Chicago Cougars (FABL) - Page 31

ayaghmour2 · 09-14-2021, 04:27 PM

I was a little disappointed in the final result, but I have no one to blame but myself. If I just was willing to part with Harry Parker in a Fred McCormick package, I'd wager the Cougars would be facing the Chiefs in a nice crosstown classic. But, my obsession with Parker made that impossible, and him, along with numerous other top 50 prospects suited up for either the first time in Chicago or got their first real taste of big league baseball. Let's take a look at some of those youngsters:

RHP Joe Brown: 49 IP, 4-3, 7 SV, 5.14 ERA, 1.45 WHIP, 19 BB, 17 K
RHP Pete Papenfus: 123.1 IP, 8-6, 4.52 ERA, 1.78 WHIP, 117 BB, 103 K
RHP Harry Parker: 130.2 IP, 7-8, 3.99 ERA, 1.15 WHIP, 29 BB, 69 K
RHP Cy Sullivan: 128.1 IP, 5-7, 3 SV, 4.21 ERA, 1.47 WHIP, 37 BB, 27 K
C Harry Mead: 238 PA, .204/.273/.250, 10 2B, 20 RBI
2B Ducky Jordan: 53 PA, .306/.358/.449, 5 2B, 3B, 7 RBI
CF Aart MacDonald: 89 PA, .151/.292/.260, 6 2B, 3B, 3 RBI

Let's be honest, that doesn't look all that inspiring...

None the less, it's pretty obvious that most players don't come out of the gates as superstars, but considering we finished the season a bit over .500 despite nearly every one of our youngsters underperforming, that's something to celebrate. Pitchers tend to develop really slow, and of the four (who are likely set to make up our 1938 rotation) Brown and Cy are the oldest at just 24. In Rabbit Day's season where he finished the year at 24, he was 16-13 with a 4.23 ERA (94 ERA+), 1.43 WHIP, 98 walks, and 105 strikeouts in over 250 innings pitched. Jim Lonardo was 13-14 with a 4.90 ERA (90 ERA+), 1.56 WHIP, 88 walks, and 91 strikeouts in a few less innings. "Big Bad Billy" Ketterman started 16 of his 30 appearances, and was 4-12 with a 4.36 ERA (102 ERA+), 1.46 WHIP, 48 walks, and 57 strikeouts in just under 150. Joe Shaffner hadn't even debuted yet. Dean Astle and Mike Murphy, while dominant, didn't pitch the first half of the season. No-hit Newell was 9-14 with a 4.67 ERA (92 ERA+), 1.41 WHIP, 77 walks, and 98 strikeouts. Point being, even the top of the baseball food chain didn't necessarily pitch like themselves at 24, and don't forget a certain fireballer won't be able to drink any fireball until next April.

I've talked more then enough about Dick Lyons, but he wasn't the only veteran to pitch well this year. Allen Purvis was lights out in the pen, but the unlucky Milt Fritz put together a great season of his own. He was just 12-12 with a team high 254 innings pitched, and he had a respectable 3.54 ERA (115 ERA+) and 1.37 WHIP with 96 walks and 69 strikeouts. Nice. Double nice! This year definitely hurt his chase for 300, as he now has 147 career wins as he turned 29 today. Happy Birthday Milt! He is now 43-44 with the Cougars, but he has more innings with us (811.2) in three years then he has at any other stop. He'll get at least next year in our rotation, but the oft-traveled Fritz may end up in a six home come 1940. And while not a veteran, I was a little sad with Pug Bryan's sophomore slump, as he finished 4-9 with a 5.03 ERA (81 ERA+), 1.61 WHIP, 46 walks, and 39 strikeouts in a disappointing 93 inning sample. He may get passed over in the future rotation now, but I think Pug will turn into an excellent stopper. He did end the season strong, allowing just one run in his last 7 appearances, including three hitless outings to end the season. He's currently the #7 starter, and I may have an adjusted 6 man rotation next year until the good pitchers start to separate themselves.

The offense felt disappointing, but a lot of our hitters had good seasons. Leo Mitchell looked great, and while his .337/.380/.462 (125 OPS+) batting line was technically a little worse then last season, he added 30 doubles, 12 homers, 9 steals, and 80 RBIs in two shy of 600 plate appearances. Mitchell made 40 starts at first, 86 in left, and even 13 in right, but while he was excellent at first, he's not quite a reliable outfielder yet. He's just 25, and still has time to develop into a star, but he currently ranks as the #4 left fielder and I'm hoping he can develop into the .350 hitter I hope he can be. The other three corners all played well, with Ford, Lawson, and Langton all having double digit homer seasons with above average OPS+'s. Starting with the veteran Lawson, year 11 saw a career low .302/.355/.461 (117 OPS+) batting line, but he was still worth over 4 WAR despite not having the greatest season with the glove. He did drive in 108 and homered 16 times with 43 doubles. He still hit .300 to keep up the streak of consecutive .300 or higher seasons. Langton and Ford also slashed above .300, with both making up for their gloves. Langton hit .311/.374/.452 (121 OPS+) with 28 doubles, 10 triples, 10 homers, 12 steals, and 63 RBIs in 617 trips to the plate. Ford missed some time with injury, but hit a slightly more impressive .313/.375/.483 (129 OPS+) with 25 doubles, 16 homers, and 72 driven in while maintaining an awesome 47-to-11 walk-to-strikeout ratio. Each have put together their third consecutive season with an above average OPS+ and I'd imagine 1939 will be year four.

The biggest disappointments of the season came from the injured yet now healthy sophomores Billy Hunter and Carlos Montes. Hunter will turn 24 in November, and after setting the world on fire last year, he hit an average .291/.333/.429 (103 OPS+) with 31 doubles, 9 triples, 7 homers, and 65 RBI's in a slightly shortened 133 game season. The big issue was the glove, a 46-error season with a -5.2 zone rating and .971 efficiency. In about a third of the time last year, he had a +4.3 zone rating with a 1.039 efficiency. A sprained knee did end his season on September 8th, and now he's strained both his right and left knees. Let's hope this doesn't develop into something serious, but shortstops tend to get injured frequently. He did have an outstanding June that earned him an All-Start trip, where he hit .343/.386/.476 with 2 doubles, 2 homers, 3 triples, and 8 RBIs. I'm expecting a bounce back season from him, and I'm hoping the same for Montes. He'll be 23 the day after Christmas, but his 100 games this year were much different then last year. Last season he hit .292/.365/.453 (129 OPS+) with 19 doubles, 9 triples, 9 steals, 10 homers, and 55 RBIs. This year he slumped to .243/.317/.412 (94 OPS+) with 14 doubles, 7 triples, 10 homers, 5 steals, and 40 RBIs. He did still look good in center, with a +9.2 zone rating and 1.028 efficiency. Aart MacDonald is another top prospect with big league talent, but he squandered his opportunities this season. He hit just .151/.292/.260 (49 OPS+) with 6 doubles, a triple, 3 steals, and 3 RBIs. The 26-year-old Aruban did look great in center too, a +3.1 zone rating and 1.067 efficiency in 24 games. Aart is a lefty and Carlos a righty, so he may be able to steal some starts from Montes next season, but I still view Montes as the center fielder of the future.

Our catching tandem was a little interesting, with the exact opposite results as expected. Mike Taylor had an unexpected breakout, hitting an average enough .271/.324/.439 (103 OPS+) with 19 doubles, 12 homers, and 48 RBIs in one PA shy of 400. Taylor was floated around at the deadline and could potentially end up somewhere else in the offseason. I'd be more comfortable moving him if Harry Mead had any sort of luck putting bat on ball. The Harvey native hit a pitcher like .204/.273/.250 (41 OPS+) with 10 doubles and 20 RBIs. Not a single ball left the stands, he'll be looking for his first career home next season. Luckily, Marv says he's an elite defensive catcher, but he has gotten a little less optimistic on his future. I'm not worried, a lot is probably because of the awful season this year, and I still think he'll end up being a quality big league hitter. Lucky for us we were gifted Solly Skidmore from the lottery and Mead could potentially see some competition in three to six years. There is also Johnnie Williamson, who hit .306/.378/.375 (94 OPS+) with 21 doubles, 2 homers, and 56 RBIs in 520 Milwaukee plate appearances. He's probably more of a backup anyways, but Mead and him may share time next year if a Taylor move develops.

Looking ahead to the offseason, I'd love to grab a big bat. A second basemen or shortstop would be ideal, but I could try to get creative and move Ray Ford to second base. Catcher is another option as well, as I can skip the waiting for Mead and try to add a big thumper right away. I'm finally comfortable trading anyone (well, but Pomales) in my farm system, now that Pete and Parker are up, so that at least can't hold me back like it did last offseason. The hardest part is there are no obvious sellers, so I may have to work some magic. I don't want to wait around, hoping for the youngsters to develop well, but it may be tough to find many trading partners. I'm hoping I've got something up my sleeve to make the Cougars better for our new stadium. Even without a big move, I like our chances for next season, but if someone else drops a big domino, it might be tough for me not to force a move.

ayaghmour2 · 09-15-2021, 02:53 PM

A pair of 2-1 wins for the Kings and they are one win away from repeating. Former Cougar Mike Murphy takes on Jim Lonardo in game five in what has been a crazy pitching duel. Both teams have scored four runs once, the most so far in a game this series. I'd love a game seven, but a King win tomorrow means we start the offseason a day early! I'm working on something too, but who knows if it will happen or not.

Changing the name up a bit, because this flows a little better. Here is what we could have had if I never made trades:

Catchers
Fred Barrell (BRK): 61 OPS+, 3 HR, 52 RBI, 0.8 WAR
Harry Mead (CHC): 41 OPS+, 20 RBI, -0.1 WAR

Infielders
Ed Reyes (NYG): 57 OPS+, 5 RBI, -0.4 WAR
Billy Hunter (CHC): 103 OPS+, 7 HR, 65 RBI, SB, 2.3 WAR
Rabbit Forrest (PHI): 110 OPS+, 38 RBI, 3 SB, 2.3 WAR
Slim Bloom (-): -
Mack Deal (PHS): 80 OPS+, 2 HR, 36 RBI, 14 SB, 0.9 WAR
Red Moore (MON): 61 OPS+, 25 RBI, -0.1 WAR
John Lawson (NYS): 117 OPS+, 16 HR, 108 RBI, 4.1 WAR

Outfielders
Leo Mitchell (CHC): 125 OPS+, 12 HR, 80 RBI, 9 SB, 4.0 WAR
Vince York (CHI): -100 OPS+, -0.1 WAR
Roy Moore (CHC): 79 OPS+, 6 RBI, 0.3 WAR
Rich Langton (CHC): 121 OPS+, 10 HR, 63 RBI, 12 SB, 3.1 WAR
Bert Wilson (-): -
Carlos Montes (CHC): 94 OPS+, 10 HR, 40 RBI, 5 SB, 2.0 WAR

Pitchers
Dick Lyons (CHC): 20-6, 157 ERA+, 48 K, 5.7 WAR
Dean Astle (CLE): 17-15, 2 SV, 131 ERA+, 105 K, 6.9 WAR
Tom Barrell (BRK): 13-14, 97 ERA+, 129 K, 6.9 WAR
Mike Murphy (BRK): 15-7, 148 ERA+, 62 K, 4.5 WAR
Bill Ross (MON): 9-17, 96 ERA+, 82 K, 1.9 WAR
Ben Turner (CLE): 6-3, 143 ERA+, 37 K, 2.2 WAR
Phil English (TOR): 5-2, 14 SV, 129 ERA+, 23 K, 0.7 WAR
Pug Bryan (CHC): 4-9, 2 SV, 81 ERA+, 39 K, 1.0 WAR

Totals
Offense: 19.1 WAR
Pitching: 29.8 WAR
Adjusted Pitching: 25.4
Total: 44.5 WAR
Approximate Wins: 89

A much better season for the no trade team then the actual Cougars, but they still fall into a devastating second place finish one game out. Astle and Barrell carried a big chunk of the team WAR, and with a lot of players not playing anymore, we'll have a bunch of the younger Cougars join the team. We debuted a lot of rookies, and even gave up one of the Feds best rookies Dave Haight. I'm hoping next year is big for the Cougars, but I think this team will do extremely well regardless of us.

