[ayaghmour2]

Plenty of housekeeping ahead, as not only do we have a new manager, but another Allen Award. The first was expected, but the second? That sparked some controversy. Six pitchers were given a first place vote, with Win Lewis receiving the most with 5. It didn't matter, as Donnie got one less, but was higher on more ballots then Lewis, finishing two points (57 to 55) higher then the Sailors ace. That makes it back-to-back Allen Awards for Cougar pitchers, with Donnie following Pap. Our 27-year-old co-ace went 16-9 in his 30 starts, working to a 2.89 ERA (133 ERA+) and 1.16 WHIP. In two outs shy of 250 innings, Jones walked 84 and struck out 139, and finished top 3 in the CA in ERA (3rd), complete games (3rd, 21), shutouts (2nd, 4), strikeouts (2nd), WHIP (2nd), ERA+ (3rd), rWAR (1st, 7.1), opponent average (2nd, .222), and win percentage (.640). Donnie also started the All-Star game for the CA this year, and is coming off his third consecutive season with 240 or more innings, an ERA below 3.10, an ERA+ above 110, a WAR above 4.5, and a FIP- below 90. If we want to return to contention next season, we'll need another season like this from Jones, as we cannot afford for him to slump like Pap did this year. It would be nice to have them both pitch like Allen winners in the same season, as last year Donnie had a rough end to the season and this year Pap was never himself.

The new skipper of the Cougars is someone who used to throw pitches for them, as 1931 World Championship member Max Wilder was named the manager for the 1948 season. Wilder will receive $12,145 for the next two seasons after spending five seasons as the Chiefs pitching coach. Known as a conventional manager who prefers pitching, defense, and power, Wilder has been coaching since 1936, with all but one of his seasons coming as a pitching coach. Like his predecessor, Wilder has not managed at the big league level, but there is very little concern that he won't be able to pick it up quickly. He has an average or better relationship with a majority of the team, and just the selfish Hal Sharp listed as "poor".

As a pitcher, Wilder debuted in 1921 with the Cannons, although they were called the Clippers when they drafted him 10th in 1916. He later pitched for the Saints, Foresters, Cougars, Minutemen, Kings, and Dynamos, appearing in 377 games with 354 of them being starts. He was a very productive pitcher, going 157-137 with a 3.70 ERA (111 ERA+), 1.34 WHIP, and 1,116 strikeouts in 2,710.1 career innings pitched. Wilder also accumulated 40.4 WAR, and he's probably best known for his time with the Cougars, where he tossed 1,005.2 innings from 1930 to 1934. They were also some of his best seasons, as in the four full years he had an ERA+ of 118 or better and a FIP- of 98 or lower, and Wilder was 61-45 with a 3.39 ERA (122 ERA+). I'm hoping that having a member of our most recent championship team can help inspire a winning attitude.

RHP Tommy Seymour (195th Overall)
Acquired: Via Draft: 1st Round, 13th Overall (1943)
Alma Mater: Olathe Pioneers

After improving on a rough 1945 last year, things went the opposite way this year as Tommy Seymour had a terrible season for the Legislators. After going 5-4 with a 3.28 ERA (110 ERA+) in 12 starts last season, he dropped to 6-14 with a 5.63 ERA (75 ERA+) in 24 starts this season. Some of this should have been expected, as his 4.83 FIP (134 FIP-) predicted plenty of regression. Command issues did Seymour in this year, as he walked 93 hitters while striking out just 58. It's his glaring weakness, as he has good stuff and his pitches generate plenty of movement. His change and splitter have tremendous downward movement and his fastball isn't tough to hit. The problem so far has been locating his pitches, as movement only does you so much when you don't know where the pitches are going to end up. On the plus side, Seymour was throwing harder this season, up to 85-87. That's still not hard enough, but at 22 it may be where he maxes out. He's likely ticketed for A ball again next season, but I'm hoping he'll be up in AA in no time.

