1951 No Trade Team
 

The St. Louis Pioneers beat the Detroit Dynamos in the Fed tiebreaker game, sending the Pioneers once more to take on the Philadelphia Sailors in the World Championship Series. They met back-to-back 1947 and 1948, with the Pioneers taking both contests. As that series goes on, I'll do my draft lookback series, honing in on the 1931 class that features a current Cougar and a lot of batting titles in a top-heavy class. Depending on how my day goes, you'll get your first look tonight!

Catchers
Eddie Howard (CHC): 77 WRC+, 5 HR, 45 RBI, SB, 1.2 WAR
Harry Mead (CHC): 88 WRC+, 15 RBI, 0.5 WAR

Infielders
Billy Hunter (CHC): 93 WRC+, 4 HR, 17 RBI, 0.3 WAR
Joe Austin (MON): 107 WRC+, 9 HR, 69 RBI, 28 SB, 2.0 WAR
Elmer Grace (CHC): 149 WRC+, 6 HR, 41 RBI, 2.4 WAR
Skipper Schneider (CHC): 81 WRC+, 4 HR, 52 RBI, 34 SB, 4.8 WAR
Otto Christian (CHC): 73 WRC+, 3 HR, 14 RBI, 0.1 WAR
Pat Todd (TOR): 37 WRC+, 2 HR, 23 RBI, SB, -1.2 WAR
George Sutterfield (CHC): 95 WRC+, 10 HR, 57 RBI, 22 SB, 2.3 WAR

Outfielders
Leo Mitchell (CHC): 124 WRC+, 13 HR, 67 RBI, 34 SB, 2.9 WAR
Bunny Hufford (NYG): 97 WRC+, HR, 17 RBI, 2 SB, 0.1 WAR
Chubby Hall (CHC): 127 WRC+, 17 HR, 77 RBI, SB, 3.0 WAR
Jimmy Hairston (CHC): 115 WRC+, 5 HR, 16 RBI, 0.4 WAR
Jerry Smith (CHC): 149 WRC+, HR, 5 RBI, SB, 0.8 WAR
Don Lee (CHC): 120 WRC+, 3 HR, 28 RBI, 2 SB, 0.9 WAR

Pitchers
Duke Bybee (CHC): 16-9, 146 ERA+, 104 K, 4.5 WAR
Zane Kelley (TOR):5-5, 9 SV, 141 ERA+, 49 K, 1.5 WAR
Charlie Kelsey (CHC): 39 ERA+, 4 K, -0.5 WAR
Leo Hayden (BRK): 6-7, 88 ERA+, 54 K, 2.0 WAR
Danny Hern (STL): 17-12, 98 ERA+, 101 K, 4.8 WAR
Ron Berry (BRK): 7-9, 80 ERA+, 91 K, 1.3 WAR
George Oddo (CHC): 2-4, 94 ERA+, 32 K, 0.1 WAR
Pete Papenfus (CHC): 9-11, 104 ERA+, 125 K, 2.7 WAR
George Polk (PHI/CHC): 6-7, 2 SV, 102 ERA+, 57 K, 1.6 WAR

Totals
Hitters: 20.5
Pitchers: 18
Total: 38.5
Approximate Wins: 68

Notable Draftees Traded
January 1951: Traded RHP George Oddo and RHP Tommy Seymour to the Kings for RHP Jimmy Isgro, LHP Tommy Wilde, and 2B Buddy Byrd
July 1951: Traded RHP Jim Williams and SS Cecil Burr to the Minutemen for 2B Buddy Schneider

Not a very good season for the no-trade Cougars, who didn't really have many options for the infield and outfield while the pitching saw struggles from Pap, Oddo, Hayden, and Berry. The interesting add to the staff is George Polk, who while not drafted by us, wasn't acquired from a trade. Rule-5 picks and waiver claims count, they just usually don't have the type of season Polk had, and with the Pap injury he could be a legit part of our staff moving forward. I'm sure the no-trade team would be quicker to call up guys like Grace, Smith, and Bob Allen, which could have led to more wins, but this team really lacks the star power that even the current Cougar team has. At least they get Duke Bybee's Allen worthy season too!

A Look Back at the 1931 Draft: Part 1
 

Here we go! The 1931 Draft! The most top-heavy class we've had so far, our top two picks accounted for the seven batting titles in the Continental Association between 1943 and 1949. You'd think that would be a good thing for us, but no, only the Philadelphia Sailors have won pennants in those titles. You're going to find out why:

1st Round, 15th Overall: 1B Ed Reyes
School: Atlanta HS Peaches
1937 (NYG): .288/.333/.388 (91 OPS+), 141 G, 411 PA, 17 2B, 7 HR, 50 RBI, 91 WRC+, 0.3 WAR
1945 (PHS): .344/.392/.451 (143 OPS+), 142 G, 559 PA, 24 2B, 5 3B, 7 HR, 73 RBI, SB, 137 WRC+, 2.7 WAR
1946 (PHS): .361/.415/.469 (155 OPS+), 122 G, 475 PA, 18 2B, 2 3B, 8 HR, 64 RBI, SB, 145 WRC+, 3.0 WAR
1947 (PHS): .338/.398/.429 (133 OPS+), 132 G, 508 PA, 23 2B, 2 3B, 5 HR, 66 RBI, SB,128 WRC+, 2.2 WAR
1948 (PHS): .341/.382/.454 (130 OPS+), 128 G, 524 PA, 28 2B, 3 3B, 7 HR, 72 RBI, 132 WRC+, 2.6 WAR
1949 (PHS): .355/.406/.473 (143 OPS+), 127 G, 485 PA, 26 2B, 4 3B, 6 HR, 63 RBI, SB, 3.6 WAR
Career (FABL): .329/.379/.423 (124 OPS+), 1,535 G, 4,181 PA, 174 2B, 17 3B, 51 HR, 523 RBI, 5 SB, 16.5 WAR
Career (PHS): .352/.402/.455 (142 OPS+), 840 G, 2,996 PA, 141 2B, 17 3B, 36 HR, 388 RBI, 4 SB, 17.8 WAR

A teammate of Harry Barrell and Leo Mitchell, Ed Reyes was our first round pick in 1931, and we grabbed a talented young left fielder who hit .329/.376/.476 (149 OPS+) with 6 homers and 22 RBIs despite some strikeout problems. The following year he began his professional career in Mobile like most teenagers do, hitting an impressive .300/.369/.458 (126 OPS+) with 38 doubles, 12 homers, and 79 RBIs in 138 games. He spent all season there, and began his ascent to AA the following season. He reached that in 1934, but that's when he was involved in the blockbuster deal that brought Joe Masters and Dave Rankin to the Windy City. Now with the Chiefs, Reyes was fast tracked to the big leagues, making his debut in the last month of the 1935 season.

Reyes got into 19 games in his first cup of coffee, hitting .225/.276/.254 (40 OPS+) with 2 walks and 13 strikeouts. Always a top 100 prospect, he was showing a lot of potential to put the bat on the ball, but his .256 BABIP implied a lot of the balls he were hitting were finding gloves. He again got a chance with the big league club, but when Rabbit Day was available, the new regime had no qualms including Reyes with Billy Dalton, a pitcher, and a first to land the former Allen Winner. You could make the case that this trade brought the 1938 title to our crosstown companions, but for Reyes, it was another step in what would be a long journey to his own stardom.

He stayed in the majors with the Gothams post trade, though he spent time with both teams AAA affiliates. He got his most time with the Gothams the following season in 1937, starting 84 of his 141 appearances and hitting .288/.333/.388 (91 OPS+) in what would for a long time be a career high 411 plate appearances. But in the next two seasons New York gave him just 27 total starts, even waiving him to free up a 40-man spot around the Rule-5 draft.

Reyes returned to the Chiefs after being claimed, but their former prospect started just one of his 188 games and was waived midway through the third season in 1942. He spent the next season and a half on the Dynamos bench, and instead of getting claimed he was released during the '43 season. He did end up resurfacing in 1944, and that's where his career truly started to take off.

Reyes was used primarily off the bench, but against the war pitching he excelled, slashing .387/.414/.509 (165 OPS+) with 8 doubles, a triple, a homer, and 14 RBIs in 101 appearances off the bench. That performance set up a stretch unlike many other, as after Reyes secured the starting first base job at 32, he started a memorable stretch of five consecutive batting titles. In 1945, Reyes got into a career high 142 games with a career high 559 plate appearances, slashing an elite .342/.392/.451 (143 OPS+) with 24 doubles, 5 triples, 7 homers, and 73 RBIs. As good as it was, there was some concerns it was a mirage, as 1945 was the season with the most players at war and the lowest level of pitching. In fact, there was conversation by the Sailors GM about the Cougars acquiring Ed Reyes, but I honestly believed it was a fluke and the at-war Leo Mitchell would reclaim the batting title, giving him three in four seasons.

Reyes proved me foolish, hitting an even better .361/.415/.469 (155 OPS
+) with 18 doubles, 8 homers, and 64 RBIs, though Mitchell ended up with the higher WRC+ (151) with his .333/.366/.498 (148 OPS+) line as the difference in power accounted for a six point deficit for Reyes in the WRC+ (145) department. Reyes never managed to match that .361 batting average in a qualified campaign, but he was a key piece of the Sailors title runs in 1947 and 1948. He was arguably better in '47, hitting .338./398/.429 (133 OPS+) in 508 trips to the plate, but he was selected to the All-Star game in '48. Reyes finished the season with 28 doubles, 7 homers, and 72 RBIs, producing a 132 WRC+ with his .341/.382/.454 (130 OPS+) batting line. He struggled in the second postseason, just 1-for-11 with a double, but his overall .222/.276/.296 (60 OPS+) postseason batting line left a lot to be desired.

The Sailors couldn't three-pear, but it wasn't because of Reyes, who was the only player not complicit in the Sailors drop from first to last. Reyes was again an All-Star, performing in arguably the best season of his late blooming career. Reyes won his fifth and final batting title, hitting .355/.406/.473 (143 OPS+) with 6 homers, 26 doubles, and 63 RBIs. Despite the high level production, the Sailors turned their sights on the future, so in a 7th place finish last year Reyes only played 88 games. He was great when he did play, batting an impressive .373/.425/.438 (141 OPS+) in 334 trips to the plate. His 150 WRC+ was the best in a sample of 125 trips to the plate, but when it came to Opening Day this year he was waived. I placed a claim on him, but it went to the Wolves instead, and he spent about a month and a half in a bench role. It was ugly, just 14-for-60 in 26 games, and his .233/.254/.283 (38 OPS+) led to a release from the worst offense in baseball.

He's actually still going, caught on with the Seattle Thunderbirds of the GWL, which is again a minor league affiliate of FABL with both affiliated and non-affiliated squads. Seattle is one of the independent clubs, as Reyes hit a prime like .346/.383/.421 (117 OPS+) in 86 games to finish out the season. He's given no inclination of retirement, but at 38 his big league days are over.

If he retires today, he'll remain the Sailors best hitter All-Time, as no one has topped his .352 average. The requirement is 2,000 PAs, he has almost 3,000 (2,996), and his .402 on-base percentage is also tops among Sailors hitters. Reyes is 3rd in slugging (.455), and 3rd in OPS (.856), not joining the team early enough to rank high in many counting stats. In single season records, his .355 average in 1949 is the 5th best among seasons with more then 477 PAs, slightly more then the .361 he hit in 475 in 1946. That would rank second, and would be the only other record he holds.

It's a shame our former 1st Rounder never played for us, but that didn't stop him from having a great FABL career. An obvious success, Reyes hit .329/.379/.423 (124 OPS+) in 1,525 career FABL games, tallying 174 doubles, 51 homers, 490 runs, and 523 RBIs. Never much of a power hitter, what Reyes did best was put the ball in play, and even with a high 17.3 K% he managed to find himself on base plenty. He had a knack for hitting it where the defense wasn't, and he could draw a walk if he felt overmatched. It may have taken him a while to develop into the hitter he was with the Sailors, but he never had the chance to succeed early on. Poor defense was a part, he's a left fielder that ended up at first, but things could have been plenty different for the Chiefs, Gothams, and/or Dynamos if they gave him the look the Sailors did earlier.

2nd Round, 28th Overall: LF Leo Mitchell
School: Atlanta HS Peaches
1938 (CHC): .337/.380/.462 (135 OPS+), 147 G, 598 PA, 30 2B, 2 3B, 12 HR, 80 RBI, 9 SB, 140 WRC+, 4.1 WAR
1939 (CHC): .352/.397/.466 (130 OPS+), 154 G, 697 PA, 39 2B, 2 3B, 10 HR, 86 RBI, 132 WRC+, 3.7 WAR
1940 (CHC): .335/.374/.463 (132 OPS+), 143 G, 609 PA, 26 2B, 3B, 15 HR, 78 RBI, 3 SB, 133 WRC+, 4.0 WAR
1941 (CHC): .346/.390/.459 (135 OPS+), 146 G, 579 PA, 23 2B, 2 3B, 11 HR, 83 RBI, 6 SB, 134 WRC+, 3.5 WAR
1942 (CHC): .318/.358/.433 (135 OPS+), 152 G, 657 PA, 26 2B, 3B, 14 HR, 72 RBI, 3 SB, 135 WRC+, 4.2 WAR
1943 (CHC): 326/.368/.402 (131 OPS+), 153 G, 658 PA, 22 B2, 8 HR, 69 RBI, 4 SB, 131 WRC+, ,3.5 WAR
1944 (CHC): .357/.392/.474 (148 OPS+), 153 G, 674 PA, 27 2B, 2 3B, 14 HR, 90 RBI, 3 SB, 145 WRC+, 3.8 WAR
1946 (CHC): .333/.366/.498 (148 OPS+), 152 G, 644 PA, 25 2B, 3B, 24 HR, 90 RBI, 4 SB, 151 WRC+, 4.1 WAR
1950 (CHC): .333/.382/.454 (132 OPS+), 135 G, 557 PA, 17 2B, 3 3B, 13 HR, 73 RBI, 5 SB, 139 WRC+, 3.0 WAR
1951 (CHC): .311/.354/.463 (114 OPS+), 133 G, 548 PA, 19 2B, 10 3B, 13 HR, 67 RBI, 34 SB, 124 WRC+, 2.9 WAR
Career (FABL): .325/.371/.441 (127 OPS+), 2,076 G, 8,622 PA, 329 2B, 3B 3B, 174 HR, 1,030 RBI, 88 SB, 129 WRC+, 43.2 WAR

Twice robbed of a Whitney and still going strong at 38, it may be a few more years before Leo Mitchell hangs up the cleats, and we can officially close the door on the 1931 class. Coming off a season where he hit .311/.354/.463 (114 OPS+) with a share of the CA steal lead at 34, Mitchell completed his 16th FABL season and 14th as a regular.

One of the most consistent hitters you'll ever find, Leo Mitchell debuted in 1935 and became an everyday player at 24 in 1937. That was the first of nine consecutive seasons where Mitchell produced a WRC+ above 125, with the only interruption the 1945 season he missed when he was serving his country. The 128 from 1937 was the lowest in the streak, as he hit .327/.393/.429 (130 OPS+) with 20 doubles, 6 homers, and 41 RBIs. This came in 460 trips to the plate, which to the date is the second fewest in a season Mitchell appeared in a game for the rest of his career.

In 1938 the job was his from the get go, and a 25-year-old Mitchell put up an impressive 4.1 WAR season. He came two PAs shy of 600, hitting an impressive .337/.380/.462 (135 OPS+) with a 140 WRC+, 30 doubles, 12 homers, 80 RBIs, and 9 steals. Those nine steals would remain a career high until the present day, while his WRC+ was the highest among seasons he did not lead the Continental. It should have earned him a trip to the All-Star game, but Mitchell had to wait until the following season to get his first of seven nods. Mitchell hit an impressive .353/.397/.466 (130 OPS+), recording a career high 39 doubles with 10 homers, 86 RBIs, and 47 walks. He also struck out an association high 114 times, as Mitchell was always one to strike out. He ended up leading the association on five more occasions, a somewhat absurd 1,316 since his debut in 1935.

1940 was a season we began to compete, as while we did finish 3rd in 1939, '40 was supposed to be the start of a decade of dominance. We won 87 games, just a single game shy of the word champion Wolves. Mitchell did what he could, as despite his association high 130 strikeouts, he provided plenty of offensive value in his 133 WRC+ and 4.0 wins above replacement. Mitchell had another solid batting line, .335/.374/.463 (132 OPS+), with a then career high 15 homers to go with 93 runs, 26 doubles, and 78 RBIs. The next season Mitchell helped lead us to a pennant, earning an All-Star at 28 before hitting .346/.390/.459 (135 OPS+) with 23 doubles, 11 homers, 83 RBIs, and 85 walks. This led to his only postseason appearance, where he went just 8-for-28 with four strikeouts and now walks, homering once in the series that saw us drop four one-run games to the Boston Minutemen.

Mitchell hasn't made it to the playoff since, but it hasn't stopped him from putting up star level performance. Mitchell found himself back in the All-Star game in 1942, with a similar .318/.358/.433 (135 OPS+) batting line. This time it was 26 doubles, 14 homers, and 72 RBIs, again a league high in strikeouts with 113. Mitchell one his first batting title in 1943, hitting .326/.368/.402 (131 OPS+) while starting all but one of our matchups. He hit just 8 homers, his lowest since his first year as a starter, but Mitchell's 43 walks were his second highest, supplying 22 doubles, 95 runs, and 69 RBIs. But it was 1944 when he really should have won the Whitney, but we fell to third in a tough three team pennant race. None of the blame can go on Mitchell, who had an association high 224 with the lead in average (.357), slugging (.474), OPS (.875), WRC+ (145), and wOBA (.392). If that wasn't enough, he had 27 doubles, 14 homers, 94 runs, and 90 RBIs, though it was the Sailors' Marion Boismenu (.354, 3, 71, 6) who won despite having fewer first place votes then Mitchell and the third place finisher.

Our veteran star was ready for revenge the following season, but a call from the Army put those plans on hold, and our pennant aspirations had to wait a season with Mitchell and many others called away for the '45 season. When Mitchell came back in '46, however, he didn't miss a beat, putting together another even better Whitney worthy season. This time it was Bill Barrett (.247, 30, 98, 10) who stopped him, but it was Mitchell who led the CA in slugging (.498), WRC+ (151), and wOBA (.397), and he was leading in average (.333) until a pedestrian September let his draft mate Ed Reyes (.361, 8, 64) take it from him. Still, 24 doubles, 24 homers, 80 runs, and 90 RBIs should have been enough, but winning one of these two Whitney's would have done his Hall of Fame potential wonders, and instead he'll likely never add that accolade to his trophy room.

