[ayaghmour2]

Weekly Record: 3-5
Seasonal Record: 20-13 (t-2nd, 4 GB)
Stars of the Week
Leo Mitchell : 30 AB, 13 H, 0 HR, 6 RBI, .433 AVG, .918 OPS
Hank Barnett : 29 AB, 9 H, 1 HR, 3 RBI, .310 AVG, .823 OPS
Johnnie Jones : 1 Win, 9.0 IP, 1 BB, 4 K, 0.00 ERA

Schedule
5-17: Loss vs Wolves (3-2)
5-18: Loss vs Wolves (4-3)
5-19: Loss vs Wolves (7-3)
5-20: Loss vs Wolves (4-3)
5-21: Win vs Foresters (0-5)
5-22: Win vs Foresters (0-7)
5-23: Loss vs Foresters (6-1)
5-23: Win vs Foresters (2-5)

Recap
Well, this was very disappointing... Yes, three of four from the Foresters was not what I wanted, but it was far better then the series with the Wolves. Despite being in Chicago, they swept us in four games, with three of the games us falling by just a single run. Despite a bad week record wise, we outscored out opponents, but we're now sub .500 (5-6) in one run games and .500 (11-11) at home. We're usually far better at home then on the road, but we've won 9 of 11 away from Chicago. The Cannons had a near perfect week, so we're now four behind them and tied for second with the same Wolves who swept us. To make matters worse, Harry Parker's sore shoulder now has an unknown time remaining, so we may be without him for more then just next week. We will get to start Mike Taylor on rehab, and he's likely going to be in Milwaukee for a few weeks.

There was a lot of bad this week, but not if you're Johnnie Jones. He's had a few struggles recently, but he had the Foresters under his thumb, tossing a 2-hit, 1-walk shutout with 4 strikeouts in our first of back-to-back shutouts. This was really exciting, as despite his 4.45 ERA (77 ERA+), the underlying numbers look much better. His 2.71 FIP equates to a similar to his ERA+ mark of 79, which equates to a mark great pitchers would put up. His 3.1 BB/9 is far better then his 4.7 in AAA last year, and his 5.3 K/9 is a personal best. The shutout was our first true glimpse of Jones, who has always flashed huge upside, but has yet to show it consistently. My hope is the shutout is signs of a real step forward, as we could really use a boost with his brother off to war. The other shutout came from Joe Brown, who allowed just 5 hits with 6 strikeouts to improve to 4-1 on the season. This came after his first loss, as the Wolves got 9 hits, 3 runs, and 4 walks with 2 strikeouts in 7 innings pitched. Brown has filled our ace role quite well in the early goings, working to a 2.09 ERA (164 ERA+) and 1.08 WHIP with 20 walks and 26 strikeouts. Our other two start starters didn't do very well, with both Jim Lonardo and Ken Matson struggling against both the Wolves and the Foresters. Lonardo actually lost both starts, charged with 10 hits, 4 runs, and a walk in 7.2 innings against the Wolves. Against the Foresters he went 6.2 innings with 8 hits, 6 runs (3 earned), and 2 walks. He has just one strikeout in his past 24.1 innings pitched, which is very concerning, but he still has a nice 2.82 ERA (122 ERA+) and 1.09 WHIP in his 7 starts. Matson, on the other hand, lost to the Wolves and beat the Foresters. The Wolves hit him hard, getting 6 hits, 6 runs, and 5 walks while striking out just once in 4.1 innings pitched. He did look better against Cleveland, with just 2 runs allowed, but it came with 6 hits and 6 walks. He did strike out 4 in 8, but the 25-year-old now sports a 4.24 ERA (81 ERA+) and 1.56 WHIP. Unfortunately, I don't really have a better option to start games right now, but he's almost guaranteed to head down to AAA once Parker is healthy.

Dick Lyons made our last start, picking up another win with 8 strong innings. The veteran southpaw allowed just 5 hits and 3 runs with a strikeout to drop his WHIP to an impressive 1.00 in 42 innings pitched. He's walked just 3 batters all season, easily the best on the team, as both Joe Brown (3.0) and Johnnie Jones (3.1) have almost that identical value per 9 innings. Of qualified players in all of baseball, Lyons is one of just two with a sub 1 BB/9, and leads all players with his 0.6. The pen got some work too, with big innings from Ben Curtin and Cal Knight. Curtin appeared four times, going 5.1 innings with 4 hits, a run, 2 walks, 4 strikeouts, a loss, and save. Cal Knight spread 6.1 innings into two outings, charged with 5 hits, a run, 3 walks, and 2 strikeouts. Our pen has been remarkable so far, with Curtin, Knight, and Angel Lopez allowing just a single run so far, with Pug just 2.

