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ayaghmour2 · 10-17-2023, 07:57 PM

1B John Kerr (241st Overall)
Acquired: Via Draft: 5th Round, 65th Overall (1948)
Alma Mater: Chicopee Pacers

Our 5th Round selection this spring, John Kerr had a rough senior season at Chicopee before the wheels completely fell off in La Crosse. Kerr made just 65 trip to the plate, hitting a meager .200/.250/.317 (35 OPS+) with 17 strikeouts to just 3 walks. The first sacker did hit two out of the park, but very little went right in year one. As worrying as this year was, there is plenty to like about the 6'4'' slugger, who reminds me a lot of the prospect ranked a few spots ahead of him, Dudley Sapp. He does a great job squaring up the ball, and when he gets a hold of one it tends to travel a long way. The 19-year-old generates a lot of power with his quick bat, and despite what he showed in his small sample this summer, he is an advanced hitter for his age. At his peak, he should be able to walk more then he strikes out while adding 20+ home runs. The main issue with Kerr is the Vlad Jr effect: too many balls hit on the ground. It's hard to hit home runs when you're too busy grounding into double plays, as the sinker could be a weakness of his if he doesn't improve his launch angle. There's a lot of development time ahead of Kerr, so bumps along the road are to be expected, but with little defensive value Kerr will have to get the bat working quickly if he wants to keep playing every day.

LF Charlie Harvey (290th Overall)
Acquired: Via Draft: 11th Round, 172nd Overall (1946)
Alma Mater: LaSalle Cavaliers

One of the many Chicago natives in our season, Charlie Harvey put together the best season of his three year career. He hasn't been able to get consistent playing time as a corner outfielder in La Crosse, but he hit an impressive .375/.433/.484 (119 OPS+) with 8 doubles, 2 homers, and 22 RBIs in 142 trips to the plate. Harvey appeared in a career high 51 games with a career high 141 WAR, .424 wOBA, and 1.1 WAR in his third season with the Lions. If everything goes according to plan, there will be no year four for Harvey, as he's set to move up to San Jose and join Jerry Smith in the Cougars outfield. An 11th Rounder from 1946, Harvey is a natural left fielder who has experience at first and right as well, and is one of the harder workers in the system. Somewhat of a Clyde Parker-lite, Harvey is a one-dimensional hitter who's best and only plus tool is his contact. It's better then that, as the lefty swinger should hit consistently above .300 while putting a lot of balls in play. I'm not sure if he'll ever walk much, but strikeouts don't appear to be an issue for Harvey, who seems to be the type of hitter who can take advantage of weak defenses. He'll hit the ball where he wants to early in the count, and can foul off tough pitches to stay alive. OSA is a bigger fan of him then I, as I view Harvey as a bench bat now, but he's young has room to grow into a useful lineup member.

LHP Dutch Yoak (293rd Overall)
Acquired: Via Draft: 2nd Round, 19th Overall (1945)
Alma Mater: La Porte Renegades

It was a down season for the former 2nd Rounder Dutch Yoak, who has yet to display any of the mastery he once did in high school. Yoak spent all year in San Jose, and was hit hard in 24 starts. His 10-12 record isn't bad, but his 5.32 ERA (83 ERA+) and 1.66 WHIP were very poor. The 21-year-old walked (70) just one fewer hitter then he struck out (71). I'm sure the hardworking southpaw will spend all season trying to figure out what went wrong. The imposing 6'4'' Yoak will want to add some mustard to his fastball, as if he can sit in the 90s his viability will greatly improve. His fastball is currently his weakest pitch, as he doesn't locate it as well as he needs to. His change and curve are effective out of the zone, but he won't get chases if hitters know the fastball won't be an issue. To make things worse, he's started allowing more flyballs, and in our park that's a dangerous habit. It would pain me to move Yoak, but he's developed into a pitcher that seems better suited for one of the spacious Continental Association parks.

