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ayaghmour2 · 09-09-2022, 12:55 PM

2B Jimmie James (177th Overall)
Acquired: Via Draft: 4th Round, 53rd Overall (1940)
Alma Mater: Lane State Emeralds

It was a huge season for Jimmie James, who started his season in Mobile and finished it in Chicago. It was his best production overall since the few months after he was drafted, as he excelled at each level. With the Commodores, James hit an outstanding .325/.443/.490 (147 OPS+) with 4 doubles, 2 triples, 6 homers, 39 RBIs, and 35 walks in just shy of 200 plate appearances. He kept up the production with the Blues, slashing .276/.376/.410 (120 OPS+) with 12 doubles, 3 triples, 8 homers, and 41 RBIs. He struck out (44) about as frequently as he walked (49) and was just 1-for-9 on steals, but he was worth 3 WAR with an excellent 134 WRC+. This all culminated into a promotion for the 25-year-old, who made three starts up in Chicago the final week of the season. James looked like a longtime big leaguer, an even 6-for-12 with a double, 2 walks, and 4 RBIs. The former 4th Rounder is doing his part to force himself into our lineup, and while his primary positions of short and second are pretty locked up, his versatility gives him another avenue into semi-regular play time. He got a little time at third and in right this season, and he has experience in left and center too. Being able to provide us with consistent defense at multiple positions is a huge plus, and with a relatively weak bench, James' upside could help him replace an Ollie Page or Tip Harrison. You wouldn't know it from his base stealing success (or lack thereof), but James is speedy and with his great bat speed he is adept at putting bat on ball. Add in strong plate discipline and you have the working of a very productive hitter. As a switch hitter he's an asset late in game already, and he is a solid option to replace Car or Skipper if they get hurt. James should be a reliable every day player, but it may be a season or two before he gets a chance.

RHP Ken Matson (186th Overall)
Acquired: Via Trade with Brooklyn (1942)
Drafted: 10th Round, 160th Overall (1936)
Alma Mater: Clinton Falcons

Ken Matson managed to make the big league roster as our stopper, and then moved to the rotation for Harry Parker's first injury, but he didn't have the production I expected. Including his September callup, Matson pitched 60 innings in Chicago, going 5-4 with 2 saves, a 4.65 ERA (72 ERA+), 1.58 WHIP, 35 walks, and 28 strikeouts. Not great numbers for the 25-year-old, but for a debut season it could have gone worse. He was much better for us down in Milwaukee, going 9-3 with a 2.93 ERA (127 ERA+), 1.27 WHIP, 54 walks, and 109 strikeouts in 147.2 innings pitched. A big part of his success was the huge strikeout numbers, as fireballer whiffed 6.6 per 9, yet another season with a 5 or higher in the minors since the '41 season. The three pitch pitcher jams a lot of hitters with his 95-97 cutter, and his curve and change are just as tough to hit. His control isn't perfect, and he'll rack up high pitch counts, but both Tom and OSA think he's got a future in the big league rotation. Tom wagers he'll be a middle of the rotation arm, while OSA takes it a step further and projects him to be a #2. I want him on the big league roster to start next season, spending time both as our 6th starter and stopper depending on the congestion of the week. I'm a big fan of the righty and I think he's going to be one of the more talented pitchers in our system and a perfect option to stabilize the staff in case of injury. If he can keep his walks down he's going to be a very tough pitcher to square up.

SS Al Clement (195th Overall)
Acquired: Via Draft: 2nd Round, 29th Overall (1943)
Alma Mater: De Pere Redbirds

Once Clement signed, I was very shocked he ranked outside the top 100, let alone the top 200, as he was a guy I was convinced was one of the best in the 1943 class. He did sneak into the top 200, and his production in La Crosse definitely looks like a top 100 guy .The 18-year-old was extremely effective, slashing .254/.403/.519 (122 OPS+) with 4 doubles, 3 triples, 13 homers, 17 steals, and 26 RBIs. The 13 homers were definitely a shock, and I'd be surprised if he hits that many again above C ball, but he did hit 11 homers in his last two seasons at De Pere. His defense at short was approximately average, and something I expect to improve as he matures. He's fast and has good range, and we'll look to get him time at second and third as well to boost his versatility. I do think he's going to be better at the plate, as he has a quick bat and has no issue with velocity. He's got to work on the off-speed stuff, as evidenced by his 53 strikeouts in 231 plate appearance, and if he doesn't it will be tough for him to be a regular without some improvement. He does have a good eye for a youngster, which will help, and he's really good at drawing walks. Clement is a very raw prospect, but I think he'll spend some of his season up in San Jose next year. He's got a really high ceiling and he could be a potential All-Star, but his floor is far lower. I expect him to meet in the middle, an average big league shortstop akin to Ollie Page's first two big league seasons.

