C-Gon vs. B-Wall

When I posted earlier discussing the trade regarding the A's and Cards, I said the A's screwed themselves, as I would rather have the package they gave up then the one they got back. This debate essentially centered on Gonzalez vs. Wallace.

Obviously, the ends can't yet be known (and won't be for at least another 5-10 years), but my observation is looking pretty good at this stage.

C-Gon, 24 in October, is coming off a 4 for 8 doubleheader with 2 homers, bringing his season average up to .285. He now has 6 home runs on the season with a slugging % over .500 after that power outburst. Yes, his home park helps, but if he maintains that level of production, he looks to be very similar to another player the Athletics gave up on b/c they thought he wouldn't hit for the power to maintain a corner outfield spot: Andre Ethier.

Meanwhile, Brett Wallace, 23 in August, has set the world on fire. Since being acquired from St. Louis, Wallace is hitting .253-.323-.386 with 2 home runs in 86 at bats. On the season, Wallace is hitting the following at the 2 levels:
AA: .281-.403-.438 in 128 at bats
AAA: .282-.339-.413 in 305 at bats.

If you are a stat guy and look at his minor league #'s, this should concern you:
AA: 18 BB, 34 K
AAA: 23 BB, 61 K

Obviously, pitchers have either A) Found a hole in his swing or B) Pitched to him aggressively because they aren't scared about him hitting the ball out of the park.

The main problem with Wallace is the ability to hit for average and get on base are the only tools he provides. His defense isn't good at 1B (though neither was Pujols when he got called up, so you can turn yourself into a good defender), he has no speed and will not hit for much power.

From a scouting perspective (and I have watched both players play), you always look for the tools. Gonzalez is faster, a better overall defender and should put up similar numbers to Wallace offensively playing in Coors (and likely if he was in OAK as well, as his ability to hit gaps in that ballpark is more beneficial to speedsters (cough Rajai Davis cough) then plodders such as Wallace.

Wallace has received a ton of hype (and deservedly so) for his college career of hitting and his strong first season in pro ball. However, the wheels have started to come off at AAA, which is a terrible sign for a prospect, especially playing in the hitter friendly PCL. Next season will be revealing for Wallace, where he decides if this level of play is his actual level (such as Jeremy Reed did after rolling through I believe 3 levels the year he debuted in the majors) or just rolling through AAA after good work in the offseason and being the A's starting 1Bmen the 2nd half of the season (as many a prospect have done).

Overall, I believe C-Gon is a much better prospect (and will be a better big leaguer) then Brett Wallace. Disagree with me? Chime in with why Brett Wallace will be a better big leaguer.

Chart Observations: 8/15 HOU @ MIL

1) Brian Moehler: 104 pitches. 5 strikes swinging. Fastball (5th), 2 Sliders (3rd, 5th), 2 Changeups (3rd, 5th)

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

1st: FB (88-90), CU (79)

2nd: FB (87-90), CU (80-81), SL (78-82), Cut (87-88)

3rd: FB (87-90), CU (80-81), SL (78-84), Cut (85-89)

4th: FB (88-90), CU (81), SL (78), Cut (84), CB (77-78)

5th: FB (88-92), CU (80-81), SL (80-84), Cut (88-89)

2) Mike Burns: 90 pitches. 7 strikes swinging. 2 Fastballs (both in 6th), 4 Sliders (1st, 4th, 2 in 7th), Curveball (1st)

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

1st: No Gameday

2nd: FB (86-90), Split (77)

3rd: FB (88-90), Split (78-82)

4th: FB (88-92), Split (83), SL (82), CB (70)

5th: FB (88), SL (80-82), CB (70-71)

6th: FB (87-92), Split (79-81), SL (83-85), CB (72)

7th: FB (86-91), Split (81), SL (77-81), CB (70)

3) Alberto Arias: 21 pitches. 2 strikes swinging. Fastball, Curveball

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

6th: FB (94-96), CB (82-85)

4) Tim Byrdak: 3 pitches. 0 strikes swinging.

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

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

5) Samuel Gervacio: 6 pitches. 0 strikes swinging (4 of the pitches were intentional balls)

• Gervacio is a 6-0, 175 pound righty. The undersized 24 year old has a medium frame that can add a little more muscle, maybe up to 185. He came from a 3/4 release and bounces up and down while waiting to come set until he finally comes set and it amazes me that they don't call a balk everytime. He showed a fastball with some run in on righties and solid sink and a 3-8 slider with solid bite. He threw 2 legit pitches, so I am not sure how I would grade him.

6th: FB (93), SL (85)

6) Yorman Bazardo: 25 pitches. 2 strikes swinging. 2 Sliders (7th, 8th)

• Bazardo came from a high 3/4 release and showed a change with above average sink and good fade from lefties and a 2-7 slider with some bite.

7th: FB (92-94), CU (80-84), SL (81-82)

8th: FB (91-94), CU (82-85), SL (83-84)

7) Dave Weathers: 9 pitches. 0 strikes swinging.

• Weathers came from a 3/4 release and showed a fastball with good run in on righties and a change with some fade from lefties with okay sink.

8th: FB (88-90), CU (85)

8) Todd Coffey: 9 pitches. 2 strikes swinging. Fastball, Slider.

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

9th: FB (96-97), SL (85)

Chart Observations: 8/14 PHI @ ATL

1) Jair Jurrjens: 103 pitches. 10 strikes swinging. 2 Fastballs (2nd, 4th), 3 Sliders (3rd, 2 in 5th), 5 Changeups (2 in 4th, 2 in 6th, 7th)

• Jurrjens came from an over the top release and showed a fastball with good run in on righties with good sink, a change with above average fade from lefties with above average sink that he will throw to righties (and is his best offering) and a 2-7 slider with good bite.

1st: FB (89-90), CU (82)

2nd: FB (89-93), CU (83), SL (80-81)

3rd: FB (88-92), SL (78-80)

4th: FB (89-94), CU (81-84), SL (78-81)

5th: FB (90-93), CU (82-84), SL (78-81)

6th: FB (89-94), CU (81-84), SL (78-80)

7th: FB (90-92), CU (82-84), SL (80)

2) Joe Blanton: 108 pitches. 6 strikes swinging. 3 Fastballs (2nd, 3rd, 4th), 3 Changeups (1st, 2 in 2nd)

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

1st: FB (87-90), SL (82-83), CU (81-83)

2nd: FB (87-91), SL (82-84), CU (82-84), CB (73)

3rd: FB (87-91), SL (80-81)

4th: FB (87-90), SL (81-82), CU (82-83), CB (74)

5th: FB (88-91), SL (81), CU (80-82)

6th: FB (87-88), SL (82-84), CU (80-83), CB (72-75)

7th: FB (87-90), SL (85), CU (81), CB (73-75)

3) Ryan Madson: 6 pitches. 1 strike swinging. Cutter.

• Madson came from an over the top release and showed a change with above average fade from lefties with good sink, a fastball with some run in on righties with good sink and a cutter with good cut and some sink.

8th: FB (95), Cut (91), CU (85)

4) Mike Gonzalez: 14 pitches. 0 strikes swinging.

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

8th: FB (88-94), SL (76-84)

5) Rafael Soriano: 14 pitches. 4 strikes swinging. 2 Fastballs, 2 Sliders.

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

9th: FB (94-95), SL (80-84), Cut (91-92)

6) Brad Lidge: 19 pitches. 3 strikes swinging. Fastball, 2 Sliders.

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

9th: FB (94-96), SL (85-87)

Chart Observations: 8/14: BOS @ TEX

1) Jon Lester: 117 pitches. 19 strikes swinging. 6 Fastballs (1st, 2nd, 3 in 4th, 6th), 10 Cutters (4 in 1st, 4th, 5th, 4 in 6th), 2 Curveballs (1st, 6th), Changeup (3rd)

• Lester came from a high 3/4 release and showed a fastball with a little run in on lefties, a cutter with solid cut, a change with some fade from righties with good sink and a 11-5 curve with above average depth. He likes to throw the cutter in on rigthies.

1st: FB (91-95), CB (77-79), Cut (87-90), CU (84)

2nd: FB (90-93), CB (77), Cut (87-89), CU (82)

3rd: FB (91-95), Cut (87-89), CU (84)

4th: FB (90-95), CB (76-80), Cut (85-90)

5th: FB (90-94), CB (76), Cut (85-87), CU (81-85)

6th: FB (89-94), CB (78-79), Cut (85-89), CU (83-84)

2) Kevin Millwood: 110 pitches. 9 strikes swinging. 8 on Fastballs (3 in 1st, 3rd, 4 in 4th), Slider (4th)

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

1st: FB (88-92), SL (83-84), CB (73-74)

2nd: FB (86-91), SL (83-86), CU (82)

3rd: FB (89-92), SL (83-85), CB (72-75)

4th: FB (88-92), SL (83-86), CB (71-75)

5th: FB (88-92), SL (83-86), CB (73), CU (83-85)

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

3) Eddie Guardado: 8 pitches. 0 strikes swinging.

• Guardado came from a 3/4 release and showed a fastball with some tail in on righties and a change with some fade from righties with sink.

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

4) Darren O'Day: 15 pitches. 0 strikes swinging.

• O'Day came from a sidearm release and showed a fastball with good run in on righties with good sink, a change with a little fade from lefties and a 3-8 slider with good bite.

7th: FB (84-87), SL (76-78)

5) Daniel Bard: 24 pitches. 4 strikes swinging. 3 Fastballs, Slider.

• Bard came from an over the top release and showed a straight 4-seam fastball and a 1-7 slider with good bite.

7th: FB (93-97), SL (80-83)

6) Takashi Saito: 15 pitches. 2 strikes swinging. Fastball, Slider.

• Saito came from a high 3/4 release and showed a fastball with good run in on righties with sink, a 12-6 curve with average depth and a 2-7 slider with solid bite.

8th: FB (89-92), SL (81-83), CB (76)

7) C.J. Wilson: 27 pitches. 2 strikes swinging. Cutter, Slider.

• Wilson came from a high 3/4 release and showed a cutter with good late cut, a fastball with some tail in on righties and a 11-5 slider with good bite.

