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ayaghmour2 · 10-14-2023, 05:19 PM

CF Jeff King (122nd Overall)
Acquired: Via Draft: 3rd Round, 40th Overall (1948)
Alma Mater: Millville Middies

One of our two third rounders this year, Jeff King was supposed to function in somewhat of a utility role, but instead his season ended after nine games due to elbow inflammation. Even when healthy, he didn't perform much, going just 8-for-25 with a triple and 3 RBIs. He struck out 7 times in 29 trip to the plate and didn't draw a single walk. Just 18, it's really a lost season for King, who has experience in the middle infield and all three outfield spots. I initially wanted him to play a little infield, but even if he did stay healthy, the La Crosse infield was pretty full. Next season for King will be big, as he's a very exciting prospect who can play all around the diamond. He as an elite hit tool, projecting to hit up to even .350, and even though he didn't walk here, he's got the plate discipline to walk up to 70 times a year. He's got great speed too, and at 6'3'' there's always the hope that he'll develop legit home run power later. There are a lot of unknowns regarding the Millville native, so I'm really hoping he can stay healthy next year.

CF Bob Allie (125th Overall)
Acquired: Via Draft: 3rd Round, 36th Overall (1948)
Alma Mater: Millville Middies

Taken a few picks before Jeff King, Bob Allie ranks a few spots lower in the prospect list, and unlike King, he was able to stay in the lineup all year. A natural centerfielder, he appeared in 14 or more games at all three outfield pots, and hit a respectable .332/.372/.449 (96 OPS+) in 58 games. A prospect who relies on his athleticism, "Alley Cat" has excellent speed, swiping 9 bases in 10 tries, adding in 7 doubles, 3 triples, and 3 homers with 30 runs and 21 RBIs. He has a quick bat and excellent pitch recognition skills, so when he makes contact the ball tend to be hit hard. Dixie Marsh thinks the now 19-year-old will develop average power, which would only increase his value as a prospect. He hasn't looked that great defensively, so double digit homers would be huge, as he may end up moving to a corner spot. What could work in his favor is his work ethic, so if he keeps working at it his defense out in center may improve. I'm hoping the poor metrics (-1.5, .986) are more from inexperience and having to move around a lot, as with his speed you'd generally expect excellent range in the outfield. I do like his bat enough that he could make a career in a corner, but he's most valuable out in center.

3B Amos Peterson (130th Overall)
Acquired: Via Draft: 2nd Round, 26th Overall (1948)
Alma Mater: Union City Golden Tornadoes

Our first pick in the most recent draft, Amos "A-Train" Peterson had an awful first taste of pro ball, hitting just .196/.274/.339 (46 OPS+) -- less then half as good as the UMVA's league average hitter. He did have a few extra base hits, 7 doubles and 3 homers in 124 trips to the plate, but he struck out in 30% of his trips to the plate. The versatile switch hitter did play well at third (4.7, 1.065), but I expected a lot more from his bat. He should develop into a solid hitter, and he's a strong kid who can really put a jolt into mistake pitches. There's a chance for 20+ homers, as his raw strength should develop into home runs. He may never hit for a high average, but he has a quality eye and should make even the toughest pitchers work. Eventually he'll get the strikeouts down, but until then he's likely not going to produce a lot of offense. If everything breaks right, he'll be an above average player, but he's got a tough road of development ahead of him and as high as the ceiling is, the floor may be pretty low.

