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ayaghmour2 · 01-29-2025, 09:19 AM

RF Dode Caudill (3rd Overall)
Acquired: Via Draft: 1st Round, 12th Overall (1960)
Alma Mater: Texas Presbyterian University Mustangs

When I joined at the start of the year, former first rounder Dode Caudill was our top prospect, just a bit outside of the top 20. Now, the 23-year-old is ranked higher then all but two FABL prospects, and banging down the door of our starting outfield.

24 in April, he's FABL ready, but I just can't bring myself to replace Jim Barton automatically. The 26-year-old hit .317/.346/.444 (102 OPS+) with a 110 WRC+, 19 doubles, 8 triples, 11 homers, and 80 RBIs. Just two years back he was an All-Star with a 149 WRC+, but no one comes close to as much upside as Dode in our system, and aside from sac-bunting, there isn't really anything Barton can do better then Dode.

Spending his entire season in Little Rock, Dode hit an elite .291/.400/.493 (132 OPS+) with 24 doubles, 5 triples, 23 homers, 88 RBIs, 101 runs, and 36 steals. He was worth an even 5 wins above replacement, maintaining an impressive 92-to-67 walk-to-strikeout ratio as he spent time in all three outfield positions. The only one I don't trust him in is center, though he can handle it if needed, but his range is more average then great. It's a shame, considering he's an absolute burner on the bases, and I'm going to keep on working at improving his defense. In a corner, its plus or better, and he's got the arm for right. Still, it's definitely weaker then McMillan's and likely weaker then Watson, so if that ends up the outfield Dode will move to left. That's a position that needs a bat to compliment it, and that's where Dode excels the most. Already a FABL quality hitter by all ratings, he's got room to improve his contact and power, but I'm really impressed with the work he did at the plate. Before this season, he never walked more then he struck out, with just a 13 game sample in La Crosse (10 to 8) the only stop he managed.

This makes me believe that he has room to grow everywhere, making it impossible for me to decide whether I want to improve his bat or glove in the dev lab. Already a potential 30/30 player, do I want to give him a nice boost to make him better for 1962? Or do I look to make him a more well-rounded player who can turn into a Diamond Defense winner? With limited spots and limited time, is it worth making our future star and even brighter star? Or do we work on getting the guys further away from contributing closer?

Decisions, decisions!

Ehh, if they weren't hard, where would be the fun in it! And on top of that, if he wasn't a potential star, I wouldn't have to worry! Not going to trade that away for anything!

SS Bill Grimm (22nd Overall)
Acquired: Via Draft: 1st Round, 10th Overall (1962)
Alma Mater: Alton Redbirds

Not often does a draftee have so much pressure thrust upon them, but after whiffing on rounds 3 through 20, there's a lot of pressure on recent 10th pick Bill Grimm. A potential elite shortstop, he's about as close to untouchable as it gets, as like Dode we have a second potential five tool player. A well-developed 18-year-old, he'll be 19 in November, and he's already got a pair of 3s for eye and gap power. With great speed and great base stealing ability, he's got 20/20 written all over him, and he has an advanced feel for the plate that will let him work he count and get on base. It should lead to more high quality at bats as well, and with tremendous power potential he could join Case and Watson as 30+ home run hitters.

Grimm also hit the ground running, quite literally, as along with 24 steals in 50 games with the Lions, he hit .340/.498/.564 (152 OPS+) to earn a promotion. That line came with a 166 WRC+ and 2.3 WAR, as Grimm logged 10 doubles, 10 homers, 47 RBIs, 64 runs, and 58 walks. In San Jose, he dealt with a little more trouble, hitting just .245/.271/.422 (95 OPS+) in 27 games. Here he got just a single steal, but Grimm added 8 doubles, 2 triples, 2 homers, 9 runs, and 10 RBIs. Getting extra base hits was a plus, even as his BB% plummeted to 3.7%. The jump from La Crosse to San Jose is huge, but Grimm showed poise when facing tough competition. He'll be back in the C-O-W next season, and if he can move his walk and strikeout rates in opposite directions, he'll have a chance to make it up to Lincoln before he's 20. A potential quick riser, OSA thinks he's just two seasons away from the majors, and if he keeps hitting we'll get him there fast. I view him as a shortstop, even if the range isn't ideal, but with his arm a transition to third will be easy. Gibson and Halliday have the middle infield on lock, so if he moves fast, we'll give him reps at the hot corner too. He made four starts there in San Jose this season, and I expect him to get more when he returns in 1963.

