Oct 3, 2012; Los Angeles, CA, USA; San Francisco Giants pitcher Jean Machi (63) delivers a pitch against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium. The Dodgers defeated the Giants 5-1. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee/Image of Sport-USA TODAY Sports

Jean Machi is enjoying some unexpected success out of the San Francisco Giants bullpen. Of course, it is an extremely small sample size out of the bullpen so far, and he pitches in a park that seems to create illusions when it comes to evaluating pitchers. However, for him to even be here is a little surprising. Machi didn’t make his MLB debut until he was 30 years old, which was in 2012. He started pitching in the minor leagues in 2002 in the Phillies organization, and from 2006 to 2009 he was stuck in AA with three different organizations with very mediocre numbers and 258 innings, mainly in relief. The Pirates finally gave him a shot in AAA, and he pitched pretty well for a season plus but didn’t make it to the Majors. In 2011, he went to the Mexican League, where he dominated, not with an overpowering strikeout rate, but by not giving up a homer in the hitter friendly league. The Giants signed him towards the end of 2011 and let him pitch in AAA. Then in 2012, Machi was finally given his shot in the big leagues, pitching in 8 games for San Francisco (after a bunch of appearances in AAA). So far in 2013, he has been successful, but has had a stint in AAA as well.

Looking at Pitch F/X data, Machi’s closest release point comparison seems to be Mike Adams, a successful reliever with below average velocity and very little as far as platoon splits. Here is a comparison of the two right-handed relievers’ mechanics at the time of release point (the Adams screenshot is obviously from 2012, and at a little bit different angle).

Looks pretty similar to me. Adams head seems to be a little more straight, but Machi’s arm slot is slightly higher. In graph form, this is what Machi’s release point looks like:

So we have a comparison release point wise to a big league reliever, but what is Machi’s stuff like? Here is Machi’s spin and speed chart, labelled by the MLBAM tags:

According to my rough classifications, the fastball is pretty good, averaging 94 MPH, with 11.7 percent of all pitches thrown over 95 MPH. It is at least a big league fastball, even above average. You can get a lot of MLB hitters out with that fastball.

Since we saw some variance in release point and the head in a not exactly desirable spot in his delivery, what does his command look like? Here is his strike zone with all the pitches he has thrown so far in Pitch F/X games:

There is a definite concentration of pitches thrown low and glove side (which for him, is inside to lefties, outside to righties). Here are his average locations, using my rough classifications:

Surprisingly for a right-hander, his average pitch is actually on the glove side of the strike zone. This could be because of his delivery or the fact that he seems to stand on the 1st base side of the rubber. Most of his pitches are going to be inside to lefties or outside to right-handers. His fastball is thrown higher than the average pitch and the change a little lower, which is standard, but his curveball is on the far glove side part of the zone. In the spin and speed chart above, we saw that the MLBAM tags classified some of them as sliders (but since most of them were classified as curveballs, I called them all curveballs, just to go with a majority, and there was no reason to differentiate the pitch). The location makes calling it a slider a lot of sense, as curves are usually going to be in the low middle part of the plate, and sliders on the low glove side part of the plate, one of the reasons it is such a heavy platoon split pitch (a low and inside pitch with some velocity taken off of it is a rather easy pitch to hit). Machi treats the pitch like a slider, throwing just one of the curve/slider pitch to lefties, at least from what I can find. So it makes sense to call it a slider, but clearly it is not a very hard slider, as the original spin and speed chart shows, as most of them are in a 81-84 MPH slider range. This is usually what you would see in a slider from a pitcher with average starting pitcher velocity (~91-92 MPH). This will limit its effectiveness, and he will have to use it only with the platoon advantage, sequence with it well, and locate it well to have any real success with it. The fastball is his best pitch against right-handers, though he isn’t afraid to throw his changeup to both righties and lefties, which is probably why he doesn’t locate it arm side on average (like most pitches use their changeups, trying to keep it away from hitters that have the platoon advantage).