8th: FB (92-96), SL (80-86), Cut (88-92)

8) Frank Francisco: 34 pitches. 1 strike swinging. Fastball.

• Francisco came from an over the top release and showed a straight 4-seam fastball, a splitter with solid dive and a 1-7 curve with solid depth.

9th: FB (92-95), Split (82-86), CB (79-80)

9) Jason Jennings: 6 pitches. 0 strikes swinging.

• Jennings came from an over the top release and showed a fastball with good run in on righties with good sink.

9th: FB (88-90)

10) Jonathan Papelbon: 21 pitches. 3 strikes swinging. Fastball, 2 Sliders.

• Papelbon came from a high 3/4 release and showed a fastball with good run in on righties with good sink, a split with above average dive and a 2-7 slider with good bite. I worry that Papelbon may be pitching through a minor injury, as his fastball was slow and he appeared to be nursing through his pitches.

9th: FB (90-93), Split (89), SL (82)

IronPigs Observations: 8/13 vs. Louisville

1. Michael Taylor is a 6-6, 260 pound 23 year old. The man child has a massive frame that is maxed out. He has a twitchy elbow and holds his hands close to him. His trigger is a lean back, cocking of the bat and a stride. His swing can get long at times, but he does have above average bat speed to help compensate for it. All fields raw power and is an average runner. He has an above average arm. He is either extremely slow getting out of the box or he dogs it down the line.
2. Drew Stubbs is a 6-4, 205 pound 24 year old. The center fielder has a big frame that can add a lot more muscle. He has a slightly open stance with a bat tap with a swing that can get long at times. He will bunt for hits and legged out a sac bunt with a time of 4.1 seconds.
3. Ben Jukich is a 26 year old lefty. The 6-5, 205 pound lefty has a big frame that can add a lot more muscle and is a long and lanky kid that is pretty skinny. He came from an over the top release, though he will drop down to 3/4 at times and has mechanics similar to those of Jamie Moyer. His fastball has a little sink and run in on lefties. His curve is a 11-5 with above average depth and will try to serve as his meal ticket. His slider is a 11-5 pitch with okay bite and his change has good fade from righties with solid sink. He has an average pick-off move. He pitched at 83-88 with his fastball, low 80's with his slider, 73-76 with the deuce and 78-81 with his change
4. Joe Savery is the guy we wanted to see and he is a 6-3, 215 pound left hander. The 23 year old has a medium frame that can add a little more muscle and has a little bit of a squatty build. He came from an over the top release. His fastball has a little run in on lefties. His change has good fade from righties with a little sink and it looks like a fastball out of his hand. His slider is a 11-5 with solid bite, but it is loopy and he will hang the pitch. He pitched at 87-89 with his fastball, 76-81 with the slider and 74-76 with the changeup. Savery looks like a back-end guy and doesn't project to throw much harder. His slider is a below average pitch, while both his fastball and change are average.

Chart Observations: 8/13 WAS @ CIN

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Chart Observations: 8/12 PHI @ CHC

1) Jeff Samardzija: 74 pitches. 6 strikes swinging. 3 Fastballs (1st, 2 in 3rd), 2 Splitters (both in 3rd), Slider (3rd)

• Samardzija came form a high 3/4 release and showed a fastball with some run in on righties with good sink, a split with above average late dive when right, but can also be flat with little dive and is extremely inconsistent, a 2-7 slider with solid bite, though it isn't a big swing and miss pitch and a straight change.

1st: FB (93-96), SL (80-82), Split (83-85)

2nd: FB (91-94), SL (78)

3rd: FB (91-93), SL (79-82), Split (82-86), CU (86)

4th: FB (92-94), SL (78-82), Split (83-85)

2) Pedro Martinez: 99 pitches. 14 strikes swinging. 6 Fastballls (1st, 3 in 4th, 2 in 5th), 3 Cutters (1st, 2nd, 3rd), 5 Changeups (2 in 2nd, 2 in 4th, 5th)

• Pedro is a 5-11, 195 pound righty. The 37 year old has a small frame that won't be adding any more muscle. He came anywhere from high 3/4 to low 3/4. His fastabll has some run in on righties with a little sink and flashes above average movement. His change has good fade from lefties with solid sink that he will throw to righties and serves as his go-to pitch. His cutter has above average cut and can look like a slider at times and he will backdoor lefties with it. His curve is a 1-7 offering with average depth. Solid back end starter, though he is likely only going to give you 5 or 6 innings an outing.

1st: FB (87-92), CU (78-80), Cut (82-83)

2nd: FB (87-92), CU (77-80), Cut (81-84), CB (72-73)

3rd: FB (87-92), Cut (80-85), CB (74)

4th: FB (88-89), CU (77), Cut (78-79), CB (69-75)

5th: FB (86-92), CU (78), Cut (78-83), CB (73)

3) Sean Marshall: 84 pitches. 10 strikes swinging. Fastball (4th), 6 Curveballs (4th, 3 in 5th, 2 in 7th), 2 Cutters (4th, 5th), Slider (7th)

• Marshall came from a high 3/4 release and showed a 11-5 slider with some bite, a cutter with some cut and a little sink, a fastball with a little tailing action, a big breaking 11-5 curve with above average depth and a change with a little fade from righties that he will throw to lefties.

4th: FB (87-89), SL (82-85), CB (72-75), Cut (85-89)

5th: SL (81-82), CB (71-74), Cut (86-87), CU (82)

6th: SL (80-83), CB (71-73), Cut (86-87), CU (80)

7th: SL (80-84), CB (71-73), Cut (84-85)

4) Chan Ho Park: 26 pitches. 5 strikes swinging. 2 Curveballs (6th, 8th), Slider (8th), 2 Changeups (both in 8th)

• Park came from a high 3/4 release and showed a change with some fade from lefties with sink, a fastball with some run in on righties with sink, a 12-6 curve with average depth and a 2-7 slider with good bite. Will throw both get me over curveballs and out pitch curveballs.

6th: FB (89-91), CU (83), CB (80)

7th: FB (88-93), CB (73)

8th: FB (90-91), CU (80-86), CB (79), SL (85)

5) Aaron Heilman: 17 pitches. 1 strike swinging. Fastball (8th)

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

7th: FB (91-92), CU (81), SL (82)

8th: FB (91-93), CU (83), SL (82-83)

6) Carlos Marmol: 12 pitches. 1 strike swinging. Slider.

• Marmol came from a 3/4 release and showed a fastball with good run in on righties and a 3-8 slider with above average bite.

9th: FB (93-94), SL (82-85)

7) Chad Durbin: 16 pitches. 1 strike swinging. Cutter.

• Durbin came from an over the top release and showed a fastball with a little run in on righties, a change with a little fade from lefties and some sink that he will throw to righties and a cutter with some cut and sink.

9th: FB (87-90), Cut (87), CU (81-84)

8/12: OAK @ BAL

1) Jason Berken: 86 pitches. 8 strikes swinging. Fastball (1st), Slider (1st), 3 Changeups (1st, 3rd, 4th), 3 Curveballs (all in 3rd)

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

1st: FB (92-94), SL (81-84), CU (83-84)

2nd: FB (91-94), CU (84-85), CB (79-81)

3rd: FB (90-95), SL (84), CU (84-85), CB (78-80)

4th: FB (91-92), CU (83-85), CB (77-78)

5th: FB (89-92), SL (83), CU (82)

2) Vin Mazzaro: 85 pitches. 6 strikes swinging. 5 Fastballs (3 in 1st, 2 in 3rd), Slider (1st)

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

1st: FB (91-94), SL (84-85), CU (83)

2nd: FB (87-92), SL (83-85)

3rd: FB (89-94), SL (84-88)

4th: FB (90-94), SL (80-85)

5th: FB (88-92), SL (85)

6th: FB (88-92), SL (84-85), CU (82)

3) Brian Bass: 28 pitches. 0 strikes swinging.

• Bass came from a 3/4 release and showed a fastball with some run in on righties with sink and a 12-6 curve with average depth, as well as a 2-7 slider with okay bite.

6th: FB (90-92), CB (76-78)

7th: FB (90-92), CB (76-78), SL (85)

4) Craig Breslow: 23 pitches. 2 strikes swinging. 2 Fastballs (both in 7th)

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

6th: FB (90-92), SL (85), CU (77)

7th: FB (88-94), SL (85-86), CU (76)

5) Michael Wuertz: 14 pitches. 0 strikes swinging.

• Wuertz came from an over the top release and showed af astball with a little run in on righties and a touch of sink and a sharp 1-7 slider with good late bite that he will throw in any count.

8th: FB (91-93), SL (85-86)

6) Mark Hendrickson: 10 pitches. 0 strikes swinging.

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

8th: FB (87-90), CB (73), CU (81)

7) Cla Meredith: 13 pitches. 2 strikes swinging. 2 Fastballs.

• Meredith came from a sidearm release and showed a fastball with good run in on righties with good sink and a 3-8 slider with solid bite.

9th: FB (84-85), SL (78-80)

8) Andrew Bailey: 9 pitches. 0 strikes swinging.

• Bailey came from an over the top release and showed a fastball with a little late cut action and a cutter with above average cut.

9th: FB (93-96), Cut (88-89)

Chart Observations: 8/11 PIT @ COL

1) Ross Ohlendorf: 109 pitches. 9 strikes swinging. 5 Fastballs (2 in 2nd, 2 in 4th, 5th), 4 Sliders (2nd, 4th, 2 in 5th)

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

1st: FB (92-93), SL (80-83)

2nd: FB (91-96)

3rd: FB (92-96), SL (81-82), CU (83)

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

5th: FB (91-94), SL (81-82)

6th: FB (91-94), SL (80-81), CU (83)

7th: FB (89-93)

2) Jhoulys Chacin: 71 pitches. 6 strikes swinging. 2 Fastballs (both in 2nd), 4 Changeups (2 in 2nd, 2 in 3rd). Frame data can be found under the Futures Game World Roster.