2B Roxy Hilts (303rd Overall)
Acquired: Via Draft: 4th Round, 59th Overall (1946)
Alma Mater: Cedarburg Bulldogs

Roxy Hilts had a great start to his season, hitting .383/.418/.533 (146 OPS+) in 44 games with San Jose. Roxy added 10 doubles, 6 triples, a homer, and 20 RBIs, while worth an impressive 2 wins above replacement. This earned him a promotion to Lincoln, where he finished out his season despite not turning 20 until June. The former 4th Rounder managed to improve his BB% (4.9 to 6.5) and K% (15.8 to 14.8), but despite that his triple slash was a below average .280/.329/.358 (83 OPS+). That's still respectable for someone his age, and I think he'll fair far better next season as he hit .359/.423/.438 (129 OPS+) in 17 September games. Dixie has noticed Roxy's approach improving, as he's made noticeable strides in cutting down his swing and miss. As a guy who doesn't hit for much power, low strikeouts are ideal, and since he's a solid base runner balls in play are always a good thing. I'm still not sold on the glove at second, but it's not nearly as poor as a second basemen like Bob Schmelz or Ray Ford. He should be at least adequate, if not better, but to play every day he'll need to be a force at the plate.

CF Phil Boyes (311th Overall)
Acquired: Via Draft: 5th Round, 76th Overall (1946)
Alma Mater: Benton Zephyrs

We have a lot of outfield prospects so it's been tough for Phil Boyes to hold down a spot long term. He almost got to his first 200 PA season this year, making 196 in 63 games for San Jose. He started 10 or more games at all three outfield spots, and the now 21-year-old hit .259/.337/.394 (89 OPS+) with 9 doubles, 4 triples, 2 homers, and 22 RBIs. A natural center fielder, Boyes is pretty fast, and while that translates to range it does not translate to steals. He doesn't get good jumps and it's quick enough to make up for it, but he does pick up his share of extra base hits. He has more gap then home run power, but seems to be the type of hitter to stay around .275. That feels like more fourth outfielder level then every day starter, but there's a chance all he needs is more regular playing time to shine. I don't think he's going to get that at the start of the season, as I imagine him, Harvey, Smith, and Frank Reece will all share time in the San Jose outfield. He could also be a cheap piece for an outside team who needs a floor of a 4th outfielder who can handle center field. 1949 could be an important year for Boyes, as a productive offensive season could seperate him from the pack.

