Chris Carpenter, RHP, Cardinals.(Scouting Report)

Hi/Wt: 6-6, 230. B/T: R/R. Age: 29. Seventh season.

Vital stats: After missing most of the past two seasons because of right shoulder problems, Carpenter is off to a strong start. He entered the week with a 6-1 record and 3.44 ERA and had worked at least five innings in each of his first 10 starts. He had not allowed more than three runs in his last five starts. He also ranked among National League leaders in home runs allowed with 12.

Throws: The bend that made his curveballs so deadly during his Toronto days has returned. He throws an overhand curve and a sweeping curve, both of which top out at 78 mph. Though his overhand curveball has a sharper late bite, he relies more on the sweeper as his elbow tires. He effectively mixes an 86 mph, late-breaking cutter with his sweeping curve; the two look the same at release. His changeup is decent but not the promising pitch it appeared destined to be in Toronto. He shows command of a low-90s four-seamer and two-seamer, but the pitches lack their former life. At one point in his Toronto career, Carpenter had enough command, speed change and two-plane bore on his sinker that he might have become a premier sinkerball pitcher. Occasionally, the hitter will still see ...