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ayaghmour2 · 07-29-2024, 09:29 PM

Before we finish off the top prospect list, the CWL rosters were announced. All our guys are either in the lineup, the rotation, or the stopper, so it really shows how good our minor league depth is. Granted, we are paired with a bottom club, again the Cienfuegos Crocodiles with the Chiefs, as the rosters this year are based a bit on minor league system ranks. We are back to 1st, as Allen is back to 13th, and our 191 points are 6 higher then the Cannons. I'll cover all the guys going to Cuba tomorrow, and we should have games on Wednesday:

LF Doc Zimmerman (345th Overall)
Acquired: Via Draft: 5th Round, 68th Overall (1948)
Alma Mater: Bryan Rams

Last year I talked about how Doc Zimmerman learned that Class B pitching is different then Class C, and this year the fact remains true. He did improve on the .261/.352/.268 (65 OPS+) line from last year, but I was hoping the 20-year-old would hit better then the .269/.356/.333 (85 OPS+) he produced. From a development standpoint, it's not concerning, but it would have been nice to see him take a step forward this year. A longshot prospect, Zimmerman
was drafted as a center fielder, but the glove doesn't look good enough to stay there. That's why the offense is so important, so adding 42 runs, 9 doubles, 4 triples, 2 homers, 10 steals, and 31 RBIs in 416 PAs is not enough. The 11.1 BB% was nice, but he struck out more often (59, 14.2) and the steals were nullified by being caught eight times. He is fast, so the steal success rate might improve, but he's now going to return to San Jose for another year. At the moment he's in a four man rotation with maybe second priority, but with plenty of players champing at the bit he's going to have to hit to keep his 40-man roster spot.

RF Frank Hernandez (346th Overall)
Acquired: Via Draft: 7th Round, 110th Overall (1950)
Alma Mater: Houma Barons

I'm actually proud of Frank Hernandez for fighting through the pain and enduring an awful season at the plate, and I really think it speaks to his character. Our 7th Round Pick last season, the now 19-year-old Hernandez was stuck in San Jose because none of our low minors outfielders could hit and he was actually red arrow free and too good for La Crosse. Sure, it's a 130 PA sample, but none of the Lions were going to hit .306/.423/.667 (157 OPS+) at any point this year. For Hernandez it came between two, but the 54 at bats each go are still the best and second best 54 at bats at that time. With 12 homers, 33 RBIs, and a 153 WRC+, he clearly didn't belong in the lowest level, even if the next is too hard to begin with.

There's no real sweet spot for guys who are young, but still better then C ball quality, as Class B seems closer to a high A then a low A and some teams have 24 to 26 year old getting significant time. That's why Hernandez's .197/.264/.248 (38 OPS+) line shouldn't be held against him and it's more about the experience of dealing with slumps that does the trick. I think it will motivate him, as he's been in the cages every game he doesn't start and will sometimes go between innings to get some extra swings. He wants to be a better hitter, and with all the swings he takes you know his eye is good. Dixie even thinks there's a chance to hit some homers, a huge gift, but the power is more raw then ready to order. I'm excited to see how he does in another go at it, and if he can show improvement in the offseason he'll get more and more at bats as the year goes on.

LF Charlie Harvey (347th Overall)
Acquired: Via Draft: 11th Round, 172nd Overall (1946)
Alma Mater: LaSalle Cavaliers

