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ayaghmour2 · 09-23-2021, 01:38 PM

The offseason keeps rolling along, and we now have a full coaching staff. Manager Walt Bailey decided on hiring Taylor Storm to be hitting coach, not necessarily who I would have picked, but an excellent option none the less. He spent his first two seasons with the Richmond Rebels before a three year stint with the Waco Wranglers. He also got one FABL game in 1907 with the Gothams where he walked both times he got up to the plate. He scored on one of them, and ended his career with a perfect 1.000 on base percentage. I also acquired the most talented "rookie" on the market, replacing Marv Branson with Tom Weinstock. I love Marv, but his best scouting rating was a "Good" and it's for international scouting, pretty useless. He's decent at everything else, while the rookie scout Weinstock is "Excellent" or better at each rank. He's excellent for major leaguers, outstanding for minor leaguers, and most importantly, legendary for amateurs. He'll cost a pretty penny, more then John Lawson and Dick Lyons (are two highest paid players) combined, and will make about $55k for the next five seasons. It should be way worth it, we are loaded with cash and we now have one of the best scouts available. A little old at 58, like Branson, he played in the big leagues, 543 plate appearances split between 1908 and 1914-1917 with Washington, St. Louis, and Toronto. I would have loved for Marv to accept our AGM role, but the Eagles, Dynamos, and Stars are looking for a new scout and he could fill the void.

LF Larry Robison (259th Overall)
Acquired: Via Draft: 19th Round, 303rd Overall (1932)
Alma Mater: Queens HS Islanders

One of our fastest players, despite stealing 74 bases last season, he was just 7-for-14 stealing bases this year. It didn't hurt him at the plate, as he was outstanding in 158 Mobile PAs and 213 Milwaukee ones. The Milwaukee numbers were actually better, slashing .366/.439/.541 (151 OPS+) with 11 doubles, 3 triples, 5 homers, and 34 RBIs. He's currently on our 40, but Robison didn't get any big league time. The former 19th Rounder got time at first, left, and right, and he's developed into an advanced hitter at the plate. I see years of high averages in his future, and he does a great job putting the ball in play. He walked just 8 times with 37 walks combined between the two stops, and whenever he puts the ball in play, he has a chance to make things happen on the base paths. He can beat out any groundball and will consistently take the extra base if the ball gets to the outfield. New scout Tom Weinstock is a big fan, but he looks to me more of a bench bat then an every day starter. His value is coming off the bench as a pinch runner, and he's capable enough defensively that he can stay in the game if he pinch runs for someone like Ray Ford or Doc Love.

SS Lee Scott (296th Overall)
Acquired: Via Draft: 4th Round, 54th Overall (1936)
Alma Mater: Henry Snyder High School Tigers

Our 4th Rounder a few drafts ago, 20-year-old Lee Scott had a rough start to the season in La Crosse, but with the June draft, I needed to make room in C ball and Scott was on his way up despite having issues at the plate. He hit just .276/.322/.347 (69 OPS+) before the promotion, but improved that line to .293/.313/.401 (91 OPS+) in 245 PAs after. In total, Scott had 10 doubles, 13 triples, 6 steals, and 36 RBIs, with his lone homer coming with the Lions. Not the greatest of numbers, but he's a young middle infielder with a really good glove. I let him get time at second base up in San Jose, and he's generally been an outstanding defender at short. He has great range and instincts, and he's very advanced in the field for his age. It's probably what will earn him a big league opportunity, as the bat isn't the most intimidating. He's a bit of a light hitter and probably won't hit much over .270, Interesting enough, OSA doesn't really like his glove, but Marv, Tom, and his stats tend to disagree. He looks like a future utility player now, but he has exciting tools that could turn into something else.

2B Hod Seagroves (301st Overall)
Acquired: Via Trade with Detroit (1937)
Drafted: 3rd Round, 45th Overall (1936)
Alma Mater: Lake Park Panthers

Recently turned 21, the Chicago native had an awful year at the plate in 1937 before somewhat rebounding last year. It wasn't really the most exciting season, but he managed to hit .289/.338/.418 (90 OPS+) with 23 doubles, 8 triples, 6 homers, and 63 RBIs in just short of 500 plate appearances. A natural second basemen, Seagroves is a tall 6'3'', which hopefully implies that he can develop into a power hitter. That is most definitely wishful thinking, but he could more likely become a solid contact hitter. His athleticism is a huge plus, allowing him to hit the ball hard, and paired with his solid plate discipline, it makes him a difficult out at the plate. He's on the bubble for a big league role now, but I like his tools and it never hurts having players from Chicago. Next year will be a big season for him, and he'll want to make sure he doesn't spend too much time in La Crosse when he could instead keep things going in San Jose.

