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ayaghmour2 · 03-17-2021, 09:00 PM

2B Ray Ford (8th Overall)
Acquired: Via Trade with Chicago (7-16-1934)
Drafted: 14th Round, 217th Overall (1932)
Alma Mater: Coastal Carolina Dolphins

He may have dropped a few spots in the rankings, but that doesn't mean I like Ford any less. In fact, I actually like him more now then before. Now that I know that he could potentially play left field, it gives me a few more options to use the 24-year-old. He's not Rule-5 eligible yet, but that won't stop him from trying to earn an Opening Day roster spot. He'll be getting reps at second and will compete against Bill Ashbaugh, as with Doc Love still in Chicago left field isn't open. Ford even started the season in A ball, but spent about half the season in AAA. It was the "worst" showing for him, hitting just .365/.458/.582 (151 OPS+) with 12 homers and 63 RBI's in one plate appearance shy of 300. Ford has always shown the ability to hit well, but defense will always be a struggled for him. He was passable in 62 AAA games in left, but I tried to play him at third in Mobile and it did not work at all. He's been awful at second too, but he's got the potential to be one of the games best hitters. The sky is truly the limit for Ford, and I'm really hoping he plays well enough to spend his entire 1936 in Chicago.

1B Leo Mitchell (12th Overall)
Acquired: Via Draft: 2nd Round, 28th Overall (1931)
Alma Mater: Atlanta HS Peaches

He's a big leaguer now! He started the season in AAA and hit an impressive .348/.423/.524 (129 OPS+) batting line with 11 homers and 70 RBI's in 407 trips to the plate. I decided that it would be time for the 22-year-old to start his Cougar career, and he managed a slightly above league average .316/.376/.399 (101 OPS+) line with 4 homers and 18 RBI's in 250 trips to the plate. Mitchell was extremely adept with the glove too, tallying an impressive +4.4 zone rating and 1.085 efficiency at first. Unless something crazy happens, we'll see Mitchell manning first base most of 1936. He's got significant contact potential and leadership well beyond his years. He currently ranks as the 15th best first basemen in the league, but I wouldn't be surprised if that jumps up to top 5 by this time next year.

SS Billy Hunter (13th Overall)
Acquired: Via Draft: 1st Round, 14th Overall (1932)
Alma Mater: Cincinnati HS Tigers

Sure Ford and Mitchell are ranked higher, but Billy Hunter is the one I'm much more excited for. He turns 21 in November, but Hunter was very effective with Lincoln this year. He hit .323/.388/.501 (112 OPS+) with 11 homers, 9 steals, and 79 RBI's in 526 plate appearances. My scout thinks he's going to be a great defensive shortstop, and he did look good there this season. He did get some reps at second, but that's just because teammate Freddie Bennett is an extremely gifted shortstop. Hunter has a higher upside then even Ollie Page, but he's still got a long way to go. He's got strong footspeed, makes consistent contact, and has shown decent power. I'm expecting him to start next season in AA, but I imagine Hunter is still a year or two away from his debut. I have no need to rush him with Page at short and Ford lined up for second, but eventually I imagine Page and Hunter forming a really strong double play combo.

RF Rich Langton (33rd Overall)
Acquired: Via Draft: 3rd Round, 46th Overall (1932)
Alma Mater: Detroit City College Knights

It feels weird still calling him a prospect, but Langton has less then 75 days of major league service. In his 70 days, he hit an outstanding .344/.384/.576 (146 OPS+) with 11 homers and 45 RBI's and he gave the league a glimpse of the future star power in Chicago. He was working out in right with Love still in left, but I do think Langton will be excellent in whichever corner he ends up. Still, the real appeal is the hit, and even though he's just 5'9'', this kid has elite contact tools and well above average power. In Chicago, he could potentially hit 30 homers a season and he's got the speed to swipe 20 bases as well. With him, Mitchell, and Love in the middle of the order next year, I'm expecting a lot of homers and a lot of runs scored.

C Harry Mead (38th Overall)
Acquired: Via Draft: 4th Round, 58th Overall (1932)
Alma Mater: Memphis HS Pharaohs

It's looking more and more likely that the Chicago Cougars will have a lefty catcher! It's probably a few years out, but the Harvey, Illinois native has really started to blossom into an excellent catcher behind the plate and he's held his own at the plate. In likely his only season in San Jose, Mead hit .280/.348/.394 (97 OPS+) with 6 homers and 74 RBI's in 541 trips to the plate. He should eventually hit for a high average, but his eye has really started to develop well. He walked five more times (49) then he struck out (54) and this trend should continue as he gets older. Mike Taylor seems to have fallen off a cliff, so there may be a little rush to get Mead up, but for now I plan on him spending the season in Lincoln.

