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ayaghmour2 · 08-07-2022, 06:08 PM

9th Round, 141st Overall: SS Caleb Humphrey
School: Vanderburgh
1943: .274/.369/.339, 196 PA, 6 2B, 3B, HR, 29 RBI, 39 SB
Career: .274/.369/.339, 196 PA, 6 2B, 3B, HR, 29 RBI, 39 SB

There were two switch hitting shortstops I was targeting with my 8th Rounder, and one of them was Caleb Humphrey, so it was nice to still be able to get him here. He didn't start until he was a junior at Vanderburgh, and the light hitting infielder showed a lot of speed and defensive versatility, making him a very valuable member of his team. Just 8 of his 46 hits were of the extra base variety, so most of Humphrey's value will come from his speed and glove. He does have a nice eye, walking (24) more then he strikes out (15), and working the count well. Plus when he's on base he will always look to steal, and OSA thinks that's going to be enough for him to force his way in the lineup. I think that's too generous, as he probably won't hit enough to play every day, but hitting from both sides of the plate really benefits him. He hasn't played in the outfield, but I can't imagine he'd have many struggles, as he's got great athleticism and most shortstops can at least play left and right if they don't have the range for center. We have a lot of open spots in the infield with nine everyday minor leaguers off to war. He's a projected 4th Rounder on the mock, but that's probably too high.

10th Round, 156th Overall: C Al Hurd
School: University of New Jersey
1943: .253/.359/.323, 236 PA, 8 2B, 2 HR, 28 RBI, 5 SB
Career: .261/.367/.358, 836 PA, 31 2B, 2 3B, 11 HR, 105 RBI, 7 SB

We had back-to-back picks in the 10th, due to our trade of Johnny McDowell to the Miners last year, and I used them to pick up a new battery. A three year starter behind the plate at the University of New Jersey, Hurd had a bit of a down year as a junior, as he couldn't replicate the six homers and set new lows for games, PAs, at bats, runs, hits, doubles, triples, homers, RBIs, and walks. He did have new bests for steals and strike outs, but as a catcher the steals don't matter one bit. His bat isn't what warranted the pick (although the chance for power is nice), but Tom Weinstock's scouting report actually mentions his good catching ability. At the plate he's not helpless either, as he'll give you long at bats and should be able to walk more then he strikes out. He did that in college, drawing 115 walks while striking out 85 times, but his swing needs some work. I don't think his power will translate to the big leagues, but we haven't drafted a catcher yet, and his glove will make him extremely useful for us.

10th Round, 157th Overall: LHP Barney Gunnels
School: Poughkeepsie
Commit School: Eastern State
1943: 8-1, 91.2 IP, 1.67 ERA, 0.99 WHIP, 16 BB, 107 K
Career: 8-1, 91.2 IP, 1.67 ERA, 0.99 WHIP, 16 BB, 107 K

I'm going to get some angry letters from the Easter State coach, as we took a third commit away from them. To be fair, Bob Rogers may end up fulfilling his commitment, but there will be do Lefty Jones and Barney Gunnels duo atop the Monitors rotation. A southpaw like Jones, Gunnels didn't pitch until his senior season at Poughkeepsie, but he looked really good, striking out a fair amount of hitters while walking just over one and a half batters per nine. A bit of a soft tosser, the 6'1'' lefty just throws 83-85, but I think as he matures he will start throwing his fastball harder. It's not a great pitch, and his best offering is certainly his change up, and it is definitely a plus pitch. His slider is alright too, and due to his command of the strike zone he does a good job keeping the ball in the park. He's a projectable filler that looks like nothing more then a filler arm now, but he could be a decent late inning arm due to his mental abilities to shutout stress. With all the wild arms we tend to have, it's nice to have one with control, especially considering he's a lefty.

We still have a few sims until the draft, so we won't see these guys for a bit, but I am very excited for the next class of Cougars, and I think I'll system ranks will get a nice boost.

