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2B Jimmie James (218th Overall)
Acquired: Via Draft: 4th Round, 53rd Overall (1940)
Alma Mater: Lane State Emeralds

It was a tough season for 23-year-old Jimmie James, who after a strong season in San Jose his draft year, he took steps back in Lincoln. James hit just .246/.322/.343 (81 OPS+) with 21 doubles, 7 triples, 4 homers, and 63 RBIs. He did draw a decent amount of walks with 53, but the switch hitter could not replicate his .359/.439/.526 (150 OPS+) line with San Jose. A natural shortstop, James spent nearly all season at second this year, and he was tremendous in the field. He had a 14.5 zone rating and 1.108 efficiency, and while I think his future is at short, he could be a top defender at the keystone. He does project to be reliable hitter, with above average strike zone recognition and a decent hit tool, but he doesn't have much power and his strikeouts were way up this year. We don't have a lot of middle infield depth in the upper levels of the system, so James may be pushed up to Mobile for next season. His versatility will work well for him, he can field all infield positions and all outfield positions, so it won't be hard to find a spot for him in the lineup. I could see him as an Ollie Page type guy, good enough to start, but better used as a utility man getting 3 or 4 starts a week to keep the rest of the lineup fresh.

RHP Roscoe Brown (245th Overall)
Acquired: Via Draft: 8th Round, 113th Overall (1940)
Alma Mater: Covington Cougars

It was a really good season for the young Roscoe Brown, who made 11 starts in both La Crosse and San Jose. With the Lions, he was 6-3 with a 3.57 ERA (116 ERA+), 1.33 WHIP, 23 walks, and 45 strikeouts, and with a lot of new young arms filling the La Crosse roster, Brown was pushed up to San Jose to accommodate some of our other arms. Believe it or not, he was much better in San Jose, going 6-1 with a 2.73 ERA (156 ERA+), 1.10 WHIP, 10 walks, and 26 strikeouts. Sure, his K/9 dropped a bit, but his ERA, WHIP, and BB/9 all declined, and he showed no signs of being overmatched. The 19-year-old is an exciting young arm, featuring a sharp curve and a decent 91-93 mph fastball and sinker. He's not a groundballer despite the sinker, but he allowed just two homers in La Crosse and none with San Jose. Brown isn't overpowering, more of a finesse pitcher, but he has electric stuff and will still get a lot of strikeouts. Right now he projects more long reliever then reliable starter, but with a few velocity bumps and a bit more movement on his pitches, he could work his way into a big league rotation.

RHP Ron Sexton (363rd Overall)
Acquired: Via Trade with Pittsburgh (1939)
Drafted: 5th Round, 79th Overall (1938)
Alma Mater: Canarsie Chiefs

Last July Ron Sexton tore his UCL, so his season didn't start until June. The 21-year-old got a few starts in La Crosse to shake off the rust, but made 11 of his 16 starts with the Cougars. He was dominant at both levels, and in San Jose he was dominant. Sexton went 7-2 with a 2.05 ERA (207 ERA+), 1.16 WHIP, 24 walks, and 28 strikeouts through 79 innings pitched. He managed 100 or more pitches in each start this season, so it doesn't look like the elbow injury will have many lasting effects. He's throwing a bit harder now, sitting in the 91-93 range with his fastball, and while none of his four pitches are plus pitches, his slider has looked good and he generates his share of swings and misses. Command was an issue in the past, but he managed to bring his BB/9 below 3 this season, a marked improvement from last year. OSA thinks he can be a backend starter, I think that might be a stretch, but if he continues to dominate like he did this year, he could force his way into an FABL rotation.

RF Harry Harris (286th Overall)
Acquired: Via Draft: 7th Round, 108th Overall (1939)
Alma Mater: DuPont Manual Crimsons

It was another season in La Crosse for the soon-to-be 21-year-old Harry Harris, and it was the best season of his two and a half with the Lions. The former 7th Rounder hit a nice .299/.430/.417 (115 OPS+) with 26 doubles, 6 triples, 6 homers, 5 steals, and 76 RBIs in a personal high 568 trips to the plate. Harris spent time in three positions, with most of his games in either left or right as well as double digits at third. His defense hasn't been great, and while I think he could be a decent third basemen with more time, right or left may be better for him. His bat is better then his glove, as Harris has a smooth swing and quick hands with well above average plate discipline. The switch hitter will draw a ton of walks, more then twice (87) has many times as he struck out (42). Harris doesn't have the power you look for in a corner bat, and that may end up holding him back a little, but he could be a nice bench bat that always has the platoon advantage and can stay in at a few positions.

RHP Joe Crosby (291st Overall)
Acquired: Via Draft: 4th Round, 53rd Overall (1937)
Alma Mater: St. Peter's Spartans

Now 22, Boney Joe Crosby started his season in Lincoln, and he was firing on all cylinders. In 86.2 innings with the Legislators, he was 7-3 with a 1.97 ERA (203 ERA+), 1.05 WHIP, 23 walks, and 43 strikeouts. This earned him a promotion to Mobile, and in the exact same amount of innings, he was a slightly below average 5-4 with a 4.57 ERA (95 ERA+), 1.57 WHIP, 40 walks, and 39 strikeouts. His walks jumped on the promotion, and more advanced hitters had far less issues with his stuff. Crosby is throwing a bit harder this year then last, sitting in the 90-92 range with a reliable fastball, and his curve and slider are big league quality pitches as well. The curve will be his best offering, and when he's on, he's unhittable, but he's inconsistent and his lack of command can sometimes lead to a lot of hard hit balls. At one time Crosby was one of our top young pitching prospects, but he hasn't made many improvements over the past few seasons, and now that he his Rule-5 eligible, he's likely to remain unprotected. The best thing for us would be he gets drafted and improves while enlisted, but unless he makes a few more steps forward, he won't be much more then just a filler arm.