Offseason Moves for 1939
Slim Bloom for Ducky Jordan
Vince York for Reginald Westfall
Bert Wilson for Chink Stickels
Bill Ross for Pete Papenfus
Ben Turner for Harry Parker
Roy Moore for Dave Haight

Notable Prospects/Picks Traded
November 1937 traded Dave Haight and Del Thomas to the Gothams for Johnny McDowell

ayaghmour2 · 09-19-2021, 07:05 PM

Let's start the offseason off with a bang! The Chiefs just came back from a 3-1 deficit, but I did the best to steal the spotlight with a blockbuster to start the season. I paid a pretty penny to make it done, but after about seven years of trying, Freddie Jones is now a Cougar. Heading to St. Louis will be a massive five prospect package, with Danny Hern, Ivan Cameron, Henry Cox, Preacher Pietsch, and Tommy Wilson will depart to acquire the 4-Time All Star and 1935 Whitney Award Winner. 1938 was definitely a down season, but the 28-year-old played a career high 154 games with over 706 trips to the plate. He did hit just .284/.385/.375 (98 OPS+) with 20 doubles, 7 triples, 7 homers, and 75 RBIs, but it's a massive improvement over our second basemen combo of Johnny McDowell and Ollie Page. The keystone is easily our weakest spot, and I expect Jones to rebound closer to his career norms. In 4,443 career plate appearances he has hit .348/.449/.440 (131 OPS+) with 147 doubles, 40 triples, 38 homers, and 509 RBIs. To add on to that, Jones is a decent defender who is also a captain in the clubhouse dead set on winning. He'll really bring the lineup together well, and I expect his performance to improve as well. With Jones in the lineup, all eight of our starters had an OPS+ of 94 or better and I think next season we should have everyone (or maybe but Taylor) in the lineup over 100 last year. Our pitching is really young, but the lineup is filled with talent and should score more then enough runs for us next year.

Of course, the price to pay was high, but with no obvious sellers materializing yet, I had to jump on a chance to acquire likely the best player on the market. Too many players escaped my reach last season, and it showed in the standings. The big piece leaving is our top pitching prospect Danny Hern, who currently ranks 55th in the league. The former 14th Round pick has broken out and projects to be a solid mid rotation starter. With Papenfus, Parker, Sullivan, Brown, Bryan, and Knight all options to pair with Dick Lyons and Milk Fritz, there wasn't an easy spot for Hern. I'm a big fan of his stuff and I think he's going to really blossom in the Pioneers farm system, but we do have multiple pitchers I think could rise up and replace them. I also had to give up former first rounder Preacher Pietsch, another young arm I like a lot. He's two years older at 23, and the 6'6' righty also has a future in the rotation. He reached AA this year, where he finished 6-5 with a 3.64 ERA (108 ERA+), 1.43 WHIP, 36 walks, and 39 strikeouts. He ranks 12th and 129th respectively, and was the former 5th ranked pitcher in our system.

The main position prospect leaving was Tommy Wilson, who I was likely going to add to the 40 in the offseason. The 23-year-old Wilson was taken in the 2nd Round in 1933, and reached Milwaukee this season. He hit .273/.358/.397 (94 OPS+) with 25 doubles, 9 homers, 11 steals, and 62 RBIs in three shy of 500 PAs. Marv thinks he'll be a regular starter at either second or short, but with Hunter at Short, Jones added to the mix, and Ollie Page still in hand with Ducky Jordan, the infield seems pretty set. Another middle infielder involved was Cameron, who ranked 20th in our system and just outside of the top 200 overall. A very talented glovemen, the 1934 3rd Rounder spent his time in Mobile this season where he hit .301/.344/.377 (93 OPS+) with 19 doubles, 3 triples, 2 homers, and 57 RBIs. He had an outstanding +17.9 zone rating and 1.110 efficiency at short, and could possibly be the best defensive shortstop if he makes the big leagues. The last piece I would have preferred not to trade, but I wanted to get a deal done and didn't want to risk not including him. Henry Cox hit 33 homers and drove in 99 with a .278/.340/.545 (125 OPS+) batting line in AAA. Our outfield situation is full, so he would have been stuck in Milwaukee again next season, but perhaps will get a chance to play full time.

I'm hoping this is the only big move of the offseason, but we have a draft coming up shortly that us GMs will have to prepare for. It's two human rounds and one regional round, and the first of it's kind. At 79-75, we will be picking 8th in each round, although I have acquired a few picks as well.

ayaghmour2 · 09-20-2021, 11:56 AM

The offseason is officially started now, as once Freddie Jones put on his Chicago Cougar uniform, the time for award voting began! Dick Lyons is obviously my Allen choice in the CA, but I'll have to sort through the stats to pick the winners for the other spots. We do have a few coaching changes, as I already replaced pitching coach Samuel Clark (who decided to retire anyways) with Jake Chamberlain, and then my hitting coach and assistant GM retired as well. Manager Walt Bailey is being annoying, and won't let me sign a hitting coach myself, so the only position I can fill is AGM. Of course, it's also now prospect time, and after the Jones trade, our system checks in at 8th in the league with 94 points. We are now down to 7 top 100 prospects, 20 top 250 prospects, and 40 top 500. Our top 300 is listed below:

1. RF Chubby Hall (22nd Overall): 2nd/37th
2. C Solly Skidmore (30th Overall): Lottery selection
3. SS Hal Wood (42nd Overall): 9th/78th
4. 2B Ducky Jordan (45th Overall): 12th/104th
5. CF Aart MacDonald (56th Overall): 11th/100th
6. RHP/CF Juan Pomales (75th Overall): 6th/55th
7. RHP Del Burnes (89th Overall): 14th/119th
8. RF Tony Mullis (111th Overall): 18th/195th
9. RHP Art Saunders (134th Overall): 15th/127th
10. CF Harry Carr (149th Overall): 156th Overall Pick
11. RHP Joe Crosby (153rd Overall): 19th/198th
12. LHP Harl Haines (175th Overall): 22nd/240th
13. 2B Homer Ray (180th Overall): Acquired from Detroit
14. RHP George Sacchetti (185th Overall): Acquired from Cleveland
15. RHP Dan Everett (200th Overall): 17th/163rd
16. RHP John Little (225th Overall): 24th/282nd
17. LHP Oliver Allen (226th Overall): 60th Overall Pick
18. 3B Danny Richardson (228th Overall): 44th Overall Pick
19. CF Elias Canady (233rd Overall): 23rd/243rd
20. LHP Ed Wilkinson (236th Overall): 55th Overall Pick
21. LF Larry Robison (259th Overall): 25th/302nd
22. SS Lee Scott (296th Overall): 26th/318th
23. 2B Hod Seagroves (301st Overall): 27th/332nd
24. 1B Jocko Pollard (302nd Overall): Not in top 30
25. C Gidge Sumpter (311th Overall): 30th/357th
26. RHP Ray McNeil (327th Overall): Not in top 30
27. RF Sammy Dillon (364th Overall): 63rd Overall Pick
28. RHP Bill Tuttle (399th Overall): Not in organization
29. LHP Johnny Ruby (412th Overall): Not in top 30
30. LHP Cal Knight (417th Overall): Not in top 30

ayaghmour2 · 09-20-2021, 04:55 PM

RF Chubby Hall (22nd Overall)
Acquired: Via Draft: 3rd Round, 34th Overall (1935)
Alma Mater: Westinghouse Warriors

From 2nd last year to 22nd this year, our system technically looks weaker because all the young stars like Peter the Heater are no longer considered prospects. Taking over the top spot in the system is outfielder Chubby Hall, who split his season between San Jose and Lincoln. The 21-year-old starter with the Cougars, where he hit .314/.384/.535 (145 OPS+) with 12 doubles, 12 homers, and 44 RBIs. The homers weren't there when he took the trip up to Lincoln, but he hit a somewhat similar .314/.382/.441 (126 OPS+) up in A ball. He got 299 at bats with the Legislators compared to 226 in San Jose, but walked at almost the exact same rate at each stop. This is season three for Hall, who still doesn't project to be big league ready until at least 1940. He has a plus contact tool and is hopefully going to be able to develop power like a Rich Langton or Doc Love. He could manage center in a pinch, but eventually projects to be a decent corner outfielder. His best tool might be his plate discipline, but it is also very hard for wild pitchers to find the zone on a 5'7'' hitters. Marv thinks he'll surpass Langton, but not Mitchell, although Langton does own a career 122 OPS+ with four consecutive double digit home run seasons. Hall has the most upside of any of our prospects, I just wish he could play center not right.

C Solly Skidmore (30th Overall)
Acquired: Via Draft: 1st Round, 12th Overall (1938)
Alma Mater: Monroe Hurricanes

The only one of our four lottery picks that was actually exciting, as we got Donnie Jones' consolation prize in backstop Solly Skidmore. He'll slot almost exactly where Harry Mead graduated, and the 18-year-old could be our new catcher of the future. A tall 6'2'', Skidmore spent his first half season in La Crosse, batting .333/.404/.419 (108 OPS+) with 7 doubles, 4 homers, and 41 RBIs while walking 31 times and striking out just 17 times. These are great numbers for a teen, as 20-year-old William Rollins hit just .232/.284/.345 (58 OPS+) there in his first full pro season. Skidmore is an exciting young prospect who I think has the potential to be one of the best in baseball at the plate. He projects to hit well to all fields as he's able to lace line drives all across the outfield. He has some pull side power to left, so a stadium with an easier left field could really benefit Skidmore. He's already shown his excellent plate discipline, and that does not look like it is going away. OSA doesn't really speak about his defense and Marv doesn't give him the greatest reviews, but he's so raw that he doesn't yet have a positional rating. With only 69 games behind the plate, he's still settling in, and it may take some time before he's helpful behind the plate.