03-17-2021, 09:00 PM	#385
ayaghmour2 Hall Of Famer Join Date: Mar 2018 Posts: 3,027	Top Prospects: 1-5 2B Ray Ford (8th Overall) Acquired: Via Trade with Chicago (7-16-1934) Drafted: 14th Round, 217th Overall (1932) Alma Mater: Coastal Carolina Dolphins He may have dropped a few spots in the rankings, but that doesn't mean I like Ford any less. In fact, I actually like him more now then before. Now that I know that he could potentially play left field, it gives me a few more options to use the 24-year-old. He's not Rule-5 eligible yet, but that won't stop him from trying to earn an Opening Day roster spot. He'll be getting reps at second and will compete against Bill Ashbaugh, as with Doc Love still in Chicago left field isn't open. Ford even started the season in A ball, but spent about half the season in AAA. It was the "worst" showing for him, hitting just .365/.458/.582 (151 OPS+) with 12 homers and 63 RBI's in one plate appearance shy of 300. Ford has always shown the ability to hit well, but defense will always be a struggled for him. He was passable in 62 AAA games in left, but I tried to play him at third in Mobile and it did not work at all. He's been awful at second too, but he's got the potential to be one of the games best hitters. The sky is truly the limit for Ford, and I'm really hoping he plays well enough to spend his entire 1936 in Chicago. 1B Leo Mitchell (12th Overall) Acquired: Via Draft: 2nd Round, 28th Overall (1931) Alma Mater: Atlanta HS Peaches He's a big leaguer now! He started the season in AAA and hit an impressive .348/.423/.524 (129 OPS+) batting line with 11 homers and 70 RBI's in 407 trips to the plate. I decided that it would be time for the 22-year-old to start his Cougar career, and he managed a slightly above league average .316/.376/.399 (101 OPS+) line with 4 homers and 18 RBI's in 250 trips to the plate. Mitchell was extremely adept with the glove too, tallying an impressive +4.4 zone rating and 1.085 efficiency at first. Unless something crazy happens, we'll see Mitchell manning first base most of 1936. He's got significant contact potential and leadership well beyond his years. He currently ranks as the 15th best first basemen in the league, but I wouldn't be surprised if that jumps up to top 5 by this time next year. SS Billy Hunter (13th Overall) Acquired: Via Draft: 1st Round, 14th Overall (1932) Alma Mater: Cincinnati HS Tigers Sure Ford and Mitchell are ranked higher, but Billy Hunter is the one I'm much more excited for. He turns 21 in November, but Hunter was very effective with Lincoln this year. He hit .323/.388/.501 (112 OPS+) with 11 homers, 9 steals, and 79 RBI's in 526 plate appearances. My scout thinks he's going to be a great defensive shortstop, and he did look good there this season. He did get some reps at second, but that's just because teammate Freddie Bennett is an extremely gifted shortstop. Hunter has a higher upside then even Ollie Page, but he's still got a long way to go. He's got strong footspeed, makes consistent contact, and has shown decent power. I'm expecting him to start next season in AA, but I imagine Hunter is still a year or two away from his debut. I have no need to rush him with Page at short and Ford lined up for second, but eventually I imagine Page and Hunter forming a really strong double play combo. RF Rich Langton (33rd Overall) Acquired: Via Draft: 3rd Round, 46th Overall (1932) Alma Mater: Detroit City College Knights It feels weird still calling him a prospect, but Langton has less then 75 days of major league service. In his 70 days, he hit an outstanding .344/.384/.576 (146 OPS+) with 11 homers and 45 RBI's and he gave the league a glimpse of the future star power in Chicago. He was working out in right with Love still in left, but I do think Langton will be excellent in whichever corner he ends up. Still, the real appeal is the hit, and even though he's just 5'9'', this kid has elite contact tools and well above average power. In Chicago, he could potentially hit 30 homers a season and he's got the speed to swipe 20 bases as well. With him, Mitchell, and Love in the middle of the order next year, I'm expecting a lot of homers and a lot of runs scored. C Harry Mead (38th Overall) Acquired: Via Draft: 4th Round, 58th Overall (1932) Alma Mater: Memphis HS Pharaohs It's looking more and more likely that the Chicago Cougars will have a lefty catcher! It's probably a few years out, but the Harvey, Illinois native has really started to blossom into an excellent catcher behind the plate and he's held his own at the plate. In likely his only season in San Jose, Mead hit .280/.348/.394 (97 OPS+) with 6 homers and 74 RBI's in 541 trips to the plate. He should eventually hit for a high average, but his eye has really started to develop well. He walked five more times (49) then he struck out (54) and this trend should continue as he gets older. Mike Taylor seems to have fallen off a cliff, so there may be a little rush to get Mead up, but for now I plan on him spending the season in Lincoln.