RF Jimmy Hairston (135th Overall)
Acquired: Via Draft: 4th Round, 61st Overall (1943)
Alma Mater: Bowman Mohawks

Former 4th Rounder Jimmy Hairston got added to the 40 last offseason, but instead of getting an eventual big league callup, the former 4th Rounder spent his entire season in AAA Milwaukee. He hit .268/.365/.424 (100 OPS+) -- exactly league average in terms of OPS+ -- but his 112 WRC+ is much more impressive. 24 in January, Hairston had a nice little power surge, launching 16 homers with 76 runs, 21 doubles, 2 triples, 72 RBIs, and 68 walks. He'll be in camp next spring to earn a big league roster spot, but I expect him to return to AAA to get every day at bats next year. Dixie is a big fan of the righty, thinking he has "the talent to flourish in the majors." He'll maintain a high average with a solid walk-to-strikeout ratio, and the increase in power is really nice. He led the team in homers and was one of just six players in the league to hit more then 15. Corner outfielders aren't the most in demand quantity, but we do have a relative weakness in left, and Hairston could eventually get a chance to fill it. If he gets off to a hot start, and none of Luke Berry, Leo Mitchell, or Chubby Hall seize the job, Hairston could work hi way into the Cougar lineup.

1B Cal Rice (143rd Overall)
Acquired: Via Draft: 10th Round, 158th Overall (1945)
Alma Mater: Farmington Tigers

Like Clyde Parker, Cal Rice had a huge ascent in the prospect rankings, and he now checks in as our highest ranked first basemen prospect. He started the season in San Jose, hitting a solid .294/.364/.449 (110 OPS+) with 34 doubles, 5 triples, 3 homers, and 56 RBIs in 388 trips to the plate. This earned him a promotion to Lincoln, where he slashed a slightly below average .269/.354/.392 (99 OPS+), with a bit better 106 WRC+ in 47 games. Rice matched his home run total in almost half the time, adding 10 doubles with near equal (23) walks and strikeouts (25). That was pretty impressive for the lefty, who turned 21 this August and has looked advanced for his age. He doesn't have the traditional power you see with most first basemen, more of a Ray Ford then a Red Bond type, so he'll have to keep his strikeout down and his averages high. He will draw plenty of walks, but I'm not sure the hit tool is good enough to sustain .300 averages in the majors. Still, both Dixie and OSA think he'll start in the big leagues, but we have a lot of guys who can play first, so he'll have to separate himself from the pack to play regularly in Chicago.

