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Old 08-30-2021, 11:27 AM   #232
Jiggs McGee
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This Week in Figment Baseball: July 25, 1938

THIS WEEK IN FIGMENT BASEBALL

July 25, 1938

DYNAMOS PAD LEAD AS TRADE DEADLINE APPROACHES

As quickly as the Chicago Chiefs cut into Detroit's lead atop the Federal Association, the Dynamos responded with a big week and once again have a 4.5 game cushion on their nearest rival. A week ago at this time Detroit appeared to be in big trouble after dropping 6 of 7 games including being swept by the last place Washington Eagles. All that changed this week as the Dynamos rebounded with a 5-1 week including a 3-game sweep of the Philadelphia Keystones. While Detroit was make short work of the Keystones and Boston, the Chicago Chiefs, who finished off last week on a 4 game winning streak, stumbled against those same two teams. The Chiefs were swept by Boston in a 3 game set before salvaging something from the week by taking two out of three from the Keystones. The result is Chicago is once again 4.5 games back of a Detroit team that continues to surprise everyone else in the league.
With this being the final week before the trade deadline one has to wonder if the Chiefs - or perhaps St Louis and Pittsburgh - who sit tied for third place in the Fed - are going to pull the trigger on a deadline deal that might tilt the balance in their favour? The problem is after the moves made last week, none of which involved the 4 contenders in the Fed, is there just might not be a lot available.

You have to think Detroit fans would feel just a little more comfortable with another quality starting pitcher, especially considering the very inconsistent Ron Coles (8-5, 5.42) has had a few rough outings of late. The rest of Detroit's rotation, consisting of vets Frank Crawford (14-3, 3.10) and Roger Perry (9-4, 3.86) and youngsters Stumpy Beamon (7-6, 3.91) and Charlie Wheeler (9-6, 2.87) has been very good so perhaps just cutting the rotation down to those four might be a sufficient upgrade for George Theobald's squad. Crawford has been terrific all season and dumped the Keystones 6-1 to improve his July record to 4-0. Wheeler, who came over from the Gothams in the off-season, has stumbled a little recently in dropping his last three decisions but part of that was bad luck as he fell 1-0 in Boston on Saturday. Regardless, the 23 year old is on track to becoming the most popular player named Wheeler to don the Detroit flannel, although he still has a long ways to go in that regard he has made fans in Detroit forget all about the Wonder Wheel. Of course, having the game's next superstar outfielder in Sal Pestilli (.306,27,71) also helps the cause.

What about Chicago? The Chiefs rotation seems solid even with Al Miller (7-10, 4.32) underperforming but a bullpen piece would certainly not hurt. The offense is also very well stocked but they could stand to have an upgrade in center field where Bob Worley (.188,4,29) showed quickly that power numbers in the Great Western League do not always translate to big league success. Bobby Small (.182,0,1) is getting a shot to see if perhaps he can do the job in center, at least in a platoon role. One has to think a deal with a team like the New York Stars (for Chink Stickels) or Montreal (if they could coax Pablo Reyes away from the Saints) might go a long ways towards helping the Chiefs overtake Detroit.

You can't count Pittsburgh or St Louis. The Miners have been very good of late but they desperately need Mahlon Strong to actually be healthy if they want to challenge. St Louis has slowed down lately with the absence of David Abalo hurting their chances and no one seemingly capable of being the fourth arm in the rotation.


