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CF Jerry Smith (8th Overall)
Acquired: Via Draft: 1st Round, 5th Overall (1947)
Alma Mater: Jackson Generals

To say this season for Jerry Smith was a success is an understatement. Starting out the season in Little Rock, Smith hit an astronomical .329/.439/.675 (186 OPS+) with a 1.113 OPS and 194 WRC+ as a 22-year-old. He was stuck there longer then he should have been, but after 64 games Smith was promoted. He did cool down a bit, hitting .265/.373/.425 (129 OPS+) with a 137 WRC+ in 48 games, and that's when his minor league career (hopefully) ends. Between the two stops, he was worth an insane 8.3 wins above replacement, tallying 102 runs, 34 doubles, 15 triples, 17 homers, 77 RBIs, 16 steals, and 80 walks. The defense was great too, a combined 16.0 zone rating in over 700 innings of center field. 23 during his first week in the majors, Smith didn't have the perfect debut week you'd expect from a perfect prospect, but he quickly showed why he's been lauded a five-tool player since being selected 5th overall in 1947. It's just 73 trips to the plate, but Smith slashed an outstanding .293/.438/.431 with 5 doubles, a homer, and 5 RBIs. His 149 WRC+ would have been fifth in the CA, and he played a plus center field (1.5, 1.022), looking like a natural at a young ace. But the most impressive part? A 20.5 BB% and 15-to-7 walk-to-strikeout ratio that you almost never see in someone so young.

I think I've spent hours describing all the amazing things he can do, but you know what? It doesn't hurt to keep going! Already Max Wilder's choice for the cleanup spot in the lineup, he's got plus raw power and the potential to be a serious run producer. That counts both at the plate and on the bases, as he's got blazing speed to go with his elite eye and breathtaking swing. He's got quick hands and doesn't chase, and if you watched him hit in batting practice, you'd think he was taking coach pitch on a little league field. He's got .300/.400/.500 potential at the plate and if we can get him near his lofty potential, he's going to be a superstar. And a Cougar for a very, very, very long time. I mean, you could offer to put my hypothetical kids through college and I'd still ask for more in a trade! He's that good!

RHP Bob Allen (16th Overall)
Acquired: Via Draft: 1st Round, 10th Overall (1946)
Alma Mater: Sonora Wildcats

16th?!?!?!?! You gotta be kidding me!?!?!?! He's #1!!!!!!

Sure, when recalculated he bounces back to 12th (and gives us 15 top 100 prospects and the top system), and I'm sure he'll keep oscillating between 10 and 20, but in our hearts??? Bob Allen is #1!!!!

Like Smith, and so many other of our top prospects, Allen started the season in AA, continued in AAA, and finished in Chicago. Starting with his 11 starts in Little Rock, Allen went 8-3 with a 3.36 ERA (122 ERA+), 1.30 WHIP, 40 walks, and 53 strikeouts. His 3.53 FIP (86 FIP-) wasn't much higher, and after going 7-1 with a 1.68 ERA (238 ERA+) and 1.24 WHIP in 8 starts the year before, it was clear he was ready for another challenge. Milwaukee wasn't that, as in 10 starts he was 6-2 with a miniature 1.68 ERA (196 ERA+) and 1.03 WHIP, and his 2.77 FIP (84 FIP-) was even better then his time in the Dixie League. In 80.1 innings he struck out 51, increasing his K% almost three points with just a slight jump from 9.9 to 10.3 in BB%.

The next step for Allen was the show, and even though George Polk held him off until roster expansion, he was able to make four starts. There was a lot of good, and of course some bad, but the real highlights were a 9-strikeout almost complete game and a 4-hit shutout. Both were against the New York Stars, who give us a ton of trouble at home, but he had just three Ks in his last 21.1 innings. That same time saw 12 walks, and he finished with 14 to just 12 strikeouts in 30 innings. 5 or more runs in 3 of the 4 starts is definitely an area to work on, but Dixie Marsh already has him as our 5th best starter. No one comes close to him on potential, he's leading a group that has two (hopefully three!) Allen winners and 13 combined All-Stars. It's not the speed, he almost never hits 90, but it's the movement and spin on his four pitches that make him so good. He's an extreme groundballer who can roll up double plays in his sleep, and a Schneider squared (or Schneider and Sutterfield) middle infielder will allow Allen to feast even if his control never improves from where it is now. His raw stuff is simply elite, his fastball looks fast then the 5'9'' righty throws, and the slider and curve are devastating knockout pitches. He'll rack up a ton of strikeouts, keep batters of pace with his change, and when he's on? Oh yeah! You're not hitting anything!

24 in May, if all breaks right he'll lead the rotation by 26, and with his ability to keep the ball in the park, he can truly excel in Chicago. He'll always have a strong defense behind him, allowing him to attack hitters with confidence, and even the best won't be able to do much with what he throws. The last step is keeping him from making mistakes in the zone. And oh boy. The sky really is the limit here. He's going to be SP1. He's going to win Allen Awards. And most importantly, he's going to win a championship with the Chicago Cougars.