I thought Mitchell would get a batting title back quickly, but he's yet to win one since, and he had two poor seasons in '47 and '48. The 1949 season saw him start with less time, but when he started to hit Mitchell returned to the lineup. He started 77 of his 110 games, hitting a more on-brand .312/.385/.443 (129 OPS+) with 8 doubles, 11 homers, and 50 RBIs. This got him back in the lineup, and in the past two seasons he's returned to being a productive regular. He was more like himself last year, hitting .333/.382/.454 (132 OPS+) with 17 doubles, 13 homers, 71 runs, and 673 RBIs, and a 139 WRC+ that was even better then the 135 in a small sample the year before.

1951, however, has to be the weirdest season for "Mitch the Metronome" as he was moving at a different pace this season. Entering the year with just 26 triples and 54 steals, Mitchell stole 34 bases and hit 10 triples, sharing the association steal lead with teammate Skipper Schneider. The conversion must have done something to him, almost re-energizing the vet who was always a good baserunner. Again leading the league with his 111 strikeouts, his 124 WRC+ was 5 shy of his career high, and he hit a strong .311/.354/.463 (114 OPS+) with 19 doubles, 13 homers, 67 RBIs, and 80 runs. He's in line for regular playing time again next season, and owns a .325/.371/.441 (127 OPS+) career batting line in 2,076 games.

At the time of this post his 174 homers are the most of any Cougar, and he ranks top ten in average (5th), WAR (7th, 43.2), runs (3rd, 1,180), hits (2nd, 2,588), doubles (3rd, 329), RBIs (4th, 1,030), walks (6th, 579), and games played. His 224 hits in 1944 are 8th most in a season for a Cougar while the 226 in 1939 is one more then Calvin Kidd's 1896 season. He actually doesn't have the most strikeouts in a season, just 3rd (130, 1940), 6th (114, 1939), 7th (113, 1942), and 9th (111, 1951), but his 1,316 career strikeouts are almost double Ike Martie's 751 in second. He looks to retire with seven All-Star selections, but the one thing I need to get him is a ring. He's been so good and so dependable for so long, and it's such a shame that he's only gotten to play in one postseason series. He's running out of years, but Mitchell will always have a spot on our roster, and with two or three good seasons as a starter I think we can get him 200 homers. It's hard to have gotten more from this pick then we did, and no player selected after Mitchell has accumulate more WAR then him. And that's with all the negatives for being a first basemen who learned left field.

Old Draft Writeups
1st Round
2nd Round
3rd Round-5th Round
6th Round-10th Round
11th Round-15th Round
16th Round-25th Round

A Look Back at the 1931 Draft: Part 2
 

2nd Round, 31st Overall: RHP John Hartz
School: Denver HS Mountaineers
1941 (NYG): 2-2, 23 G, 36.2 IP, 4.17 ERA, 1.47 WHIP, 20 BB, 17 K, 96 ERA+, -0.3 WAR
1943 (NYG): 0-2, 20 G, 43 IP, 3.35 ERA, 1.47 WHIP, 17 BB, 14 K, 106 ERA+, -0.0 WAR
Career (FABL): 3-4, SV, 65 G, 121.1 IP, 3.48 ERA, 1.38 WHIP, 54 BB, 45 K, 106 ERA+, -0.5 WAR
Career (GWL): 0-0, 9 G, 16.2 IP, 2.16 ERA, 0.84 WHIP, 3 BB, 8 K, 161 ERA+, 0.3 WAR
Career (AAA): 36-41, 4 SV, 133 G, 94 GS, 653.2 IP, 3.48 ERA, 1.33 WHIP, 186 BB, 226 K, 112 ERA+, 8.0 WAR

The second round seems to be around where we leaning pitching, taking arms in each of the three most recent drafts (Wilson McKinney, Ernie Tisdale, Allie Eddy), and even back towards the beginning of the Modern Era we were taking a ton of pitchers. After grabbing Mitchell earlier in the round, we went to John Hartz here, a high school senior who went 3-4 with a 1.88 ERA (190 ERA+), 1.00 WHIP, and 62 strikeouts in 9 starts. It took him a few minor league seasons to get going, but he got off to a great start to his 1934 season. In 13 starts with La Crosse, Hartz went 7-3 with a 3.74 ERA (140 ERA+), 4.04 FIP (77 FIP-), 1.34 WHIP, 18 walks, and 34 strikeouts. He was never a big strikeout arm, demonstrated by a more middling 10.3 K%, but the 5.5 BB% was excellent. He was average (82.2 IP, 100 ERA, 103 FIP-) in a promotion to San Jose, but Hartz walked (32) more guys then he struck out (23), showing the first signs of command issues.

Still, Hartz continued to work his way up the system, and while it wasn't always pretty, things started to click in 1938. He made 5 quick starts in Mobile, 3-2 with a 3.25 ERA (121 ERA+) and 1.11 WHIP with 13 strikeouts and 6 walks. This got him a promotion to Milwaukee, where he functioned in a swingman role, starting 10 games and relieving 8. Hartz finished 6-3 with a save, working to a 3.84 ERA (116 ERA+), 1.24 WHIP, 14 walks, and 20 strikeouts. It was good enough to earn a late season callup, and Hartz gave us 7.1 scoreless innings out of the pen. It came in 4 outings, where he walked and struck out 3 with 3 hits.

Right at the start of 1939, we made a minor deal to clear up a 40 spot, shipping Hartz to the Gothams for Ray Wilcox and a 5th Round Pick. That 5th Round Pick turned into Jim McCarthy, who was used to bring Dick Walker to Chicago, as Hartz would continue his career in the Big Apple.

He bounced up and down a bit from the minors, appearing in New York for four of the next five seasons, even winning the 1942 Championship with the Gothams despite it being his shortest stint with them. It was just a 24.1 inning sample, but the first time up in '39 may have been Hartz's best with the team, working to a 3.70 ERA (113 ERA+), 0.99 WHIP, 8 walks, and 10 strikeouts. In total, he threw 114 innings, working to a 3.71 ERA (103 ERA+) and 1.39 WHIP with 51 walks and 42 strikeouts. The war helped him get a few of those innings, but when the Army took him after the '43 season, he likely knew his FABL career was over. The Gothams cut him when he returned, and Hartz was one of the many who flooded the GWL after the war. He caught on with the Oakland Grays organization, and made 9 appearances out of the pen in 1946. Hartz allowed 11 hits, 4 runs, and 3 walks with 8 strikeouts in 16.2 innings pitched. He was back in their system the next season, but he tore his UCL in May and was cut at the end of the year. He bounced around the GWL farm systems up until it's ending in 1949, where the then 37-year-old was retired for participating in the rebel league.

3rd Round, 34th Overall: 2B Homer Ray
School: San Antonio HS Warriors
Career (FABL): .236/.281/.292, 30 G, 114 PA, 6 2B, 6 RBI, 52 WRC+, -0.4 WAR
Career (AAA): .300/.342/.374, 988 G, 3,847 PA, 155 2B, 30 3B, 16 HR, 446 RBI, 2 SB, 98 WRC+, 15.5 WAR

Our 3rd Round Pick, Homer Ray had the perfect, gradual rise up our system that looks super pretty on the baseball card. In 1932, all 139 of his games were in La Crosse. In 1933, all 140 of his games were in San Jose. And in 1934, all 140 of his games were in Lincoln. If only it was 140 in La Crosse year one! The best of the three seasons was in San Jose, where he hit an impressive .355/.379/.469 (122 OPS+) with 33 doubles, 8 triples, 5 homers, and 89 RBIs. Ray was always skilled at putting the ball in play, something he probably could still do now, but without power or speed it seemed to limit his overall ceiling. But in a weak draft, a guy like Ray who could have been a useful starter even if he wasn't much better then average was one of the best options there was, and at this time he was right outside the league's top 100 prospects. He ranked 12th in our system and 109th overall once the '34 season ended, and even with a young Billy Hunter and Ducky Jordan ahead of him in the middle infield, he was starting to get attention.

1935 started just like the three previous seasons, starting a new level, and through 26 games he was hitting an outstanding .376/.422/.505 (148 OPS+) with 8 doubles, a triple, a homer, and 26 RBIs. No, it wasn't time for a promotion, but instead Ray was used in a since forgotten two-for-one trade that sent Ray and somewhat reliable reliever Chick Meehan to the Dynamos for Wayne Robinson. Robinson was awful for us, eventually relegated to the pen, as the 36-year-old finished his Cougar portion of the season 6-9 with a 5.85 ERA (75 ERA+), 1.74 WHIP, 34 walks, and 40 strikeouts in 26 appearances (15 starts). He was awful in almost strictly a pen role the following season, cut before the '37 season, and then retired after '38 with 3,293 FABL innings and a 194-172 record.

As I noted in the trade memo, the Dynamos system was much weaker then ours, and Ray was one of their best prospects. He ranked 4th in the system and was named the 98th ranked prospect at the end of the season, and then spent most of 1936 in AAA. With the Newark Aces Ray hit .339/.365/.418 (103 OPS+), supplying 19 doubles, 8 triples, 55 runs, and 56 RBIs. He didn't homer in 471 trips to the plate, but earned a late callup to Detroit at the end of the season. The 23-year-old played started all but one of his 25 outings, but his .235/.283/.286 (49 OPS+) line left a lot to be desired. This sent him back to the minors for 1937, and he stayed in Newark until the season ended. That offseason he actually made his way back into Chicago in a trade that brought current Chicago Daily News writer Tip Harrison to Chicago for a pair of outfielders in late round draftee Sherman Ring and once top-100 prospect Bert Wilson.

Ray picked off right where he left off, the AA Commodores roster, and he hit .329/.367/.416 (116 OPS+) before a September callup to the big league team. He didn't play much, 2-for-6 with a double, and he got another small cup the following season. This time he was 0-for-2, but at 26, he probably didn't think his professional career would end there. He spent 1940 in our system again, but was cut in August. This triggered the general independent league carousel, but lucky for Ray, he got off in 1941. He was able to catch on with the Syracuse Excelsiors, spending the next five seasons with their independent Union League team. Ray was below average the first three years, but he had a great 4.1 WAR season at 31. Ray slashed .343/.480/.434 (119 OPS+) with 26 doubles, 5 triples, 3 homers, and 69 RBIs. He followed that up with a .340/.382/.427 (126 OPS+) line, but unlike some of our other draftees, the formation of the GWL hurt Ray.

When the league separated from it's FABL affiliation, Syracuse was brought on as an affiliate, and the 33-year-old Ray was not a part of the future plans. He was cut in January of 1946, though he was lucky enough to get another chance. The Sailors gave him a $15,000 contract, but it led to just one game (1-4, 2B, R, 4 RBI) in AAA before his eventual release. Ray remained unsigned for the rest of the year, retiring in the offseason. His time with Syracuse likely would have continued had the GWL not came around, but instead he'll end with 628 games as an Excelsior. He hit .304/.347/.377 with 102 doubles, 245 runs, and 283 RBIs, spending a lot of time with an eventual GWL star Bob Land. It may not have been exactly what Ray envisioned when being a 3rd Round Pick, but considering only 12 draftees from that class had more then 5 WAR, it's hard to call Ray a failure. Just two players drafted after him make up that 12, including a former Cougar and a Cougar draftee you'll see in the final post. Bonus points if you can guess who they are!

4th Round, 63rd Overall: CF Roy Moore
School: Hartford HS Blue Sox
1936 (CHC): .309/.356/.350, 96 G, 375 PA, 6 2B, 3B, 2 HR, 43 RBI, 8 SB, 84 WRC+, 1.4 WAR
Career (FABL/GWL): .289/.334/.352, 389 G, 888 PA, 27 2B, 8 3B, 3 HR, 88 RBI, 14 SB, 90 WRC+, 3.1 WAR
Career (CHC): .290/.343/.347, 179 G, 522 PA, 13 2B, 4 3B, 2 HR, 57 RBI, 10 SB, 84 WRC+, 1.9 WAR
Career (SEA): .238/.319/.355, 182 G, 326 PA, 13 2B, 3 3B, HR, 28 RBI, 2 SB, 96 WRC+, 1.0 WAR
Career (AAA): .300/.354/.380, 590 G, 2,343 PA, 87 2B, 17 3B, 17 HR, 206 RBI, 100 SB, 102 WRC+, 10.7 WAR
Career (AA): .318/.367/.389, 592 G, 2,620 PA, 82 2B, 34 3B, 7 HR, 291 RBI, 109 SB, 113 WRC+, 16.9 WAR

I don't think there's a better way to truly represent the perceived talent of the draft class then the start of my Roy Moore writeup:

"And this is the other guy I liked as much as him! 16 picks later I went with yet another high schooler, Hartford HS alum Roy Moore. So why do I like him? Is it because he hit .150/.190/.250 (23 OPS+) with 1 homer, 1 steal, and 2 RBI's in 10 games as a junior? Yeah... Maybe not... How about that he only had one full season in high school? Yeah... Probably not that either...

So why did I take him?

Well, as crazy as it seems, a .289/.350/.377 (110 OPS+) line with 2 homers, 16 steals, and 21 RBI's in 339 trips to the plate is one of the better career statlines out there and he can actually play center field. In a pool with almost no talent at short or center, I had to take a leap and trust a guy like Moore as the first SS/CF in this draft."

Our 5th consecutive high school pick, Moore had pretty much a lost junior year, but he was quick and a good defender, and ended up carving out a respectable FABL career. Despite a poor high school showing and a .290/.334/.352 (89 OPS+) triple slash in 140 games with the Lions year one, he rose quickly in 1933. He started the year in San Jose and finished in Mobile, and in his 48 AA games he actually hit a strong .333/.364/.432 (114 OPS+) with 11 extra base hits, 4 steals, 31 RBIs, and 29 runs. He ended that season as our 26th ranked prospect and 171st overall, and with his seemingly advanced bat and superb defense (20.5 zone rating and 1.053 efficiency in 1,201.1 innings out in center), he was really starting to make a name for himself.

Moore returned to AA in 1934, playing all but 34 of his 140 games there, and then in 1935 he was a regular for the Blues. His .317/.380/.387 (93 OPS+) line was right below average, but with 30 steals, 22 extra base hits, 85 runs, 59 RBIs, and an 8.0 zone rating (1.054 EFF) in center he flashed tools of the prototypical leadoff hitter. This was enough to convince me to start him as our Opening Day center fielder in 1936, which was somewhat surprisingly the last season where I wasn't really trying to put together a competitive team. Titles or not, the Cougars do win games, as since Moore's lone season as our everyday center fielder, we have just one sub .500 finish.

The 23-year-old started 91 games for us in center, and one more in left and right, giving him the '36 spot in center on our positional starters list. The defense was in line with AAA, a 9.9 zone rating and 1.041 efficiency, but his .309/.356/.350 (88 OPS+) line was completely without power. He had just nine extra base hits in 374 PAs, which is actually a worse rate (0.024) then the careers of Donnie Jones (0.031), Johnnie Jones (0.030), and Pete Papenfus (0.026), who absolutely no one expects extra base hits from. The lack of power isn't the sole reason Moore didn't return to the lineup the following season, that was the debut year of "what-if" star Carlos Montes who actually retired this year after being cut by the Chiefs, but it seemed to cap Moore as a 4th outfielder. He went up and down to the minors across the next two seasons, appearing in 83 games with just 24 starts.

In January of 1939, we sent Moore to the Miners for a three piece package, though the deal didn't really go much for either team at the time. The pick didn't amount to anything, and neither of the prospects played in Chicago, with Jasper Wright actually returning to Pittsburgh to spend four seasons there. Moore got sparing time in '39 and '40, and then in '41 he spent all season in the minors, actually winning a Century League title with the St. Paul Disciples. He was waived around Opening Day in 1942, and the Detroit Dynamos gave him three months before cutting him and sending him on the independent carousel.

A then 29-year-old Moore then caught on with the Fort Worth Cattleman, spending the rest of '42 with them as well as each of the next three seasons. He was elite in 1944, slashing .369/.422/.452 (143 OPS+) with 23 doubles, 7 triples, 16 steals, 65 runs, and 57 RBIs. You'd think the power would be there, but no, just a single home run, but he hit two the next season with his .345/.413/.423 (127 OPS+) line. After the '45 season, the Seattle Thunderbirds absorbed the Cattleman, and Seattle's new ownership decided that Moore was good enough to hang on to. He returned to Fort Worth, which was upgraded from AA to AAA, but did not stay long. After just 12 games he spent the rest of the season with the GWL Thunderbirds, appearing in 55 games as a off-the-bench glove type. He did get the occasional start, hitting .240/.257/.270 (56 OPS+) in his 100 at bats.

Despite the poor performance, he was back for the bench on the '47 team. He rewarded his new organization for the faith, hitting .304/.356/.385 (122 OPS+) in 146 trips to the plate. He got 6 doubles, a triple, a homer, 9 RBIs, 11 walks, and 17 runs. He hit a similar .327/.351/.418 (128 OPS+) the following season, but it came in basically 90 fewer PAs. As a 36-year-old last year, he eventually lost his bench spot, spending 36 of his 54 games back in Fort Worth. That part was the better part, the eventual right fielder hit .316/.355/.404 (101 OPS+), finishing 7th in Cattlemen history with 583 base hits. Along with three championships in Fort Worth, he has his name all over the record books, ranked third among qualified hitters with his .315 batting average. Moore also ranks top ten in OBP (4th, .368), slugging (4th, .383), OPS (5th, .751), WAR (8th, 13.0), triples (6th, 23), and steals (2nd, 101) despite the 10th most at bats (1,852). The 52 bags he swiped in 1943 were the second most in a single season for the team. Forcibly retired for participating in the GWL, Moore probably wouldn't have came back anyways at 37, ending a baseball journey that started as a 16-year-old high schooler in 1929.

5th Round, 79th Overall: RF Ben McDonald
School: Swoyersville HS Kings
Career (B): .224/.318/.449, 71 G, 283 PA, 24 2B, 2 3B, 9 HR, 44 RBI, 94 WRC+, 0.1 WAR
Career (C): .251/.354/.491, 232 G, 672 PA, 34 2B, 4 3B, 32 HR, 101 RBI, SB, 113 WRC+, 1.7 WAR

Just like the first five picks, we went to the high school ranks, selecting slugging outfielder Ben McDonald who bashed 28 homers and drove in 64 RBIs in 80 games as an upperclassmen. Scouts weren't the biggest fan, but the only thing I cared about at this point was that he could hit home runs.

