arm or bat as a developmental guy. If Frenchy turns it around, this would be a steal for the Mets.

TCL 7, BML 1

We won 7-1. I started at 2B and led off, going 1-3. Next game is Sunday against Cetronia.

Betancourt to Royals

The Mariners traded Yuniesky Betancourt to the Royals for Dan Cortes and Derrick Saito.

Royals Side: Yes, the Royals need a SS. But, what makes Betancourt such a good option? Betancourt has zero plate discipline (fitting right in with the Royals) and his defense has been over hyped. This year, he is hitting .250-.278-.330 with 10 walks and 18 strikeouts. His offensive package is terrible. He is no better then some of the other guys they have run out there (Luis Hernandez could put up those numbers).

Mariners Side: The Mariners deal a player that had fallen out of favor and get a couple of upside arms. Cortes is in AA and while his newspaper #'s are good (6-6, 3.92), his peripherals aren't (80.1 IP, 50 BB, 57 K). Saito is in Low-A and is a lefty reliever who is 2-6, 4.15, but has potential based on 15 BB and 53 K in 52 IP. Two arms that may or may not turn into something.

Overall: I like this deal for the Mariners. They get rid of a player they didn't like and get a guy who is going to pitch in the majors at some point (Cortes) and a lefty reliever who has some potential. The Royals need to find a guy who will draw walks at some point to have a shot at having a decent offense.

Schedule to the All-Star Break

Today: Tri-Co All Star Game
7/11: 2 Charts, KC @ BOS (Meche vs. Smoltz) Sweet
7/12: Chart, CIN @ NYM (Harang vs. Pelfrey) Okay
7/13: 2 Charts

Hopefully my updates will come more on time rather then sporadically, but no promises.

Score Observations (Yesterday): TEX @ SEA

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

9th: FB (93-95)

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

1) Hiroki Kuroda: 91 pitches. 3 strikes swinging. 2 Fastballs (2nd, 5th), Slider (3rd)

• Kuroda came from an over the top release and showed a fastball with some run in on righties and a slider and split that are indistinguishable.

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

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

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

4th: FB (88-94)

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Chart Observations (7/8): CIN @ PHI

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

7th: FB (90-91)

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Score Observations: TOR @ TB (7/8 Game)

1) Brian Tallet: 84 pitches. 8 strikes swinging. Fastball (3rd), Slider (4th), 2 Cutters (2nd), 4 Changeups (2 in 2nd, 2 in 3rd)

• Tallet comes from a high 3/4 release and shows a fastball with some run in on lefties, a change with some sink and a little fade from righties that looks like a fastball out of his hand and serves as his out pitch, a cutter with some cut that he likes to throw in on the hands of righties and a 10-4 slider with good bite. Solid back of the rotation guy.

1st: FB (87-89), Cut (87-88), CU (82-84)

2nd: FB (87-89), Cut (85-87), CU (82-84)

3rd: FB (86-89), Cut (85-86), CU (81-86), SL (79-80)

4th: FB (85-87), CU (80), SL (77)

2) Scott Kazmir: 107 pitches. 8 strikes swinging. 3 on Fastballs (1st, 4th, 5th), 4 on Sliders (2 in 2nd, 2 in 5th) and a Changeup (1st)

• Kazmir came from a high 3/4 release and showed a fastball with some run in on lefties and a little sink, a change with some fade from righties and sink and a 11-5 slider with solid bite that serves as his out pitch.

1st: FB (89-92), SL (82), CU (79-81)

2nd: FB (90-92), SL (81-82), CU (78-80)

3rd: FB (90-91), SL (80)

4th: FB (89-92), SL (80-82), CU (79-82)

5th: FB (89-92), SL (81-82), CU (79-82)

6th: FB (89-92), SL (81-82), CU (80-81)

7th: FB (90-91), SL (82), CU (76-78)

3) Dirk Hayhurst: 44 pitches. 1 strike swinging. Changeup (4th)

• Hayhurst came from an over the top release and is your typical 4 pitch long reliever. He features a fastball with good run in on righties and good sink, a big breaking 12-6 curve with good depth, a sharp 2-7 slider with good bite and a change with some fade from lefties and good sink that he will throw to righties. His curve serves as his out pitch. Seems to have the stuff to be a back of the rotation starter (not in the AL East) but is a guy I would target as an NL team in need of a guy to take a chance on.

