Hectic Times

I have a ton of stuff to report on, and look for most of those reports tomorrow, including trade analysis.

Chart Observations: PIT @ SF

1) Tim Lincecum: 115 pitches. 15 strikes swinging. 3 on Fastballs (2 in 1st, 9th), 12 on Changeups (1st, 2nd, 3rd, 3 in 4th, 5th, 2 in 6th, 8th, 2 in 9th)

• Lincecum came from an over the top release and showed a fastball with good run in on righties, a 2-7 slider with good bite, a change with above average fade from lefties with excellent sink that serves as his out pitch and a 12-6 curve with above average depth that can be a strikeout pitch.

1st: FB (94-96), CU (83-86), SL (82)

2nd: FB (92-94), CU (85), CB (76)

3rd: FB (92-94), CU (82-85)

4th: FB (94-95), CU (83-87), CB (74-78)

5th: FB (89-95), CU (79-85), CB (71)

6th: FB (91-94), CU (84-87), CB (76-79)

7th: FB (90-93), CU (83-85), CB (76-78)

8th: CU (83-86), CB (73-78)

9th: FB (91-95), CU (84-87), CB (77)

2) Paul Maholm: 81 pitches. 7 strikes swinging. Fastball (5th), 2 Sliders (3rd, 4th), 3 Curveballs (2nd, 4th, 5th), Changeup (2nd)

• Maholm came from a high 3/4 release and showed a fastball with good run in on lefties and above average sink, a change with good fade from righties and above average sink, a 11-5 curve with above average depth and a 10-4 slider with good bite.

1st: FB (88-91), CB (74), CU (84-85), SL (82)

2nd: FB (87-90), CB (75-77), CU (84-85), SL (83)

3rd: FB (90), CB (73-74), CU (83-86), SL (81)

4th: FB (88-91), CB (72-76), CU (82), SL (82)

5th: FB (90), CB (73-77), CU (82-86)

6th: FB (88-90), CB (75), CU (85), SL (81-82)

3) Evan Meek: 9 pitches. 1 strike swinging. Cutter.

• Meek came from an over the top release and showed a cutter with good cut and a 12-6 curve with average depth.

7th: Cut (88-94), CB (77-82)

4) John Grabow: 30 pitches. 1 strike swinging. Fastball.

• Grabow came from a high 3/4 release and showed a fastball with some run in on righties, a change with good late fade from righties with sink that he will throw to lefties and in any count and a 10-4 slider with some bite.

8th: FB (88-91), CU (81-84), SL (84)

• Jesus Guzman is a 6-1, 215 pound righty hitting/throwing 1st basemen. The 25 year old has a medium frame that can add a little more muscle. He has a very slightly open stance with a toe tap and a bat wiggle where he holds his hands a little above his back shoulder. His trigger is a big leg kick with a cocking of the bat. He didn't show too much power and looks more of a gap hitter. He was replaced for a defensive replacement in the 7th, which shows you how much they like his defense. I think he is a tweener and his only use will be as a bench bat.

Chart Observations: WAS @ MIL

1) Craig Stammen: 74 pitches. 5 strikes swinging. 3 on Fastball (1st, 2 in 2nd), Changeup (4th), Curveball (5th)

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

1st: FB (87-89), CB (77-78), CU (81-82)

2nd: FB (86-88), CB (77-80)

3rd: FB (86-88), CB (76)

4th: FB (86-88), CB (76-77), CU (79-80)

5th: FB (85-89), CB (77-78)

2) Jeff Suppan: 115 pitches. 8 strikes swinging. 6 on Changeups (3 in 1st, 2 in 4th, 5th), 2 Curveballs (1st, 2nd)

• Suppan came from an over the top release and showed a fastball with some run in on righties with sink, a change with above average sink and good fade from lefties, a big breaking 12-6 curve with above average depth and a 2-7 slider with solid bite. He will throw 3-2 changes and he will throw them to righties as well.

1st: FB (86-89), SL (82-83), CU (78-81), CB (71-73)

2nd: FB (86-89), SL (81-86), CU (78-83), CB (72)

3rd: FB (85-88), SL (83), CU (79-81), CB (73-74)

4th: FB (87-88), SL (81-84), CU (81-83)

5th: FB (86-90), SL (83-86), CU (78-83), CB (75)

6th: FB (86-88), SL (82), CU (76-81), CB (72)

3) Jason Bergmann: 24 pitches. 5 strikes swinging. 3 Fastballs (5th, 2 in 6th), Slider (5th), Curveball (6th)

• Bergmann came from a high 3/4 release and showed a fastball with good run in on righties, a hard tight slider that is 2-7 with some bite and can look like a cutter a majority of the timeand a 12-6 curve with average depth that can be a strikeout pitch.

5th: FB (93-94), SL (85-87)

6th: FB (90-93), SL (84-86), CB (77-80)

4) Mitch Stetter: 7 pitches. 0 strikes swinging.

• Stetter came from a sidearm release and showed a sweeping 9-4 slider with above avergae bite and a fastball with a little run in on lefties. He throws across his body, generating a lot of deception.

6th: FB (85-88), SL (79-82)

5) Mark DiFelice: 11 pitches. 2 strikes swinging. 2 Cutters.

• DiFelice came from a 3/4 release and showed a cutter with good cut and some sink, a change with good fade from lefties with sink and a 12-6 curve with good depth.

6th: FB (87), Cut (82-84), CU (77), CB (74)

6) Sean Burnett: 21 pitches. 1 strike swinging. Slider.

• Burnett came from a high 3/4 release with a fastball with good run in on lefties, a 10-4 slider with above average bite and a change with okay fade from righties with solid sink.

7th: FB (89-92), SL (79-83), CU (85)

7) Logan Kensing: 21 pitches. 2 strikes swinging. Slider (9th), Cutter (9th)

• Kensing came from an over the top release and showed a fastball with a little run in on righties, a cutter with good cut and sink and a 2-7 slider with above average bite.

8th: FB (94-96), Cut (89)

9th: FB (93-95), Cut (86), SL (81-82)

8) R.J. Swindle: 35 pitches. 5 strikes swinging. 4 Sliders (3 in 7th, 8th), Fastball (8th)

• Swindle is a 6-3, 190 pound lefty. The 26 year old has a medium frame that can add a little more muscle, but not much. He is a sidearmer lefty very similar to Stetter. His fastball has some late run in on lefties. His slider is a sweeping 9-4 with above average bite. His curveball is an eephus pitch that is extremely slow with average depth. Should be a guy that can be a # 1 LOOGY for someone.

7th: FB (82-84), SL (69-74), CB (55)

8th: FB (81-83), SL (69-73), CB (52-54)

9) Chris Smith: 11 pitches. 0 strikes swinging.

• Smith came from a high 3/4 release and showed a fastball with good run in on righties with good sink and a change with good fade from lefties and solid sink.

9th: FB (86-88), CU (72-74)

Garko to Giants

The Giants have acquired 1B Ryan Garko from the Cleveland Indians for LHP Scott Barnes.

Giants Side: A team in desperate need of a bat picked up a player who is limited to where he can play. Presumably assuming the lefty side of a 1B platoon with Travis Ishikawa, Garko cost a lot. Garko this season against lefties is hitting .333-.395-.565 while hitting just .265-.349-.424 against righties, which isn't much of an upgrade over Ishikawa, who is hitting .265-.319-.423 against righties this season. Garko is a useful player, but for a team in need of a bat, they still need one.

Indians Side: Scott Barnes is a 21 year old playing (and dominating) High-A hitters in the Cal League. He is 12-3 with a 2.85 ERA in 98 innings, walking 29 while striking out 99. I was able to watch the lefty pitch in Low-A last year with the stacked Augusta team and below is my scouting report on him

• A bizarre delivery, he keeps his elbow bent on his glove hand during the motion at an angle and has a very violent head jerk when he releases the ball. He works extremely quickly, getting the ball and immediately getting back on the rubber. He tries to quick pitch you. He comes from a 3/4 release and has a very projectable frame with the room for more muscle.
• 7/30: FB (89-92), SL (77-79), CU (78-79)
• Graded his pitches the following on the 3-7 scale (with 5 being major league average, 1st # is current, 2nd # is future): FB (4.5, 5), SL (5, 5.5), CU (4, 5). I also graded him as having above average MLB deception due to his mechanics, but gave him a 3 for his delivery.
• Overall: 4.5. Left handed reliever whose mechanics will never allow him to go a full season as a starter injury free.

I still believe that report, but it is true that he is trying to show me up. His fastball should sit consistently around 91-93 as he continues to add more muscle and was a 2008 draftee. He was 6-3, 175 when I saw him and is now listed on BaseballAmerica.com at 6-4, 185.

Overall: If the Indians are able to keep Barnes as a starter and injury free, they win this deal going away. Even as a reliever, I believe Barnes will serve to be more valuable then Garko. A big win for the Indians in my opinion, especially if Andy Marte can finally convert his AAA production to MLB production.

Score: OAK @ BOS

1) Trevor Cahill: 110 pitches. 11 strikes swinging. 4 Fastballs (2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th), 6 Changeups (1st, 3 in 2nd, 2 in 5th) and a Curveball (5th)

• Cahill came from a 3/4 release and showed a 2-seam fastball with above average run in on righties and great late sink, a straight 4-seam, a change that looks like a fastball out of his hand with good late fade from lefties and good late sink, a fairly flat 2-7 slider with okay bite and a 1-7 curve with average depth. Cahill really struggles to command his fastball at times and that causes him to have throw pitches to the middle of the plate. He also needs to develop one of the curve or slider to at least major league average.

1st: FB (89-93), CU (81-82)

2nd: FB (89-93), CU (80-85)

3rd: FB (89-94), CU (79-82), SL (84-86), CB (80)

4th: FB (86-92), CU (80-82), SL (82-86), CB (79)

5th: FB (87-91), CU (79-81), SL (84), CB (79-80)

2) Josh Beckett: 103 pitches. 9 strikes swinging. 3 Fastballs (1st, 5th, 6th), 5 Curveballs (1st, 2nd, 4th, 6th, 7th), Changeup (4th)

• Beckett came from an over the top release and showed a fastball with good run in on righties with good sink, a 1-7 curve with above average depth and is sharp enough to be a strikeout pitch that he can throw for strikes or bounce at will, a change with good dive that he will throw to righties and a cutter with solid cut.