He did in the beginning, as McDonald hit 16 over the fence in 118 games with the Lions. The 19-year-old hit .246/.317/.450 with 20 doubles, 42 runs, and 48 RBIs with almost average (-1.7, .999) defense in right. The Canadian got most of the time the following season in San Jose, but it came in just 48 games. Part of me thinks this is the year Class C went back to being a short season league, as I vaguely remember him sitting on the La Crosse roster until an injury or draftee prompted a callup. He was again average, batting .229/.323/.470 (107 OPS+) with 17 doubles, 7 homers, and 29 RBIs. Little did he know, that would be most he'd play the rest of the day.

The way McDonald differentiates from the his predecessors is that he did not make it to the majors, never playing above the Class B level. In 1934 he split time between our two lower minor spots, but at 22 in 1935 he only played with La Crosse. It was his first season he made fewer starts then off the bench appearances and it was obvious the former 5th Rounder fell in the pecking order. It was so far in fact he was cut next May, and when no one signed him the rest of the season he retired at the offseason. It's a shame he saved his best season for last, but a 22-year-old hitting .306/.455/.676 (178 OPS+) in limited time in Class C doesn't make headlines. Even if it did come with 10 homers in just 143 PAs. That's 40 in 572, which would have lead either association and only one of the four leaders (three co-leaders in the CA) had fewer plate appearances. 13, to be exact, which shouldn't be enough time to make up the ten homer gap.

6th Round, 92nd Overall: RHP Joe Cotton
School: St. Louis HS Explorers
1945 (A): 15-7, 26 G, 25 GS, 2.68 ERA, 1.21 WHIP, 68 BB, 165 K, 147 ERA+, 4.1 WAR
Career (FABL): G, IP, 27.00 ERA, 3.00 WHIP, BB, 15 ERA+, -0.2 WAR
Career (A): 62-56, 8 SV, 207 G, 142 GS, 969 IP, 3.99 ERA, 1.41 WHIP, 472 BB, 734 K, 106 ERA+, 13.0 WAR

I totally forgot Joe Cotton pitched in the big leagues!

And man can I see why!

As far as debuts go, can't really do worse then a walk, a homer, another hit, three runs, and no strikeouts. He did get three outs, but that's the only time Cotton would pitch a FABL game, as the one-time Sailor never came back. I'd reckon his 27.00 ERA, 19.01 FIP, and 470 FIP- are near the top of he unqualified boards, but he was a fun fireballer who proved that pitchers don't stop adding velocity when they're drafted.

At one point in his prospect career he threw 87-89, but once he got to retirement Cotton was still sitting in the 96-98 range. On draft day it was 91-93 and all I wanted him to do was work on his control.

It was always an issue for Cotton, who despite big strikeout stuff often had more then his share of walks. It didn't surface right away, as an 18-year-old Cotton had a 2.1 K/BB in 24 starts with the Lyons. He went 7-9 with a 3.79 ERA (112 ERA+) and even lower 3.39 FIP (80 FIP-), striking out 133 batters in 142.2 innings pitched. He was worth 3.5 WAR and produced a 1.44 WHIP, giving us an early preview of what he could do at his best.

The best never really surfaced again, and on the eve of the 1935 season we used him to acquire the rights of Rule-5 pick Dick Reid from the Stars. Cotton reported to the Stars Class A club, where he spent most of the next three seasons. The third was actually his worst season, and my guess is he started the season in AA and struggled, then sent to A ball where he was even worse, before eventually being DFA'd. 24 in less then two weeks, he was claimed by the Sailors, and that's when he made his poorly pitched debut, He was DFA'd the following season, claimed by us before I guess I tried to sneak him through waivers. The Sailors wanted him back, though at a later point he was DFA'd and cleared. At that point he became an organizational fixture for the Sailors, pitching for all their affiliates except the AAA club, eating 840 innings for the club from 1938 to 1945.

The best of his seasons came in 1945, where he started 25 of his 26 outings for the Class A Peoria Pastimers as a 31-year-old. The fireballer went 15-7 with a 2.68 ERA (147 ERA+), 1.21 WHIP, 68 walks, and 165 strikeouts. The 188 innings were the most he ever through, but 1945 was also the final season of the war. With an influx of players returning, the Sailors finally cut bait after he won the Heartland League, and even though I'm sure someone would want someone who can sit in the high 90s, he decided to hang it up instead of finding a fourth home.

6th Round, 95th Overall: SS Duke Fowler
School: Dallas HS Rangers
Career (AA): .260/.318/.330, 776 G, 2,387 PA, 82 2B, 20 3B, 10 HR, 275 RBI, 18 SB, 84 WRC+, 10.2 WAR
Career (B): .256/.302/.328, 192 G, 788 PA, 32 2B, 3 3B, 5 HR, 77 RBI, 9 SB, 64 WRC+, -1.2 WAR

A long-time organizational piece with good speed and a capable glove, Duke Fowler just never hit enough to make it to the majors. That was evident in nearly every stint in his early career, but in 1935 Fowler was starting to look good. It started in Lincoln, where he hit a respectable .324/.367/.518 (114 OPS+) in 32 games before a promotion to Mobile. He had a matching OPS+ in 83 games there, slashing .307/.362/.438 as he rose his WRC+ from 109 to 111. Between the levels, Fowler hit 22 doubles, 7 triples, and 11 homers with 65 runs, 81 RBIs, and 38 walks. Unfortunately for Fowler that was the highlight of his career, though he did get a few chances in Milwaukee. Fowler's last year with the organization was 1940, where he hit .329/.382/.435 (114 OPS+) in 186 PAs for the Commodores. That came in 108 games, as he started just 15 times and didn't homer.

Fowler survived the offseason, but not the spring, cut in March before the beginning of the 1941 season. This started a two-year run with the now defunct Waco Wranglers of the Lone Star Association. Fowler didn't do much hitting, owning a .238/.287/.293 line in 277 games. He was cut before the 1943 season, but spent time in the Sailors and Dynamos organization before his retirement in 1946. He was a useful depth piece for Detroit particularly as they were weathering callups from the war, but 30-something-year-old infielders who can't hit or field much aren't the ones to keep roster spots for very long.

A Look Back at the 1931 Draft: Part 3
 

7th Round, 111th Overall: SS Ramon Paschal
School: Lubbock State Hawks
Career (A): .255/.310/.348, 235 G, 852 PA, 36 2B, 6 3B, 8 HR, 101 RBI, 3 SB, 74 WRC+, 0.5 WAR
Career (B): .275/.359/.428, 156 G, 602 PA, 24 2B, 6 3B, 15 HR, 72 RBI, 7 SB, 113 WRC+, 1.7 WAR

A college draftee! They do exist!

It wasn't a good pick by any means, but we did grab Ramon Paschal in the 7th, a part-Cuban shortstop who spent two of his three seasons starting at Lubbock State. Paschal excelled in his first taste of pro-ball, playing in 43 games for the Lions before a promotion. The 21-year-old hit .315/.424/.570 (170 OPS+) whacking 11 homers with 5 doubles, 25 RBIs, 26 walks, and 27 runs. This got him a promotion to San Jose, where he hit a solid .244/.340/.380 (103 OPS+) in 99 games with 12 doubles, 3 triples, 9 homers, and 40 RBIs. He started all his games in La Crosse and all but two in San Jose, and maintained a starting role with Lincoln the following season.

He continued at third base, the position he spent most of his minor league career at, and Paschal ran into his first bit of struggle. In a 531 plate appearance sample he hit just .277/.355/.367 (93 OPS+) with 21 doubles, 2 triples, 6 homers, 40 walks, 60 runs, and 67 RBIs. The defense was better here, but still below average as he was trying to get used to the hot corner. The following season he also time at second, where he played almost all his time back down in San Jose. After hitting .328/.391/.510 (128 OPS+), he went back up to Lincoln, where he returned to third and played 77 of his 132 games for the season. The production was poor, and in his last stint as a starter, he hit just .217/.261/.320 (52 OPS+). His playing time almost completely disappeared the following season, getting just 1 game in La Crosse, 2 in San Jose, and 20 in Lincoln. All coming off the bench. He was cut and then came back, then cut again, retiring when the offseason started at just 25.

8th Round, 127th Overall: RHP Bill Lafleur
School: Northern Mississippi Mavericks
Career (C): 0-0, 6 G, 14 IP, 10.93 ERA, 2.21 WHIP, 9 BB, 19 K, 39 ERA+, -1.1 WAR

Back to the college ranks right after, as we went the pitcher route with Bill Lafleur. A decent starter at Northern Mississippi, he had good movement on his four pitch mix, but the command was rough by his junior year. The poor kid got just over a month, allowing 22 hits, 17 runs, and 9 walks with 19 strikeouts. He surrendered 10 homers in just 14 innings, and was cut towards the end of May. Then he embarked on an epic tail of signing and releasing, with 151 (if I can count right for that long) signings and releasing.

Yes. One hundred and fifty one times.

And guess what?

All before h is retirement in 1934!

Zero innings!

Got to love OOTP!

9th Round, 143rd Overall: LF Bud Taylor
School: Niagara Falls HS Sailors
Career (A): .272/.324/.427, 179 G, 657 PA, 35 2B, 2 3B, 18 HR, 111 RBI, 3 SB, 98 WRC+, 1.4 WAR
Career (C): .364/.441/.585, 121 G, 288 PA, 20 2B, 12 HR, 50 RBI, 3 SB, 157 WRC+, 2.8 WAR

We went back to the high school ranks in the 9th, selecting corner outfielder Bud Taylor, who had some pop despite a mid contact tool. He spent about three and a half seasons in La Crosse, each time posting well above average OPS+ and WRC+ in limited time. None of the stints lasted more then 135 PAs and he never started more then 25 games, both of which came in the half season. That was the clear best, hitting an astronomical .402/.481/.692 (189 OPS+) with 10 doubles, 8 homers, and 31 RBIs. As you'd expect, he earned himself a promotion, and the production kept on coming. In 42 games, all starts, he hit .377/.439/.570 (168 OPS+) with 7 doubles, 2 triples, 6 homers, and 32 RBIs. This earned him a second promotion, but that's when the gravy train came to a halt.

This time it was 44 starts with Lincoln, but his line drooped to .269/.337/.359 (71 OPS+). Between the three stints, he managed 26 doubles, 16 homers, 84 runs, and 84 RBIs. He was back in Lincoln the following season, taking 435 trips to the plate in 113 games. His .270/.320/.414 (99 OPS+) line was just below average, and it came with 26 doubles, 2 triples, 9 homers, and 76 RBIs. While not bad for someone who was just 22, it didn't put him on any prospect lists, and when we snagged Jorge Camargo in the independent draft, Taylor was the cost. It was bad luck for him, as with the Tulsa Roughnecks he got into just 22 games (5 starts), and was cut early May despite a .297/.316/.865 (213 OPS+) line and 7 homers in just 38 PAs. He spent a month in the Houston Bulls organization on the reserve roster, but that was it, and he retired that offseason.

10th Round, 159th Overall: LHP Roxy Smith
School: Commonwealth Catholic Knights
Career (A): 10-4, 2 SV, 58 G, 3 GS, 3.95 ERA, 1.56 WHIP, 58 BB, 37 K, 138 ERA+, -0.6 WAR
Career (B): 10-8, 3 SV, 55 G, 15 GS, 3.92 ERA, 1.45 WHIP, 57 BB, 81 K, 122 ERA+, 1.5 WAR
Career (C): 8-6, 20 G, 19 GS, 4.63 ERA, 1.33 WHIP, 32 BB, 105 K, 91 ERA+, 3.1 WAR

A three year starter at the prestigious Commonwealth Catholic, Roxy Smith had a great freshman season as a swingman where he went 5-3 with 2 saves, a 3.23 ERA (143 ERA+), and 1.17 WHIP. He struck out 98 and walked 38, but as a more regular starter he didn't have quite as strong numbers. Debuting in La Crosse in 1932, 19 of his 23 starts (and his one relief outing) came at the lowest level, 8-6 with a 4.63 ERA (91 ERA+) that his 3.27 FIP (77 FIP-) thought was way too high. He struck out 105 in 122.1 innings, walked just 32, and owned a 1.33 WHIP, receiving a late call to San Jose.

He never came close to those start numbers again, just 18 in the next three years before zero starts the rest of his career. Still, he was relatively effective at eating innings for our low minor clubs, pitching for San Jose and/or Lincoln from 1933 to 1940. The lefty was cut following the 1940 season, quickly announcing his retirement when the offseason officially started. His inning total kept going down after his debut season, and he's one of the only players I've seen with a 0 inning stint. That came in one outing for the Legislators in 1936, where he allowed a run on two hits and a walk before someone else ended the inning for him.

11th Round, 177th Overall: RHP Joe Tillman
School: Frankford State Owls
Career (AA): 33-33, SV, 91 G, 84 GS, 565.2 IP, 4.47 ERA, 1.46 WHIP, 208 BB, 267 K, 98 ERA+, 6.7 WAR
Career (B): 12-19, 11 SV, 70 G, 70 G, 29 GS, 226.2 IP, 5.28 ERA, 1.49 WHIP, 70 BB, 101 K, 89 ERA+, 1.7 WAR

A three year starter at Frankford State, it took awhile before Joe Tillman saw any time with us. 1934 was his first season with more then 35 innings, which is how many he threw in a quick sample with the Lions. It was 5 starts and 3 relief outings, going 2-0 with 2 saves, a 2.31 ERA (225 ERA+), 0.89 WHIP, and 16 strikeouts. It got him a promotion to San Jose, where he was pitching closer to his skill level. Tillman had average ERAs (5.17, 97) and FIPs (4.79, 95) in 85.1 innings, walking 16 and striking out 33. Unfortunately for Tillman, that's the most starts he got with us, but the 24-year-old returned to San Jose the following season. 9 of his 43 outings that year were starts, and he was the opposite average this time. In 102 innings Tillman had a 4.41 ERA (104 ERA+) and 4.84 FIP (105 FIP-), finishing 7-7 with 11 saves. He was cut at the end of the season, beginning his foray into the indy leagues as a starting pitcher.

His biggest sample was in his first stop, spending two seasons with the Houston Bulls of the Lone Star Association. He finished 14-19 with a save, posting ERAs of 4.14 (109 ERA+) and 5.26 (92 ERA+). The '37 season was the only independent season he had relief outings, as his work in the rotation didn't go well. He was cut at the end of the season, and in 1938 the 27-year-old was with a different LSA team, the Austin Violets, and he got revenge with a huge season. Tillman went 11-5 with a 3.03 ERA (122 ERA+), 1.33 WHIP, 63 walks, and 84 strikeouts. The funny thing is, Austin didn't want him back, and he played his 1939 with the eventual champion San Antonio Gunslingers. They won in spite of him, as Tillman was 8-9 with a 5.62 ERA (80 ERA+), 1.62 WHIP, and something he almost never did before: walk (70) more guys then he strike out (64).

Tillman got one more season after that, playing a level down in the Western Baseball League with the Pueblo Mountaineers. It proved worse then the previous year, where he went 6-11 with a 5.85 ERA (76 ERA+) and 1.82 WHIP. He did have two more strikeouts (60) then walks (58), but once released, he realized that arguably his worst season would be his last. Still, he got over 1,000 innings of minor league ball, and got to win a title. Even if it is just the minor leagues.

12th Round, 193rd Overall: RHP Gene Baker
School: Central Ohio Aviators
Career (AA): 0-0, SV, 17 G, 30.2 IP, 5.58 ERA, 1.66 WHIP, 7 BB, 11 K, 99 ERA+, -0.1 WAR

A one year starter at the always competitive Central Ohio, Gene Baker spent three years with 2nd Overall Pick Freddie Jones, though Baker only pitched as a sophomore. It was actually a pretty solid season, going 4-1 with a 3.12 ERA (166 ERA+), 1.19 WHIP, 14 walks, and 27 strikeouts in 66.1 innings. I think shoulder inflammation is why he didn't pitch as a junior, but Baker didn't even pitch in our system. I cut him two months after he was drafted, and t hen he started his independent quest. He was on a bunch of reserve rosters, but didn't pitch until 1934.

He got plenty of action, starting with a 22.2 inning stint with the Fort Worth Cattleman. In 22.2 innings he allowed 33 hits, 15 runs, and 6 walks, striking out 9 in 12 appearances. Little did he know, that would be the first of four stints with Lone Star Association teams. He got 1.2 innings with El Paso, 3 with Houston, and 3.1 with Dallas, likely encountering plenty of Cougar farmhands along the way. There were more stops with no innings, including in other leagues, and all the travel seemed to wear Baker down. He retired once the '34 season ended, calling it quits at just 24.

13th Round, 209th Overall: CF Les Powers
School: Denver HS Mountaineers
Career (AA): .233/.303/.375, 173 G, 399 PA, 14 2B, 2 3B, 11 HR, 56 RBI, SB, 95 WRC+, -0.1 WAR
Career (B): .345/.404/.462, 150 G, 265 PA, 6 2B, 2 3B, 6 HR, 31 RBI, 5 SB, 121 WRC+, 1.6 WAR

A longtime organization piece, Les Powers spent nine seasons in our organization, but there was just one stay where he had more starts then bench outings. In fact, Powers had seven stays where he only game off the bench. His starter action came in 1934, where he hit .343/.412/.614 (157 OPS+) in 80 PAs. He managed to drive in 22 in just 21 games, providing the Lions with 5 doubles, 4 triples, 2 homers, 7 walks, and 13 runs. Occasionally he had great stretches like that, including a 109 PA sample where he slashed .433/.486/.629 (179 OPS+), but most of the times there just wasn't enough to like. He got all the way up to Mobile, leaving the organization at the end of the 1940 season.

After leaving he played a little in the Lone Star Association, picking up a year and a half with the Fort Worth Cattlemen and Houston Bulls. Here he excelled, but aside from the 85 PAs in 1943 with Houston, he didn't make any starts. It coincided with his worst offense, hitting just .225/.247/.412 (102 OPS+) before his August release. Unsigned the rest of the way, he called it quits in the offseason, and despite playing until he was 31, he didn't accumulate over 1,000 PAs in his minor league career.

14th Round, 225th Overall: RHP Jerry Coates
School: Chicago Poly Panthers
Career (A): 2 G, 3.2 IP, 4.91 ERA, 1.09 WHIP, 4 K, 82 ERA+, 0.2 WAR
Career (B): 4 G, 4.2 IP, 1.93 ERA, 1.71 WHIP, 3 K, 215 ERA+, 0.1 WAR

A pick that can be considered close to home, Jerry Coates pitched two seasons at nearby Chicago Poly, but was absent from the squad as a junior. He still got selected, but his minor league career was short and sweet. He got into one game in the year following his selection, throwing 2.2 innings with 5 hits and 3 strikeouts with the Class B Cougars. He made three more appearances the following season, but he actually threw fewer innings. He got just six outs, allowing three hits without a walk or strikeout. The then 23-year-old got a promotion to Lincoln, where he threw 3.2 innings in a pair of relief efforts. He struck out 4 with 4 hits and 2 runs.

