NYY @ DET 4/29/09

Note: Gameday Radar Gun was off after 8th inning

Rick Porcello RHP Tigers
He's a great athlete with a smooth delivery but is still learning how to pitch. After watching this outing I think he needs some more seasoning in the Minors. The Yankees seemed to figure him out in their second and third at bats because he couldn't throw any off speed pitches over the plate with consistency. His FB was 92-94 with great sinking action for the first three innings. In the fourth it dropped to 88-90. It is an above average offering and projects to be his bread and butter when he is an established big leaguer. He threw FBs over 80% of the time which is normal for most sinkerballers, but with his lack of command on any of his secondary pitches, the hitters knew what was coming. He projects to be a top of the rotation starter, but needs more seasoning in the minors.

Clay Rapada LHP Tigers
His delivery is all elbows and knees and he is a deceptive lefty. He slings the ball side- armed and has below average stuff: FB 85-87 and SL 74-78. He is at best a situational lefty.

Joel Zumaya RHP Tigers
He has a Plus Arm. He throws a straight FB 97-99 and topped out at 100 (An 80). He also has an above average CB 81-82 and an average but hard CH 85-87. He threw his CH as a show me pitch to Swisher and Cabrera in the first pitch of each AB for a ball low and away. He profiles as a top set up guy or closer.

Ryan Perry RHP Tigers
He is another great young RH arm the Tigers have in their pen. Perry was drafted in the first round of the 2008 Draft and has an above average FB 93-96 topping out at 97. His SL was 85-86 (YES network gun readings may be off) and looked above average. He also showed a CH at 87. He was able to quickly get the first two outs of the inning and then lost focus and walked the next three batters. He currently has Below Average command. He may need to spend some time in the Minors like Porcello. If he goes down he could eventually be a middle of the rotation starter or if he stays in the pen he will be a late inning guy.

Joba Chamberlin RHP Yankees
He showed flashes of the potential Ace the Yankees were hoping for when the converted him from Reliever to Starter. All of his pitches looked sharp and he had average command: Throwing 57% of his pitches for strikes. He has an above average FB 92-95 and topped out at 96 (Which is up from the high 80s low 90s he was throwing at the beginning of the season). He has a well above average SL 83-87 and drops off the table to hitters. When it's on, Good luck. His CB 75-80 is also above average and has tight break. His CH 78-82 looked average and looks like he uses it primarily as a "show me" pitch to LH hitters. Once he's able to stretch out and consistently pitch into the 7th and 8th innings, he'll be one of the top pitchers in the game.

Phil Coke LHP Yankees
I think he's a great lefty out of the pen for the Yankees. He has versatility and can be used either as a set up guy or situational lefty. He's tough against both LH and RH hitters. He was throwing FB 90-94 and SL 80-84. He also has a CH but I didn't see it in this outing.