1st: FB (95-97), CB (77-80)

2nd: FB (95-97), CB (79-80)

3rd: FB (93-96), CB (79), CU (90-92)

4th: FB (94-96), CB (78-80), CU (90)

5th: FB (94-96), CB (78-79), Cut (94)

6th: FB (93-96), CB (76-80), CU (89), Cut (93)

7th: FB (93-94), CB (76)

3) Santiago Casilla: 25 pitches. 1 strike swinging. Fastball.

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

6th: FB (94-97), SL (84-89), CU (88)

4) Edgar Gonzalez: 35 pitches. 1 strike swinging. Fastball (7th)

• Gonzalez is a 6-2, 210 pound righty. The 26 year old has a medium frame that is maxed out. He came from a high 3/4 release and has a little bit of a gut. His fastball has some run in on righties. His curve is a slow 1-7 with average depth. His change has some fade from lefties that he will throw 2-0 to righties. His cutter has some cut. His slider is a 2-7 with some bite. He will also drop down and throw frisbee sliders at random times. He throws a lot of pitches and not one is better then league average. 4-A guy.

7th: FB (90-93), CB (73-75), CU (78-79), SL (77-79), Cut (84-85)

8th: FB (90-92), CB (74), SL (79), F-SL (73)

5) Daniel Bard: 21 pitches. 4 strikes swinging. 2 Fastballs, 2 Sliders.

• Bard came from an over the top release and showed a fastball with some run in on righties and a 2-7 slider with above average bite. Please watch video of this guy. His mechanics are so quiet and looks to be throwing low 90's and then the gun says 100. It is incredible.

8th: FB (97-100), SL (83-87)

6) Manny Delcarmen: 11 pitches. 0 strikes swinging.

• Delcarmen came from an over the top release and showed a fastball with a little run in on righties, a change with good late fade from lefties with solid sink and a 1-7 curve with average depth that is sharp enough to be a strikeout pitch.

9th: FB (92-95), CB (76), CU (84)

Chart Observations: CLE @ SEA

1) Cliff Lee: 99 pitches. 8 strikes swinging. Fastball (5th), 4 Changeups (2 in 4th, 6th, 7th), Curveball (2nd), 2 Cutters (both in 6th)

• Lee came from a high 3/4 release and showed a fastball with some run in on lefties and some sink, a change with above average sink and some fade from righties, a big breaking 11-5 curve with excellent depth and a cutter with good cut and some sink.

1st: FB (88-92), CU (83-84), CB (75)

2nd: FB (91-92), CB (76-77), Cut (85)

3rd: FB (90-92), CB (74), Cut (85)

4th: FB (91-92), CU (84-85), CB (76), Cut (86)

5th: FB (90-92), CU (85), CB (75-76), Cut (84-86)

6th: FB (90-93), CU (83-85), Cut (86-88)

7th: FB (91-93), CU (84-85), CB (76-77), Cut (85-88)

2) Jason Vargas: 86 pitches. 8 strikes swinging. 2 Fastballs (3rd, 4th), 6 Changeups (2 in 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th)

• Vargas is a 6-0, 215 pound lefty. The 26 (seems like he has been around longer) year old has a medium frame that is maxed out. He came from a high 3/4 release and works very fast on the mound and has good tempo, reminiscent of Mark Buerhle minus the stuff. His fastball has some tailing action in on righties and solid sink. His change has good fade from righties with good sink that serves as his out pitch to both lefties and righties. His curve is a big breaking 11-5 with above average depth and his slider is a 10-4 with solid bite. You could do worse as a # 5 starter, though he is likely pitching at his ceiling right now.

1st: FB (87-90), CU (79-81), SL (80), CB (74)

2nd: FB (86-89), CU (79), SL (81)

3rd: FB (86-87), CU (79-80), SL (80)

4th: FB (86-89), CU (79-81), SL (81-83)

5th: FB (86-88), CU (80), SL (79), CB (73)

3) Mike Gosling: 39 pitches. 6 strikes swinging. 2 Fastballs (both in 9th), 2 Changeups (both in 9th), Curveball (9th) and Slider (8th)

• Gosling is a 6-2, 210 pound lefty. The 28 year old has a medium frame that is close to maxed out, maybe to 215. He came from an over the top release. His fastball has good run in on lefties with some sink. His slider is a 11-5 offering with good bite. His curve is a big breaking 11-5 with above average depth. His change has good fade from righties with good sink that he will throw to lefties. Not a bad 2nd lefty to have in a pen and should be fairly solid as long as his command stays with him.

8th: FB (91-93), SL (80), CB (74)

9th: FB (90-92), SL (81), CB (73-76), CU (82-85)

4) Shawn Kelley: 29 pitches. 2 strikes swinging. 2 Sliders.

• Kelley came from an over the top release and showed a 2-7 slider with above average bite, a fastball with some run in on righties and marginal sink and a straight change with marginal sink.

5th: FB (92-95), SL (80-86), CU (83)

5) Miguel Batista: 42 pitches. 3 strikes swinging. 3 Cutters (6th, 2 in 7th)

• Batista came from a release point anywhere from over the top to 3/4 and showed a 2-seam fastball with some sink and run in on righties, a split with good dive, a cutter with solid cut and a sharp 12-6 curve with average depth that can be a strikeout pitch.

6th: FB (89-91), Cut (82-85), CB (74-79), Split (80)

7th: FB (89-95), Cut (84-87), Split (80-83)

6) Sean White: 16 pitches. 1 strike swinging. Curveball.

• White is a 6-4, 210 pound righty. The 28 year old has a big frame that can get up to at least 220. He has a high effort delivery that lands hard on his front leg and comes from an over the top release. He generates a very good downhill plane for his pitches, giving his fastball some good natural sink and some run in on righties. His curve is a big breaking 12-6 with above average depth that can be a strikeout pitch and a change with good fade from lefties with good sink that he will throw to righties. Solid set-up guy.

8th: FB (92-95), CU (83), CB (83)

7) Mark Lowe: 21 pitches. 3 strikes swinging. 2 Fastballs, Slider.

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

9th: FB (96-98), SL (86), CU (90-91)

Chart Observations: BAL @ BOS

1) David Hernandez: 110 pitches. 3 strikes swinging. Fastball (2nd), 2 Sliders (2nd, 5th)

• Hernandez is a 6-3, 215 pound righty. The 24 year old has a medium frame that may be able to add a little more muscle to his legs, but not much. He comes from a high 3/4 release with very quiet mechanics that remind me of Bartolo Colon minus the fat. His fastball has a little run in on righties, but is a fairly straight 4-seam. His slider is a sharp 2-7 with above average bite that he struggles to command (I think it resembles more of a power curve then a slider) and his change has marginal sink and only threw it once. His upside is that of a # 3, but he would need to develop his command and a change. I think he slots much better as a reliever, though he will still need to improve his command.

1st: FB (93-95)

2nd: FB (93-96), SL (78-80)

3rd: FB (93-95), CU (87)

4th: FB (92-96), SL (75-80)

5th: FB (92-95), SL (77-79)

6th: FB (91-94), SL (76-79)

7th: FB (92-96), SL (78-80)

2) John Smoltz: 83 pitches. 10 strikes swinging. 9 Sliders (2 in 1st, 3 in 2nd, 2 in 3rd, 4th, 5th), Fastball (5th)

• Smoltz came from a 3/4 release and showed a fastball with good run in on righties and a little sink, a 2-7 slider with solid bite that he started on the outside corner and let the Orioles hitters flail, a splitter with solid dive and a 1-7 curve with average depth. He needs to make some more strides with his command, but is getting close.

1st: FB (91-93), SL (82-86), Split (87), CB (78)

2nd: FB (91-93), SL (83-87), Split (85)

3rd: FB (92-93), SL (84-89), Split (87), CB (77)

4th: FB (90-93), SL (86-87), Split (86)

5th: FB (92), SL (84-87), Split (83)

3) Justin Masterson: 23 pitches. 1 strike swinging. Fastball.

• Masterson came from a 3/4 release and showed a fastball with good run in on righties with good sink that has good late action and a sweeping 3-8 slider with above average bite. This was the best I have seen his slider all year and he was locating it well with a much better break.

6th: FB (90-96), SL (84-87)

7th: FB (92-96), SL (84-87)

4) Takashi Saito: 27 pitches. 1 strike swinging. Slider.

• Saito is a 6-2, 215 pound righty. The 39 year old has a medium frame that won't be adding any more muscle. He came from a high 3/4 release and showed a fastball with some late run in on righties, a 2-7 curve that is loopy and a 2-7 slider that has slightly above average bite. Solid middle reliever, but wouldn't trust him as an 8th or 9th inning guy anymore.

8th: FB (90-93), SL (81-84), CB (76-79)

9th: FB (88-93), SL (80-84)

5) Ramon Ramirez: 3 pitches. 0 strikes swinging.

• Ramirez came from an over the top release and showed a fastball with some run in on righties and some sink and a hard change with some fade from lefties with some sink.

9th: FB (93), CU (88)

6) Jim Johnson: 15 pitches. 1 strike swinging. Changeup.

• Johnson came from a high 3/4 release and showed a fastball with some run in on righties, a change with good fade from lefties with good sink and a big breaking 12-6 with above average depth that can be a strikeout pitch.

8th: FB (91-95), CB (80), CU (87-88)

7) George Sherrill: 14 pitches. 1 strike swinging. Fastball.

• Sherrill came from a 3/4 release and showed a fastball with good run in on lefties and a 11-5 slider that can be loopy and look like a curveball, but has good late bite.

9th: FB (90-92), SL (75-78)

4 Days Ahead...

Monday:
Chart
7:10 OAK @ BOS (Cahill vs. Beckett)

OFF TUESDAY

Wednesday:
Chart
3:45 PIT @ SF (Duke vs. Cain)
7:08 NYY @ TB (Chamberlain vs. Garza)

Thursday:
Chart
1:35 OAK @ BOS (Gio Gonzalez vs. Lester)

A lot of the A's-Red Sox series, need to find some time to see Dallas Braden as well.

