Pitchers throw side sessions between starts. They use them to stay sharp, to experiement with possible additions to their repertoire, and to work on issues related to mechanics. Bogfella, is no different, there are things that need to be discussed between Notebooks and this is the forum to do just that. This won't be the in-depth stuff, it's for short takes on all the latest mound happenings. Feel free to comment. Agree? Disagree? Let's talk about it.

- Brandon Morrow is sooo close to becoming the strikeout chasers dream pitcher. Just a bit better command - its getting there - and he can step into the elite staring pitcher category. I've been touting Morrow for years so this isn't news to bogfella followers, but I had to say it again.

- Next week's Notebook will cover the pitchers to stay away from in the second half. Is it any surprise Ricky Nolasco will be near the top of that list? Teasing fantasy owners for years, he's got to be one of the most frustrating pitchers in MLB.

- I think more than a few people would be surprised to learn that the starter with the best ERA on the Phillies staff (2.02) is Vance Worley. He's a solid guy, but I don't think his command will allow him to continue at this pace. Roy Halladay or Cole Hamels might be slightly better bets to end up with the team's ERA title.

- The Orioles came into 2011 with high hopes. They were looking at a rotation with Jeremy Guthrie and four very talented young arms - Brian Matusz, Zach Britton, Jake Arrieta, and Chris Tillman. Just heading into the second half, Matusz is attempting to find his lost velocity in Triple-A, Britton is there too, making the necessary adjustments most young arms are challenged to make, Arrieta is gamely fighting to keep his season moving forward despite some minor elbow issues, and Tillman has proven to need more time to develop. Sometimes this game can throw a team some nasty curves.

- In his most recent column, my good friend Bernie Pleskoff - you want to be sure to check out his weekly column here on RotoWire - mentioned the incredible depth of pitching in this year's draft. He's spot on! Not since 2006 (when names like Brandon Morrow, Tim Lincecum, and Clayton Kershaw were the talk of MLB towns) have there been so many quality pitchers to get excited about. Set your DVR now for the 2012 Futures Game.
 
- The Rays promoted Matthew Moore to Triple-a Durham last week. I know they are notoriously conservative with their developing young pitchers, but don't they have to give us a sneak peak in September? He should arrive (for good) in 2012, but he will be fun to watch whenever he shows up in Tampa Bay.

- Here's another recent promotee to watch: The Twins just moved Liam Hendriks up to Triple-A Rochester. He's not quite as flashy as some of the more publicized prospects, but I think he could be on his way to carving out a spot in the Minnesota rotation featuring incredible command of pretty good stuff.

- Jason Isringhausen has a win and a save since Francisco Rodriguez left for Milwaukee. The Mets get a double bonus by using Izzy as their closer - they get him closer to career save #300, and they showcase him to contenders who might be trading partners. He could help several bullpens.

- It's going to be difficult for the Phillies to justify taking the ball out of Antonio Bastardo's hands in the ninth inning when Brad Lidge returns. He's been about as successful as you can be while filling in for the banged up Philly pen, but I do think they will work Lidge back into the mix, at least in a save sharing role.

- And, still in the bullpen, I am usually very forgiving when it comes to the decisions made by on-field team management, but I had to scratch my head when the Astros asked their promising young closer, Mark Melancon, to come out for a third inning of work the other night. The Astros lost the game. There are reasons a team has the worst record in baseball.

- Stephen Strasburg Watch - He was reportedly hitting 95 mph with relative ease in his last session. It's looking more and more like he'll get a few September innings just to let him have a feel again, and to spur the Nationals fanbase into a 2012 frenzy. I'm putting an autographed picture of the trio Stephen Strasburg, Jordan Zimmermann, and Drew Storen on my Christmas list this year.

- How about a little more Side Sessions trivia? Earlier I mentioned three top of the rotation starters from the 2006 draft class - Morrow, Kershaw and Lincecum - can you name the THREE pitchers who were drafted before any of those three were taken? Morrow was taken with the fifth pick, Kershaw with the seventh, and Lincecum with the tenth, but there were three pitchers taken BEFORE Morrow came off the board. Ooops!

Side Sessions is intended to generate discussion. Throw out your thoughts on my comments or chip in with observations of your own, it's an open forum on all things pitching!

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