The offense was non-existent most of the week, but Leo Mitchell continued to be hit well, going 13-for-30 with 3 walks, 6 runs, 6 RBIs, and just one strikeout. Mitchell's 131 season OPS+ is in his general 130-135 range, and he's struck out just 15 times with 9 walks in 146 trips to the plate. The only other hitters with strong production were are former Chiefs in Cliff Moss and Hank Barnett. Moss went 6-for-17 with a homer and 3 RBIs. Barnett stayed hot, going 9-for-29 with a double, homer, 3 RBIs, 6 runs, and 3 walks. Harry Mead has been ice cold, going 2-for-22 this week to drop his season line to a poor .192/.283/.263 (59 OPS+) with 4 doubles, a homer, and 15 RBIs. He's already struck out 8 times in 99 at bats, after just 10 all season last year. Orlin Yates has been ice cold since entering the starting lineup, going 2-for-23 with 2 runs and a walk. This will open up more time for Bunny Hufford, but the rookie is hitting just .118/.167/.118 (-17 OPS+) in 18 trips to the plate. We could use a center fielder to bolster the lineup, and I may have to go out and find one.

Looking Ahead
We get two much needed off days to start the week, before heading out to Philadelphia for three games with the Sailors. They are in fourth at 16-15, three games behind us and the Wolves. Doc Newell is having a nice resurgence at 35, going 4-2 with a 2.44 ERA (146 ERA+), 1.10 WHIP, 9 walks, and 20 strikeouts. They've also gotten really good production from Paul Richardson (1-1, 2.29, 12) and Karl Wallace (2-4, 3.30, 21) has bene a bit unlucky, and since both pitched yesterday, we should be able to miss them. Scotty Thomas (3-0, 4.67, 9) and Tom Cipolla (2-2, 5.85, 23) should be much easier for us to hit off, and I expect a lot of runs out in Philly. They still aren't scoring many runs, but their bats are starting to produce more. Jim Beard (.281, 16) has shown some life in his bat, and Harvey Brown (.324, 13, 3), Joseph Mills (.337, 12, 1), and Woody Stone (.314, 1, 14) have all been very productive at the plate. And Marion Boismenu (.261, 1, 6, 1) may be starting to turn the corner after a 16-for-33 week brought him home Player of the Week. We did well against the Sailors at home, and I'm hoping they can help us get back on track this week.

Our weekend will be spent in Cleveland, as we get three games in two days with the Foresters. 1 of Cleveland's 9 wins came against us last week, and I'm hoping this time we can prevent them from taking a game. Now last in runs scored and allowed, they have just one qualified player with a OPS+ or ERA+ above 105. That would be Cal Howe, who is hitting .276/.324/.425 (106 OPS+) with 11 doubles, 4 triples, 2 steals, and 7 RBIs. Dave Rankin (1-5, 7.05, 6), who actually beat us with no earned runs in a complete game, no earned run, win to finish the week, has fallen off a cliff, Ben Turner (3-4, 4.45, 10) has had his struggles, and Dan Fowler (.212, 3, 7) has not put the ball in play enough. As we've already started to drop in the standings, wins here are crucial, as I can't really see anyone beating the Cannons with any sort of frequency.

We're also starting the draft today instead of the weekend, so we'll anxiously await our next pick. I covered the senior years for my three draftees at the end, and I'm hoping we can get some talented new blood into our system. Any of these guys could be drafted into the army as well, but every team's system is in need of replenishment, and ours is no different. There are a lot of guys I really like left over, including a few who have grown on me since the January portion I wish I grabbed.

Minor League Report
1B Cuno Myer (AAA Milwaukee Blues): One of the few members of the Cougars 1932 Draft Class who has not yet played a game in the FABL, the former 22nd Rounder might be the closest to debuting in his career. A 28-year-old switch hitter, Myer is a first base only player with a career .926 efficiency. Ray Ford, a '32 draftee (although by the other Chicago team), has held the starting first base position, and spent 745 games at first, and played 120 or more games in each season prior to last since his debut in 1936. Dick Walker joined the fold during the 1941 season, and has shared the position with Ford, leaving no room for another natural first basemen. Now with Ford on the IL, the only other players with much experience at first are Freddie Jones and Leo Mitchell, although they have spent far more time at second and in left respectively. Myer is now #1 on the depth chart, and if the Iron Man Walker finally decides its okay to get injured, Myer will be the first one up. Last year notwithstanding, Myer has always hit well and is off to a surging start this year. Myer is hitting .379/.396/.653 (186 OPS+) with 9 doubles, a triple, 5 homers, and 19 RBIs. He's fresh off a Player of the Week award, going 14-for-31 with 3 doubles, a triple, 2 homers, and 5 RBIs.