4th: FB (88-89), CB (74-75), SL (80-82), CU (77-79)

5th: FB (88-89), SL (79-81), CU (77)

6th: FB (88-89), CB (74), SL (79-81), CU (78-79)

4) Grant Balfour: 18 pitches. 0 strikes swinging.

• Balfour came from an over the top release and showed a straight 4-seam fastball, though it flashes run in on righties and a sharp 2-7 slider with good bite. He fell behind often and was constantly 2-0 and had to throw cockshot fastballs.

7th: FB (91-93), SL (86-87)

5) Jesse Carlson: 28 pitches. 0 strikes swinging.

• Carlson is a sidearming lefty who showed a fastball with good late run in on lefties and a sweeping 11-5 slider with solid bite that serves as his out pitch.

7th: FB (87-88), SL (79-82)

6) Chad Bradford: 8 pitches. 1 strike swinging. Slider

• Bradford is a sidearming righty with a fastball with some run in on righties with some sink and a slow 3-9 slider with good bite. The Rays gun had him at 98. Then Chad Bradford was accused of bribing the radar gun. Litigation is in progress.

8th: FB (77-79), SL (65-67)

7) Randy Choate: 9 pitches. 1 strike swinging. Slider.

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

8th: FB (87-89), SL (77-78)

8) Joe Nelson: 5 pitches. 1 strike swinging. Changeup.

• Nelson came from a 3/4, almost high 3/4 release. His fastball has some run in on righties while his vulcan change is his main pitch and has good fade from lefties with solid sink and he will throw it to righties.

8th: FB (85-89), CU (78)

9) Jason Frasor: 43 pitches. 5 strikes swinging. Fastball (8th), 2 Sliders (8th, 9th), 2 Splitters (8th, 9th)

• Frasor came from an over the top release and showed a fastball that is a pretty straight 4-seam, a 2-7 slider with good bite and a split with above average late dive. He will throw either of his off-speed pitches in a 3-2 count with something taken off.

8th: FB (91-93), SL (79-84), Split (83-87)

9th: FB (91-93), SL (81), Split (83-85)

10) J.P. Howell: 14 pitches. 1 strike swinging. Fastball

• Howell comes from an over the top release, almost high 3/4. His change is a straight change with some sink. He also throws a fastball with some run in on lefties and good sink and a 11-4 curve with good depth. He has great command and will throw any pitch in any count.

9th: FB (84-85), CU (77-80), CB (81-82)

11) Scott Downs: 10 pitches. 1 strike swinging. Fastball.

• Downs came from a 3/4 release and showed a fastball with some run in on lefties and a curve that is a sharp 11-5 with good depth.

9th: FB (89-90), CB (76-77)

This was a 4-hour 9 inning game. Good for my paycheck.

Chart Observations: TOR @ TB

1) Marc Rzepczynski: 105 pitches. 9 strikes swinging. 4 on Fastballs (2nd, 3rd, 5th, 6th), 3 on Sliders (1st, 2nd, 6th) and 2 on Changeups (1st, 6th)

• Marc (not even going to try and respell or pronounce this cats name) is a 6-1, 205 pound lefty. The 23 year old has a medium frame that is close to being maxed out. He has a drop and drive delivery with a 3/4 release. He puts a lot of pressure on his back leg and pushes off very well. His slider is a slurvy 10-4 with solid bite. He throws 2 different types of fastballs: a straight 4-seam and a 2-seam with great run in on lefties and solid sink. His change has great sink and a little run in on righties, but it's break can be inconsistent and it can be straight. He has a lot of confidence in himself, willing (and preferring) to throw 3-2 sliders. He can struggle to finish his pitches and leave any of his pitches in the armside batters box. He has good stuff, but did start to tire as the game went deeper. He has flown through the Jays system, pitching all last season at low A and pitched at AA and AAA before making the bigs this year. I think his ceiling is that of a # 4 starter, but I think his best role is as a LOOGY, as the Rays lefties were extremely uncomfortable in the box against him.

