[ayaghmour2]

CF Joe Johnson (16th Overall)
Acquired: Via Draft: 2nd Round, 17th Overall (1929)
Alma Mater: Central Ohio Aviators
Last Year Rank: Not in organization

Our top prospect this year is CF Joe Johnson, who ranked 10 places higher then Mack Deal did last season. I'm actually shocked Tom Barrell isn't ranked higher, however the ranks only take account his pitching. Johnson was our 2nd round pick and I felt really lucky that he fell to us. It looks like this pick was a wise one to start, as my scout thinks he has "the dynamic tools needed to make an impact in the majors." In college, he hit .342/.438/.581 (186 OPS+) with 22 homers, 37 steals, and 114 RBI's for the Central Ohio Aviators. Johnson has elite contact potential and solid home run power. He has excellent speed which helps him track down a lot of balls in center. I'm hoping he has the range to stick, because I think Johnson can make an impact in the majors really soon. The switch hitter is scheduled to start the season with A Lincoln.

SP Tom Barrell (42nd Overall)
Acquired: Via Draft: 1st Round, 1st Overall (1929)
Alma Mater: Georgia Baptist Gators
Last Year Rank: Not in organization

The Continental Association had the first pick of the draft this year, so we selected who we felt was the obvious #1 pick in Tom Barrell. The two-way superstar is son of in universe baseball scout Rufus Barrell and the brother of the Cougars starting catcher Fred Barrell. A four year senior, Barrell finished his career 34-8 with a 2.54 ERA (186 ERA+), 0.97 WHIP, and 489 strikeouts in 425 innings. He holds numerous college records including career wins, innings pitched, and pitcher WAR. He's a pretty decent hitter who can play left and first base as well. He broke out at the plate his senior season, but he owns a .263/.342/.539 (130 OPS+) line with 26 homers and 86 RBI's. On the mound, my scouts thinks he "should end up near the top of the rotation" which is one of the greatest compliments a scout has ever given. He sits in the upper 90s and can graze triple digits with his fastball. He's not very tall, just 5'11'', but he really piles on the strikeouts. And at the plate he's expected to hit for double digit home runs with a good eye and solid feel defensively. For now, Barrell will be a two-way player, but I care more about his pitching. It would also be kind of cool if he becomes this league's Babe Ruth. One thing I know for sure, however, is Barrell is likely never leaving Chicago.

SP Ben Turner (65th Overall)
Acquired: Via Draft: 9th Round, 131st Overall (1926)
Alma Mater: Scranton HS Miners
Last Year Rank: 2nd

It looks like I struck gold here with Ben Turner, who has developed into one of the best young pitching prospects in the game. A high school arm from the Miners of Scranton High, he was flat out dominate in 219.2 innings. He was 15-8 with a 2.05 ERA (220 ERA+), 1.10 WHIP, and 210 strikeouts. It's rather shocking he fell, but it seems people are really hesitant to take high school arms. The now 21-year-old ended last season in AA Mobile with the Commodores. In 9 starts and 1 relief appearance, he was 3-6 with a 3.93 ERA (113), 1.37 WHIP, and 17 K. He is likely to stay in Mobile and may pitch in spring camp. He's a groundball pitcher with a low 90s sinker, curve, slider, and change. He looks to be a "mid-rotation option" with pinpoint command.

SP George DeForest (70th Overall)
Acquired: Via Draft: 6th Round, 83rd Overall (1927)
Alma Mater: San Antonio HS Warriors
Last Year Rank: 5th

Another dominant high schooler, the righty was 13-4 with a 1.83 ERA (243 ERA+), 0.85 WHIP, and 230 strikeouts in 216.1 innings for San Antonio HS. He spent some time on the DL this year with shoulder inflammation that cost him his season in June. While he was healthy, he spent 12 of his 14 starts in San Jose with the Cougars. He was 6-4 with a 3.81 ERA (122 ERA+), 1.53 WHIP, and 30 strikeouts in 87.1 innings. These were very solid numbers for the recently turned 21-year-old who is trying to push his way up the ladder. He put on some velocity in the offseason once healthy, reaching 91-93 with his fastball, his best of four pitches. He gives up a lot of flyballs, but has the "potential to dominate" when he throws strikes. I'm debating where he will start the season, but I know it won't be in Lincoln.


SS Clyde Hinzman (86th Overall)
Acquired: Via Draft: 6th Round, 84th Overall (1925)
Alma Mater: Washington DC HS Senators
Last Year Rank: 8th

What appears to be another good prospect in a really good 1925 draft class. The 22-year-old Clyde Hinzman was drafted for his glove, and he's put up a +56.7 ZR at short in a little over 5,000 innings. He had a solid showing in AA Mobile where he hit .306/.363/.419 (101 OPS+) with 3 homers and 57 RBI's. He earned the call to AAA in September so Slim Bloom could be recalled from the minors. He looked more then ready, hitting .380/.438/.535 (152 OPS+) with 2 homers and 18 RBI's in 81 trips to the plate. He's known for the glove, of course, but he has a solid eye and could be developing a stroke of power. If he does, we may have a cornerstone shortstop. I'd expect him to start the year in Milwaukee before eventually making at least a cameo in the big leagues if not an extended showing.