[ayaghmour2]

SS Elmer Grace (56th Overall)
Acquired: Via Draft: 4th Round, 52nd Overall (1948)
Alma Mater: St. Dominic's Padres

The fourth round of the most recent draft treated us quite well, as a few picks before selecting 44th ranked prospect Dixie Gaines, we got a made-to-order FABL shortstop in Elmer Grace. Since the time of the draft, he's been given green arrows all the way up to Chicago, but with Skipper Schneider fully entrenched there on the big league club, I was in no rush to move Grace up to the top. Instead, the switch hitting shortstop from St. Dominic's spent the second half of his season in AA Mobile, where he produced an impressive 2.3 WAR in just 70 games -- almost a 5 WAR pace for a full season. Grace is somewhat similar to Skipper, as he's an excellent defender with a decent enough bat. He posted a 7.4 zone rating (1.082) and a 104 WRC+ in against strong competition. He's a light hitter as well, just 2 homers in 311 trips to the plate, but he hit above .300 (.320/.366/.399) with 14 doubles and similar walk (20) and strikeout (26) numbers. He'll put the ball in play a lot, and while base stealing isn't a part of his game, he is quick both on the bases and in the field. OSA is a huge fan of the Pennsylvania native, explaining how he "has good potential and a very promising future."

I think they're on to something, and if we didn't have arguably the best shortstop of the 1940s (102 WRC+, 59.8 WAR), I would have considered giving him the starting shortstop job after a few weeks in the minors. He's a hard worker, great teammate, and hits well from both sides, and his glove will impress the more comfortable he gets at short. He may also be our most enticing trade piece, as there are a lot of very poor shortstops, and the only shortstop prospects ranked ahead of him are the trio in the top 10 (Ralph Hanson, 1; Tom Miller, 2; Joe Kleman, 3), and of the top 10 shortstop prospects, four of them are Cougars (Burr, Jenkins, A.C.). Ideally, he's in Milwaukee to start next season, and while his future is definitely at second, I want to start moving him around the infield to boost his versatility. Second base is one of our few weaknesses, so he could quickly replace Car and/or Hunter, and neither George Sutterfield or Otto Christian has grabbed hold of the third base role against lefties, so if he can keep things up with the Blues, he could get significant time in Chicago next season.

LHP Ron Berry (62nd Overall)
Acquired: Via Draft: 7th Round, 112th Overall (1944)
Alma Mater: Elm Springs Knights

Very few pitches can even approach the crazy numbers Ron Berry totaled this season, as he was dominant for both Lincoln and Mobile. He made 12 starts a piece, going 7-3 in Lincoln and 7-4 in Mobile, and at both stops he held ERAs below 3, ERA+ above 140, FIP- below 90, WAR at 2 or higher, and WHIPs of 1.20 or below. As you might expect, the numbers at the lower level were stronger, as he posted a miniscule 2.11 ERA (192 ERA+) and 2.70 FIP (66 FIP-) with a 1.00 WHIP, 19 walks, and 59 strikeouts. His 3.1 K/BB was elite, he kept the ball on the ground 57% of the time, and he didn't allow a single homer in 81 innings. Regression was expected in AA, and that was somewhat illustrated by his 3.86 FIP (88 FIP-), but on the whole he was just as impressive. The now 23-year-old sported a 2.94 ERA (148 ERA+) and 1.20 WHIP, tallying 41 walks and 51 strikeouts in 104 inning. The increase in BB% (6.0 to 9.5) and drop in K% (18.5 to 11.8) aren't ideal, but what he was doing in Lincoln was not sustainable. He did, however, get a few more ground outs (58%) and allowed just one homer in 104 innings.

One of the most extreme, extreme ground ballers out there, Berry is maybe a season away from Chicago, and I recently added him to the 40 to protect him in the Rule-5 draft. We don't need another starter yet, but he's on pace to join Oddo and Bybee as the next young Cougar pitcher to dominate Continental Association hitters. Despite topping out around 87, he's got devastating stuff, as he generates a ton of whiffs and incorporates all four of his pitches well. He doesn't really have a weakness, as while not great, a 9.5 BB% is not really a command issue, especially considering how many guys he strikes out. While not an ace, he's more middle then back of a rotation, and he could work his way as a #2. He's worked hard to go from 7th Rounder to top prospect, and he's made improvements each season. Like Grace, he could be used as trade bait, and I've already shopped him a round a few times in search of an upgrade. Despite that, I expect him to break camp with us in the Spring, before heading to either Mobile or Milwaukee to pitch every sixth day. If we get hit by injuries in the rotation, he could be one of the first up, but I think his development is best served with another full season in the minors before a potential cup of coffee after we clinched the pennant.

One can dream, right?!?!?