SS Hal Wood (42nd Overall)
Acquired: Via Draft: 1st Round, 8th Overall (1935)
Alma Mater: Smithfield College Bulldogs

I made a few draft pick trades during the 1935 draft as I was unsuccessful in trading up, and I eventually ended up with the 8th pick to take Hal Wood. He's already 24, so a little bit of a slow developer, but Wood has been a captain in the lower levels and seems to have really found the bat this year. He hit .458/.545/.602 with four doubles and two triples in September to finish with a .318/.394/.432 (127 OPS+) season line. Wood doesn't offer much power, but his discipline is improving and he should be able to consistently hit above .300. He's also above average out at short, and should be a real captain on the field, making his fellow infielders better. His absolute worst is a excellent clubhouse presence as a utility player, but he has all the raw tools to develop into an every day player. He needs some refinement, but he has the raw talent and work ethic to develop into a strong starter on most teams. I'm moving him up to AA, where he'll begin but possibly not finish 1939. I think he may make a cameo next year, but I shouldn't have to worry about the Rule-5 draft.

2B Ducky Jordan (45th Overall)
Acquired: Via Draft: 6th Round, 92nd Overall (1932)
Alma Mater: Little Rock HS Pioneers

I'd imagine he wasn't too happy about the Freddie Jones trade, but the "Hot Springs Hotshot" can man first, third, and short as well and the skinny 24-year-old is a good hitter from both sides of the plate. He looked like a favorite to win the second base job, but now he's likely set to start the season in AAA and his role will be more of injury insurance for the oft injured Jones. Ducky didn't do too well in AAA this year, but he finished the year strong in Chicago. It was just 53 plate appearances, but a 5-for-5 helped Jordan finish the season with a .306/.358/.449 (115 OPS+) batting line. He is still looking for his first big league home run, but this was his second cup of coffee. I'd wager he'll more then double his 65 career plate appearances next season, and Jordan will eventually force himself into the picture one way or another. He has excellent speed and is more then capable of playing short, potentially even better then Billy Hunter does himself. He has good barrel control and always forces pitchers to have the hand disadvantage. I think he could develop into an every day player, but now he may be waiting for third base when John Lawson's best days are behind him.

CF Aart MacDonald (56th Overall)
Acquired: Via Minor League Draft with Tulsa(1937)

Born in Savaneta, Aruba, the El Paso Missions of the Lone Star Association recruited him before he rode the independent team carrousel. He eventually settled with Tulsa, where he spent three seasons and hit .232/.344/.452 (105 OPS+). We then purchased him in the minor league draft, and he has been a Cougar now for two seasons. He got 89 PAs with us, but the 26-year-old really struggled. MacDonald hit just .151/.292/.260 (49 OPS+), although he stole three bases, doubled six times, and managed to walk and strikeout 13 times. MacDonald is an excellent defender, capable of manning all three spots, and due to his age, is in line to function as the fourth outfielder next season. He'll give Mitchell and Langton time off in the corners, and when Mitchell plays first he's likely to handle left. He'll also be Carlos Montes primary backup, and MacDonald may end up a defensive upgrade on the entire trio. He hits from the left side of the plate, many of our hitters are righties, which could help him win pinch hit duties. MacDonald probably could start on some other teams, but he's just a few months younger then Langton, a year older then Mitchell, and four senior of Montes. Montes did miss time with injury, so MacDonald would be first in line, but I don't think Aart has the upside that Pomales and Mullis do out in center.

ayaghmour2 · 09-20-2021, 08:44 PM

A little news first. We won't have a sim tomorrow and there won't be as many as usual in the coming weeks, but a lot of changes going on. There will be a few GMs switching around, with Montreal's GM going to Japan, the replacement for the Stars, and a few other GMs moving around. More on that later when it is official, but we could see new Forester, Eagle, Star, and Saint GMs. Awards will be released on Wednesday, hopefully one going to Dick Lyons, and then we'll have a run of drafts before reaching the Spring.

I also made a small trade, with a few more hopefully in the works, as I work with my 40 man roster issues. I sent Sam Hodge to the Gothams for Willie Gonzalez Jr. A target of mine in the 1937 draft, the now 19-year-old was taken 6th Overall, but this was technically the third round due to the lottery. He made just one start this year, an out shy of six innings before leaving with shoulder soreness. It turned out to be a torn rotator cuff, and he's actually still five months away from throwing again. I trust my medical staff to make sure his arm is okay, as I do think he has what it takes to be a solid big league arm. His fastball sits in the 91-93 range and he should have average control of his curve, cutter, and change as well. Like Billy Jordan, Gonzalez's dad was also a Cougar, making 6 starts in 1917 and 5 more in 1918 before eventually pitching in our system until retiring in 1923. He also had four starts with Detroit in 1915, but I'll take the over on Junior's big league starts. He currently ranks 394th in the league, which would be 28th in our system, just like he was in theirs.

Hodge, 25, was our 6th Rounder in 1934. I didn't necessarily want to get rid of him, but we have a full 40 and Hodge needed a spot. The Gothams are in need of big league pitching, and he'll jump right into the mix. I think he's got stuff to start, but Marv thinks his future lies in the pen. The soft tossing 6'4'' righty has a nice curve and slider, but he still has yet to add much velocity to his fastball and cutter. He was elite in 6 AA starts, but Hodge was very effective with the Blues. He finished 5-5 with a 3.98 ERA (113 ERA+), 1.45 WHIP, 17 walks, and 28 strikeouts across 13 starts. Hodge is also a native New Yorker, and will have a much easier job securing innings for his hometown team. He'll join former Cougar Oscar Morse on the staff, as well as fellow Cougar draftees Ed Reyes and Dave Haight.

RHP/CF Juan Pomales (75th Overall)
Acquired: Via Trade with Detroit (1937)
Alma Mater: St. Francis Bobcats

Like Carlos Montes, Juan Pomales was born in Cuba, but unlike Montes, Pomales was able to skip the draft. He was one of the lottery players in the first of the two classes, and I entered his group in hopes of acquiring him. I missed, so I then went to send Karl Wallace and Stumpy Beaman to the Dynamos to acquire Pomales and Burnes, who ranks right behind him. I've raved about Pomales' skill very frequently, and I love that he looks like a legit two-way player. Now our highest ranked pitching prospect, the sidewinding righty made 21 starts for the Commodores and finished 13-8 with a 2.91 ERA (135 ERA+), 1.21 WHIP, 52 walks, and 65 strikeouts. He's still polishing his fastball and curve, but his sinker is a great pitch that continues to roll up groundball outs. His curveball is a nice strikeout pitch, but it tends to escape him in some outings. He's a serviceable back of the rotation arm with upside to front one, but with all the talent in ours it's more then okay if he's more of a 5 then a 2. "El Conejo's" greatest asset may be his speed, 19 triples, 12 steals, and efficiencies above 1 at all three outfield spots. He looked great with the bat too, batting an effective .305/.370/.490 (129 OPS+) with 24 doubles, 5 homers, and 60 RBIs. The kid has plus-plus contact ability with a very smooth swing, but he's also able to draw a walk if needed. He walked 45 times with just 33 strikeouts in 483 plate appearances this season, and I think he'll strike out more batters on the mound then he'll strike out when up to bat. Next year he'll get Milwaukee, maybe a Chicago cameo at the end, but my guess is Pomales will be on our 1940 roster and he'll probably pitch every sixth game while also getting a start or two at each outfield spot.

RHP Del Burns (79th Overall)
Acquired: Via Trade with Detroit (1937)
Drafted: 1st Round, 3rd Overall (1934)
Alma Mater: Houston Coyotes

While nearly every high pick from the 1934 draft is doing something in the big leagues, Del Burnes is finally establishing himself in the top 100. The 22-year-old reached AAA for the first time, and the fireballer didn't find the same success he did in AA. Burnes made nine starts and was 2-2 with a 5.06 ERA (89 ERA+), 1.69 WHIP, 20 walks, and 29 strikeouts in 48 innings pitched. I wasn't too worried, as the previous 123.1 frames saw a 2.99 ERA (131 ERA+) and 1.36 WHIP with actually less strikeouts and the same amount of walks per nine. He has the stuff to start, and now that we added Freddie Jones in our big move, Burnes is likely safe to stay in Chicago. Burns gets a ton of movement on his pitches, leading to a lot of groundballs, but his cutter and slider get tremendous horizontal movement and are very tough pitches to hit. He also has a fastball, forkball, and change, but my guess is at least one of those (likely the forkball) won't ever amount to much. Burns is from the state of Wyoming and likely set to be the first player from Green River to debut, but I think he'll have to wait until 1940 as we have a lot of other arms already on the 40 in case of injury.

RF Tony Mullis (111th Overall)
Acquired: Via Trade with Philadelphia (1937)
Drafted: 5th Round, 78th Overall (1936)
Alma Mater: Redford Trojans

We usually have at least ten top 100 prospects, but to be fair, I did just trade two of them before the list was published. A Sailor pick in the 1936 draft, Mullis was one of the guys I had my eye on that I wasn't able to select. I eventually picked him up for Marty Roberts, and Mullis' prospect status has shot up. Tony started the season as a center fielder down in San Jose, but with a poor -10.5 zone rating and .909 efficiency out in center, after he hit his way to a promotion, I moved him to a corner. He made 11 starts in left and 21 in right while hitting .333/.411/.510 (152 OPS+) with 22 doubles, 12 triples, and 54 RBIs. He did still make 34 starts in center, and did have a more respectable -4.3 and .940 in each metric, but I think Mullis is best suited for left. This is a little unfortunate for him as he doesn't have the power for a corner. He has just one professional homer and it came this year in San Jose, and I can't imagine he'll hit that many more. Lucky for him, he might not need too, as he has blazing speed and consistently puts the ball in play. He almost never strikes out (or walk, for that matter) and he has the speed to beat out infield grounders and stretch singles into doubles. He's not much of a base stealer, but he does find himself on base a lot and will not clog the bases. Marv thinks he'll be a solid starter, but unless he improves his range and can move back to center, I think he may not be able to start for a team with their mind set on a championship.

RHP Art Saunders (134th Overall)
Acquired: Via Draft: 9th Round, 133rd Overall (1935)
Alma Mater: Manning Bulldogs

After five injuries ranging from 2 day to 3 weeks last season, Saunders just needed one DL trip lasting a week this year. It's no surprise this year was his best season too, as he was basically flawless in 20 starts for the Lions. Saunders was 9-4 with a 3.01 ERA (152 ERA+), 1.15 WHIP, 28 walks, and 62 strikeouts. It earned him a late season promotion to San Jose, and he was more then up for the task. It was just 4 starts and 23.1 innings, but he worked to a 0.77 ERA (559 ERA+) and 1.11 WHIP with 3 walks and 14 strikeouts. Somehow he won two and lost two, but Saunders really looked ready for the challenge. The 21-year-old is now throwing 90-92 with his fastball and sinker, and his curve and change are filling in nicely. His stuff projects to be above average, and Marv think's he'll "boast good strikeout, walk, and home run totals as he matures." Still, Saunders is a raw prospect with injury concerns, so there is a lot of risk involved. The Omaha kid is very bright, and mulled pursuing prestigious academic scholarships instead of baseball before I threw 20 grand at him, and I think he made the right decision as Art seems destined to throw quality big league innings.