So can Machi continue to get hitters out in the big leagues? He won’t be a dominant reliever, but I could see him having success, with an ability to get lefties out with his fastball and changeup. How you view the changeup probably shapes how you view Machi as a big leaguer. That pitch will be his out pitch, more so than his slider, since it is less reliant on platoon splits. But the fastball is real, and I think Machi is too.

The defending champion at the Crowne Plaza Invitational, Zach Johnson makes a good fantasy golf pick this week. Here he tees off the 11th hole during the second round of the Players Championship at TPC Sawgrass. Mandatory Credit: Debby Wong-USA TODAY Sports

The PGA Tour continues its Texas two-step as it heads to Fort Worth as they take on Colonial Country Club better known as Hogan’s Alley since Ben Hogan virtually owned the course winning on it five times during his career. It’s another par-70 and again wind will be a big factor. Another factor to consider is the fact that among the recent winners experience has been a common denominator with first-timers putting up an ugly record and most winners having played the event multiple times. In our picks (listed below), we’ll focus on players with a solid track record at Colonial and who are playing well coming into the event.

Last week in Dallas, Sang-Moon Bae broke through for his first tour win beating Keegan Bradley in the last pairing. In our Fantasy CPR group, Hoochblues took the week behind Bradley, D.A. Points, and Marc Leishman. Foot-Wedge leads the segment in a tight battle at the top while Eagle’s Nest still holds the lead in the overall standing with Foot-Wedge closing in. My entry did ok, but Jason Day was a disappointment and Louis Oosthuizen WD in the last round sure didn’t help. Here’s how I’m planning on bouncing back this week:

Jan 11, 2013; Honolulu, HI, USA; Chris Kirk hits his approach shot on the 18th hole during the second round of the Sony Open at Waialae Country Club. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports

A-List

Chris Kirk- Kirk has been solid this season making the cut in his last 10 tournaments. During that span he has a runner-up finish as his only top five but does have five top-25′s. The A-List is a little thin this week, but Kirk is a solid option who has a decent history at the Crowne. He finished t5 last year after a t16 in 2011.

Martin Laird- Laird should be comfortable in Texas having won the Valero Texas Open earlier this season. He’s coming off a t5 in THE PLAYERS but has been feast or famine missing the cut at the two events in between his win and t5. Last year he did not play this event but did have pair of top ten’s in 2010 and 2011.

B-List

Zach Johnson-Johnson is the defending champ and has won the event twice. He has made the cut in all seven of his visits and been in the top ten in his last four. Johnson hasn’t had his best season, but is coming off his first top 20 since the opening week at the Hyundai. He finished t19 at TPC Sawgrass and is peaking just in time for his annual strong showing in Fort Worth.

July 22, 2012; St. Annes, ENGLAND; Fredrik Jacobson tees off on the 3rd hole during the final round of the 2012 British Open Championship at Royal Lytham

Frddie Jacobson- The Swede was back in the top 20 last week in the Byron Nelson giving him eight top 25′s in his last nine tournaments. Jacobson has seven previous appearances here with a pair of top 20′s and a pair of missed cuts.

Marc Leishman- Leishman finished t12 giving him four straight top 15′s starting with the t4 at the Masters. He has visited Colonial twice for this event and made the cut each time. He may not have the experience to take the tournament, but should have a solid finish if he can stay in-form.

Matt Kuchar- I’m running out of Kuchar starts (4 left), but he’s too consistent to not have on the roster. He could win any event he plays, so I’ll stash him on my bench to see how he’s playing this week.

C-List

May 12, 2012; Ponte Vedra Beach, FL, USA; Kevin Streelman prepares to take his second shot on the 1st hole during the third round of the PLAYERS Championship at TPC Sawgrass. Mandatory Credit: Melina Vastola-USA TODAY Sports

Kevin Streelman- Streelman won the tournament in Tampa earlier this season and comes in playing well with three straight top 5′s. He finished in the top 10 here in 2011 but missed the cut last year.

Rickie Fowler- Fowler earned a t5 last year at the Colonial but is coming off an MC and a MDF in his las two starts. This spot could go to Sang-Moon Bae or D.A. Points, but I’ve got a hunch that Fowler is in for a big week, so I’ll go with him on my roster.