It was a massive drop for Charlie Harvey, who despite a superb offensive season he took a major hit in the prospect rankings. This could do us well, as I may leave him unprotected to keep a 40-man spot free. It could work in our favor, but the 23-year-old has favorable scouting reports. A former 11th Rounder, the bat is really good, and he's produced a WRC+ of 125 or better in each of the past three seasons. His best work came in Lincoln, but the samples were just two plate appearances apart. With the Legislators he slashed an elite .296/.458/.471 (161 OPS+), smacking 13 doubles and 7 homers with 37 runs, 32 RBIs, and a 59-to-23 walk-to-strikeout ratio. He had a 169 WRC+ compared to "just" 127 with the champion Governors, and 1.7 of his 2.3 WAR came in Lincoln. That tells you all you need to know about the glove, as his .309/.405/.413 (113 OPS+) line in 66 games is still really good. The Chicago native added 8 doubles, 2 triples, 4 homers, 40 runs, 43 RBIs, and 37 walks, completing a successful campaign that I hope he can build on next year. With so many better center fielders it's hard to seem him playing for his hometown team, but if he keeps hitting we'll give him a shot to make it as a big league ball player.

LHP Ray Paulson (350th Overall)
Acquired: Via Draft: 5th Round, 70th Overall (1947)
Alma Mater: Forest Park Foresters

Surprisingly already Rule-5 eligible, Ray Paulson went from La Crosse to Lincoln, making 15 starts in three trips as he begun his long awaited ascent up our system. A former 5th Rounder, he spent four seasons in Class C, as aside from a solid season his draft year, he had ERA+ of 66, 75, and 58 before this season. It was just two starts and two relief appearances this year, but Paulson had an outstanding 4.08 ERA (150 ERA+) and 4.43 FIP (72 FIP-) and I thought well now is as good a time as any. His 7 starts in San Jose were serviceable, as the 21-year-old went 3-4 with a 4.50 ERA (87 ERA+) and 1.38 WHIP. The issue was the 28 walks to 19 strikeouts, but then he got the best 22nd birthday gift. By sheer luck, a last second rotation spot opened up in the Legislators rotation, and since I hate giving guys who make a lot of starts with one level a random late season promotion, Paulson got the lucky call by needing someone who's stats wouldn't look too weird by a small start. It couldn't have gone any better, as in three starts he allowed just 13 hits, 2 runs, and 7 walks with 9 strikeouts. Both his ERA and WHIP were below 1, and impressive 0.87 (393 ERA+) and 0.97 WHIP and his 2.80 FIP (81 FIP-) is benefited by no home runs. A max effort type, it probably meant the world to "Half-Pint" who hasn't had the success he's wanted in his professional career. The stuff just hasn't improved and until he improves his command he's not going to have continued success. He's slated to return to the Legislators, but there's a chance he'll be in the pen if we have too many pitchers aiming for the rotation.

RHP Wilson McKinney (356th Overall)
Acquired: Via Draft: 2nd Round, 23rd Overall (1949)
Alma Mater: Colonel White Cougars

Wilson McKinney is the a personal favorite of mine, but he's also the poster child of reaching for a high school pitcher in the second round. Sure, sometimes you get Allie Eddy's, but high school pitchers are the riskiest group to pick from and I have a tendency to do grab high upside arms to bet on their best case scenario. At 21 he's dropped to 40th as a back end starter, but that's just the worst case scenario at this point. A dedicated pitcher who's not giving up, McKinney struggled as a starter this season before finding himself in the pen. In equal starts and relief outings, he had 33 walks and 74 strikeouts, but he had a 6.49 ERA (94 ERA+) as a starter compared to a 1.69 (362 ERA+) as a reliever. David Molina's awful season showed why a bullpen is absolutely important, and it's nice to know he has a fall back there.

Still, my goal for him next season is to eventually start games in San Jose, as it will be his fourth season since being selected. A projectable five pitch pitcher, McKinney has a really good splitter, and it's just one of man potential plus pitches. For now it's the only weapon, and I'd like to see progress with his high 80s cutter. If he can keep it around the edges he could get weak outs, but his mistakes are very punishable. He has three secondary pitches that could cement him as a starter, and I'm really hoping the change can be a weapon in the bottom of the zone. If he can attack with a cutter/change approach and then drop a kitchen sink type splitter when ahead in the count, there's going to be a lot of silly looking hitters wondering why they're enduring minor league pay during their walk back to the dugout.