QUICK HITS
  • It was mentioned above but here are the moves the top two in the Fed need to make to tilt the balance down the stretch. Detroit: add another starting pitcher. Dave Rankin would have been perfect had he not been dealt to the Foresters. Chicago Chiefs: Work their relationship with Montreal one more time to add Pablo Reyes and reliever Howie Snyder for a package of prospects including Chuck Adams.
  • Word out of Chicago is the Chiefs have thrown some feelers out on a pair of players, both of whom might have a huge impact in the Fed race. No confirmation either deal is close to happening but Chicago is certainly trying to do something.
  • Rough week for the Brooklyn Kings who lost five of their last 7 but they still lead second place Toronto by 9 games in the Continental Association. The Philadelphia Sailors are worth watching. They are still 10.5 games back but have won 9 of 12 including taking two of three from Brooklyn at home recently. The two teams meet at Kings County this weekend and a Sailors sweep could make things interesting.
  • Peter the Heater has certainly lived up to his name in Chicago. The Cougars 20 year old pitching sensation is 4-0 with 2.25 era and 27 strikeouts in 28 innings of work. Makes one almost forget about the other young righthander off to a great start in the Windy City as 23 year old Harry Parker is 4-1 with a 2.36 era since coming up from AAA Milwaukee.
  • Things are not going so well with the young arms in Toronto as George Garrison (0-2, 1.0.80) and Jim Morrison (3-7, 5.87) continue to struggle but Wolves management vows they will both stay with the big club, at least for now.
  • Gothams rookies took their show on the road this week. In 6 games at Washington and Pittsburgh first year players flashed their potential. They play the same two teams at home this week. It will be interesting to see how they do now that their opponents have seen them
    SS Mule Monier - .429/.538/.810, 3 D, 1 T, 1 HR, 8 RBI
    3B Billy Dalton - .500/.567/.636
    RF Dave Haight - .467/.550/.733
    LF Ernesto Perez - .400/.464/.440
    Unfortunately newly acquired Oscar Morse's results looked like every other veteran pitcher the Gothams have used the past few years going 0-2 4.85. Truth be told, he didn't pitch poorly with a 1.08 WHIP in two games on the road against two of the better offenses in the Fed.
  • Chink Stickels (.344,2,39) continues to be one of the few bright spots for the New York Stars. The 27 year old was named CA player of the week after going 14-for-28 the past seven days. The Fed winner was Boston's Pete Day (.280,6,46) who was 12-for-31 with a pair of homers.
  • Nice start in Cleveland for Dave Rankin (7-11, 3.90). Two solid efforts in wins over Baltimore and the Stars.

1939 DRAFT PREVIEW

NAMES YOU NEED TO KNOW

A new format means the 1939 draft will arrive much quicker than originally expected as the opening three rounds of the draft, including the newly devised regional selection only third round, will be held in January prior to the top prospects starting their high school senior or college junior campaign. The decision takes the controversial OOTP generated Mock Draft out of the equation, at least for these early rounds, and will likely lead to some surprise picks, similar to what was seen in the second half of the previous decade before the Mock was introduced into the game.

To help get baseball fans up to speed TWIFB will regularly publish features on the draft over the coming months. First up here is a look at a dozen position players that might hear their names called in January instead of after the amateur seasons wrap in June, which is when rounds 4-25 will be completed.

BOB COON CF School: St. Magnus University Born: Johnstown, Pa.
1938: .345/.406/.569, 318 PA, 16 2B, 6 3B, 11 HR, 68 RBI, 34 SB
Career (COL): .328/.391/.531, 607 PA, 30 2B, 11 3B, 19 HR, 74 SB
Career HS: .528/.583/.944, 103 PA, 13 2B, 6 3B, 4 HR, 31 RBI, 19 SB

Coon was an All-American at St. Magnus this season and finished second in the nation with a .345 batting average. His 11 homers tied him for third most in the AIAA. Originally a 14th round pick of the Keystones out of high school, Coon instead elected to go the college route and seems very likely to be a first round selection come January. OSA calls him an elite hitter and Scouting Directors like the Cougars Marv Branson seem to agree. Recent quotes out of Chicago indicate he may be one of the Cougars top targets.

WHITEY DORSCH 3B School: Moline (IL) HS Born: Moline, IL
1938: .482/.589/.795, 110 PA, 12 2B, 3B, 4 HR, 26 RBI, 1 SB
Career: .492/.599/.791, 341 PA, 37 2B, 3 3B, 11 HR, 83 RBI, 3 SB

There are a number of very talented third basemen in this class and also a fair number of quality players from the state of Illinois, which gives the Cougars and Chiefs the inside track on Dorsch if he survives to the third round. His numbers as a junior were down slightly from his freshman and sophomore seasons but OSA raves about his contract potential and feel he is solid with the glove.

