[ayaghmour2]

AAA Milwaukee Blues (Century League): 82-58 (.586), 1st, 8 GA: Our only organizational champ, the Milwaukee Blues won the Century League by a comfortable eight games, surviving the six team league where 2/3rds of the league won 74 or 73 games. It does a really good job demonstrating the tiers of the Century League, as Milwaukee was a class above, Columbus (44-96) was a class below, and everyone else was more-or-less the same.

Milwaukee was benefitted from a lot of FABL quality players, as the rotation had a bunch of them and there was always one in center field. Plus I complimented the roster with seasoned vets, including Century League legend Ed Duncan (.303, 12, 60). Both the offense and staff were impressive, but the edge goes to the arms. Future ace Ken Stone (14-8, 3.08, 137) was a rock at the top, with Henry Henderson (11-6, 2.65, 112) preventing him from the team triple crown. Both proved they are ready for FABL hitters, and at least one of them should be up in Chicago next season. My bets on Stone, but Henderson is an innings eater with three really good pitches, and despite his flyball tendencies he survived with a 0.5 HR/9 in 183.2 innings. Of course, in Chicago he's going to allow more then 10 homers in 28 starts, but with no obvious weakness he's an interesting option for the rotation himself. Once ranked as high as 30th in our system, he's no slouch either, but Dixie isn't the biggest fan. I think he's a capable middle rotation starter, but with two options left and still 22, the young lefty's best chance for FABL action is injury or trade.

Even though that duo got all the attention, there was no shortage of quality starts from the rest of the group. After coming up just short to Phil Means (3-2, 4, 3.77, 32) for an Opening Day roster spot, Allen Brown (10-6, 3.11, 90) got to spend the whole season in the rotation, making the third most starts on the team. Former top 250 prospect Mario Saucedo (6-9, 4.61, 90) dealt with injuries and poor performance, and the 25-year-old may end up unprotected for the Rule-5 draft. May pickup Jake Roberts (10-7, 3.65, 66) made up for it, and with quality pen arms like Doc Cook (5-6, 15, 1.64, 53), Dick Garcia (3-2, 5, 1.76, 28), and Buster Clark (7-3, 4, 2.88, 41), they were able to keep most leads. We got plenty of production from Bobby Martinez (.274, 8, 55, 8) and Billy Thompson (.279, 4, 40) in center, but aside from Duncan we were more solid then good. Kind of like the Sailors, it was no real standouts with some quality two-way players that make their team better on offense and defense. Nine guys had an above average OPS+ with 75 or more at bats, and seven had more then 250 PAs. The next man up mentality worked well, and we were able to win games all season long.

AA Little Rock Governors (AA Dixie League): 79-61 (.564), t-2nd, 3 GB): Little Rock just couldn't get things going this year, as before their 19-6 July they were two games under .500. They finished the season strong, but it wasn't enough , as the best we could do is force a tie for second. Unlike Milwaukee, it was a team of stars, as Wayne Wilson and Dode Caudill were an elite duo. Moving between the three outfield spots, both were amazing, and despite the difference in prospect rankings it's tough to separate them. Wilson isn't on any prospect lists, but the 23-year-old hit .276/.347/.581 (139 OPS+), knocking 39 homers with 28 doubles, 80 runs, and 122 RBIs. He led the Governors in homers and RBIs, while Dode's .291/.400/.493 (132 OPS+) line came with the highest batting average. He had pop too, clubbing 24 doubles, 5 triples, and 23 homers too, and in 133 games he was worth an even five wins above replacement. The speedster swiped 36 baes, walked (92) more then he struck out (67), and produced 101 runs and 88 RBIs. Despite all that, Little Rock was just 5th in runs scored, with not much help from the rest of the cast.

Ironically a nepo signing provided our outfielders with the best protection, as bringing back former 1st Rounder Jack Craft (.281, 10, 40, 6) turned out to be a pretty solid move. Producing a 141 WRC+ in 383 PAs, the former Keystone played like I thought he could when I took him 11th in 1951. It hasn't worked out for him, the now 29-year-old is 2-for-20 in a pair of callups, and I don't see another one coming. That describes a lot of the roster, but I am interested by the then 23-year-old Bobby McGough (10-11, 4.11, 146). The former 3rd Rounder just celebrated his birthday, and his 3.67 FIP (83 FIP-) was about half a run lower then his ERA. Kids got an elite fastball and solid control, and as a Chicago kid he's always going to have a shot. With better stamina he could start, but I think his future is as a late inning arm that will overpower you with a fastball/slider mix. We didn't have a lot of other young guys who did much for Little Rock, but fellow Chicagoan Herb Thomason (2-5, 7, 3.81, 42) was nice out of the pen, and with elite defense and a 110 WRC+ shortstop Tom Glenn (.251, 8, 45, 16) was worth 4.3 WAR in 126 games. He doesn't quite have the range of Tom Halliday, but the look is similar, and if we can refine the bat he could at least be a useful backup shortstop.