• Chacin came from a high 3/4 release and showed a fastball with some cutting action and good sink, a change with some fade from lefties and above average sink that he will throw to righties and it can look like a slider at times. He will throw the change in 3-1 or 3-2 counts and essentially any time is what I gathered from watching this start. His curve is a 12-6 with below average depth. Chacin battled his command and his radar gun readings don't jump at you, but I like the combination of stuff he has. His change moves like his fastball, which is why it can appear to look like a slider with a little late cut. Should be a solid # 2 starter.

1st: FB (88-91), CU (83), CB (79-81)

2nd: FB (89-92), CU (82-86), CB (78-80)

3rd: FB (88-93), CU (81-84)

3) Josh Fogg: 68 pitches. 7 strikes swinging. Fastball (5th), 2 Cutters (6th, 7th), 4 Curveballs (2 in 5th, 2 in 7th)

• Fogg came from a high 3/4 release and showed a fastball with good run in on righties with a little sink, a cutter with solid cut, a 12-7 curve with solid depth and a change with good fade from lefties with good sink that he will throw to righties. He also threw a 2-7 slider with some bite. He will throw the change in 2-0 counts.

3rd: FB (84-89), Cut (83-86), CB (78)

4th: FB (86-88), Cut (85-86), CB (76), CU (80)

5th: FB (86-89), Cut (84-85), CB (76-78)

6th: FB (85-89), Cut (83-86), CB (79), CU (82)

7th: Cut (83-87), CB (76-78), CU (79), SL (82)

4) Jose Ascanio: 13 pitches. 0 strikes swinging.

• Ascanio came from a 3/4 release and showed a fastball with above average run in on righties with good sink and a change with some fade from lefties with solid sink that he will throw to righties.

7th: FB (91-94), CU (83-85)

5) Jesse Chavez: 27 pitches. 4 strikes swinging (all in 8th). 3 Fastballs, Slider.

• Chavez came from an over the top release and showed a change with some fade from lefties with some sink, a fastball with a little run in on righties and a sharp 2-7 slider with okay bite. He will throw the change to righties.

7th: CU (87)

8th: FB (94-97), CU (86-87), SL (91)

6) Joe Beimel: 23 pitches. 2 strikes swinging. Fastball, Curveball.

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

8th: FB (85-90), CB (73), CU (79)

7) Matt Daley: 14 pitches. 2 strikes swinging. Fastball, Changeup.

• Daley came from a sidearm release and showed a fastball with above average run in on righties with solid sink, a 2-7 curve with okay depth and a change with good fade from lefties with a little sink that he will throw to righties.

9th: FB (89-93), CB (79-82), CU (82-83)

8) Evan Meek: 4 pitches. 0 strikes swinging.

• Meek came from an over the top release and showed a fastball with a little run in on righties and a cutter with solid cut.

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

9) Joel Hanrahan: 8 pitches. 0 strikes swinging.

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

9th: FB (95-96), SL (84-86)

• Carlos Gonzalez is a 6-1, 215 pound 23 year old outfielder. The lefty/lefty has a medium frame that appears to be maxed out. His stance is slightly open with his hands high and a little bat wiggle. His trigger is a moderate leg kick and a cocking of the bat. He doesn't take the best routes on defense and struggles to turn and get good bat reads, though his plus (3.9 to 1st on bunt) speed helps to make up for his early misjudgements. I like him and he appears to be a prototypical # 2 hitter, though his bat speed is great and can turn on a ball and might be able to be a # 3 hitter as his pitch recognition grows. He hit a legit fliner liner that didn't get higher then 20 feet off the ground out for a home run.

8/11: CHW @ SEA

1) John Danks: 99 pitches. 10 strikes swinging. Fastball (6th), 3 Changeups (4th, 6th, 8th), 5 Cutters (4th, 5th, 7th, 2 in 8th), Curveball (1st)

• Danks came from a high 3/4 release and showed a fastball with a little run in on lefties with some sink, a cutter that moves like a 11-5 slider with good bite, a 11-5 curve with slightly above average depth and a change with good fade from righties with good sink that he will throw to lefties.

1st: FB (88-91), Cut (85-87), CB (78)

2nd: FB (89-92), CB (74-77), CU (82-83)

3rd: FB (89-91), CU (82-83)

4th: FB (88-91), Cut (87), CU (82)

5th: FB (89-91), Cut (86-87), CB (76), CU (82-83)

6th: FB (90-91), Cut (86), CU (78-83)

7th: FB (87-89), Cut (86-87), CB (76), CU (81-83)

8th: FB (90-91), Cut (84-88), CB (76-79), CU (81-82)

2) Doug Fister: 94 pitches. 7 strikes swinging. 4 Fastballs (2nd, 4th, 2 in 6th), 2 Changeups (4th, 6th), Slider (6th)

• Fister is a 6-8, 200 pound righty. The 25 year old has a huge frame that can add a ton more muscle. He came from an over the top release with a little herky jerk in his delivery that may put a little extra stress on his shoulder. His fastball has good run in on righties with good late sink. His change moves like his fastball, but with more sink. His slider is a 1-7 with some bite that is somewhat loopy. His curve is a 12-6 with above average depth. He will throw his change to righties, 3-2 sliders and 3-0 changeups. A finesse pitcher that has just slightly above average command, he can't afford to issue as many walks as he issued in this game. His upside is that of a # 5 and is similar in stuff to Dustin Nippert.

1st: FB (86-89), SL (82), CU (82), CB (76)

2nd: FB (88-90), SL (83-84), CU (80-82), CB (73-75)

3rd: FB (86-89), SL (83), CU (78-79), CB (74-75)

4th: FB (87-90), SL (82), CU (79-82)

5th: FB (86-89), SL (82-83), CU (79)

6th: FB (87-90), SL (82), CU (78-81)

3) Miguel Batista: 19 pitches. 2 strikes swinging. 2 Cutters.

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

7th: FB (92-94), Cut (87-91)

4) Mark Lowe: 10 pitches. 2 strikes swinging. Fastball (8th), Changeup (8th)

• Lowe came from an over the top release and showed a straight 4-seam fastball, a change with some fade from lefties with some sink and a 2-7 slider with good bite.

7th: FB (96)

8th: FB (95-98), SL (89), CU (88-89)

5) David Aardsma: 28 pitches. 2 strikes swinging. 2 Fastballs.

• Aardsma came from an over the top release and showed a straight 4-seam fastball, a 2-7 slider with solid bite and a split with good late dive. His fastball looked extremely flat in this game and hung a bad splitter to Alexei Ramirez that he hit the go ahead home run on.

9th: FB (91-96), Split (87-89), SL (83)

6) Shawn Kelley: 3 pitches. 1 strike swinging. Fastball.

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

9th: FB (90-92)

7) Bobby Jenks: 12 pitches. 0 strikes swinging.

• Jenks came from a high 3/4 release and showed a fastball with some run in on righties, a 2-7 slider with okay bite and a sharp 12-6 curve with average depth.

9th: FB (95-97), SL (85-89), CB (82)

SU 2010 Football Recruiting Update: Offense

Still in the Running:
Tyler Brause: ATH
Marcus Shaw: RB
Nahjee Gibson: S
Tyson Gulley: RB
Mustafa Greene: RB
Kamal Hogan: RB
James White: RB
Jamaal Jackson: RB
Dontrewell Kelley: RB
Bryce Wilder: RB
Zach Zwinak: FB
Bobby Swigert: WR
Adrian Flemming: WR (SU may be favorite)
Trey Millard: TE
Jarrett Darmstatter: TE (Visiting)
Teven Eatmon: TE
Justin Favors: TE
Beckett Wales: TE
Sean Hickey: OL (Decision likely coming soon)
Jack DeBoef: OL
Sal Conaboy: OL

SU No Longer An Option:
Brandon Gainer: RB
Shakim Phillips: WR (Very close to narrowing it down and Cuse isn't mentioned)
Kenny Shaw: WR
Eric Williams: WR
Brandon Ifill: WR
Brandon Coleman: WR (Doesn't sound good)
Sherard Cadogan: TE (Doesn't sound good)
Arie Kouandijo: OL (Doesn't sound good)
Khamrone Kolb: OL
Shane Johnson: OL
Parker Mack: OL

8/3-8/8: Notable Minor League Transactions

Traded:

1. White Sox trade Daryle Ward (.255-.339-.397 at AAA) and Norris Hopper (.298-.345-.358 with 2 teams at AAA) to Nats for cash.
2. Pirates trade Mike Koplove (4-4, 1.76 with 2 teams at AAA) to Mariners for Deybis Benitez (.269-.367-.269 at High A and SS).

Released:

1. John Hudgins (1-3, 4.33 at AA and AAA), Mark Prior (did not pitch), Brian Lawrence (4-4, 6.28 at AAA): Padres
2. Jorge Julio (0-1, 5.96 at AAA), Wade Townsend (0-1, 13.50 at R): Rays

Placed on DL:

1. Ryan Speier (1-0, 6.61 at AAA): Rockies
2. Cody Satterwhite (4-5, 3.25 at AA): Tigers
3. Kyle Skipworth (.205-.260-.345 at Low A), Cameron Maybin (.329-.415-.475 at AAA), Ryan Tucker (1-2, 8.04 at AAA): Marlins
4. Jesus Montero (.337-.389-.562 at High A and AA): Yankees, Season Over
5. Daniel Moskos (8-9, 4.11 at AA): Pirates
6. Josh Fields (2-2, 6.48 at AA): Mariners

Finding specific reasoning for being placed on the DL is tough in the MAJORS, so finding it on minor leaguers is extremely difficult.

Signed:

1. Corey Patterson (.274-.318-.422 with Nats AAA): Brewers
2. Wil Ledezma (0-2, 4.19 with Nats AAA): Blue Jays

8/10: LAD @ SF

1) Hiroki Kuroda: 93 pitches. 9 strikes swinging. 5 Fastballs (1st, 2 in 2nd, 2 in 4th), 4 Sliders (2 in 1st, 2 in 2nd), Splitter (3rd)

• Kuroda came from a high 3/4 release and showed a fastball with above average run in on righties with solid sink, a split with slightly above average dive and a 2-7 slider with good bite that he can hang and can be inconsistent break-wise. He will throw 3-2 splitters.

