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ayaghmour2 · 07-16-2023, 05:06 PM

1B Dudley Sapp (103rd Overall)
Acquired: Via Draft: 3rd Round, 45th Overall (1947)
Alma Mater: Union City Bulldogs

Checking in two spots below 5th Rounder Buddy Jenkins is 3rd Rounder Dudley Sapp, who was originally in the top 100 but found his way on the outside this offseason. Part of that could be accounted for the fractured thumb that ended his season in early August, limiting him to just 29 games in his draft season. He also really cooled off after an excellent start, batting just .271/.322/.346 (87 OPS+) in 118 trips to the plate. Now 19, all those came when he was 18, and while the overall numbers weren't great, it's something to build on. The main concern is the power, as Sapp is known for his slug and he hit just two homers and no doubles. He does have a very strong hit tool, but if he wants to make it to the big leagues, he's going to have to tap into his above average power. He's a strong 6'4'' slugger who should be able to hit 25+ homers in the big leagues, and the mix of contact and eye should allow him to reach base frequently. OSA loves him at first, so perhaps that means he could fill in at a corner outfield spot, but I'm not sure he has the speed to cover much ground. Everything relies on the power potential, as if he hits it he could spend a decade manning first in a Cougar uniform. If not? He'll be lucky to get the call from AAA. There's plenty of risk, but it's hard to pass up a guy who can hit the ball as hard as he does.

RF Jimmy Hairston (129th Overall)
Acquired: Via Draft: 4th Round, 61st Overall (1943)
Alma Mater: Bowman Mohawks

It was a big season for Jimmy Hairston, who spent most of his season as a 22-year-old in AA. 120 of his 137 appearances came with the Commodores, where he hit an impressive .318/.386/.441 (113 OPS+) with 32 doubles, 4 triples, 6 homers, and 63 RBIs. He also drew 55 walks and produced a 121 WRC+ while playing decent defense out in right (6.4, 1.005). A former 4th Rounder back in 1943, Hairston is now Rule-5 eligible, and I've just given him our 36th 40-man roster spot that was vacated with Dick Walker's retirement. I'd love for him to get an extra look in the Cuban Winter League, as the extra development can really do him wonders. As a corner outfielder, he's going to need to hit, and he does have the bat to keep his average above .300 for a full season. He won't hit many homers, but as demonstrated by his time in Mobile he'll make up for it with plenty of doubles. He has a good eye and can draw a walk, but he still chases a bit too often. If he can hit just about average power, maybe 10-15 home runs a season, he could live up to Dixie's projection to "unleash obvious talent both on the field and at the plate" while OSA thinks he has "the talent to flourish as a right fielder." These are glowing reviews for the young righty, but I think he's going to need a few more seasons before even sniffing that. If all breaks right, he could be a useful every day player, but our outfield picture is crowded and won't loosen up any time soon.

RHP George Carter (177th Overall)
Acquired: Via Draft: 9th Round, 141st Overall (1947)
Alma Mater: Bluegrass State Mustangs

A ninth round pick out of Bluegrass State, it's a bit shocking to see righty George Carter ranked so high on the prospect list. He struggled in the rotation down in La Crosse and actually finished the season in the pen. He started just 3 of his 9 appearances and had a 5.06 ERA (74 ERA+) and 1.91 WHIP in 26.2 innings. The underlying metrics are much stronger, as he had a tremendous 4.3 K/BB (30-to-7) and 2.37 FIP (63 FIP-) in the small sample. A four pitch pitcher, he does have the stuff to start, and I'm hoping he can enter the San Jose rotation to start next season. He did have a red arrow and since we had plenty of pitchers in the low minors, there wasn't really a spot for him there. The Maywood, Illinois native is also a bit of a soft-tosser, as his fastball sits in the mid 80s and he's been susceptible to the flyball. No homers allowed, but he's a flyball pitcher who's not going to blow people away with his stuff. I'd like to see more from his sinker, which doesn't generate the groundballs it should. Carter may be one of those "misses" on the prospect list, but the command has been special, and if he can sit in the 3-4 range with his K/BB we can live with all the other problems he may run into.

