[ayaghmour2]

We have a new manager! It took him awhile to accept our gracious overpay, but the manager of the 1940 Chicago Cougars will be 60-year-old Clyde Meyer. He has never managed in the big leagues, and was rather unsuccessful in his three seasons with the Sacramento Governors, but I have faith in the former journeyman pitcher. Meyer is very personable, nearly every Cougar has an average or better relationship with him, and none are poor. The four fair aren't instrumental members of the clubhouse either, so I expect to have a very happy clubhouse. I'm also a fan of his ratings, excellent or better at everything except in-game running, and he's outstanding at handling aging. Like Bench Coach Pete Morris, he also wants to start Ollie Page over Freddie Jones, and I'm still not sure if this is good for Page or bad for Jones. Of course, I'll be starting Freddie, but hopefully this boosts Ollie's trade value!

SS Bill Graham (124th Overall)
Acquired: Via Trade with Chicago (1938)
Drafted: 4th Round, 59th Overall (1938)
Alma Mater: Bluegrass State Mustangs

One of the more prestigious colleges baseball programs, Bluegrass State has produced many big leaguers, and Bill Graham will likely join that list. Just outside the top 100, the 22-year-old seemed a bit more raw then most prospects his age, struggling in Class A last season with the Chiefs. I sent out Elias Canady for him last offseason, and started him in San Jose, although he spent a little time in La Crosse when he got a red arrow. 100 if his 131 games came with the Cougars, hitting .246/.357/.366 (92 OPS+) with 25 doubles, 2 triples, 3 homers, 2 steals, and 58 RBIs. It wasn't the greatest showing, but Graham is known much more for his glove. A natural shortstop, I worked on his versatility this season, giving him a bit of time in the middle infield while most of his time was spent at the hot corner. He was very impressive, recording a 10.3 zone rating and 1.095 efficiency there in 687.2 innings on the field. His shortstop work was about as good if not better, but it came in far fewer innings. That will likely be his regular position, as he's an elite defender and organizational favorite because of his glove. He has good speed and range, allowing him to reach most balls hit on the ground, and his arm is very strong as well. He has a good eye at the plate, but if he can put the ball in play more frequently, he can really elevate his status in our system. I'd like to see more from his bat before he reaches Chicago, and expect him to take his time on the way up. He's a hard worker who spends hours preparing for each game, and that initiative should help him reach close to his potential.

RHP Joe Crosby (132nd Overall)
Acquired: Via Draft: 4th Round, 53rd Overall (1937)
Alma Mater: St. Peter's Spartans

A 4th Rounder back in 1937, there are very few players with a more fitting then the 140 pound righty Joe Crosby. "Boney Joe" did make three starts in his third season with the Lions, but earned a quick promotion to San Jose where he excelled. The 20-year-old was 8-5 with a nice 3.32 ERA (147 ERA+), 1.28 WHIP, 37 walks, and 55 strikeouts in 103 effective innings pitched. Crosby was working hard this offseason, and his throwing program boosted his fastball another mile up to 89-91, but the hard fastball isn't even his best pitches. That would be what should be a curve that can make most hitters miss, while his slider is pretty decent. Walks may be an issue, he had a 4.6 BB/9 last season and 3.2 with San Jose this season, but what he may need would be a fourth pitch. Sure, his slider is a passable pitch, but his fastball and curve are so much better, and a third pitch on that level could make him a really tough pitcher to face. He's one of those guys who doesn't let his teammates pass him up, and he wants to pitch to their level. I think he's got a good future in a big league rotation, but he's a very raw young arm with a lot of polishing left before he'll work his way into a rotation.

RHP Lou Eaker (152nd Overall)
Acquired: Via Draft: 5th Round, 73rd Overall (1939)
Alma Mater: Miami State Red Birds

Our 5th Rounder in the most recent draft, the soon-to-be 22-year-old didn't waste any time before being listed in the top 200 prospect list. Settling in the 140-160 range, Eaker was okay at La Crosse, 7-3 with a 6.43 ERA (96 ERA+), 1.69 WHIP, 49 walks, and 51 strikeouts in his first 92.1 professional innings. He made great strides as a junior, bumping his velocity from 83-85 to 85-87, and it dropped his ERA a full point. His control is still a little shaky as he walks more hitters then he should, but the imposing 6'5'' righty has impressive stuff and should be able to strike out more then his share of hitters. His splitter is his best pitch, and his fastball and cutter are average pitches too, but his change isn't really worth much. As a college arm, I'd like to see him move up the system faster, and I'm hoping he'll start the year in San Jose and finish in La Crosse. He currently profiles as a spot starter/back end guy, but if he gets his control under control, he could be a very reliable middle rotation arm.

LHP Harl Haines (157th Overall)
Acquired: Via Draft: 10th Round, 149th Overall (1935)
Alma Mater: Niagara Falls Big Red

I thought 1939 was going to be a breakout season for the then 21-year-old, and the unique fireballing submariner did not disappoint. He started the season in Lincoln, but he only lasted seven starts there, a perfect 5-0 with a 3.35 ERA (160 ERA+), 1.14 WHIP, 12 walks, and 43 strikeouts. His 133 innings with the Mobile Commodores was arguably better, and while not perfect, he was a strong 11-5 with a 2.84 ERA (163 ERA+), 1.21 WHIP, 31 walks, and 68 strikeouts. Haines does a great job limiting walks and home runs, while striking out a ton of hitters. The 6'3'' lefty doesn't have the best stuff, but his control is outstanding. His secondary pitches are a work in progress, but he has a nice biting cutter, and I really hope his screwball continues to deliver. Haines has excellent tools, and the former 10th Rounder has already exceeded any expectations, passing over fellow 1935 draftees like Doc Smith, Grover Donahue, and Ralph Kendall, who were all taken in the first five rounds. Haines may not be Charlie Wheeler (our first rounder that year), but I think he's going to be one of those guys who you want to be your #4 or 5, but not someone stuck leading a poor rotation.

LHP Ed Wilkinson (193rd Overall)
Acquired: Via Draft: 4th Round, 55th Overall (1938)
Alma Mater: CC Los Angeles

It was a tale of two seasons for Ed Wilkinson, who got a dozen starts with both Lincoln and San Jose. He was great in San Jose, 8-2 with a 3.77 ERA (129 ERA+), 1.22 WHIP, 23 walks, and 59 strikeouts in 93 innings pitched. To most, the 90.2 innings with the Legislators was not as good, 5-7 with a 5.46 ERA (98 ERA+), 1.54 WHIP, 20 walks, and 35 strikeouts. But, if you look at some peoples favorite stat WAR, you would think he was better in Lincoln (1.8) then Mobile (1.5), despite the only advantages in Lincoln having one less homer and three less walks. Regardless, Wilkinson turns 23 the day before Christmas, and he's getting closer and closer to being a big league pitcher. He has an average five pitch mix, a bunch of average pitches where none really stand out, but he locates them all well and knowing he could beat you with a variety of things is almost more detrimental to hitters then the actual pitches. He sits comfortably in the low 90s with his fastball, and so far he's done a good job keeping the ball in the park. He projects as more spot starter then middle rotation arm, but the durable lefty will be able to soak up a lot of innings if his name is called.