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ayaghmour2 · 01-29-2024, 09:54 PM

I got a little behind on these, and we've now reached the announcement of CWL rosters. If I didn't skip Friday and Saturday, I would get the last set of reports out perfectly for Opening Day, but I was busy Friday and we didn't have a sim. Then and on Saturday? Well, I'm not all that sure... Guess I just didn't want to write? I was pretty tired. But I more then made up for it today, and will continue tomorrow! In a good way of course! Real life me was lucky enough to get his first outdoor run in a while, and it has completely energized me!

Anyways, while the Santa Clara Stallions will once again carry both Cougars and Eagles, I'm going to hold off on posting the rosters until after I finish the rest of our top prospects. Just to keep the "historical" so-to-speak record a little cleaner. Including the five minor leaguers below, who I will mention their place on the team, we have fifteen guys to go. So yes, if there was a Friday and Saturday the last five would come today, but it doesn't matter too much. Sure, the rosters were announced today, but the teams don't suit up for another in-game week. That gives me plenty of time to finish up, with a flurry of posts in the coming days.

1B John Kerr (220th Overall)
Acquired: Via Draft: 5th Round, 65th Overall (1948)
Alma Mater: Chicopee Pacers

If you thought Dudley Sapp had a bad year, John Kerr had it worse, as it's hard to do as poorly as he did in someone's first full season as a professional. The then 19-year-old hit a pitiful .181/.261/.261 (29 OPS+) in 50 games. He was worth an impressive 1.4 wins below replacement, and unless you count Duke Bybee the hitter (.130, 5, -1.5), Kerr was the most useless player in our system. If you believe in WAR. Don't get me wrong, he definitely deserved it, as the former 5th Rounder was downright awful at everything. He struck out in 25.5% of his attempts and for the second season in a row has hit .200 or worse. It's a concerning result for someone Dixie Marsh thinks will once "hit for a .310 batting average" as the "above average contact skills" is the main draw. There's also the fact that he's a 6'4'' potential slugger, and you wonder if he's actually Dudley Sapp in disguise. Both are quite similar prospects, and part of me wants to just alternate days with these two next season until the draft. Once La Crosse gets back under way, the least bad can stay, or best case once rakes and hits there way up. I don't think either of them are ready, but during the offseason risky high ceiling prospects have a chance to refine their tools, and inch ever closer to their towering potential.

2B Roxy Hilts (230th Overall)
Acquired: Via Draft: 4th Round, 59th Overall (1946)
Alma Mater: Cedarburg Bulldogs

it was a great season for Roxy Hilts, who jumped nearly 100 points up the prospect rankings. His production on the field was even more impressive, as the former 4th Rounder managed to hit his way up from San Jose to Mobile. Most of the time was spent in the middle, as 98 of his 130 games came with the Legislators. Hilts' .338/.387/.471 (131 OPS+) triple slash was similar to the other levels, and here he hit 24 doubles and 14 triples with 29 walks and 46 RBIs. Sure, he didn't hit a homer, but I'll take all those triples over two or three longballs, as the young infielder has never hit for much home run power. He's more of a contact hitter anyway, and he's one of the toughest guys to get a fastball buy. He puts the ball in play often and struck out in just 9.2% of his plate appearances this season. This will only improve as he gains more experience, and he should put together many tough at bats. I want to see more from his glove at second, and he's really just average at best. With the numbers he put up this season, it's enough to make up for middling defense, but it will be tough to post WRC+ of 148 (B), 131 (A), and 121 (AA) in the majors consistently. Plenty could change between this season and next, but if he remains in Mobile to start the year, there's an outside chance of Hilts taking his first big league at bat next season. He's going to be Rule-5 eligible then, and with continued production at the plate he's going to have to be protected.

RHP Harry Beardsley (232nd Overall)
Acquired: Via Draft: 10th Round, 156th Overall (1946)
Alma Mater: Arkansas A&T Badgers

I'm not sure what it is with the prospect people, but they can never make their minds up about Harry Beardsley. Right now, they don't like him very much at all, but it's not for how he played. Beardsley did excellent in his first 24 starts with the Blues, going 11-7 with a 3.26 ERA (125 ERA+) and 1.25 WHIP with 122 strikeouts in 171 innings. With the high strikeouts, there weren't a lot of walks, as Beardsley allowed just 72 walks, leading to an impressive 10.1 BB% and 1.7 K/BB. He also did a good job keeping the ball apart, yet again maintaining a HR/9 below one despite being a flyball pitcher. Anything more then that and you might run into trouble, and that will be the biggest test for him once he gets promoted. 25 next month, Beardsley will have a chance to showcase himself in Cuba, and he actually led the GWL in groundball percentage (0.59) last season. Right now, he's ticketed into the third spot in the Stallions rotation, behind Milwaukee and 40-man counterparts Zane Kelley and Ron Berry. That front three may be tough to beat, and I'm hoping our trio can really showcase their stuff. Beardsley's may be the best right now, as his high 80s fastball goes right past hitters as it looks way faster then his brutal change. He takes full advantage of the velocity difference, and he'll generate funky swings when someone is sitting on the hard stuff. As long as he can stay around the zone, he'll be fine, so avoiding hangers will be crucial to his success. I think this guy is already good enough to pitch every fifth day in FABL, and perhaps another team out there might think the same. He's available for trade, but nothing has materialized yet in an offseason that's really just seen the Carlos Montes trade.