1st: FB (90-94), SL (81-86), Split (87-88)

2nd: FB (91-94), SL (81-86), Split (88-89)

3rd: FB (91-95), SL (79-85), Split (86-90)

4th: FB (93-94), Split (89)

5th: FB (91-94), SL (85)

6th: FB (92-94)

7th: FB (92-95), SL (81)

2) Jonathan Sanchez: 91 pitches. 6 strikes swinging. 2 Fastballs (both in 4th), 2 Sliders (1st, 5th), 2 Changeups (2nd, 5th)

• Sanchez came from a 3/4 release and showed a fastball with a little run in on lefties, a change with some fade from righties with sink and a loopy 11-5 slider with some bite. He will throw 2-0 changes and 2-1 sliders. Stuff looked better, but still may be a step back from last year.

1st: FB (91-95), SL (79-85), CU (83-88)

2nd: FB (91-94), SL (78-85), CU (82-86)

3rd: FB (86-93), SL (79-80), CU (79-81)

4th: FB (89-93), SL (77-83), CU (78-87)

5th: FB (88-93), SL (80-84), CU (83-85)

3) Justin Miller: 31 pitches. 5 strikes swinging. 5 Sliders (3 in 6th, 2 in 7th)

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

6th: FB (88-90), SL (78-81), Split (79-80)

7th: FB (87-89), SL (77-81), Split (80)

4) Hong-Chih Kuo: 6 pitches. 1 strike swinging. Fastball.

• Kuo came from a high 3/4 release and showed an explosive fastball with some run in on lefties.

7th: FB (93-95)

5) Ronald Belisario: 3 pitches. 0 strikes swinging.

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

7th: FB (94), SL (85)

6) George Sherrill: 10 pitches. 0 strikes swinging.

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

8th: FB (89-90), SL (74-75)

7) Sergio Romo: 16 pitches. 0 strikes swinging.

• Romo came from a 3/4 release and showed a fastball with good run in on righties with good sink, a 3-9 slider with good bite that stays on the same plane as his fastball until breaking late and a change with good fade from lefties with okay sink.

8th: FB (88-90), SL (75-78), CU (81)

8) Merkin Valdez: 16 pitches. 0 strikes swinging.

• Valdez came from an over the top release and showed a straight 4-seam fastball, a 2-7 slider with some bite and a split with some dive.

9th: FB (91-97), SL (76-84), Split (86)

9) Jonathan Broxton: 11 pitches. 0 strikes swinging.

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

9th: FB (96-100)

Chart Observations: 8/9 DET @ MIN

1) Jarrod Washburn: 96 pitches. 2 strikes swinging. 2 Fastballs (1st, 5th)

• Washburn came from a high 3/4 release and showed a cutter with solid cut, a fastball with some late run in on lefties, a 10-4 slider with good bite, a change with good fade from righties with good sink and a 11-5 curve with slightly above average depth. He only threw the slider to the lefties.

1st: FB (85-89), Cut (86-87), SL (80)

2nd: FB (86-88), Cut (84-87), CU (79-84)

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

4th: FB (85-87), CU (82), CB (69)

5th: FB (85-89), SL (77-79), CU (80), CB (69)

6th: FB (85-89), CU (80-82), CB (68-70)

2) Scott Baker: 72 pitches. 7 strikes swinging. 5 Fastballs (2 in 1st, 2 in 2nd, 4th), Slider (4th), Curveball (5th)

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

1st: FB (88-93), SL (81-86), CB (75)

2nd: FB (89-92), SL (80-86), CB (75-77), CU (85)

3rd: FB (88-91), CB (77), CU (85)

4th: FB (88-94), SL (79-85), CB (78-79), CU (82-83)

5th: FB (90), SL (80-86), CB (78-80), CU (84)

3) Bob Keppel: 41 pitches. 0 strikes swinging.

• Keppel is a 6-5, 215 pound righty. The 27 year old has a big frame that can get up to 225. He came form an over the top release and showed a sharp 2-7 slider with okay bite, a fastball with good run in on righties with good sink and a 12-6 curve with average depth. Pitching to his potential now, which is a long reliever in the majors.

5th: FB (92-95), SL (85-88), CB (80)

6th: FB (93-94), CB (80-81)

7th: FB (93-96), SL (88-89), CB (79-80)

4) Bobby Seay: 15 pitches. 1 strike swinging. Fastball.

• Seay came from a sidearm release and shwoed a fastball with some late run in on lefties and a 9-4 slider with solid bite.

7th: FB (91-93), SL (80-82)

5) Ryan Perry: 8 pitches. 1 strike swinging. Slider.

• Perry came from a high 3/4 release with a 2-7 slider with solid bite and a straight 4-seam fastball.

7th: FB (95-97), SL (85-87)

6) Matt Guerrier: 20 pitches. 2 strikes swinging. 2 Sliders.

• Guerrier came from a high 3/4 release and showed a 2-7 slider with good bite, a fastball with some run in on righties, a change with good fade from lefties with good sink and a sharp 12-6 curve with average depth. He likes to backdoor righties with his changeup.

8th: FB (91-92), SL (86-87), CB (79-80), CU (81-83)

7) Brandon Lyon: 19 pitches. 1 strike swinging. Cutter.

• Lyon came from a 3/4 release and showed a fastball with some run in on righties with some sink, a cutter with solid cut and a 1-7 curve with good depth.

8th: FB (91-95), Cut (88-91), CB (78-79)

8) Fernando Rodney: 16 pitches. 1 strike swinging. Fastball.

• Rodney came from a 3/4 release and showed a change with above average sink and good fade from lefties and a straight 4-seam fastball.

9th: FB (96-99), CU (82-86)

8/9: ARI @ WAS

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

7th: SL (84-85)

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Chart Observations: 8/8 MIL @ HOU

1) Manny Parra: 107 pitches. 9 strikes swinging. 5 Fastballs (2 in 1st, 4th, 5th, 6th), 4 Splitters (2nd, 4th, 2 in 5th)

• Parra came from an over the top release with a fastball that has a little tail on righties, a power 11-5 curve with average depth, a change with some fade from righties with sink and a split with good diving action. He will throw his change in any count.

1st: FB (91-94), CU (85), Split (83-85)

2nd: FB (90-93), CU (84-85), CB (77), Split (83)

3rd: FB (91-93), CU (84-85), CB (76), Split (82)

4th: FB (90-95), CU (83-85), CB (74-76), Split (83-84)

5th: FB (90-95), CU (82), CB (72), Split (82-84)

6th: FB (87-93), CU (85), CB (72), Split (81)

2) Mike Hampton: 48 pitches. 2 strikes swinging. 2 Cutters (1st, 2nd)

• Hampton came from a high 3/4 release with a fastball with a little run in on lefties, a cutter that looks like a slider with 11-5 movement, a change with good fade from righties with good sink, a big breaking 11-5 curve with solid depth. He was leaving his change up and on his armside. He left the game with an injury, again.

1st: FB (83-91), Cut (84-87), CU (77-79)

2nd: FB (84-91), Cut (84-88), CU (77-78), CB (73-78)

3) Yorman Bazardo: 41 pitches. 1 strike swinging. Fastball.

• Bazardo is a 6-2, 220 pound righty. The 25 year old has a medium frame that is maxed out. He came from a high 3/4, almost 3/4 release. His fastball has good run in on righties with good sink. His slider is a 2-7 offering with slightly above average bite. His change has some fade from lefties with good sink that he will throw to righties. The change is his out pitch. He is a better fit as a starter then a reliever due to all his offerings being slightly average. He will struggle as a reliever.

3rd: FB (89-93), CU (82-84), SL (81-85)

4) Wesley Wright: 61 pitches. 4 strikes swinging. 2 Fastballs (4th, 6th), Changeup (5th), Slider (6th)

• Wright is a 5-11, 175 pound lefty. The 24 year old has a small frame that can add more muscle everywhere. He came from anywhere form a high 3/4 to 3/4 release. His curveball is a 11-5 offering with slightly above average depth. His fastball has some run in on lefties. His slider is a 10-4 offering with good late bite. His change has some fade from righties with sink. He looks to have the look to be a solid middle reliever eventually.

4th: FB (91-94), CB (79-82), SL (85-86)

5th: FB (90-93), CB (80-83), SL (85-86), CU (86)

6th: FB (91-94), CB (80-81), SL (83-87), CU (85-86)

5) Claudio Vargas: 23 pitches. 1 strike swinging. Fastball (7th)

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

6th: FB (89-92)

7th: FB (90-93), SL (80-82)

6) Tim Byrdak: 38 pitches. 1 strike swinging. Fastball (7th)

• Byrdak came from an over the top release with a fastball with some run in on righties, a change that moves like his fastball with a little sink, a 11-5 slider with solid bite and a 11-5 curve with some depth that he will hang.

7th: FB (85-92), SL (82-84), CU (81-84), CB (77)

8th: FB (89-91), SL (79-83), CU (80-85)

7) Chris Smith: 17 pitches. 1 strike swinging. Changeup.

• Smith came from an over the top release and showed a fastball with good run in on righties with good sink and a change with some fade from lefties with sink that he will throw to righties.

8th: FB (87-90), CU (74-76)

8) Alberto Arias: 16 pitches. 0 strikes swinging.

• Arias came from a 3/4 release and showed a fastball with good run in on righties with sink and a power 12-6 curve with solid depth.

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

9) Mike Burns: 12 pitches. 0 strikes swinging.

• Burns came from an over the top release with a straight 4-seam fastball and a 2-7 slider with below average bite.

9th: FB (89-92), SL (79-82)

8/8: STL @ PIT

1) Charlie Morton: 93 pitches. 12 strikes swinging. 5 Fastballs (2 in 1st, 2 in 4th, 5th), 4 Curveballs (2nd, 3 in 4th), 3 Changeups (2nd, 2 in 3rd)

• Morton came from an over the top release and showed a fastball with some run in on righties with sink, a change that moves just like his fastball but slower that he will throw to righties, a 12-6 curve with above average depth and a 2-7 slider with solid bite.