1st: FB (87-88), SL (79-81), CU (83)

2nd: FB (86-88), SL (79-82)

3rd: FB (85-88), SL (79-80), CU (80)

4th: FB (86-88), SL (78-80), CU (81)

5th: FB (85-88), SL (78-80), CU (81)

6th: FB (86-88), SL (79-80), CU (81-82)

2) James Shields: 105 pitches. 7 strikes swinging. 3 on Fastballs (1st, 2nd, 5th), 3 on Changeups (1st, 2nd, 5th), Cutter (4th)

• He came from an over the top release and showed a fastball with good run in on righties with good sink, a cutter with good cut and a little sink, a change with good fade from lefties with above average sink that looks like a fastball out of his hand and a big breaking 12-6 curve with good depth. He will throw his changeup to righties.

1st: FB (90-92), CU (82), Cut (83-86), CB (78)

2nd: FB (89-91), CU (83), Cut (84-88), CB (74)

3rd: FB (90-93), CU (83-84), Cut (85-87), CB (77-78)

4th: FB (89-91), CU (82), Cut (85-86), CB (76-77)

5th: FB (89-92), CU (81), Cut (86-87)

6th: FB (87-91), CU (82), Cut (86-88), CB (77)

7th: FB (87-91), CU (82-83), Cut (83-87), CB (75)

8th: FB (89-90), Cut (84-85)

3) Shawn Camp: 29 pitches. 2 strikes swinging. Changeup (7th), Fastball (9th)

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

7th: FB (88), CU (81-83)

8th: FB (85-87), SL (79), CU (81-84)

9th: FB (84-88), SL (79), CU (80-84)

4) Randy Choate: 1 pitch.

• Choate threw a fastball that had some run in Adam Lind.

8th: FB (85)

5) Chad Bradford: 2 pitches. 0 strikes swinging.

• Bradford is a 6-5, 215 pound 34 year old. The sidearming righty has a big frame that can add a little more muscle. His fastball has good run in on righties with a little sink.

8th: FB (78)

6) J.P. Howell: 21 pitches. 0 strikes swinging.

• Howell came from an over the top, almost high 3/4 release. His curveball is a big breaking 11-4 with good depth. His fastball has some run in on lefties with a little sink and his change is a straight change with some sink.

8th: FB (82-84), CB (76-80)

9th: FB (82-84), CB (80-81), CU (79)

7) Dan Wheeler: 21 pitches. 0 strikes swinging.

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

10th: FB (88-89), CU (84), Cut (82)

11th: FB (86-88), CU (82-84), Cut (81), SL (77-81)

8) Brandon League: 31 pitches. 3 strikes swinging. 3 Splitters (10th, 2 in 11th)

• League came from a 3/4 release and showed a split with excellent dive, a fastball with some run in on righties and a sharp 2-7 slider with above average bite.

10th: FB (94-95), Split (84-87)

11th: FB (95-97), Split (85-87), SL (87)

All Caught Up

Well, that didn't take long. More conventional schedule here on out, here is my schedule for the next 3 days with pitching rotation factored in (not available after that day):

7/8: Chart, 7:08 TOR (Tallet) @ TB (Kazmir): Trying to trade this score for a chart, as I have seen both these guys.

7/9: Chart, 10:05 TEX (Hunter) @ SEA (Hernandez): AWESOME!