07-29-2024, 09:29 PM	#1495
ayaghmour2 Hall Of Famer Join Date: Mar 2018 Posts: 3,010	Top Prospects: 36-40 Before we finish off the top prospect list, the CWL rosters were announced. All our guys are either in the lineup, the rotation, or the stopper, so it really shows how good our minor league depth is. Granted, we are paired with a bottom club, again the Cienfuegos Crocodiles with the Chiefs, as the rosters this year are based a bit on minor league system ranks. We are back to 1st, as Allen is back to 13th, and our 191 points are 6 higher then the Cannons. I'll cover all the guys going to Cuba tomorrow, and we should have games on Wednesday: LF Doc Zimmerman (345th Overall) Acquired: Via Draft: 5th Round, 68th Overall (1948) Alma Mater: Bryan Rams Last year I talked about how Doc Zimmerman learned that Class B pitching is different then Class C, and this year the fact remains true. He did improve on the .261/.352/.268 (65 OPS+) line from last year, but I was hoping the 20-year-old would hit better then the .269/.356/.333 (85 OPS+) he produced. From a development standpoint, it's not concerning, but it would have been nice to see him take a step forward this year. A longshot prospect, Zimmerman was drafted as a center fielder, but the glove doesn't look good enough to stay there. That's why the offense is so important, so adding 42 runs, 9 doubles, 4 triples, 2 homers, 10 steals, and 31 RBIs in 416 PAs is not enough. The 11.1 BB% was nice, but he struck out more often (59, 14.2) and the steals were nullified by being caught eight times. He is fast, so the steal success rate might improve, but he's now going to return to San Jose for another year. At the moment he's in a four man rotation with maybe second priority, but with plenty of players champing at the bit he's going to have to hit to keep his 40-man roster spot. RF Frank Hernandez (346th Overall) Acquired: Via Draft: 7th Round, 110th Overall (1950) Alma Mater: Houma Barons I'm actually proud of Frank Hernandez for fighting through the pain and enduring an awful season at the plate, and I really think it speaks to his character. Our 7th Round Pick last season, the now 19-year-old Hernandez was stuck in San Jose because none of our low minors outfielders could hit and he was actually red arrow free and too good for La Crosse. Sure, it's a 130 PA sample, but none of the Lions were going to hit .306/.423/.667 (157 OPS+) at any point this year. For Hernandez it came between two, but the 54 at bats each go are still the best and second best 54 at bats at that time. With 12 homers, 33 RBIs, and a 153 WRC+, he clearly didn't belong in the lowest level, even if the next is too hard to begin with. There's no real sweet spot for guys who are young, but still better then C ball quality, as Class B seems closer to a high A then a low A and some teams have 24 to 26 year old getting significant time. That's why Hernandez's .197/.264/.248 (38 OPS+) line shouldn't be held against him and it's more about the experience of dealing with slumps that does the trick. I think it will motivate him, as he's been in the cages every game he doesn't start and will sometimes go between innings to get some extra swings. He wants to be a better hitter, and with all the swings he takes you know his eye is good. Dixie even thinks there's a chance to hit some homers, a huge gift, but the power is more raw then ready to order. I'm excited to see how he does in another go at it, and if he can show improvement in the offseason he'll get more and more at bats as the year goes on. LF Charlie Harvey (347th Overall) Acquired: Via Draft: 11th Round, 172nd Overall (1946) Alma Mater: LaSalle Cavaliers It was a massive drop for Charlie Harvey, who despite a superb offensive season he took a major hit in the prospect rankings. This could do us well, as I may leave him unprotected to keep a 40-man spot free. It could work in our favor, but the 23-year-old has favorable scouting reports. A former 11th Rounder, the bat is really good, and he's produced a WRC+ of 125 or better in each of the past three seasons. His best work came in Lincoln, but the samples were just two plate appearances apart. With the Legislators he slashed an