1st: FB (88-96), CU (81)

2nd: FB (88-95), CU (81-82), CB (79)

3rd: FB (86-95), CU (81-83), CB (79-82)

4th: FB (89-96), CU (81-83), CB (78-82)

5th: FB (93-96), CU (80-81), CB (76-80), SL (86)

2) Adam Wainwright: 112 pitches. 16 strikes swinging. 3 Fastballs (3rd, 4th, 5th), 5 Cutters (1st, 2 in 4th, 5th, 6th), 6 Curveballs (1st, 3rd, 4th, 2 in 5th, 6th), 2 Changeups (both in 6th)

• Wainwright came from a high 3/4 release and showed a fastball with good run in on righties with sink, a 12-6 curve with above average depth, a change with some fade from lefties with sink and a cutter with good cut and sink. Very similar to Chris Carpenter now.

1st: FB (91-93), CB (75-77), Cut (84-87), CU (84)

2nd: FB (90-93), CB (76), CU (83-86)

3rd: FB (90-92), CB (73-74), Cut (85)

4th: FB (90-93), CB (74-75), Cut (85-88), CU (85)

5th: FB (91-93), CB (71-76), Cut (86)

6th: FB (90-93), CB (73-77), Cut (85-88), CU (82-84)

7th: FB (90-92), CB (74-76), CU (83-84)

3) Chris Bootcheck: 30 pitches. 2 strikes swinging. Fastball, Slider.

• Bootcheck is a 6-5, 210 pound righty. The 30 year old has a big frame that can add a lot more muscle everywhere, but likely won't at this stage of his career. He came from an over the top release with some cocking action. His fastball is a straight 4-seam while his slier is a 2-7 with good to above average bite. He had below average command and control of both offerings and did not have much of a clue where the ball would be going. Seems like an eternal 4-A guy.

6th: FB (93-95), SL (80-83)

4) Evan Meek: 16 pitches. 3 strikes swinging. 2 Fastballs, Curveball.

• Meek came from an over the top release with a 1-7 curve with good depth and a straight 4-seam fastball.

7th: FB (94-98), CB (81-86)

5) Kyle McClellan: 6 pitches. 0 strikes swinging.

• McClellan came from an over the top release and showed a cutter with good cut, a fastball with good run in on righties with some sink and a 12-6 curve with slightly above average depth.

7th: FB (90-91), Cut (86)

8th: FB (92), Cut (88), CB (76)

6) Trever Miller: 5 pitches. 1 strike swinging. Slider.

• Miller came from a sidearm release with a 9-4 slider with good bite.

8th: SL (74-78)

7) Joel Hanrahan: 29 pitches. 5 strikes swinging. 2 Fastballs (both in 9th), 3 Sliders (2 in 8th, 9th)

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

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

9th: FB (94-97), SL (84-87), CU (86)

8) Dennys Reyes: 4 pitches. 1 strike swinging. Fastball.

• Reyes came from a 3/4 release and showed a fastball with some run in on lefties and a 9-4 slider with solid bite.

9th: FB (90-91), SL (84)

9) Jason Motte: 14 pitches. 0 strikes swinging.

• Motte came from an over the top release and showed a straight 4-seam fastball, a split with some dive and a cutter with some cut and sink.

9th: FB (96-99), Cut (89-92), Split (78-80)

10) Ryan Franklin: 3 pitches. 0 strikes swinging.

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

9th: Cut (88), CB (76)

• More Updates coming later tonight featuring Yorman Bazardo's season debut on Saturday and J.D. Martin's pitching performance this afternoon.

Chart Observations: 8/7 MIL @ HOU

1) Carlos Villanueva: 72 pitches. 6 strikes swinging. Fastball (4th), 4 Sliders (2 in 1st, 2nd, 5th), Changeup (4th)

• Villanueva came from an over the top release and showed a fastball with above average run in on righties, a 1-7 slider with above average bite, a change with good fade from lefties with good sink that he will throw to righties and a 12-6 curve with above average depth that is more of a get-ahead pitch. He can have bouts of wildness and his slider is his out pitch.

1st: FB (86-90), CU (80-82), SL (82), CB (73)

2nd: FB (87-89), CU (80-82), SL (79-82)

3rd: FB (87-89), CU (81), SL (79-81), CB (74)

4th: FB (87-90), CU (80-81), SL (79-81), CB (73)

5th: FB (87-89), CU (79-81), SL (78-81), CB (74)

6th: CU (79), CB (72)

2) Bud Norris: 105 pitches. 14 strikes swinging. 4 Fastballs (1st, 2nd, 3rd, 6th), 7 Cutters (2nd, 3 in 3rd, 3 in 4th), 3 Changeups (1st, 2 in 6th)

• Norris is a 6-0, 225 pound righty. The 24 year old has a medium frame that is maxed out with big thighs and has that short and stocky like build. He came from a high 3/4 release and was primarily fastball-cutter. His fastball has a little run in on righties while his cutter has solid cut. His change has above average fade from lefties with good sink that he will throw to righties, but he struggles to command it and doesn't have a lot of confidence in it. His changeup will play at this level and if he develops a feel for it, he can be a pretty sound # 2 starter. His command overall is fairly good and he will be able to translate to the pen and be a set-up guy if all else fails.

1st: FB (92-95), Cut (86-89), CU (86)

2nd: FB (93-95), Cut (87-90)

3rd: FB (92-94), Cut (87-88)

4th: FB (92-95), Cut (85-88), CU (85-87)

5th: FB (92-94), Cut (86-89)

6th: FB (92-96), Cut (88-91), CU (85-88)

3) Mark DiFelice: 15 pitches. 0 strikes swinging.

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

6th: Cut (82-84)

4) Claudio Vargas: 7 pitches. 0 strikes swinging.

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

7th: FB (88-91), SL (81)

5) Chris Sampson: 16 pitches. 2 strikes swinging. Fastball, Slider.

• Sampson came from a high 3/4 release and showed a 2-7 slider with solid bite, a fastball with some run in on righties and a 12-7 curve with average depth.

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

6) Tim Byrdak: 8 pitches. 0 strikes swinging.

• Byrdak came from a 3/4 release with a 9-4 slider with solid bite, a fastball with a little run in on lefties and a flat 9-4 curve that can just hang.

7th: FB (90-91), SL (82-83), CB (77)

7) Jeff Fulchino: 17 pitches. 3 strikes swinging. 2 Fastballs (7th, 8th), Splitter (7th)

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

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

8th: FB (91-94), SL (81-83), Split (82-83)

8) Jesus Colome: 10 pitches. 1 strike swinging. Fastball.

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

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

9) Jose Valverde: 14 pitches. 0 strikes swinging.

• Valverde came from a 3/4 release and showed a splitter with above average dive and a straight 4-seam fastball with a little run in on righties.

9th: FB (95-98), Split (86)

8/7, 8/8 Notable News

Placed on DL: Jed Lowrie, Dallas Braden, Joe Saunders, Carlos Zambrano
Call-Ups: Yorman Bazardo, Clayton Mortensen, Jose Arredondo, Aaron Cunningham, Rafael Perez, Junichi Tazawa, Tony Abreu, Pedro Borbon.

Have been away from the apartment from 7 this morning until about 1015 at night. Had 3 charts and a score at 7. Will be posting the other chart (featuring Bud Norris) and the score (featuring Wainwright vs. Morton) at some point tomorrow in addition to my chart and score from Sunday.

The Northern Yankees have now advanced to the finals to play Gabelsville and that series is slated to begin on Monday. Looks like I will be busy as hell again...

Chart Observations: 8/7 FLA @ PHI

1) Ricky Nolasco: 101 pitches. 11 strikes swinging. 3 Fastballs (3rd, 2 in 6th), 5 Sliders (2nd, 3rd, 3 in 6th), Curveball (4th), 2 Splitters (6th, 7th)

• Nolasco came from a high 3/4 release with a fastball with good run in on righties and some sink, a 12-6 curve with above average depth, a 2-7 slider with good bite and a splitter with good fade from lefties with a little diving action (I think it is more of a split-change then a splitter). He will throw 3-1 sliders.

1st: FB (89-93), SL (82-84), CB (75)

2nd: FB (89-94), SL (82-85), CB (74-76), Split (85)

3rd: FB (90-94), SL (82-85), CB (75-76), Split (84)

4th: FB (92-93), SL (85), CB (72-77), Split (85)

5th: FB (90-93), SL (81-83), CB (75), Split (83-84)

6th: FB (90-94), SL (83-84), CB (74-76), Split (85)

7th: FB (91-93), SL (83-85), CB (73-76), Split (83-86)

2) Joe Blanton: 112 pitches. 10 strikes swinging. 3 Fastballs (2nd, 2 in 7th), 4 Sliders (1st, 3rd, 4th, 6th), 3 Changeups (2nd, 3rd, 4th)

• Blanton came from an over the top release and showed a fastball with a little run in on righties with some sink, a 12-6 curve with above average depth, a 2-7 slider with good bite and a change with good fade from lefties with good sink. He will throw 2-0 sliders, 2-1 changeups and will throw his change to righties.

1st: FB (88-91), SL (82-83), CU (83), CB (74)

2nd: FB (88-89), SL (82-84), CU (82-84), CB (74-75)

3rd: FB (88-91), SL (82-83), CU (83), CB (75)

4th: FB (86-92), SL (81-83), CU (83-84)

5th: FB (89-92), SL (79-83), CB (74)

6th: FB (87-92), SL (83-84), CU (83)

7th: FB (88-91), SL (81-83), CU (82), CB (75)

3) Chan Ho Park: 4 pitches. 0 strikes swinging

• Park came from a 3/4 release and showed a 2-7 slider with good bite and a fastball with above average run in on righties.

7th: FB (93-94), SL (87-88)

4) Renyel Pinto: 23 pitches. 2 strikes swinging. Fastball, Changeup.

• Pinto came from a high 3/4 release and showed a fastball with good sink and some late run in on lefties and a change with some fade from righties with sink. He will throw 3-2 changeups and will throw the pitch to lefties as an out pitch.