7/10: Off, Tri-County League All Star Game

More Tri-Co news, we had our first real test game-wise, as we played the 2nd place team who were just a game back of us. We won 7-4 and were able to keep a stranglehold on 1st. Went 3-4 with 2 runs and made a nice leaping catch. One of the guys said that he was thinking why would I even do a token jump to catch the ball. People now think I am somewhat black b/c I can jump and am fast. Another game today and then All-Star break.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Chart Observations (7/5 Game): MIL @ CHC

1) Ted Lilly: 112 pitches. 14 strikes swinging. 8 on Fastballs (2 in 3rd, 2 in 5th, 3 in 6th, 7th), 3 on Changeups (1st, 2nd, 6th), 2 on Sliders (4th, 5th), Curveball (5th)----Someone's curve didn't generate many swings and misses... :-)

• Lilly came from a high 3/4 release with a fastball with a little run in on lefties, a 11-4 slider with good bite, a 12-6 curve with above average depth and a change with above average sink and good late fade. He will throw changeups to lefties. He will also drop down sidearm to throw curves to lefties with 2 strikes.

1st: FB (86-90), SL (82-84), CU (78), CB (71)

2nd: FB (88-90), SL (84), CU (77-79)

3rd: FB (87-90), SL (83-85), CU (76)

4th: FB (84-91), SL (82-85), CU (79), CB (73-75)

5th: FB (86-91), SL (83-85), CU (76-79), CB (73)

6th: FB (86-91), SL (82-85), CU (77-81), CB (71-72)

7th: FB (86-90), SL (81-82), CU (76-79), CB (72)

2) Mike Burns: 81 pitches. 5 strikes swinging. 3 Sliders (3rd, 4th, 5th), Curveball (4th), Splitter (4th)

• Burns came from an over the top release and showed a fastball with some run in on righties, a 2-7 slider with good bite, a split with a little dive but not much and a big breaking 12-6 curve with good depth. His best role would be one where he only has to go through an order once, but he is a 4-A arm.

1st: FB (86-88), SL (78-81), CB (69)

2nd: FB (85-87), SL (77-79), CB (69-71)

3rd: FB (85-89), SL (76-78), CB (69), Split (79)

4th: FB (86-88), SL (77-80), CB (68), Split (77-78)

5th: FB (84-88), SL (77-78), CB (68)

3) Mark DiFelice: 5 pitches. 0 strikes swinging.

• DiFelice is a 6-2, 190 pound righty. The 32 year old has a medium frame that can get up to at least 205. He came from a low 3/4 release and showed a cutter with good cut and some sink. Solid middle reliever with plus command and does a good job of getting out with what he has.

5th: Cut (79-82)

4) Chris Narveson: 24 pitches. 2 strikes swinging. 2 Changeups

• Narveson came from a high 3/4 release with a straight 4-seam fastball, a change with good late run and sink and a big breaking 11-4 curve with good depth.

6th: FB (85-90), CB (73-74), CU (80-81)

5) Chris Smith: 11 pitches. 3 strikes swinging. 2 Changeups, Slider.

• Smith is a 6-2, 200 pound righty. The 28 year old has a medium frame that can add a little more muscle. He came from a high 3/4, almost over the top release. His fastball is a 2-seam with good run in on righties and some sink. His slider is a 2-7 with solid bite. His change has a little run in on lefties with a little sink. It flashes above average fade and above average sink. Another guy who is a middle reliever at best, but doesn't have the command of a DiFelice.

7th: FB (86-89), SL (77-79), CU (73-76)

6) Aaron Heilman: 19 pitches. 0 strikes swinging.

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

7th: FB (92), CU (84)

8th: FB (90-94), CU (84-86), SL (81)

7) Todd Coffey: 10 pitches. 1 strike swinging. Splitter.

• Coffey came from a high 3/ release and showed a fastball with some late run in on righties and a little sink, a splitter with some dive that is an average offering and a sharp 2-7 slider with above average bite.

8th: FB (93-94), SL (82), Split (87-89)

8) Carlos Marmol: 17 pitches. 2 strikes swinging. 2 Sliders.

• Marmol came from a 3/4 release and showed a fastball with some run in on righties and a sharp 2-7 slider with good bite that can look like a cutter. Still haven't seen his control issues yet personally either.