CF Orlando Benitez (39th Overall)
Acquired: Via Draft: 1st Round, 10th Overall (1962)
Alma Mater: Commerce Comets

Taken with the exact same pick as Bill Grimm, just one year earlier, Orlando Benitez is almost a similar type of prospect. Like Grimm, he was a highly rated high schooler at a premium position who fell a bit further then expected. On top of that, both were pretty developed hitters for their age, as evidenced by Benitez making it up to Rockford this season. In a less-outfield dense system, he might have gotten to Little Rock, as the young outfielder crushed the ball this season.

He got just 49 games in San Jose before a promotion, hitting .351/.390/.597 (178 OPS+) with 8 doubles, 3 triples, 11 homers, 27 runs, 28 RBIs, and 6 steals. He kept up the good work in Rockford, and even with a slight decline at the end, he slashed a robust .304/.395/.537 (144 OPS+) with 16 doubles, 7 triples, 16 homers, 18 steals, 59 RBIs, 52 walks, and 68 runs. Impressive all-around numbers, I even put the Cuban born Benitez at third, giving him 120 innings at the hot corner. I love him in center, but with an arm as strong as his, third base is a legitimate option. The bat is what really makes him impressive, but aside from turning double plays he's a great defender, as he's got solid infield range and excellent outfield range. A freak athlete, his athleticism sets him apart from the pack, and so far it's making up for his poor work ethic. I'm looking to get a nice boost to his bat over the offseason, as the potential there is off the charts. I rather have Dode and Grimm working on their defense, while I get Benitez putting the ball in play more. It's (BABIP) his only non-3 rating at the moment, and Dixie thinks he'll hit just below .300. There's room there to grow, as he's expected to work the count and hit the ball hard. As full as our outfield is, he's got legit star potential, a he's got the added bonus of being able to move to a position I'm trying really hard to fill right now.

CF Bobby Martinez (46th Overall)
Acquired: Via Draft: 1st Round, 5th Overall (1962)
Alma Mater: Trappe Blue Knights

When Jerry McMillan got hurt in August, Bobby Martinez got a chance to showed he deserved a spot with the big boys. Making his debut on August 27th, he hit .396/.434/.443 (127 OPS+) in 113 PAs. He started a full three weeks, allowing him to play in 29 games with the aid of expanded rosters. He picked up two doubles, a triple, and four steals, capping off a combined 5 WAR 1962. The former 5th pick hit better in Chicago then Milwaukee, but a 23-year-old hitting .274/.332/.387 (99 OPS+) for four plus months is pretty impressive regardless. Now 24, he appeared in 118 games for the Blues, grabbing 17 doubles, 6 triples, 8 homers, 55 RBIs, 38 walks, 8 steals, and 70 runs. With good defense, baserunning, and speed, he's got gobs of raw talent that's just waiting to be unlocked. A flashy player, he's got a cannon in the outfield, and he's always looking to do something with his feet. At the plate, he frustrates hitters, almost impossible to get to strikeout. In FABL he had a beautiful 6.2 K%, only a tad higher then his 4.3 in 515 Century League PAs. Only thing is, he doesn't have any power, and he swings at everything, so he's just a work an at bat and try to single type. That's nice at the top of the lineup, and with some studs behind him, he could be a huge rally starter. Once he's on base, anything can happen, and it's tempting to just go with him and let Dode get another year. While not a star, he's an elite supplemental piece, allowing the heart of the order to show why they're placed there.

C Raul Zamora (71st Overall)
Acquired: Via Draft: 2nd Round, 28th Overall (1962)
Alma Mater: Miami Cadets

It's not all first round picks! There's a second round pick there too!

More surprising then the run of first rounders is a Top-5 without a pitcher, as I'm not used to having a system so devoid of pitchers. I won't get ahead of myself, it's obvious when the next pitcher is, but our top five rounds out with Cuban backstop Raul Zamora. Taken in 1960, the 20-year-old ranks 71st overall and fourth among catchers. An imposing 6'4'' righty, he's sort of what you picture when you think catcher, but he's got a little footspeed to him. He's no burner, but his athleticism gives me hope that we can improve his defense. At some point I want him in the dev lab, as with better defense he could be an All-Star talent. The bat's going to get better, and he's already got solid pop. His 17 homers led the team, and the young catcher hit .267/.301/.438 (109 OPS+) with 21 doubles, 47 runs, and 54 RBIs. A toolsy prospect, he does everything pretty well, just no standout tool. For a catcher, that's more of a compliment, as his undeveloped bat as-is would be acceptable with elite defense. Getting him anything more then average would be a plus, and if we get a nice role he could jump up the prospect list come Opening Day.