Score (7/26): SD @ WAS

1) John Lannan: 81 pitches. 4 strikes swinging. 4 Fastballs (1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th)

• Lannan came from an over the top release and showed a 2-seam fastball with good run in on lefties with okay sink (also throws a cutter, but it is indistinguishable to my rookie eyes), a 11-5 slider with good bite, a change with some fade form righties with okay sink and a big breaking 11-5 curve with above average depth. Generates a lot of groundballs and if he was behind an above average defense, his #'s would be even better.

1st: FB (86-88), SL (81-83), CU (81)

2nd: FB (86-89), CB (71)

3rd: FB (86-90), CB (72)

4th: FB (87-89)

5th: FB (87-88), CB (71)

6th: FB (86-88), SL (79), CB (69)

7th: FB (84-87), CU (79)

8th: FB (86-88), SL (78-81), CB (70)

2) Chad Gaudin: 98 pitches. 5 strikes swinging. 5 Sliders (1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 7th)

• Gaudin came from a 3/4 release and showed a fastball with good run in on righties and good sink, a 2-7 slider with above average bite and a change with solid fade from lefties with a little sink that almost moves like a splitter.

1st: FB (87-93), SL (79-84)

2nd: FB (89-91), SL (77-82)

3rd: FB (86-92), SL (78-84)

4th: FB (85-92), SL (79-82)

5th: FB (86-90), SL (78-83), CU (82-83)

6th: FB (87-91), SL (80-82), CU (83)

7th: FB (85-91), SL (78-81)

3) Luke Gregerson: 26 pitches. 1 strike swinging. Slider.

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

8th: FB (90-92), SL (81-84), CU (83)

4) Mike Adams: 16 pitches. 4 strikes swinging. 3 Fastballs, Changeup.

• Adams came from a 3/4 release and showed a fastball with good run in on righties with solid sink, a change with above average fade from lefties with above average sink, a cutter with good cut and a straight 4-seam fastball. He will throw changeups to righties and it appears to be his out pitch.

9th: FB (91-94), Cut (89), CU (82-83)

5) Mike MacDougal: 16 pitches. 1 strike swinging. Fastball.

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

9th: FB (94-97)

10th: FB (95-96), SL (87)

6) Joe Beimel: 7 pitches. 0 strikes swinging.

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

10th: FB (85-87), CB (71), CU (77-78)

7) Greg Burke: 13 pitches. 0 strikes swinging.

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

10th: FB (91-92), SL (81-84)

Chart Observations: 7/25 CLE @ SEA

1) Jeremy Sowers: 103 pitches. 9 strikes swinging. 4 Fastballs (1st, 3rd, 4th, 5th), 3 on Sliders (2 in 2nd, 4th), 2 on Changeups (4th, 6th)

• Sowers came from a 3/4 release and showed a fastball with some run in on lefties, a 10-4 slider with solid bite and a change with some fade from righties with sink. He will throw 3-2 changeups.

1st: FB (86-89), SL (76-79)

2nd: FB (85-90), SL (77-79), CU (77-79)

3rd: FB (85-88), SL (75-79), CU (78-79)

4th: FB (85-89), SL (76-78), CU (79-80)

5th: FB (83-87), SL (76-78)

6th: FB (85-88), SL (77), CU (78-79)

7th: FB (85-89), SL (76)

2) Erik Bedard: 81 pitches. 5 strikes swinging. 2 Fastballs (2 in 3rd), 3 on Curveballs (1st, 2nd, 3rd)

• Bedard is a 6-1, 200 pound lefty. The 30 year old has a medium frame that can get up to at least 215. He comes from a high 3/4 release and generates a good hip turn, maxing out his possible velocity. His fastball has some run in on lefties. His curve is a sharp, big breaking 11-5 with above average depth that can be a strikeout pitch. His cutter has some cut. He will drop down to 3/4 to throw curveballs and fastballs to both lefties and righties. His stuff says at least a # 2 starter, however his ability to pitch through pain and struggles with command says a # 4 or 5. I will call him a 3 and put it in the middle.

1st: FB (90-93), CB (77)

2nd: FB (90-93), CB (75-80)

3rd: FB (89-93), CB (76-80), Cut (90)

3) Chris Jakubauskas: 53 pitches. 0 strikes swinging.

• Chris came from an over the top release and showed a fastball with a little run in on righties with a little sink, a 12-6 curve with above average depth that could be a strikeout pitch and a change with a little fade from lefties with a little sink.

4th: FB (90-92), CB (76-77), CU (79)

5th: FB (88-91), CB (77), CU (77)

4) Garrett Olson: 61 pitches. 7 strikes swinging. 5 Fastballs (5th, 7th, 3 in 8th), Curveball (8th) and Changeup (9th)

• Olson came from a 3/4 release and showed a fastball with some run in on lefties, a power 11-5 curve with slightly above average depth and a pretty straight change that has a little fade from righties.

5th: FB (88-90), CB (79)

6th: FB (87-90), CB (80-81)

7th: FB (88-90), CU (80-82)

8th: FB (89-91), CB (81)

9th: FB (89-90), CB (79-81), CU (80-81)

5) Winston Abreu: 18 pitches. 0 strikes swinging.

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

8th: FB (90-94), SL (82-86)

9th: FB (92)

6) Jose Veras: 18 pitches. 2 strikes swinging. 2 Fastballs.

• Veras came from a 3/4 release and showed a fastball with some run in on righties with sink, a 12-6 curve with above average depth that can be a strikeout pitch and a splitter with solid dive.

9th: FB (93-96), CB (78-79), Split (81)

• Michael Saunders is a 6-4, 210 pound L/R OF. The 23 year old has a big frame that can add a lot more muscle, especially in his legs, and should be able to get to at least 235, though it would cause the loss of speed. He has an open stance with the bat held even with his back shoulder and a little in front. He has a little bit of a bat wiggle in a circle. His trigger is a cocking of the bat and a stride to square himself up and his heel on his front foot is elevated off the ground and appears to be on his front toes. Saunders shows himself as a 5 tool guy, getting down the line on a groundout at 4.3 seconds (slightly above average) and was robbed of his 1st big league hit, a home run. He shows at least slightly above average in every tool I saw (did not see his arm) and think he is a future starting corner outfielder. Is definitely a better prospect then Wladimir Balentien was. I think worse case scenario for him is Mark Kotsay in his prime.

Chart Observations: 7/24 OAK @ NYY

1) Brett Anderson: 114 pitches. 12 strikes swinging. 6 Fastballs (1st, 2 in 2nd, 2 in 3rd, 7th), 6 Sliders (1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th)

• What a difference seeing him this outing did. He came from a high 3/4 release and showed a 2-seam fastball with some run in on lefties and a little sink, a sharp 11-4 slider with above average bite that served as his out pitch and preferred to throw it down and in on righties, a straight 4-seam fastball, a change with good fade from righties with sink and a 11-5 curve with good depth. He definitely has a pretty good shot of being a legit # 2 starter.

1st: FB (90-95), SL (85-86)

2nd: FB (90-96), SL (85-86)

3rd: FB (87-95), SL (81-86), CU (84)

4th: FB (88-92), SL (81-85), CB (77)

5th: FB (89-94), SL (81-85), CU (83-84), CB (77)

6th: FB (88-94), SL (81-86), CU (82-86), CB (75-78)

7th: FB (92-94), SL (81-85), CU (82-83), CB (76-77)

2) Joba Chamberlain: 100 pitches. 3 strikes swinging. 3 Sliders (3rd, 2 in 5th)

• Joba is a 6-2, 230 pound righty. The 23 year old has a medium frame that is maxed out. He came from an over the top release. His fastball has some run in on righties and a little sink. His curve is a 12-6 that is sharp with average depth. His slider is a sharp 2-7 with average bite. His change has good fade from lefties with some sink. Simply put, his stuff has taken a slight step back as he attempts to get acclimated to starting. That being said, I still think this kid is a future # 2 at least and some better fastball command would be a good first step towards that.

1st: FB (91-94), CB (77), SL (84)

2nd: FB (91-95), CB (76), SL (85-86)

3rd: FB (91-94), CB (77), SL (85)

4th: FB (93-96), CB (78), SL (83-85), CU (84)

5th: FB (91-96), CB( 76), SL (83-86)

6th: FB (91-94), CB (76-78), SL (84-85)

7th: FB (91-93), CB (78-80)

8th: FB (90-94)

3) Russ Springer: 8 pitches. 2 strikes swinging. 2 Fastballs.

• Springer is a 6-4, 225 pound righty. The 40 year old has a big frame that won't be adding any more muscle. He came from a high 3/4 release with a fastball with some late run in on righties and a cutter with solid cut and some sink.

7th: FB (92-94), Cut (85)

4) Craig Breslow: 14 pitches. 1 strike swinging. Curveball.

• Breslow came from a high 3/4 release and showed a 11-5 slider with solid bite, a 11-5 curve with average depth that was a little loopy, a change with above average sink that had some tail in on righties and a fastball with a little run in on lefties.

8th: FB (87-90), SL (82-85), CU (73), CB (74-76)

5) Santiago Casilla: 16 pitches. 2 strikes swinging. Slider, Changeup.

• Casilla came from a 3/4 release and showed a fastball with good run in on righties, a 1-7 slider with above average bite and a change with some fade from lefties.

8th: FB (92-95), SL (83-86), CU (85-88)

6) Phil Coke: 13 pitches. 3 strikes swinging. Fastball, 2 Sliders.

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

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

7) David Robertson: 19 pitches. 0 strikes swinging.

• Robertson came from an over the top release and showed a fastball with a little run in on righties and a power 12-6 curve with average depth that can be a strikeout pitch.

