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ayaghmour2 · 11-11-2024, 07:56 PM

Starters
2B Buddy Byrd (30, .276, 31, 26; .295, 17, 352, 26)
2B Jack B. Gibson (26, .290, 15, 44; .291, 123, 353)
SS Tom Holliday (23, .291, 4, 57, 5; .284, 5, 61, 5)

Now you may be wondering how there could be three middle infield starters, but that would be due to the potential season long injury to Jack Gibson. That will allow the speedy Buddy Byrd to reclaim second, a position he's started at 465 times for us since his debut in 1954. Acquired to kick off 1951, he's one of the few survivors from the fast forward era, and he made a decent enough career for himself. A 1956 All-Star, Byrd hit .325/.343/.464 (129 OPS+) with 33 doubles, 17 triples, 7 homers, and 78 RBIs. He led the association with 30 steals, the second of four times he'd do that, and he produced a career best 5.6 WAR in 149 games. Injuries got him the next year, and since getting healthy he hasn't managed an above average offensive season. He came close in '58 and '59, but a rough 1960 saw him moved to the bench and injuries the only reason he's starting now. I'd like to think he can still be a useful leadoff man, as he's obviously quick and he hits line drives in the gaps. Our park does suppress that a bit, but on the road he's going to find a lot of green grass. All he has to do is put the ball in play, something he's never struggled with during his 1,022 game career. Even if he didn't start, his plus infield defense makes him an overqualified utility man, as his .295/.324/.403 (100 OPS+) career line is pretty solid. The 30-year-old has logged 204 steals, 197 doubles, and 86 triples, as his speed can change the game in an instant. With a long leash and consistent position he may thrive, but his versatility will allow him to maintain a spot on the roster.

His counterpart doesn't have the experience, but 23-year-old Tom Halliday has some of the best range in the business. Formerly a 2nd Round selection, we got him in what looks to be an absolute steal of a deal. Halliday, along with current LA Sun Paul Debo (who looks to be pretty solid yet for some reason we waived him right away), for old friend Charlie Everitt. Everitt, now 34 and still in the Minutemen organization, debuted in 1951, and then got appearances for the Cougs from 1954 to 1959. He might have gotten a chance in 1960, but the trade happened in July, so his FABL at bats came with Boston instead. He was 0-for-5 in limited time, and spent all of last season as a reserve first basemen on their AAA affiliate.

Conversely, Halliday had an excellent rookie season, batting .291/.361/.396 (99 OPS+) with 33 doubles, 8 triples, 4 homers, 57 RBIs, 62 walks, 5 steals, and 81 runs. Combined with a 108 WRC+ and solid defense (5.9, 1.024) at short, he was worth 3.8 runs above replacement, appearing on all but two of the teams 154 games. Already ranked as the league's 7th best shortstop, his only weakness is his power, but he puts the ball in play enough to make up for it. With his glove, it would be hard to displace him from the lineup, so all he has to do is help turn the lineup back around. While no Skipper Schneider, it is great to have a talented young shortstop right out of the gate, and his consistency and durability should make roster construction ten times easier.

Bench Options
2B Dave Rathbone (29, .222; .289, 32, 126)
2B Rupert Heinbaugh (35, .143; .259, 6, 109)

The options are slim on the bench, but we have a lot of corner infielders and I shipped Delos Smith to New York to acquire the much missed Bob Allen. Both second basemen here carry interesting FABL pasts, but only Rathbone is currently on the 40. In 1957, the switch hitter made Cougar fans believe good things could happen, as he repeatedly hit late inning home runs. Despite starting just 11 of his 96 appearances, the then 24-year-old hit 7 doubles and 11 homers, slashing an outstanding .343/.366/.635 (184 OPS+) in 142 PAs. Why he didn't play more, who knows, but with a more regular role he hit just .292/.311/.462 (111 OPS+), hitting just three more homers in over 200 more PAs. The last three season has saw him get less and less time, as his defense just doesn't really cut it. He is a good baserunner, especially compared to the average first basemen. Coincidentally, that's the only position his defense is passable, but Buddy may need the occasional off day and he can certainly fill in a pinch. He does have two options left, but for now he's expected to open the season in Chicago.

I mentioned Heinbaugh earlier, because he was one of the guys to survive the fast forward. While I am happy he survived, I'm scouring the available players to make it so him and Rathbone aren't necessities. His defense is better, and I trust him at third and second, but the vet hit just .242/.324/.339 (81 OPS+) last year in Milwaukee. The former 7th Rounder has spent 7 seasons in Chicago, so perhaps it would be best for him if he finishes out his career in the minors. Since he has a major league contract and I don't want to have to DFA him, he won't participate in spring training unless an injury prevented someone in front of him from playing on Opening Day.