C Mike Bordes (181st Overall)
Acquired: Via Trade with Washington (1946)
Drafted: 11th Round, 169th Overall (1944)
Alma Mater: Newburgh Knights

Our highest ranked prospect not to be drafted by us, Mike Bordes was part of the offseason trade last year that sent Billy Riley to the Eagles. Bordes spent 1946 with their AA team, but the results weren't great, and I wanted the 21-year-old in A ball to start. He spent most of his season there, hitting .250/.323/.423 (98 OPS+) with 23 doubles, 5 triples, 10 homers, and 67 RBIs. His WRC+ (102) was a bit better then his OPS+, and if you average them together he was basically a league average hitter while walking (40) one more time then he struck out (39). When we moved Homer Guthrie up to Chicago for the final month of the season, that moved Bordes up to Mobile, but it did not go well. He did still walk (9) more then he struck out (7), but his triple slash dropped to .211/.294/.263 (45 OPS+) in 87 trips to the plate. Bordes is now in a tough spot, as I expect Guthrie or Eddie Howard to end up in Milwaukee, and I want 13th Rounder Bob Mundy playing everyday as well. This could mean Bordes will have to start the season back in A ball, as that trio all have green arrows up to Chicago. Bordes has a lot more upside then Guthrie and Mundy, boasting a nice hit tool and a good feel of the zone, but since he's not the greatest defender, him and Mundy could split time between catcher and first. I'm not sure he has the power to last at first, but if he cost too many runs catching most days, he could be a useful C/1B piece off the bench.

LHP Mike Emerson (185th Overall)
Acquired: Via Draft: 4th Round, 61st Overall (1947)
Alma Mater: Jamesville Bullets

The first pitcher we selected in the winter draft, Mike Emerson ranks higher then all the pitchers selected after him excluding the previously mentioned Carter. Emerson had much more success in La Crosse then Carter, going 6-2 with a 3.71 ERA (101 ERA+) and 1.43 WHIP. And while he doesn't have the 4 K/BB Carter did, 46 strikeouts to 25 walks isn't too bad. The young lefty doesn't throw all that hard, just 85-87 right now, but he has an intriguing four pitch repertoire. His changeup should be really good and he's commanded it well so far. The cutter won't be great until he adds velocity, but if he can develop his slider or curve into an outpitch he'll be able to start in the big leagues. A Wisconsin native, Emerson has the upside to fill the back of a rotation with the potential to move to the middle if he can sit in the low 90s. If not, his stuff may never be better then average, and he'll have to rely more on keeping the ball on the ground and generating weak contact, forcing him to rely more on his defense then his pitches. If neither of his breakers develop, he could be a very useful change up heavy reliever, and since he's already effortlessly pushed past 100 pitches (lowest pitch count in a game was 108 and he left in the 6th), he could pitch multiple innings at any point in the game. I'm hoping he can add velocity in the offseason, and the Lions win leader has a chance to match that again next season.