01-29-2025, 09:19 AM	#1583
ayaghmour2 Hall Of Famer Join Date: Mar 2018 Posts: 3,010	Top Prospects: 1-5 RF Dode Caudill (3rd Overall) Acquired: Via Draft: 1st Round, 12th Overall (1960) Alma Mater: Texas Presbyterian University Mustangs When I joined at the start of the year, former first rounder Dode Caudill was our top prospect, just a bit outside of the top 20. Now, the 23-year-old is ranked higher then all but two FABL prospects, and banging down the door of our starting outfield. 24 in April, he's FABL ready, but I just can't bring myself to replace Jim Barton automatically. The 26-year-old hit .317/.346/.444 (102 OPS+) with a 110 WRC+, 19 doubles, 8 triples, 11 homers, and 80 RBIs. Just two years back he was an All-Star with a 149 WRC+, but no one comes close to as much upside as Dode in our system, and aside from sac-bunting, there isn't really anything Barton can do better then Dode. Spending his entire season in Little Rock, Dode hit an elite .291/.400/.493 (132 OPS+) with 24 doubles, 5 triples, 23 homers, 88 RBIs, 101 runs, and 36 steals. He was worth an even 5 wins above replacement, maintaining an impressive 92-to-67 walk-to-strikeout ratio as he spent time in all three outfield positions. The only one I don't trust him in is center, though he can handle it if needed, but his range is more average then great. It's a shame, considering he's an absolute burner on the bases, and I'm going to keep on working at improving his defense. In a corner, its plus or better, and he's got the arm for right. Still, it's definitely weaker then McMillan's and likely weaker then Watson, so if that ends up the outfield Dode will move to left. That's a position that needs a bat to compliment it, and that's where Dode excels the most. Already a FABL quality hitter by all ratings, he's got room to improve his contact and power, but I'm really impressed with the work he did at the plate. Before this season, he never walked more then he struck out, with just a 13 game sample in La Crosse (10 to 8) the only stop he managed. This makes me believe that he has room to grow everywhere, making it impossible for me to decide whether I want to improve his bat or glove in the dev lab. Already a potential 30/30 player, do I want to give him a nice boost to make him better for 1962? Or do I look to make him a more well-rounded player who can turn into a Diamond Defense winner? With limited spots and limited time, is it worth making our future star and even brighter star? Or do we work on getting the guys further away from contributing closer? Decisions, decisions! Ehh, if they weren't hard, where would be the fun in it! And on top of that, if he wasn't a potential star, I wouldn't have to worry! Not going to trade that away for anything! SS Bill Grimm (22nd Overall) Acquired: Via Draft: 1st Round, 10th Overall (1962) Alma Mater: Alton Redbirds Not often does a draftee have so much pressure thrust upon them, but after whiffing on rounds 3 through 20, there's a lot of pressure on recent 10th pick Bill Grimm. A potential elite shortstop, he's about as close to untouchable as it gets, as like Dode we have a second potential five tool player. A well-developed 18-year-old, he'll be 19 in November, and he's already got a pair of 3s for eye and gap power. With great speed and great base stealing ability, he's got 20/20 written all over him, and he has an advanced feel for the plate that will let him work he count and get on base. It should lead to more high quality at bats as well, and with tremendous power potential he could join Case and Watson as 30+ home run hitters. Grimm also hit the ground running, quite literally, as along with 24 steals in 50 games with the Lions, he hit .340/.498/.564 (152 OPS+) to earn a promotion. That line came with a 166 WRC+ and 2.3 WAR, as Grimm logged 10 doubles, 10 homers, 47 RBIs, 64 runs, and 58 walks. In San Jose, he dealt with a little more trouble, hitting just .245/.271/.422 (95 OPS+) in 27 games. Here he got just a single steal, but Grimm added 8 doubles, 2 triples, 2 homers, 9 runs, and 10 RBIs. Getting extra base hits was a plus, even as his BB% plummeted to 3.7%. The jump from La Crosse to San Jose is huge, but Grimm showed poise when facing tough competition. He'll be back in the C-O-W next season, and if he can move his walk and strikeout rates in opposite directions, he'll have a chance to make it up to Lincoln before he's 20. A potential quick riser, OSA thinks he's just two seasons away from the majors, and if he keeps hitting we'll get him there fast. I view him as a shortstop, even if the range isn't ideal, but with his arm a transition to third will be easy. Gibson and Halliday have the middle infield on lock, so if he moves fast, we'll give him reps at the hot corner too. He made four starts there in San Jose this season, and I expect him to get more when he returns in 1963. CF Orlando Benitez (39th