1B Jocko Pollard (302nd Overall)
Acquired: Via Draft: 6th Round, 95th Overall (1935)
Alma Mater: Grafton Indians

Arguably the best season for any Cougar at the plate this year, Jocko Pollard made 479 trips to the plate in San Jose and hit an outstanding .309/.361/.547 (141 OPS+) with 25 doubles, 25 homers, and 105 RBIs. He spent part of last season in San Jose as well, and hit a rather similar .294/.343/.512 (148 OPS+) with 10 homers and 32 RBIs in just 178 PAs last year. The 21-year-old seems likely to start next season in Lincoln, and the bat is very exciting. He can play a little third too, but he's an outstanding defensive first basemen which is a nice plus to the excellent bat. Obviously, he has legit power potential, and while he may not walk a lot, he doesn't swing at too many bad pitches. He might get some more reps at third next season, but I do think Pollard's best position will be first base. He hits a lot of flyballs to all fields, and he has the power desired for a first basemen. He doesn't have much competition at that position either, but I can't really see him supplanting Ray Ford any time soon.

C Gidge Sumpter (311th Overall)
Acquired: Via Draft: 2nd Round, 31st Overall (1937)
Alma Mater: Garden State Redbirds

Catcher is a position our farm has really improved recently, with the additions of Skidmore and Sumpter the past two drafts. Gidge's upside is nowhere near Solly, but he is an above average contact hitter who can hold his own at the plate. He did miss some time this year, and got into just 57 games, the same amount as his partial season last year. He did hit better, an average .291/.342/.407 (101 OPS+) with 6 doubles, 4 homers, and 30 RBIs. He is not a star by any means, but with the lack of depth in the system, he'll be able to pave his own way. Solly will be on his tail, but at 22, he should be able to move up much quicker. I think he's most suitable as a backup catcher now, but he could improve both his glove and bat to secure a more prominent role.