07-16-2023, 05:06 PM	#1157
ayaghmour2 Hall Of Famer Join Date: Mar 2018 Posts: 3,108	Top Prospects: 11-15 1B Dudley Sapp (103rd Overall) Acquired: Via Draft: 3rd Round, 45th Overall (1947) Alma Mater: Union City Bulldogs Checking in two spots below 5th Rounder Buddy Jenkins is 3rd Rounder Dudley Sapp, who was originally in the top 100 but found his way on the outside this offseason. Part of that could be accounted for the fractured thumb that ended his season in early August, limiting him to just 29 games in his draft season. He also really cooled off after an excellent start, batting just .271/.322/.346 (87 OPS+) in 118 trips to the plate. Now 19, all those came when he was 18, and while the overall numbers weren't great, it's something to build on. The main concern is the power, as Sapp is known for his slug and he hit just two homers and no doubles. He does have a very strong hit tool, but if he wants to make it to the big leagues, he's going to have to tap into his above average power. He's a strong 6'4'' slugger who should be able to hit 25+ homers in the big leagues, and the mix of contact and eye should allow him to reach base frequently. OSA loves him at first, so perhaps that means he could fill in at a corner outfield spot, but I'm not sure he has the speed to cover much ground. Everything relies on the power potential, as if he hits it he could spend a decade manning first in a Cougar uniform. If not? He'll be lucky to get the call from AAA. There's plenty of risk, but it's hard to pass up a guy who can hit the ball as hard as he does. RF Jimmy Hairston (129th Overall) Acquired: Via Draft: 4th Round, 61st Overall (1943) Alma Mater: Bowman Mohawks It was a big season for Jimmy Hairston, who spent most of his season as a 22-year-old in AA. 120 of his 137 appearances came with the Commodores, where he hit an impressive .318/.386/.441 (113 OPS+) with 32 doubles, 4 triples, 6 homers, and 63 RBIs. He also drew 55 walks and produced a 121 WRC+ while playing decent defense out in right (6.4, 1.005). A former 4th Rounder back in 1943, Hairston is now Rule-5 eligible, and I've just given him our 36th 40-man roster spot that was vacated with Dick Walker's retirement. I'd love for him to get an extra look in the Cuban Winter League, as the extra development can really do him wonders. As a corner outfielder, he's going to need to hit, and he does have the bat to keep his average above .300 for a full season. He won't hit many homers, but as demonstrated by his time in Mobile he'll make up for it with plenty of doubles. He has a good eye and can draw a walk, but he still chases a bit too often. If he can hit just about average power, maybe 10-15 home runs a season, he could live up to Dixie's projection to "unleash obvious talent both on the field and at the plate" while OSA thinks he has "the talent to flourish as a right fielder." These are glowing reviews for the young righty, but I think he's going to need a few more seasons before even sniffing that. If all breaks right, he could be a useful every day player, but our outfield picture is crowded and won't loosen up any time soon. RHP George Carter (177th Overall) Acquired: Via Draft: 9th Round, 141st Overall (1947) Alma Mater: Bluegrass State Mustangs A ninth round pick out of Bluegrass State, it's a bit shocking to see righty George Carter ranked so high on the prospect list. He struggled in the rotation down in La Crosse and actually finished the season in the pen. He started just 3 of his 9 appearances and had a 5.06 ERA (74 ERA+) and 1.91 WHIP in 26.2 innings. The underlying metrics are much stronger, as he had a tremendous 4.3 K/BB (30-to-7) and 2.37 FIP (63 FIP-) in the small sample. A four pitch pitcher, he does have the stuff to start, and I'm hoping he can enter the San Jose rotation to start next season. He did have a red arrow and since we had plenty of pitchers in the low minors, there wasn't really a spot for him there. The Maywood, Illinois native is also a bit of a soft-tosser, as his fastball sits in the mid 80s and he's been susceptible to the flyball. No homers allowed, but he's a flyball pitcher who's not going to blow people away with his stuff. I'd like to see more from his sinker, which doesn't generate the groundballs it should. Carter may be one of those "misses" on the prospect list, but the command has been special, and if he can sit in the 3-4 range with his K/BB we can live with all the other problems he may run into. C Mike Bordes (181st Overall) Acquired: Via Trade with Washington (1946) Drafted: 11th Round, 169th Overall (1944) Alma Mater: Newburgh Knights Our highest ranked prospect not to be drafted by us, Mike Bordes was part of the offseason trade last year that sent Billy Riley to the Eagles. Bordes spent 1946 with their AA team, but the results weren't great, and I wanted the 21-year-old in A ball to start. He spent most of his season there, hitting .250/.323/.423 (98 OPS+) with 23 doubles, 5 triples, 10 homers, and 67 RBIs. His WRC+ (102) was a bit better then his OPS+, and if you average them together he was basically a league average hitter while walking (40) one more time then he struck out (39). When we moved Homer Guthrie up to Chicago for the final month of the season, that moved Bordes up to Mobile, but it did not go well. He did still walk (9) more then he struck out (7), but his triple slash dropped to .211/.294/.263 (45 OPS+) in 87 trips to the plate. Bordes is now in a tough spot, as I expect Guthrie or Eddie Howard to end up in Milwaukee, and I want 13th Rounder Bob Mundy playing everyday as well. This could mean Bordes will have to start the season back in A ball, as that trio all have green arrows up to Chicago. Bordes has a lot more upside then Guthrie and Mundy, boasting a nice hit tool and a good feel of the zone, but since he's not the greatest defender, him and Mundy could split time between catcher and first. I'm not sure he has the power to last at first, but if he cost too many runs catching most days, he could be a useful C/1B piece off the bench. LHP Mike Emerson (185th Overall) Acquired: Via Draft: 4th Round, 61st Overall (1947) Alma Mater: Jamesville Bullets The first pitcher we selected in the winter draft, Mike Emerson ranks higher then all the pitchers selected after him excluding the previously mentioned Carter. Emerson had much more success in La Crosse then Carter, going 6-2 with a 3.71 ERA (101 ERA+) and 1.43 WHIP. And while he doesn't have the 4 K/BB Carter did, 46 strikeouts to 25 walks isn't too bad. The young lefty doesn't throw all that hard, just 85-87 right now, but he has an intriguing four pitch repertoire. His changeup should be really good and he's commanded it well so far. The cutter won't be great until he adds velocity, but if he can develop his slider or curve into an outpitch he'll be able to start in the big leagues. A Wisconsin native, Emerson has the upside to fill the back of a rotation with the potential to move to the middle if he can sit in the low 90s. If not, his stuff may never be better then average, and he'll have to rely more on keeping the ball on the ground and generating weak contact, forcing him to rely more on his defense then his pitches. If neither of his breakers develop, he could be a very useful change up heavy reliever, and since he's already effortlessly pushed past 100 pitches (lowest pitch count in a game was 108 and he left in the 6th), he could pitch multiple innings at any point in the game. I'm hoping he can add velocity in the offseason, and the Lions win leader has a chance to match that again next season.