8th: FB (91-93), CU (82-86)

5) Ryan Madson: 16 pitches. 4 strikes swinging. 4 Changeups (3 in 8th, 9th)

• Madson came from an over the top release and showed a straight 4-seam fastball and a change with above average fade form lefties with above average sink.

8th: FB (94-97), CU (83-85)

9th: FB (93-95), CU (82)

6) Scott Eyre: 16 pitches. 2 strikes swinging. Fastball, Slider.

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

9th: FB (89-91), SL (74-82)

7) Tyler Walker: 4 pitches. 1 strike swinging. Slider.

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

9th: FB (90-92), SL (83-84)

8) Leo Nunez: 5 pitches. 0 strikes swinging.

• Nunez came from a 3/4 release and showed a fastball with good run in on righties and some sink and a change with above average fade from lefties with good late sink that he will throw to righties.

9th: FB (94), CU (85-87)

Chart Observations: STL @ PIT

1) Chris Carpenter: 111 pitches. 12 strikes swinging. 6 on Fastballs (2 in 1st, 2 in 4th, 2 in 8th), 3 on Curveballs (2nd, 7th, 8th), 3 on Cutters (5th, 7th, 8th)

• Carpenter came from an over the top release and showed a fastball with some run in on righties with a little sink, a cutter with solid solid, a sharp 12-6 curve with above average depth and a change with some fade from lefties.

1st: FB (90-94), Cut (84-87), CB (74-75), CU (84)

2nd: FB (91-93), Cut (87), CB (74-76)

3rd: FB (92-94), Cut (84-87), CB (74-75), CU (84)

4th: FB (90-92), Cut (85-88), CB (76)

5th: FB (92-93), Cut (84-85), CB (73-74)

6th: FB (89-94), Cut (86-87), CB (75-76), CU (83)

7th: FB (92), Cut (86-89), CB (74)

8th: FB (93-94), Cut (87-89), CB (74)

2) Paul Maholm: 99 pitches. 6 strikes swinging. 2 Fastballs (1st, 4th), 3 Curveballs (4th, 2 in 5th), Changeup (1st)

• Maholm came from an over the top release and showed a fastball with some run in on lefties, a change with some fade from righties with sink, a 11-5 curve with solid depth and a 11-5 slider with good bite.

1st: FB (89-92), CB (76-77), CU (84-87)

2nd: FB (89-92), CB (76), CU (86)

3rd: FB (88-93), CB (75-78), CU (85-86), SL (81-85)

4th: FB (88-93), CB (74-77), CU (84)

5th: FB (91-92), CB (75-77), CU (86), SL (82)

6th: FB (90-92), CB (76-77), CU (83-86)

7th: FB (89-92)

3) Jose Ascanio: 30 pitches. 4 strikes swinging. Fastball, 2 Curveballs, Changeup (All in 8th)

• Ascanio came from a 3/4 release and showed an explosive fastball with some run in on righties, a change with good fade from lefties with good sink that he will throw to righties and a 1-7 curve with average depth that is sharp and can be a strikeout pitch. He will throw 2-1 changeups.

8th: FB (94-97), CU (84-85), CB (78-83)

9th: FB (92-96), CU (84-86)

4) Ryan Franklin: 14 pitches. 2 strikes swinging. 2 Curveballs.

• Franklin came from an over the top release and showed a cutter with good late cut, a fastball with a little run in on righties and a 12-6 curve with slightly above average depth that can be a strikeout pitch.

9th: FB (92-93), Cut (89-92), CB (78-80)

Chart Observations: 8/6 LAA @ CHW

1) John Danks: 109 pitches. 4 strikes swinging. 2 Changeups (1st, 3rd), Cutter (5th), Fastball (6th)

• Danks came from a high 3/4 release with a fastball with some run in on lefties with sink, a cutter with 11-5 movement with solid cut, a 11-5 curve with solid depth and a change with good fade from righties with solid sink. Battled his command in this outing and missed too often in the middle-in portion of the plate.

1st: FB (90-93), Cut (86-88), CB (77), CU (82-83)

2nd: FB (87-91), Cut (85-86), CU (81-82)

3rd: FB (89-92), Cut (84), CB (74-75), CU (81-83)

4th: FB (88-91), CU (80-82)

5th: FB (89-92), Cut (84-87), CB (75-77), CU (80-82)

6th: FB (88-90), Cut (84-86), CU (80-85)

7th: FB (89-90), Cut (86), CU (81)

2) Ervin Santana: 108 pitches. 8 strikes swinging. 7 Sliders (3 in 2nd, 3 in 3rd, 6th), Fastball (3rd)

• Santana is a 6-2, 185 pound righty. The 26 year old has a medium frame that can add a lot more muscle. He came from a high 3/4 release with a fastball with some run in on righties with some sink, a straight change with some sink that he will throw to righties and a 2-7 slider with above average bite. He will throw 3-2 sliders. Santana's stuff has taken a big step back from last season, as his slider has flattened a little and his fastball velocity is down. As he is now, he is more of a # 4 or # 5 and whether he can regain his prior stuff will determine if he becomes a better pitcher.

1st: FB (87-94), CU (83), SL (85)

2nd: FB (90-93), CU (84-85), SL (79-83)

3rd: FB (88-94), SL (83-86)

4th: FB (88-95), CU (81), SL (76-82)

5th: FB (90-93), CU (84), SL (82)

6th: FB (87-91), CU (84), SL (75-84)

3) Octavio Dotel: 26 pitches. 2 strikes swinging. 2 Fastballs.

• Dotel came from a 3/4 release with a fastball with some run in on righties with sink, a sharp 2-8 curve with solid depth that can be a strikeout pitch and a 2-7 slider with average bite.

7th: FB (90-94), SL (81), CB (78)

4) Jason Bulger: 23 pitches. 3 strikes swinging. 2 Curveballs (both in 8th), Changeup (8th)

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

7th: FB (91-95), CB (81-83), CU (85-86)

8th: FB (93-95), CB (79-83), CU (85-86)

5) Randy Williams: 23 pitches. 2 strikes swinging. Fastball (8th), Changeup (9th)

• Williams came from a 3/4 release and showed a fastball with some tail in on righties, a change with some fade from righties and a cutter with some cut.

8th: FB (89-95), CU (79-82)

9th: FB (91-94), CU (78-79), Cut (86)

6) Jhonny Nunez: 6 pitches. 0 strikes swinging.

• Nunez is a 6-3, 185 pound righty. The 23 year old has a medium frame that can get up to at least 205. He has a 3/4 release with a fastball with some run in on righties and a cutter with marginal cut and flashes sink. Didn't impress to much and looks to be a guy that will be bouncing around.

9th: FB (92), Cut (87-88)

7) Kevin Jepsen: 23 pitches. 2 strikes swinging. 2 Fastballs.

• Jepsen came from an over the top release and showed a straight 4-seam that flashes a little run in on righties, a cutter with good cut flashes sink that is beginning to look like a 2-7 slider and a sharp 12-6 curve with average depth.

9th: FB (95-97), Cut (89-91), CB (82)

Notable News: 8/6

1. Jon Niese was placed on the 60 Day DL with a torn right hamstring and is likely done for the season. Elmer Dessens will take his roster spot.
2. Justin Upton was placed on the 15 Day DL and his roster spot has been taken by Trent Oeltjen. I saw Oeltjen 2 years ago while he played with Rochester, where I worked and thought he could be a solid 4th OF.
3. Nats traded Anderson Hernandez to the Mets for Greg Veloz. I saw Veloz last season working for the Catfish and he was trying to be a Jose Reyes clone, but just didn't have the bat control. Low risk, high reward for the Nats, as Hernandez isn't going to be helpful to them when they try to contend again, however long that may be.
4. The Yankees signed Russ Ortiz. Subtraction by addition and if he gets meaningful innings, there may be blood in New York.
5. Jarrod Parker, the D'Backs top pitching prospect and one of my favorites, has been placed on the 7-Day DL with tightness in his right elbow and it is likely that he will be shut down for the year.

Extra Reports: Orioles Focus

As the season continues and I begin to get more free time, I will be attempting to go back and watch tape of pitchers I haven't yet seen this season. Here are the reports on the 5 Orioles pitchers I haven't yet seen this year in the majors (minus Matusz and Tillman due to the fact they will likely be pitching until the end of the season)

1) Adam Eaton
4/12 Start. 100 pitches. 12 strikes swinging. 3 Fastballs (2 in 1st, 2nd), 7 Sliders (4 in 1st, 2 in 2nd, 3rd), Curveball (2nd), Cutter (3rd)

• Eaton is a 6-2, 215 pound righty. The 31 year old has a medium frame that is maxed out and may have some bad weight. He came from a 3/4 release. His fastball has a little run in on righties, but is very straight, especially when considering his arm slot. His curve is 1-7 with above average depth while his slider is a 2-7 with solid late bite. His cutter has marginal cut and sink. His change has some fade from lefties. For every good slider he throws, he throw 2 flat ones that just hang and can get hammered. He will throw 3-2 changeups and sliders. He has no out pitch and just tries to out pitch you. He could be a serviceable # 5 on a NL team with a forgiving park, such as San Diego, but he is AAA fodder now.

1st: FB (88-91), CB (72-75), SL (79-83), Cut (86)

2nd: FB (87-92), CB (73-76), SL (80-82), CU (79-81)

3rd: FB (89-92), CB (72-76), SL (80), Cut (86)

4th: FB (88-92), CB (76), SL (79-83), Cut (87)

2) Dennis Sarfate

4/15 Appearance. 23 pitches. 1 strike swinging. Curveball (8th)

• Sarfate is a 6-4, 225 pound righty. The 28 year old has a big frame that is maxed out. He has a muscular, athletic looking build. He comes from an over the top release with a delivery that puts a lot of pressure on his shoulder (and is currently out with a pinched nerve in his shoulder) and looks like he almost over finishes every pitch, causing his shoulder to rotate too far. His fastball is a straight 4-seam from a classic drop and drive delivery while his curve is a 12-6 with average depth. An injury prone righty who relies on a straight fastball is a terrible fit for the AL East and is likely a guy who is going to be riding the shuttle from Norfolk and back.