9th: FB (92-94), SL (79-83)

Score Observations (7/5 Game): ATL @ WAS

1) Scott Olsen: 116 pitches. 12 strikes swinging. 8 on Sliders (1st, 2nd, 4th, 2 in 5th, 2 in 7th, 8th), 2 on Fastball (2 in 2nd) and 2 on Changeups (3rd, 8th)

• Olsen is a 6-4, 210 pound lefty. The 25 year old has a big frame that can add a lot more muscle everywhere. He came from an over the top release. His fastball is a straight 4-seam. His slider is a sharp 2-7 with solid bite that can flatten out. His change fades from righties with a little sink. Keeps some velocity in reserve for when he needs it. His strong outing was more a reflection of the anemic Braves offense then him pitching overly well. Solid # 4 starter if he can be consistent with his command.

1st: FB (88-90), SL (79-80), CU (83-84)

2nd: FB (87-94), SL (81), CU (83)

3rd: FB (88-90), SL (79-81), CU (83-86)

4th: FB (88-92), SL (78), CU (80-82)

5th: FB (88-91), SL (77-80)

6th: FB (88-91), SL (80), CU (82)

7th: FB (86-91), SL (78-80), CU (82)

8th: FB (86-92), SL (78-83), CU (81-83)

9th: FB (87-90), SL (79), CU (81)

2) Mike MacDougal: 14 pitches. 0 strikes swinging.

• MacDougal nearly blew it, but came from a 3/4 release with a fastball with good armside run and sink and a sharp 2-7 slider that moved more like a cutter, and may be a cutter.

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

3) Derek Lowe: 85 pitches. 4 strikes swinging. 2 on Sliders (2nd, 6th), Fastball (2nd), Changeup (3rd)

• Lowe came from a 3/4 release and showed a sinker with above average sink and some run in on righties, a sharp 2-7 slider with solid bite and a change with some fade and sink from lefties. Lowe's command has been off with some bad luck on balls in play and that has been the result of the current slide he is in. He is between a # 2 and a # 3 for me.

1st: FB (87-89), SL (81-82)

2nd: FB (87-89), SL (81), CU (85)

3rd: FB (87-89), SL (80-82), CU (84)

4th: FB (87-88), SL (79-81), CU (82)

5th: FB (88), SL (80-82), CU (84)

6th: FB (87-88), SL (81-83)

4) Boone Logan: 6 pitches. 0 strikes swinging.

• Logan is a 6-5, 215 pound lefty. The 24 year old has a big frame that can get up to at least 225. He comes from a low 3/4 release. His fastball has some late run in on lefties and his slider is a sharp 10-4 with okay bite. Got to like his velocity and hate his command. Potential to be a # 1 lefty.

6th: FB (93), SL (77-81)

5) Manny Acosta: 2 pitches. 0 strikes swinging.

• Came from an over the top release and showed a 12-6 curve with solid depth.

6th: CB (78-79)

6) Kris Medlen: 33 pitches. 5 strikes swinging. 4 on Changeups (2 in 7th, 2 in 8th), Fastball (7th)

• Medlen is a 5-10 (uh huh, I am sure he is..., probably 5-6, 5-7) 190 pound righty. The 23 year old has a small frame that is maxed out. He came from an over the top release. His curve is a 1-7 pitch with okay depth. His change looks like a fastball out of his hand and has above average fade and sink. He will throw the pitch when behind in the count. His fastball has some late run in on righties. I believe this is Medlen's role. He needs to tighten his curve to be a back of the rotation starter, but I think he has more value as a long reliever. Solid command, but needs to improve that as well to be a starter.

7th: FB (89-91), CB (75-78), CU (80-82)

8th: FB (88-91), CB (76-80), CU (80-83)

Chart Observations (7/4 Game) TOR @ NYY: NYY Pitchers

1) Chien-Ming Wang: 66 pitches. 2 strikes swinging. Splitter (4th), Slider (5th)

• Wang came from a high 3/4 release and showed a sinker with good sink and run in on righties, a 2-7 slider that can be flat but is usually average with solid bite and a split with good dive that is his out pitch to lefties. Left the game with an injury and has since been put on the DL. That is God getting back at them for his previous DL stint for a shattered ego.