Myer has been stuck in Milwaukee, with all 350 of his games since 1939 coming with the Blues. He's only started more then 35 games once in a season, that was 1940, but he's started 22 of his 23 games this season. In 930 PAs with the Blues, Myer has slugged .339/.397/.462 (137 OPS+) with 53 doubles, 14 homers, and 146 RBIs. The five homers this season are already a career best, and he hit more homers this week then he did in 117 PAs last year. He hasn't shown much power since he was 22 in 1937, so I don't really think this is something he can maintain. That being said, he's generally a guy who walks far more then he strikes out, but he's struck out 12 times with just 4 walks. Prior to this season he had walked over 200 times more then he struck out, and he hasn't struck out more then he walked in a season since 1935. It's still going to be tough for Myer to make his dream of being a big leaguer come true, but for a guy who's draft report contained "It may be hard for him to find playing time, and he may not be with the team after minor league camp ends," Myer has done a good job even to make it this far.

RHP Joe Swank (AA Mobile Commodores): Despite only pitching in Class C before this season, Joe Swank started the season in Lincoln, is already up in Mobile. His first start with the Commodores was brilliant, tossing 3-hit, 2-walk shutout with 5 strikeouts in a 3-0 win over the Birmingham Ironmen. Unfortunately for Swank, start two wasn't nearly as dominant, as he was charged with 10 hits and 7 runs with 2 strikeouts in just 3 innings pitched. Starts like that are more expected from the 20-year-old, but in 34.2 innings between Lincoln and Mobile, he has allowed just 27 hits, 13 runs, and 9 walks with 25 strikeouts. Our 7th Round selection back in 1941, Swank's stuff seems to have shot up, as he went from a 0.7 K/9 pitcher in 64 innings his draft year to 2.3 in 144 last year and now 6.5 in the early goings. I don't think its because of an increase in velo from 83-85 to 84-86, but more so the development of his circle change. Expected to be his bread-and-butter pitch, Swank has been able to miss a lot of bats with it. If he can improve his fastball and curve, both not really quality pitches at this time, he should be able to pitch a lot more games like his shutout. Swank isn't one of our higher rated prospects, just inside the top 500 and outside our top 30, but his development has gone well so far. I'm actually moving him back down to Lincoln (return from injury) for next week, but I think he can make his way back up if we need an extra arm.

1B Norm Anderson (B San Jose Cougars): With a lot of lesser known prospects getting playing, I'm looking to cover of few of what I'm calling "replacement" players who are filling in for the guys overseas. Norm Anderson is one of them, as the 1941 22nd Rounder probably had no shot of starting games if we weren't missing so many players. Anderson has a lot of parallels to the previously mentioned Cuno Myer; both first basemen, both terrible fielders, both 22nd Rounders and both making the most of their newfound playing time. Before this season, Anderson only started 1 game and made just 48 plate appearances, and he's getting close to setting a new PA high. He's already started more games, starting all nine of his appearances at first for the Cougars, and the 20-year-old is hitting the ball with authority. Anderson has slashed .448/.514/.759 (249 OPS+) with 3 doubles, 2 homers, and 12 RBIs in a small 35 PA sample. He's just 3 PAs from surpassing his total from last season down in La Crosse, and if he keeps hitting like this he may get himself a full season. An imposing 6'3'' lefty, Anderson does project to have an average contact tool and he features a nice combination of bat speed and barrel control. If he can add a little power, then perhaps he can stick at first, but I'm not really getting my hopes up here. He's lucky we're rather weak at first, and since we don't have a surplus of prospects with not enough lineup spots to fill, he doesn't have to worry about a third basemen, second basemen, or corner outfielder getting move to first.