Next Men Up
SS Tom Glenn (22)
SS Joe Marshall (31)

If it gets to this, the season is over. Carry on!

Down On the Farm
4th/82nd: 2B Bill Tannen (21, 5th Round Pick, 1958)
20th/337th: 2B Marv Sandau (21, 2nd Round Pick, 1959)

A thin group, we have a vast gap talent wise between the two ranked second basemen. The gem of the group is Chicagoan Bill Tannen, who's just an arm away from being a shortstop that could come close to Tom Halliday. Destined to be a second basemen, he wouldn't be the worst shortstop if he worked at it, as the range, error, and double play are all 4s. Without many shortstop prospects, I might give him some reps there, and he has the work ethic to get to at least average at the position. His range can make up for his arm, especially if whoever is at second can make the tough throws on double play attempts. The bat hasn't come around for the 21-year-old, but Dixie is a big fan of his approach. He'll draw his share of walks, and he can make solid contact when fooled. Don't expect much power, but he's the classic middle infielder who has a good eye, puts the ball in play, and doesn't strike out. Where he differs is the speed, as he often clogs up the bases. Despite that, he profiles as an above average big leaguer, and seems likely to one day play for his hometown team.

Despite being the earlier draft pick, Marv Sandau has not been the ideal 2nd Round pick, and he was spending most of last season on the Rockford and San Jose benches. Rockford is our new (well, not quite anymore) Class A affiliate, replacing the Lincoln Legislators in 1952, and distance wise it's certainly a plus. Right now Rockford has some of our better prospects, which is why Sandau is being pushed up to AA. The 21-year-old will be given a chance to start, and as a team leader I'm really hoping the additional playing time can lead to some talent bumps. He's just a tad shy of 24th man potential, as he's really only valuable at second base. If he can start hitting, it would be a different story, but it's going to take me some time to restock the system and he'll have every opportunity to prove why the old regime made him the 26th pick in the 1959 draft.