A Rockford Wildcats (Heartland League) 75-65 (.536), 3rd, 11 GB: Rockford may have been the Cougars Class A affiliate for a while, but for me, its the first season I'll have Wildcats instead of the Lincoln Legislators. Personally, I like it, as Rockford is way closer to Chicago and Wildcats are far cooler then Legislators! Enough of that though, let's focus on the 3rd place Wildcats, who finished the season with a lot of interesting players. Among them is 43rd ranked prospect Orlando Benitez (.304, 16, 59, 18), who spent 88 of his 137 games with Rockford. Most came in center, which I think is his best position, but the 19-year-old got some reps at third. He was probably ready for Little Rock, but that outfield was already great, and Benitez could be the guy here. Utility man Bill Reinhard (.277, 17, 69) and this year's 3rd Rounder Dick Harbeson (.276, 8, 44, 3) were among his support, as they finished 2nd in the association in runs scored. First could have been reached had I never traded Bob Starr (.260, 12, 35) and Bill Tannen (.250, 6, 25) never saw his season end with an ankle injury, but a they'll return a lot of starters.

Same is true in the rotation, which had some struggles despite a lot of exciting arms. Nine guys made six or more starts, led by 22-year-old Chicagoan Sam Davis (11-6, 3.36, 142). While not among one of our higher ranked prospects, I think he's an underrated prospect, and Dixie is a big fan of the stuff. He gives him five 4+ rated pitches, including a 5 curve. Even better, he's a 4-3-2 with 5 stamina, so if that control gets up he could be a legit starter. One of the few I expect to go up to Little Rock, he'll pass the baton to Art Ozburn (1-4, 5.83, 25), Roy Weinberger (3-2, 2.75, 24), and Ray Dishman (2-2, 5.40, 44). Those three came up during the season, and all three have really good stuff. Ozburn's one of my favorite pitchers, boasting some of the best stuff in our system, and we are in position to have a strong rotation in Rockford next year.

B San Jose Cougars (California-Oregon-Washington League): 71-69 (.550), 4th, 14 GB: Our closest to a losing team, the baby Cougars were just 71-69 as they oscillated around .500 most of the season. June was the only month they finished more then two games above or below .500, though they had one of the best rotation. A lot of those guys went up, like Roy Weinberger (13-4, 1.62, 102) and Art Ozburn (8-8, 2.55, 110), while John Roberts (8-9, 3.07, 77) could be ready to move up too. In the pen, Ed Wells (2-4, 14, 2.26, 54) was automatic, while in limited roles Joe Jesmer (2-1, 1.62, 28) and Floyd Lane (2-0, 1, 2.14, 18) were effective. A lot of the lineups top producers played in limited time, and the top two WAR leaders, Orlando Benitez (.304, 16, 59, 18) and Joe Gallerani (.327, 9, 29, 5) got their 3+ WAR in fewer then 200 at bats. Backstop Raul Zamora (.267, 17, 54) was one of four guys with 125 games, and the only one from the group with a WRC+ above 105. One of our top 100 prospects, it was nice to see that, and I'm hoping we can improve his defense next year. That could be a big boost to his club, and at 20 he's already holding his own against guys way older then him.

C La Crosse Lions (Upper Mississippi Valley Association): 41-21 (.661), 2nd, 2 GB: Our short season club looked like they were destined for first place, but despite an impressive 41-21 record the Rock Island Steamboats (43-19) were just a little bit better. Part of me blames myself, as I moved 1st Rounder Bill Grimm (.340, 10, 47, 24) up after ten games, but his replacement Jack Ridge (.319, 4, 25, 5) was still a capable leadoff man. Granted, moving up Sam Morrison (.387, 10, 38, 12) hurt too, but I can't imagine we're the only C ball club moving up guys who show they're more then ready to advance. Finishing with the most runs in the league, we had a lot of dangerous bats, with 19-year-old and former 11th Rounder Harry Cummins (.343, 11, 66, 18) a surprising breakout star. He helped anchor the lineup without Grimm and Morrison, but there was not enough thump. With middle of the road pitching, we dropped a few games, but everyone who finished the season in the rotation had an above average ERA+. That includes 2nd Rounder Jim Place (6-1, 4.39, 74), who once he gets over his control problems, is going to be an excellent pitcher. The stuff is good and he keeps it on the ground, and it's the only reason he had one more strikeout then walk. I'm hoping a big draft next year gives the Lions the reinforcements they need to win it all, as we'll need some help to put together another 40-win season.