There wouldn't be a 1934 appearance, as Coates was cut in March and got a few tryouts with Independent clubs before the minor league season started. When he didn't get another call the rest of the way, he called it quits, returning to his home state of Texas to finish the degree he started at Chicago Poly.

17th Round, 273rd Overall: RHP Karl Fowler
School: Central Ohio Aviators
Career (C): 1-1, SV, 4 G, GS, 4.76 ERA, 1.59 WHIP, 5 BB,K 4 K, 100 ERA+, -0.0 WAR

A teammate of Freddie Jones and our 12th Rounder Gene Baker, Karl Fowler pitched two seasons out of the Aviators pen. It did not go well, allowing 130 hits, 77 runs, and 63 walks in 96.2 innings. The 20 homers didn't help, but at least his 16 of them came as a freshman in a sample that was a little less then twice the following year. With how bad he pitched in college, I cut him before he pitched for us, and he remained unsigned for over a year and a half.

Fowler's first real shot came in July of 1933, where the Cleveland Foresters gave him $260 to play for their Class C affiliate. The 23-year-old from Detroit appeared in three games for the UMVA champion Ottumwa Owls, allowing 7 hits, 2 runs, and 3 walks in 7.1 innings pitched. He struck out just one hitter, but was still invited back to the team for 1934. It didn't last long, just a single start, and Fowler allowed 6 hits, 4 runs, and 2 walks with 3 strikeouts in 4 innings pitched. That got him released, and from late April until his retirement in October he remained unsigned.

A Look Back at the 1931 Draft: Part 4
 

The Pioneers went down almost without a whimper, as the Philadelphia Sailors won the WCS in five games. The offseason will start on Monday, where I might have some big news to announce. Who knows!

What I do know, is that this is the last part of our draft retrospective. Enjoy!

18th Round, 289th Overall: C Joe Rainbow
School: Somerville HS Generals
1937 (BAL): .251/.307/.334 (79 OPS+), 127 G, 511 PA, 19 2B, 3B, 6 HR, 46 RBI, 79 WRC+, 1.4 WAR
1946 (NYS): .283/.384/.401 (127 OPS+), 133 G, 495 PA, 20 2B, 10 HR, 67 RBI, SB, 127 WRC+, 4.5 WAR
1945 (POR): ..296/.376/.487 (132 OPS+), 137 G, 572 PA, 26 2B, 4 3B, 20 HR, 86 RBI, 133 WRC+, 3.9 WAR
Career (FABL/GWL): .318/.358/.433 (135 OPS+), 152 G, 657 PA, 26 2B, 3B, 14 HR, 72 RBI, 3 SB, 135 WRC+, 4.2 WAR
Career (BAL): .245/.299/.337 (75 OPS+), 406 G, 1,523 PA, 62 2B, 2 3B, 23 HR, 167 RBI, 2 SB, 71 WRC+, 2.6 WAR
Career (NYS): .252/.366/.368 (109 OPS+), 320 G, 1,116 PA, 32 2B, 3B, 25 HR, 130 RBI, SB, 110 WRC+, 7.6 WAR
Career (POR): ..296/.376/.487 (132 P[S+), 137 G, 572 PA, 26 2B, 4 3B, 20 HR, 86 RBI, 133 WRC+, 3.9 WAR

"He may not look like it, but he's actually a valuable prospect, at least to BNN. Somehow, he's ranked as the 61st best prospect in all of baseball and I'm not quite sure why. My scout likes him too, remarking his above average bat speed and good sense for the zone. He doesn't really have a position defensively, but supposedly his bat is enough to carry him to the big leagues. I don't have expectations for him, but I may have got a lucky steal with Rainbow."

That's what I committed to Joe Rainbow when I wrote about his selection almost four years to the date prior. He was sort of a prospect, sort of not, as despite hitting .143/.324/.250 (71 OPS+) with just one homer in 37 trips to the plate. It was barely a full season, and in his defense he hit .263/.337/.645 (172 OPS+) in 28 games last year. Perhaps we all let him slide further then he should have, as Rainbow was a common entrant in the first half of the top 100. By 1933, he was ranked 33rd and the bat and glove were starting to show why OSA liked him. A 19-year-old Rainbow hit .296/.349/.455 (122 OPS+) with 19 doubles, 12 homers, and 57 RBIs. We had a 27-year-old Mike Taylor, so there was no rush for us to bring Rainbow up to the majors, and he was in fact used for a different purpose.

Frustrated with our four, one-run postseason losses, I picked up 1932 Whitney Winner Lou Kelly in a big trade that followed the blockbuster Rabbit Day trade. Part of parting with Rainbow was committing to 1932 draftee Harry Mead, who still remains with the team at 37. Rainbow continued to rank among the top prospects in baseball, and went from A ball to AAA in his first season with the Cannons. His OPS+ and WRC+ actually increased at each level, as he was a decent hitter with improving defensive capabilities. As a 21-year-old in 1935, he opened the season in AAA as the 29th ranked prospect, moving up to 19 once the year was done. Rainbow started back in in Indianapolis, hitting .310/.347/.435 (95 OPS+) with 20 doubles, 8 homers, and 44 RBIs.

That production and prospect prestige got him a promotion to Baltimore, but he proved to be highly overmatched. Rainbow hit just .269/.322/.324 (74 OPS+) in 118 PAs, as there was very little impact from his swings. But he was young and the defense was good, so he stuck on the big league roster for '32. It began a four year stretch where he only played for the Cannons, and in five seasons in Baltimore the bat never got going. He hit just .245/.299/.337 (75 OPS+) and his 79 WRC+ in 511 PAs during the 1937 ended up being a FABL high.

In 1940, he was assigned to the AAA team, as Jack Flint started the first season in Cincinnati, but at 26 he still had some value. The Cannons used him to Charlie Griffith, two picks, and a longtime organizational arm who's still in AAA, sending Rainbow to the Big Apple. It was a nightmare first season for Rainbow, as he hit just .240/.316/.264 (63 OPS+) in limited time. To make matters worse, he was called into the Navy, and there was a chance that when he came back he'd never get another chance to play in the big leagues.

Lucky for him, the new starter Cliff Ray got old and 1945 starter Chick MacKnight didn't stand out, so the 32-year-old Rainbow returned to a starting role. He rewarded his club with his best season as a pro, slashing .283/.384/.401 (127 OPS+) in 495 trips to the plate. He was worth an impressive 4.5 wins above replacement, adding 20 doubles, 10 homers, and 67 RBIs. This was a big reason the Stars finished the season tied for the pennant, and he went 2-for-5 with a run and RBI as they beat some loser team in the tiebreaker game. Rainbow then started all seven World Championship Series games, finishing 6-for-25 with a double and a solo shot in the game two loss. Rainbow was back as they tried to repeat, appearing in 106 games and producing a league average 100 WRC+ at 33. He hit a career high 13 homers and 73 walks with his .205/.348/.343 (96 OPS+) batting line that looks more like a modern day player then a 40s catcher. The next season he was pushed to the bench, but hit an awesome .317/.429/.476 (150 OPS+) in 77 PAs as the backup catcher.

Rainbow survived the offseason, but not the start of the season, as the Stars went with Dan Atwood and Henry Brown for all their starts behind the plate. He was cut a week or so before Opening Day, which was plenty of time for him to sign with the Portland Green Sox in advance of the 1949 Great Western League season. Rainbow was an excellent addition for them, and he made a personal best 572 plate appearances and a .296/.376/.487 (132 OPS+) batting line that was better then his best season with the Stars. The 74 runs, 26 doubles, 20 homers, and 86 RBIs were all high's compared to his FABL seasons, and he drew 65 walks. He would have been back for the 1950 season, but when the GWL was disbanded, he was forcibly retired. He ended his career with 726 FABL games, and if not for the war he could have been a very solid starting catcher for the Stars after his rough team debut. It's hard to call his career a success, and based on prospect rankings he's almost a bust, but I think this is still a great value pick. It might have been dumb luck, but Rainbow was a competent catcher who started for a championship squad, and Lou Kelly was not the reason why the Cougars couldn't be come a dynasty in the early 1930s.

19th Round, 305th Overall: RHP Bill Deaton
School: College of San Diego Friars
1941 (A): 5-7, 6 SV, 48 G, 14 GS, 6.17 ERA, 1.80 WHIP, 73 BB, 56 K, 73 ERA+, 0.5 WAR
1943 (B): 3-7, 15 G, 11 GS, 73.1 IP, 5.52 ERA, 1.55 WHIP, 26 BB, 24 K, 87 ERA+, 1.0 WAR

Mainly a reliever his first two seasons at College of San Diego, Bill Deaton started all 4 of his appearances as a junior year, but since he was hit hard it's no shock he fell this far. Sticking around longer then I would have though, he pitched from 1932 to 1937 in our system, but he had just one stint of more then one inning where he had an above average ERA+. That came in 1935, when a 25-year-old Deaton had an elite 2.33 ERA (239 ERA+) and 1.14 WHIP in 19.1 innings for the Legislators. He did have some minor success starting, with some solid FIPs that he could never pitch to, but he was never one of the more interesting prospects. He was cut July 1937 and remained unsigned, retiring after the season was over.

21st Round, 337th Overall: LHP Al Conover
School: Golden Gate Grizzlies
1941 (A): 5-7, 6 SV, 48 G, 14 GS, 6.17 ERA, 1.80 WHIP, 73 BB, 56 K, 73 ERA+, 0.5 WAR
1943 (B): 3-6, 3 SV, 33 G, 6 GS, 4.32 ERA, 1.41 WHIP, 30 BB, 72 K, 103 ERA+, 0.6 WAR

A reliever with an ERA over 10 in college, I can't believe I let Al Conover stay in the organization, and can believe even less I gave him 3 starts in San Jose in 1932. His other 21 appearances came out of the pen, and between the two he was 3-5 with 2 saves, a 3.29 ERA (126 ERA+), 1.25 WHIP, 20 walks, and 62 strikeouts. He was always a good strikeout arm, that came in just 52 innings, but he barely pitched the next two seasons and was cut during the '34 season. When no one signed him the rest of the way he called it quits.

23rd Round, 369th Overall: SS Roy Ganz
School: Worcester HS Warriors
Career (B): .297/.356/.373, 131 G, 275 PA, 12 2B, 2 3B, HR, 31 RBI, 3 SB, 91 WRC+, 1.0 WAR
Career (C): .163/.215/.238, 119 G, 427 PA, 17 2B, 2 3B, 3 HR, 19 RBI, 3 SB, 25 WRC+, -3.4 WAR

A switch hitter from Worcester, Roy Ganz didn't last long with us, cut three months after the draft and before playing for us. He spent a month unemployed, but caught on with the Pittsburgh Miners before the 1932 season began. Unfortunately for Ganz, he had a miserable season with their Class C affiliate, hitting a pitiful .163/.214/.238 (23 OPS+) that was even worse then his awful junior and senior years of high school where his WRC+ added to 78. Ganz had an impressive -3.4 WAR and 24 WRC+ that make pitchers jealous, as he couldn't do much of anything.

You would think that would be his end, but after one bench game with the Jackson Junipers the next season, he actually got a promotion. Again he didn't start, 22 games off the bench for their Class B team, and he had 28 games as a replacement in 1934. He got starts in '35 and '36 and even a promotion to A ball for 1937. The 23-year-old was decent enough after his awful season, but he finally met his match again. Ganz hit just .185/.262/.237 (33 OPS+) in 233 PAs, just 7 extra base hits, a 34 WRC+, and -0.9 WAR in 70 games. He survived the offseason, but was cut before Opening Day, retiring after being unsigned the rest of the year.

25th Round, 401st Overall: LF Don Coleman
School: Worcester HS Warriors
Career (B): .297/.356/.373, 131 G, 275 PA, 12 2B, 2 3B, HR, 31 RBI, 3 SB, 91 WRC+, 1.0 WAR
Career (C): .400/.400/.400, 5 G, 5 PA, 125 WRC+, 0.0 WAR

The last member of our class, Don Coleman was a lefty from Newark who's career accounts for five games in 1932 with the Lions. He was 2-for-5 with a run, but was cut that July. He waited over a year and a half before retiring, and with no calls coming in, he was done before 21.

FABL Totals
Big League Debuts: 7 of 22 (31.8%)
Parts of 5 Seasons: 5
Parts of 10 Seasons: 2
Parts of 15 Seasons: 2
500 Games: 3
1,000 Games: 2
1,500 Games: 2
2,000 Games: 1
500 PA Seasons: 16
1,000 Career PAs: 3
2,500 Career PAs: 3
5,000 Career PAs: 1
7,500 Career PAs: 1
2,000 Career Hits: 1
2,500 Career Hits: 1
15 HR Seasons: 2
20 HR Seasons: 1
50 Career HR: 2
100 Career HR: 1
150 Career HR: 1
15 Steal Seasons: 1
20 Steal Seasons: 1
30 Steal Seasons: 1
25 Start Seasons: 0
150 Career Starts: 0
100 Inning Seasons: 0
200 Inning Seasons: 0
500 Career Innings: 0
10 Win Seasons: 0
50 Career Wins: 0
4 WAR Seasons: 5
Total WAR: 70.9

GWL Totals
GWL Debuts: 3
Parts of 2 GWL Seasons: 1
Parts of 4 GWL Seasons: 1
500 Games: 0
500 PA Seasons: 1
750 Career PAs: 0
1,000 Career PAs: 0
15 HR Seasons: 1
20 HR Seasons: 1
15 Steal Seasons: 0
Total WAR: 5.2

FABL Accolades
Batting Titles: 7
All-Star Selections: 9
World Championships: 3

As I mentioned at the beginning, this was a top heavy class, as nearly all the FABL WAR came from the top two players. The fact that one of them, Leo Mitchell, can keep adding to these totals is quite impressive, and it may be three or hopefully five seasons before he calls it quits. Getting Mitchell alone would have been a huge win, as he's been our every day left fielder pretty much since the 1937 season, and it's hard to find a more consistently reliable hitter. Ed Reyes is a bonus, even if we didn't get to enjoy his accomplishments, and Joe Rainbow salvaged what was a really thin class. Including pitchers, just 16 players were worth more then 5 WAR in their careers, barely enough for a full round. Considering we selected three of them, this was a great class for us, as compared to what most people got just Mitchell alone is a strong return.

Trade News!
 

Edit: Forget any of this happened...

Top Prospects!
 

So... Something happened that made me quite upset. I'm going to try to not let it impact my tone but... I know that's not going to be the case. Even worse, our third base coach Dom Pappas, who's really good at a lot of things, retired, and the offer I had to replace our first base coach didn't go through. Yay! We have a lot of staff vacancies to fill, and ideally I get a new set of base coaches, but we at least need a third base coach and six minor league coaches.

Looking at our system, which is deeper then it should be, we rank 2nd with 175 points, a little shy of the Cannons and their 10 top 100 prospects. We have 13, but for some reason Bob Allen is down to 16th which makes absolutely zero sense. Aside with a few guys who keep bouncing in and out the top 100, we have 27 in the top 250 and 51 in the top 500. If only we could trade some of them for a superstar...

1. CF Jerry Smith (8th Overall): 1st/8th
2. RHP Bob Allen (16th Overall): 2nd/11th
3. C Garland Phelps (24th Overall): 3rd/29th
4. 3B Jack Craft (35th Overall): 11th Overall Pick
5. CF Frank Reece (52nd Overall): 5th/56th
6. 2B Biff Tiner (57th Overall): 7th/71st
7. CF Bert Preble (60th Overall): Acquired in trade with Gothams
8. CF Bob Allie (68th Overall): 4th/55th
9. CF Henry Norman (69th Overall): 6th/70th
10. LHP Allie Eddy (71st Overall): 27th Overall Pick
11. CF Herm Kocher (79th Overall): Acquired in trade with Saints
12. RHP Jimmy Isgro (90th Overall): Acquired in trade with Kings
13. CF Ike Soeur (100th Overall): 9th/92nd
14. RHP Harry Rollins (103rd Overall): 39th Overall Pick
15. LHP Pug White (109th Overall): Acquired in trade with Saints
16. RHP Bobby Crooks (116th Overall): Acquired in trade with Chiefs
17. 2B Andy Robinson (131st Overall): 12th/137th
18. 3B Buddy Byrd (133rd Overall): Acquired in trade with Kings
19. RF Jeff King (140th Overall): 11th/117th
20. CF Curt Neville (141st Overall): Acquired in trade with Chiefs
21. 3B Jack Lowe (152nd Overall): Acquired in trade with Stars
22. RHP Ernie Tisdale (156th Overall): 10th/97th
23. LHP Dixie Gaines (178th Overall): 14th/160th
24. LF Clyde Skinner (200th Overall): 23rd/247th
25. LHP Mack Lyons (207th Overall): 24th/299th
26. 1B John Kerr (213th Overall): 20th/219th
27. 2B Joe Dorch (219th Overall): 87th Overall Pick
28. CF Harley Dollar (253rd Overall): 19th/209th
29. SS Joe Marshall (257th Overall): 21st/233rd
30. LHP Buster Clark (270th Overall): 18th/208th
31. RHP Bill Davis (283rd Overall): 30th/362nd
32. 1B Dudley Sapp (286th Overall): 13th/145th
33. RHP Ollie Norris (287th Overall): Trade with Stars
34. RHP Ben Helm (320th Overall): 135th Overall Pick
35. RF Clyde Parker (335th Overall): 16th/186th
36. LF Doc Zimmerman (345th Overall): 34th/404th
37. RF Frank Hernandez (346th Overall): 37th/432nd
38. LF Charlie Harvey (347th Overall): 17th/200th
39. LHP Ray Paulson (350th Overall): 31st/366th
40. RHP Wilson McKinney (356th Overall): 22nd/236th

Wow! That's a lot of traded for guys!

Top Prospects: 1-5
 

CF Jerry Smith (8th Overall)
Acquired: Via Draft: 1st Round, 5th Overall (1947)
Alma Mater: Jackson Generals

To say this season for Jerry Smith was a success is an understatement. Starting out the season in Little Rock, Smith hit an astronomical .329/.439/.675 (186 OPS+) with a 1.113 OPS and 194 WRC+ as a 22-year-old. He was stuck there longer then he should have been, but after 64 games Smith was promoted. He did cool down a bit, hitting .265/.373/.425 (129 OPS+) with a 137 WRC+ in 48 games, and that's when his minor league career (hopefully) ends. Between the two stops, he was worth an insane 8.3 wins above replacement, tallying 102 runs, 34 doubles, 15 triples, 17 homers, 77 RBIs, 16 steals, and 80 walks. The defense was great too, a combined 16.0 zone rating in over 700 innings of center field. 23 during his first week in the majors, Smith didn't have the perfect debut week you'd expect from a perfect prospect, but he quickly showed why he's been lauded a five-tool player since being selected 5th overall in 1947. It's just 73 trips to the plate, but Smith slashed an outstanding .293/.438/.431 with 5 doubles, a homer, and 5 RBIs. His 149 WRC+ would have been fifth in the CA, and he played a plus center field (1.5, 1.022), looking like a natural at a young ace. But the most impressive part? A 20.5 BB% and 15-to-7 walk-to-strikeout ratio that you almost never see in someone so young.