9th: FB (91-93), CB (77-81)

7/24 Score: FLA @ LAD

1) Clayton Kershaw: 106 pitches. 11 strikes swinging. 5 Fastballs (2 in 1st, 2 in 5th, 6th), 2 Sliders (3rd, 4th), 3 Curveballs (4th, 2 in 6th), Changeup (5th)

• Kershaw came from an over the top release and showed a fastball with some run in on lefties, a big breaking 12-6 with excellent depth that can be a strikeout pitch, a change withs ome fade from righties and sink and a 11-4 slider with good bite. Can lose command of his fastball, but appears to have the ability to throw his curve for strikes whenever he wants. He will throw 3-1 changeups.

1st: FB (94-95), CB (72-73), CU (82)

2nd: FB (93-96), CB (73), SL (81)

3rd: FB (93-95), CB (71-73), SL (84)

4th: FB (94-95), CB (72-73), CU (83), SL (82)

5th: FB (93-95), CB (70-77), CU (81-83), SL (79-80)

6th: FB (94-95), CB (71-73), SL (78-81)

2) Josh Johnson: 100 pitches. 9 strikes swinging

• Johnson came from an over the top release and showed a fastball with some run in on righties, a 2-7 slider with above average bite that can be cutter like and a change with good fade from lefties with a little sink that he will throw to righties.

1st: FB (94-99), SL (90), CU (90)

2nd: FB (94-97), SL (86-89)

3rd: FB (94-97), SL (90), CU (89-90)

4th: FB (94-98), SL (87-90), CU (90)

5th: FB (93-97), SL (87-88), CU (90)

6th: FB (94-97), SL (85-88), CU (89-90)

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

3) James McDonald: 19 pitches. 1 strike swinging. Curveball.

• McDonald came from an over the top release and showed a fastball with a little run in on righties and a big breaking 12-6 curve with excellent depth that is sharp enough to be a strikeout pitch.

7th: FB (92-96), CB (73-78)

4) Brent Leach: 3 pitches. 0 strikes swinging.

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

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

5) Ramon Troncoso: 21 pitches. 0 strikes swinging.

• Troncoso came from an over the top release and showed a fastball with good run in on righties and good sink and a 1-7 curve with average depth that is sharp enough to be a strikeout pitch.

8th: FB (91-94), CB (78-80)

6) Claudio Vargas: 22 pitches. 4 strikes swinging. 3 Fastballs (8th, 2 in 9th), Slider (9th)

• Vargas is a 6-4, 235 pound righty. The 31 year old has a big frame that is maxed out. He came from a high 3/4 release and showed a fastball with a little run in on righties and a little sink and a 2-7 slider with above average bite. Solid long reliever, just don't start him.

8th: FB (90-95), SL (81)

9th: FB (89-94), SL (80-82)

7) Brendan Donnelly: 15 pitches. 0 strikes swinging.

• Donnelly is a 6-3, 240 pound righty. The 38 year old has a big frame that is maxed out. He came from an over the top release and has a lot of herky jerky in his delivery with limbs going everywhere. His fastball has some run in on righties with sink. His change has good fade from lefties with above average sink. His cutter has good cut. Appears to still have the stuff to be a solid middle reliever.

8th: FB (90-91), Cut (88-89), CU (83-84)

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

• Meyer came from an over the top release and showed a cutter with good cut.

8th: Cut (84-86)

9) Kiko Calero: 3 pitches. 0 strikes swinging.

• Calero came from an over the top release and shows a 2-7 slider with above average bite.

9th: SL (76-80)

10) Leo Nunez: 10 pitches. 0 strikes swinging.

• Nunez came from a high 3/4 release and showed a fastball with some run in on rgihties and a change with above average sink and fade from lefties.

9th: FB (92-96), CU (85)

7/24 Score: SD @ WAS

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

6th: Cut (85-87)

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

If You Were A GM...

If you were a GM of a contender, what moves, if any, would you make to try and get your team ready for the stretch run?

Here are mine: NOTE: Weakness is according to how I have evaluated the team.

AL East:

New York Yankees
Biggest Weakness: Bridging from starter to Mo.

Strategy: Hold pat. I would hope for a return to form from Chien Ming Wang to be my 5th starter down the stretch. I would also hope to make Phil Hughes a 2 inning set up guy for the stretch drive, as he has been one of the best relievers.

Boston Red Sox
Biggest Weakness: SS

Strategy: Hold pat. I think Jed Lowrie will play well enough down the stretch to at least get us into the wildcard. Done making moves.

Tampa Bay Rays
Biggest Weakness: Bullpen depth.

Strategy: The loss of Chad Bradford hurts my manager's ability to play matchups. I would inquire with the Cleveland Indians about Joe Smith, 25 years old, (holding RH's to a .220 average) and would offer a close to major league ready prospect that doesn't project as much (a Fernando Perez, Chris Nowak, John Jaso) or deal from my surplus of starting pitching prospects as part of a bigger deal including Kerry Wood and offer someone along the lines of a Alex Cobb or Nick Barnese in addition to my near major league ready prospect.

If that fails, I evaluate Ehren Wasserman, 28 years old, of the White Sox (holding AAA RH's to a .228 average) and offer a AA upside bat, such as Rashad Eldridge, a 27 year old who appears to be a good shot to be at least a 4th OF and looks to be able to play CF, a position of organizational need for the White Sox.

Yes, Bradford is only out for the supposed 15 days, but I believe Smith would be an obvious upgrade and Wasserman is a guy who can replace Bradford next season. Always wary of him staying completely healthy.

AL Central:
Detroit Tigers
Biggest Weakness: Corner Outfielder

Strategy: With Matt Holliday out of the market and Wilkin Ramirez having too high of K totals for me to expect him to help us, I evaluate names such as Luke Scott, Jack Cust and Josh Willingham. However, with us moving towards more of a defense oriented pitching squad, these acquisitions would be downgrades defensively. I would sit pat, especially with the return of Carlos Guillen.

Chicago White Sox
Biggest Weakness: 2nd Base.

Strategy: I evalute players such as Brian Roberts, Alberto Callaspo, Mark Ellis, Freddy Sanchez and Luis Castillo, but decide the prices would be too much and hope Getz and Nix can provide enough offense to get us to the playoffs.

Minnesota Twins
Biggest Weakness: 2nd Base and 3rd Base, relief depth.

Strategy: With those 2 gaping holes, I try to correct one of them and hope re-slotting our infielders does the trick. I agree with the current rumor going around, I would look to acquire Orlando Cabrera and Michael Wuertz from the A's. My package would consist of a young lefty pitcher that I personally like as a starter, Brian Duensing and would also include one of Rene Tosoni or Erik Lis. I would not be looking to pay much more then that, as Tosoni projects to a be a major league regular and Cabrera is a rental while Wuertz value is off-set by Duensing being a lefty who could start.

If that fails, I inquire with the Nats about getting Willie Harris, who can spot start at all those positions and should be a good fit for the turf, and Joe Beimel, who should slot well as a 2nd lefty. The package I give up for this would be much smaller though, likely around a starting prospect, Ryan Mullins (who is projectable, which the Nats love, I think he is destined for the pen) and High-A reliever Blair Erickson.

If that fails, I hold my assets and hope Alexi Casilla relearns how to play and that Brian Buscher/Nick Punto/Brendan Harris can keep us afloat at 3B.

AL West
Los Angeles Angels
Biggest Weakness: Starting pitching depth, another reliever

Strategy: I try and get in with the A's about Wuertz, but am not willing to pay a premium for an intra division deal. Doug Davis would be a terrible fit and Roy Halladay would be too expensive. We are familiar with Jon Garland, but the package we would offer likely wouldn't be enough, as if we liked him enough, we would have re-signed him. Sit pat and hope for Ervin Santana to bounce back.

Texas Rangers
Biggest Weakness: Another reliever, starting pitching depth.

Strategy: I inquire with the Mets about Sean Green, a reliever I am familiar with from his days at Seattle and has the groundball tendencies to be solid enough for us for years to come at this ballpark. He also stands to benefit from our infield defense. I offer someone along the lines of Joaquin Arias (who can fill their utility infielder role), Greg Golson (toolsy OF that we mis evaluated) or AAA reliever Brian Gordon (fly ball tendency wouldn't play well for us). I don't give up anyone who has a shot at being great (outside of Golson), but could be MLB ready for the Mets as they try and make a push next year.

If that fails, I pursue Diamondbacks reliever Chad Qualls, but offer a package that is closer to that of a mid level reliever and not a closer. They likely won't accept, but the package would be built around major league ready prospect Julio Borbon or Brandon Boggs. My offer would be Borbon, relief pitcher Thomas Diamond and relief pitcher Evan Reed for Qualls and Garland.

Seattle Mariners
Biggest Weakness: 3B and SS.

Strategy: I stand pat. No sense making a move when our brighter days are ahead of us. I do dangle guys out there, such as Russell Branyan, Erik Bedard and David Aardsma to see if I can get anyone to blow me away.

NL East
Philadelphia Phillies
Biggest Weakness: SP depth.

Strategy: I do it. I make the move everyone is saying they should. I offer the Blue Jays a package of Carlos Carrasco, Dominic Brown, Jason Donald and Joe Savery for Roy Halladay and Scott Downs. I tell them this is the best package you are going to get. We are not going to give up Drabek, but we will add in Savery. You get our best SS and OF prospect.

If that fails, I stand pat.

Atlanta Braves
Biggest Weakness: Power bat somewhere, Relief pitching depth

Strategy: I talk to Kansas City about Ron Mahay for Diory Hernandez. The Braves likely value Diory higher then I do though, so a more realistic offer would be Deunte Heath, who is more likely to turn into a reliever.

If that fails, I see if the Pirates would be interested in the same type of deal for either John Grabow or Evan Meek.

Florida Marlins
Biggest Weakness: Starting pitching depth.

Strategy: Monetary constraints. Standing pat.

NL Central
St. Louis Cardinals
Biggest Weakness: 3rd base.

Strategy: I used the last of my funds to get Matt Holliday.

Chicago Cubs
Biggest Weakness: Underperforming big contracts.

Strategy: I look to acquire another starting pitcher, but there aren't any power pitchers that would fit well. I hope Kevin Hart keeps pitching better then his peripherals until Ryan Dempster returns and hope the hitters start performing.

Milwaukee Brewers
Biggest Weakness: Starting pitching.