11-11-2024, 07:56 PM	#1528
ayaghmour2 Hall Of Famer Join Date: Mar 2018 Posts: 3,142	Organizational Breakdown: Middle Infield Starters 2B Buddy Byrd (30, .276, 31, 26; .295, 17, 352, 26) 2B Jack B. Gibson (26, .290, 15, 44; .291, 123, 353) SS Tom Holliday (23, .291, 4, 57, 5; .284, 5, 61, 5) Now you may be wondering how there could be three middle infield starters, but that would be due to the potential season long injury to Jack Gibson. That will allow the speedy Buddy Byrd to reclaim second, a position he's started at 465 times for us since his debut in 1954. Acquired to kick off 1951, he's one of the few survivors from the fast forward era, and he made a decent enough career for himself. A 1956 All-Star, Byrd hit .325/.343/.464 (129 OPS+) with 33 doubles, 17 triples, 7 homers, and 78 RBIs. He led the association with 30 steals, the second of four times he'd do that, and he produced a career best 5.6 WAR in 149 games. Injuries got him the next year, and since getting healthy he hasn't managed an above average offensive season. He came close in '58 and '59, but a rough 1960 saw him moved to the bench and injuries the only reason he's starting now. I'd like to think he can still be a useful leadoff man, as he's obviously quick and he hits line drives in the gaps. Our park does suppress that a bit, but on the road he's going to find a lot of green grass. All he has to do is put the ball in play, something he's never struggled with during his 1,022 game career. Even if he didn't start, his plus infield defense makes him an overqualified utility man, as his .295/.324/.403 (100 OPS+) career line is pretty solid. The 30-year-old has logged 204 steals, 197 doubles, and 86 triples, as his speed can change the game in an instant. With a long leash and consistent position he may thrive, but his versatility will allow him to maintain a spot on the roster. His counterpart doesn't have the experience, but 23-year-old Tom Halliday has some of the best range in the business. Formerly a 2nd Round selection, we got him in what looks to be an absolute steal of a deal. Halliday, along with current LA Sun Paul Debo (who looks to be pretty solid yet for some reason we waived him right away), for old friend Charlie Everitt. Everitt, now 34 and still in the Minutemen organization, debuted in 1951, and then got appearances for the Cougs from 1954 to 1959. He might have gotten a chance in 1960, but the trade happened in July, so his FABL at bats came with Boston instead. He was 0-for-5 in limited time, and spent all of last season as a reserve first basemen on their AAA affiliate. Conversely, Halliday had an excellent rookie season, batting .291/.361/.396 (99 OPS+) with 33 doubles, 8 triples, 4 homers, 57 RBIs, 62 walks, 5 steals, and 81 runs. Combined with a 108 WRC+ and solid defense (5.9, 1.024) at short, he was worth 3.8 runs above replacement, appearing on all but two of the teams 154 games. Already ranked as the league's 7th best shortstop, his only weakness is his power, but he puts the ball in play enough to make up for it. With his glove, it would be hard to displace him from the lineup, so all he has to do is help turn the lineup back around. While no Skipper Schneider, it is great to have a talented young shortstop right out of the gate, and his consistency and durability should make roster construction ten times easier. Bench Options 2B Dave Rathbone (29, .222; .289, 32, 126) 2B Rupert Heinbaugh (35, .143; .259, 6, 109) The options are slim on the bench, but we have a lot of corner infielders and I shipped Delos Smith to New York to acquire the much missed Bob Allen. Both second basemen here carry interesting FABL pasts, but only Rathbone is currently on the 40. In 1957, the switch hitter made Cougar fans believe good things could happen, as he repeatedly hit late inning home runs. Despite starting just 11 of his 96 appearances, the then 24-year-old hit 7 doubles and 11 homers, slashing an outstanding .343/.366/.635 (184 OPS+) in 142 PAs. Why he didn't play more, who knows, but with a more regular role he hit just .292/.311/.462 (111 OPS+), hitting just three more homers in over 200 more PAs. The last three season has saw him get less and less time, as his defense just doesn't really cut it. He is a good baserunner, especially compared to the average first basemen. Coincidentally, that's the only position his defense is passable, but Buddy may need the occasional off day and he can certainly fill in a pinch. He does have two options left, but for now he's expected to open the season in Chicago. I mentioned Heinbaugh earlier, because he was one of the guys to survive the fast forward. While I am happy he survived, I'm scouring the available players to make it so him and Rathbone aren't necessities. His defense is better, and I trust him at third and second, but the vet hit just .242/.324/.339 (81 OPS+) last year in Milwaukee. The former 7th Rounder has spent 7 seasons in Chicago, so perhaps it would be best for him if he finishes out his career in the minors. Since he has a major league contract and I don't want to have to DFA him, he won't participate in spring training unless an injury prevented someone in front of him from playing on Opening Day. Next Men Up SS Tom Glenn (22) SS Joe Marshall (31) If it gets to this, the season is over. Carry on! Down On the Farm 4th/82nd: 2B Bill Tannen (21, 5th Round Pick, 1958) 20th/337th: 2B Marv Sandau (21, 2nd Round Pick, 1959) A thin group, we have a vast gap talent wise between the two ranked second basemen. The gem of the group is Chicagoan Bill Tannen, who's just an arm away from being a shortstop that could come close to Tom Halliday. Destined to be a second basemen, he wouldn't be the worst shortstop if he worked at it, as the range, error, and double play are all 4s. Without many shortstop prospects, I might give him some reps there, and he has the work ethic to get to at least average at the position. His range can make up for his arm, especially if whoever is at second can make the tough throws on double play attempts. The bat hasn't come around for the 21-year-old, but Dixie is a big fan of his approach. He'll draw his share of walks, and he can make solid contact when fooled. Don't expect much power, but he's the classic middle infielder who has a good eye, puts the ball in play, and doesn't strike out. Where he differs is the speed, as he often clogs up the bases. Despite that, he profiles as an above average big leaguer, and seems likely to one day play for his hometown team. Despite being the earlier draft pick, Marv Sandau has not been the ideal 2nd Round pick, and he was spending most of last season on the Rockford and San Jose benches. Rockford is our new (well, not quite anymore) Class A affiliate, replacing the Lincoln Legislators in 1952, and distance wise it's certainly a plus. Right now Rockford has some of our better prospects, which is why Sandau is being pushed up to AA. The 21-year-old will be given a chance to start, and as a team leader I'm really hoping the additional playing time can lead to some talent bumps. He's just a tad shy of 24th man potential, as he's really only valuable at second base. If he can start hitting, it would be a different story, but it's going to take me some time to restock the system and he'll have every opportunity to prove why the old regime made him the 26th pick in the 1959 draft.