Overall) Acquired: Via Draft: 1st Round, 10th Overall (1962) Alma Mater: Commerce Comets Taken with the exact same pick as Bill Grimm, just one year earlier, Orlando Benitez is almost a similar type of prospect. Like Grimm, he was a highly rated high schooler at a premium position who fell a bit further then expected. On top of that, both were pretty developed hitters for their age, as evidenced by Benitez making it up to Rockford this season. In a less-outfield dense system, he might have gotten to Little Rock, as the young outfielder crushed the ball this season. He got just 49 games in San Jose before a promotion, hitting .351/.390/.597 (178 OPS+) with 8 doubles, 3 triples, 11 homers, 27 runs, 28 RBIs, and 6 steals. He kept up the good work in Rockford, and even with a slight decline at the end, he slashed a robust .304/.395/.537 (144 OPS+) with 16 doubles, 7 triples, 16 homers, 18 steals, 59 RBIs, 52 walks, and 68 runs. Impressive all-around numbers, I even put the Cuban born Benitez at third, giving him 120 innings at the hot corner. I love him in center, but with an arm as strong as his, third base is a legitimate option. The bat is what really makes him impressive, but aside from turning double plays he's a great defender, as he's got solid infield range and excellent outfield range. A freak athlete, his athleticism sets him apart from the pack, and so far it's making up for his poor work ethic. I'm looking to get a nice boost to his bat over the offseason, as the potential there is off the charts. I rather have Dode and Grimm working on their defense, while I get Benitez putting the ball in play more. It's (BABIP) his only non-3 rating at the moment, and Dixie thinks he'll hit just below .300. There's room there to grow, as he's expected to work the count and hit the ball hard. As full as our outfield is, he's got legit star potential, a he's got the added bonus of being able to move to a position I'm trying really hard to fill right now. CF Bobby Martinez (46th Overall) Acquired: Via Draft: 1st Round, 5th Overall (1962) Alma Mater: Trappe Blue Knights When Jerry McMillan got hurt in August, Bobby Martinez got a chance to showed he deserved a spot with the big boys. Making his debut on August 27th, he hit .396/.434/.443 (127 OPS+) in 113 PAs. He started a full three weeks, allowing him to play in 29 games with the aid of expanded rosters. He picked up two doubles, a triple, and four steals, capping off a combined 5 WAR 1962. The former 5th pick hit better in Chicago then Milwaukee, but a 23-year-old hitting .274/.332/.387 (99 OPS+) for four plus months is pretty impressive regardless. Now 24, he appeared in 118 games for the Blues, grabbing 17 doubles, 6 triples, 8 homers, 55 RBIs, 38 walks, 8 steals, and 70 runs. With good defense, baserunning, and speed, he's got gobs of raw talent that's just waiting to be unlocked. A flashy player, he's got a cannon in the outfield, and he's always looking to do something with his feet. At the plate, he frustrates hitters, almost impossible to get to strikeout. In FABL he had a beautiful 6.2 K%, only a tad higher then his 4.3 in 515 Century League PAs. Only thing is, he doesn't have any power, and he swings at everything, so he's just a work an at bat and try to single type. That's nice at the top of the lineup, and with some studs behind him, he could be a huge rally starter. Once he's on base, anything can happen, and it's tempting to just go with him and let Dode get another year. While not a star, he's an elite supplemental piece, allowing the heart of the order to show why they're placed there. C Raul Zamora (71st Overall) Acquired: Via Draft: 2nd Round, 28th Overall (1962) Alma Mater: Miami Cadets It's not all first round picks! There's a second round pick there too! More surprising then the run of first rounders is a Top-5 without a pitcher, as I'm not used to having a system so devoid of pitchers. I won't get ahead of myself, it's obvious when the next pitcher is, but our top five rounds out with Cuban backstop Raul Zamora. Taken in 1960, the 20-year-old ranks 71st overall and fourth among catchers. An imposing 6'4'' righty, he's sort of what you picture when you think catcher, but he's got a little footspeed to him. He's no burner, but his athleticism gives me hope that we can improve his defense. At some point I want him in the dev lab, as with better defense he could be an All-Star talent. The bat's going to get better, and he's already got solid pop. His 17 homers led the team, and the young catcher hit .267/.301/.438 (109 OPS+) with 21 doubles, 47 runs, and 54 RBIs. A toolsy prospect, he does everything pretty well, just no standout tool. For a catcher, that's more of a compliment, as his undeveloped bat as-is would be acceptable with elite defense. Getting him anything more then average would be a plus, and if we get a nice role he could jump up the prospect list come Opening Day.