8th: FB (91-93), CB (76-80)

9th: FB (91-92), CB (76)

3) Alfredo Simon

4/9 Start. 89 pitches. 5 strike swinging. 3 Fastballs (2 in 3rd, 4th), 2 Splitters (1st, 4th)

• Simon is a 6-4, 230 pound righty. The 28 year old has a big frame that is maxed out. He came from a high 3/4 release and showed a fastball with some natural run in on righties due to his arm slot, a pretty straight split with marginal dive that flashes average dive, but can't control it and a 12-6 curve with average depth. He has inconsistent command of his stuff. His fastball is only real above average pitch and neither off-speed offering is too impressive without his lack of command factored in. Could be a solid reliever with his fastball though and that is where his future should lie when he returns from Tommy John.

1st: FB (93-94), Split (83-84), CB (76)

2nd: FB (93-94), Split (81-83), CB (74-76)

3rd: FB (92-95), Split (79-83), CB (72-76)

4th: FB (90-95), Split (78-80), CB (72-75)

5th: FB (92-93), Split (79-81), CB (74)

6th: FB (93-94), Split (80)

4) Bob McCrory

5/8 Appearance. 40 pitches. 1 strike swinging. Slider (7th)

• McCrory is a 6-1, 205 pound righty. The 27 year old has a medium frame that is maxed out with big thighs. He came from a 3/4 release and showed a fastball with some run in on righties, a 2-7 slider with a little bite but not much and a straight change. McCrory's fastball is plus and I love hard fastballs as much as the next guy, but neither off-speed pitch grades even as fringe and his slider doesn't have the tilt necessary to get hitters to even worry about it. If he can find an off-speed pitch (maybe a splitter?) then he can be successful.

7th: FB (96-98), SL (90-93), CU (87-90)

8th: FB (95-97), CU (87-88)

5) Kam Mickolio

7/17 Appearance. 38 pitches. 6 strikes swinging. 6 Fastballs (2 in 7th, 4 in 8th)

• Mickolio is a 6-9, 255 pound righty. The 25 year old has a big frame that is fairly maxed out and may be able to add a touch more weight. He came from a high 3/4 release with a 2-7 slider with solid bite, a pretty straight 4-seamer and a straight change. Mechanics are similar to Bronson Arroyo after the break of his hands and almost throws across his body. He generates a great downhill plane for his pitches, getting some natural sink and looks like the ball really jumps at the hitter. A reliever I actually like, I think he can have an impact for the Orioles and looks to be a fairly solid pitcher.

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

8th: FB (93-97), SL (83-85), CU (86)

6) Radhames Liz

4/20 Appearance. 19 pitches. 0 strikes swinging.

• Liz is a 6-2, 185 pound righty. The 25 year old has a medium frame that can get up to at least 205. He is real long and lanky. He came from a high 3/4 release in a delivery that featured a lot of moving parts and breaks his hands high and is a high effort delivery. His fastball is a straight 4-seam, though it flashes some run in on righties with sink. His change has some fade from lefties with a little sink that he will throw to righties and is his most utilized off-speed offering. His slider is a sharp 2-7 with above average bite that he has no idea where it will go. His command is putrid, as every fastball was a cockshot or 5 feet off the plate in some direction. He had better command of his change, but even that only graded out as below average, constantly missing armside or high. I used to like Liz (and he is still too young to give up on) but the forecast is fairly bleak unless a light switch flicks on revealing how to throw strikes.

7th: FB (90-95), CU (81-85), SL (80)

The Travails of Brad Bergesen

Watched 2 of Bergesen's starts (5/2 and 5/7) on my day off and here are those reports (tried to watch games where I hadn't seen the opposing pitcher, hence the reason they are back to back starts, which normally isn't ideal)

1) Brad Bergesen:
5/7: 88 pitches. 5 strikes swinging. 2 Fastballs (1st, 5th), 2 Changeups (1st, 6th), Slider (6th)
5/2: 90 pitches. 0 strikes swinging.

• Bergesen came from a low 3/4, almost side-arm release and showed a fastball with good late run in on righties with good sink, a change with some fade late fade from lefties with solid sink that moves just like his fastball but slower and a 2-7 slider that has inconsistent bite and can be flat. It can look like a cutter at times with just enough break for it to start on the outside corner and end up off the plate. What impressed me about him is the fact he keeps everything down, rarely making a mistake above thigh level. His ceiling is a # 4 starter, but I just don't think he will pitch well enough to be it. He pitched differently in both games, once being FB-CU and in the other being FB-SL. Think he is comparable to Andy Sonnanstine with more velocity on his fastball, but less overall command of his off-speed offerings.

5/7 first, then 5/2

1st: FB (87-91), CU (82-84) / FB (89-91), SL (86)

2nd: FB (88-91), CU (84) / FB (87-91), SL (82-86), CU (82-83)

3rd: FB (89-91), CU (84), SL (81) / FB (87-91), SL (82-84), CU (83)

4th: FB (87-92), CU (82), SL (84) / FB (88-91), SL (80-82)

5th: FB (89-91), CU (80-82) / FB (88-92), SL (80-85)

6th: FB (87-90), CU (81-82), SL (81) / FB (87-89), CU (80-81)

2) Glen Perkins (5/7 Opposing Starter): 101 pitches. 2 strikes swinging. Slider (1st), Changeup (5th)

• Perkins is a 6-0, 200 pound 26 year old. The lefty has a small frame that is maxed out. He came from a high 3/4 release. His fastball has a little run in on lefties while his slider is a 11-5 with solid bite that flashes above average with above average late bite. His 3rd pitch is a change with good fade from righties with solid sink that he will throw in 2-1 and 1-0 counts. He will take something off his fastball to get strike one. Slider down and in to righties is his out pitch and he can be inconsistent with his command. Is a # 4 or # 5 starter to me, not much more then that.

1st: FB (86-92), SL (80-83)

2nd: FB (86-92), SL (82-83), CU (78-81)

3rd: FB (89-93), SL (81-84), CU (81-82)

4th: FB (88-91), CU (80)

5th: FB (88-92), SL (81-82), CU (80-81)

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

3) Robert Ray: 90 pitches. 4 strikes swinging. 3 Fastballs (2 in 5th, 6th), Cutter (5th)

• Ray is a 6-5, 195 pound righty. The 25 year old has a big frame that can add a lot more muscle, at least to 215. He came from a high 3/4 release and was similar to Daniel Bard a little after the release mechanics, but getting there is a little bizarre. He has a leg kick with his arms crunched up in with him and separates a little funny. His fastball is a 2-seam sinker with good sink and is an above average sinker. His cutter has some cut and he will also mix in an occasional straight 4-seam fastball. His change is a splitter grip that has above average dive, but is difficult for him to command due to the movement it gets. His slider is a 2-7 with solid bite that he can hang, but flashes the ability to be an out pitch. He looks to be a back of the rotation guy, though he is very similar to Roy Halladay with his pitches and hope this guy got as much info as he could from him.

1st: FB (89-92), Cut (89-90), SL (77)

2nd: FB (90-92), Cut (89), SL (79), CU (80)

3rd: FB (89-91), Cut (89-90), SL (81), CU (81)

4th: FB (89-92), Cut (88-90), SL (78-81), CU (80-81)

5th: FB (90-92), Cut (88-89), SL (81-82), CU (82)

6th: FB (91-92), Cut (90), SL (80-81)

4) Jamie Walker:

5/7: 2 pitches. 0 strikes swinging.

5/2: 8 pitches. 1 strike swinging. Changeup.

• Wanted to watch the since released Walker as well and he happened to make appearances in both games. Walker is a 6-2, 195 pound 38 year old. The lefty has a medium frame that won't be getting any bigger. He came from a 3/4 release with a 10-4 slider with good bite, a fastball with a little run in on lefties, a big breaking 11-5 curve with above average depth and a change with good fade from righties with solid sink. The 5/7 outing he faced 1 lefty and on the 5/2 outing he faced one righty. Appears to be FB-SL to lefties and FB-CU-CB to righties. Tools were still there as of these outings, but he obviously lost something as evidenced by the fact he is unsigned.

5/2: 8th: FB (87), CU (77-79), CB (73-74)

5/7: 7th: FB (86), SL (76)

Flurry Of Transactions

Only 5 days into August, there has a been a lot of player movement:

DFA'd: Mike Gosling, Chris Shelton, Winston Abreu, Sidney Ponson, Robinson Cancel, Chris Woodward, Gil Velazquez, Jose Veras, Ryan Freel, Cody Ransom, John Bannister

• Reaction: No real surprises. Ponson should have been gone a long time ago. Veras is the only surprising one, in that the Indians have let him go when they are going nowhere and I do see some flashes from him.

Significant Call-Ups: Waldis Joaquin (Giants), Kyle Davies, Neftali Feliz, Brian Matusz, Tom Gorzelanny, Jess Todd

MIL @ LAD

1) Manny Parra: 102 pitches. 6 strikes swinging. 2 Fastballs (2nd, 8th), 2 Changeups (both in 4th), Curveball (8th), Splitter (8th)

• Parra came from an over the top release and showed a fastball with some run in on lefties and solid sink, a 10-4 curve with solid depth, a splitter with solid dive and a change with some fade from righties with sink that he will throw in 2-0 counts. This is the best he has looked, as his fastball appeared to have more movement then it normally does and he was pounding the strike zone, constantly getting ahead.

1st: FB (91-95), CU (82-86), CB (78), Split (88)

2nd: FB (92-93), CU (83-84)

3rd: FB (92-94), CU (83), CB (76-78)

4th: FB (91-93), CU (83-85)

5th: FB (89-93), CB (76), Split (83-84)

6th: FB (90-94), CU (82-84), CB (76), Split (82)

7th: FB (90-93), CU (82), CB (75)

8th: FB (91-93), CB (74-76), Split (83)

9th: FB (91-92), CU (83)

2) Clayton Kershaw: 92 pitches. 9 strikes swinging. 9 Fastballs (1st, 2 in 2nd, 2 in 3rd, 3 in 4th, 5th)

• Kershaw came from an over the top release and showed a fastball with some run in on lefties, a big breaking 11-5 curve with excellent depth, a change with some fade from righties with sink and a 11-5 slider with good bite. He can get out of control mechanically at times and can struggle to find his release point and make mechanical adjustments from pitch to pitch.