WALLY FULLER 3B School: Collegiate HS, New York City Born: New York, NY
1938: .514/.644/.784 107 PA, 15 2B, 1 3B, 1 HR, 26 RBI, 5 SB
Career: .511/.601/.849 332 PA, 43 2B, 3 3B, 10 HR, 85 RBI, 13 SB

Any of the three New York state teams would love to get Fuller in the regional round but it is unlikely he falls that far after 3 very good high school seasons. This past June Fuller joined Pete Casstevens and Donnie Jones as the only players ever selected as High School All-Americans 3 times. (note the team has only been awarded since 1934) A strong season could make him the first player ever to be an All-American each of his four high school seasons. OSA projects him as an elite hitter filling a key role for a contending team.

HANK GIORDANO LF School: Crisfield (MD) HS Born: Crisfield, Md
1938: .530/.562/.870 114 PA, 11 2B, 7 3B, 3 HR, 35 RBI, 35 SB
Career: .521/.574/.839 373 PA, 44 2B, 20 3B, 7 HR, 103 RBI, 97 SB

Plus speed that creates havoc on the base paths makes Giordano look perfectly suited to a lead-off role. Very good with the glove and would certainly add to his value if he could cover center field as a pro.

LLOYD GIVENS RF School: Greensburg (PA) HS Born: Johnstown, Pa
1938: .458/.549/.723 105 PA, 12 2B, 2 3B, 2 HR, 23 RBI, 6 SB
Career: .460/.536/.720 209 PA, 26 2B, 2 3B, 4 HR, 48 RBI, 14 SB

Did not play as a freshman but very consistent over his first two seasons of high school ball. Drew 39 walks over two seasons while fanning just 10 teams and OSA feels his disciplined approach at the plate will be one of his strong suits. May not have the power you want from a corner outfielder but according to the league scouting service Givens should hit .310 once he matures.

DANNY GOFF JR. CF School: Hempstead University Born: Brooklyn, NY
1938: .341/.399/.458, 305 PA, 15 2B, 7 3B, 1 HR, 53 RBI, 35 SB
Career: 357/.413/.483, 301 PA, 30 2B, 15 3B, 3 HR, 109 RBI, 70 SB

His father is the former pitcher and current Brooklyn Kings bench coach and his older brother Jack is a pitcher in the Kings system so you can bet that Brooklyn is high on the hometown boy. Goff Jr was a first team AIAA All-American as a freshman at Hempstead and although his numbers dipped slightly this past season he still did enough to warrant inclusion on the Second Team. A recent note on Goff in the Chicago Daily News described the 20 year old this way: " Goff projects to compete for batting titles as he consistently hits the ball hard to all fields. He has excellent speed on the basepaths and it coincides with excellent range in center. His bat and hustle alone are enough to warrant a high draft pick, but add in the baseball pedigree and he seems to be a lock to be a first rounder."

BOB JOHNSTON JR. 1B School: Maryland State Born: Montreal, QC
1938: .340/.396/.583 232 PA, 12 2B, 1 3B, 12 HR, 54 RBI, 38 SB
Career: .340/.396/.583 232 PA, 12 2B, 1 3B, 12 HR, 54 RBI, 38 SB

Like Goff, Johnston has big league ties as he is the son of the long-time Montreal Saints pitcher by the same name. Because of being born in Canada it seems quite possible that the power hitting first baseman will be selected in the regional 3rd round. He has a huge frame (6'4", 225 lbs) and just looks like a first baseman. Johnston has just the one year of college ball under his belt but it was quite a season as he finished second in the nation in homers and fourth in batting average while playing against top flight competition with the Bengals.

BOB MARK 2B School: Central Kentucky Born: Akron, Oh
1938: .305/.417/.416 312 PA, 13 2B, 5 3B, 2 HR, 50 RBI, 32 SB
Career HS: .446/.520/.712 329 PA, 35 2B, 5 3B, 9 HR, 71 RBI, 47 SB
Career College: .289/.390/.400 605 PA, 23 2B, 11 3B, 4 HR, 89 RBI, 70 SB

It is a surprise to see a pair of players featured here who were drafted out of high school but refused to sign and went to school instead. Bob Mark was original drafted in the 15th round by the Washington Eagles in 1936 but elected to go to Central Kentucky. While he is not a sure-fire first round pick like the previously discussed Bob Coon, the move to attend school certainly appears to have paid off nicely as Mark was named a second team All-American last season and OSA sees him as an above average player. Limited power but his game is speed and projects to have very good contact ability.