LF Bob Rogers (199th Overall)
Acquired: Via Draft: 6th Round, 93rd Overall (1943)
Alma Mater: Newman Norseman

When I drafted Rogers I didn't realize he was "impossible" to sign. I just saw the .517/.569/.661 batting line and thought "this is a guy I want!" Lucky for us, impossible really just means "give me a ton of money," so $40,830 was more then enough for "Snoot" to sign on. It wasn't a great debut season in La Crosse, however, as he hit a below average .264/.343/.433 (87 OPS+) with 7 doubles, a triple, 7 homers, and 26 RBIs. A big reason for the drop in production was a huge hike in strikeouts, 49 compared to 17 in his first 204 minor league PAs. He still managed to sneak into the top 200, and at times showed signs of being a big league quality hitter. He showed a little pop, but more importantly he consistently hits the ball hard. He has plus contact potential, which makes the strikeouts very surprising, but he'll turn 19 in January and has a lot of room to grow. He's not one of the most exciting prospects, really just a bat only guy, but few have as reliable of a hit tool as he does, which can help him develop into a reliable big leaguer.

1B Jocko Pollard (202nd Overall)
Acquired: Via Draft: 6th Round, 95th Overall (1935)
Alma Mater: Grafton Indians

Out in the Coast Guard this season, Jocko Pollard's last official at bat was a solo homer, so if he never returns to the big leagues, he'll end his career about as good as he can. A slugging first basemen, Pollard had the inside track to a bench job, but he'll instead have to deal with a huge roster clog once everyone returns from overseas. His lack of versatility works against him, as his calling card is really just his power. A lot of players like Pollard will miss out on their chance to be a big league regular, as he'll be 28 when he returns, and there will be a lot more exciting youngsters chomping at the bit for his roster spot.