Strategy: I pursue Jon Garland and Doug Davis, but pulling off that deal earlier in the week for Felipe Lopez tells me that I can't get a deal done there. I then pull to a dark horse and offer the Athletics 2B prospect Drew Anderson for Justin Duchscherer. I don't want to pay anything higher due to him being such a wild card.

If that fails, I turn my attention to trying to extract Jarrod Washburn from Seattle and I let Jack Z take command of the negotiations since he knows the system so well and decide if that is a price I am willing to pay. I would think it would center around young 3B prospect Taylor Green and AAA utility infielder Hernan Iribarren, which I would reject.

Houston Astros
Biggest Weakness: Starting pitching depth.

Strategy: I stand pat. Can't thin out an already thin system

NL West
Los Angeles Dodgers
Biggest Weakness: SP depth.

Strategy: I offer the Blue Jays a package of Devaris Gordon, Xavier Paul, James McDonald, Pedro Baez and Alberto Bastardo for Halladay, Downs and Jeremy Accardo. If they reject this, I stand pat.

Colorado Rockies
Biggest Weakness: Reliever

Strategy: I stand pat after aquiring reliever Betancourt after not being able to get them to give away Kerry Wood.

San Francisco Giants
Biggest Weakness: Power Bat

Strategy: I stand pat. We may be able to compete, but I have visions of a rotation featuring Cain-Lincecum-Sanchez-Bumgarner-Alderson and will wait until these guys prove themselves until I mortgage the future for a hitter.

+/- BTBD Re-Eval

Removed Jim Mecir from 2000.

Removed Jay Powell, Rich Rodriguez, Ugueth Urbina, Rod Beck from 2001.

Changed Gabe White's DICE from Worse to Better in 2001.

Removed Valerio De Los Santos, Paul Shuey, Antonio Osuna, Jesse Orosco from 2002.

Changed Vladimir Nunez from Somewhat Worse to Worse (IP) in 2002.

Removed Kyle Farnsworth, Tom Gordon, Francisco Cordero, Dan Miceli, Jeff Nelson, Guillermo Mota from 2003.

Removed Trevor Hoffman, Ricky Bottalico, Jim Mecir from 2004.

Removed Joey Eischen, Brian Fuentes, Bobby Howry, Bob Wickman, Mike MacDougal, Al Reyes, Russ Springer, Jose Valverde from 2005.

Changed Justin Duchscherer from Somewhat Better to Somewhat Worse (47) in 2005.

Removed Dennys Reyes, Joe Beimel, Chad Bradford, Tom Martin, Ron Mahay, Rick Bauer, Jon Adkins, Joe Borowski from 2006.

Changed Jose Mesa from Somewhat Better to Somewhat Worse (47) in 2006.

Changed Salomon Torres from Somewhat Better to Worse (73) in 2006

Removed Kevin Gregg, Jesus Colome, Javier Lopez, Jose Valverde, Rudy Seanez, Eric Gagne from 2007.

Removed Jeff Bennett, Eddie Guardado, Ron Villone, Neal Cotts, Ramon Ramirez, B.J. Ryan, Tyler Walker, Octavio Dotel, Luis Ayala, Jesse Crain, Ryan Madson from 2008.

Holliday to Cards

The Cardinals have remained busy and according to ESPN.com's Buster Olney has acquired Matt Holliday from the A's for Brett Wallace, Clayton Mortensen and Shane Peterson. The A's added 1.5 million to the deal, presumably to get Wallace thrown in.

Cardinals Side: Great pick up for St. Louis. Holliday is a much better fit in the NL and can now slot in LF and give the Cards a pretty strong OF in Holliday-Rasmus-Ludwick (who is hitting .391-.449-.681 in the 2nd half) with Rick Ankiel a pretty darn good 4th OF. I think this acquisition makes the Cardinals the favorite in the Central, with the Cubs many hitters playing below expectations and the Brewers inability to acquire an arm.

Athletics Side: Well, now the Hairston acquisition makes sense. Orlando Cabrera was also rumored to be part of this deal as Billy Beane was hoping to install Cliff Pennington at SS, but the acquisition of Lugo ruined that. The A's got some of the best that the Cards system has to offer.

Wallace was the prize of this system that everyone wanted and Beane will likely now move him to 1st since Eric Chavez is firmly entrenched at 3B when healthy. Here is a detailed scouting report on Wallace:
http://tkbaseball.blogspot.com/2009/07/futures-game-us.html

Mortensen is highly regarded despite not putting up earth shattering #'s at any stop. The 24 year old is pitching at Memphis this year and is 7-6, 4.37 in 105 innings, posting 34 walks and 82 strikeouts. According to Baseball America, he pitches with a sinker at 90-93, a hard slider and a developing changeup.

Peterson is currently getting his 1st crack at AA and the 21 year old hasn't disappointed. He started the year at High A and hit .298-.367-.428 with 10 SB's. Now at AA, he is hitting .284-.338-.405 in 74 at bats. He is 6-0, 195 and is a L/L, so he sounds like a potential 4th OF at worst and is making great progress through the system.

Analysis: The Cards get the best bat on the market as a rental while the A's get a package of prospects back. The question the A's need to ask themselves is if they won the deal of Carlos Gonzalez, Huston Street and Greg Smith for Brett Wallace, Clayton Mortensen and Shane Peterson. I don't think they did, as Gonzalez is still putting together the tools to be a starting MLB OF and Street has been a godsend for the Rockies. Meanwhile, I personally question Wallace's ability to be a 20-25 HR guy, which he has to be to be a solid starting corner infielder with his defense and I don't think Mortense or Peterson will have that type of impact. That being said, if the Cardinals do not make the playoffs, the A's win simply because it will be hard for the Cards to offer 16 million in arbitration just in case he accepts. If the Cards make the playoffs, they win the deal easily.

Rox get Betancourt, Sox get Duncan

The Rockies traded Connor Graham to the Indians for Rafael Betancourt while the Red Sox traded Julio Lugo to the Cardinals for Chris Duncan.

Rockies Side: Rockies get a solid middle reliever in Betancourt, who has posted a 3.52 ERA in 29 appearances, working 30.2 IP with 15 BB's and 32 K's. A somewhat extreme flyball pitcher, he goes to a weaker league, but a terrible park for his style.

Indians Side: Graham is a 23 year old in High-A and has posted a 7-4, 3.14 mark in 16 starts. In 80 innings, he has walked 41 and struck out 87. He was in Low-A last year, but Asheville did not visit Columbus.

Analysis: Rockies needed a reliever, Indians needed to get younger. Both teams did as well as could be expected. Give the win to the Rockies just because they were in a terrible need for a reliever and Graham will likely be converted to a reliever down the road anyways.

Red Sox Side: Sox get another lefty stick (presumably to replace Mark Kotsay) and Chris Duncan is their type of player. Duncan has splits of .227-.329-.358 in a weaker league and has experienced a loss of power. Reminds me of a Jeremy Giambi, Bobby Kielty type, a 4th OF who statistically inclined teams think can be a starter, but is best as a bench bat.

Cardinals Side: Cards get Lugo, a good risk for them. Lugo's bat wasn't a problem in Boston (.284-.352-.367) and it isn't out of the realm of possibility for him to now hit .300 in the weaker league. However, he may need to be turned into a utility player, as his defense has fallen off dramatically.

Analysis: 2 guys that needed to go to different places. It's a wash, as neither will make or break either team as they make a run.

Chart Observations: SF @ ATL

1) Tim Lincecum: 89 pitches. 6 strikes swinging. Fastball (1st), Curveball (5th), 4 Changeups (1st, 2nd, 3rd, 5th)

• Tim came from an over the top release and showed a fastball wtih good run in on righties with good sink, a change with great fade from lefties with great sink that is his out pitch to both lefties and righties, a sharp 12-6 curve with above average depth that can be a strikeout pitch and a sharp 1-7 slider with above average bite. Battled his command a little bit.

1st: FB (92-95), CU (83-86), CB (73-79), SL (82)

2nd: FB (93-94), CU (83-86), CB (75-78), SL (82)

3rd: FB (91-95), CU (80-84), CB (80), SL (81-83)

4th: FB (89-92), CU (79-84), CB (73-80)

5th: FB (92-93), CU (80-84), CB (75-80), SL (83-84)

2) Jair Jurrjens: 112 pitches. 13 strikes swinging. 5 on Fastballs (2nd, 6th, 3 in 7th), 5 on Changeups (3rd, 4 in 6th), 3 on Sliders (2 in 5th, 7th)

• Jurrjens came from an over the top release with a fastball with a little run in on righties, a change with good sink and fade from lefties and a 2-7 slider with solid bite. The change is his out pitch and he will throw it to righties. He got stronger as the game went on, as you can see from his swing and miss totals.

1st: FB (89-92), CU (83), SL (79)

2nd: FB (90-94), CU (81-82), SL (80-84)

3rd: FB (89-91), CU (82-85)

4th: FB (89-93), CU (82)

5th: FB (89-94), CU (81), SL (80-81)

6th: FB (90-94), CU (83-84)

7th: FB (90-93), CU (83-84), SL (81)

8th: FB (89-93), CU (83), SL (79-82)

3) Bobby Howry: 25 pitches. 7 strikes swinging. 4 Fastballs (3 in 6th, 7th), 3 Sliders (6th, 2 in 7th)

• Howry is a 6-5, 220 pound righty. The 35 year old has a big frame that can add a little more muscle. He came from a high 3/4 release and showed a fastball with good run in on righties, a 2-7 slider with good bite and a change with a little fade and sink that is slightly below average. Solid middle righty reliever.

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

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

4) Jeremy Affeldt: 13 pitches. 1 strike swinging. Fastball.

• Affeldt came from a high 3/4 release with a big breaking 11-5 curve with above average depth that is sharp enough to be a strikeout pitch, a fastball with some run in on lefties and a change with some fade from righties with solid sink that he will throw to lefties.

8th: FB (93-95), CB (77-78), CU (87)

5) Mike Gonzalez: 10 pitches. 0 strikes swinging.