I think I've spent hours describing all the amazing things he can do, but you know what? It doesn't hurt to keep going! Already Max Wilder's choice for the cleanup spot in the lineup, he's got plus raw power and the potential to be a serious run producer. That counts both at the plate and on the bases, as he's got blazing speed to go with his elite eye and breathtaking swing. He's got quick hands and doesn't chase, and if you watched him hit in batting practice, you'd think he was taking coach pitch on a little league field. He's got .300/.400/.500 potential at the plate and if we can get him near his lofty potential, he's going to be a superstar. And a Cougar for a very, very, very long time. I mean, you could offer to put my hypothetical kids through college and I'd still ask for more in a trade! He's that good!

RHP Bob Allen (16th Overall)
Acquired: Via Draft: 1st Round, 10th Overall (1946)
Alma Mater: Sonora Wildcats

16th?!?!?!?! You gotta be kidding me!?!?!?! He's #1!!!!!!

Sure, when recalculated he bounces back to 12th (and gives us 15 top 100 prospects and the top system), and I'm sure he'll keep oscillating between 10 and 20, but in our hearts??? Bob Allen is #1!!!!

Like Smith, and so many other of our top prospects, Allen started the season in AA, continued in AAA, and finished in Chicago. Starting with his 11 starts in Little Rock, Allen went 8-3 with a 3.36 ERA (122 ERA+), 1.30 WHIP, 40 walks, and 53 strikeouts. His 3.53 FIP (86 FIP-) wasn't much higher, and after going 7-1 with a 1.68 ERA (238 ERA+) and 1.24 WHIP in 8 starts the year before, it was clear he was ready for another challenge. Milwaukee wasn't that, as in 10 starts he was 6-2 with a miniature 1.68 ERA (196 ERA+) and 1.03 WHIP, and his 2.77 FIP (84 FIP-) was even better then his time in the Dixie League. In 80.1 innings he struck out 51, increasing his K% almost three points with just a slight jump from 9.9 to 10.3 in BB%.

The next step for Allen was the show, and even though George Polk held him off until roster expansion, he was able to make four starts. There was a lot of good, and of course some bad, but the real highlights were a 9-strikeout almost complete game and a 4-hit shutout. Both were against the New York Stars, who give us a ton of trouble at home, but he had just three Ks in his last 21.1 innings. That same time saw 12 walks, and he finished with 14 to just 12 strikeouts in 30 innings. 5 or more runs in 3 of the 4 starts is definitely an area to work on, but Dixie Marsh already has him as our 5th best starter. No one comes close to him on potential, he's leading a group that has two (hopefully three!) Allen winners and 13 combined All-Stars. It's not the speed, he almost never hits 90, but it's the movement and spin on his four pitches that make him so good. He's an extreme groundballer who can roll up double plays in his sleep, and a Schneider squared (or Schneider and Sutterfield) middle infielder will allow Allen to feast even if his control never improves from where it is now. His raw stuff is simply elite, his fastball looks fast then the 5'9'' righty throws, and the slider and curve are devastating knockout pitches. He'll rack up a ton of strikeouts, keep batters of pace with his change, and when he's on? Oh yeah! You're not hitting anything!

24 in May, if all breaks right he'll lead the rotation by 26, and with his ability to keep the ball in the park, he can truly excel in Chicago. He'll always have a strong defense behind him, allowing him to attack hitters with confidence, and even the best won't be able to do much with what he throws. The last step is keeping him from making mistakes in the zone. And oh boy. The sky really is the limit here. He's going to be SP1. He's going to win Allen Awards. And most importantly, he's going to win a championship with the Chicago Cougars.

C Garland Phelps (24th Overall)
Acquired: Via Draft: 2nd Round, 21st Overall (1947)
Alma Mater: Sheffield Fightin' Irish

The first of our numerous prospects that need to be added to the 40-man roster, Garland Phelps is still probably a season out. He'll be up in Milwaukee next season, as repeating Little Rock was a huge success. He upped his season line from .279/.341/.346 (91 OPS+) to .347/.391/.468 (122 OPS+), and aside from not walking much, there's no apparent weakness to his game. Worth 4.5 WAR in 118 games, Phelps smashed 28 doubles, 3 triples, and 8 home runs, adding 67 runs and 92 RBIs with a 133 WRC+. The top ranked backstop and one of only four in the top 100, "Einstein" could develop into FABL's top catcher. If I was Eddie Howard, I'd be nervous, as the 28-year-old is coming off an awful offensive season and the 22-year-old waiting in the winds can both hit and pitch. His specialty is line drives, leading to plenty of doubles, and he should be able to hit well over .300 for long periods of time. The real treat, however, is the power, which hasn't quite surfaced in the minors. Dixie thinks there is significant upside if he can tap into it, and both him and OSA think he'll draw a solid amount of walks. It's probably unfair to compare the youngster to George Cleaves, but that's how good he can be. And like OSA and Dixie say: "Phelps has the talent to flourish in the majors."

3B Jack Craft (35th Overall)
Acquired: Via Draft: 1st Round, 11th Overall (1951)
Alma Mater: New Albany Wildcats

Our first round pick in the most recent draft (sidenote: quite cool how even though all our draftees aren't ranked, the prospects who are ranked are in chronological order!), it was not smooth sailing for high school standout Jack Craft. The 8 homers and 30 RBIs in 154 PAs were nice, but when it came with a .202/.357/.403 (72 OPS+) line and 57 strikeouts. Well... At least it can only go up!

I'm not overly worried, strikeouts are crazy high in the UMVA and a lot of young players struggle the first few years of their career. Craft in particular is on the younger side, not turning 18 until the 4th of July. A strong 6'2'' switch hitting third basemen, Craft has a huge ceiling and most of it is at the plate. At least in La Crosse the defense was good (3.2, 1.033), but this pick was all about infusing the system with a big bat that works as hard as he is talented. The power is legit, projecting him to hit in the middle of the order, and it seems to be further along then most slugging prospects. He showed his potential to draw a walk, it's impressive to have an OBP over 150 points higher then your average, as he does a good job frustrating pitchers by avoiding the close stuff and fouling off the tough stuff. And despite his batting average here, he's got plus-plus contact potential, and should be able to maintain an average above .300. He's a raw prospect with a lot of developing ahead of him, but he offers a nice compliment to some of our glove first infielders, and it seems like he won't hurt us at the hot corner either. OSA thinks he could be elite, I think that's pushing it, but I think he's got top-3 third base potential and there may not be a non-major league prospect in our system who can come close to the upside Craft has.

CF Frank Reece (52nd Overall)
Acquired: Via Draft: 2nd Round, 20th Overall (1946)
Alma Mater: Villisca Bluejays

In an alternate universe, this spot right here is for a different center fielder who spent time with the Little Rock Governors. Instead, it's the just turned 24-year-old Frank Reece.

A former 2nd Rounder who went from top 100 prospect, to after thought, back to top 100 prospect, Frank Reece is just outside the top 50, and absolutely tore through the minors. In 60 games with Little Rock, he hit an outstanding .333/.397/.550 (144 OPS+) and in 25 games with the Blues, he hit an insanely good .340/.375/.642 (188 OPS+) with a more then twice above average 208 WRC+. Between the stops, he accumulated 22 doubles, 15 triples, 12 homers, 75 runs, 67 RBIs, and 5.0 WAR in 85 games. With the move of Sal Pestilli, he assumed the center field role, but after a quick start he cooled tremendously down the stretch. I think he was a little burnt out, and his triple slash wilted to .246/.301/.365 (76 OPS+) as regression hit him hard. The defense was still great, he's more then capable in center, and he added 5 doubles, 2 triples, 2 homers, 13 RBIs, 9 walks, and 15 runs with a tiny 7.4 K%. His swing is great, he's got great speed even if he doesn't steal, and his arm is surprisingly great, so perhaps I should make the outfield Norman-Smith-Reece instead of Reece-Smith-Norman. To be fair, Norman has a great arm too, and it's not like any of these outfielders are scrubs, but Reece may end up being the best defender. He's got above average power potential too, hitting 14 longballs in Little Rock last year, 9 more in Cuba, and 14 between his three stops this year, and that will help him a ton with how much he puts the ball in play. Walks and strikeouts aren't all too common, and despite his small stature (5'7'', 135), he can really put a jolt into a mistake. He's stuck in a tough spot, Smith is in center and it looks like Leo Mitchell in left, so only Chubby Hall (ironically the highest ranked of our outfielders) can be replaced. I'm leaning on giving him a lot of starts in right this spring, but despite the elite minor league production, he may end up there again next season.

Top Prospects: 6-10
 

A little coaching news as while our third base coach spot is still empty, we hired George Howell to replace Danny Clark as our first base coach. A former 12th Rounder of the Kings, the former catcher spent one season with the Omaha Cowboys of the Heartland League in 1917. A skilled coach, he's "Outstanding" at teaching catching, infield, and outfield defense, but most importantly, he's "Excellent" at in-game running, as well as handling development, mechanics, and aging. For a team that stole more bases then anyone else, having a great base coach is crucial. In fact, Skipper and Leo Mitchell individually stole more bases then the Philadelphia Keystones, and combined they swiped more bags then eight other teams.

2B Biff Tiner (71st Overall)
Acquired: Via Draft: 1st Round, 13th Overall (1949)
Alma Mater: Elkin Elks

Our first rounder a few years ago in 1949, Biff Tiner dealt with some injuries throughout the season, and it certainly effected his performance. After WRC+ of 141 and 125 in his two previous stints with the Lions, he hit just .237/.389/.316 (61 OPS+) with 3 homers and 14 RBIs. A natural second basemen, it was actually one of the positions he spent the least time at, as almost all his time was at first, and he had more time in right and short then at second. He got a few innings in left too, as we're working to build up his versatility. He actually looked good at first, but that was more out of necessity as fellow first rounder Andy Robinson spent most of the time at the keystone. Known for his bat, Tiner's got a strong contact tool and a great swing, and he could hit around .300 once he's fully developed. What's nice is he's starting to really drive the ball well, and his discipline at the plate is already advanced. What helps too is he's always in the weight room, working on adding muscle to allow him to hit more and more home runs. I'd say right now he's a steady 10 homer hitter, but he's got the potential to reach the 20s once he fills out. A skinny 6'2'' righty, he's got a lot of room to fill out, and if he develops the power. Oh man. This dude is going to be legit.

CF Bert Preble (60th Overall)
Acquired: Via Trade with Gothams (1951)
Drafted: 3rd Round, 46th Overall (1949)
Alma Mater: Constitution State Senators

The headliner of the Jim Morrison trade, Bert Preble had the unlucky fortune of going from AAA to AA after the trade. It's not because of production, he hit .421/.481/.614 (212 OPS+) in 29 games with the Toledo Tornados, but we had a full house in Milwaukee and he's still yet to be Rule-5 eligible. 23 as of August, he posted a 160 WRC+ in 62 games with the Governors, slashing .330/.423/.532 (147 OPS+). The first two numbers are similar to his time in the Gotham's AA club, but he couldn't match the slug, slashing .333/.422/.462 (136 OPS+) in 42 games. Between the two AA stops, he added 33 doubles, 3 triples, 10 homers, 89 runs, 50 RBIs, 12 steals, and 64 walks, excellent numbers even before considering what he did in AAA. That added 10 doubles, 3 triples, 2 homers, 27 runs, 11 RBIs, 15 walks, and a steal, as he was somehow worth an even 9 WAR in his 1951. It's hard to get much better then that, as Preble both hit well, ran well, and played good defense as he looks to work his way up. I expect him to be in Milwaukee next year, but even if he's not, he's sure to show off his legit skills. He's a strong kid and aggressive hitter, and the power is more then big league quality. I'm not sure he'll be able to crack our future outfield, but you never know when injuries hit, and he's got some time at first. He's got at least All-Star quality potential, and should be a key contributor if us or someone else can find a spot for him.

CF Bob Allie (68th Overall)
Acquired: Via Draft: 3rd Round, 36th Overall (1948)
Alma Mater: Millville Middies

One of the guys who got a nice boost from the move to 25, the "Alley Cat" Bob Allie spent his 1951 in Lincoln. Just turned 22, he spent the whole season as a 21-year-old, hitting an okay .257/.307/.370 (91 OPS+) -- an improvement on the .269/.344/.317 (84 OPS+) from the year before. A quality defender, he produced a 2.3 zone rating (1.046 efficiency) in center and a 6.8 (1.051) in right, showcasing his plus defensive skills on the outfield grass. The bat needs work, but he did add 11 doubles, 9 triples, 8 homers, 43 runs, 52 RBIs, and 7 steals in 505 trips to the plate. This helped contributed to his 2.3 WAR, and at times he flashed big league starter potential. A talented hitter who's able to hit a lot of line drives, his speed will be crucial to his success, as a lot of his singles and doubles can be stretched. He's got a decent hit tool, projecting to hit a shade below .300, and he could put together some 20 steal seasons. I'm not sure if the power is more extra base hits then homers, but he makes hard contact often, and punishes mistakes. The strikeouts could use some work, but he has the tools to perform against top pitching, he's just stuck in a system that has a lot of really good outfielders.

CF Henry Norman (7069th Overall)
Acquired: Via Trade with Chiefs (1948)
Drafted: 3rd Round, 36th Overall (1947)
Alma Mater: Cleveland Tigers

Speaking of good outfielders, Henry Norman certainly fits that bill, and it's a shame he didn't get to debut in his lone week in the big leagues. 1951 was a huge season for him, as he was a big part of Little Rock's star studded outfield. Norman slashed .350/.395/.577 (150 OPS+) in 85 games, producing a 161 WRC+ with 22 doubles, 13 triples, 11 homers, 73 runs, and 65 RBIs. This got him a promotion to Milwaukee, where he hit a still solid .297/.363/.445 (131 OPS+) with 7 doubles, 2 triples, 4 homers, 25 RBIs, and an elite 14-to-6 walk-to-strikeout ratio. With his great defense, he was worth 7.6 wins above replacement, and some of the defensive numbers were truly amazing. 23 late September, Norman is in line for potential big league time next season, but I expect him to return to the Blues where he thrived the final few months of the season. One of the best contact hitters in our system, averages above .330 may not be a stretch, as he consistently puts the ball in play and has no issues solving tough hitters. He hits a ton of line drives to all fields, and while the power isn't quite there, maybe ten or so homers is realistic. The glove is best in center, even if a corner is more likely, but with Frank Reece's scouting reports now talking about his arm, I might want to give Norman time in left this spring and in future stints.

LHP Allie Eddy (71st Overall)
Acquired: Via Draft: 2nd Round, 27th Overall (1951)
Alma Mater: Temple Tigers

Our 2nd Round pick in the most recent draft, Allie Eddy seemed like a steal at the time, and he's already in the top 10 for pitching prospects in terms of prospect ranks. No one taken after him ranks ahead of him, and plenty of the guys taken before him aren't even close. Unfortunately for us, a rotator cuff injury ended his season early, but he's back to being healthy and our scouts aren't seeing anything wrong with him. The results weren't great, in his five starts he had a 12.43 ERA (49 ERA+) and 11.92 FIP (195 FIP-), and I didn't even think you could have a 2.35 WHIP. Why he pitched so bad, I don't know, but Dixie Marsh thinks his upside is higher then everyone except THE Bob Allen. Yes, that means Pap, Donnie Jones, and hopeful Allen Winner Duke Bybee. A five pitch pitcher, coaches rave about his work ethic, and he's got an above average change that's complimented perfectly by his high 80s sinker. He's not a groundballer, but homers don't project to be an issue, and despite all the walks in La Crosse he's projected to have pinpoint control. That separates him from a lot of our other pitchers, so he can spend the most time polishing his stuff. Both OSA and Dixie think he can be a frontline pitcher, and honestly, I think they're right on the money. With the bias against pitchers in the prospect rankings, I think he should be in the top 30 or 40 or so, as it's hard to find a real weakness. He's never going to allow 13 homers in 21 innings again, and after a full offseason working with our staff, he should be in line for a dominant second season with the Lions.

Top Prospects: 11-15
 

All our coaching spots in the organization are full! The biggest signing being the acquisition of Mahlon Strong, the former 1st Overall Pick and Hall-of-Fame level talent who may be the only guys with a larger injury history then Billy Hunter. Strong, 42, spent the past two seasons as Manager of the Portland Green Sox, but he was just 103-181 and was let go. A base coach job may be better for him, as our new third base coach will be able to focus more on improving our players then trying to decide who gets used when. He played exactly 1,900 games from 1931 to 1949, but never played more then 150 games and had just three season above 135. He had ten season with less then 100 games played, but until his swan song with the Gothams at 40, he only had above average OPS+ and WRC+ and ends his career with an excellent .315/.376/.508 (141 OPS+) career line.

Now a coach, we're hoping he can stay healthy for a full season, and have already taken precautions to ensure he isn't doing any running himself, and that his third base box is nice and cushioned. Despite never being a good defender of base runner, he's actually a really good coach, "Excellent" for running and "Legendary" for outfield. He'll handle both those duties in Chicago, and he's a "Good" in game runner too. He'd be "Excellent" for infield defense, I'm sure the end of his career at first helped him understand that, and even though he won't have a direct impact on the hitters, it can't hurt to have a guy with 404 doubles, 279 homers, 1,161 runs, 1,326 RBIs, and 2,242 hits as a major leaguer.

And while I don't usually comment on our minor league coaches, it's worth noting that former Cougar Andy Chastain took over as the Lincoln Legislator's pitching coach. A former 5th Rounder of the then Baltimore Clippers, Chastain debuted for the Saints in 1926 and threw four games out of the pen. His next three seasons were in Chicago, where he went 3-9 with a 5.80 ERA (72 ERA+) and 1.69 WHIP in 44 games (12 starts). He spent a few seasons in AAA after, but this job will be his first with a FABL organization since his retirement.

Oh yeah, and our system is back to 1, Bob Allen is back to 12th, and we're 15 strong in the top 100. Love all this movement!

