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ayaghmour2 · 01-30-2025, 09:19 AM

Quick update before the prospects, we signed a bunch of new coaches, and now just Manager and Pitching Coach remain in La Crosse. All the options are brutal. We did lose a legendary pitching coach in AAA, one I probably should have made ours. Instead, he'll coach for the Keystones, who will certainly benefit from our loss.

LHP Jim Place (85th Overall)
Acquired: Via Draft: 2nd Round, 30th Overall (1962)
Alma Mater: Holden Aviators

The first pitcher on the list, Jim Place has been bouncing between inside and outside the top-100 since I took him after Bill Grimm in the draft. Inside when the prospect list was announced, outside as I write this now, I could care less about the ranking, as Place is one of the few legitimate pitching prospects we have. That makes sense, he's one of the few arms I brought in, but the 18-year-old lefty gets good marks in the scouting reports, considered a #3 or better by Dixie March. Place's stuff is legit, but somewhat ironically, what holds him back is the way he places his pitches. A candidate for the dev lab, this kid can't find the zone at times, walking 73 in his first 67.2 innings pitched.

On the bright side, walks are a plenty in the UMVA, but even the level he allows them is on the high side. His 21.7 BB% was worst on the team, and it elevated his WHIP to 2.14. He walked one fewer batter then he struck out (74), and one more batter then he allowed to reach by a base hit (72). With stats like that, you might expect an ERA above 7, but believe it or not, his 4.39 ERA (120 ERA+) was 20% above average, and his 5.38 FIP (102 FIP-) was just two points below average. How he accomplishes that, is with a sinker/screwball mix, as he gets whiffs and grounders like no ones business. A throwback starter, he goes deep into games and keeps guys from getting big leads, erasing his mistakes if h e has a defense like ours behind it. He's a real rally killer when he's on, and that's why it's so big to get his command up. As he matures, he'll need to improve his command, as he could be a weapon in the rotation with even average command. Without it, late game relief is all he's good for, and it would be a shame for a seven pitch arsenal to be saved for short outings.

2B Bill Tannen (132nd Overall)
Acquired: Via Draft: 5th Round, 70th Overall (1958)
Alma Mater: Spring Grove Millers

A local kid, Bill Tannen was born and raised in Chicago, and worked his way up from 5th Round pick to top-100 prospect. Only thing is, he fell out now, but even 132 is still good enough for 7th in this system. Perhaps a little underrated, Tannen is an arm away from being a shortstop, as he's got 4 range, error, and double play ability. With a 2 rated arm, it would be tough to place him on the other side of second, but part of me wants to try him there. That could have been the plan at some point this year, but Tannen's season ended in mid-June due to torn ankle ligaments. This held him to under 200 PAs, hitting an excellent .250/.422/.451 (130 OPS+) with 11 doubles, 6 homers, 23 runs, and 25 RBIs. More impressive is the 44-to-29 walk-to-strikeout ratio, but now the issue is he's Rule-5 eligible. With no way of knowing how he would have faced against tougher competition, I'm nervous to protect him, but if we can't make any acquisitions he's one of the most likely to be added.

RF Cliff Coleman (141st Overall)
Acquired: Via Draft: 14th Round, 218th Overall (1959)
Alma Mater: Kelseyville Knights

A guy I can't really believe is ranked as high as he is, Cliff Coleman is considered by the prospect pipeline as among the game's best 150 prospects. I'm not quite sure I buy it, but he's definitely not your average 14th Round Pick. 22 in November, Coleman had an average season for the San Jose Cougars. Making 573 trips to the plate, the California native hit an average .276/.314/.410 (106 OPS+) with 21 doubles, 6 triples, 13 homers, 65 RBIs, 44 runs, and 13 steals. Quick enough to play center, he's a better fit in a corner, and because of his counterpart usual counter part he got right field. If he can get to it, he'll catch it, and late in games he could handle center. Working in his favor too is he's got a good eye and power, with the last thing he has to solve is contact. He doesn't put the ball in play enough, leading to low average and strike outs. With his speed, balls in play are a good thing, and with the combination of his youth and our depth, we can allow him to ascend at his own pace.