1st: FB (88-93), SL (82)

2nd: FB (90-93), SL (83), Split (86)

3rd: FB (91-93), SL (82-86)

4th: FB (90-92), SL (82), Split (84-86)

5th: FB (88-92), SL (80-83)

6th: FB (86-91), SL (80)

2) David Robertson: 29 pitches. 0 strikes swinging.

• Robertson came from an over the top release and showed a straight 4-seam fastball and a power 12-6 curve with good depth.

6th: FB (89-93), CB (75-79)

3) Brian Bruney: 13 pitches. 1 strike swinging. Slider.

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

7th: FB (92-93), SL (87-90)

4) Phil Hughes: 8 pitches. 0 strikes swinging.

• Hughes came from a high 3/4 release with a power 2-7 curve with good depth, a cutter with good cut and flashes some sink and a straight 4-seam fastball.

8th: FB (93-95), CB (75), Cut (89)

5) Mariano Rivera: 20 pitches. 1 strike swinging. Fastball.

• Rivera came from an over the top release and showed a cutter with excellent cut and a 2-seam fastball with good run in on righties with some sink.

9th: FB (90-91), Cut (91-93)

6) Phil Coke: 20 pitches. 5 strikes swinging. 3 on Fastballs (10th, 2 in 11th), Slider (11th), Changeup (11th)

• Coke came from a high 3/4 release and showed a straight 4-seam fastball, a sharp 11-4 slider with good bite and a straight change with some late sink.

10th: FB (94), SL (84)

11th: FB (91-94), SL (80), CU (81-83)

7) Brett Tomko: 17 pitches. 1 strike swinging. Fastball.

• Tomko is a 6-4, 220 pound righty. The 36 year old has a big frame that can add a lot more muscle. He comes from a high 3/4 release. His fastball is a straight 4-seam. His curve is a big breaking 12- 6 pitch with good depth. His slider is a 2-7 with good bite. His change has some fade from lefties with sink. 4-A arm at this stage of his career.

12th: FB (91-93), SL (85-88), CB (74-76), CU (82-84)

Chart Observations (7/4 Game): TOR @ NYY: TOR Pitchers

1) Roy Halladay: 108 pitches. 8 strikes swinging. 4 on Curves (2nd, 3rd, 4th, 6th), 3 on Cutters (1st, 3rd, 5th) and a Fastball (1st)

• Halladay is a 6-5, 225 pound righty. The 32 year old has a big frame that is maxed out, maybe a little more muscle in the upper body. He comes from a high 3/4, almost 3/4 release. His fastball has good sink and run in on righties. His cutter has good cut and he can throw it to either corner of the plate consistently. His curve is a big breaking 12-6 with good depth. His change has good fade from lefties with sink. True ace.

1st: FB (89-93), Cut (90-92), CB (78)

2nd: FB (93-95), Cut (90-93), CB (78)

3rd: FB (93-94), Cut (91-93), CB (76-80)

4th: FB (94), Cut (90-92), CB (79), CU (86-87)

5th: FB (91-94), Cut (91-93), CU (86)

6th: FB (93-94), Cut (90-92), CB (78-80)

7th: FB (91-94), Cut (91-92), CB (78)

2) Brandon League: 10 pitches. 1 strike swinging. Splitter.

• League comes from a 3/4 release and shows a fastball with excellent run in on righties and some sink and a split with excellent late dive. Watching him pitch, you always how wonder how his stats are as bad as they are. If he can find command, he can be a dominant closer.

8th: FB (95-96), Split (84-86)

3) Jeremy Accardo: 26 pitches. 1 strike swinging. Cutter.

• Accardo came from an over the top release with a straight 4-seam fastball, a 2-7 slider with good bite and a cutter with solid cut and some sink.

9th: FB (93-96), Cut (87-91), SL (84)

4) Jesse Carlson: 4 pitches. 0 strikes swinging.