SS Willie Watson (241st Overall)
Acquired: Via Draft: 10th Round, 157th Overall (1947)
Alma Mater: Evansville Eagles

A lot of Lions didn't hit too well, but Willie Watson was surely an exception. Even as a singles hitter, he produced a 126 WRC+ with a decent enough .340/.408/.443 (109 OPS+) batting line. He has almost no power, but a 4.4 zone rating and 1.154 efficiency will open a lot of doors. Yeah, it's a miniscule sample, but Watson is one of the rare prospects who's been pretty impressive everywhere defensively despite not playing too much. The Illinois native is stuck in a big group of quality infielders in La Crosse, but this year may be enough to give him a chance at more playing time. There's a crowd in San Jose too, but there may be a utility spot available for him early next season. I really like his glove, and he's done a great job putting the ball in play. He had 7 doubles and 2 triples in 121 PAs this season, and he was able to drive in 21 runs. Watson took advantage of the limited time, and he was huge for them late in games. His defensive ability makes him an asset anywhere, where even average offensive production is enough.

RHP Lee Parker (262nd Overall)
Acquired: Via Draft: 15th Round, 236th Overall (1946)
Alma Mater: Marysville Monarchs

It was a nightmare of a season for Lee Parker, who after four awful starts was moved to the pen, where he was actually worse. In total, Parker went 4-6 with 4 saves, a 6.43 ERA (73 ERA+), 1.84 WHIP, 23 walks, and 50 strikeouts. Despite all that, Parker had a 100 point jump on the prospect rankings, and perhaps the bad performances were a mix of bad luck. He did have a 4.27 FIP (90 FIP-) in 49 innings, and it was actually better in his four start (3.63, 77). I was originally ready to demote him to the pen full time, but Parker has made me rethink things a bit. I've always liked his deep arsenal, but it's tough seeing him struggle so much at 21. Against my better judgement, I might move him up to San Jose before the draft. He has a good curve and I really thought it would play well in the pen, but guys with a five pitch repertoire belong in a rotation.