CF Harry Carr (156th Overall)
Acquired: Via Draft: 10th Round, 156th Overall (1938)
Alma Mater: Buchtel Griffins

One of the more shocking rankings, our 10th Rounder in the June Draft Harry Carr checks in at 10th in our system and ahead of every one else in his class except Skidmore. Like Saunders, he debated college, but Carr only cost be $5.5k and hasn't spent most of it on medical bills. Very versatile, Carr can play second and short as well as all three outfield spots, but spent most of his time in La Crosse out in right. He made good contact at the plate, hitting .349/.376/.437 (104 OPS+) with 7 doubles, 4 triples, 3 homers, 8 steals, and 38 RBIs. Unfortunately, Carr doesn't walk all that much yet, and that's the only thing keeping his contact potential down. It could be elite, as he's shown he can hit for a high average, but his pitch selection may limit his output. OSA and Marv both love his defense, so maybe I should have him in center, fellow draftee Max Rucker looked much better out in the field. Carr may force his way into a lineup, but for that to happen he'll have to either master center field, improve his plate discipline, or add a little pop.

ayaghmour2 · 09-21-2021, 04:02 PM

With today as an off day, I decided to update my draft database to include the 1939 class. There will be three rounds in January, and since this will happen before 1939 stats are created, I will eventually re-update this class' database again in May when the pool is filled and stats generated. And since I already had the pool up and everything, I decided to highlight a few more potential top picks in the upcoming draft.

CF Roy Carroll
School: Clayton
1938: .457/.585/1.000, 106 PA, 8 2B, 6 3B, 8 HR, 32 RBI, 31 SB
Career: 458/.577/.911, 246 PA, 19 2B, 11 3B, 15 HR, 64 RBI, 65 SB

Bet you thought that said Roy Carey, as I do tend to write about him. It's close, but Roy Carroll is actually a very exciting center field prospect from San Francisco. This is a huge plus for him, as no team has priority to California, so he could be a choice for one of the first two rounds this January. Ignoring the beautiful 1 for his OPS as a junior, Carroll did that as 15, as he just turned 16 while watching Tom Barrell and the Kings take a 1-0 lead in the World Series. There may be a little movement when it is all said and done, but right now Carroll has the most homers for a high schooler in this pool with 15 and even cracked the overall top 10 despite everyone higher then him with 98 to 155 games while Carroll played in fewer then 50. Unfortunately, there are concerns about his character and work ethic, but the numbers look really good to start. Marv thinks he may hit .290 in the big leagues, but it's really hard to project things for someone as young as him. That may cause him to fall a little, but a strong senior season could help him secure one of the top picks in the Summer draft. The power is legit, but questions are brought up about his defense. Carroll has shown solid discipline too, 35 walks to 12 strikeouts, but unless he works at it, the big leagues might just be a dream.

LHP Mal Bianco
School: Maryland State
1938: 9-5, 130 IP, 3.67 ERA, 1.46 WHIP, 69 BB, 101 K
Career: 16-10, 328.2 IP, 3.58 ERA, 1.43 WHIP, 116 BB, 172 K

Vic Carroll is probably the best college arm available, but I covered him a bit ago. Another interesting arm is Maryland State's southpaw Mal Bianco, Just four college arms have struck out more then 150 batters and Bianco ranks right behind Carroll. He also has a nice 3.58 ERA and 1.43 WHIP against the toughest competition out there. My scout isn't too fond of him, although when does he ever really likes young pitchers. After the season he added a mile on his fastball, but the sidearmer just sits in the mid 80s. His slider should be great and his splitter decent, but the fastball isn't going to be great until he throws harder. He does get a lot of movement on his pitches and won't allow many homers. He can roll up the double play when needed, and he does have some walk issues right now. He's got a lot of developing to go, but the Brooklyn boy has the potential to work his way into a big league rotation.

RHP Joe Marlow
School: Elkhorn
1938: 10-2, 118 IP, 1.75 ERA, 1.03 WHIP, 37 BB, 156 K
Career: 25-4, 292.1 IP, 1.97 ERA, 1.09 WHIP, 95 BB, 337 K

This will be year four for the Elkhorn native, and since Wisconsin is pretty close, we have priority their in the regional round of the draft. Marlow broke out as a junior, starting a career high 16 games with 118 innings pitched. He did set career highs in walks and strikeouts as well, but his BB/9 and K/9 were the best as well. If WAR is your think, he went from back-to-back 2.9 WAR seasons to a fine 5.4 this year. He'll be 18 in April, and Marlow has a nice high 80s fastball and sinker with the change up potentially turning into a big league pitch. His command isn't great yet, but that's really his one weakness tools wise. He's a little lazy, but with the right coaching, they can help him work out his issues and take advantage of his raw potential.

CF Gus Byrd
School: Plymouth
1938: .495/.526/.796, 119 PA, 17 2B, 4 3B, 2 HR, 28 RBI, 14 SB
Career: .502/.551/.847, 241 PA, 34 2B, 9 3B, 6 HR, 64 RBI, 25 SB

He didn't quite follow up his .500 season, but junior Gus Byrd still hit a respectable .495/.526/.796. This will be a big year for Byrd, who really needs to put together a strong season to jump up draft boards. Unlike most of these prospects, he's a really hard worker and that should work wonders for him. An athletic lefty, he hasn't let shown much defensively. Power will be huge for him, as he has the tools to hit for a very high average, and if he can pair that with above average power it won't matter all that much how his defense is. Another native New Yorker, Byrd has the work ethic and natural talent to put together a solid big league career. He's no star, but there's nothing wrong with just plain old respectable.

1B Bob Johnston Jr.
School: Maryland State
1938: .340/.396/.583, 232 PA, 12 2B, 3B, 12 HR, 54 RBI, 38 SB
Career: .340/.396/.583, 232 PA, 12 2B, 3B, 12 HR, 54 RBI, 38 SB

A teammate of Bianco at Maryland State, I had to cover the slugging Canadian who's father played pro baseball. He only got one season, but no other player in this pool managed a 10 homer, 50 RBI, and 35 SB season while also hitting over .340. Yes, it sounds cherrypicked, but it's an extremely impressive feat for Montreal's finest. His dad was an outstanding pitcher for them, pitching 13 consecutive seasons with 30 or more starts and all but one saw 40 or more. He was a Saint from 1905-1918, before a 20 game season with the Eagles before retiring. The elder Johnston finished his career 267-271 with a 2.79 ERA (104 ERA+), 1.26 WHIP, 1,644 walks, and 2,298 strikeouts. He threw a total of 4,892 innings, made 50 appearances in 1909 and threw a whopping 425.1 innings in 1907. He also had a pair of seasons with 390 innings and he didn't allow a single homer in 1909, one of those 390 inning seasons. No Saint pitcher has ever won more games then him, or lost, for that matter. He also leads in WAR (76.7), games (588), starts (564), and complete games (387), His son won't quite reach those marks, but junior could end up a decent slugger at first. He's got a ton of pop with well above average contact potential. He has a knack for making hard contact, and he's an imposing 6'4'' 225 at the plate. I doubt the speed is real, but that could be a hint to his ability to play in the outfield. If he's a first basemen only, it limits his value, but even the ability to be passable in the corners could help him build a future. I'd love for him to be a Saint, following in his dad's footsteps and potentially replacing Vic Crawford as the first basemen of the future.

2B Billy Clark
School: Athens
1938: .523/.576/.881, 128 PA, 16 2B, 4 3B, 5 HR, 34 RBI, 18 SB
Career: .502/.554/.836, 237 PA, 31 2B, 9 3B, 6 HR, 59 RBI, 29 SB

When your nickname is the "Real Deal", you are going to bring attention to you. A native of Huntington, West Virginia, he spent his college days in Ohio and was elite this season. He not only cracked the.500 mark, but hit a whopping .523 with a 1.457 OPS. 17 in March, Clark isn't much of a defender, but he has the time to work on his glove. He has some experience at first, and may end up there in the future, but I think he'll be able to stick at second. The bat will let him play anywhere, and he's got a quick bat that let's him make consistent contact. He's an athletic kid with good speed as well, and he made a huge jump with power with all but one of his homers coming this season. I'm excited to see what he'll turn into, but knowing who is at the keystone for us now, I think Clark may not be someone I'm looking at. A lot have good second basemen have been drafted recently, so perhaps Clark slips through the first three rounds and uses a strong senior season to elevate his status in the fourth round.

RHP Paul Donoho
School: Norristown
1938: 7-3, 98.2 IP, 1.64 ERA, 1.08 WHIP, 42 BB, 139 K
Career: 21-9, 307 IP, 1.96 ERA, 1.14 WHIP, 131 BB, 386 K

Older then most high school prospects, Brooklyn's Paul Donoho spent his high school years in Norristown, PA where he'll look to lead the staff for a fourth consecutive season. He'll actually turn 19 in February, and will look to build on the best season in his young career. He had a career low in ERA and WHIP with a career high in WAR, strikeouts, and K/9. The skinny 6'1'' righty just throws in the 85-87 range who has decent control of his pitches. His curve and slider should be decent pitches and his fastball will only improve as he adds velocity. He's a hard worker and smart player who works to further his development as often as he can. I'm a little worried that his upside will be limited by his age, but that could also make him a safer option. He could develop his pitches enough to change from "Strictly Bullpen" to "Starter" which could turn him into a steal for the summer draft.

ayaghmour2 · 09-22-2021, 04:38 PM

We had a sim today, so a little news first! The Cougars now have three Allen Award Winners on their 40-man roster: Milt Fritz, Tommy Wilcox, and Dick Lyons! The 38-year-old becomes the oldest first time award winner and the oldest pitcher to ever win an Allen Award. It was the closest award race, but Lyons (9, 82) topped the Wolves Joe Hancock (5, 67) to become the second Cougar to win the award named after the former Cougar. I also made another trade, sending CF Elias Canady to the Chiefs for teenager Bill Graham. The reigning champs have been long looking for a righty for their outfield, and Canady fits the bill. I really like him and think he can become a quality outfielder, but we have 40-man issues to deal with and I always prefer something to nothing. Since Canady was our 19th ranked prospect, instead of covering him, I'll cover Graham, who actually would 11th in our system in the 16-20 post.

RHP Joe Crosby (153rd Overall)
Acquired: Via Draft: 4th Round, 53rd Overall (1937)
Alma Mater: St. Peter's Spartans

"Boney Joe" Crosby had a great 10 start sample last season, but he did not have nearly as much luck in La Crosse this season. Crosby made 24 starts and was just 6-7 with a 5.46 ERA (84 ERA+), 1.75 WHIP, 62 walks, and 36 strikeouts. The walks are very concerning, as Crosby had a 1.7 BB/9 last year before it exploded to 4.6. He also allowed far more hits then last season, and after a homerless season, he allowed 6 (still solid, however) this season in 120.1 innings pitched. If you're wondering how he gets his nickname, Crosby weights just 135 pounds while standing an above average 5'10''. For comparison, our top prospect Chubby Hall is three inches shorter and 60 pounds heavier and even tiny second basemen Ducky Jordan is 5'7'' 155. Obviously, I'd love more meat on his bones, but he added another mile to is quality fastball, sitting 87-89 while also offering a plus curve and average slider. His pitches have great movement, but as a finesse pitcher, he does not have nearly enough control of his repertoire yet. I think even with control problems he can slot into the 5 spot of a rotation, but if he pitches more consistently and finds the strike zone more frequently, he can pitch his way up to the middle. He ranks as our 4th best pitching prospect now, and I think we'll be able to polish him into a refined starting pitcher.

