[ayaghmour2]

C Eddie Howard (#36 Overall)
Acquired: Via Draft: 2nd Round, 20th Overall (1941)
AAA: .325/.380/.428 (119 OPS+), 536 PA, 37 2B, 2 3B, 3 HR, 58 RBI
AAA: 4-0, 2 SV, 30.1 IP, 3.86 ERA (101 ERA+), 1.45 WHIP, 14 BB, 20 K
CWL: .342/.444/.421 (159 OPS+), 145 PA, RBI
CWL: 1-1, 16.1 IP, 2.20 ERA (144 ERA+), 1.41 WHIP, 11 BB, 9 K

Well isn't this something! The best pitcher on the Stallions might be Eddie Howard! Duke Bybee struggled after his shutout, allowing 11 runs and 22 hits in his past two starts, albeit, still with 13 strikeouts and just 2 walks. Start two went much better for Howard, coming just one out shy of a complete game victory. He allowed 7 hits, 6 walks, and a run with 4 strikeouts. Howard has been hitting even better, slashing .342/.444/.421 (159 OPS+) with 3 doubles and 6 walks. It's just a small sample, but he's shown impressive production at the plate and on the mound, making it possible for him to try both once he makes the big leagues. I don't think there are starts available for him this season, but if he could function as a pitcher and a catcher, our roster construction will be much easier. If he follows this impressive performance with a strong spring, it will be tough to keep him off the big league roster, but Homer Guthrie is a more then capable backup and Howard may be best served playing regularly.

RF Ducky Cole (Not Ranked)
Acquired: Via Draft: 7th Round, 97th Overall (1942)
A: .286/.347/.402 (114 OPS+), 124 PA, 4 2B, 3 3B, HR, 14 RBI
CWL: .375/.447/.656 (230 OPS+), 38 PA, 2B, 3B, 2 HR, 8 RBI, SB

Recently featured in TWIFB, Ducky Cole has been one of the best hitters in the CWL. Ducky's 228 WRC+ is the best among qualified hitters, as the former 7th Rounder has slashed .375/.447/.656 (23 OPS+) with a pair of homers and 8 RBIs through 38 tips to the plate. Since he's eligible for the Rule-5 draft, we are at risk of losing the 22-year-old. Injuries and the war have held him to just 35 games in the past two years. With just 7 games above A ball, it would be tough to roster him all season, but we have plenty of open 40 spots and I don't envision needing any in the near future. So It's fair enough to say the hard worker earned a spot. Cole doesn't rank among the league's top 500 prospects, but he's always had an interesting bat and he can cover all three outfield spots. Cole will likely return to Mobile to next season, but he'll be useful outfield depth while he continues to improve. Dixie Marsh thinks he's are most advanced right field prospect, and he could be a bar to pass for some of our young outfield prospect like Jimmy Hairston and Zeke Johnson. I think he's a high floor, low ceiling guy who won't be more then a fourth outfielder, but with his work ethic, being surrounded by quality big leaguers could get a little more out of him,