08-07-2022, 06:08 PM	#867
ayaghmour2 Hall Of Famer Join Date: Mar 2018 Posts: 3,010	1943 Draft: Round 9-10 9th Round, 141st Overall: SS Caleb Humphrey School: Vanderburgh 1943: .274/.369/.339, 196 PA, 6 2B, 3B, HR, 29 RBI, 39 SB Career: .274/.369/.339, 196 PA, 6 2B, 3B, HR, 29 RBI, 39 SB There were two switch hitting shortstops I was targeting with my 8th Rounder, and one of them was Caleb Humphrey, so it was nice to still be able to get him here. He didn't start until he was a junior at Vanderburgh, and the light hitting infielder showed a lot of speed and defensive versatility, making him a very valuable member of his team. Just 8 of his 46 hits were of the extra base variety, so most of Humphrey's value will come from his speed and glove. He does have a nice eye, walking (24) more then he strikes out (15), and working the count well. Plus when he's on base he will always look to steal, and OSA thinks that's going to be enough for him to force his way in the lineup. I think that's too generous, as he probably won't hit enough to play every day, but hitting from both sides of the plate really benefits him. He hasn't played in the outfield, but I can't imagine he'd have many struggles, as he's got great athleticism and most shortstops can at least play left and right if they don't have the range for center. We have a lot of open spots in the infield with nine everyday minor leaguers off to war. He's a projected 4th Rounder on the mock, but that's probably too high. 10th Round, 156th Overall: C Al Hurd School: University of New Jersey 1943: .253/.359/.323, 236 PA, 8 2B, 2 HR, 28 RBI, 5 SB Career: .261/.367/.358, 836 PA, 31 2B, 2 3B, 11 HR, 105 RBI, 7 SB We had back-to-back picks in the 10th, due to our trade of Johnny McDowell to the Miners last year, and I used them to pick up a new battery. A three year starter behind the plate at the University of New Jersey, Hurd had a bit of a down year as a junior, as he couldn't replicate the six homers and set new lows for games, PAs, at bats, runs, hits, doubles, triples, homers, RBIs, and walks. He did have new bests for steals and strike outs, but as a catcher the steals don't matter one bit. His bat isn't what warranted the pick (although the chance for power is nice), but Tom Weinstock's scouting report actually mentions his good catching ability. At the plate he's not helpless either, as he'll give you long at bats and should be able to walk more then he strikes out. He did that in college, drawing 115 walks while striking out 85 times, but his swing needs some work. I don't think his power will translate to the big leagues, but we haven't drafted a catcher yet, and his glove will make him extremely useful for us. 10th Round, 157th Overall: LHP Barney Gunnels School: Poughkeepsie Commit School: Eastern State 1943: 8-1, 91.2 IP, 1.67 ERA, 0.99 WHIP, 16 BB, 107 K Career: 8-1, 91.2 IP, 1.67 ERA, 0.99 WHIP, 16 BB, 107 K I'm going to get some angry letters from the Easter State coach, as we took a third commit away from them. To be fair, Bob Rogers may end up fulfilling his commitment, but there will be do Lefty Jones and Barney Gunnels duo atop the Monitors rotation. A southpaw like Jones, Gunnels didn't pitch until his senior season at Poughkeepsie, but he looked really good, striking out a fair amount of hitters while walking just over one and a half batters per nine. A bit of a soft tosser, the 6'1'' lefty just throws 83-85, but I think as he matures he will start throwing his fastball harder. It's not a great pitch, and his best offering is certainly his change up, and it is definitely a plus pitch. His slider is alright too, and due to his command of the strike zone he does a good job keeping the ball in the park. He's a projectable filler that looks like nothing more then a filler arm now, but he could be a decent late inning arm due to his mental abilities to shutout stress. With all the wild arms we tend to have, it's nice to have one with control, especially considering he's a lefty. We still have a few sims until the draft, so we won't see these guys for a bit, but I am very excited for the next class of Cougars, and I think I'll system ranks will get a nice boost.