09-09-2022, 12:55 PM	#896
ayaghmour2 Hall Of Famer Join Date: Mar 2018 Posts: 3,012	Top Prospects: 11-15 2B Jimmie James (177th Overall) Acquired: Via Draft: 4th Round, 53rd Overall (1940) Alma Mater: Lane State Emeralds It was a huge season for Jimmie James, who started his season in Mobile and finished it in Chicago. It was his best production overall since the few months after he was drafted, as he excelled at each level. With the Commodores, James hit an outstanding .325/.443/.490 (147 OPS+) with 4 doubles, 2 triples, 6 homers, 39 RBIs, and 35 walks in just shy of 200 plate appearances. He kept up the production with the Blues, slashing .276/.376/.410 (120 OPS+) with 12 doubles, 3 triples, 8 homers, and 41 RBIs. He struck out (44) about as frequently as he walked (49) and was just 1-for-9 on steals, but he was worth 3 WAR with an excellent 134 WRC+. This all culminated into a promotion for the 25-year-old, who made three starts up in Chicago the final week of the season. James looked like a longtime big leaguer, an even 6-for-12 with a double, 2 walks, and 4 RBIs. The former 4th Rounder is doing his part to force himself into our lineup, and while his primary positions of short and second are pretty locked up, his versatility gives him another avenue into semi-regular play time. He got a little time at third and in right this season, and he has experience in left and center too. Being able to provide us with consistent defense at multiple positions is a huge plus, and with a relatively weak bench, James' upside could help him replace an Ollie Page or Tip Harrison. You wouldn't know it from his base stealing success (or lack thereof), but James is speedy and with his great bat speed he is adept at putting bat on ball. Add in strong plate discipline and you have the working of a very productive hitter. As a switch hitter he's an asset late in game already, and he is a solid option to replace Car or Skipper if they get hurt. James should be a reliable every day player, but it may be a season or two before he gets a chance. RHP Ken Matson (186th Overall) Acquired: Via Trade with Brooklyn (1942) Drafted: 10th Round, 160th Overall (1936) Alma Mater: Clinton Falcons Ken Matson managed to make the big league roster as our stopper, and then moved to the rotation for Harry Parker's first injury, but he didn't have the production I expected. Including his September callup, Matson pitched 60 innings in Chicago, going 5-4 with 2 saves, a 4.65 ERA (72 ERA+), 1.58 WHIP, 35 walks, and 28 strikeouts. Not great numbers for the 25-year-old, but for a debut season it could have gone worse. He was much better for us down in Milwaukee, going 9-3 with a 2.93 ERA (127 ERA+), 1.27 WHIP, 54 walks, and 109 strikeouts in 147.2 innings pitched. A big part of his success was the huge strikeout numbers, as fireballer whiffed 6.6 per 9, yet another season with a 5 or higher in the minors since the '41 season. The three pitch pitcher jams a lot of hitters with his 95-97 cutter, and his curve and change are just as tough to hit. His control isn't perfect, and he'll rack up high pitch counts, but both Tom and OSA think he's got a future in the big league rotation. Tom wagers he'll be a middle of the rotation arm, while OSA takes it a step further and projects him to be a #2. I want him on the big league roster to start next season, spending time both as our 6th starter and stopper depending on the congestion of the week. I'm a big fan of the righty and I think he's going to be one of the more talented pitchers in our system and a perfect option to stabilize the staff in case of injury. If he can keep his walks down he's going to be a very tough pitcher to square up. SS Al Clement (195th Overall) Acquired: Via Draft: 2nd Round, 29th Overall (1943) Alma Mater: De Pere Redbirds Once Clement signed, I was very shocked he ranked outside the top 100, let alone the top 200, as he was a guy I was convinced was one of the best in the 1943 class. He did sneak into the top 200, and his production in La Crosse definitely looks like a top 100 guy .The 18-year-old was extremely effective, slashing .254/.403/.519 (122 OPS+) with 4 doubles, 3 triples, 13 homers, 17 steals, and 26 RBIs. The 13 homers were definitely a shock, and I'd be surprised if he hits that many again above C ball, but he did hit 11 homers in his last two seasons at De Pere. His defense at short was approximately average, and something I expect to improve as he matures. He's fast and has good range, and we'll look to get him time at second and third as well to boost his versatility. I do think he's going to be better at the plate, as he has a quick bat and has no issue with velocity. He's got to work on the off-speed stuff, as evidenced by his 53 strikeouts in 231 plate appearance, and if he doesn't it will be tough for him to be a regular without some improvement. He does have a good eye for a youngster, which will help, and he's really good at drawing walks. Clement is a very raw prospect, but I think he'll spend some of his season up in San Jose next year. He's got a really high ceiling and he could be a potential All-Star, but his floor is far lower. I expect him to meet in the middle, an average big league shortstop akin to Ollie Page's first two big league seasons. LF Bob Rogers (199th Overall) Acquired: Via Draft: 6th Round, 93rd Overall (1943) Alma Mater: Newman Norseman When I drafted Rogers I didn't realize he was "impossible" to sign. I just saw the .517/.569/.661 batting line and thought "this is a guy I want!" Lucky for us, impossible really just means "give me a ton of money," so $40,830 was more then enough for "Snoot" to sign on. It wasn't a great debut season in La Crosse, however, as he hit a below average .264/.343/.433 (87 OPS+) with 7 doubles, a triple, 7 homers, and 26 RBIs. A big reason for the drop in production was a huge hike in strikeouts, 49 compared to 17 in his first 204 minor league PAs. He still managed to sneak into the top 200, and at times showed signs of being a big league quality hitter. He showed a little pop, but more importantly he consistently hits the ball hard. He has plus contact potential, which makes the strikeouts very surprising, but he'll turn 19 in January and has a lot of room to grow. He's not one of the most exciting prospects, really just a bat only guy, but few have as reliable of a hit tool as he does, which can help him develop into a reliable big leaguer. 1B Jocko Pollard (202nd Overall) Acquired: Via Draft: 6th Round, 95th Overall (1935) Alma Mater: Grafton Indians Out in the Coast Guard this season, Jocko Pollard's last official at bat was a solo homer, so if he never returns to the big leagues, he'll end his career about as good as he can. A slugging first basemen, Pollard had the inside track to a bench job, but he'll instead have to deal with a huge roster clog once everyone returns from overseas. His lack of versatility works against him, as his calling card is really just his power. A lot of players like Pollard will miss out on their chance to be a big league regular, as he'll be 28 when he returns, and there will be a lot more exciting youngsters chomping at the bit for his roster spot.