09-23-2021, 01:38 PM	#610
ayaghmour2 Hall Of Famer Join Date: Mar 2018 Posts: 3,010	Top Prospects: 21-25 The offseason keeps rolling along, and we now have a full coaching staff. Manager Walt Bailey decided on hiring Taylor Storm to be hitting coach, not necessarily who I would have picked, but an excellent option none the less. He spent his first two seasons with the Richmond Rebels before a three year stint with the Waco Wranglers. He also got one FABL game in 1907 with the Gothams where he walked both times he got up to the plate. He scored on one of them, and ended his career with a perfect 1.000 on base percentage. I also acquired the most talented "rookie" on the market, replacing Marv Branson with Tom Weinstock. I love Marv, but his best scouting rating was a "Good" and it's for international scouting, pretty useless. He's decent at everything else, while the rookie scout Weinstock is "Excellent" or better at each rank. He's excellent for major leaguers, outstanding for minor leaguers, and most importantly, legendary for amateurs. He'll cost a pretty penny, more then John Lawson and Dick Lyons (are two highest paid players) combined, and will make about $55k for the next five seasons. It should be way worth it, we are loaded with cash and we now have one of the best scouts available. A little old at 58, like Branson, he played in the big leagues, 543 plate appearances split between 1908 and 1914-1917 with Washington, St. Louis, and Toronto. I would have loved for Marv to accept our AGM role, but the Eagles, Dynamos, and Stars are looking for a new scout and he could fill the void. LF Larry Robison (259th Overall) Acquired: Via Draft: 19th Round, 303rd Overall (1932) Alma Mater: Queens HS Islanders One of our fastest players, despite stealing 74 bases last season, he was just 7-for-14 stealing bases this year. It didn't hurt him at the plate, as he was outstanding in 158 Mobile PAs and 213 Milwaukee ones. The Milwaukee numbers were actually better, slashing .366/.439/.541 (151 OPS+) with 11 doubles, 3 triples, 5 homers, and 34 RBIs. He's currently on our 40, but Robison didn't get any big league time. The former 19th Rounder got time at first, left, and right, and he's developed into an advanced hitter at the plate. I see years of high averages in his future, and he does a great job putting the ball in play. He walked just 8 times with 37 walks combined between the two stops, and whenever he puts the ball in play, he has a chance to make things happen on the base paths. He can beat out any groundball and will consistently take the extra base if the ball gets to the outfield. New scout Tom Weinstock is a big fan, but he looks to me more of a bench bat then an every day starter. His value is coming off the bench as a pinch runner, and he's capable enough defensively that he can stay in the game if he pinch runs for someone like Ray Ford or Doc Love. SS Lee Scott (296th Overall) Acquired: Via Draft: 4th Round, 54th Overall (1936) Alma Mater: Henry Snyder High School Tigers Our 4th Rounder a few drafts ago, 20-year-old Lee Scott had a rough start to the season in La Crosse, but with the June draft, I needed to make room in C ball and Scott was on his way up despite having issues at the plate. He hit just .276/.322/.347 (69 OPS+) before the promotion, but improved that line to .293/.313/.401 (91 OPS+) in 245 PAs after. In total, Scott had 10 doubles, 13 triples, 6 steals, and 36 RBIs, with his lone homer coming with the Lions. Not the greatest of numbers, but he's a young middle infielder with a really good glove. I let him get time at second base up in San Jose, and he's generally been an outstanding defender at short. He has great range and instincts, and he's very advanced in the field for his age. It's probably what will earn him a big league opportunity, as the bat isn't the most intimidating. He's a bit of a light hitter and probably won't hit much over .270, Interesting enough, OSA doesn't really like his glove, but Marv, Tom, and his stats tend to disagree. He looks like a future utility player now, but he has exciting tools that could turn into something else. 2B Hod Seagroves (301st Overall) Acquired: Via Trade with Detroit (1937) Drafted: 3rd Round, 45th Overall (1936) Alma Mater: Lake Park Panthers Recently turned 21, the Chicago native had an awful year at the plate in 1937 before somewhat rebounding last year. It wasn't really the most exciting season, but he managed to hit .289/.338/.418 (90 OPS+) with 23 doubles, 8 triples, 6 homers, and 63 RBIs in just short of 500 plate appearances. A natural second basemen, Seagroves is a tall 6'3'', which hopefully implies that he can develop into a power hitter. That is most definitely wishful thinking, but he could more likely become a solid contact hitter. His athleticism is a huge plus, allowing him to hit the ball hard, and paired with his solid plate discipline, it makes him a difficult out at the plate. He's on the bubble for a big league role now, but I like his tools and it never hurts having players from Chicago. Next year will be a big season for him, and he'll want to make sure he doesn't spend too much time in La Crosse when he could instead keep things going in San Jose. 1B Jocko Pollard (302nd Overall) Acquired: Via Draft: 6th Round, 95th Overall (1935) Alma Mater: Grafton Indians Arguably the best season for any Cougar at the plate this year, Jocko Pollard made 479 trips to the plate in San Jose and hit an outstanding .309/.361/.547 (141 OPS+) with 25 doubles, 25 homers, and 105 RBIs. He spent part of last season in San Jose as well, and hit a rather similar .294/.343/.512 (148 OPS+) with 10 homers and 32 RBIs in just 178 PAs last year. The 21-year-old seems likely to start next season in Lincoln, and the bat is very exciting. He can play a little third too, but he's an outstanding defensive first basemen which is a nice plus to the excellent bat. Obviously, he has legit power potential, and while he may not walk a lot, he doesn't swing at too many bad pitches. He might get some more reps at third next season, but I do think Pollard's best position will be first base. He hits a lot of flyballs to all fields, and he has the power desired for a first basemen. He doesn't have much competition at that position either, but I can't really see him supplanting Ray Ford any time soon. C Gidge Sumpter (311th Overall) Acquired: Via Draft: 2nd Round, 31st Overall (1937) Alma Mater: Garden State Redbirds Catcher is a position our farm has really improved recently, with the additions of Skidmore and Sumpter the past two drafts. Gidge's upside is nowhere near Solly, but he is an above average contact hitter who can hold his own at the plate. He did miss some time this year, and got into just 57 games, the same amount as his partial season last year. He did hit better, an average .291/.342/.407 (101 OPS+) with 6 doubles, 4 homers, and 30 RBIs. He is not a star by any means, but with the lack of depth in the system, he'll be able to pave his own way. Solly will be on his tail, but at 22, he should be able to move up much quicker. I think he's most suitable as a backup catcher now, but he could improve both his glove and bat to secure a more prominent role.