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ayaghmour2 · 10-18-2023, 01:24 PM

RF Harry Austin (338th Overall)
Acquired: Via Draft: 3rd Round, 44th Overall (1943)
Alma Mater: New Athens Yellow Jackets

1948 was a breakout year at the plate for Harry Austin, who had a 5-for-5m two Players of the Week, and a Player of the Month for the Lincoln Legislators. A former regional round pick, Austin appeared in a personal high 138 games, the first time he even surpassed 80 in a full year. I won't go through all his new bests, but the lefty slugged 11 homers and drove in 75 runs with a .319/.383/.452 (122 OPS+) triple slash. He produced an impressive 133 WRC+ and 3.3 WAR with 29 doubles, 5 triples, and 77 runs. He drew 52 walks and struck out just 33 times, with the 5.5 K% in line with Sal Pestilli (5.4). He played well enough to earn a promotion to Mobile, but with outfield spots filling up quickly, he may have to give it another go in Lincoln. A bat first prospect, Austin's talent is not evenly distributed, as his hit tool is elite and the rest is maybe average at best. He puts the ball in play a lot, hits the ball hard, and won't swing and miss very often, making him one of the toughest outs in any lineup. As a Rule-5 eligible prospect, there's a chance someone can give him a shot on the big league roster, but chances are Austin will be back in our system next year, and he'll have a chance to hit his way into the upper minors.

CF Doc Zimmerman (344th Overall)
Acquired: Via Draft: 5th Round, 68th Overall (1948)
Alma Mater: Bryan Rams

A 5th Round pick in the most recent draft, Doc Zimmerman was highly effective with the bat, producing a 138 WRC+ in his first 155 trips to the plate. He hit almost .400, checking in at .399/.425/.503 (121 OPS+) with 13 doubles, a triple, 16 RBIs, and 7 steals. The defense out in center wasn't great (-0.8, .986), but he's quick and should be able to range far and wide to make plays in the outfield. Still, he may be better suited for a corner, where he'll have to hit his weight to stay in the lineup. I'm shocked he hit so high this year, but average a bit above and below .300 can be expected for Doc. Power will never be part of his game, but he has a good eye and with his speed he should be able to hit for a ton of extra base hits. Then when he's on the bases he can do even more damage, always a threat to steal a base or force the defense to make a decision. He's on the younger side, not turning 18 until February, so I have to imagine it will be a slow climb up the ladder for him. Add in the limited playing time and it may be tough for him to reach his potential, but he's got all the talent to play in the majors.

SS Rupert Heinbaugh (352nd Overall)
Acquired: Via Draft: 7th Round, 107th Overall (1945)
Alma Mater: Weedsport Warriors

22 later this month, Rupert Heinbaugh will spend his birthday in Santa Clara, where he's been penciled into the Stallions lineup at third base. That's the position he made the fewest (12) appearances at, appearing at second 53 times and short on 74 occasions. Like Austin, he had an excellent season, as after posting a 42 WRC+ in 52 games with the Legislators last year, he hit an inflated .318/.385/.475 (128 OPS+) with 23 doubles, 7 triples, 4 homers, 5 steals, and 47 RBIs in 357 trips to the plate. He was worth almost 3 WAR (2.9) and walked (33) as about often as he struck out (36). He earned himself a promotion to Mobile where he was just as effective, slashing .352/.414/.455 (122 OPS+) with 12 doubles, a triple, a homer, and 16 RBIs. His 132 WRC+ was a personal best, and he walked 18 times with just 10 strikeouts. Heinbaugh now has the opportunity to further his development even more, and with a strong showing out in Cuba he could position himself for a big league callup next season. It would be a nice final step for the former 7th Rounder, who looks like a nice supplemental piece for a big league club.

