OOTP Developments Forums - View Single Post

ayaghmour2 · 02-07-2022, 07:18 PM

2nd Round, 20th Overall: C Eddie Howard
School: St. Joseph
1940: .520/.568/.730, 121 PA, 17 2B, 2 3B, 27 RBI, SB
Career: .535/.590/.766, 368 PA, 58 2B, 4 3B, 2 HR, 96 RBI, 17 SB

The pitcher I wanted, Gene Madison, went two picks before us to the Pioneers, so I instead went with one of the better hitters in the pool Eddie Howard. The only similarity he has with first rounder Otto Christian is both were taken by us, as Howard didn't hit a single homer as a freshman or junior, but his .520 average last year was the lowest of his career. OSA loves his hit tool, and projects Howard to hit .330 in the big leagues, and while Tom is a bit less excited, he views his contact as above average. Howard doesn't have a positional rating yet, but both Tom and OSA think he'll be a reliable and sure handed catcher. There is already a good sign as OSA's Dan Barrell thinks Eddie Howard lasted longer then he should. He finished third of all drat eligible batters for average last season and career, behind first rounder Hal Renard and the still available Bob Montgomery, although his career is just last season. Howard also has the added benefit of possibly being a pitcher, and I never pass up on potential two way players. He hasn't pitched for St. Joseph, but OSA thinks he could end up a #2 while Weinstock offers a much more conservative #5. Part of that is velocity, Howard's sinker sits in the 83-85 range, but he gets good downward movement on it and creates a lot of groundballs. His change is very promising and his slider isn't too shabby, but both offerings are very far from their ceiling. He's a bit of a project on the mound, but since catchers have frequent off days, he may get the occasional start or relief outing to start with. His future is definitely behind the plate, and while we do have Mead their now and Solly waiting in the farm, Howard is three years behind and will probably move up slower as he pitches. It never hurts to have extra catching prospects, especially ones as handy with the bat as Howard, because worst case he can try first or even the outfield.

2nd Round, 29th Overall: LHP Leo Hayden
School: Benicia
1940: .10-1, 103.1 IP, 1.31 ERA, 0.90 WHIP, 24 BB, 121 K
Career: .18-3, 207.1 IP, 1.65 ERA, 0.97 WHIP, 46 BB, 265 K

I didn't get any of the top pitchers on my list, but I'm not disappointed that I ended up with another high schooler in southpaw Leo Hayden. A huge strikeout arm at Benicia, he had a 10.5 K/9 as a sophomore and then boosted it up to 12.5 in 103.1 innings as a junior. Junior year was the best of his two seasons so far, as his wins, ERA, WHIP, strikeouts, and WAR (5.6) were all personal bests. The towering 6'6'' lefty throws a high 80s fastball, that I'm hoping he'll add velocity to as he ages. He does have three other pitches; a curve, slider, and change, with all decent or better pitches. The change is probably the best, but is curve should be a plus offering as well. Like most youngsters, he may run into command issues, and his 2.1 BB/9 last year wasn't anything special. Still, his command is growing and he carries himself with poise on the mound, and his intimidating presence should help him overperform is talent. Both Weinstock and OSA view him as a back of the rotation arm, but I would not be surprised if the projections improve as he inevitably starts throwing faster. High school pitchers are always risky to bet on, but with the extra second rounder it was a risk I was more then willing to take.

The 2nd Round is now completed, with just the regional round left to finish (hopefully tomorrow). We're getting closer and closer to Spring Training, where Eddie Quinn should be ready to throw again. I'm extremely excited for this season to start, as I think we have all the pieces in place to contend for a championship.

02-07-2022, 07:18 PM	#725
ayaghmour2 Hall Of Famer Join Date: Mar 2018 Posts: 3,039	1941 Draft: Round 2 2nd Round, 20th Overall: C Eddie Howard School: St. Joseph 1940: .520/.568/.730, 121 PA, 17 2B, 2 3B, 27 RBI, SB Career: .535/.590/.766, 368 PA, 58 2B, 4 3B, 2 HR, 96 RBI, 17 SB The pitcher I wanted, Gene Madison, went two picks before us to the Pioneers, so I instead went with one of the better hitters in the pool Eddie Howard. The only similarity he has with first rounder Otto Christian is both were taken by us, as Howard didn't hit a single homer as a freshman or junior, but his .520 average last year was the lowest of his career. OSA loves his hit tool, and projects Howard to hit .330 in the big leagues, and while Tom is a bit less excited, he views his contact as above average. Howard doesn't have a positional rating yet, but both Tom and OSA think he'll be a reliable and sure handed catcher. There is already a good sign as OSA's Dan Barrell thinks Eddie Howard lasted longer then he should. He finished third of all drat eligible batters for average last season and career, behind first rounder Hal Renard and the still available Bob Montgomery, although his career is just last season. Howard also has the added benefit of possibly being a pitcher, and I never pass up on potential two way players. He hasn't pitched for St. Joseph, but OSA thinks he could end up a #2 while Weinstock offers a much more conservative #5. Part of that is velocity, Howard's sinker sits in the 83-85 range, but he gets good downward movement on it and creates a lot of groundballs. His change is very promising and his slider isn't too shabby, but both offerings are very far from their ceiling. He's a bit of a project on the mound, but since catchers have frequent off days, he may get the occasional start or relief outing to start with. His future is definitely behind the plate, and while we do have Mead their now and Solly waiting in the farm, Howard is three years behind and will probably move up slower as he pitches. It never hurts to have extra catching prospects, especially ones as handy with the bat as Howard, because worst case he can try first or even the outfield. 2nd Round, 29th Overall: LHP Leo Hayden School: Benicia 1940: .10-1, 103.1 IP, 1.31 ERA, 0.90 WHIP, 24 BB, 121 K Career: .18-3, 207.1 IP, 1.65 ERA, 0.97 WHIP, 46 BB, 265 K I didn't get any of the top pitchers on my list, but I'm not disappointed that I ended up with another high schooler in southpaw Leo Hayden. A huge strikeout arm at Benicia, he had a 10.5 K/9 as a sophomore and then boosted it up to 12.5 in 103.1 innings as a junior. Junior year was the best of his two seasons so far, as his wins, ERA, WHIP, strikeouts, and WAR (5.6) were all personal bests. The towering 6'6'' lefty throws a high 80s fastball, that I'm hoping he'll add velocity to as he ages. He does have three other pitches; a curve, slider, and change, with all decent or better pitches. The change is probably the best, but is curve should be a plus offering as well. Like most youngsters, he may run into command issues, and his 2.1 BB/9 last year wasn't anything special. Still, his command is growing and he carries himself with poise on the mound, and his intimidating presence should help him overperform is talent. Both Weinstock and OSA view him as a back of the rotation arm, but I would not be surprised if the projections improve as he inevitably starts throwing faster. High school pitchers are always risky to bet on, but with the extra second rounder it was a risk I was more then willing to take. The 2nd Round is now completed, with just the regional round left to finish (hopefully tomorrow). We're getting closer and closer to Spring Training, where Eddie Quinn should be ready to throw again. I'm extremely excited for this season to start, as I think we have all the pieces in place to contend for a championship.