[ayaghmour2]

Had this done way earlier and forgot to post...

RHP George Oddo (90th Overall)
Acquired: Via Draft: 8th Round, 125th Overall (1941)
Alma Mater: Pawtucket Raiders

One of our highest risers in our system this year, George Oddo jumped over 100 spots up and manage to place inside the top 100. Our 8th Round selection last season, George Oddo has shown marked improvement, as the 6'4'' righty has already added a pair of miles on his fastball. He's also done a good job developing all three of his pitches, as his curve is a money pitch that generates a ton of swings and misses, while he locates and mixes his fastball and change well. His control is just average, but he tends to hit his spots and does a good job keeping the ball in the park. He looked good in his first full season too, splitting starts between La Crosse (15) and San Jose (9). He was great at both stops, but a bit better, as expected, with the Lions. He went 9-5 with a 4.07 ERA (129 ERA+), 1.147 WHIP, 39 walks, and 61 strikeouts in 95 innings. The UMVA is a very hitter friendly league, but his 3.7 BB/9 was a bit high. He carried that into a successful performance with the Cougars, going 3-2 with a 2.71 ERA (120 ERA+), 1.16 WHIP, 19 walks, and 32 strikeouts. These are impressive numbers for anyone, let alone a 19-year-old, so if he avoids selective service, he can climb the ladder on the Mel Haynes track. Otto doesn't have the upside of Haynes yet, but he has all the tools to pitch in the big leagues. I think he can fill the middle of a rotation, but he's got a lot of developing before he gets there.

C Eddie Howard (92nd Overall)
Acquired: Via Draft: 2nd Round, 20th Overall (1941)
Alma Mater: St. Joseph Chiefs

Eddie Howard may have dropped a lot in the prospect ranks, but the former 2nd Rounder is now the top catching prospect in our organization. At just 19, he has a lot of developing left to go, but he did have an excellent season with the San Jose Cougars. Howard hit an impressive .302/.351/.401 (125 OPS+) with 36 doubles, 3 triples, and 56 RBIs. The lack of homers is a little concerning, but he does hit the ball hard and a lot of his line drives end with him standing on second base. I'd like to see more power from him, and with how young he is, he has a lot of time to add some muscle. Being nine years younger then Harry Mead will allow us to take our time with him, but Howard will end up in Lincoln next year. Tom Weinstock is also a big fan of him on the mound, and I may end up giving Howard some goes in the rotation. He might get hit hard, as he has just 10.2 innings over the past season and a half, but his stuff and his control could allow him to hold his own. I think his future is behind the plate, but being able to soak up some innings as well could help. He should be an above average backstop, and while there are a decent amount of talented catching prospects right now, the position is rather weak at the highest level, and it never hurts to have good options behind the plate.

SS Dick Hamilton (106th Overall)
Acquired: Via Draft: 4th Round, 62nd Overall (1942)
Alma Mater: Maryland State Bengals

One of our 4th Rounders in the most recent draft, shortstop Dick Hamilton was our highest ranked prospect from the Class of 1942. The now 22-year-old spent most of his time in La Crosse, because we had a lot of depth in the infield and I didn't want to demote anyone to make room for him. As expected, he was great offensively, slashing .370/.455/.545 (147 OPS+) with 15 doubles, 4 triples, 6 homers, and 43 RBIs in 275 trips to the plate. He then got a late season call to San Jose when rosters expanded, but Hamilton went just 9-for-45 without an extra base hit. He did a great job with the glove at both levels, accumulating a 4.7 zone rating and 1.044 efficiency at short. I'm not sure if he'll stick at short, he may end up at second or in the outfield, but he has a good swing that should play at most positions. I'm not sure if the power will stick, but the tiny 5'6'' infielder should be a decent big leaguer who might be able to make a quick rise up our system.

LHP Leo Hayden (127th Overall)
Acquired: Via Draft: 2nd Round, 29th Overall (1941)
Alma Mater: Benicia Panthers

Another prospect of ours out of the organization and in the military, Leo Hayden is out flying planes for the Air Force. Like Bybee, he's seen a velocity boost while away, going from 87-89 to 90-92 with his fastball. His pitches are very developed for someone who just turned 20, and he'll feature a great curve, good change, and decent slider. The southpaw had great stuff, but his command is coming around, and scouts think he'll develop into a middle of the rotation guy. I think he'll get to skip a few levels when he returns, and he may not be in the minors for too long.


CF Don Lee (153rd Overall)
Acquired: Via Draft: 2nd Round, 28th Overall (1940)
Alma Mater: Lincoln High School Lions

It was a big year at the plate for the 20-year-old Don Lee, who started the season in San Jose and finished in Lincoln. He had a great start to the year, slashing .275/.423/.396 (145 OPS+) with 17 doubles, 11 triples, a homer, 12 steals, and 34 RBIs with an impressive 89-to-16 walk-to-strikeout ratio in 442 trips to the plate. He didn't slow down in Lincoln, hitting .313/.393/.423 (127 OPS+) with 7 doubles, 4 triples, a homer, 17 RBIs, 3 steals and another impressive 25-to-5 walk-to-strikeout rate in 192 PAs. I'm keeping Lee out in center for the time being, but I'm not sure if he'll be all that great out there. He's done alright so far, but with his speed I'd like to think he has the range to stick. At the plate he's reliable too, working the count well and putting the ball in place consistently. He's still got a lot of upside and could continue to grow, but Lee already projects to be a solid starter in the outfield. He's advanced for his age, and may spend some time in Mobile next year, and he's yet to run into trouble with pitchers.