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ayaghmour2 · 02-17-2020, 12:11 PM

1B Jim Fisher
Acquired: Via Minor League Free Agency (1925)
Alma Mater: Atlanta HS Peaches
Last Year Rank: 17th

An undrafted free agent out of Atlanta HS, Jim Fisher has tried his hand at a few positions, with first base looking like the only one he can play well. He had a dominant season in A Lincoln last year, slashing .380/.446/.505 (152 OPS+) with 9 homers and 84 RBI's. This was a huge increase to the 100 and 114 OPS+ he had the past two seasons in San Jose and the 22-year-old is likely ready for AA. He's got solid contact skills and average power, but no clear path to the starting lineup in the big leagues.

SP Gordie Thompson
Acquired: Via Draft: 5th Round, 65th Overall (1929)
Alma Mater: Wisconsin State Brewers
Last Year Rank: Not in organization

After signing for just $10, Gordie Thompson is the third highest ranked prospect in our system from the recent draft class. He wasn't great in college, but finished 9-13 with a 4.28 ERA (112 ERA+), 1.35 WHIP, and 218 strikeouts in 235.1 innings. He saw his strikeout rates nearly half last season, which is a trend I am hoping he reverses. He got a nice velocity bump before the draft, going from 87-89 to 91-93. My scout even thinks he can become a "fifth starter or swingman" due to his excellent command of the strike zone. Fifth starter is a gold compliment, that more or less translates into middle of the rotation starter. The righty is set to open the season in Lincoln as he looks work his way up the system.

SP Mike Murphy
Acquired: Via Draft: 1st Round, 2nd Overall (1928)
Alma Mater: Brooklyn State Bears
Last Year Rank: Not Ranked

If CF Bobby Barrell wasn't hurt, I probably would have taken him #2 (he's a top 5 prospect in all of baseball...), but I decided to go with what I thought was a safer pick in Mike Murphy. A lefty from Florida, Murphy was 14-13 with a 2.48 ERA (179 ERA+), 1.17 WHIP, and 274 strikeouts in 257.1 innings for Brooklyn State. He started last season in Lincoln, and was absolutely dominant in his 8 starts, going 3-1 with a 1.62 ERA (272 ERA+), 1.06 WHIP, and 12 strikeouts in 44.1 innings. He was dependable in AA Mobile as well, going 9-6 with a 4.66 ERA (95 ERA+), 1.50 WHIP, and 46 strikeouts in 137 innings. Murphy is a sidearmer who sits in the low 90s and has "dominant stuff" and has "the chance to be an ace" as I viewed him when I selected him. Stamina issues may be the only thing holding him back, as he doesn't pitch too deep into games. I'm hoping he can be stretched out into a starter, and he might even see his big league debut this season if he can handle AA hitters and progress to AAA.

RF Howard Moss
Acquired: Via Draft: 4th Round, 51st Overall (1927)
Alma Mater: Garden State Redbirds
Last Year Rank: Not Ranked

He spent most of last season in A Lincoln, but that almost wasn't the case as his name was brought up in trade rumors during the season. He hit well there, however, in 380 at bats, slashing .324/.381/.532 (140 OPS+) before a late season call up to AA. He also hit 11 homers and 83 RBI's split between B, A, and AA. A little on the older side, the 24-year-old Moss has an excellent eye that will lead to a high on base percentage. He did, however, take a significant step back last season as his -14.3 combined ZR is worse then his career -13.6 rating. If he can at least be passable in the outfield, Moss could be a second division FABL starter.

RF Ed Rhoden
Acquired: Via Draft: 13th Round, 196th Overall (1925)
Alma Mater: Nashville HS Hawks
Last Year Rank: Not Ranked

Playing time was hard to find for the righty, he split time between A, AA, and AAA while only recording a few more then 350 plate appearances. His main purpose is for his defense in right. A natural center fielder, Rhoden has adjusted really well to the corner. He's got great speed and a decent arm and the 23-year-old may try to see some time in left if it benefits his playing time. I expect him to bounce around a ton, as he's on the lower bound of our prospects. I do think he can be an excellent utility player, but that may be the extent of his production.