1B Charlie Everitt (356th Overall)
Acquired: Via Draft: 14th Round, 212th Overall (1948)
Alma Mater: Cowpens State Fighting Green

One of the many Cowpens State alums we selected in the most recent draft, Charlie Everitt joined a very crowded first base picture in our organization. As a 14th Rounder, he came courtesy of the AI, and was one of the few useful picks from that portion of the draft. He split time between the lineup and the bench, hitting .333/.432/.383 (112 OPS+) for San Jose. No homers for the towering lefty (6'4'', 230 lbs), but he hit 4 doubles and sported an impressive 13-to-6 walk-to-strikeout ratio. He's a very disciplined hitter with an above average contact tool, and you have to believe with his pure strength he can hit some absolute moonshots. Still, neither OSA or Dixie Marsh mention anything about his ability to hit home runs, despite projecting him to be an "average big leaguer." When it comes to first basemen, I want power, and the only away around that is an elite hit tool. Everitt's is plus at best, so unless he makes an improvement in either tool, he's going to need to find a new home for regular playing time.

RHP Tommy Seymour (363rd Overall)
Acquired: Via Draft: 1st Round, 13th Overall (1943)
Alma Mater: Olathe Pioneers

Our first rounder back in 1943, Tommy Seymour has yet to reach AA, splitting his season this year between San Jose and Lincoln. He made 11 starts at each stop, with similar ERA+ (118 and 119), walks (33 and 32), and strikeouts (45 to 41) in about the same innings (79.1 and 71.2). As expected, the peripherals were better in San Jose, where he had a 3.81 FIP (85 FIP-) -- far superior to the 4.36 (107 FIP-) he had in Lincoln. A three pitch pitcher, Seymour's stuff just never developed, as while his change is great, the fastball and splitter aren't too dangerous. I expected him to eventually throw in the 90s, but he's still sitting at 85-87 and this may be the max for him. It's a shame the now 23-year-old never showed much growth, as he had so much in place to become a rotation member. Instead, 1949 may be his last season as a starter, as there are a lot of talented young pitchers that deserve the innings more then him. If he stays effective, he'll keep his rotation spot, but I need him to produce early in the season so he can finish in Mobile. At one time he looked like a future ace, but now we'll be lucky if eats a few innings in our pen when it's all said and done.