C Garland Phelps (24th Overall)
Acquired: Via Draft: 2nd Round, 21st Overall (1947)
Alma Mater: Sheffield Fightin' Irish

The first of our numerous prospects that need to be added to the 40-man roster, Garland Phelps is still probably a season out. He'll be up in Milwaukee next season, as repeating Little Rock was a huge success. He upped his season line from .279/.341/.346 (91 OPS+) to .347/.391/.468 (122 OPS+), and aside from not walking much, there's no apparent weakness to his game. Worth 4.5 WAR in 118 games, Phelps smashed 28 doubles, 3 triples, and 8 home runs, adding 67 runs and 92 RBIs with a 133 WRC+. The top ranked backstop and one of only four in the top 100, "Einstein" could develop into FABL's top catcher. If I was Eddie Howard, I'd be nervous, as the 28-year-old is coming off an awful offensive season and the 22-year-old waiting in the winds can both hit and pitch. His specialty is line drives, leading to plenty of doubles, and he should be able to hit well over .300 for long periods of time. The real treat, however, is the power, which hasn't quite surfaced in the minors. Dixie thinks there is significant upside if he can tap into it, and both him and OSA think he'll draw a solid amount of walks. It's probably unfair to compare the youngster to George Cleaves, but that's how good he can be. And like OSA and Dixie say: "Phelps has the talent to flourish in the majors."

3B Jack Craft (35th Overall)
Acquired: Via Draft: 1st Round, 11th Overall (1951)
Alma Mater: New Albany Wildcats

Our first round pick in the most recent draft (sidenote: quite cool how even though all our draftees aren't ranked, the prospects who are ranked are in chronological order!), it was not smooth sailing for high school standout Jack Craft. The 8 homers and 30 RBIs in 154 PAs were nice, but when it came with a .202/.357/.403 (72 OPS+) line and 57 strikeouts. Well... At least it can only go up!

I'm not overly worried, strikeouts are crazy high in the UMVA and a lot of young players struggle the first few years of their career. Craft in particular is on the younger side, not turning 18 until the 4th of July. A strong 6'2'' switch hitting third basemen, Craft has a huge ceiling and most of it is at the plate. At least in La Crosse the defense was good (3.2, 1.033), but this pick was all about infusing the system with a big bat that works as hard as he is talented. The power is legit, projecting him to hit in the middle of the order, and it seems to be further along then most slugging prospects. He showed his potential to draw a walk, it's impressive to have an OBP over 150 points higher then your average, as he does a good job frustrating pitchers by avoiding the close stuff and fouling off the tough stuff. And despite his batting average here, he's got plus-plus contact potential, and should be able to maintain an average above .300. He's a raw prospect with a lot of developing ahead of him, but he offers a nice compliment to some of our glove first infielders, and it seems like he won't hurt us at the hot corner either. OSA thinks he could be elite, I think that's pushing it, but I think he's got top-3 third base potential and there may not be a non-major league prospect in our system who can come close to the upside Craft has.

CF Frank Reece (52nd Overall)
Acquired: Via Draft: 2nd Round, 20th Overall (1946)
Alma Mater: Villisca Bluejays

In an alternate universe, this spot right here is for a different center fielder who spent time with the Little Rock Governors. Instead, it's the just turned 24-year-old Frank Reece.

A former 2nd Rounder who went from top 100 prospect, to after thought, back to top 100 prospect, Frank Reece is just outside the top 50, and absolutely tore through the minors. In 60 games with Little Rock, he hit an outstanding .333/.397/.550 (144 OPS+) and in 25 games with the Blues, he hit an insanely good .340/.375/.642 (188 OPS+) with a more then twice above average 208 WRC+. Between the stops, he accumulated 22 doubles, 15 triples, 12 homers, 75 runs, 67 RBIs, and 5.0 WAR in 85 games. With the move of Sal Pestilli, he assumed the center field role, but after a quick start he cooled tremendously down the stretch. I think he was a little burnt out, and his triple slash wilted to .246/.301/.365 (76 OPS+) as regression hit him hard. The defense was still great, he's more then capable in center, and he added 5 doubles, 2 triples, 2 homers, 13 RBIs, 9 walks, and 15 runs with a tiny 7.4 K%. His swing is great, he's got great speed even if he doesn't steal, and his arm is surprisingly great, so perhaps I should make the outfield Norman-Smith-Reece instead of Reece-Smith-Norman. To be fair, Norman has a great arm too, and it's not like any of these outfielders are scrubs, but Reece may end up being the best defender. He's got above average power potential too, hitting 14 longballs in Little Rock last year, 9 more in Cuba, and 14 between his three stops this year, and that will help him a ton with how much he puts the ball in play. Walks and strikeouts aren't all too common, and despite his small stature (5'7'', 135), he can really put a jolt into a mistake. He's stuck in a tough spot, Smith is in center and it looks like Leo Mitchell in left, so only Chubby Hall (ironically the highest ranked of our outfielders) can be replaced. I'm leaning on giving him a lot of starts in right this spring, but despite the elite minor league production, he may end up there again next season.