02-17-2020, 12:11 PM	#53
ayaghmour2 Hall Of Famer Join Date: Mar 2018 Posts: 3,010	Top Prospects: 16-20 1B Jim Fisher Acquired: Via Minor League Free Agency (1925) Alma Mater: Atlanta HS Peaches Last Year Rank: 17th An undrafted free agent out of Atlanta HS, Jim Fisher has tried his hand at a few positions, with first base looking like the only one he can play well. He had a dominant season in A Lincoln last year, slashing .380/.446/.505 (152 OPS+) with 9 homers and 84 RBI's. This was a huge increase to the 100 and 114 OPS+ he had the past two seasons in San Jose and the 22-year-old is likely ready for AA. He's got solid contact skills and average power, but no clear path to the starting lineup in the big leagues. SP Gordie Thompson Acquired: Via Draft: 5th Round, 65th Overall (1929) Alma Mater: Wisconsin State Brewers Last Year Rank: Not in organization After signing for just $10, Gordie Thompson is the third highest ranked prospect in our system from the recent draft class. He wasn't great in college, but finished 9-13 with a 4.28 ERA (112 ERA+), 1.35 WHIP, and 218 strikeouts in 235.1 innings. He saw his strikeout rates nearly half last season, which is a trend I am hoping he reverses. He got a nice velocity bump before the draft, going from 87-89 to 91-93. My scout even thinks he can become a "fifth starter or swingman" due to his excellent command of the strike zone. Fifth starter is a gold compliment, that more or less translates into middle of the rotation starter. The righty is set to open the season in Lincoln as he looks work his way up the system. SP Mike Murphy Acquired: Via Draft: 1st Round, 2nd Overall (1928) Alma Mater: Brooklyn State Bears Last Year Rank: Not Ranked If CF Bobby Barrell wasn't hurt, I probably would have taken him #2 (he's a top 5 prospect in all of baseball...), but I decided to go with what I thought was a safer pick in Mike Murphy. A lefty from Florida, Murphy was 14-13 with a 2.48 ERA (179 ERA+), 1.17 WHIP, and 274 strikeouts in 257.1 innings for Brooklyn State. He started last season in Lincoln, and was absolutely dominant in his 8 starts, going 3-1 with a 1.62 ERA (272 ERA+), 1.06 WHIP, and 12 strikeouts in 44.1 innings. He was dependable in AA Mobile as well, going 9-6 with a 4.66 ERA (95 ERA+), 1.50 WHIP, and 46 strikeouts in 137 innings. Murphy is a sidearmer who sits in the low 90s and has "dominant stuff" and has "the chance to be an ace" as I viewed him when I selected him. Stamina issues may be the only thing holding him back, as he doesn't pitch too deep into games. I'm hoping he can be stretched out into a starter, and he might even see his big league debut this season if he can handle AA hitters and progress to AAA. RF Howard Moss Acquired: Via Draft: 4th Round, 51st Overall (1927) Alma Mater: Garden State Redbirds Last Year Rank: Not Ranked He spent most of last season in A Lincoln, but that almost wasn't the case as his name was brought up in trade rumors during the season. He hit well there, however, in 380 at bats, slashing .324/.381/.532 (140 OPS+) before a late season call up to AA. He also hit 11 homers and 83 RBI's split between B, A, and AA. A little on the older side, the 24-year-old Moss has an excellent eye that will lead to a high on base percentage. He did, however, take a significant step back last season as his -14.3 combined ZR is worse then his career -13.6 rating. If he can at least be passable in the outfield, Moss could be a second division FABL starter. RF Ed Rhoden Acquired: Via Draft: 13th Round, 196th Overall (1925) Alma Mater: Nashville HS Hawks Last Year Rank: Not Ranked Playing time was hard to find for the righty, he split time between A, AA, and AAA while only recording a few more then 350 plate appearances. His main purpose is for his defense in right. A natural center fielder, Rhoden has adjusted really well to the corner. He's got great speed and a decent arm and the 23-year-old may try to see some time in left if it benefits his playing time. I expect him to bounce around a ton, as he's on the lower bound of our prospects. I do think he can be an excellent utility player, but that may be the extent of his production.