LHP Harl Haines (175th Overall)
Acquired: Via Draft: 10th Round, 149th Overall (1935)
Alma Mater: Niagara Falls Big Red

Another 10th Round selection inside baseball's top 200, southpaws Harl Haines split his time between San Jose and Lincoln, and he continued to defy logic with his mid-90s submarine fastball and cutter. To make things even weirder, he has a devastating screwball that he pairs with the classic sweeping lefty slider. He turned 21 on the 4th, and the 6'3'' lefty combined to finish 15-4 in 23 starts. The best results came in San Jose, where he worked to a 2.41 ERA (179 ERA+) and 1.06 WHIP with 15 walks and 61 strikeouts. Haines really buttoned down his command, going from BB/9s of 4.1 in 1936 and 3.4 in 1937 to 6.1 in San Jose and 4.8 in Lincoln. Like Harry Parker, Haines' pitches have developed very quickly and he projects to be able to maintain the large gap between his walks and strikeouts. Marv thinks he now has "advanced command" and while his "ultimate upside isn't great" he can "pitch his way into a back-end" opportunity. I think that is underselling his talent a bit, but he's an extremely hard worker who continues to improve. He finished his season strong, winning his last six starts, and I think he'll build off that momentum next year and he could work his way into the league top 100 by season end.

2B Homer Ray (180th Overall)
Acquired: Via Trade with Detroit (1938)
Drafted: 3rd Round, 47th Overall (1931)
Alma Mater: San Antonio HS Warriors

It was a long time ago, but former Cougar 3rd Rounder Homer Ray found his way back to the system this Spring. We sent him to Detroit back in 1935 in Wayne Robinson deal which didn't work out all that well for us. Now 25, I sent Ray to Mobile to work on his positional versatility. Basically a second basemen only before this season, I gave Ray a little time at first and left despite most of his time coming at the keystone. A singles hitter who should maintain a high average, Ray hit .329/.367/.416 (109 OPS+) with 16 doubles, a homer, and 43 RBIs. He tries to keep his strikeouts down, but Ray will almost never walk. He is a very advanced hitter, however, with plenty of bat speed. Marv says he squares up the ball a lot, but it hasn't really translate to many extra base hits. He's a reliable defender as well, but I think his value is more as an off the bench player then an everyday starter. Of course, "Frederick the Great" should spent at least the next five seasons manning second, Ray's best shot for every day play would be somewhere other then Chicago.

RHP George Sacchetti (185th Overall)
Acquired: Via Trade with Cleveland (1938)
Drafted: 4th Round, 58th Overall (1938)
Alma Mater: Redwood University Mammoths

A bit of a late riser as the draft approached, Sacchetti was originally not even someone I was looking at before Marv sent me his report on Sacchetti after he was already drafted. He keeps bouncing between "Strictly Bullpen" and "Starter" for his projected role, but along with a draft pick, he was part of the Dave Rankin deadline deal. The groundballer wasn't great in his 13 starts with the Lions, 3-4 with a 4.85 ERA (95 ERA+), 1.42 WHIP, 22 walks, and 21 strikeouts, but he showed a lot of positive signs. He has a decent changeup that he pairs with his mid-to-high 80s fastball, but he must turn his slider or curveball into a reliable third offering. He did have a lot of issues with his command, something I hope he can fix up, but he does an excellent job keeping the ball in the park, and he shouldn't allow many flyballs at all. A bit older for a C ball pitcher, Sacchetti turned 22 in August and came out of college very underdeveloped. I'm hoping to start him in San Jose next season, but I can't imagine he'll finish next year down in La Crosse.

RHP Dan Everett (200th Overall)
Acquired: Via Trade with Cleveland (1936)
Drafted: 5th Round, 79th Overall (1933)
Alma Mater: San Francisco HS Navigators

Everything was looking great for former Forester draftee Dan Everett, until he partially tore his labrum in his 14th and final start for the Commodores. It ruined an outstanding season where the now 23-year-old finished 9-3 with a 3.24 ERA (121 ERA+), 1.28 WHIP, 45 walks, and 56 strikeouts in 114 innings pitched. He seemed like a lock to get his contract purchased in preparation for the Rule-5 Draft, but the injury tanked his prospect ranking and he still has a week left of recovery. Regardless, I'm a big fan of his stuff, and as long as he returns to relative form, I still believe in his ability to start big league games. He has a sharp curve and hard breaking change, both quality pitches, and his fastball sits in the 90-92 range. Like a lot of our arms, he does a great job keeping the ball on the ground, and while he may walk more then his share of hitters, he does a great job stranding runners or forcing double plays. He would potentially be a passable spot starter right now, but with a little more polish, he can be a reliable back of the rotation arm. He does seem to get hurt a fair bit, but when healthy, he has looked pretty good.

ayaghmour2 · 09-22-2021, 08:58 PM

RHP John Little (225th Overall)
Acquired: Via Draft: 5th Round, 66th Overall (1937)
Alma Mater: Marquis College Minutemen

Like Everett, Little ended his season with injury, as he suffered a sore shoulder during his only start with Lincoln. The other 20 were in San Jose, where Little was 10-5 with a 3.90 ERA (110 ERA+), 1.35 WHIP, 47 walks, and 81 strikeouts in 138.1 innings pitched. Overall, strong numbers for the now 23-year-old in his first full season, but the injury may have some effect as he's already dropped down to 365 in the current one. More of a finesse pitcher then overpowering one, Little does feature an 88-90 mile per hour fastball, one of his four big league quality pitches. I think the slider will be the best, but the change and forkball aren't bad either. The Texas kid isn't very big either, just 5'10'', but his command is supposed to be his best asset. It didn't quite appear that way this season, with a 3.1 BB/9, but he'll still strike out double the hitters he walks. If he can cut the walks down a full point, it should really help him turn into a big league starter, but as a college arm he's already nearing his eventually upside. His ceiling is that of a number five, but I'd imagine his floor is a decent longman/spot starter you can use if you are in a jam.

LHP Oliver Allen (226th Overall)
Acquired: Via Draft: 4th Round, 60th Overall (1938)
Alma Mater: Layton Lancers

One of our three fourth rounders this draft (actually all crack the top 30), Allen is the highest ranked of the three in our offseason prospect list. A little outside the top 200, the southpaw was an adjusted league average pitcher for the Lions, 4-6 with a 4.58 ERA and 1.66 WHIP. The WHIP is a little scary, but part of that is because he walked (32) as many hitters as he struck out. That made it tough for him to pitch deep into games, just 59 innings in 12 starts. I also think he was very glad for this season to end, as his last two starts saw 17 hits, 14 runs, and 6 walks with just two strikeouts in 7.2 innings pitched. Before those starts, he had a nice 2.81 ERA with a more respectable 1.46 WHIP. A wiry 6'1'', the Georgia boy has made huge jumps this calendar year, as he threw 85-87 as a high school junior and after some offseason work, is now sitting pretty at 91-93. During the regular season he was throwing a strong 89-91, but considering his old high is now his new low, I am really excited with how his encore season will go next year. Allen has a huge fan in Marv Branson, the reason I actually drafted him, and while Marv doesn't go out to call him a big league pitcher, I'm pretty sure he was top 5 (maybe 4) on his list of draft eligible pitchers this Summer. Adding speed to his fastball will really help, and his forkball is already a quality pitch. He will have to polish up his change or cutter (hopefully both) if he wants to start in the big leagues, but I think he will. There is a lot of work to be done, but the kid has a ton of upside and high school arms tend to have a way of breaking out.

3B Dany Richardson (228th Overall)
Acquired: Via Draft: 3rd Round, 44th Overall (1938)
Alma Mater: Elgin SpartaCats

Okay, Elgin High School definitely has my vote for most awesome team name. The star of the SpartaCats has had a crazy drop already, initially ranked inside the top 100 before falling way out a few weeks later. Part might have to do with his awful 61 game sample this year, batting just .275/.338/.370 (79 OPS+) with 9 doubles, 3 homers, and 25 RBIs. A natural third basemen, he does have some experience in the outfield too, with time in center and right. He looked awful in 49 games at third (.912 eff) while his 12 in right (.975) looked a whole lot better. Marv thinks Richardson is an above average defender, but I wager most of that is due to his cannon of an arm. I'd love for him to stick at third, but he could end up a strong right fielder as well. At the plate, he won't hit for a high average, maybe about .250-.270, but with excellent plate discipline and pitch recognition skills that should allow him to maintain a bloated on base percentage. When I first drafted him, I thought he had the chance to be John Lawson's replacement, and a very good one at that, but I am a little concerned his scouting reports and rankings have dropped like they have. At 18, of course, he has a lot of developing to do, and as a flyball hitter, he may have a shot to hit a ton of homers in Chicago. I'm hoping he'll add more muscle, he's weights just 150, and if he can develop into a legit power threat, he should be an outstanding corner player.

LHP Ed Wilkinson (236th Overall)
Acquired: Via Draft: 4th Round, 55th Overall (1938)
Alma Mater: CC Los Angeles Coyotes

22 in December, Wilkinson was another one of our 4th Rounders this year, and as a college arm, I let him spend most of his time in San Jose. His 11 starts were impressive, 6-3 with a 3.18 ERA (135 ERA+), 1.27 WHIP, 29 walks, and 38 strikeouts. A five pitch pitcher, his best offering is his 89-91 mph fastball, but when it is all said and done, he could end up having all five of those pitches at big league quality. My guess is the curve and slider end up being his 2 and 3, but he has a changeup and forkball as well. At times he doesn't command those pitches well, but that should turn into an average or better tool. Like Allen, he also had a nice velocity boost this calendar year, going from 85-87 in January to 89-91 now. A potential quick riser, I haven't yet decided yet if he'll repeat San Jose or start the year in Lincoln, but there is a possibility he makes a cameo during the 1940 season. He doesn't have the upside of some of our other pitching prospects, but his floor is a spot starter, and I can't see him progressing much further then that.