• Carlson is a sidearmer who showed a fastball with some run in on righties and a sweeping 10-4 slider.

9th: FB (93-96), Cut (87-91), SL (84)

5) Shawn Camp: 44 pitches. 3 strikes swinging. 3 Changeups.

• Camp came from a 3/4 release and showed a 2-seam fastball with excellent run in on righties with sink, a change with good fade from lefties with sink and a sweeping 2-7 slider with good bite. He threw a ton of changes in this game.

10th: FB (87-88), SL (79-80), CU (81-85)

11th: FB (86-89), CU (83-86)

12th: FB (85-88), CU (79-84)

Chart Observations (7/4 Game): OAK @ CLE

1) Carl Pavano: 103 pitches. 5 strikes swinging. Fastball (4th), Slider (1st), 3 Changeups (2nd, 5th, 7th)

• Pavano is a 6-5, 240 pound righty. The 33 year old has a big frame that is maxed out. He comes from an over the top release with a fastball with some run in on righties with some sink. His slider is a sharp 2-7 with good bite and is his out pitch. Change has good fade from lefties with good sink and can move like a split or curve at times. It flashes plus with diving action similar to that of a splitter. Solid # 4 starter.

1st: FB (90-93), SL (81-84), CU (81-82)

2nd: FB (90-92), CU (80-82)

3rd: FB (90-91), SL (82), CU (81-84)

4th: FB (90-94), SL (83-84), CU (80-81)

5th: FB (90-93), SL (83-84), CU (81-86)

6th: FB (91-93), SL (83), CU (81-87)

7th: FB (88-93), SL (81), CU (79-82)

2) Vin Mazzaro: 99 pitches. 2 strikes swinging. Fastball (6th), Curveball (7th)

• Mazzaro came from a high 3/4 release and showed a power sinker with above average sink and some run in on righties. His change has some fade and sink from lefties. His slider is a 2-7 that flashes plus with sharp bite, but is usually average or below average with okay bite. His curve is a big breaking 12-6 with solid depth.

1st: FB (92-95), CU (87)

2nd: FB (91-95), CU (83), SL (87)

3rd: FB (91-94), CU (83-86), SL (85-87), CB (80-81)

4th: FB (90-93), CU (83-85), SL (86), CB (78-81)

5th: FB (90-91), CU (84), SL (84-85), CB (80)

6th: FB (89-93), CU (83), SL (82-84), CB (77-79)

7th: FB (88-92), CU (81-84), SL (83), CB (78)

3) Tony Sipp: 10 pitches. 0 strikes swinging.

• Sipp is a 6-0, 190 pound lefty. The 25 year old has a medium frame that can add quite a bit more muscle. He comes from an over the top release. His fastball has some run in on righties and a little sink. His change is a straight change with a little sink. He has some cocking arm action. He struggles to consistently throw strikes and if he can learn command, there is a place in a bullpen for him.

7th: FB (92)

8th: FB (91-92), CU (84)

4) Craig Breslow: 16 pitches. 1 strike swinging. Fastball (8th)

• Breslow came from a high 3/4 release and showed a fastball with some run in on righties, a big breaking 11-4 curve with good depth and a sharp 11-4 slider with solid bite.

7th: FB (87-91), SL (86), CB (74)

8th: FB (90-92), CB (72-78)

5) Joe Smith: 4 pitches. 0 strikes swinging.

• Smith is a sidearmer who showed a fastball with good run in on righties and some sink.

8th: FB (89-90)

6) Brad Ziegler: 5 pitches. 2 strikes swinging. Fastball, Slider.

• Ziegler is a sidearmer whose fastball has good sink and run in on righties and a 3-9 slider with good bite.

8th: FB (86-87), SL (72-73)

7) Kerry Wood: 9 pitches. 0 strikes swinging.

• Wood came from an over the top release and showed a straight 4-seam fastball, a sharp 12-7 curve with above average depth and a cutter with above average cut and some sink.

9th: FB (95-97), CB (82), Cut (90-91)

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)