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

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

6) Rafael Soriano: 15 pitches. 4 strikes swinging. 2 on Cutters, 2 on Fastballs.

• Soriano came from an over the top release and showed a fastball with a little late run in on righties and a 2-7 slider that is sharp with good bite. Also showed off his cutter which was confirmed through the Braves and it has good cut.

9th: FB (92-94), Cut (88-93), SL (81)

Padres-Nats: Latos vs. Mock

Marlins-Dodgers: Johnson vs. Kershaw

Chart Observations: LAA @ KC

1) Joe Saunders: 109 pitches. 6 strikes swinging. 5 on Fastballs (1st, 2 in 2nd, 2 in 5th) and a Changeup (3rd)

• Saunders came from an over the top release and showed a straight 4-seam fastball, a 2-seam with good run in on lefties with good sink, a big breaking 11-5 curve with above average depth that may be able to be a strikeout pitch, a change with good fade from righties with good sink and a 10-4 slider with good bite. He will drop down to throw fastballs to lefties with 2 strikes. He will throw 3-2 changes. Your prototypical # 4, lefty finesse starter.

1st: FB (90-93), CB (76)

2nd: FB (90-93), CB (77-81), CU (83-84)

3rd: FB (90-93), CU (82-84), SL (82)

4th: FB (90-93), CB (76), SL (81)

5th: FB (90-93), CB (78-79), CU (82-83)

6th: FB (89-92), CB (76-78), CU (82-83), SL (80)

2) Brian Bannister: 114 pitches. 10 strikes swinging. Fastball (5th), 2 Cutters (1st, 6th), 2 Curveballs (1st, 3rd), 5 on Changeups (2 in 2nd, 3rd, 2 in 4th).

• Bannister is a 28 year old righty who stands 6-2, 215. He has a medium frame that is maxed out. He came from an over the top release and worked quickly. His fastball is a straight 4-seam. His cutter has good cut and he may call it a slider, but it's action is that of a cutter. His change has good fade from lefties and is a hard change. His curve is 12-6 with excellent depth that could be a strikeout pitch when he throws it in the high 70's, not in the 60's. He will throw changes to righties and that appears to be his out pitch. I think he is a # 4 starter.

1st: FB (87-89), Cut (87-89), CU (85-87), CB (77)

2nd: FB (91), Cut (87-89), CU (86-88), CB (62-78)

3rd: FB (91), Cut (86-90), CU (85-88), CB (65-77)

4th: FB (88-90), Cut (87-88), CU (85-88), CB (74-75)

5th: FB (90-91), Cut (86-88), CU (85-86), CB (71-78)

6th: FB (90-91), Cut (86-89), CU (86), CB (78)

7th: FB (90), Cut (87-88), CU (85-86), CB (77)

3) Justin Speier: 24 pitches. 1 strike swinging. Splitter (7th)

• Speier came from a 3/4 release and showed a fastball with good run in on righties, a slider that moves like a cutter with okay bite that is pretty sharp and a split with above average dive that serves as his out pitch.

6th: FB (90), SL (87), Split (81)

7th: FB (91-92), SL (86-88), Split (82-83)

4) John Bale: 15 pitches. 1 strike swinging. Curveball (8th)

• Bale came from an over the top release and showed a fastball with some run in on lefties, a 10-4 curve with solid depth that he will throw from a 3/4 release (and he will throw fastballs from this angle as well) and a change with good fade from righties with sink.

7th: FB (88-92), CB (72)

8th: FB (92), CB (71-73), CU (81)

5) Kevin Jepsen: 17 pitches. 2 strikes swinging. Fastball, Cutter

• Jepsen came from an over the top release with a fastball with some run in on righties, a cutter with good cut and sink and a sharp 12-6 curve with average depth that can be a strikeout pitch. The cutter has been a difference maker pitch for him and is very impressive.

8th: FB (96-97), CB (84), Cut (90-91)

6) Roman Colon: 15 pitches. 2 strikes swinging. Fastball, Splitter

• Colon came from an over the top release and shwoed a 2-7 slider with average bite, a fastball with a little run in on righties and a split that has a little dive.

8th: FB (96-98), SL (78-81), Split (86-88)

7) Jamey Wright: 11 pitches. 0 strikes swinging.

• Wright came from an over the top release with a fastball with a little run in on righties with a little sink, a sharp 12-6 curve with average depth that can be a strikeout pitch and a cutter with some cut.

8th: FB (91-93), Cut (89), CB (77)

8) Joakim Soria: 13 pitches. 1 strike swinging. Fastball.

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

8th: FB (92-94), CB (70), CU (86-88)

9) Ron Mahay: 22 pitches. 3 strikes swinging. 2 Fastballs, Changeup.

• Mahay came from an over the top release with a change with some fade from righties with sink, a fastball with some run in on lefties and a 11-5 slider with above average bite.

9th: FB (90-92), CU (84-85), SL (80-82)

10) Brian Fuentes: 19 pitches. 0 strikes swinging.

• Fuentes came from a 3/4 release with a fastball with some late run in on lefties and a loopy 9-4 slider with good bite.

9th: FB (90-92), SL (75-77)

Random Royals Bullpen Observation: This pen is very similar to those of the White Sox from 3 or 4 years ago. Most of these pitchers have major league stuff and Dayton is trusting his major league pitching coach to try and teach these guys control. Eventually, Kenny Williams pulled the plug and began to bring in solid arms with some control. I think they will be making a similar adjustment in the coming years.

% BTBD Re-Eval

Removed C.J. Nitkowski from 1999.

Changed Wayne Gomes DICE from Worse to Same in 2000.

Changed Steve Kline's DICE from Worse to Same in 2001.

Added Joey Eischen to 2002.

Changed Salomon Torres from Somewhat Better to Worse (73) in 2006

BTBD Re-Eval

Changed Sean Runyan from Somewhat Worse to Worse (150) in 1998.

Changed Rod Beck from Somewhat Worse to Worse (65) in 1998.

Changed Eddie Guardado from Somewhat Better to Somewhat Worse (37) in 1998.

Changed Kelly Wunsch from Somewhat Worse to Worse (111) in 2000.

Added Jeff Fassero to 2001.

Changed Steve Kline from Somewhat Better to Somewhat Worse (32) in 2001.

Changed Salomon Torres from Somewhat Better to Worse (73) in 2006.

Added Heath Bell to 2007.

LaRoche to Pirates

In a sad day for Andy, older brother Adam was traded to the Red Sox for Argenis Diaz and Hunter Strickland.

Red Sox Side: In a move likely based on the fact the Sox don't expect Mike Lowell to last the season, they picked up the typical 2nd half performer for a ball-park fairly well suited for him. LaRoche was hitting .247-.321-.441 at the time of the deal with 12 homers and 40 RBI's. He is an above average defender at 1B, but is a lefty stick, which doesn't make a ton of sense for the Sox unless they put him in a platoon with Lowell to try and rest him.

Pirates Side: Diaz is a toolsy 22 year old SS who is struggling at AA, hitting .253-.309-.310. Without seeing him play and seeing a line like that, I am inclined to think utility player, though he is still very young. This is the 1st I had ever heard of Hunter Strickland and he appears to be a control artist. At Low-A, he was 5-4, 3.46 in 83 and 1/3 innings with 13 walks and 51 strikeouts, but 11 homers allowed.

Analysis: A minor deal where the Red Sox get a little value for a small price and the Pirates save some money and get to continue to replenish their farm system. Would say the Red Sox win this one, as I expect Diaz to be a utility infielder and don't think Strickland will make it based off his early results, though he is 6-5, 200 so there is some projection there.

+/- DOR Re-Eval

Added Mariano Rivera to 1999.


Removed Jim Mecir, Jason Christiansen, Paul Quantrill, Hector Carrasco, Mike Fetters, Billy Koch, Heathcliff Slocumb and Mike Magnante from 2000.


Removed Jay Powell, Ugueth Urbina, Rod Beck, Rich Rodriguez, Ricardo Rincon, Guillermo Mota, Billy Wagner from 2001.


Removed Valerio De Los Santos, Scott Williamson, Antonio Osuna, Paul Shuey, Jesse Orosco from 2002.

Changed Vladimir Nunez from Somewhat Worse to Worse (IP) in 2002.


Removed Dan Miceli, Francisco Cordero, Kyle Farnsworth, Guillermo Mota, Jeff Nelson, Tom Gordon, Aaron Fultz, Mariano Rivera, Matt Mantei from 2003.

Changed Billy Wagner from Somewhat Worse, Better to Worse (75), Worse


Removed Ricky Bottalico, Trevor Hoffman, Mike Koplove, Jason Isringhausen, Jim Mecir, Jason Christiansen from 2004.

Changed Dan Miceli from Same to Somewhat Worse (56) in 2004.

Changed Gabe White from Somewhat Better, Better to Worse (IP), Worse in 2004.

Changed Antonio Alfonseca from Somewhat Worse to Worse (95) in 2004.


Removed Mike MacDougal, Bobby Howry, Joey Eischen, Al Reyes, Brian Fuentes, Russ Springer, Bob Wickman, Jose Valverde, Giovanni Carrara, Jay Witasick, Brendan Donnelly and Rudy Seanez from 2005.

Changed Tyler Walker from Somewhat Worse, Better to Worse (109), Worse in 2005.

Changed Justin Duchscherer from Somewhat Better to Somewhat Worse (47) in 2005.

Changed Duaner Sanchez from Somewhat Better, Better to Worse (63), Worse in 2005.


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

Changed Jose Mesa from Somewhat Better to Somewhat Worse (47) in 2006.

Changed Salomon Torres from Somewhat Better to Worse (73) in 2006.


Removed Jesus Colome, Kevin Gregg, Eric Gagne, Javier Lopez, Rudy Seanez, Jose Valverde, Antonio Alfonseca, Michael Wuertz, Troy Percival, Mike MacDougal, David Riske, Armando Benitez, Octavio Dotel from 2007.

Changed Chad Cordero from Somewhat Better, Better to Worse (170), Worse in 2007.