SS Bill Graham (153rd Overall)
Acquired: Via Trade with Chicago (1938)
Drafted: 4th Round, 59th Overall (1938)
Alma Mater: Bluegrass State Mustangs

A little out of order, but our new 11th Ranked Prospect is still technically a Chief as the trade won't process until our next sim. The Chiefs don't have the best system out there, but shortstop is a spot they have a few prospects at and he's the one I considered taking this draft as well. A two year starter at Bluegrass State, Tip Harrison's alma matter, he was pushed all the way up to A ball after the draft, and it didn't quite go as planned. I'm thinking he'll start in San Jose with us, as the soon-to-be 21-year-old hit .220/.273/.304 (57 OPS+) with 8 doubles and 3 triples in 193 trips to the plate. He did manage a steal, but not a single one of hits left the park. It's a bit surprising, as he hit 5 as a junior and 6 more last year. In the field, he's a consistent, if unspectacular defender, who can handle all three infield spots. He may have the range for short, but I'm not too sure if that will be his final resting spot. He's a very patient hitter, but he had struggles with walks (13) and strikeouts (40) in his first taste of pro ball. I think those numbers will straighten out a bit more at a lower level, or as he grows as a player. He's not the greatest hitter now, but he is one of the hardest workers out there who studies his opponents thoroughly and works to find ways to improve his at bats. That gives him a little bit of an edge over his other competitors, and even if he never becomes one of the most talented players, he profiles as one of those scrappy, hard working utility guys who can generate those "clutch" hits when the game is on the line.

ayaghmour2 · 09-23-2021, 01:38 PM

The offseason keeps rolling along, and we now have a full coaching staff. Manager Walt Bailey decided on hiring Taylor Storm to be hitting coach, not necessarily who I would have picked, but an excellent option none the less. He spent his first two seasons with the Richmond Rebels before a three year stint with the Waco Wranglers. He also got one FABL game in 1907 with the Gothams where he walked both times he got up to the plate. He scored on one of them, and ended his career with a perfect 1.000 on base percentage. I also acquired the most talented "rookie" on the market, replacing Marv Branson with Tom Weinstock. I love Marv, but his best scouting rating was a "Good" and it's for international scouting, pretty useless. He's decent at everything else, while the rookie scout Weinstock is "Excellent" or better at each rank. He's excellent for major leaguers, outstanding for minor leaguers, and most importantly, legendary for amateurs. He'll cost a pretty penny, more then John Lawson and Dick Lyons (are two highest paid players) combined, and will make about $55k for the next five seasons. It should be way worth it, we are loaded with cash and we now have one of the best scouts available. A little old at 58, like Branson, he played in the big leagues, 543 plate appearances split between 1908 and 1914-1917 with Washington, St. Louis, and Toronto. I would have loved for Marv to accept our AGM role, but the Eagles, Dynamos, and Stars are looking for a new scout and he could fill the void.

LF Larry Robison (259th Overall)
Acquired: Via Draft: 19th Round, 303rd Overall (1932)
Alma Mater: Queens HS Islanders

One of our fastest players, despite stealing 74 bases last season, he was just 7-for-14 stealing bases this year. It didn't hurt him at the plate, as he was outstanding in 158 Mobile PAs and 213 Milwaukee ones. The Milwaukee numbers were actually better, slashing .366/.439/.541 (151 OPS+) with 11 doubles, 3 triples, 5 homers, and 34 RBIs. He's currently on our 40, but Robison didn't get any big league time. The former 19th Rounder got time at first, left, and right, and he's developed into an advanced hitter at the plate. I see years of high averages in his future, and he does a great job putting the ball in play. He walked just 8 times with 37 walks combined between the two stops, and whenever he puts the ball in play, he has a chance to make things happen on the base paths. He can beat out any groundball and will consistently take the extra base if the ball gets to the outfield. New scout Tom Weinstock is a big fan, but he looks to me more of a bench bat then an every day starter. His value is coming off the bench as a pinch runner, and he's capable enough defensively that he can stay in the game if he pinch runs for someone like Ray Ford or Doc Love.

SS Lee Scott (296th Overall)
Acquired: Via Draft: 4th Round, 54th Overall (1936)
Alma Mater: Henry Snyder High School Tigers

Our 4th Rounder a few drafts ago, 20-year-old Lee Scott had a rough start to the season in La Crosse, but with the June draft, I needed to make room in C ball and Scott was on his way up despite having issues at the plate. He hit just .276/.322/.347 (69 OPS+) before the promotion, but improved that line to .293/.313/.401 (91 OPS+) in 245 PAs after. In total, Scott had 10 doubles, 13 triples, 6 steals, and 36 RBIs, with his lone homer coming with the Lions. Not the greatest of numbers, but he's a young middle infielder with a really good glove. I let him get time at second base up in San Jose, and he's generally been an outstanding defender at short. He has great range and instincts, and he's very advanced in the field for his age. It's probably what will earn him a big league opportunity, as the bat isn't the most intimidating. He's a bit of a light hitter and probably won't hit much over .270, Interesting enough, OSA doesn't really like his glove, but Marv, Tom, and his stats tend to disagree. He looks like a future utility player now, but he has exciting tools that could turn into something else.

2B Hod Seagroves (301st Overall)
Acquired: Via Trade with Detroit (1937)
Drafted: 3rd Round, 45th Overall (1936)
Alma Mater: Lake Park Panthers

Recently turned 21, the Chicago native had an awful year at the plate in 1937 before somewhat rebounding last year. It wasn't really the most exciting season, but he managed to hit .289/.338/.418 (90 OPS+) with 23 doubles, 8 triples, 6 homers, and 63 RBIs in just short of 500 plate appearances. A natural second basemen, Seagroves is a tall 6'3'', which hopefully implies that he can develop into a power hitter. That is most definitely wishful thinking, but he could more likely become a solid contact hitter. His athleticism is a huge plus, allowing him to hit the ball hard, and paired with his solid plate discipline, it makes him a difficult out at the plate. He's on the bubble for a big league role now, but I like his tools and it never hurts having players from Chicago. Next year will be a big season for him, and he'll want to make sure he doesn't spend too much time in La Crosse when he could instead keep things going in San Jose.

1B Jocko Pollard (302nd Overall)
Acquired: Via Draft: 6th Round, 95th Overall (1935)
Alma Mater: Grafton Indians

Arguably the best season for any Cougar at the plate this year, Jocko Pollard made 479 trips to the plate in San Jose and hit an outstanding .309/.361/.547 (141 OPS+) with 25 doubles, 25 homers, and 105 RBIs. He spent part of last season in San Jose as well, and hit a rather similar .294/.343/.512 (148 OPS+) with 10 homers and 32 RBIs in just 178 PAs last year. The 21-year-old seems likely to start next season in Lincoln, and the bat is very exciting. He can play a little third too, but he's an outstanding defensive first basemen which is a nice plus to the excellent bat. Obviously, he has legit power potential, and while he may not walk a lot, he doesn't swing at too many bad pitches. He might get some more reps at third next season, but I do think Pollard's best position will be first base. He hits a lot of flyballs to all fields, and he has the power desired for a first basemen. He doesn't have much competition at that position either, but I can't really see him supplanting Ray Ford any time soon.

C Gidge Sumpter (311th Overall)
Acquired: Via Draft: 2nd Round, 31st Overall (1937)
Alma Mater: Garden State Redbirds

Catcher is a position our farm has really improved recently, with the additions of Skidmore and Sumpter the past two drafts. Gidge's upside is nowhere near Solly, but he is an above average contact hitter who can hold his own at the plate. He did miss some time this year, and got into just 57 games, the same amount as his partial season last year. He did hit better, an average .291/.342/.407 (101 OPS+) with 6 doubles, 4 homers, and 30 RBIs. He is not a star by any means, but with the lack of depth in the system, he'll be able to pave his own way. Solly will be on his tail, but at 22, he should be able to move up much quicker. I think he's most suitable as a backup catcher now, but he could improve both his glove and bat to secure a more prominent role.

ayaghmour2 · 09-24-2021, 02:34 PM

No sim today (or Monday...), but a ton of trade action in the FABL! None involving the Cougars, but the Stars and Eagles have been very active, creating a much more exciting offseason then I initially anticipated.

RHP Ray McNeil (327th Overall)
Acquired: Via Draft: 7th Round, 101st Overall (1937)
Alma Mater: Maryland State Bengals

Last year's 7th Rounder, Ray McNeil will look to follow in the footsteps of fellow 7th Rounder Harry Parker, as he looks to establish himself as a quality big league pitcher. He doesn't throw nearly as hard, and was a college kid instead of high school kid, but like Parker, he's got the stuff to start in the big leagues and he's looked really good so far. He's had an above average ERA+ in each of his four stops, varying between 4, 9, 11, and 12 starts a piece. If we were playing slots, he'd hit the jackpot, three consecutive 7 win stops, including 7 at both San Jose and Lincoln this year. He had very similar stats, with 7-2 with a 3.89 ERA (111 ERA+) in 11 San Jose starts and 7-4 with a 3.60 ERA (109 ERA+) in 12 Lincoln starts. Combined he walked 41 and struck out 68, while throwing one more inning (81) with San Jose then he did Lincoln. His 2.7 BB/9 with the Legislators was the highest mark of his career, but still respectable for a young pitcher. His strong control should limit free passes, and he added another mile to his fastball in October. It's one of his six pitches, the best being an already average changeup. His stuff and movement is average too, and he profiles as a very reliable innings eater. He's a bit away from earning a rotation spot, but with a good defense behind him, he should be able to do a very good job limiting hard contact.

RF Sammy Dillon (346th Overall)
Acquired: Via Draft: 4th Round, 63rd Overall (1938)
Alma Mater: Mississippi A&M Generals

The latest outfield product from Outfield A&M, I took the slugging corner bat of Sammy Dillon with one of our three fourth rounders in our most recent draft. All cracked our top 30, with Dillon rounding out the group. Dillon grew up not too far from here in Indianapolis, and was very happy to play for his favorite team. He looked outstanding in San Jose this year, batting .280/.405/.489 (140 OPS+) with 16 doubles, 7 homers, and 25 RBIs. The on-base percentage was really impressive, walking 40 times despite 31 strikeouts. His eye is rated "plus-plus" and he has outstanding bat speed, which combined will lead to a ton of homers. He has excellent strength, both arm and at the plate, and he should be able to hit over .270 with an OBP pushing .400. The speed he showed in college (85 steals) didn't show up in San Jose, 0-for-0 on steals, but that's not really a concern of mine. Tom likes his glove in either corner spot and thinks he should be a solid big league left fielder. I like him more in right, but most of his time this year came out in left. I expect Dillon to start next year in Lincoln, and he should be able to mash his way up the ladder. His value is limited as a corner outfielder, but the talent is apparent and he should fit in nicely with our lineup.

RHP Bill Tuttle (399th Overall)
Acquired: Via Minor League Free Agency (1938)
Drafted: 14th Round, 209th Overall (1935)
Alma Mater: Easton Eagles

There are always surprises on the prospect lists, and this year's biggest surprise is the inclusion of Bill Tuttle. Originally a draft pick of Baltimore, he spent the 1936 season with them before being released in January of 1937. He caught on the independent game of musical chairs, a game in AA and a game in AAA with multiple releases and signings in between, before I freed him this May. Tuttle was actually a guy I had on my draft list for the 1935 draft, which was part of the reason I extended the minor league offer. He pitched out of the pen this season, but I think I will do my best to stretch him out as a starter next year. 20 in January, Tuttle spent all of this season in the Lions pen, 4-2 with 5 saves, a 2.39 ERA (192 ERA+), 1.27 WHIP, 27 walks, and 30 strikeouts. Walks have been an issue for Tuttle, 5.4 per 9 in 125 innings in 1936 and now 5 in the 49 this season. Command is definitely an issue, but his change has turned into a legit strikeout pitch and I'm hoping we can polish up his cutter and splitter as well. Right now he allows a lot of flyballs, which is not something you want to pair with inconsistent command. This will limit his future value, but he's a hard worker and upped his velo to 91-93 this October. There's a long way to go before Tuttle becomes a useful big league pitcher, but his natural talent paired with his makeup gives him a better shot then most to exceed his expectations.

