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Before getting started with our top prospects, we have something far more important to mention! We have a Whitney Award Winner! In a very tightly contested race, John Lawson received just 5 of the 13 first place votes, with Red Bond receiving 6, but Lawson had more overall points (162 to 155), taking home his third career Whitney Award. "Jack the Ripper" ripped .345/.399/.507 (147 OPS+) in his aged 37 season and led the league in hits (210) and doubles (48) while tied for the RBI lead (111). He also fell a point short of another batting title, and hit 17 homers with 51 walks. Lawson was worth 7.2 WAR, behind just Charlie Artuso in the CA and it was his highest mark since 7.6 back in 1933. One of the most durable and talented players in the league, Lawson will anchor our lineup yet again and will have a little more help with Cliff Moss in the lineup.

RHP Donnie Jones (10th Overall)
Acquired: Via Trade with Toronto (1939)
Drafted: 1st Round, 6th Overall (1938)
Alma Mater: Minneapolis Auggies

Ranked 10th Overall and 5th for all pitchers, Donnie Jones is easily one of the most talented young pitchers in the league. Nicknamed "Mole Killer" due to his propensity for serving up groundballs, the 20-year-old is a really talented four pitch pitcher who features a mid 90s sinker that does a great job generating week contact. His curve has the potential to be elite and his fastball is good too, but Donnie rarely features his change. His command is getting there, but Jones has all the tools to develop into a #1 pitcher. 1940 was Jones' best season in the minors, making 23 starts for the Commodores and finishing an even 10-10. He had a solid 4.32 ERA (107 ERA+), 1.58 WHIP, 95 walks, and 92 strikeouts in 181.1 innings pitched, setting career highs for wins, innings, strikeouts, WAR, and ERA+. The walks were a bit concerning, a 4.7 BB/9, but the only level he had one below 4.7 was from his 14 starts in Class B two seasons ago. Still, if he's able to strikeout just as many hitters now, I imagine those numbers will move in opposite directions just like with Peter the Heater. It's hard to remember Jones will be just 21 next season and in AAA, so the fact he was above average in AA against players way older then him is a great sign. I don't think he'll be big league ready next year, but mark your calendars for 1942 when he'll not only fight for a rotation spot, but likely make his big league debut. Ever since he was "created," Jones has been a guy I've closely followed, and it was the reason I could convince myself to move top young talent in Juan Pomales and Hal Wood to acquire him. I say it all the time, but imagining a decade with a rotation led by him, his brother, and Peter the Heater, it's hard to not see a few pennants and championships mixed in.

LHP Johnnie Jones (15th Overall)
Acquired: Via Trade with Washington (1939)
Drafted: 1st Round, 4th Overall (1936)
Alma Mater: St. Paul Golden Bears

Here's Johnnie! Sure, his brother may technically be the better pitcher, but "The Patron Saint of Groundballs" isn't too shabby himself. A few years older, he turned 22 in June, and while I do want them to move up together, I could see Johnnie debuting next season. The lefty did pitch a bit worse and had a little injury to deal with, but finished 8-10 with a 4.66 ERA (99 ERA+), 1.79 WHIP, 87 walks, and 50 strikeouts in 152.2 innings pitched. For Johnnie, the walks being much higher then the strikeouts hurt, but his stuff is not quite as good as Donnie. He does much better when guys put the ball in play, and is able to rack up even more grounders then his younger brother. They both have great sinkers, and I'd say Johnnie's is better, but he doesn't have the devastating offspeed pitch to match. His forkball is excellent and he gets outstanding movement on all four pitches, but he does rely a lot on his sinker. Interesting enough, Tom doesn't think command will ever be an issue for him despite the 5.1 BB/9, and while he doesn't see ace, he sees middle-rotation arm. I think Jones could easily lead a rotation in another organization, but of the three top pitchers, he is clearly the #2. That being said, he has greater upside then even star pitchers like Lyons, Fritz, and Lonardo, and especially in a stadium like ours that is easy to hit homers, Jones should really be able to excel. The skinny 6'4'' lefty has all the tools to succeed, and if he can stay healthy, he'll be one of the top pitchers in the game just like his brother.