1st: FB (94-97), CB (71-72)

2nd: FB (93-96), CB (71-72), CU (82-83)

3rd: FB (93-95), CB (70-73), CU (84), SL (77)

4th: FB (93-95), CB (69-71), CU (81), SL (78)

5th: FB (93-94), CU (83), SL (79)

3) Jeff Weaver: 50 pitches. 5 strikes swinging. 4 Sliders (5th, 2 in 6th, 7th), Fastball (6th)

• Weaver came from a 3/4 release and showed a fastball with some run in on righties and some sink, a 2-7 slider with some bite, a 1-7 curve with some depth and a change with some fade from lefties with sink. He will drop down and throw frisbee sliders to righties with 2 strikes.

5th: FB (89-92), SL (81-83)

6th: FB (90-93), SL (80-85), CB (77-79), CU (85-87)

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

4) James McDonald: 18 pitches. 1 strike swinging. Fastball (9th)

• McDonald came from an over the top release and showed a straight 4-seam fastball, a 12-6 curve with above average depth and a change with some fade from lefties with some sink.

8th: FB (93-95), CB (73), CU (76)

9th: FB (92-95), CB (77-78), CU (76)

5) Trevor Hoffman: 15 pitches. 1 strike swinging. Changeup.

• Hoffman came from an over the top release and showed a change with above average fade from lefties with above average sink, a 12-6 curve with above average depth, a pretty straight 4-seam fastball and a 2-7 slider with some bite.

9th: FB (83-87), CU (72-74), SL (79-81), CB (72)

Chart Observations: BOS @ BAL

1) Clay Buchholz: 76 pitches. 4 strikes swinging. 3 Changeups (1st, 2nd, 3rd), Curveball (4th)

• Clay came from an over the top release and showed a fastball with some run in on righties and a little sink, a change with above average sink and some fade from lefties and can be unpredictable and more like a slider at times, a sharp 12-6 curve with above average depth that can be a strikeout pitch and a 2-7 slider with some bite that can be flat.

1st: FB (91-94), CU (79-80), CB (79)

2nd: FB (93-95), CU (79-82)

3rd: FB (91-96), CU (78-82), CB (77)

4th: FB (92-94), CU (80), CB (78), SL (82)

5th: FB (92-95), CU (80-81), CB (75), SL (81)

2) Jason Berken: 53 pitches. 4 strikes swinging. 3 Sliders (all in 2nd), Curveball (1st)

• Berken came from an over the top release and showed a fastball with some run in on righties, a 12-6 curve with average depth, a change with some fade from lefties and some sink that he will throw to righties in 2-0 or 2-1 counts and a 2-7 slider with some bite.

1st: FB (92-94), CU (83-85), CB (78-81)

2nd: FB (91-93), CU (84-85), CB (78), SL (83-85)

3) Brian Bass: 49 pitches. 3 strikes swinging. Fastball (2nd), Slider (2nd), Changeup (4th)

• Bass came from a 3/4 release and shwoed a fastball with some run in on righties and a little sink, a hard 2-7 slider with good bite, a change with some fade from lefties with sink and a sharp 1-7 curve with below average depth.

2nd: FB (92-94), SL (86)

3rd: FB (92-94), SL (86), CB (80)

4th: FB (92-94), SL (84-87), CB (78-83), CU (85)

4) Matt Albers: 27 pitches. 2 strikes swinging. 2 Curveballs.

• Albers came from a 3/4 release and showed a fastball with some run in on righties and a 9-4 curve with solid depth that is sharp enough to be a strikeout pitch.

4th: FB (93-95), CB (80-83)

5) Mark Hendrickson: 44 pitches. 1 strike swinging. Fastball (6th)

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

4th: FB (88), CB (74)

5th: FB (87-90), CB (72-76), Cut (86)

6th: FB (86-88), CB (73-74), Cut (85), CU (81-82)

6) Manny Delcarmen: 31 pitches. 2 strikes swinging. Changeup (5th), Fastball (6th)

• Delcarmen came from an over the top release and a fastball has a little run in on righties and a little sink, a change with some fade from lefties with some sink that serves as his out pitch and he will throw it in on righties and in 2-1 counts and a 1-7 curve with average depth.

5th: FB (93-94), CU (80-85), CB (78)

6th: FB (92-95), CU (80-86), CB (77-79)

7) Ramon Ramirez: 36 pitches. 4 strikes swinging. 2 Fastballs (both in 7th), Slider (7th), Changeup (6th)

• Ramirez came from an over the top release and shwoed a fastball with a little run in on righties and a touch of sink, a change with some dive and a 2-7 slider with okay bite.

6th: FB (93-95), CU (88-91)

7th: FB (92-94), CU (86-90), SL (86)

8) Cla Meredith: 28 pitches. 2 strikes swinging. 2 Sliders (both in 8th)

• Meredith came from a sidearm release and showed a fastball with some run in on righties and solid sink and a 3-8 slider with okay bite.

7th: FB (86-87), SL (81)

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

9) Takashi Saito: 16 pitches. 1 strike swinging. Fastball (9th).

• Saito came from a 3/4 release and showed a fastball with a little run in on righties and a sharp 3-8 curve with okay depth.

8th: FB (90-91), CB (77)

9th: FB (89-91), CB (78)

10) Jim Johnson: 12 pitches. 0 strikes swinging.

• Johnson came from an over the top release with a fastball with a little run in on righties, a change with some fade and a little sink and a 1-7 curve with solid depth.

9th: FB (92-95), CB (79), CU (86-87)

• Josh Reddick is a 6-2, 180 pound lefty hitter righty thrower. The 22 year old has a medium frame that can add a lot more muscle everywhere. He is long and lanky and is very skinny. He is straight-up with a straight on stance with hands held a little in front of his back shoulder with a little bat wiggle. His trigger is a double stride (stride in and then strides to hit) and a cocking of the bat. Looks like his swing can get long at times, but is effortless with good bat speed. He shows above average power to all fields now, which is a good sign as he continues to get stronger. Looks like an above average starting corner outfielder, though his swing does have some holes that will need to be corrected as scouting reports get out. Can get over aggressive at times.

Wait, A Strong Conclusion?

Well folks, there is a very interesting conclusion that has popped up (I am going through and re calculating all my conclusion tables to account for the injuries and this is the interesting one:

+/- Days of Rest yielded a 74 % regression rate for those pitchers that saw their scores go up 200 or more, which was followed by a 62 % regression rate for those between 100 and 199.

This is very interesting and that is a fairly sizable gap. Who are the pitchers prior to this season that qualified under this criteria? Check it out:

Doug Brocail: 5.87 ERA this season in 9 games, spent time on DL
Will Ohman: 60 day DL, 5.84 ERA this season.
Joe Smith: Spent time on DL, missing almost 2 months.

Looks like this high end of this criteria will continue to show regression even after this season. Now the question is, what did those pitchers that didn't regress in that time frame have to prevent it? Hopefully assigning a repetoire to each pitcher will help shine even more light on these criteria and that is the next step for me.

Chart Observations: SD @ MIL

1) Clayton Richard: 90 pitches. 1 strike swinging. Fastball (4th)

• Richard came from a high 3/4 release and showed a 2-seam fastball with a little run in on lefties with a little sink, a change with good sink and good fade from righties that he will throw to lefties, a straight 4-seam fastball he liked to throw high with 2 strikes, a 10-4 slider with good bite and a cutter with some cut.

1st: FB (90-95), CU (85)

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

3rd: FB (90-96), CU (84-85), SL (83)

4th: FB (89-95), CU (84-85), SL (80-85), Cut (89)

5th: FB (89-94), CU (81-85), SL (79-80)

6th: FB (89-91), CU (84), SL (76)

2) Mike Burns: 102 pitches. 6 strikes swinging. 2 Fastballs (2nd, 6th), 2 Sliders (3rd, 6th), Curveball (2nd), Changeup (3rd)

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

1st: FB (87-90), SL (79-81), CB (71)

2nd: FB (86-88), SL (79), CB (70), CU (81-82)

3rd: FB (87-89), CB (69-71)

4th: FB (86-89), SL (78-80), CB (69-70)

5th: FB (85-89), SL (80-81), CB (71), CU (78-82)

6th: FB (86-90), SL (78-80), CB (69-70)

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

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

6th: FB (91-94), SL (82-86)

4) Mitch Stetter: 12 pitches. 0 strikes swinging.

• Stetter came from a sidearm release and showed a sweeping 9-4 slider with solid bite and a fastball with some run in on lefties.

6th: FB (84), SL (78-79)

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

5) Luke Gregerson: 12 pitches. 1 strike swinging. Slider.

• Gregerson came from a sidearm release and showed a fastball with good run in on righties with good sink, a 3-8 slider with above average bite and a change with some fade from lefties with good sink.

7th: FB (91-93), SL (82-84), CU (81)

6) Mark DiFelice: 13 pitches. 3 strikes swinging. 3 Cutters.

• DiFelice came from a 3/4 release and showed a cutter with good cut and a 12-6 curve with below average depth.

7th: Cut (81-83), CB (76)

7) Claudio Vargas: 18 pitches. 1 strike swinging. Slider.

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

8th: FB (89-92), SL (79-82)

8) Mike Adams: 10 pitches. 2 strikes swinging. Fastball, Changeup.

• Adams came from an over the top release and showed a fastball with a little run in on righties, a cutter with some cut and a change with plus fade from righties with above average sink.

8th: FB (93-95), Cut (90), CU (84)

9) Heath Bell: 14 pitches. 1 strike swinging. Curveball.

• Bell came from an over the top release and showed a 4-seam fastball with some natural run in on righties and some sink and a sharp 1-7 curve with above average depth that is a strikeout pitch.

9th: FB (91-95), CB (79-82)

Playoff Game cancelled, so I am going to be working on the relief pitcher study since I already traded my game away.