CF Herm Kocher (79th Overall)
Acquired: Via Trade with Saints (1951)
Drafted: 1st Round, 12th Overall (1947)
Alma Mater: Bremen Blue Devils

Twice traded in 1951, Kocher was taken 12th Overall by the Keystones and spent his first five seasons in their system before being moved in January to the Saints with Ken Crossley for Andy Lyon. Kocher reported to Class A for the first time this year, but he hit just .262/.304/.331 (76 OPS+) with 6 doubles, 3 triples, 4 homers, 27 RBIs, and 15 steals. Nicknamed "Southern Comfort," Kocher then came to Chicago in the Sal Pestilli trade with Pug White, and even with the struggles we kept him in the Heartland League. It may not have been the right call, however, as the now 22-year-old hit a woeful .198/.268/.253 (47 OPS+) with an elevated 22.3 K% and just four extra base hits in 179 trips to the plate. Obviously concerning, Kocher seems to be way underdeveloped for someone who's Rule-5 eligible, but with his legitimate upside I was forced to use our 40th spot (plenty of guys I can DFA if I choose and I made more changes later) on the 40 to ensure he returns to Lincoln next year. He at least played elite defense, a 2.3 zone rating (1.085 efficiency) with Lincoln and 10.0 (1.062 efficiency) in Evansville, and scouts rave about his contact potential. It's funny considering how much he whiffs, but he's a guy who hit over .570 in high school. Why he hasn't hit above .300 in the minors yet? I don't know... But with all our outfield depth we can take our time, and hopefully end up with a batting title contender who has legit big league power due to his excellent bat speed. Aside from the stats, everything says Kocher will be a star center fielder, but if you can't put it all together, what good is all the talent in the world?

RHP Jimmy Isgro (90th Overall)
Acquired: Via Trade with Kings (1951)
Drafted: 1st Round, 12th Overall (1948)
Alma Mater: Austin Blue Devils

Taken with the exact same pick as Herm Kocher out of a high school with the nickname "Blue Devils", just a full season later, we picked up Jimmy Isgro a few weeks before the Saints traded for Kocher in the five player trade centered around George Oddo. Last season Isgro was in A ball, but the results were poor, as he worked to a 6.49 ERA (60 ERA+) and 1.81 WHIP with more walks (88) then strikeouts (73) in 127.2 innings of work. Due to those struggles, I decided to take it slow with him, sending him to San Jose to begin his campaign. The results were excellent, as in 14 starts he was 7-5 with a 2.52 ERA (154 ERA+), 1.35 WHIP, and more strikeouts (73) then walks (64). The best part was his 3.33 FIP (85 FIP-) was very impressive, and he allowed just 4 homers in 110.2 innings pitched. This got him a promotion to Lincoln, where he got another chance at Heartland League pitchers. This time the 21-year-old (22 in September) was much more prepared, as even though his 1-4 record looked like his 3-17 from the prior year, it was a lot of poor luck. In 9 starts he had just a 2.60 ERA (132 ERA+) with a much more palatable 1.44 WHIP. He did walk (37) three more guys then he struck out (34), but he did not looked overmatched and he improved on his BB% and K% from last season. A four pitch pitcher, Isgro's 89-91 MPH sinker has really turned into a weapon, and it's allowed him to limit home runs. The stuff makes up for the poor command, which is surprising considering he has three fastballs. The lone off-speed pitch is a splitter, which might be the worst pitch, but he uses his cutter effectively inside to generate weak contact. If we can keep him out of the center of the zone, he'll be a big league pitcher, but he's an unpolished arm who needs another good season to solidify himself as a legit pitching prospect.

CF Ike Soeur (100th Overall)
Acquired: Via Draft: 4th Round, 62nd Overall (1950)
Alma Mater: Walla Walla Warriors

Checking in at an even 100, Ike Soeur did not have a very good first full season as a professional. Between a pair of injuries, his .203/.364/.329 (58 OPS+) batting line, and twice as many strikeouts (32) as hits (16), it's hard to find much that went well for the Canadian teenager. To be fair, his 99 PAs is a miniscule sample, but and he had a great 19.2 BB%, but I'd like to see more out of our recent 4th Rounder. A natural centerfielder, a little more then a third of his time came there, but more of his time was in left where he was a bit above average. He's quick -- a perfect 3-for-3 on steals -- but it doesn't seem to be a testament to his outfield range. He might be better suited for a corner, and while it may not look like it now, he does have the bat to survive in right, or ideally, left. He may not develop into a .300 hitter, but he'll hit around .290, and he projects to have above average power potential. With quick hands and a smooth swing, he'll hit the ball hard and often, and with an average eye I don't envision him having trouble with strikeouts. There's a lot to like here, but he's far from the majors, and may take as long as Herm Kocher will to get up to the majors.

RHP Harry Rollins (103rd Overall)
Acquired: Via Draft: 3rd Round, 39th Overall (19510)
Alma Mater: Newtown Pioneers

Maybe the most frustrating arm in the system, Harry Rollins keeps oscillating between a future starter and reliever, and I'm just not sure why it happens. He also bounces around the prospect list a ton, up to 80th as of today, so it's been hard to get a good grip on what the hardworking righty can be. A towering 6'4'' hurler, he's got a deep five pitch mix, and considering he threw 144 pitches in a game he didn't exit the sixth in, you have to imagine he's got the stamina to start. That start was actually the only one in the UMVA he allowed more then 4 runs, which is like a thousand times more impressive then it sounds. In 8 starts and 54 innings he had what looks like a middling 4.17 ERA (146 ERA+), but that's almost 50 times better then the average pitcher at his level. He struck out 70 with a 1.80 WHIP, also pretty solid. The craziest part, however, is the fact that during the day (or maybe I'm remembering yesterday) he went from "Bullpen" to "Starter" and that could account for his jump in the rankings. As an extreme groundballer, he'll always be able to find a spot on our staff, but the value is so much greater as a starter. He gives off some Harry Parker vibes without the homers, and if we can get him in the 90s the stuff will play well. We're working on his secondary pitches in the offseason, hopefully leading to a more consistent starter role, but as long as he keeps pitching well we'll keep giving him opportunities to throw well over 100 pitches.

He's a starter in my book! No one can take that away from me!

LHP Pug White (109th Overall)
Acquired: Via Trade with Saints (1951)
Drafted: 5th Round, 66th Overall (1948)
Alma Mater: Monterey Torreadores

The other guy acquired in the Sal Pestilli deal, Pug White was a 5th Round pick of the Saints in 1948, and ever since I've regretted not taking him myself. To be fair, there were really no misses before him, as we started with the current 19th ranked prospect, Amos Peterson, and followed that up with legit prospects in Bob Allie, Jeff King, Elmer Grace, and Dixie Gaines, and now we get to have White too! Sure, I'd love to have him over eventual 5th Rounder John Kerr, but our '48 class looks pretty deep at this point in time.

Back to White, he obviously started the season in the Saints organization, and was pretty good in the Southeastern League with their Class B affiliate. Pug was an unlucky 5-7, working to a 3.62 ERA (122 ERA+) and 376 FIP (85 FIP-) in 117 innings. He had a nice 1.51 WHIP with 67 walks and 82 strikeouts, and while I toyed with sending him to Lincoln after the trade, he just turned 21 and the rotation there was crowded. Now in the C-O-W League, he again won 5 games, but it came with just 2 losses in half the starts. His 3.29 ERA (118 ERA+) was almost identical, but his 2.97 FIP (76 FIP-) was nothing short of elite. He dropped his WHIP a few points to 1.48 and after 10 homers in Mobile, he didn't allow a single one in 65.2 innings pitched. That's a skill that could make him lethal at Cougars Park, but he's a soft-tosser not a groundballer. He does feature a mid 80s sinker, pairing it with a fastball and change, and the young lefty is always working on improving himself. He'll never really dominate, but if he's got the command working his stuff looks way better then it does. Even though you don't like guys who nibble, he does it well, and there's a good chance he'll fill the middle or back of a FABL rotation. He's currently the 22nd best pitching prospect, giving us 6 of the top 25, and if we need to add an impact player he should be able to entice teams to part with their current talent.

Top Prospects: 16-20
 

RHP Bobby Crooks (116th Overall)
Acquired: Via Trade with Chiefs (1951)
Draft: 2nd Round, 26th Overall (1949)
Alma Mater: Ypsilanti Cougars

The centerpiece of the John Moss trade, Bobby Crooks is actually a former Cougar as well as a current Cougar, as he went to Ypsilanti High School in Michigan, and they are also nicknamed the Cougars. He also spent 10 starts with the San Jose Cougars, and even though he just turned 20 on October 15th, he may end up in Lincoln next year. He pitched in Class B in the Chiefs system too, going a combined 12-4 with a 3.26 ERA (121 ERA+) and 1.69 WHIP. That's pretty solid, especially the ERA, but Crooks has one glaring weakness: his pitches are crooked. I know, I know, so funny, but when you walk 123 guys in 173.2 innings, you have to have some humor. A three pitch pitcher who according to Dixie Marsh "lacks any real command," Crooks has solid stuff, and with good movement generates a lot of groundball outs. His fastball isn't too fast, sitting in the mid 80s, but his curve and slider are very nice. Even better, he has the perfect makeup of a pitcher who walks a lot of guys, as he's cool and composed on the mound, but can still take it up a notch when he needs to. He's confident in his stuff that when he has guys on base, he can either strand them or double them up, and considering this was his first season as a starting pitcher, he honestly looked really good. Experience is going to help, but if we can either get him throwing in the 90s or hitting his spots, there's the potential of a solid middle of the rotation arm who can limit the longball and record huge outs.

2B Andy Robinson (131st Overall)
Acquired: Via Draft: 1st Round, 12th Overall (1950)
Alma Mater: Fredericksburg Chargers

It's crazy to think that for a few months Andy Robinson was a top 20 prospects, but after upgrading from 24 to 25 a lot of that excitement wore off. I'm not sure it's necessarily deserved, especially considering he's one of the few teens in La Crosse to play well. While still below average, the still 18-year-old Robinson hit .279/.390/.454 (90 OPS+) with a 96 WRC+ in 218 trips to the plate. The former 12th Pick added 9 doubles, 7 homers, 23 RBIs, and 32 runs, getting some reps at first while playing excellent defense at second. His 1.5 zone rating and 1.041 efficiency are both above average as he put in a ton of over the offseason trying to improve his defense. The classic "baseball rat," Robinson is always looking for extra work and putting in hours in the cage and on the dirt. It's what allowed him to hit well above .500 in high school, and while Dixie doesn't see a .300 hitter, it's hard to imagine him ever hitting below .275. He's got good speed, good pop, and a great approach at the plate, leading to a lot of hard hit balls and extra base hits. Expect a second season in La Crosse for him, but if he hit like he did to start the '51 season, he'll get a chance to play in San Jose before the end of next year.

3B Buddy Byrd (133rd Overall)
Acquired: Via Trade with Kings (1951)
Draft: 1st Round, 9th Overall (1949)
Alma Mater: Lane Knights

Another piece of the George Oddo/Jimmy Isgro trade, Buddy Byrd was the earliest draft pick, taken 9th in 1949. He spent all last season in the Kings organization, but it didn't go well. To be fair, it happened in Class B and he was 19, but a .212/.250/.251 (31 OPS+) line is hard to spin in a positive way. You could say the same of his .215/.337/.401 (66 OPS+) line in La Crosse, but it's twice as good as when he was overmatched last season. It also came with 9 homers, 28 RBIs, 32 runs, and 32 walks. The best part is the stolen base success, as he swiped 19 in 21 attempts. Playing all around the infield, solid speed is huge, as it can give him value if the power doesn't improve. We're working on finding a position for him, I'm hoping it's third, but that's the worst position he played. He started at each of the four infield spots for more then 90 innings and fewer then 115. The only position with plus defense was second, his natural position, but "Tweety" should have strong range with his speed. The speed is his best tool, followed by his contact tool, and if both can be close to elite, that's all he'll need. I'd lover power, or eye, or low strikeouts, but Byrd could be the perfect leadoff man, and he's a baseball guy through and through.

CF Jeff King (140th Overall)
Acquired: Via Draft: 3rd Round, 40th Overall (1948)
Alma Mater: Millville Middies

A third round pick a few seasons ago, Jeff King finally got his way to San Jose, but ended up finding his way back to La Crosse. He hit just .234/.342/.272 (65 OPS+), with just a single extra base hit a piece in 184 trips to the plate. He did walk 23 times, adding 20 runs, 11 RBIs, and 8 steals. In La Crosse he was a bit better, hitting .283/.456/.417 (98 OPS+) with an excellent 120 WRC+. That came from the similar 22.8 BB% and 29.1 K%, and he actually had an extra extra base hit in over 100 fewer plate appearances. A versatile 21-year-old, King spent time at all positions except catcher, pitcher, and second, though he didn't start at first. The majority came in right, where he had a nice 1.1 zone rating and 1.062 efficiency in over 200 innings in San Jose, so at least the poor offense came with good defense. An ideal utility outfielder, he's got natural instincts on the grass, and I'm sure he's got great range on the infield dirt too. The arm is good too, so third is an option, but I've liked the work he does in right. At one point his future looked to be in a lineup, but even if he ends up on the bench, he could carve out a nice career for himself.

CF Curt Neville (141st Overall)
Acquired: Via Trade with Chiefs (1951)
Draft: 3rd Round, 47th Overall (1950)
Alma Mater: Dwight Tigers

The other main piece of the John Moss trade, Curt Neville was a 3rd Round pick last season and cracked three top 100 prospect lists before falling down to the 100s in the midseason rankings. At the time of the trade, Neville was doing great with the Chiefs' Class B team, but it didn't translate like it did with Bobby Crooks. Neville went from hitting .318/.371/.408 (105 OPS+) to .265/.319/.324 (73 OPS+), all in the same lead. Between the two spots he gathered 18 doubles, 4 triples, 47 runs, 68 RBIs, and 34 walks, ironically with 17 at each location, but all three of his homers and his steal came in Tacoma. Luckily, the defense was always good, as Neville had a near identical 6.6 and 6.5 zone rating with a 1.046 and 1.045 efficiency. Despite the lack of homers, he projects to be a solid power hitter, giving us a nice power/speed combo to look forward to. Recently 20, he's got a lot of bulking up to do, but there's plenty of time for him to fill in. We need to work on getting him to put the ball in play more often, but a full season in our organization should help, and we'll look to get him back on track with San Jose next year.

Top Prospects: 21-25
 

3B Jack Lowe (152nd Overall)
Acquired: Via Trade with Stars (1951)
Drafted: 13th Round, 203rd Overall (1948)
Alma Mater: St. Cloud Cyclones

A pretty much bat only prospect, Jack Lowe didn't start much when he was in the Stars system, though that's not too unusual for a 13th Round Pick. He may not be the most exciting prospect ever, but when the Stars inquired on Charlie Woodbury and offered Lowe for him, I thought it was a risk worth taking. He turned 21 about a week before the trade, and has an excellent eye with the strength and swing to hit a lot of home runs. He may not hit for a high average, even like .265 would be nice, but the power/eye combo is surely intriguing. After only playing in C ball, we started him in San Jose, but his offense really surprised me. He hit just 8 doubles and 2 homers, which couldn't be further from what I expected. What was nice was the walks, 82 to 61 strikeouts, and he hit an average .270/.438/.321 (103 OPS+) in 361 trips to the plate. I don't think I've ever seen anyone with an OBP over 100 points higher then their slugging, making for one of the most interesting triple slashes I've seen. His 119 WRC+ is way higher then his OPS+, as his ability to get on base made him a very valuable run producer. Unfortunately the defense was awful, poor marks at first and third, and without power he won't be able to walk his way to the majors. He'll continue to play regularly at the corners, but if he doesn't start hitting dingers, he's going to find himself spending most of his time on the bench.

RHP Ernie Tisdale (156th Overall)
Acquired: Via Draft: 2nd Round, 20th Overall (1950)
Alma Mater: Oklahoma Bible College Dusters

I was surprised to see Ernie Tisdale fall outside the top 150, but OSA still views him as at least a back-end starter. Our 2nd Rounder last year, he was one of the few recently drafted players in the CWL, where he led the league with 29 appearances. All were out of the pen, and he had a solid 4.59 ERA (108 ERA+) and 1.53 WHIP in 49 innings pitched. Of course, we view him as a starter, and that's what he did when he returned to San Jose for the '51 season. On the unlucky side, "Big E" was 4-6 with a 3.75 ERA (104 ERA+) that was much higher then his outstanding 3.09 FIP (79 FIP-). In 112.2 innings across 15 starts he had a high 1.70 WHIP, walking 73 with 91 strikeouts. His final 8 starts of the season were in Lincoln, where he was simply elite. Sure, 4-3 isn't special, but the 2.55 ERA (134 ERA+) is, and the 2.33 FIP (68 FIP-) is somehow even lower. His WHIP dropped to 1.25 and his K/BB went up half a strikeout to 1.7, as he set down 48 in his 60 innings of work. With just one home run allowed, the towering righty was tough to score off, and that ability will do great if he ends up at Cougars Park. His sinker shot up from 85-87 to 88-90 this August, but it's the splitter and change that lead his five pitch arsenal. The stuff is great and he can pitch a lot of innings, but the command deserts him at times. 23 in February, I may start him in Little Rock, but even if he stays in Lincoln he should at least finish his '52 season with the Governors.

LHP Dixie Gaines (178th Overall)
Acquired: Via Draft: 4th Round, 55th Overall (1948)
Alma Mater: Capital University Catamounts

When I recalculated the prospect list today (for some reason Allen dropped to 20 (!!) before bouncing back to 13), Dixie Gaines got a nice boost up to 124. Our 4th Rounder in 1948, Dixie started the season in Mobile, where he was crazy dominant. In 11 starts he was 9-2, working to a 2.56 ERA (160 ERA+) and 1,16 WHIP, walking 37 and striking out 62. In his 95 innings he had a stellar 3.16 FIP (77 FIP-), and it was an easy call to promote him once a spot opened up. His record flipped, sagging to 4-6 in two more starts and four more outs, and he maintained a strong 2.80 ERA (118 ERA+) and 2.98 FIP (90 FIP-) with a near identical 1.17 WHIP. The walks and strikeouts went the wrong way, he had 50 and 61 respectively, as his K% dropped a point and his BB% dropped 2,7%. When the minor league season ended, he then got to make his much awaited FABL debut, spending the last week of the season in our rotation. It was alright, 8 hits, 5 runs, and 2 walks with 4 strikeouts in 6 innings. 24 this August, Dixie is the healthy 6th starter, and could be thrusted into a rotation role should one of are arms get hurt before Pap is back. A soft tossing groundballer, it's tough to bet against him with the quality of his sinker and his work ethic, and his five pitch mix is deep. The control isn't great, and unfortunately it's already maxed out, so we really need Dixie to stay out of the middle of the plate. He can't be allowing two homers a start, which was funny considering 5 between AA and AAA. I'm not sure what is in store for him next year, and with three options he may not establish himself until he's closer to 28. Worst case he's a nice pen arm, best case he's a 2 or 3, as he's already a FABL quality pitcher. He just needs to put it all together.