C Solly Skidmore (30th Overall)
Acquired: Via Draft: 1st Round, 12th Overall (1938)
Alma Mater: Monroe Hurricanes

I was really tempted to use Skidmore as a headliner in a trade for Adam Mullins, but instead the 20-year-old might start the 1940 season in Lincoln instead of San Jose. Just 62 of his 129 games this season were with San Jose, but he hit an outstanding .395/.437/.566 (155 OPS+) with 17 doubles, 9 homers, and 52 RBIs with an impressive 22-to-9 walk-to-strikeout ratio. I always knew his bat would be dependable, but this year he really took it to the next level. The former 1st Rounder showed the hit tool and power expected of him, as he's talented at hitting line drives all across the diamond. Weinstock expects him to hit for a high average, display top notch discipline, and he could hit double digit homers with his excellent approach at hitting. He hits it hard and the ball can get out in Chicago, and he has all the tools to be one of the best hitting catchers once the current guard of Mullins, Tom Bird, and George Cleaves get older. He doesn't project to be an outstanding defender, but he managed to throw out 63.3% percent of runners. Skidmore is the highest rated catching prospect and the only one in the top 50. There are 3 more in the 51-75 range, but Solly is clearly the cream of the crop. Harry Mead has developed into an outstanding catcher in his own rights, so Solly doesn't quite have the most direct path, but at just 20 he has a lot of time to grow.

RHP Mel Haynes (49th Overall)
Acquired: Via Draft: 1st Round, 12th Overall (1940)
Alma Mater: Princeton Panthers

Taken with the same pick as Solly just two years later, Mel Haynes was our first rounder this January. Now 19, Haynes finished his fourth season in Princeton before making 10 starts with the Lions. He was nothing short of dominant, 7-3 with a 2.72 ERA (164 ERA+), 1.27 WHIP, 20 walks, and 40 strikeouts in 86 dominant innings. Haynes had no trouble going deep in games either, with 8 of his 10 starts complete games and just one less then 8 innings (a loss on the road). He even managed to throw 151 in a win over the league champions Owls, where Haynes allowed 8 hits, 4 runs, and 3 walks with 5 strikeouts. Haynes also is a really good hitter, and even started 11 games at first. He was terrible in the field, but hit .358/.413/.522 (137 OPS+) with 5 doubles, 2 homers, and 13 RBIs. His future is definitely on the mound, where he has a strong sinker that allows him to keep the ball on the ground. It sits in the mid 80s and Haynes also throws a slider, change, and forkball and all four should be reliable big league pitches. He does struggle locating pitches at times, but his overall upside more then makes up for it. A lot of high school arms take a long time to develop, so he'll definitely start next season in La Crosse, but he seems to be very well developed for his young age. If things go right with the Jones brothers, Haynes will never have to be an ace, but I think OSA is right with labeling him a middle of the rotation arm, more Harry Parker then Jim Lonardo.

RHP/CF Danny Goff Jr. (53rd Overall)
Acquired: Via Draft: 2nd Round, 23rd Overall (1939)
Alma Mater: Hempstead Hawks

This was a tough season for Danny Goff Jr., not because of his performance, but because of shoulder inflammation that cost him about 3 months of the season. It effected his pitching a bit, and he went just 5-5 with a 5.13 ERA (94 ERA+), 1.49 WHIP, 27 walks, and 28 strikeouts in 86 innings pitched. Of course, his hitting was more then fine, and the 22-year-old hit .337/.402/.476 (124 OPS+) with 15 doubles, 4 triples, 2 homers, 4 steals, and 26 RBIs. His bat is much further along, but he's got a lot more upside on the mound. He features a high 80s fastball, curve, and change, but his control issues lead to a lot of walks and a few homers. At the plate he does feature a plus-plus contact tool and a very smooth swing that should allow him to hit for a high average. His defense isn't great, but I expect it to improve as he gets more experience in the field. I think he's ready for Lincoln, but I don't want to rush him as it will take a bit longer for him to develop. if he gets hurt again, I may have to rethink him pitching, but I think he's got the tools to pitch in the big leagues just like his father and brother.