WALTER McCLURE CF School: Maryland State Born: Boston, Ma.
1938: .306/.361/.403 316 PA, 10 2B, 9 3B, 0 HR, 50 RBI, 34 SB
Career: .307/.367/.405 613 PA, 18 2B, 18 3B, 0 HR, 103 RBI, 67 SB

With McClure and fellow top prospect Bob Johnston Jr. the Maryland State Bengals should have a pretty solid program this year. McClure is the table setter, profiling as a solid lead-off man at the next level and has excellent defensive skills in center field thanks in no small part to his blazing speed.

SKIPPER SCHNEIDER SS School: Northwestern HS, Detroit Born: Detroit, Mi
1938: .478/.524/.674, 108 PA, 15 2B, 1 HR, 27 RBI, 18 SB
Career: 484/.532/.671, 367 PA, 38 2B, 2 3B, 6 HR, 98 RBI, 47 SB

You may be hard pressed to find a better defensive shortstop in this class than Schneider. The 17 year old is also one of the smallest players available standing just 5'6" tall but he is a true shortstop defensively. He is not overly quick but is very smart on the base paths. Looks like a possible first round pick just for his glove but whether he can hit at the professional level is still open to debate.

CLIFTON SMITH SS School: Winston-Salem (NC) HS Born: Winston-Salem, NC
1938: /436/.492/.636 129 PA, 16 2B, 3 3B, 0 HR, 29 RBI, 7 SB
Career: .468/.537/.663 361 PA, 44 2B, 4 3B, 2 HR, 82 RBI, 20 SB

Much like Schneider, Smith's key to getting drafted early lies in his glove skills. The 17 year old is a defensive marvel. He has not been overly impressive at the plate in high school but OSA feels his solid strike zone knowledge will help he be a .270 hitter. Because North Carolina is not part of any team's draft territory there is a chance Smith slips to the fourth round unless someone scoops him up in round two.

DEL WEST LF School: Charlottesville (VA) HS Born: Charlottesville, Va
1938: .513/.556/.752 135 PA, 15 2B, 2 3B, 3 HR, 35 RBI, 9 SB
Career: .518/.566/.768 386 PA, 48 2B, 6 3B, 8 HR, 102 RBI, 13 SB

There are a lot of talented outfielders in FABL right now which does hurt the draft stock of many of the corner guys but West looks too good to pass up. He likely won't develop much power but if he hits his potential perhaps is the kind of player who could challenge for a batting crown. He reminds us of a Wally Flowers/Larry Vestal type of player and that analogy fits well as he looks like just the type of player the Washington Eagles have great success with. Not sure he slides out of the second round but if so West looks like the perfect round 3 regional selection for the Eagles.


Next up in the near future will be a look at some of the top pitchers to watch for in the 1939 draft class.


The Week That Was
Current events from the week ending 07/24/1938
  • Tensions in the Japanese-Soviet clash escalate as Tokyo announces it is prepared to "take the necessary steps" if Soviet troops do not withdraw from the disputed Manchukuo border territory.
  • Government defense lines about 15 miles north of Valencia collapsed as insurgent warplanes flew over the routed stoops as the Spanish civil war enters it's third year.
  • A great military display in Paris welcomes King George VI and Queen Elizabeth, making their first state visit to any foreign nation since they ascended the throne of Great Britain.
  • Hitler's proposed solution for a settlement of the Czechoslovakia problem in the interests of European peace was transmitted to Britain and France. Peace talks between Britain-France and Germany-Italy are underway with each side having a wary eye on the others.
  • On the heels of Howard Hughes around the world flight, Douglas Corrigan - a Los Angeles airplane mechanic- flew across the Atlantic alone in a 1929 monoplane that cost him only $900. He had no navigating instruments, no radio, no safety equipment and no permission from the US Government. Hughes' co-pilot called the stunt "foolhardy" while Hughes would only say it was 'remarkable."
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