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ayaghmour2 · 02-23-2020, 02:40 PM

RP Bob Bliss
Acquired: Via Minor League Free Agent (1929)
Drafted: 18th Round, 248th Overall by the Chicago Chiefs (1927)
Alma Mater: San Antonio HS Warriors
Last Year Rank: Not in Organization

A former draftee of the Chicago Chiefs, they released him last May and we brought him to the north side in July.. A lefty with a sinker and curveball, Bliss is never going to start, and was roughed up in the Chiefs organization last season. He only pitched 3.1 innings for us in La Crosse, allowing 5 hits and a run with a walk and strikeout. I don't have too many expectations for him, but he may eventually end up in the big league bullpen.

SP Ed Stevens
Acquired: Via Draft: 3rd Round, 35th Overall (1927)
Alma Mater: Travis College Bucks
Last Year Rank: Not Ranked

A former 3rd Round Pick just three drafts ago, Ed Stevens worked his way up to AA last season and received an invite to spring training. In his two seasons in our system, he's always had an ERA+ above 100. With Mobile he was 4-5 with a 4.37 ERA (102 ERA+), 1.51 WHIP, and 27 strikeouts in 90.2 innings pitched. Now 24, Stevens' fastball sits in the low 90s and he uses his slider and change to get swings at misses. He's got average stuff and average control and looks to fill a spot starter/swingman type role with his sights on a big league debut in the next two seasons.

1B Bill Miller
Acquired: Via Minor League Free Agent (1925)
Drafted: 5th Round, 81st Overall by the Pittsburgh Miners (1922)
Alma Mater: Birmingham HS Bulldogs
Last Year Rank: Not Ranked

Normally when a team trades their starter at your position, it means you are likely to see an increased role of importance. For Bill Miller, it has the adverse effect, as incumbent starter Luke Nixon was traded so the star of the team Bill Ashbaugh can play a less demanding defensive position. A native of Chicago, Miller held his own with the Commodores, hitting .299/.357/.421 (106 OPS+) with 4 homers and 73 RBI's in his first real taste of everyday action. The 25-year-old is our #1 depth option in case Ashbaugh finds himself on the DL again, but I don't see much more then a AAAA type player in Miller.

RP Claude Purvis
Acquired: Via Minor League Free Agent (1925)
Drafted: 12th Round, 201st Overall by the Chicago Chiefs (released after) (1923)
Alma Mater: Syracuse HS Stars
Last Year Rank: Not Ranked

Added to the 40-Man roster in the offseason, Claude Purvis has a longshot chance to make the active roster out of the spring. Regardless, the 24-year-old has a really high chance of making his FABL debut this season. He didn't pitch much last season, but the righty looks to be a dependable option out of the pen. He has a decent three pitch arsenal and he can give you length if the starter is knocked out early. He does a good job keeping the ball on the ground, but relievers don't have too much value in this league.

Technically our 30th prospect was Buck Putnam, however, he was swapped for Jim Crawford in the independent league draft. I'll report on Crawford here instead:

SP Jim Crawford (#36 Overall)
Acquired: Via Independent League Draft from Sacramento (1930)
Last Year Rank: Not in Organization

Jim Crawford never attended high school or college, but bounced around in the independent circuit before starting to get time with both New Orleans and Sacramento in 1927. His best season was last, as the then 23-year-old was 12-7 with a 4.54 ERA (104 ERA+), 1.39 WHIP, and 104 strikeouts in 150.2 innings pitched. The lefty is a groundballer who my scout thinks has "middle of the rotation potential" with pinpoint control. He can throw a cutter, curve, change, and forkball with all the pitches generally checking in south of 90 MPH. He has to stay on our 40-Man, but Crawford will likely start in a less stressful pitching environment with AA Mobile before returning to AAA. Adding Crawford to the organization really boosted our prospect quality on the mound and he looks like a building block for the future.