LF Clyde Skinner (200th Overall)
Acquired: Via Draft: 11th Round, 164th Overall (1948)
Alma Mater: San Bernadino Falcons

Our 24th of 24 top 200 prospects, Clyde Skinner occupies the 200 spot on the list. 22 in a few days, Skinner was great in San Jose and awful in Lincoln, making for a difficult to judge campaign. The samples were similar, as in 269 PAs with the Cougars he hit .313/.405/.442 (128 OPS+) before it drooped to .225/.307/.286 (67 OPS+) in 241 as a Legislator. The only real constant was the walks, he had a 11.5 BB% in San Jose and 10.4 in Lincoln, and I guess he did have two homers both times. Still, the power drop was severe, as he went from 22 extra base hits to just 8. The run numbers saw decreases too, from 34 runs and 24 RBIs to 13 and 17 respectively. Drafted as a center fielder, he spent all his time in left and right this year, and surprisingly he was a plus defender in Lincoln and a minus defender in San Jose. Both spots he played left and right, spending 74 games in left and 51 in right. As a potential fourth outfielder, being able to play in center when needed is a plus, but I don't think you'll ever want him there. He is athletic and has decent speed, but his instincts aren't center field quality. I'm hoping by repeating Lincoln, he'll be able to increase his offensive production, but it could be tough for him to progress our system if his second half wasn't an outlier.

LHP Mack Lyons (207th Overall)
Acquired: Via Trade with Chiefs (1949)
Drafted: 7th Round, 100th Overall (1947)
Alma Mater: Big Bend Miners

I really, really, really didn't want to use a 40-man roster spot on Mack Lyons, but his pitching was just too good. He was undermatched, I've already moved him to Little Rock for next season, as he tore through low minors hitters. In 13 starts with the Cougars, Dick Lyons' son was 8-4 with a 1.88 ERA (207 ERA+), 1.36 WHIP, 57 walks, and 78 strikeouts in 100.1 innings pitched. Sure, the walks were a little high, but that's about as good of a sample as you can have.

Or at least that's what I thought...

I don't know how, but in 78 homerless innings with the Legislators Lyons was as close to unhittable as you can get. A perfect 5-0, he had a microscopic 0.58 ERA (594 ERA+). Yes. You read that right. Zero point five eight E R A. An earned run for every win! All in different games! And no, it wasn't really flukey, as his 1.99 FIP (57 FIP-) is about as low as it gets. His 0.83 WHIP was sparkly too, and he lowered his BB% from 13 to 10.5 and rose his K% from 17.7 to 20.3. What dominance!

A three pitch pitcher, Lyons got a pair of velo bumps, starting the season with a fastball and sinker in the 89-91 range while finishing at 91-93. The hard worker has perfected amazing stuff, and he could potentially be among the league leaders in K% either as a starter or reliever. I thought the pen would be his final spot, but right now it looks like he can absolutely start in the majors. Dixie Marsh thinks he's the most developed of our starting pitching prospects who aren't currently in Chicago. Just 22, the Chicago native could be in line for a major league debut next season, and if we have poor injury luck he may even get a chance to make a start or two. Wouldn't it be nice having another Lyons starting games in Chicago? I think so!

Top Prospects: 26-30
 

1B John Kerr (213th Overall)
Acquired: Via Draft: 5th Round, 65th Overall (1948)
Alma Mater: Chicopee Pacers

It's really a sad thing when you realize that first basemen John Kerr's 61 WRC+ in the C-O-W League is actually higher then he posted in his three seasons in the UMVA. Recently 22, Kerr hit a way below average .250/.303/.333 (71 OPS+) in 251 trips to the plate, and it just baffles me that he's a ranked prospect, let alone int he top 250. A strong, 6'4'' "slugger" Kerr only hit 4 homers with 7 doubles, 12 runs, and 31 RBIs, and was worth a full win below replacement. In his four seasons he's been just shy of four wins below replacement. Yes. A tenth shy of a -4.0 WAR.

So what to do here? Well... I'm not sure. He's supposed to be a decent contact hitter with legit pop and average strike zone recognition, but I truly don't think I've ever seen someone hit this poorly. It's looking like a wasted 5th Round Pick, but with all the previously mentioned talent from the 1948 draft taken before (and even after) him, it's oaky if he never becomes anything more then a bench guy or filler player.

2B Joe Dorch (253rd Overall)
Acquired: Via Draft: 6th Round, 87th Overall (1952)
Alma Mater: Frankfort College Thoroughbreds

When Joe Dorch was selected in the most recent draft, he didn't have any playing time to look at, but I loved the versatility that came with his solid skills. A high contact hitter with an excellent eye, Dorch was sent to San Jose for his first taste of minor league ball, and the early results were good. Dorch hit a solid .263/.388/.430 (120 OPS+) with a matching 120 WRC+ in 227 post-draft PAs. The best part was his 13.7 BB% and 31-to-10 walk-to-strikeout ratio, as Dorch excelled at getting the bat to the ball. Not much of a power hitter, he did have a ton of extra base hits, adding 14 doubles, 4 triples, and 3 homers with 30 runs and 25 RBIs. He spent most of his time at second, but the versatile righty got innings at first, third, left, and right too, and he has past experience at short. A prototypical utility man, Dorch could be a quick riser, but don't expect him playing regularly for a FABL team unless he makes great strides with the bat.

CF Harley Dollar (253rd Overall)
Acquired: Via Draft: 7th Round, 131st Overall (1947)
Alma Mater: Nutley Maroon Raiders

One of this coolest named players in our system, Harley Dollar built off his excellent final two months in Lincoln when he returned. Last season Dollar slashed .320/.448/.456 (151 OPS+) with 11 extra base hits and a 29-to-8 walk-to-strikeout ratio, and he managed to improve on pretty much everything except his batting average. In 92 games, Dollar drew 92 walks, slashing a robust .311/.471/.487 (170 OPS+) with a 180 WRC+, 28 doubles, 6 triples, 5 homers, and 40 RBIs. This got him a late season promotion to Little Rock, I actually think to replace Henry Norman, and he kept up the trend of Little Rock outfielders absolutely crushing the ball. It wasn't quite as good as he was with Lincoln, but he still crushed hit, batting .375/.476/.474 (147 OPS+) with 10 doubles, a triple, a homer, 31 runs, and 27 RBIs. Between the two levels, he was worth an impressive 5.8 WAR, and he did more then enough to earn himself a 40-man roster spot to keep him from the Rule-5 draft. I'd argue "Easy Money" is way better then a lot of the guys ranked above him, as his ability to take a walk is huge. Unfortunately, I didn't realize just how bad his center field defense is (-18.7, .877 in Lincoln) and even in the corners he's a negative defender. That could effect his FABL potential, but if I remember I'll work on his outfield defense this offseason. If we can get him at least average there, it could really tie things together, and the 23-year-old could spend a few seasons as a FABL starter.

SS Joe Marshall (257th Overall)
Acquired: Via Trade with Kings (1950)
Drafted: 6th Round, 92nd Overall (1948)
Alma Mater: Pascagoula Bluejays

Joe Marshall had a season similar to Clyde Skinner, as he was great at one level and awful at the next. For Marshall it was La Crosse and San Jose, and he's one of the few guys who has an OPS+ and WRC+ half as good. Focusing on the good, he actually launched ten homers in 127 PAs with the Lions, batting .305/.409/.619 (130 OPS+) with 3 doubles, 18 walks, 20 runs, and 28 RBIs. The defense was good at short too, though that didn't go away in San Jose, "Muddy" seemed ready to return to Class B where he was with the Kings organization the season before we traded him. He hit a little better then he did there, but his .222/.290/.317 (63 OPS+) line was tough to look at, and he didn't hit a single longball in 69 not-so-nice trips to the plate. There were two doubles and triples, but that's not nearly enough to salvage it. 21 this August, he's still a raw prospect, and he has a lot of work to do before making strides. I want him to run it back in San Jose and actually hold his own, but if he struggles a few months in I'll send him back to La Crosse and try one of our other young infielders before the draftees come in.

LHP Buster Clark (270th Overall)
Acquired: Via Draft: 4th Round, 61st Overall (1949)
Alma Mater: Santa Cruz Pirates

Our 4th Round Pick in 1949, Buster Clark is one of the rare members of our organization with a poor work ethic. Despite that, he improved in each of his seasons, putting together his best work with the Lions in year three. 21 in November, the southpaw threw a career high 79.1 innings, going an even 5-5 in his 11 starts. The 5.11 ERA (120 ERA+) and 5.27 FIP (86 FIP-) may not look pretty, but both are comfortably above average in the high run environment of the UMVA. An extreme groundballer, what did work for him this year was t he strikeout, as he set down 122 batters on strikes and upped his K% by over 10% from his previous two seasons. The 18 homers make no sense, but that's not something we'll have to worry about in later years. The stuff is raw and the command needs to improve, but both are expected to be plus tools. He throws five pitches, the change likely the best, and his sinker can roll up plenty of double plays for the infield behind him. At this time he projects more as a temporary rotation option, but the stuff is exciting. He may be stuck in the high 80s, but he's still one of the top 100 pitching prospects and there's a ton of upside to excavate as we continue working on his repertoire.

Top Prospects: 31-35
 

RHP Bill Davis (283rd Overall)
Acquired: Via Trade with Miners (1950)
Drafted: 13th Round, 193rd Overall (1948)
Alma Mater: Benton Harbor Indians

Most pitchers had ugly ERAs in La Crosse. I guess Bill Davis isn't most pitchers.

In 8 starts, Davis was nothing short of dominant, going 6-2 with a 3.27 ERA (186 ERA+), 1.61 WHIP, and 102 strikeouts in 66 innings. A Chicago native who joined the organization last Winter in a deal with the Miners, he was actually terrible out of the pen last season, with an elevated 7.76 ERA (72 ERA+) and 1.91 WHIP, and if I remember right he wasn't even going to start until someone (maybe Allie Eddy) got injured in their first start. Obviously he took advantage of that, and the 21-year-old got a few starts in San Jose after. It wasn't nearly as good, though that has to be expected, as despite going 3-2 his 4.54 ERA (86 ERA+) and 1.73 WHIP were much higher then his time in La Crosse, despite the depressed run environment. Even worse, he had 26 walks to 13 strikeouts, and even in the Miners organization, the most walks - strikeouts he had was 1. I'm sure some of it was regular regression, so this isn't going to stop Davis from opening next year with the baby Cougars. A three pitch pitcher, his fastball and sinker were up a tick this year and topping out at 90, but he doesn't always wield them well. His change does get some whiffs, but I'm a little worried about his pitch mix unless he can keep the ball in the park. Even in La Crosse, he allowed 13 homers in 66 innings, and with a sinker you don't expect that. It's going to prevent him from starting in the majors, though he does have a lot of talented young pitchers in his way.

1B Dudley Sapp (286th Overall)
Acquired: Via Draft: 3rd Round, 45th Overall (1947)
Alma Mater: Union City Bulldogs

Like John Kerr, Dudley Sapp is a towering 6'4'' first basemen who should be a legit slugger. And while he wasn't nearly as awful as Kerr this year, Sapp still hasn't put it together. He started in San Jose, moving up after 37 games to make room for Kerr, and he hit alright. It wasn't perfect, but a .291/.421/.313 (97 OPS+) line and a 106 WRC+ are decent. Yes, no power, which makes zero sense, as his only extra base hit in 164 PAs was a homer. I'm not sure what it is with our guys and having slugging way lower then their OBPs, but Sapp had an impressive 17.1 BB% and was able to still be useful despite being a slap hitting singles hitter.

Thankfully, that changed when he went up to Lincoln, as Sapp slugged 6 homers with 5 doubles and a triple in his last 376 trips to the plate. The .257/.332/.331 (87 OPS+) line wasn't great, and his BB% dropped nearly 8 points, but the homers were back! As a first basemen, especially a big and strong one, you have to hit homers, or otherwise you're just going to get passed up. That's expected for Sapp, who at 23 is eligible for the Rule-5 draft, as he was selected way back in 1947. It seems to be a poor pick there, but thankfully the only useful players taken after him were former top pitching prospect Paul Anderson (4th), who looks to be a steal and future anchor for the Stars, and talented young outfielder Kirby Copeland (5th) who is really the only guy who did much at the plate for the Wolves. There's a few decent guys in our system taken after him, but luckily the two guys taken before him are more then making up for it: Jerry Smith and Garland Phelps. I'll still hold out hope that the above average power will surface, but his best trait is his glove and that's just not going to cut it.

RHP Ollie Norris (287th Overall)
Acquired: Via Trade with Stars (1951)
Drafted: 11th Round, 171st Overall (1948)
Alma Mater: Mill Valley Hawks

Taken a few rounds before Bill Davis in the 1948 draft, we picked up the now 21-year-old from the Stars almost exactly a year after. Acquired for young catcher Ernie Frost, who was actually dealt to the Kings a few months later, Norris returned to Class C where he spent the previous three seasons. It went rather well, as in 8 starts and 3 relief outings he had an exactly adjusted league average 6.12 (I know, crazy right!?!?!) with an elite 4.37 FIP (71 FIP-). He got one more out this year compared to last, and had a nice 1.66 WHIP with 48 walks and 109 strikeouts. Potentially ready for San Jose, I have him tentatively placed there for 1952, but San Jose's roster is full of pitchers and we have a lot of pitchers deserving starts above him. A soft-tossing three pitch pitcher, I wish he had a slider or change to round out the mix, as his fastball, cutter, and curve are all good pitches. But with the velocity, he can't really dominate, so he uses the cutter as more of an offspeed pitch. It's a good pitch, even if not his best, but the slow fastball can get hard. He needs to either up the velo or improve the movement he gets on it, otherwise it'll be tough for him to start. That being said, the curve is wicked, so he could easily be a cutter/curve multi-inning pen guy. The focus for him is being more consistent, as his mistake pitches can get punished, but when he has a feel for the curve hitters won't want to get into a two-strike count.

RHP Ben Helm (320th Overall)
Acquired: Via Draft: 9th Round, 135th Overall (1951
Alma Mater: Sumter College Wildcats

The last member of our 1951 draft class to crack our top 40, Ben Helm was a nice pickup in the 9th Round, giving us three ranked pitchers from our first ten selections. There's plenty to like about Helm, who like many college pitchers skipped La Crosse, as he has a deep and polished five pitch mix where nothing is straight. His fastball is a high 80s cutter, and then he mixes in a slider, curve, change, and splitter. Dixie calls his mix plain, I call it reliable, as while he doesn't have a dominant go to pitch, he doesn't have a useless sub 5% use pitch. All five pitches are effective, all five pitches can get whiffs, and the 21-year-old has confidence in using all five offerings when applicable. He's also a guy who can eat a lot of innings, and if it wasn't for a disastrous final start, his overall numbers would have looked amazing. Through 10 starts he had a 2.43 ERA, but #11 saw everything fall apart. In just an inning and two thirds, he was tagged for 9 hits, 8 runs, and a walk, raising his ERA almost a full point to 3.29 (118 ERA+). His WHIP jumped to 1.34, and he finished with 36 walks and 39 strikeouts in 79.1 innings pitched. A potential reliable back-end guy, he could be ready for Lincoln, but like Norris behind him, there's a lot of good young guys in his way. In an organization that needs pitching, he's the perfect guy to fast track, and he could be a useful trade piece for us if I'm able to upgrade the lineup.

RF Clyde Parker (335th Overall)
Acquired: Via Draft: 7th Round, 103rd Overall (1945)
Alma Mater: Liberty Bluejays

It was a huge drop in the prospect rankings for Clyde Parker, who despite spending three weeks in the majors, did not get to make his debut. I was a little disappointed in Max Wilder for that, and with just one option left I'll find a way to get him involved next season. All 493 of his plate appearances came in Milwaukee, and the recently turned 25-year-old hit a nice .286/.359/.408 (120 OPS+) with an excellent 130 WRC+. Parker added 15 doubles, 7 triples, 8 homers, 49 RBIs, 52 walks, and 56 runs in 121 appearances. A natural left fielder, he spent most of his time out in right, but he's not much of a defender at either spot. That's going to make the bat so important, as it's the only way hell be able to maintain a spot on the bench. He does have a nice contact tool and above average pop, and he can draw his share of walks. Still, he looks more average then good, likely best in a platoon, and unless something happens with Frank Reece or Henry Norman, it will be tough for him to find his way into a platoon. One thing I could see is a Parker/Jimmy Hairston platoon if Norman and Reece struggle, but I'm sure he envisioned more when he was at one point a top 100 prospect.

Top Prospects: 36-40
 

Before we finish off the top prospect list, the CWL rosters were announced. All our guys are either in the lineup, the rotation, or the stopper, so it really shows how good our minor league depth is. Granted, we are paired with a bottom club, again the Cienfuegos Crocodiles with the Chiefs, as the rosters this year are based a bit on minor league system ranks. We are back to 1st, as Allen is back to 13th, and our 191 points are 6 higher then the Cannons. I'll cover all the guys going to Cuba tomorrow, and we should have games on Wednesday:

LF Doc Zimmerman (345th Overall)
Acquired: Via Draft: 5th Round, 68th Overall (1948)
Alma Mater: Bryan Rams

Last year I talked about how Doc Zimmerman learned that Class B pitching is different then Class C, and this year the fact remains true. He did improve on the .261/.352/.268 (65 OPS+) line from last year, but I was hoping the 20-year-old would hit better then the .269/.356/.333 (85 OPS+) he produced. From a development standpoint, it's not concerning, but it would have been nice to see him take a step forward this year. A longshot prospect, Zimmerman
was drafted as a center fielder, but the glove doesn't look good enough to stay there. That's why the offense is so important, so adding 42 runs, 9 doubles, 4 triples, 2 homers, 10 steals, and 31 RBIs in 416 PAs is not enough. The 11.1 BB% was nice, but he struck out more often (59, 14.2) and the steals were nullified by being caught eight times. He is fast, so the steal success rate might improve, but he's now going to return to San Jose for another year. At the moment he's in a four man rotation with maybe second priority, but with plenty of players champing at the bit he's going to have to hit to keep his 40-man roster spot.