10-18-2023, 01:24 PM	#1238
ayaghmour2 Hall Of Famer Join Date: Mar 2018 Posts: 3,099	Top Prospects: 31-35 RF Harry Austin (338th Overall) Acquired: Via Draft: 3rd Round, 44th Overall (1943) Alma Mater: New Athens Yellow Jackets 1948 was a breakout year at the plate for Harry Austin, who had a 5-for-5m two Players of the Week, and a Player of the Month for the Lincoln Legislators. A former regional round pick, Austin appeared in a personal high 138 games, the first time he even surpassed 80 in a full year. I won't go through all his new bests, but the lefty slugged 11 homers and drove in 75 runs with a .319/.383/.452 (122 OPS+) triple slash. He produced an impressive 133 WRC+ and 3.3 WAR with 29 doubles, 5 triples, and 77 runs. He drew 52 walks and struck out just 33 times, with the 5.5 K% in line with Sal Pestilli (5.4). He played well enough to earn a promotion to Mobile, but with outfield spots filling up quickly, he may have to give it another go in Lincoln. A bat first prospect, Austin's talent is not evenly distributed, as his hit tool is elite and the rest is maybe average at best. He puts the ball in play a lot, hits the ball hard, and won't swing and miss very often, making him one of the toughest outs in any lineup. As a Rule-5 eligible prospect, there's a chance someone can give him a shot on the big league roster, but chances are Austin will be back in our system next year, and he'll have a chance to hit his way into the upper minors. CF Doc Zimmerman (344th Overall) Acquired: Via Draft: 5th Round, 68th Overall (1948) Alma Mater: Bryan Rams A 5th Round pick in the most recent draft, Doc Zimmerman was highly effective with the bat, producing a 138 WRC+ in his first 155 trips to the plate. He hit almost .400, checking in at .399/.425/.503 (121 OPS+) with 13 doubles, a triple, 16 RBIs, and 7 steals. The defense out in center wasn't great (-0.8, .986), but he's quick and should be able to range far and wide to make plays in the outfield. Still, he may be better suited for a corner, where he'll have to hit his weight to stay in the lineup. I'm shocked he hit so high this year, but average a bit above and below .300 can be expected for Doc. Power will never be part of his game, but he has a good eye and with his speed he should be able to hit for a ton of extra base hits. Then when he's on the bases he can do even more damage, always a threat to steal a base or force the defense to make a decision. He's on the younger side, not turning 18 until February, so I have to imagine it will be a slow climb up the ladder for him. Add in the limited playing time and it may be tough for him to reach his potential, but he's got all the talent to play in the majors. SS Rupert Heinbaugh (352nd Overall) Acquired: Via Draft: 7th Round, 107th Overall (1945) Alma Mater: Weedsport Warriors 22 later this month, Rupert Heinbaugh will spend his birthday in Santa Clara, where he's been penciled into the Stallions lineup at third base. That's the position he made the fewest (12) appearances at, appearing at second 53 times and short on 74 occasions. Like Austin, he had an excellent season, as after posting a 42 WRC+ in 52 games with the Legislators last year, he hit an inflated .318/.385/.475 (128 OPS+) with 23 doubles, 7 triples, 4 homers, 5 steals, and 47 RBIs in 357 trips to the plate. He was worth almost 3 WAR (2.9) and walked (33) as about often as he struck out (36). He earned himself a promotion to Mobile where he was just as effective, slashing .352/.414/.455 (122 OPS+) with 12 doubles, a triple, a homer, and 16 RBIs. His 132 WRC+ was a personal best, and he walked 18 times with just 10 strikeouts. Heinbaugh now has the opportunity to further his development even more, and with a strong showing out in Cuba he could position himself for a big league callup next season. It would be a nice final step for the former 7th Rounder, who looks like a nice supplemental piece for a big league club. 1B Charlie Everitt (356th Overall) Acquired: Via Draft: 14th Round, 212th Overall (1948) Alma Mater: Cowpens State Fighting Green One of the many Cowpens State alums we selected in the most recent draft, Charlie Everitt joined a very crowded first base picture in our organization. As a 14th Rounder, he came courtesy of the AI, and was one of the few useful picks from that portion of the draft. He split time between the lineup and the bench, hitting .333/.432/.383 (112 OPS+) for San Jose. No homers for the towering lefty (6'4'', 230 lbs), but he hit 4 doubles and sported an impressive 13-to-6 walk-to-strikeout ratio. He's a very disciplined hitter with an above average contact tool, and you have to believe with his pure strength he can hit some absolute moonshots. Still, neither OSA or Dixie Marsh mention anything about his ability to hit home runs, despite projecting him to be an "average big leaguer." When it comes to first basemen, I want power, and the only away around that is an elite hit tool. Everitt's is plus at best, so unless he makes an improvement in either tool, he's going to need to find a new home for regular playing time. RHP Tommy Seymour (363rd Overall) Acquired: Via Draft: 1st Round, 13th Overall (1943) Alma Mater: Olathe Pioneers Our first rounder back in 1943, Tommy Seymour has yet to reach AA, splitting his season this year between San Jose and Lincoln. He made 11 starts at each stop, with similar ERA+ (118 and 119), walks (33 and 32), and strikeouts (45 to 41) in about the same innings (79.1 and 71.2). As expected, the peripherals were better in San Jose, where he had a 3.81 FIP (85 FIP-) -- far superior to the 4.36 (107 FIP-) he had in Lincoln. A three pitch pitcher, Seymour's stuff just never developed, as while his change is great, the fastball and splitter aren't too dangerous. I expected him to eventually throw in the 90s, but he's still sitting at 85-87 and this may be the max for him. It's a shame the now 23-year-old never showed much growth, as he had so much in place to become a rotation member. Instead, 1949 may be his last season as a starter, as there are a lot of talented young pitchers that deserve the innings more then him. If he stays effective, he'll keep his rotation spot, but I need him to produce early in the season so he can finish in Mobile. At one time he looked like a future ace, but now we'll be lucky if eats a few innings in our pen when it's all said and done.