LHP Johnny Ruby (412th Overall)
Acquired: Via Draft: 7th Round, 127th Overall (1937)
Alma Mater: Smithfield College Bulldogs

1937 wasn't a great year for the almost 23-year-old, but southpaw Johnny Ruby made great strides forward this season. He started the year in San Jose, where he was 5-3 in his 11 starts with a 3.39 ERA (127 ERA+), 1.36 WHIP, 27 walks, and 43 strikeouts in 74.1 innings pitched. That was good enough for a promotion to Lincoln, where he started 12 games and tossed 77 innings with slightly worse results. He was a better 7-3, but with a 3.62 ERA (109 ERA+), 1.42 WHIP, 45 walks, and 55 strikeouts. The big difference between the two stops is the walks, seeing his BB/9 jump from 3.3 to 5.3, both higher then the 2.8 in 9 starts last year. Ruby was also striking out more, seeing an increase from 5.2 to a really impressive 6.4. Obviously, the extra strikeouts weren't worth the extra walks, but it is nice seeing such impressive strikeout numbers. The sidewinder features a high 80s fastball, but that's one of just six of his effective pitches. Weinstock also totes his "biting curveball" and "above average slider" which is enough to allow him to start FABL games. He does comment on how he needs to improve his command of his secondary offerings, but he is able to generate a lot of movement which helps keep the strikeout numbers high. If he continues to struggle to find the plate, Ruby's future lies in the minors, but I can see him getting more then a handful of starts for a big league team.

LHP Cal Knight (417th Overall)
Acquired: Via Trade with Pittsburgh (1935)
Drafted: 2nd Round, 23rd Overall (1934)
Alma Mater: Pierpont Panthers

One of my targets in the 1934 draft, I waited until the following deadline to acquire former 2nd Rounder Cal Knight. The southpaw came over to Chicago with a 1st Round Pick (later traded) and 5th Round Pick (Jimmy Bach) in the Lou Kelly deal, who he actually played with on October 1st. Knight spent his second season in Milwaukee with 20 or more starts, going 4-7 with a 4.19 ERA (107 ERA+), 1.41 WHIP, 38 walks, and 40 strikeouts before a September callup. He pitched 4.1 innings for us, allowing 5 hits, 3 runs, and 3 walks with 3 strikeouts. Now 25, both OSA and Tom think Knight will be a back end starter, in large part due to his ability to keep the ball on the ground. He doesn't throw too hard, 86-88 with his cutter, but you can't forget that this year's Allen Winner also throws 86-88. Obviously, he walks a ton more hitters then Lyons, but Knight has a nice slider that can miss bats and his changeup isn't a bad third pitch. His stuff probably tops out as average, but he has the command to limit hard contact even if he will walk a few hitters. Knight won't start in our rotation, at least at the beginning, as we look to have a ton of options (Lyons, Fritz, Parker, Sullivan, Papenfus, Brown, Bryan) ahead of him and seems likely to start the season in either Milwaukee or our bullpen. If I had to "rank" our nine top pitchers in current ability, Knight would find himself in that group, so that at least makes him a favorite to earn a roster spot this Spring. Another plus is him and Lyons are the only lefties on the 40 (Crane has been DFA'd) and I do like having at least one lefty in my pen. Knight isn't an arm to write home about, but he's very well developed and his current floor is the highest of all our prospect pitchers.

ayaghmour2 · 09-28-2021, 06:57 PM

We are back on track with sims, and we have a busy week ahead before starting the first three rounds of the Amateur Draft next week. Today we have to finalize our 40-man rosters in preparation for the Rule-5 Draft tomorrow. The Major League portion will be run tomorrow, Minor League portion on Thursday, and then the Independent Draft on Friday. I may try to get an Amateur Report done over the weekend as well.

Shoutout to Lincoln manager Adam Jarvis for starting a new job with the Washington Eagles as a Pitching Coach. I would have given him the extension he wanted to stay in Lincoln, but unfortunately this was a longer sim, so all the events happened while I had no ability to make a decision. He spent three season with the Legislators, and led them to a 92-48 finish this year to take home the pennant. He had a winning record all three seasons, and finished 251-169. He also managed two seasons in Mobile (1934-1935), but has held a variety of jobs. He was a pitching coach for the Allentown Cokers (1926), bench coach for the San Diego Conquistadors (1927), manager for the Richmond Rebels (1929), and pitching coach for the Davenport Dusters (1930-1933). He his an excellent coach, and Washington will be very lucky to have him. Just not quite as lucky as I was going from Marv to Tom Weinstock. Going from "Decent" to "Legendary" on amateurs should make the draft a little more fun. I'm already loving the reports!

It was a really tough decision, but I went ahead and designated longtime Cougar Bill Ashbaugh for assignment. My first ever FABL pick, Bill Ashbaugh looked like a legit star when he debuted at 23 in 1927. He hit .330/.402/.560 (163 OPS+) with 10 doubles, 7 triples, 15 homers, 8 steals, and 55 RBI's in exactly 300 at bats. He didn't let go of his newfound starting spot, putting together 6 more season with an OPS+ of 130 or better. He played 135 or more games in each season except 1929 (124), but 1933 was the last season he'd reach that mark. His next highest was 129 in 1935 after two separate sprained knees in 1934. Knee issues plagued Ashbaugh, taking away his speed and power in his later seasons. He's now way past his prime, and was sparingly used as a bench bat the past two seasons. None the less, Ashbaugh will end his Cougar tenure with an outstanding .307/.373/.485 (133 OPS+) batting line with 185 doubles, 113 triples, 136 homers, 86 steals, and 814 RBIs. He suited up for us 1,242 times and stepped to the plate 5,232 times. He's no John Dibblee, but Ashbaugh also finds his place on the Cougar leaderboards. No Cougar has hit more homers then him, with only Tom Taylor (118) also crossing the century mark. HIs 136 shouldn't stand for too long, but he's held his record since 1931, the year Dibblee (he past the record during the season) retired and the Cougars won the World Series. Ashbaugh finds himself on the record books in many other places, including OBP (9th), slugging (3rd), OPS (3rd), games (9th), at bats (8th, 4,621), triples (7th), RBIs (4th), and walks (5th, 504). I may get sentimental and end up retiring his number, but I'd love if Bill stayed in the organization as a mentor to the youngsters to eventually be groomed into a manager. It was tough giving up my first pick, but unfortunately I can only really think of the what-ifs after such a strong start to his career.

Of course, I didn't just do that for fun. I needed space to add lefty Jim Miller to the 40. Pitchers, especially young ones, are a valuable commodity, and I'm a big fan of the former 9th Round Pick. He's 25 and finished the season in Mobile, but he could probably pitch in the big leagues next year. The southpaw always keeps the ball on the ground, and he's one of those guys who does everything right, just doesn't quite stand out. All his tools are average, which is helpful, but with him what you see is what you get. He's dominated in the minor leagues, and may turn into one of those classic AAAA players, or a career journeyman like Pete Walker or Wally Larkin who gets his shot in his late 30s. I also wanted to protect fireballer Rusty Watts, as I can't pass on a guy who throws in the upper 90s. The 23-year-old southpaw was our 13th Round pick in 1934 out of Northwest, and has put together generally strong results in the minors. He finished his season with four starts in Milwaukee, going 1-2 with a 4.91 ERA (91 ERA+), 1.60 WHIP, 14 walks, and 13 strikeouts in 25.2 innings pitched. The 20 starts in Mobile were much better, 11-6 with a 3.04 ERA (129 ERA+), 1.25 WHIP, 36 walks, and 68 strikeouts in 169 innings pitched. Watts is a dark horse candidate for the bullpen, has his stuff is absolutely fantastic, a beautiful fastball with a sweeping slider that touches 90. His change isn't a reliable third, and he will allow more then his share of longballs, but my new scout thinks he can pitch his way into a "back-end rotaiton opportunity." If he shows AA control instead of AAA control, I can see him living on his fastball, but worst case he can throw triple digits after seven innings of Dick Lyons' 86-88. I did want to make a pick or two in the draft, so I also cut another legend.

I think you can guess who that might be...

*Sigh*

I can feel my eyes watering...

Fighting back tears...

Good bye Tommy!

I-- I'll--

I can't do this...

I'll miss you!

*Fights back tears*

*Deep Sigh*

Tommy Wilcox has been DFA'd. Yes, that Tommy Wilcox. Who would have thought Mike Taylor would have stayed longer then him, but unfortunately it was time to move on. Like Ashbaugh, I hope he stays with us and can be groomed into a coach, but nothing makes me sadder and happier then the somehow only 31-year-old knuckler. I don't know if that knuckle (pitch seven) was a 1 or a 100, but I like to think it was a 100 as the Liberty College Ace was a truly remarkable pitcher even in the good ol' days of the feeder leagues. I thought I was picking first in 1928, but I forgot about the alternating league thing, and instead of getting the ace I thought I was getting, I found myself picking second. The Kings then traded for the first overall pick, and waffled between Wilcox and Brooklyn State pitcher who ended up going second. The Kings went with Wilcox, I took Mike Murphy, and the rest is history...

Wilcox pitched just 29 minor league games, most coming with AA Knoxville. He made 5 starts for Brooklyn, going 3-2 with a excellent 2.95 ERA (154 ERA+), 1,29 WHIP, 4 walks, and 9 strikeouts. Wilcox then cemented his rotation status the next season, throwing an impressive 304.2 innings pitched before a league high 320 at 24 as he finished 22-16 in 39 starts. That was the 1931 season, the season the Cougars topped the Gothams in the World Series, and were hungry for even more. The following season we were in a pennant race with John Lawson and the surging Stars, and I needed to make a move to push us ahead. I turned my eyes to the player I've wanted for seasons, who was 9-9 with a 3.19 ERA (134 ERA+), 1.35 WHIP, 29 walks, and 53 strikeouts in 160.2 innings pitched. I knew the cost would be huge, but I wanted my ace. Here's what I wrote:

Quote:

Originally Posted by ayaghmour2

After a dreadful July, the Cougars have decided to strike a major deal with the Brooklyn Kings. Chicago has required SP Tommy Wilcox and C Mike Taylor for a four player package including former #1 Overall Pick Tom Barrell, World Series MVP C Fred Barrell, former #2 Overall Pick Mike Murphy, and top prospect SP George DeForest.