01-29-2024, 09:54 PM	#1310
ayaghmour2 Hall Of Famer Join Date: Mar 2018 Posts: 3,017	Top Prospects: 26-30 I got a little behind on these, and we've now reached the announcement of CWL rosters. If I didn't skip Friday and Saturday, I would get the last set of reports out perfectly for Opening Day, but I was busy Friday and we didn't have a sim. Then and on Saturday? Well, I'm not all that sure... Guess I just didn't want to write? I was pretty tired. But I more then made up for it today, and will continue tomorrow! In a good way of course! Real life me was lucky enough to get his first outdoor run in a while, and it has completely energized me! Anyways, while the Santa Clara Stallions will once again carry both Cougars and Eagles, I'm going to hold off on posting the rosters until after I finish the rest of our top prospects. Just to keep the "historical" so-to-speak record a little cleaner. Including the five minor leaguers below, who I will mention their place on the team, we have fifteen guys to go. So yes, if there was a Friday and Saturday the last five would come today, but it doesn't matter too much. Sure, the rosters were announced today, but the teams don't suit up for another in-game week. That gives me plenty of time to finish up, with a flurry of posts in the coming days. 1B John Kerr (220th Overall) Acquired: Via Draft: 5th Round, 65th Overall (1948) Alma Mater: Chicopee Pacers If you thought Dudley Sapp had a bad year, John Kerr had it worse, as it's hard to do as poorly as he did in someone's first full season as a professional. The then 19-year-old hit a pitiful .181/.261/.261 (29 OPS+) in 50 games. He was worth an impressive 1.4 wins below replacement, and unless you count Duke Bybee the hitter (.130, 5, -1.5), Kerr was the most useless player in our system. If you believe in WAR. Don't get me wrong, he definitely deserved it, as the former 5th Rounder was downright awful at everything. He struck out in 25.5% of his attempts and for the second season in a row has hit .200 or worse. It's a concerning result for someone Dixie Marsh thinks will once "hit for a .310 batting average" as the "above average contact skills" is the main draw. There's also the fact that he's a 6'4'' potential slugger, and you wonder if he's actually Dudley Sapp in disguise. Both are quite similar prospects, and part of me wants to just alternate days with these two next season until the draft. Once La Crosse gets back under way, the least bad can stay, or best case once rakes and hits there way up. I don't think either of them are ready, but during the offseason risky high ceiling prospects have a chance to refine their tools, and inch ever closer to their towering potential. 2B Roxy Hilts (230th Overall) Acquired: Via Draft: 4th Round, 59th Overall (1946) Alma Mater: Cedarburg Bulldogs it was a great season for Roxy Hilts, who jumped nearly 100 points up the prospect rankings. His production on the field was even more impressive, as the former 4th Rounder managed to hit his way up from San Jose to Mobile. Most of the time was spent in the middle, as 98 of his 130 games came with the Legislators. Hilts' .338/.387/.471 (131 OPS+) triple slash was similar to the other levels, and here he hit 24 doubles and 14 triples with 29 walks and 46 RBIs. Sure, he didn't hit a homer, but I'll take all those triples over two or three longballs, as the young infielder has never hit for much home run power. He's more of a contact hitter anyway, and he's one of the toughest guys to get a fastball buy. He puts the ball in play often and struck out in just 9.2% of his plate appearances this season. This will only improve as he gains more experience, and he should put together many tough at bats. I want to see more from his glove at second, and he's really just average at best. With the numbers he put up this season, it's enough to make up for middling defense, but it will be tough to post WRC+ of 148 (B), 131 (A), and 121 (AA) in the majors consistently. Plenty could change between this season and next, but if he remains in Mobile to start the year, there's an outside chance of Hilts taking his first big league at bat next season. He's going to be Rule-5 eligible then, and with continued production at the plate he's going to have to be protected. RHP Harry Beardsley (232nd Overall) Acquired: Via Draft: 10th Round, 156th Overall (1946) Alma Mater: Arkansas A&T Badgers I'm not sure what it is with the prospect people, but they can never make their minds up about Harry Beardsley. Right now, they don't like him very much at all, but it's not for how he played. Beardsley did excellent in his first 24 starts with the Blues, going 11-7 with a 3.26 ERA (125 ERA+) and 1.25 WHIP with 122 strikeouts in 171 innings. With the high strikeouts, there weren't a lot of walks, as Beardsley allowed just 72 walks, leading to an impressive 10.1 BB% and 1.7 K/BB. He also did a good job keeping the ball apart, yet again maintaining a HR/9 below one despite being a flyball pitcher. Anything more then that and you might run into trouble, and that will be the biggest test for him once he gets promoted. 25 next month, Beardsley will have a chance to showcase himself in Cuba, and he actually led the GWL in groundball percentage (0.59) last season. Right now, he's ticketed into the third spot in the Stallions rotation, behind Milwaukee and 40-man counterparts Zane Kelley and Ron Berry. That front three may be tough to beat, and I'm hoping our trio can really showcase their stuff. Beardsley's may be the best right now, as his high 80s fastball goes right past hitters as it looks way faster then his brutal change. He takes full advantage of the velocity difference, and he'll generate funky swings when someone is sitting on the hard stuff. As long as he can stay around the zone, he'll be fine, so avoiding hangers will be crucial to his success. I think this guy is already good enough to pitch every fifth day in FABL, and perhaps another team out there might think the same. He's available for trade, but nothing has materialized yet in an offseason that's really just seen the Carlos Montes trade. SS Willie Watson (241st Overall) Acquired: Via Draft: 10th Round, 157th Overall (1947) Alma Mater: Evansville Eagles A lot of Lions didn't hit too well, but Willie Watson was surely an exception. Even as a singles hitter, he produced a 126 WRC+ with a decent enough .340/.408/.443 (109 OPS+) batting line. He has almost no power, but a 4.4 zone rating and 1.154 efficiency will open a lot of doors. Yeah, it's a miniscule sample, but Watson is one of the rare prospects who's been pretty impressive everywhere defensively despite not playing too much. The Illinois native is stuck in a big group of quality infielders in La Crosse, but this year may be enough to give him a chance at more playing time. There's a crowd in San Jose too, but there may be a utility spot available for him early next season. I really like his glove, and he's done a great job putting the ball in play. He had 7 doubles and 2 triples in 121 PAs this season, and he was able to drive in 21 runs. Watson took advantage of the limited time, and he was huge for them late in games. His defensive ability makes him an asset anywhere, where even average offensive production is enough. RHP Lee Parker (262nd Overall) Acquired: Via Draft: 15th Round, 236th Overall (1946) Alma Mater: Marysville Monarchs It was a nightmare of a season for Lee Parker, who after four awful starts was moved to the pen, where he was actually worse. In total, Parker went 4-6 with 4 saves, a 6.43 ERA (73 ERA+), 1.84 WHIP, 23 walks, and 50 strikeouts. Despite all that, Parker had a 100 point jump on the prospect rankings, and perhaps the bad performances were a mix of bad luck. He did have a 4.27 FIP (90 FIP-) in 49 innings, and it was actually better in his four start (3.63, 77). I was originally ready to demote him to the pen full time, but Parker has made me rethink things a bit. I've always liked his deep arsenal, but it's tough seeing him struggle so much at 21. Against my better judgement, I might move him up to San Jose before the draft. He has a good curve and I really thought it would play well in the pen, but guys with a five pitch repertoire belong in a rotation.