10-17-2023, 07:57 PM	#1237
ayaghmour2 Hall Of Famer Join Date: Mar 2018 Posts: 3,093	Top Prospects: 26-30 1B John Kerr (241st Overall) Acquired: Via Draft: 5th Round, 65th Overall (1948) Alma Mater: Chicopee Pacers Our 5th Round selection this spring, John Kerr had a rough senior season at Chicopee before the wheels completely fell off in La Crosse. Kerr made just 65 trip to the plate, hitting a meager .200/.250/.317 (35 OPS+) with 17 strikeouts to just 3 walks. The first sacker did hit two out of the park, but very little went right in year one. As worrying as this year was, there is plenty to like about the 6'4'' slugger, who reminds me a lot of the prospect ranked a few spots ahead of him, Dudley Sapp. He does a great job squaring up the ball, and when he gets a hold of one it tends to travel a long way. The 19-year-old generates a lot of power with his quick bat, and despite what he showed in his small sample this summer, he is an advanced hitter for his age. At his peak, he should be able to walk more then he strikes out while adding 20+ home runs. The main issue with Kerr is the Vlad Jr effect: too many balls hit on the ground. It's hard to hit home runs when you're too busy grounding into double plays, as the sinker could be a weakness of his if he doesn't improve his launch angle. There's a lot of development time ahead of Kerr, so bumps along the road are to be expected, but with little defensive value Kerr will have to get the bat working quickly if he wants to keep playing every day. LF Charlie Harvey (290th Overall) Acquired: Via Draft: 11th Round, 172nd Overall (1946) Alma Mater: LaSalle Cavaliers One of the many Chicago natives in our season, Charlie Harvey put together the best season of his three year career. He hasn't been able to get consistent playing time as a corner outfielder in La Crosse, but he hit an impressive .375/.433/.484 (119 OPS+) with 8 doubles, 2 homers, and 22 RBIs in 142 trips to the plate. Harvey appeared in a career high 51 games with a career high 141 WAR, .424 wOBA, and 1.1 WAR in his third season with the Lions. If everything goes according to plan, there will be no year four for Harvey, as he's set to move up to San Jose and join Jerry Smith in the Cougars outfield. An 11th Rounder from 1946, Harvey is a natural left fielder who has experience at first and right as well, and is one of the harder workers in the system. Somewhat of a Clyde Parker-lite, Harvey is a one-dimensional hitter who's best and only plus tool is his contact. It's better then that, as the lefty swinger should hit consistently above .300 while putting a lot of balls in play. I'm not sure if he'll ever walk much, but strikeouts don't appear to be an issue for Harvey, who seems to be the type of hitter who can take advantage of weak defenses. He'll hit the ball where he wants to early in the count, and can foul off tough pitches to stay alive. OSA is a bigger fan of him then I, as I view Harvey as a bench bat now, but he's young has room to grow into a useful lineup member. LHP Dutch Yoak (293rd Overall) Acquired: Via Draft: 2nd Round, 19th Overall (1945) Alma Mater: La Porte Renegades It was a down season for the former 2nd Rounder Dutch Yoak, who has yet to display any of the mastery he once did in high school. Yoak spent all year in San Jose, and was hit hard in 24 starts. His 10-12 record isn't bad, but his 5.32 ERA (83 ERA+) and 1.66 WHIP were very poor. The 21-year-old walked (70) just one fewer hitter then he struck out (71). I'm sure the hardworking southpaw will spend all season trying to figure out what went wrong. The imposing 6'4'' Yoak will want to add some mustard to his fastball, as if he can sit in the 90s his viability will greatly improve. His fastball is currently his weakest pitch, as he doesn't locate it as well as he needs to. His change and curve are effective out of the zone, but he won't get chases if hitters know the fastball won't be an issue. To make things worse, he's started allowing more flyballs, and in our park that's a dangerous habit. It would pain me to move Yoak, but he's developed into a pitcher that seems better suited for one of the spacious Continental Association parks. 2B Roxy Hilts (303rd Overall) Acquired: Via Draft: 4th Round, 59th Overall (1946) Alma Mater: Cedarburg Bulldogs Roxy Hilts had a great start to his season, hitting .383/.418/.533 (146 OPS+) in 44 games with San Jose. Roxy added 10 doubles, 6 triples, a homer, and 20 RBIs, while worth an impressive 2 wins above replacement. This earned him a promotion to Lincoln, where he finished out his season despite not turning 20 until June. The former 4th Rounder managed to improve his BB% (4.9 to 6.5) and K% (15.8 to 14.8), but despite that his triple slash was a below average .280/.329/.358 (83 OPS+). That's still respectable for someone his age, and I think he'll fair far better next season as he hit .359/.423/.438 (129 OPS+) in 17 September games. Dixie has noticed Roxy's approach improving, as he's made noticeable strides in cutting down his swing and miss. As a guy who doesn't hit for much power, low strikeouts are ideal, and since he's a solid base runner balls in play are always a good thing. I'm still not sold on the glove at second, but it's not nearly as poor as a second basemen like Bob Schmelz or Ray Ford. He should be at least adequate, if not better, but to play every day he'll need to be a force at the plate. CF Phil Boyes (311th Overall) Acquired: Via Draft: 5th Round, 76th Overall (1946) Alma Mater: Benton Zephyrs We have a lot of outfield prospects so it's been tough for Phil Boyes to hold down a spot long term. He almost got to his first 200 PA season this year, making 196 in 63 games for San Jose. He started 10 or more games at all three outfield spots, and the now 21-year-old hit .259/.337/.394 (89 OPS+) with 9 doubles, 4 triples, 2 homers, and 22 RBIs. A natural center fielder, Boyes is pretty fast, and while that translates to range it does not translate to steals. He doesn't get good jumps and it's quick enough to make up for it, but he does pick up his share of extra base hits. He has more gap then home run power, but seems to be the type of hitter to stay around .275. That feels like more fourth outfielder level then every day starter, but there's a chance all he needs is more regular playing time to shine. I don't think he's going to get that at the start of the season, as I imagine him, Harvey, Smith, and Frank Reece will all share time in the San Jose outfield. He could also be a cheap piece for an outside team who needs a floor of a 4th outfielder who can handle center field. 1949 could be an important year for Boyes, as a productive offensive season could seperate him from the pack.