elite .296/.458/.471 (161 OPS+), smacking 13 doubles and 7 homers with 37 runs, 32 RBIs, and a 59-to-23 walk-to-strikeout ratio. He had a 169 WRC+ compared to "just" 127 with the champion Governors, and 1.7 of his 2.3 WAR came in Lincoln. That tells you all you need to know about the glove, as his .309/.405/.413 (113 OPS+) line in 66 games is still really good. The Chicago native added 8 doubles, 2 triples, 4 homers, 40 runs, 43 RBIs, and 37 walks, completing a successful campaign that I hope he can build on next year. With so many better center fielders it's hard to seem him playing for his hometown team, but if he keeps hitting we'll give him a shot to make it as a big league ball player. LHP Ray Paulson (350th Overall) Acquired: Via Draft: 5th Round, 70th Overall (1947) Alma Mater: Forest Park Foresters Surprisingly already Rule-5 eligible, Ray Paulson went from La Crosse to Lincoln, making 15 starts in three trips as he begun his long awaited ascent up our system. A former 5th Rounder, he spent four seasons in Class C, as aside from a solid season his draft year, he had ERA+ of 66, 75, and 58 before this season. It was just two starts and two relief appearances this year, but Paulson had an outstanding 4.08 ERA (150 ERA+) and 4.43 FIP (72 FIP-) and I thought well now is as good a time as any. His 7 starts in San Jose were serviceable, as the 21-year-old went 3-4 with a 4.50 ERA (87 ERA+) and 1.38 WHIP. The issue was the 28 walks to 19 strikeouts, but then he got the best 22nd birthday gift. By sheer luck, a last second rotation spot opened up in the Legislators rotation, and since I hate giving guys who make a lot of starts with one level a random late season promotion, Paulson got the lucky call by needing someone who's stats wouldn't look too weird by a small start. It couldn't have gone any better, as in three starts he allowed just 13 hits, 2 runs, and 7 walks with 9 strikeouts. Both his ERA and WHIP were below 1, and impressive 0.87 (393 ERA+) and 0.97 WHIP and his 2.80 FIP (81 FIP-) is benefited by no home runs. A max effort type, it probably meant the world to "Half-Pint" who hasn't had the success he's wanted in his professional career. The stuff just hasn't improved and until he improves his command he's not going to have continued success. He's slated to return to the Legislators, but there's a chance he'll be in the pen if we have too many pitchers aiming for the rotation. RHP Wilson McKinney (356th Overall) Acquired: Via Draft: 2nd Round, 23rd Overall (1949) Alma Mater: Colonel White Cougars Wilson McKinney is the a personal favorite of mine, but he's also the poster child of reaching for a high school pitcher in the second round. Sure, sometimes you get Allie Eddy's, but high school pitchers are the riskiest group to pick from and I have a tendency to do grab high upside arms to bet on their best case scenario. At 21 he's dropped to 40th as a back end starter, but that's just the worst case scenario at this point. A dedicated pitcher who's not giving up, McKinney struggled as a starter this season before finding himself in the pen. In equal starts and relief outings, he had 33 walks and 74 strikeouts, but he had a 6.49 ERA (94 ERA+) as a starter compared to a 1.69 (362 ERA+) as a reliever. David Molina's awful season showed why a bullpen is absolutely important, and it's nice to know he has a fall back there. Still, my goal for him next season is to eventually start games in San Jose, as it will be his fourth season since being selected. A projectable five pitch pitcher, McKinney has a really good splitter, and it's just one of man potential plus pitches. For now it's the only weapon, and I'd like to see progress with his high 80s cutter. If he can keep it around the edges he could get weak outs, but his mistakes are very punishable. He has three secondary pitches that could cement him as a starter, and I'm really hoping the change can be a weapon in the bottom of the zone. If he can attack with a cutter/change approach and then drop a kitchen sink type splitter when ahead in the count, there's going to be a lot of silly looking hitters wondering why they're enduring minor league pay during their walk back to the dugout.