[ayaghmour2]

LHP Ron Berry (#44 Overall)
Acquired: Via Draft: 7th Round, 122nd Overall (1944)
AAA: 12-3, 158 IP, 2.62 ERA (155 ERA+), 1.20 WHIP, 55 BB, 116 K
CWL: 1-0, 9 IP, 1.00 ERA (412 ERA+), 0.67 WHIP, 2 BB, 3 K

I don't think there is a single pitcher in the CWL that both has a higher ceiling and a higher floor then Ron Berry. As good as Zane Kelley and Harry Beardsley were this season, Ron Berry was the best of the Blues rotation, as he finished 12-3 with a 2.62 ERA (155 ERA+), 1.20 WHIP, and 116 strikeouts in his 24 starts. As you might expect, the dominance continued, as Berry picked up a complete game victory in the Stallions 6-1 victory. Berry allowed just one run on 2 walks and 7 hits, striking out 3 in the win. It's one of the best CWL starts Berry's had, as he didn't make any in 1946 and had a 5.24 ERA (89 ERA+) and 1.64 WHIP in 11 appearances (7 starts) last season. Berry is a much more polished pitcher this season, and I expect him to be one of the better starters down south this winter. He has a strong defense behind him, so if he can keep the walks in check, he'll really showcase himself to the rest of the league. And as a member of the 40-man roster he'll be able to stick around he can pitch his way into our rotation.

SS Elmer Grace (#73 Overall)
Acquired: Via Draft: 4th Round, 52nd Overall (1948)
AAA: .264/.371/.395 (100 OPS+), 471 PA, 21 2B, 2 3B, 9 HR, 58 RBI, 3 SB
CWL: .467/.467/.667 (188 OPS+), HR, 3 RBI

Elmer Grace was here last year, and started all 42 of the Stallions games, but just two at his natural shortstop. He hit a respectable .268/.384/.378 (96 OPS+) with 3 doubles, 5 homers, and 19 RBIs. He's back at second again after spending most of his year at short, but he did not let that get to him. Instead, he let his bat do the talking, going 7-for-15 with a homer and three RBIs. He had multi-hit games in each of his three appearances, and he also scored or drove in a run. It's a great start for the talented young middle infielder, who may be one of the more skilled hitters out there. Not only is he a top 100 prospect, but he's a contact oriented hitter who's discipline allowed him to produce a 113 WRC+ in 106 AAA games. It's obviously just the first week, but it's hard to imagine a better start for Grace and the 3-0 Stallions, as they're ready to start their first back-to-back of the year.

RHP Zane Kelley (#250 Overall)
Acquired: Via Trade with Kings (1947)
FABL: 2-2, 35.2 IP, 2.78 ERA (145 ERA+), 1.09 WHIP, 13 BB, 10 K
AAA: 11-4, 156 IP, 3.00 ERA (136 ERA+), 1.20 WHIP, 40 BB, 80 K
CWL: 1-0, 9 IP, 1.00 ERA (412 ERA+), 0.67 WHIP, 2 BB, 3 K

As you might expect, Zane Kelley was on the mound to start the Santa Clara Stallions season, and he picked up right where he left off. Stallions started the perfect week, allowing just 4 hits, 2 runs (1 earned), and 2 walks with 3 strikeouts in a complete game victory. That's exactly the type of start I expected from him, as the first 24 were about as good as this. Between three levels, he's now 14-6 and he could end up winning 20 games by the end of the season. He's got a shot for ten more starts to add to his win total, and if this week a sign of how things are going to go, wins will be a plenty for our prospect group.