CF Henry Norman (70th Overall)
Acquired: Via Trade with Chiefs (1948)
Drafted: 3rd Round, 36th Overall (1947)
Alma Mater: Cleveland Tigers

One of the guys on my list for the 1947 draft, we acquired Henry Norman this offseason from the crosstown Chiefs, sending Mel Haynes (10-11, 4.21, 70) a few L stops away to fill the void in their rotation after Gus Goulding's surprise retirement. The then 19-year-old started the season as the 37th ranked prospect, but lasted just five games before heading on the IL with with plantar fasciitis. He rejoined the star studded outfield of Jerry Smith, Harley Dollar, and Frank Reece, and was the first and only to earn a promotion. After 52 games he hit an impressive .345/.392/.399 (105 OPS+) with a 112 WRC+. A natural center fielder, he spent most of his time in the corners in San Jose, so the promotion offered him the opportunity to return to his natural position. In 51 games he accumulated a 2.4 zone rating (1.006 EFF), and hit a respectable .299/.349/.351 (87 OPS+) at 19. He hasn't developed much power yet -- just one longball in 375 plate appearances. The former 3rd Rounder did gather 11 doubles, 2 triples, 36 runs, and 43 RBIs. Considering his age, I'm very happy with how advanced of a hitter he is, and there is a lot to like about his bat. He puts the ball in play a ton, and Dixie Marsh thinks he could hit around .330. He's not much of a base stealer, but he has good footspeed and does well taking the extra base. A smart kid, Norman has held his own against advanced competition, and he could contribute to the big league club in just a few seasons. The tools are in place for a long professional career, but he'll have to stay healthy to reach his lofty potential.

LF Clyde Parker (76th Overall)
Acquired: Via Draft: 7th Round, 103rd Overall (1945)
Alma Mater: Liberty Bluejays

Turns out he's a Leo Mitchell type after all! It's almost as if Mitchell transferred all his power to Parker, who not only shot up the prospect rankings, but also had a breakout season at the plate. In 105 games with the Legislators, he posted a 161 WRC+ to go with a .338/.410/.523 (148 OPS+) season line. Parker added 26 doubles, 17 triples, 4 homers, 54 RBIs, 66 runs, and 46 walks in as complete of a performance as you'll get. Despite being a middling left fielder, he was worth 4.2 WAR fueled by an elevated .430 wOBA. Parker then got to participate in a pennant race with the Commodores, and he somehow managed to hit even better. September was his birthday month, as the now 22-year-old slashed an astronomical .423/.493/.592 (177 OPS+) with 16 doubles, 15 walks, and 20 RBIs. He was worth a full 2.2 wins above replacement in just 149 trips to the plate, and his 196 WRC+ would have led all qualified FABL hitters. His offensive capabilities were on full display, opening up the potential for an exciting big league career. Corner bats aren't in the most high demand, but I'm sure every team would take a potent bat wherever they can take it, and if he can just follow Mitchell and develop power in the big leagues he could make multiple All Star trips. Few players have as quality fo a hit tool as he does, so if he remains consistent he'll me penciled in the lineup night in and night out.

RHP Harry Beardsley (81st Overall)
Acquired: Via Draft: 10th Round, 156th Overall (1946)
Alma Mater: Arkansas A&T Badgers

The prospect people just can't make up their minds on Harry Beardsley, and I feel like I've seen him anywhere from 50th to 350th. A four-pitch pitcher, Beardsley put together a strong first full season, going 10-12 with a 3.75 ERA (116 ERA+) on the pennant winning Commodores. His 4.72 FIP (108 FIP-) was a bit concerning, but he had a respectable 1.33 WHIP with 96 strikeouts and 76 walks in his 23 starts. He's shown the ability to pitch deep into games, reaching 140 pitches twice and tossing a team high 15 complete games. Always cool and collected, Beardsley does a great job controlling his emotion on the mound, allowing him to work out of jams and limit damage. He mixes his pitches well, and while his change up is the headliner, his other three offerings can be lethal. His sinker should keep the ball in his park, his slider is effective on same-side hitters, and he can live in the higher parts of the zone with his fastball. His stuff is best when he's around the strike zone, so if he can keep the ball in the park he'll be able to fill the middle of a rotation. 24 in December, he'll move up to Milwaukee to start next season, and there's a high chance he'll be in camp this Spring to get a few innings early. He's the type of guy I'd love to get some time in the CWL, as he's a durable innings eater who will only get better the more he pitches. Unlike Berry, he's not on the 40 since this is only his third pro season. This makes a big league debut for him not likely despite being the most advanced of our pitching prospects. A team with an offensive surplus in need of starting pitching could be interested in Beardsley, but my guess is he'll break camp with us next spring.