[ayaghmour2]

RHP Tommy Seymour (268th Overall)
Acquired: Via Draft: 1st Round, 13th Overall (1943)
Alma Mater: Olathe Pioneers

Another member of the Santa Clara Stallions, Tommy Seymour will return to the pen, where he spent 37.2 innings in 1947. A former first rounder, Seymour's season was pretty much split in half. The good half, in Lincoln. And the bad half, in Mobile. For someone who is eligible for the Rule-5 draft, you want to perform after a promotion, and that's the opposite of what Seymour did. He stumbled to go 1-7 with a 5.33 ERA (75 ERA+) and 1.73 WHIP with 43 walks and strikeouts. The 3.92 FIP is somewhat encouraging, but the 24-year-old has never gotten over his walk issues. His changeup is hittable when it's floated in the zone, but when he's on it'll get plenty of whiffs. The only issue is he doesn't have another pitch to compliment it, and the window may have closed on him. He does have a good chance to stick around, as I'll always have some attachment to him, but I think it's only a matter of time before he ends up an organizational depth arm.

RHP Zane Kelley 293rd Overall)
Acquired: Via Trade with Kings (1947)
Drafted: 7th Round, 102nd Overall (1944)
Alma Mater: Media Lions

See, I'll never understand why guys like this don't rank higher in the prospect rankings. All Zane Kelley did was go 11-4 with a 3.00 ERA (136 ERA+) in 20 starts with the Blues. Then he followed that up by going 2-2 with a 2.78 ERA (145 ERA+) and 1.09 WHIP with the big league club. Yet Kelley fell out of the top 200 and nearly the top 300 to open the offseason. Kelley turned 24 today, and in AAA he struck out exactly twice (80) as many batters as he walked (40). This kid has performed at every level, and he'll have another chance to do it down south. He's the reigning ERA and innings leader, and the do-it-all ace-and-stopper will have a chance to defend his crown. I've written plenty about Kelley, and I'm sure that'll continue, so I can keep this short and sweet. If he stays with the club, he'll enter the season as the sixth starter, and I can see him getting some high leverage innings out of the pen when we don't need him to start. I'd love for him to get a chance to start somewhere else, but I'd bet on him staying put this offseason.

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

1949 was shaping up to be Doc Zimmerman's big break. Then he had to visit the doctor himself.

The diagnosis was not great, as Doc's season was cut short at 18 games after a torn PCL. Knee injuries are tough, especially for a contact/speed type guy, and it interrupted his second attempt for a .400 season. He was one point shy, and was off to a torrid .421/.450/.649 (167 OPS+) start. He mashed an astronomical 191 WRC+ with 9 runs, 4 doubles, 3 triples, a homer, 13 RBIs, and 2 steals. It's a shame he didn't get to finish it off, as this kid has looked like a gifted hitter early on. Instead, I'm a little worried he might stall out, as for a guy who relies so much on speed a knee injury is brutal. Not everyone is a Billy Hunter, who never stopped getting hurt, but Doc is a groundball hitter who uses his speed to get on base. One thing working in his favor is he has the work ethic Hunter lacks. He'll do what he needs to get back in shape and with a longer offseason in a short-season league, he should be more then 100% ready for 1950.

3B John Price (317th Overall)
Acquired: Via Draft: 9th Round, 140th Overall (1946)
Alma Mater: Holy Cross Tigers

For the first time since being selected back in 1946, John Price did not play any game in La Crosse, so it's no surprise he appeared in a career high 75 games. It was just one more then two seasons ago, but Price produced much better offensive numbers. He had a nice 120 WRC+ to go with his .328/.399/.396 (109 OPS+) batting line, as he drew 28 walks with just 20 strikeouts. He added 9 doubles, 2 triples, a homer, and 46 RBIs while making appearances at all four infield positions. The former 9th Rounder has had to fight for playing time, but I think he's found his spot at third base. Shortstop didn't work too well for him, and while he doesn't hit for much power, I think his bat can play at third. He'll draw plenty of walks and can hit for a high average, and if everything works out well, he could be a John Kincaid type.

SS Archie Cunningham (320th Overall)
Acquired: Via Draft: 8th Round, 116th Overall (1948)
Alma Mater: Carolina Poly Cardinals

After spending his draft year in San Jose, Archie Cunningham spent all season in Lincoln, as "A.C" once gain played the middle infield with his twin better. Archie was as reliable as ever on the field, but he hit just .266/.332/.368 (88 OPS+) with 20 doubles, 10 triples, 2 homers, and 58 RBIs. He was a perfect 13-for-14 on stolen base attempts, drew 46 walks, and scored 65 runs in 513 trips to the plate. For his efforts he was rewarded with an above average 3.1 wins above replacement, showing that with speed and defense, you can still be valuable without knocking the ball out of the park. Despite all that, I was disappointed with his steep fall in the prospect rankings, as there's no reason he can't be a second division starter for a FABL team. His speed is a weapon, and paired with great sense of the plate, he'll find his way on base. Either a walk, bloop single, or hustle double, he'll do whatever it takes to get on base. Not because he's a team player, but because he thinks he's him, so any drop in production could lead to an issue in the clubhouse. If we can keep him on track, A.C. will get to play under the bright lights, but for now he'll continue to play with his brother as he continues to grow.