RF Frank Hernandez (346th Overall)
Acquired: Via Draft: 7th Round, 110th Overall (1950)
Alma Mater: Houma Barons

I'm actually proud of Frank Hernandez for fighting through the pain and enduring an awful season at the plate, and I really think it speaks to his character. Our 7th Round Pick last season, the now 19-year-old Hernandez was stuck in San Jose because none of our low minors outfielders could hit and he was actually red arrow free and too good for La Crosse. Sure, it's a 130 PA sample, but none of the Lions were going to hit .306/.423/.667 (157 OPS+) at any point this year. For Hernandez it came between two, but the 54 at bats each go are still the best and second best 54 at bats at that time. With 12 homers, 33 RBIs, and a 153 WRC+, he clearly didn't belong in the lowest level, even if the next is too hard to begin with.

There's no real sweet spot for guys who are young, but still better then C ball quality, as Class B seems closer to a high A then a low A and some teams have 24 to 26 year old getting significant time. That's why Hernandez's .197/.264/.248 (38 OPS+) line shouldn't be held against him and it's more about the experience of dealing with slumps that does the trick. I think it will motivate him, as he's been in the cages every game he doesn't start and will sometimes go between innings to get some extra swings. He wants to be a better hitter, and with all the swings he takes you know his eye is good. Dixie even thinks there's a chance to hit some homers, a huge gift, but the power is more raw then ready to order. I'm excited to see how he does in another go at it, and if he can show improvement in the offseason he'll get more and more at bats as the year goes on.

LF Charlie Harvey (347th Overall)
Acquired: Via Draft: 11th Round, 172nd Overall (1946)
Alma Mater: LaSalle Cavaliers

It was a massive drop for Charlie Harvey, who despite a superb offensive season he took a major hit in the prospect rankings. This could do us well, as I may leave him unprotected to keep a 40-man spot free. It could work in our favor, but the 23-year-old has favorable scouting reports. A former 11th Rounder, the bat is really good, and he's produced a WRC+ of 125 or better in each of the past three seasons. His best work came in Lincoln, but the samples were just two plate appearances apart. With the Legislators he slashed an elite .296/.458/.471 (161 OPS+), smacking 13 doubles and 7 homers with 37 runs, 32 RBIs, and a 59-to-23 walk-to-strikeout ratio. He had a 169 WRC+ compared to "just" 127 with the champion Governors, and 1.7 of his 2.3 WAR came in Lincoln. That tells you all you need to know about the glove, as his .309/.405/.413 (113 OPS+) line in 66 games is still really good. The Chicago native added 8 doubles, 2 triples, 4 homers, 40 runs, 43 RBIs, and 37 walks, completing a successful campaign that I hope he can build on next year. With so many better center fielders it's hard to seem him playing for his hometown team, but if he keeps hitting we'll give him a shot to make it as a big league ball player.

LHP Ray Paulson (350th Overall)
Acquired: Via Draft: 5th Round, 70th Overall (1947)
Alma Mater: Forest Park Foresters

Surprisingly already Rule-5 eligible, Ray Paulson went from La Crosse to Lincoln, making 15 starts in three trips as he begun his long awaited ascent up our system. A former 5th Rounder, he spent four seasons in Class C, as aside from a solid season his draft year, he had ERA+ of 66, 75, and 58 before this season. It was just two starts and two relief appearances this year, but Paulson had an outstanding 4.08 ERA (150 ERA+) and 4.43 FIP (72 FIP-) and I thought well now is as good a time as any. His 7 starts in San Jose were serviceable, as the 21-year-old went 3-4 with a 4.50 ERA (87 ERA+) and 1.38 WHIP. The issue was the 28 walks to 19 strikeouts, but then he got the best 22nd birthday gift. By sheer luck, a last second rotation spot opened up in the Legislators rotation, and since I hate giving guys who make a lot of starts with one level a random late season promotion, Paulson got the lucky call by needing someone who's stats wouldn't look too weird by a small start. It couldn't have gone any better, as in three starts he allowed just 13 hits, 2 runs, and 7 walks with 9 strikeouts. Both his ERA and WHIP were below 1, and impressive 0.87 (393 ERA+) and 0.97 WHIP and his 2.80 FIP (81 FIP-) is benefited by no home runs. A max effort type, it probably meant the world to "Half-Pint" who hasn't had the success he's wanted in his professional career. The stuff just hasn't improved and until he improves his command he's not going to have continued success. He's slated to return to the Legislators, but there's a chance he'll be in the pen if we have too many pitchers aiming for the rotation.

RHP Wilson McKinney (356th Overall)
Acquired: Via Draft: 2nd Round, 23rd Overall (1949)
Alma Mater: Colonel White Cougars

Wilson McKinney is the a personal favorite of mine, but he's also the poster child of reaching for a high school pitcher in the second round. Sure, sometimes you get Allie Eddy's, but high school pitchers are the riskiest group to pick from and I have a tendency to do grab high upside arms to bet on their best case scenario. At 21 he's dropped to 40th as a back end starter, but that's just the worst case scenario at this point. A dedicated pitcher who's not giving up, McKinney struggled as a starter this season before finding himself in the pen. In equal starts and relief outings, he had 33 walks and 74 strikeouts, but he had a 6.49 ERA (94 ERA+) as a starter compared to a 1.69 (362 ERA+) as a reliever. David Molina's awful season showed why a bullpen is absolutely important, and it's nice to know he has a fall back there.

Still, my goal for him next season is to eventually start games in San Jose, as it will be his fourth season since being selected. A projectable five pitch pitcher, McKinney has a really good splitter, and it's just one of man potential plus pitches. For now it's the only weapon, and I'd like to see progress with his high 80s cutter. If he can keep it around the edges he could get weak outs, but his mistakes are very punishable. He has three secondary pitches that could cement him as a starter, and I'm really hoping the change can be a weapon in the bottom of the zone. If he can attack with a cutter/change approach and then drop a kitchen sink type splitter when ahead in the count, there's going to be a lot of silly looking hitters wondering why they're enduring minor league pay during their walk back to the dugout.

Cuban Winter League: Opening Day
 

Plenty of teams who aren't us saw a new affiliate and partner for the third season in a row, but we're back with the Chicago Chiefs in Cienfuegos to represent the Crocodiles who came ever-so-close to a pennant last season. To almost no ones surprise, the starting spots are Cougar-heavy, as we boast the top ranked system (189) and the Chiefs have just one top 100 prospect, Hugh Ferebee (27th), who we were both debating picking with Jack Craft (34th) at 11th or 12th. I think Ferebee is the better player, but Craft fits our organization better, as there is no shortage of outfield talent in our system. Neither have the CWL in their near future, both fresh out of high schools, but the Cougars supply the Crocs with six of the eight lineup members, three of the four starting pitchers, and the stopper. Bob Allen will open up the season in Santa Clara, taking on 24-year-old Earle Bailey who was a 13th Round Pick of the Minutemen back in 1945. It's going to be awesome to see Jerry Smith in center during an Allen start, and our young future ace will have Henry Norman and Harley Dollar in the corners of an all Cougar outfield.

Considering both teams get equal pitchers and hitters, it's impressive that we have no bench players or low leverage reliever. Part of that is the depth of our upper minors, but the rest is the discrepancy in overall talent between the two systems. Three of the guys we have on the roster would rank as their #1 prospect, and then 15 of our remaining top 130 prospects would rank behind Ferebee. They only have 4 top 250 prospects to our 29, and we have nearly 50 prospects that would crack their top 15. Aside from the obvious, there's not really someone I'd part for a lot of prospects with. Part is our fault, I did take Crooks (92nd) and Neville (148th) in the John Moss deal, but Tim Hopkins turns 34 next March and I guess I have to trade for him? I guess it makes sense on paper, but he's no Red Johnson, and even though he's started 13 of the last 14 seasons in left (stupid military service...) in the left field, Leo Mitchell will eventually have to move to first.

One guy I have my eye on is 24-year-old righty Bill Kline, who shares the name of the former Cougar southpaw who we took after Fred Barrell in the 1926 draft. The right handed version had an elite 2.13 FIP (64 FIP-) in 120.2 innings pitched, with earned him a callup to Chicago for 11 starts. He represented the Chiefs here last year, going 4-2 with a 4.62 ERA (107 ERA+), 1.38 WHIP, and 45 strikeouts in 11 starts and a relief outing. That's better then his rookie season, as Kline walked (34) more guys then he struck out (26), and his 4.73 ERA (88 ERA+) and 1.75 WHIP were higher then you'd like. He'll take the two spot in the rotation, and look to prove he deserves to stay for 1952. Here's his new temporary teammates from our organization:

RHP Bob Allen (13th Overall; 2-2, 30 IP, 4.80 ERA, 12 K)*
LHP Dixie Gaines (128th Overall; 6 IP, 7.50 ERA, 4 K)*
RHP Mack Lyons (208th Overall)*
RHP Ernie Tisdale (164th Overall)*
C Garland Phelps (25th Overall)*
2B Roxy Hilts
3B John Price
CF Henry Norman (69th Overall)*
CF Jerry Smith (8th Overall; .293, HR, 5 RBI, 15 BB)*
RF Harley Dollar (218th Overall)*

*On 40-Man Roster

No Frank Reece may be a disappointment, but this is an absolutely loaded group of players that could probably give some FABL players a run for their money. Almost everyone is on the 40, but Roxy Hilts and John Price will get to put out a show for any teams willing to roster them all season. I don't expect to protect either, but they'll play every day at second and third. Hilts has a better chance of being selected, as he had a 143 WRC+ in 48 AA games, but a more pedestrian finish in the Century League could help him avoid selection. Price struggled in AA, so I can't see a team taking a risk, and in the 8th spot in the order he may not get as many at bats as the seven guys ahead of him.

Cuban Winter League: Week 1
 

CF Jerry Smith (#9 Overall)
Acquired: Via Draft: 1st Round, 5th Overall (1947)
FABL: .293/.438/.431 (131 OPS+), 5 2B, HR, 5 RBI, SB
AAA: .265/.373/.425 (129 OPS+), 212 PA, 10 2B, 5 3B, 3 HR, 22 RBI, 8 SB
AA: .329/.439/.675 (186 OPS+), 301 PA, 24 2B, 10 3B, 14 HR, 55 RBI, 8 SB
CWL: .250/.366/.343 (73 OPS+), 131 PA, 2 2B, 3B, 2 HR, 17 RBI, 11 SB

I didn't even realize players in the CWL could get injured, but hopeful future of the franchise Jerry Smith was one of two Cougar prospects to go down this week. It's a huge disadvantage for the Crocs, who will be down to ten position players for the next three weeks. The eagle eyed Smith walked in his only trip to the plate, soon straining his oblique on a successful stolen base attempt. Henry Norman seems likely to take over in center (and he was 5-for-11 with 3 doubles and 3 walks in an excellent first week), allowing wither Chiefs 20th Rounder Bobby Root or catcher/outfielder Ed Whiting (who looks to be the choice) to enter the lineup in left. It's a huge downgrade for the 2-1 Crocs, who will also be without second basemen Roxy Hilts for three weeks with a torn thumb ligament. Hilts lasted one more game then Smith, going 0-for-5 with a walk and run scored. This was the Croc's leadoff and cleanup hitter, and while bad for them and us, the Chiefs will surely be happy with two of their bench guys getting more time. The infield depth was already thin, just one replacement, and without Hilts there's no one left on the bench who can play second, third, or short.

Good thing there are a lot of off-days! We're sure going to need them!

Cuban Winter League: Week 2
 

Just got some good news! The draft will be five rounds shorter from now on! 20 rounds is much better then 25, as it'll lead to some undrafted players who either go to school or become a free agent. This means less random end round guys to cut or force other cuts, and five fewer guys to recap. Not like the end of round guys are ever a challenge, but it's a pet peeve of mine when players with eligibility left get cut shortly after being drafted, and then they get sucked in the carousel that is the independent minor leagues.

RHP Bob Allen (#19 Overall)
Acquired: Via Draft: 1st Round, 10th Overall (1946)
FABL: 2-2, 30 IP, 4.80 ERA (86 ERA+), 1.37 WHIP, 14 BB, 12 K
AAA: 6-2, 80.1 IP, 1.68 ERA (196 ERA+), 1.03 WHIP, 33 BB, 51 K
AA: 8-3, 93.2 IP, 3.36 ERA (122 ERA+), 1.30 WHIP, 40 BB, 53 K
CWL: 1-0, 12 IP, 3.75 ERA (112 ERA+), 1.17 WHIP, 3 BB, 11 K

Back for a second year in Cuba, new Cougar rotation member Bob Allen recovered quite well after a clunker on Opening Day. In a rematch against Santa Clara in Cienfuegos, Allen's only blemish was a solo home run, finishing 8 strong innings with just 4 hits and 2 walks. Allen struck out six, leading the team with 11 in 12 innings. What I'm loving most though is the control, as it's something he's occasionally struggled with. I'm sure it'll rise at some point, but his 5.7 BB% would crush his new career low 9.9 in 93.2 innings in Little Rock. Despite his fluctuating prospect rank, OSA says "he has room to grow, and may someday be a #1 starter for a team." Dixie goes a step further, declaring "very few flaws in his delivery should have him as average or above average in all categories" and that his "future lies at the top of the rotation." As you'd expect, his potential leads all members of the organization, trailing just Donnie Jones, Pete Papenfus, Duke Bybee, and George Polk in current ability. So far Allen is "Excelling" in his program to improve control, and if he can put the last piece together, we're going to have a legitimate chance to win the organization's first Kellogg Award. He's technically our 6th starter, but with Pap out through May he's going to be pitching every five days, and I don't see him throwing that opportunity away.

3B John Price (Not Ranked)
Acquired: Via Draft: 9th Round, 140th Overall (1946)
AA: .289/.311/.390 (81 OPS+), 228 PA, 4 2B, 6 HR, 36 RBI
A: .287/.332/.398 (106 OPS+), 271 PA, 8 2B, 3B, 6 HR, 31 RBI
CWL: .385/.448/.615 (185 OPS+), 29 PA, 3 2B, HR, 3 RBI

One of our guys with the most to prove, John Price is left unprotected for Monday's Rule-5 Draft, and a hot start like the one he's on could be life changing for him. The 23-year-old third basemen isn't hitting like an eight hitter, slashing .385/.448/.615 (185 OPS+) a homer and three doubles. Yes, seven games is nothing to get excited about, but seeing a guy who had a 86 WRC+ in AA hit this well is awesome. The defense hasn't been great, already charged with a pair of errors, so offense like this is a must if he wants to work his way to the big leagues. The potential for power does make him enticing, and a little power surge could bring attention to the former 9th Rounder. I'd love to keep him in the organization, but unless something happens to all four of our starting infielders there's not room for Price on the big league club anytime soon.

Cuban Winter League: Week 3
 

RHP Ernie Tisdale (#166 Overall)
Acquired: Via Draft: 2nd Round, 20th Overall (1950)
A: 4-3, 60 IP, 2.55 ERA (134 ERA+), 1.25 WHIP, 29 BB, 48 K
B: 4-6, 112.2 IP, 3.75 ERA (104 ERA+), 1.70 WHIP, 73 BB, 91 K
CWL: 1-2, 20 IP, 3.60 ERA (114 ERA+), 1.30 WHIP, 9 BB, 17 K

Despite a lower prospect ranking, Ernie Tisdale gets to pitch out of the rotation this time, and through a pair of starts and a relief appearance he's been excellent. Through 20 innings he has 17 hits, 8 runs, 9 walks, and 17 strikeouts, equating to a 3.60 ERA (114 ERA+) and 1.30 WHIP. He's won just one of his appearances, ironically the one he walked a season high five. Tisdale will make his third start today, taking on the Holguin Hawks. A win here could put the Cros in a tie with any of the three other teams in their division for first. Currently tied with Matanzas, Havana and Santa Clara are a game ahead in first, and all four teams are playing a member of the Eastern division.

It's been nice for "Big E" to carry his form into the winter, as he did his best work in Lincoln. His 2.55 ERA (134 ERA+) and 2.33 FIP (68 FIP-) were well above average, and he allowed just a single homer in 60 innings pitched. His 11.7 BB% and 19.4 K% were even better then his 15 starts in San Jose, so it will be interesting to see where his winter innings will end up ranking. It's far too early, but his 10.6 BB% and 20.0 K% would be the best of the season. It's good he's been striking out a lot of hitters, as his command needs a lot of work. His mistakes haven't been hit out of the park, and it can be attributed to two quality off-speed pitches that are difficult for hitters to get a hold of. His splitter and change can both get outs, but the splitter is what he turns for when he needs a whiff. I'd love for him to start the season in AA, but and we may be assisted in Monday's Rule-5 draft if one of our starters gets snapped up in the Rule-5 Draft.

Cuban Winter League: Week 4
 

The Rule-5 Draft came and went, and the craziest part is everyone missed Earl Leckie. I'll be honest, our 40 was full and I didn't envision a guy lasting so I didn't really look at the pool, but the Chiefs were able to get a top 30 prospect in the second round. I wonder if Leckie being in the CWL hid him from teams, as I would have thought he'd be everyone's #1. We lost three players, which doesn't surprise me, but the three selected are the shock. The Chiefs also grabbed Archie Cunningham and Bob Hobbs from us, while the injured Ben Clough will go too the Dynamos. None of these are major losses, but losing "A.C" is sad as the Cougars may never have an AC/DC infield. Archie's good defense enticed the Chiefs, as they're looking to do better then Charlie Artuso under the new regime.

RF Harley Dollar (#214 Overall)
Acquired: Via Draft: 9th Round, 131st Overall (1947)
AA: .375/.476/.474 (147 OPS+), 185 PA, 10 2B, 3B, HR, 27 RBI
A: .311/.471/.487 (170 OPS+), 408 PA, 28 2B, 6 3B, 5 HR, 40 RBI
CWL: .302/.441/.377 (116 OPS+), 68 PA, 4 2B, 7 RBI

The outfield isn't as exciting without Jerry Smith, who should be making his return to the lineup tomorrow, but Harley Dollar has held things down in right. The 23-year-old is hitting .302/.441/.377 (116 OPS+) in 15 games, with all but two of the starts in right. Dollar hasn't hit for much power, just 4 doubles in 68 trips to the plate, but he makes up for it with excellent discipline. Dollar has 13 walks to just 2 strikeouts, leading to a 133 WRC+. Big walk-to-strikeout ratios are normal for Dollar, who drew 92 walks in 408 triples to the plate in Lincoln. He had just 28 strikeouts, leading to a 6.9 K% that was significantly lower then his 22.5 BB%. Numbers like that didn't stick after his promotion, but he still drew walks (28, 15.1) at a higher rate then he struck out (21, 11.4). His defense isn't really good enough for center, so he'll have to maintain major gaps in his walk and strikeout rates. There's no power either, so his bat to ball skills will be crucial. If he keeps putting the ball in play, he'll find his way into someone's lineup, and consistent long at bats are key to his big league prospects.