CF Rupert Abbott (197th Overall)
Acquired: Via Trade with Washington (1946)
Drafted: 4th Round, 61st Overall (1946)
Alma Mater: Opelika State Wildcats

While not initially back-to-back, the mot recent sim actually has Seymour and Abbott at 196 and 197, as opposed to 195 and 197. The other prospect in the Billy Riley trade, Abbott had a nice first season in our organization, hitting well with both Lincoln and Mobile. He started in Lincoln, slashing .266/.335/.424 (102 OPS+) before improving that to .305/.367/.439 (108 OPS+) after the promotion. His WRC+ (108 and 116) were even better, and he tallied 35 doubles, 8 triples, 9 homers, 13 steals, and 78 RBIs in 137 games between the two levels. Abbott also provided plus defense out in center, with a 1.032 (AA) and 1.042 (A) efficiency. The hardworking outfielders best tool may be his defense, but he also has a pretty solid eye at the plate. He can work the count and shouldn't end up whiffing too much, and when he's on base he'll always be a threat to run. If he can continue to provide extra base pop, he could be an excellent leadoff hitter, but with a lot of talented outfielders ranked ahead of him, it may be tough for Abbott to carve out a starting role.

CF Ed Sutton (204th Overall)
Acquired: Via Draft: 6th Round, 93rd Overall (1947)
Alma Mater: College of Cairo Pharaohs

Here it is! Another back-to-back! Ed Sutton edged out Bob Schmelz by one spot in both rankings after a decent debut season. His age pushed him up to Lincoln, where he played solid center field defense (5.6, 1.035) and hit an okay enough .247/.316/.383 (86 OPS+) with 10 doubles, 2 triples, 6 homers, 20 RBIs, and 25 walks. The recent 6th Round Pick displayed his plus defensive ability and patience at the plate, but he was susceptible to off-speed pitches at time. He also projects to have above average contact potential, and with his speed there's a chance he could be a solid doubles hitter. Don't expect many homer runs, but any sort of power from him would be a bonus. OSA is a bigger fan of him then Dixie, going as far to say he could "fill a key role for a contending team." I'd be happy with a fourth outfielder that can start when someone's hurt, but there's plenty of upside and Sutton could be in the big leagues in just a few seasons.

2B Bob Schmelz (205th Overall)
Acquired: Via Trade with Detroit (1945)
Drafted: 1st Round, 11th Overall (1942)
Alma Mater: Dravosburg Flyers

He was supposed to start one of our last games, but for some reason Bob Schmelz ended up on the bench. At least he did get into two games as a Cougar, going 1-for-3. The 22-year-old spent most of his season in Milwaukee, batting .271/.390/.379 (96 OPS+) with 23 doubles, 11 homers, and 58 RBIs with an elite 98-to-39 walk-to-strikeout ratio in 651 trips to the plate. He didn't look very good at second (-8.6, .965) so we gave him some reps at first, but I'd love for him to be at least passable at the keystone. He doesn't have the power for first base, but his discipline will be important for his major league success. He reminds me a lot of Ray Ford, who also started as a second basemen, as both have great discipline, very little swing and miss in their game, and a plus hit tool. Ford was the more highly touted prospect, but pretty much everything else, even the height (both 5'10''!), lines up. Schmelz will be in camp and will be given a shot to earn a bench spot in the Spring, but expect him to split time between second and first in Milwaukee next year.

SS Bob Stout (212th Overall)
Acquired: Via Draft: 6th Round, 92nd Overall (1946)
Alma Mater: Eastern Virginia Dukes

A torn back muscle ended Bob Stout's season a few weeks early, but it was a productive season for the former 6th Round Pick. The 22-year-old appeared in 88 games for the Commodores and 44 games for the Legislators. In Lincoln he hit .250/.392/.391 (110 OPS+) with 6 doubles, 3 triples, 2 homers, and 13 RBIs while hitting .265/.353/.424 (100 OPS+) with 16 doubles, 7 triples, 5 homers, and 41 RBIs for the Commodores. This is impressive offense for a gifted defender, who posted efficiencies above 1.100 (1.107 in A, 1.137 in AA) at both levels. There's no concern about moving Stout off of short, as while he may not be Skipper Schneider, he's a remarkable shortstop who will make all the routine plays and more then his share of the outstanding ones. The bat has some questions, but he more then held his own, and he even managed 8 steals which adds another facet to his game. His glove ensures that he can at least function as a utility player off the bench, which I think is the likeliest career path for him. That's not to say he can't start, but beyond his eye, he doesn't have an average or better offensive tool. He'll either have to hit around .300 or provide double digit home runs to start, both things I think may be too ambitious. Still, an excellent defensive shortstop can start even when the bat leaves something to be desired, and if he can stay healthy, Stout could carve out a solid big league career for himself.