LF Bill Reinhard (144th Overall)
Acquired: Via Draft: 7th Round, 106th Overall (1959)
Alma Mater: Childersburg Tigers

An up and comer, Bill Reinhard had an excellent season. Another member of the 1959 draft class, Reinhard hit .277/.402/.455 (125 OPS+) with a 131 WRC+ in Rockford. The almost 22-year-old improved greatly over his Rockford days last year, where he hit just .221/.339/.351 (85 OPS+) in 46 games. This year he got into 124, knocking 17 doubles, 19 homers, and 4 triples. He drew 91 walks, striking out just 47 times in 535 PAs. A natural outfielder, I gave him a lot of time on the infield corners, with slightly less games there then in the outfield. A rangy outfielder, he can play a little third base, and if I could I'd try to train his infield defense. We're flush with outfielders, so he may be in situations where he plays middling third base defense to get his bat in the lineup. An advanced hitter, he's got threes across the board, and pending trades I see him starting his '63 in Little Rock.

CF George Clarke (181st Overall)
Acquired: Via Draft: 3rd Round, 42nd Overall (1961)
Alma Mater: Lexington Minutemen

One of the best defenders in our system, George Clarke was the Cougars 3rd Round selection last season, and I think he's got a high chance of playing for a FABL team. A speedy hard worker, the 19-year-old didn't get any starts last year, but I gave him 59 out in center field. A project prospect, he's got a low floor, and it's no surprise he hit just .269/.365/.417 (86 OPS+) in 203 PAs. There wasn't much power, but Clarke drew 27 walks and stole 15 bases, so he did find ways to make a difference. Combined with the defense, it raises his floor, as he's an impressive fourth outfield type. He might not be ready for Class B yet, but before the draft I may try to sneak him up. Even if just temporary, all reps are good reps, and we can give him a head start learning the corner spots.