Removed Jeff Bennett, Eddie Guardado, Ramon Ramirez, B.J. Ryan, Ryan Madson, Ron Villone, Tyler Walker, Neal Cotts, Octavio Dotel, Jesse Crain, Luis Ayala, Manny Delcarmen and Troy Percival from 2008.


Added Pedro Feliciano and Renyel Pinto to 2008.

Chart Observations: SF @ ATL

Who needs a full day off?

1) Derek Lowe: 92 pitches. 10 strikes swinging. 5 on Fastballs (2nd, 2 in 3rd, 5th, 6th), 2 on Cutters (2nd, 3rd), 2 on Changeups (both in 1st) and a Slider (5th)

• Lowe came from a high 3/4 release and showed a sinker with some run in on righties and above average late sink, a 2-7 slider with slightly above average bite and a change with good fade from lefties with good sink. He also has returned to throwing his cutter apparently, throwing about 9 with an intended location of in on lefties.

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

2nd: FB (88-90), SL (82), CU (84), Cut (86)

3rd: FB (88-90), SL (81-83), CU (84), Cut (86-87)

4th: FB (88-90), CU (83), Cut (86)

5th: FB (87-90), SL (81-82), Cut (85-87)

6th: FB (87-90), SL (80)

2) Ryan Sadowski: 75 pitches. 6 strikes swinging. 3 on Fastballs (1st, 2 in 3rd), 2 on Cutters (1st, 3rd), Curveball (4th).

• Sadowski is a 6-4, 195 pound righty. The 26 year old has a big frame that can add a lot more muscle, at least to 210. He comes from an over the top release. His fastball has some run in on righties with average sink. He will also mix in a rare straight 4-seam fastball. His curve is a 12-6 with above average depth. His cutter has some cut and some sink and he likes to throw the pitch in on the hands of lefties as an out pitch. His change is straight with a little sink and is below average. Basically, he has 3 average offerings and profiles as no better then a # 5.

1st: FB (88-92), Cut (87-89), CB (74-77)

2nd: FB (87-90), CB (77)

3rd: FB (88-90), Cut (85-87), CB (76)

4th: FB (85-89), Cut (81-87), CB (76-77), CU (79)

3) Justin Miller: 32 pitches. 3 strikes swinging. 2 Splitters (4th), Fastball (5th)

• Miller came from a 3/4 release and showed a fastball with some run in on righties with sink, a 2-7 slider with good bite and a split with average dive.

4th: FB (86), SL (78-79), Split (77-78)

5th: FB (86-88), SL 76-77), Split (78)

4) Merkin Valdez: 34 pitches. 2 strikes swinging. Fastball (7th), Slider (6th)

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

6th: FB (94-97), SL (85), Split (87)

7th: FB (94-97), SL (83-85), Split (85)

5) Brandon Medders: 9 pitches. 2 strikes swinging. 2 Curveballs.

• Medders came from an over the top release with a 2-7 slider with good bite, a 12-6 curve with slightly above average depth that is sharp enough to be a strikeout pitch and a fastball with some cut to it.

8th: FB (91-92), SL (83), CB (69-73)

6) Peter Moylan: 17 pitches. 1 strike swinging. Fastball.

• Moylan came from a sidearm release and showed a fastball with good run in on righties with good sink, a 3-8 slider with good bite and a change that moves just like his fastball, but slower.

7th: FB (89-92), SL (78-79), CU (80)

7) Eric O'Flaherty: 14 pitches. 3 strikes swinging. Fastball, 2 Sliders.

• O'Flaherty came from a high 3/4 release and showed a fastball with good sink and some run in on righties, a 11-5 slider with above average bite and a straight change with some late fade from righties.

8th: FB (89-93), SL (82-83), CU (83)

8) Manny Acosta: 15 pitches. 3 strikes swinging. 2 Fastballs, Curveball

• Acosta came from an over the top release and showed a fastball with some run in on righties, a sharp 12-6 curve with average depth that can be a strikeout pitch and a change with good fade from lefties with a little sink that he will throw to righties.

9th: FB (93-95), CB (81-84), CU (85)

2 Charts tomorrow.

TB @ CWS

1) Jeff Niemann: 100 pitches. 9 strikes swinging. 2 on Fastballs (2nd, 5th), 6 on Curveballs (2nd, 5th, 2 in 7th, 2 in 8th) and a Slider (4th)

• Niemann came from an over the top release and showed a fastball that is very straight that may have a little cut to it, a sharp, big breaking 12-6 curve with excellent depth that can be a strikeout pitch (and serves as his out pitch) and a sharp 2-7 slider with good bite. He straightens his arm behind him on the back take before beginning his acceleration through. Very impressive tonight and his curveball was plus for most of this outing.

1st: FB (91-94), SL (84), CB (79)

2nd: FB (91-94), CB (77)

3rd: FB (91-95), SL (84)

4th: FB (92-95), SL (85), CB (77-80)

5th: FB (92-95), CB (77-80)

6th: FB (92-94), CB (77-80)

7th: FB (90-95), CB (77-79)

8th: FB (91-94), SL (82), CB (76-80)

2) Clayton Richard: 116 pitches. 6 strikes swinging. 2 on Fastballs (2nd, 3rd) and 4 on Changeups (2 in 6th, 2 in 7th)

• Richard came from a high 3/4 release and showed a 2-seam fastball with some run in on lefties, a change that looks like a fastball out of his hand with good sink and fade form righties, a cutter with some cut in on righties and a 11-4 slider with above average bite. He also showed a straight 4-seam fastball and he has an excellent pick off move. He sold me tonight and retired the last 15 hitters he faced. Definite shot at being a # 2, but more likely to be a # 4.

1st: FB (90-95), CU (84), Cut (84-88)

2nd: FB (91-96), CU (85), SL (79)

3rd: FB (90-95), CU (82-86), SL (81)

4th: FB (91-96), CU (86), Cut (87), SL (79)

5th: FB (90-95), CU (86), SL (82-85)

6th: FB (90-94), CU (84-86), Cut (88), SL (77-83)

7th: FB (90-95), CU (84-87)

8th: FB (89-94), CU (81)

3) Bobby Jenks: 20 pitches. 1 strike swinging. Fastball.

• Jenks came from an over the top release and showed a fastball with run in on righties with sink, a 12-6 curve with above average depth sharp enough to be a strikeout pitch, a sharp 2-7 slider with solid bite and a change with some fade from lefties. Battled his command tonight.

9th: FB (92-95), SL (87-90), CB (84), CU (83-84)

4) J.P. Howell: 12 pitches. 4 strikes swinging. 3 on Curveballs, Changeup.

• Howell came from an over the top release and showed a fastball with some run in on lefties, a change with above average fade from lefties with good sink and a 11-5 curve with above average depth.

9th: FB (85-87), CB (82-83), CU (79)

Traded my games for Wednesday, so I have the day off. My first real day off (no baseball game, no work) in atleast 2 months. Looking forward to it.

DOR Re-Eval

Changed Sean Runyan from Somewhat Worse to Worse (150) in 1998.

Changed Rod Beck from Somewhat Worse to Worse (65) in 1998.

Changed Eddie Guardado from Somewhat Better to Somewhat Worse (37) in 1998.

Changed Kelly Wunsch from Somewhat Worse to Worse (111) in 2000.

Added Jeff Fassero to 2001.

Changed Steve Kline from Somewhat Better to Somewhat Worse (32) in 2001.

Changed Felix Rodriguez from Somewhat Worse to Worse (69) in 2004.

Added Ron Villone to 2005.

Changed Duaner Sanchez from Somewhat Better, Better, to Worse (63), Worse in 2005.

Changed Salomon Torres from Somewhat Better to Worse (73) in 2006.

Changed Jose Mesa from Somewhat Better to Somewhat Worse (47) in 2006.

Added Heath Bell to 2007.

Pitches Per Inning Re-Eval

Changed Chuck McElroy from N/A, N/A to Somewhat Better, Better in 1999.

Changed Shigetoshi Hasegawa from Somewhat Better to Somewhat Worse (40) in 2000.

Changed Paul Shuey from Somewhat Better, Better to Worse (74), Worse in 2000.

Changed John Rocker from Somewhat Better to Worse (87) in 2001.

Chaned Armando Almanza from Better to Somewhat Worse (52) in 2001.

Changed Gabe White from Better to Somewhat Worse (50) in 2001.

Changed Kevin Gryboski from Better to Somewhat Worse (31) in 2002.

Changed Todd Van Poppel from Better, Same to N/A, N/A in 2002.

Changed Stephen Randolph from N/A, N/A to Worse, Worse in 2003.

Changed Brian Fuentes from Somewhat Worse, Same to Worse (69), Worse in 2003.

Changed Felix Rodriguez from Somewhat Worse to Worse (69) in 2004.

Changed Mike Gonzalez from Somewhat Better to Somewhat Worse (37) in 2005.

Changed Tyler Johnson from Somewhat Better to Somewhat Worse (48) in 2006.

Changed Randy Messenger from Somewhat Better to Somewhat Worse (47) in 2006.

Changed Frank Francisco from Worse (IP), Worse to Somewhat Better, Better in 2007.

Changed Scott Eyre from Somewhat Better, Better to Worse (73), Worse in 2007.

Changed Luis Vizcaino from Somewhat Better, Better to Worse (64), Worse in 2007.

Changed Scott Proctor from Somewhat Worse, Same to Worse (68), Worse in 2007.

Added Ron Villone to 2005.

CIN @ LAD

1) Jason Schmidt: 91 pitches. 2 strikes swinging. Fastball (2nd), Curveball (4th)

• Jason is a 6-5, 220 pound righty. The 36 year old has a big frame that can get up to about 235, but likely won't. He comes from an over the top release. His fastball has some run in on righties. His split has some dive, but not a ton. His curve is a sharp 12-6 with above average depth that can be a strikeout pitch and that he can throw for strikes at will. Don't really know how the Reds didn't hit him harder after the 1st. He did a great job of living on the edges and throwing his slow curve for strikes, but his velocity is nowhere near where it used to be. A guy who profiles as, at best, a # 5 and that may even be a stretch.