02-23-2020, 02:40 PM	#57
ayaghmour2 Hall Of Famer Join Date: Mar 2018 Posts: 3,010	Top Prospects: 26-30 RP Bob Bliss Acquired: Via Minor League Free Agent (1929) Drafted: 18th Round, 248th Overall by the Chicago Chiefs (1927) Alma Mater: San Antonio HS Warriors Last Year Rank: Not in Organization A former draftee of the Chicago Chiefs, they released him last May and we brought him to the north side in July.. A lefty with a sinker and curveball, Bliss is never going to start, and was roughed up in the Chiefs organization last season. He only pitched 3.1 innings for us in La Crosse, allowing 5 hits and a run with a walk and strikeout. I don't have too many expectations for him, but he may eventually end up in the big league bullpen. SP Ed Stevens Acquired: Via Draft: 3rd Round, 35th Overall (1927) Alma Mater: Travis College Bucks Last Year Rank: Not Ranked A former 3rd Round Pick just three drafts ago, Ed Stevens worked his way up to AA last season and received an invite to spring training. In his two seasons in our system, he's always had an ERA+ above 100. With Mobile he was 4-5 with a 4.37 ERA (102 ERA+), 1.51 WHIP, and 27 strikeouts in 90.2 innings pitched. Now 24, Stevens' fastball sits in the low 90s and he uses his slider and change to get swings at misses. He's got average stuff and average control and looks to fill a spot starter/swingman type role with his sights on a big league debut in the next two seasons. 1B Bill Miller Acquired: Via Minor League Free Agent (1925) Drafted: 5th Round, 81st Overall by the Pittsburgh Miners (1922) Alma Mater: Birmingham HS Bulldogs Last Year Rank: Not Ranked Normally when a team trades their starter at your position, it means you are likely to see an increased role of importance. For Bill Miller, it has the adverse effect, as incumbent starter Luke Nixon was traded so the star of the team Bill Ashbaugh can play a less demanding defensive position. A native of Chicago, Miller held his own with the Commodores, hitting .299/.357/.421 (106 OPS+) with 4 homers and 73 RBI's in his first real taste of everyday action. The 25-year-old is our #1 depth option in case Ashbaugh finds himself on the DL again, but I don't see much more then a AAAA type player in Miller. RP Claude Purvis Acquired: Via Minor League Free Agent (1925) Drafted: 12th Round, 201st Overall by the Chicago Chiefs (released after) (1923) Alma Mater: Syracuse HS Stars Last Year Rank: Not Ranked Added to the 40-Man roster in the offseason, Claude Purvis has a longshot chance to make the active roster out of the spring. Regardless, the 24-year-old has a really high chance of making his FABL debut this season. He didn't pitch much last season, but the righty looks to be a dependable option out of the pen. He has a decent three pitch arsenal and he can give you length if the starter is knocked out early. He does a good job keeping the ball on the ground, but relievers don't have too much value in this league. Technically our 30th prospect was Buck Putnam, however, he was swapped for Jim Crawford in the independent league draft. I'll report on Crawford here instead: SP Jim Crawford (#36 Overall) Acquired: Via Independent League Draft from Sacramento (1930) Last Year Rank: Not in Organization Jim Crawford never attended high school or college, but bounced around in the independent circuit before starting to get time with both New Orleans and Sacramento in 1927. His best season was last, as the then 23-year-old was 12-7 with a 4.54 ERA (104 ERA+), 1.39 WHIP, and 104 strikeouts in 150.2 innings pitched. The lefty is a groundballer who my scout thinks has "middle of the rotation potential" with pinpoint control. He can throw a cutter, curve, change, and forkball with all the pitches generally checking in south of 90 MPH. He has to stay on our 40-Man, but Crawford will likely start in a less stressful pitching environment with AA Mobile before returning to AAA. Adding Crawford to the organization really boosted our prospect quality on the mound and he looks like a building block for the future.