10-14-2023, 05:19 PM	#1233
ayaghmour2 Hall Of Famer Join Date: Mar 2018 Posts: 3,013	Top Prospects: 11-15 CF Jeff King (122nd Overall) Acquired: Via Draft: 3rd Round, 40th Overall (1948) Alma Mater: Millville Middies One of our two third rounders this year, Jeff King was supposed to function in somewhat of a utility role, but instead his season ended after nine games due to elbow inflammation. Even when healthy, he didn't perform much, going just 8-for-25 with a triple and 3 RBIs. He struck out 7 times in 29 trip to the plate and didn't draw a single walk. Just 18, it's really a lost season for King, who has experience in the middle infield and all three outfield spots. I initially wanted him to play a little infield, but even if he did stay healthy, the La Crosse infield was pretty full. Next season for King will be big, as he's a very exciting prospect who can play all around the diamond. He as an elite hit tool, projecting to hit up to even .350, and even though he didn't walk here, he's got the plate discipline to walk up to 70 times a year. He's got great speed too, and at 6'3'' there's always the hope that he'll develop legit home run power later. There are a lot of unknowns regarding the Millville native, so I'm really hoping he can stay healthy next year. CF Bob Allie (125th Overall) Acquired: Via Draft: 3rd Round, 36th Overall (1948) Alma Mater: Millville Middies Taken a few picks before Jeff King, Bob Allie ranks a few spots lower in the prospect list, and unlike King, he was able to stay in the lineup all year. A natural centerfielder, he appeared in 14 or more games at all three outfield pots, and hit a respectable .332/.372/.449 (96 OPS+) in 58 games. A prospect who relies on his athleticism, "Alley Cat" has excellent speed, swiping 9 bases in 10 tries, adding in 7 doubles, 3 triples, and 3 homers with 30 runs and 21 RBIs. He has a quick bat and excellent pitch recognition skills, so when he makes contact the ball tend to be hit hard. Dixie Marsh thinks the now 19-year-old will develop average power, which would only increase his value as a prospect. He hasn't looked that great defensively, so double digit homers would be huge, as he may end up moving to a corner spot. What could work in his favor is his work ethic, so if he keeps working at it his defense out in center may improve. I'm hoping the poor metrics (-1.5, .986) are more from inexperience and having to move around a lot, as with his speed you'd generally expect excellent range in the outfield. I do like his bat enough that he could make a career in a corner, but he's most valuable out in center. 3B Amos Peterson (130th Overall) Acquired: Via Draft: 2nd Round, 26th Overall (1948) Alma Mater: Union City Golden Tornadoes Our first pick in the most recent draft, Amos "A-Train" Peterson had an awful first taste of pro ball, hitting just .196/.274/.339 (46 OPS+) -- less then half as good as the UMVA's league average hitter. He did have a few extra base hits, 7 doubles and 3 homers in 124 trips to the plate, but he struck out in 30% of his trips to the plate. The versatile switch hitter did play well at third (4.7, 1.065), but I expected a lot more from his bat. He should develop into a solid hitter, and he's a strong kid who can really put a jolt into mistake pitches. There's a chance for 20+ homers, as his raw strength should develop into home runs. He may never hit for a high average, but he has a quality eye and should make even the toughest pitchers work. Eventually he'll get the strikeouts down, but until then he's likely not going to produce a lot of offense. If everything breaks right, he'll be an above average player, but he's got a tough road of development ahead of him and as high as the ceiling is, the floor may be pretty low. RF Jimmy Hairston (135th Overall) Acquired: Via Draft: 4th Round, 61st Overall (1943) Alma Mater: Bowman Mohawks Former 4th Rounder Jimmy Hairston got added to the 40 last offseason, but instead of getting an eventual big league callup, the former 4th Rounder spent his entire season in AAA Milwaukee. He hit .268/.365/.424 (100 OPS+) -- exactly league average in terms of OPS+ -- but his 112 WRC+ is much more impressive. 24 in January, Hairston had a nice little power surge, launching 16 homers with 76 runs, 21 doubles, 2 triples, 72 RBIs, and 68 walks. He'll be in camp next spring to earn a big league roster spot, but I expect him to return to AAA to get every day at bats next year. Dixie is a big fan of the righty, thinking he has "the talent to flourish in the majors." He'll maintain a high average with a solid walk-to-strikeout ratio, and the increase in power is really nice. He led the team in homers and was one of just six players in the league to hit more then 15. Corner outfielders aren't the most in demand quantity, but we do have a relative weakness in left, and Hairston could eventually get a chance to fill it. If he gets off to a hot start, and none of Luke Berry, Leo Mitchell, or Chubby Hall seize the job, Hairston could work hi way into the Cougar lineup. 1B Cal Rice (143rd Overall) Acquired: Via Draft: 10th Round, 158th Overall (1945) Alma Mater: Farmington Tigers Like Clyde Parker, Cal Rice had a huge ascent in the prospect rankings, and he now checks in as our highest ranked first basemen prospect. He started the season in San Jose, hitting a solid .294/.364/.449 (110 OPS+) with 34 doubles, 5 triples, 3 homers, and 56 RBIs in 388 trips to the plate. This earned him a promotion to Lincoln, where he slashed a slightly below average .269/.354/.392 (99 OPS+), with a bit better 106 WRC+ in 47 games. Rice matched his home run total in almost half the time, adding 10 doubles with near equal (23) walks and strikeouts (25). That was pretty impressive for the lefty, who turned 21 this August and has looked advanced for his age. He doesn't have the traditional power you see with most first basemen, more of a Ray Ford then a Red Bond type, so he'll have to keep his strikeout down and his averages high. He will draw plenty of walks, but I'm not sure the hit tool is good enough to sustain .300 averages in the majors. Still, both Dixie and OSA think he'll start in the big leagues, but we have a lot of guys who can play first, so he'll have to separate himself from the pack to play regularly in Chicago.