1st: FB (86-89), Split (82-84), CB (71-73)

2nd: FB (86-88), Split (84), CB (70-73)

3rd: FB (85-87), CB (71-72)

4th: FB (85-88), Split (82-84), CB (69-73)

5th: FB (84-87), CB (69-70)

2) Micah Owings: 96 pitches. 6 strikes swinging. 2 on Fastballs (both in 1st), 3 on Sliders (all in 5th) and a Change (1st)

• Owings is a 6-5, 220 pound righty. The 26 year old has a big frame that can get up to about 235. He comes from a 3/4 release with a fastball with some cut, a change with good diving action from lefties that he will throw to righties and a sharp 2-7 slider with some bite. Said it before, but he needs to make a transformation to a hitter.

1st: FB (88-90), SL (81-83), CU (78-80)

2nd: FB (88-90), SL (80-83), CU (78-80)

3rd: FB (86-91), SL (81-84), CU (77-79)

4th: FB (86-88), SL (81-84), CU (76-79)

5th: FB (85-87), SL (79-84), CU (77-80)

3) James McDonald: 28 pitches. 2 strikes swinging. 2 Fastballs (both in 7th)

• James came from an over the top release and showed a fastball with some run in on righties, a sharp 12-6 curve with excellent depth that can be a strikeout pitch and a change with some fade from lefties.

6th: FB (93-95), CB (77)

7th: FB (93-95), CB (77-78)

8th: FB (91-94), CU (74)

4) Carlos Fisher: 26 pitches. 4 strikes swinging. 3 Sliders (all in 7th), Fastball (6th)

• Fisher came from an over the top release with a fastball with a little run in on righties, a sharp 2-7 slider with above average bite and a cutter with some cut and sink.

6th: FB (92-95), SL (82-84)

7th: FB (91-95), SL (82-85), Cut (91)

5) Danny Ray Herrera: 18 pitches. 1 strike swinging. Changeup.

• Herrera came from a 3/4 release and showed a fastball with some run in on lefties, a 11-4 slider with good bite and a change with some fade from righties with great sink that looks like a screwball.

8th: FB (84-87), SL (75-77), CU (64-69)

6) Ramon Troncoso: 10 pitches. 0 strikes swinging.

• Troncoso came from an over the top release and showed a fastball with some run in on righties with good sink and a sharp 12-6 curve with above average depth that can be a strikeout pitch.

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

7) Jonathan Broxton: 8 pitches. 1 strike swinging. Fastball.

• Broxton came from an over the top release with a fastball with a little run in on righties.

9th: FB (98-100)

Chart Observations: CHC @ WAS

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

1st: FB (90-91)

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

9th: FB (94-97)

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

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

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

Chart Observations: BOS @ TOR

1) Roy Halladay: 105 pitches. 8 strikes swinging. 4 on Cutters (1st, 2 in 2nd, 5th), 2 on Fastballs (4th, 5th) and 2 on Curveballs (4th, 7th)

• Halladay came from an over the top release with a cutter that has solid cut, a fastball with above average run in on righties with good sink, a 12-6 curve with slightly above average depth that is sharp enough to be a strikeout pitch and a change with above average fade from lefties with above average sink that he will throw to righties. He has plus command that causes his pitches to play up. Don't listen to Buster Olney about fastballs, his main pitch is his cutter, though it can look like his fastball at times. It is amazing how often he stays away from the middle of the plate and generates weak contact with cutters on his gloveside (in on lefties, away from righties).

1st: Cut (92-93), FB (94), CB (80)

2nd: Cut (92-93), FB (94), CB (80)

3rd: Cut (91-93), FB (94-95), CU (85-87)

4th: Cut (92-93), FB (92-94), CB (77-81), CU (85)

5th: Cut (92-93), FB (94-95), CB (80-81)

6th: Cut (93-94), FB (94-95), CB (80), CU (87)

7th: Cut (90-93), FB (95), CB (79-81), CU (86)

8th: Cut (91-93), FB (94), CB (80), CU (87)

9th: Cut (92-93), FB (94-95), CB (79-82), CU (86)

2) Jon Lester: 112 pitches. 11 strikes swinging. 3 on Fastballs (2nd, 3rd, 4th), 6 on Curveballs (1st, 2nd, 3rd, 2 in 5th, 6th), Changeup (2nd), Cutter (2nd).

• Lester is a 6-2, 190 pound lefty. The 25 year old has a medium frame that can get up to at least 205. He comes from an over the top release. His 4-seam fastball has some tail to it. His 2-seam fastball has some run in on lefties. His change has some sink and fade from righties. His cutter has good cut and some sink. His curve is an 11-5 with above average depth that is sharp enough to be a strikeout pitch. He likes to throw 2-seams in and 4-seams away from lefties and cutters in and changeups away to righties. Bona fide ace.

1st: FB (95-97), Cut (89), CB (78-79), CU (86-88)

2nd: FB (92-96), Cut (88-89), CB (77-82), CU (87)

3rd: FB (90-97), Cut (88-90), CB (77-80), CU (86)

4th: FB (93-96), Cut (88-90), CB (78-79), CU (86-88)

5th: FB (92-96), Cut (89), CB (78-80)

6th: FB (93-96), Cut (86), CB (76-80), CU (87)

7th: FB (93-95), Cut (87), CB (78-79)

3) Manny Delcarmen: 7 pitches. 1 strike swinging. Changeup.

• He comes from an over the top release with a change with excellent fade from lefties with above average sink and a fastball with above average run in on righties.

8th: FB (93-95), CU (76-82)

+/- Pitches Re-Eval

Removed Jim Mecir, Hector Carrasco, Paul Quantrill, Jason Christiansen and John Franco from 2000.


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

Changed Shigetoshi Hasegawa's DICE from Worse to Better.


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


Removed Dan Miceli, Francisco Cordero, Kyle Farnsworth, Guillermo Mota, Tom Gordon, Matt Mantei, Aaron Fultz, Mariano Rivera and Jeff Nelson from 2003.


Removed Ricky Bottalico, Mike Koplove, Trevor Hoffman, Jason Isringhausen, Josias Manzanillo, John Franco from 2004.


Removed Al Reyes, Mike MacDougal, Russ Springer, Bob Wickman, Jose Valverde, Brian Fuentes, Giovanni Carrar, Doug Brocail, Brendan Donnelly, Bobby Howry, Joey Eischen, Julio Mateo, Rudy Seanez, Eddie Guardado from 2005.

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

Changed Jose Mesa from Somewhat Better to Somewhat Worse (47)

Removed Jesus Colome, Eric Gagne, Doug Brocail, Antonio Alfonseca, Michael Wuertz, Mike MacDougal, Javier Lopez, David Riske, Kevin Gregg, Rudy Seanez from 2007.

Removed Jeff Bennett, B.J. Ryan, Ramon Ramirez, Jesse Crain, Eddie Guardado, Tyler Walker, Octavio Dotel, Luis Ayala, Manny Delcarmen, Huston Street, Ryan Madson, Matt Herges, Neal Cotts and Ron Villone from 2008.

Added Joe Smith, Renyel Pinto, George Sherrill, Bobby Seay and Francisco Cordero to 2008.

Personal Tidbits

Scoring Probables:
MON
CIN @ LAD: Micah Owings against Jason Schmidt (Schmidt should be interesting, 1st start in awhile, means I will see James McDonald as well, personal prediction)

TUE
TB @ CHW: Jeff Niemann against Clayton Richard: Nothing exciting.

WED
SF @ ATL: Tim Lincecum vs. Jair Jurrjens
LAA @ KC: Joe Saunders vs. Brian Bannister

So I finally get a Lincecum score and have an 8 o clock, with the Lincecum score starting at 7. I will be fast forwarding through both of those quite a bit, so don't expect too detailed of scouting reports.

FRI
SD @ WAS (Here's to hoping Latos stays on 4 days rest and the Pads play Monday)
FLA @ LAD: Kershaw vs. Johnson. Unbelievable. That will be a great, phenomenal game to watch.

Here is a link to a story about me and the Northern Yankees that a friend found (we will call him Stalker # 1), so lets give a big shout out to the stalker:

http://www.mcall.com/sports/baseball/all-playofweektext.6963953jul19,0,4063448.story

Brews-D'Backs Make Incomplete Deal

The Brewers traded Cole Gillespie and Roque Mercedes to the D'Backs for Felipe Lopez.

Brewers Side: The Brewers pick up a utility player in Lopez in the midst of a career year (again). Lopez is currently hitting .305-.368-.416 as the D'Backs everyday 2Bmen. Moving to Milwaukee, he likely will take the same role. Is this truly an upgrade? Looking at stats, you would say yes, however lets look deeper. This acquisition either pushes Casey McGehee (continuing his torrid hitting at .310-.341-.452 in July) or Mat Gamel (who needs AB's) to the bench. This also means Counsell will have to break out of his slump (or regression to the mean depending on your view) with sporadic pinch hit AB's. Lopez is also likely going to lead off and with a net OBP of just .63, if he suffers any drop in batting average or luck, his value will be diminished.

D'Backs Side: Gillepsie (24) inexplicably made a jump from High A (.349-.431-.605) to AAA (.242-.332-.424). If I were the Diamondbacks, I send him to AA and let him hit around .260-.270 and get acclimated to the organization as you try to teach this kid some pop so that he can be a corner outfielder. Mercedes (22) is a reliever in High-A and has a 1.08 ERA in 41.2 IP, racking up 45 strikeouts against 15 walks. Both these prospects have some potential, but are likely 2 Grade C prospects.

Analysis: Yes, the Brewers have improved themselves. However, they just dealt 2 assets to the Diamondbacks (that the Diamondbacks obviously liked) and did not fill their biggest need (starting pitching). This means the D'Backs price on Doug Davis (who the Brewers must have inquired about) is either exorbitant or the Brewers have a better option. I am not a big fan of this acquisition for Milwaukee, he has always been a + .60 OBP guy, which is useful, just not as a lead off hitter. They didn't give up much in sure things, but Gillespie has always been able to command the strike zone (though I doubt he shows enough to be an everyday guy) and should be able to fill in as a bench guy down the road. Mercedes, who knows? I will give the win to the Brewers, just because they didn't have to give up a possible everyday player to get one back./