Amateur Report
RHP Tommy Seymour
School: Olathe
Commit School: College of Cairo
1943: 8-2, 102.1 IP, 1.49 ERA, 0.99 WHIP, 31 BB, 161 K
Career: 8-2, 102.1 IP, 1.49 ERA, 0.99 WHIP, 31 BB, 161 K

The Mock doesn't list our first rounder, but it tends to have very few pitchers listed. Tom Weinstock doesn't rank him on his first round list anymore, but that's just because he dropped from 32nd to 33rd, as he's still #7 on his pitchers list. It's not quite the encouraging results I wanted, but there is still a lot to like about Seymour's senior season. He started all 14 of his appearances and cracked 100 innings on the season. His 14.1 K/9 was 5th for eligible draftees, and I love myself pitchers who can strike batters out. That 14.1 metric is actually higher then Peter the Heater's junior season and matched Donnie Jones' mark, and they have developed into two of the best pitchers in baseball. Seymour had a tremendous 1.15 FIP and 28 FIP- to go with a sub 1 WHIP, all looking better then his middling 1.49 ERA. Of course I'm betting on his stuff and an eventual velocity boost, as I can't imagine he throws 83-85 his entire career. His change up is an elite pitch that will be further benefitted by any increases in velocity, and his splitter and fastball should be decent pitches too. His command is pretty strong and should help him keep the ball in the park, and OSA praises his movement. They no longer think he's an ace, more of a #2, but that's a good get for a late first rounder. We already have elite upside arms in Papenfus, the Jones brothers, and Duke Bybee, so there is very little pressure on Seymour to lead a staff. I can't wait to get him in our system, and he'll be a huge boost to the Lions staff post-draft.


SS Al Clement
School: De Pere
Commit School: St. Ignatius
1943: .450/.500/.811, 131 PA, 16 2B, 3 3B, 6 HR, 33 RBI, 22 SB
Career: .471/.535/.816, 365 PA, 46 2B, 11 3B, 13 HR, 94 RBI, 74 SB

It was a bit of a down year for Al Clement, who his a career low .450/.500/.811 as a senior at De Pere. The average and on base percentage were career lows, but he did slug a career best 6 home runs. It is encouraging to see the power wasn't a fluke when he jumped from 2 to 5 longballs as a junior. He did show OSA enough, however, as they list the shortstop at #8 on their Mock Draft. This is higher then the rank of 16 from Tom Weinstock, and Clement is the only one of our draftees to appear on the mock. I was very excited to add the now 18-year-old to our system, and he'll report to La Crosse to play short once he signs his signing bonus. I'm not convinced he'll stick at short, as neither OSA or Tom ever seem to give any information on his defense, but he does have nice speed which tends to lead to at least average range on the dirt. His bat should make up for any shortcomings, and if he shows he's not adept at short, he should fit in fine at second or third. He has a quick bat, disciplined eye, and ability to hit the ball hard, but the better off speed pitches can give him trouble. If his high school power translates to the minors, he could be one of the more valuable infield prospects, but he's a project who's far from a sure thing that could develop into anything from a bench bat or All-Star.

RHP Dick Garcia
School: Geneva
Commit School: St. Blane College
1943: 9-2, 110.1 IP, 1.63 ERA, 1.02 WHIP, 31 BB, 137 K
Career: 22-8, 298.1 IP, 1.81 ERA, 1.06 WHIP, 87 BB, 316 K

I never expect much from my regional round picks, but it was nice to see a strong senior season from Dick Garcia, and his improvement to #14 on Tom Weinstocks list of pitchers. It was arguably the best of Garcia's three seasons at Geneva, setting personal bests for wins, losses, FIP (1.73), starts (16), innings, HR/9 (0.1), FIP- (43), and WAR (5.3). More importantly, it was a return to his strong sophomore season as opposed to a rough junior season, and it will be interesting to see where he ranks in our prospect list. It shouldn't be hard to convince him to forego St. Blane College and join the Lions instead. Garcia is an intriguing extreme groundball pitcher, who allowed just 3 homers in nearly 300 high school innings, and should be an expert at rolling up double plays. He leans heavily on a dominant mid-80s sinker, that will continue to gets better as his velocity continues to rise. He's gone up from 83-85 to 85-87 since last April, and he located his pitches much better this year. If he keeps his command, he should be able to avoid hard contact, which is crucial as his overall stuff isn't great. His cutter and change aren't all that exciting, and will need a lot of work to become quality offerings. Pitchers can survive with low velo if they have great control and keep the ball on the ground (like Dick Lyons), so he might be able to overcome his lack of secondary offerings. Right now Garcia profiles more as a spot or emergency starter, but he's a hard worker who's always looking for ways to improve, and I think we can get the most out of him.