01-30-2025, 09:19 AM	#1584
ayaghmour2 Hall Of Famer Join Date: Mar 2018 Posts: 3,141	Top Prospects: 6-10 Quick update before the prospects, we signed a bunch of new coaches, and now just Manager and Pitching Coach remain in La Crosse. All the options are brutal. We did lose a legendary pitching coach in AAA, one I probably should have made ours. Instead, he'll coach for the Keystones, who will certainly benefit from our loss. LHP Jim Place (85th Overall) Acquired: Via Draft: 2nd Round, 30th Overall (1962) Alma Mater: Holden Aviators The first pitcher on the list, Jim Place has been bouncing between inside and outside the top-100 since I took him after Bill Grimm in the draft. Inside when the prospect list was announced, outside as I write this now, I could care less about the ranking, as Place is one of the few legitimate pitching prospects we have. That makes sense, he's one of the few arms I brought in, but the 18-year-old lefty gets good marks in the scouting reports, considered a #3 or better by Dixie March. Place's stuff is legit, but somewhat ironically, what holds him back is the way he places his pitches. A candidate for the dev lab, this kid can't find the zone at times, walking 73 in his first 67.2 innings pitched. On the bright side, walks are a plenty in the UMVA, but even the level he allows them is on the high side. His 21.7 BB% was worst on the team, and it elevated his WHIP to 2.14. He walked one fewer batter then he struck out (74), and one more batter then he allowed to reach by a base hit (72). With stats like that, you might expect an ERA above 7, but believe it or not, his 4.39 ERA (120 ERA+) was 20% above average, and his 5.38 FIP (102 FIP-) was just two points below average. How he accomplishes that, is with a sinker/screwball mix, as he gets whiffs and grounders like no ones business. A throwback starter, he goes deep into games and keeps guys from getting big leads, erasing his mistakes if h e has a defense like ours behind it. He's a real rally killer when he's on, and that's why it's so big to get his command up. As he matures, he'll need to improve his command, as he could be a weapon in the rotation with even average command. Without it, late game relief is all he's good for, and it would be a shame for a seven pitch arsenal to be saved for short outings. 2B Bill Tannen (132nd Overall) Acquired: Via Draft: 5th Round, 70th Overall (1958) Alma Mater: Spring Grove Millers A local kid, Bill Tannen was born and raised in Chicago, and worked his way up from 5th Round pick to top-100 prospect. Only thing is, he fell out now, but even 132 is still good enough for 7th in this system. Perhaps a little underrated, Tannen is an arm away from being a shortstop, as he's got 4 range, error, and double play ability. With a 2 rated arm, it would be tough to place him on the other side of second, but part of me wants to try him there. That could have been the plan at some point this year, but Tannen's season ended in mid-June due to torn ankle ligaments. This held him to under 200 PAs, hitting an excellent .250/.422/.451 (130 OPS+) with 11 doubles, 6 homers, 23 runs, and 25 RBIs. More impressive is the 44-to-29 walk-to-strikeout ratio, but now the issue is he's Rule-5 eligible. With no way of knowing how he would have faced against tougher competition, I'm nervous to protect him, but if we can't make any acquisitions he's one of the most likely to be added. RF Cliff Coleman (141st Overall) Acquired: Via Draft: 14th Round, 218th Overall (1959) Alma Mater: Kelseyville Knights A guy I can't really believe is ranked as high as he is, Cliff Coleman is considered by the prospect pipeline as among the game's best 150 prospects. I'm not quite sure I buy it, but he's definitely not your average 14th Round Pick. 22 in November, Coleman had an average season for the San Jose Cougars. Making 573 trips to the plate, the California native hit an average .276/.314/.410 (106 OPS+) with 21 doubles, 6 triples, 13 homers, 65 RBIs, 44 runs, and 13 steals. Quick enough to play center, he's a better fit in a corner, and because of his counterpart usual counter part he got right field. If he can get to it, he'll catch it, and late in games he could handle center. Working in his favor too is he's got a good eye and power, with the last thing he has to solve is contact. He doesn't put the ball in play enough, leading to low average and strike outs. With his speed, balls in play are a good thing, and with the combination of his youth and our depth, we can allow him to ascend at his own pace. LF Bill Reinhard (144th Overall) Acquired: Via Draft: 7th Round, 106th Overall (1959) Alma Mater: Childersburg Tigers An up and comer, Bill Reinhard had an excellent season. Another member of the 1959 draft class, Reinhard hit .277/.402/.455 (125 OPS+) with a 131 WRC+ in Rockford. The almost 22-year-old improved greatly over his Rockford days last year, where he hit just .221/.339/.351 (85 OPS+) in 46 games. This year he got into 124, knocking 17 doubles, 19 homers, and 4 triples. He drew 91 walks, striking out just 47 times in 535 PAs. A natural outfielder, I gave him a lot of time on the infield corners, with slightly less games there then in the outfield. A rangy outfielder, he can play a little third base, and if I could I'd try to train his infield defense. We're flush with outfielders, so he may be in situations where he plays middling third base defense to get his bat in the lineup. An advanced hitter, he's got threes across the board, and pending trades I see him starting his '63 in Little Rock. CF George Clarke (181st Overall) Acquired: Via Draft: 3rd Round, 42nd Overall (1961) Alma Mater: Lexington Minutemen One of the best defenders in our system, George Clarke was the Cougars 3rd Round selection last season, and I think he's got a high chance of playing for a FABL team. A speedy hard worker, the 19-year-old didn't get any starts last year, but I gave him 59 out in center field. A project prospect, he's got a low floor, and it's no surprise he hit just .269/.365/.417 (86 OPS+) in 203 PAs. There wasn't much power, but Clarke drew 27 walks and stole 15 bases, so he did find ways to make a difference. Combined with the defense, it raises his floor, as he's an impressive fourth outfield type. He might not be ready for Class B yet, but before the draft I may try to sneak him up. Even if just temporary, all reps are good reps, and we can give him a head start learning the corner spots.