I really did not want to move Fred, but he was necessary to net Wilcox. Wilcox is a 25-year-old righty who has the potential to be the best pitcher in all of baseball and he currently ranks as the fourth best pitcher in the league. Worth over 6 WAR the past two seasons, Wilcox has really broken out this season, going 9-9 with a 3.19 ERA (137 ERA+), 1.35 WHIP, and 53 strikeouts in 160.2 innings pitched. Wilcox has an elite seven pitch arsenal including a fastball, sinker, curve, change, forkball, screwball, and knuckleball. He does an excellent job mixing these pitches up and fooling hitters left and right. He keeps the ball on the ground consistently with excellent command and he can pitch deep into games. He's led the league in complete games the past two seasons and already has 13 this year. He's an iron man arm who's never been hurt and if needed, we will skip back of the rotation arms to give Wilcox has many starts as possible.

Mike Taylor is probably one of two catchers in the league that is better then Fred Barrell and actually a little less then a year younger. Not only is Taylor and excellent hitter, but also an excellent defender. In four and a half seasons, the former 8th Rounder is hitting .321/.382/.496 (126 OPS+) with 68 homers and 368 RBI's. He's hitting a lot more homers then usual this year, 15 with 55 RBI's to go with a .285/.365/.489 (115 OPS+) batting line. Taylor is a much needed lefty bat for our lineup and he adds power to a lineup that severely needs it. Other then Tom Taylor's 18 homers, no one has more then 5. Taylor is an excellent hitter even if he hasn't done as well as usual this season, but I expect the homers to continue to increase with the move to Chicago. Our park is really homer friendly with a short centerfield and a 300 foot left and right field line.

We had to give up a ton of prospect capital to get these two stars, including the #29 (Barrell) and #60 (DeFoerst) prospect in the league plus a great catcher in Fred Barrell and a hard throwing lefty in Murphy. I love Fred, but his bat isn't where I'd like it to be and both him and Tom have had their share of injuries. We're built to win now and even though I'll likely regret seeing the Double Barrell action in Brooklyn for years to come, the Wilcox-Taylor battery is going to be just as deadly.

Unfortunately, nothing went as planned. Wilcox was terrible, and probably cost us a pennant as he floundered in Chicago. Our offense was great, so he was 6-6, but he had a 6.70 ERA (62 ERA+) and 1.53 WHIP with 18 walks and 28 strikeouts in 91.1 innings pitched. It was a huge shock, and the pain was increased by Tom Barrell, who was 8-3 with a 2.48 ERA (172 ERA+), 1.04 WHIP, 22 walks, and 59 strikeouts in 12 outstanding starts for the Kings. That easily would have won us the pennant, he did have three great starts for us pre-trade too, but I was worried about his injury issues and Wilcox had a spotless past. We all know how good Barrell is now, but Wilcox bounced back the following year, and the Allen Award Winner helped bring us to our most recent championship appearance. We may have come up sort, but his 21 wins, 2.58 ERA, and 6.7 WAR were all best in the league.

The 1934 Cougars were having issues, however, as even after adding star hitters Lou Kelly and Doc Love, we were ice cold to start the season and ended up below .500 for a good chunk of the year. None of it was Wilcox's fault, as his 2.93 ERA (143 ERA+) and 1.19 WHIP were only good for a 7-11 record. Unfortunately for us, July was a nightmare for Wilcox. A sore ankle cost him two days and then manager Dick Pozza decided it was a good idea to let him throw almost 200 pitches on two days rest. Of course, in a season where everything was going on, the absolute worst thing happened, and Wilcox ruptured his ulnar collateral ligament and was out for the rest of the season. It killed our chances of repeating as CA champs, and while I didn't know it then, also setback the Cougars organization a few years. We finished just a few games over .500, but Wilcox was never the same...

In 1935, Wilcox had five separate injuries that forced him to start just 8 games. Generally a huge inning eater, he lasted just 53.1 innings and was 3-1 with a 4.72 ERA (92 ERA+), 1.61 WHIP, 23 walks, and 19 strikeouts. Now a shell of his former self, his command was shot and he labored through a terrible season. The once elite arm was 3-13 with a 6.54 ERA (69 ERA+), 2.03 WHIP, 110 walks, and 50 strikeouts. He made 18 starts before getting banished to the pen, where he made 13 more relief outings to end the year with 141.2 innings pitched. He lost his roster spot the following season, but in his fourth start with Milwaukee, he tore his rotator cuff, adding more injury to insult. He did return this season and was healthy enough to throw 42.2 innings, and while his 2.74 ERA (143 ERA+) and 1.34 WHIP were nice, it came during 21 relief outings with Lincoln. I can't imagine anyone would claim Wilcox, and he will likely spend the rest of his career as a clubhouse leader for our lower minors teams.

I don't like having regrets, OOTP related or otherwise, but I do have to say it is quite ironic how the trade I thought I'd never regret making would turn into a legit regret. It's hard to play "what-if", but I have to imagine a team with Barrell and Murphy at the top of the rotation would have allowed us to make multiple playoff opportunities. Sure the Foresters may have been able to keep up with us, but I think a couple of the Kings pennants would be Cougar ones without the reliable work from Barrell and Murphy. We are finally recovering from the side affects of the trade, and I'm hoping the 1939 Chicago Cougars will be a team to remember as the start of something greater. Fingers crossed for a Papenfus talent boost in the offseason...

ayaghmour2 · 09-29-2021, 03:54 PM

The first pick in the Rule-5 draft belonged to Washington, and the player they selected was someone I debated protecting, but let go. That would be 26-year-old Red Looney, an outfielder from Chicago who has a strong track record with the bat in the minors. Most of his season was spent in Mobile, where he hit .302/.374/.508 (135 OPS+) with 15 doubles, 10 triples, 11 homers, 15 steals, and 65 RBIs in his 395 plate appearances. He got time at all three outfield spots, looking rather well out there too. Looney could end up an every day player, potentially a leadoff hitter for the Eagles, but he's just a few days younger then MacDonald and almost four years older then our current center fielder Carlos Montes, who is celebrating his 23rd birthday today. He will have competition with former top prospect Don Miller located in center now, but left field is wide open and either could slide over. The Keystones actually took Juan Pomales, but being an ineligible player because of the lottery issues, he was returned back to us.

We did get a little revenge on the Keystones, grabbing a hitter I've been following for a long time. Like Looney, I grabbed a 26-year-old outfielder with a name custom made for a baseball player; Tommy Sandstorm. He's been on my radar since the 1934 draft, partly because of the name, but also due to his talent with the bat. I think he's a power hitter, but with just 8 homers this season in AA, he broke his three season streak of 20 or more homers. Regardless, Sandstorm hit an impressive .332/.423/.506 (149 OPS+) with 33 doubles, 13 triples, and 88 RBIs in 564 trips to the plate. He also had an outstanding 76-to-27 walk-to-strikeout ratio. My scout actually likes his glove more then his bat, even though he's never had good defensive marks and owns a 150 career OPS+ with a 17.8 WAR in 504 minor league games. A lefty swinger, Sandstorm will have the inside job to earning a bench spot, and I can see the hardworking corner bat forcing himself into our plans. This makes things a little tougher for Johnny Waters, Bobby Mills, and Lou Kelly, but the first two can be optioned without an issue.

Now with our roster filled at 40, I will take off the minor league draft which will happen tomorrow. I haven't decided on the independent draft, I'm still scouting potential players to add, but my guess is if I find someone I like, someone else would take them first. In other transaction news, Wilcox and Ashbaugh both cleared waivers, but only Tommy decided he'd stay in the organization. Unfortunately, I had to cut Ashbaugh, and he's demanding a big league deal to return. I offered him a minor deal to see if he catches on somewhere else, but I definitely will follow the rest of his career.

ayaghmour2 · 09-30-2021, 09:51 PM

Happy FABL New Year! I was a little busy tonight, and celebrated by putting together a pair of trade with a pair of Federal Association teams. I was looking to trim my 40-man roster a little, and was able to pick up two draft picks and three prospects. The cost was our 2nd and 4th Round selections from the 1931 draft, a pair of youngsters who have already debuted in the big leagues. None were in our plans this year, and if we wanted to option them, it would be their third and final one, so I saved myself a potential roster crunch next offseason as I know I'll need more 40-man spots during the season if I want to bring up one of my top prospects like Del Burns or Juan Pomales.

The first move was a trade with one of my most frequent trading partners, the New York Gothams. I feel like we have a trade or three with them each season, and this is our second of the offseason as we sent Sam Hodge there for Willie Gonzalez Jr. We sent them another young pitcher, this time John Hartz, for a 5th Round Pick and southpaw Ray Wilcox. Based on name alone, Wilcox was a target of mine in the 1936 draft, but my scout wasn't the biggest fan of him and I decided not to take him in the human portion. The Gothams grabbed him in the 12th Round, and the 23-year-old has done a lot of traveling. In 1937 he had stops at all five minor league levels, with stops between 2 and 9 games. His longest stop was 65 innings in Class B, but he had an above average ERA+ at each stop other then AA. This year, however, he spent most of his season in A ball and made 18 starts. He was 7-9 with a 3.18 ERA (125 ERA+), 1.29 WHIP, 61 walks, and 48 strikeouts in 141.2 innings pitched. The Rochester native does have nice stuff, four quality pitches with a hard upper 90s cutter and a good changeup. His fastball is respectable as well, and he can drop in a splitter when needed. Wilcox isn't a top prospect by any means, but he checks in at 370. I don't think he'll turn into a top arm by any means, but he's got nice talent and it helps me free up a 40-man spot.

The other move was with the Pittsburgh Miners, who already added star centerfielder Pablo Reyes and left handed pitcher Karl Johnson in their quest to retake the Fed. It's not a move that will secure them the pennant, but they added the excellent glove of Roy Moore to their outfield for Jasper Wright, Ron Sexton, and a 7th Round Pick. Wright is a very interesting prospect, a 20th Round selection from 1935 that was lucky to not get cut after draft day or a 29 PA stint in his first pro year. Since then, however, he's had back-to-back seasons with 100+ starts and he flashed a lot of promise. He has the speed and defensive capabilities to man center, but also the glove and reaction time to play on the infield dirt as well. Weinstock thinks he's got the tools to stick in center, but I'd love to work on his versatility. I imagine he can handle left and right easily, and I'll likely give him a game or two at third or second. He could work as a 9th man (probably in San Jose) like a Tip Harrison, spelling the starters at the other eight spots. I love his eye, love his wheels, and he's looked to develop a little gap power as well. He had 20 doubles and 17 triples this season, and while all seven of his homers came in 90 games in C ball, the power could come with age like it did for Carlos Montes. Wright reminds me a lot of him, and while he may not have the obvious upside Montes did, he could force his way into our lineup. Another guy towards the back of the prospect lists, he ranks right outside the top 300 at 305.

Sexton, just 18, was the Miners 5th Round selection in the most recent drat. He split time between Jackson and Spokane, but he seemed to be overmatched in Class B. He made 10 starts and was 2-5 with a 7.35 ERA (60 ERA+), 1.90 WHIP, 31 walks, and 16 strikeouts. This was nothing like his first six starts, where he was a perfect 4-0 with a 1.84 ERA (241 ERA+), 0.94 WHIP, 10 walks, and 15 strikeouts. I think I'll let him start in La Crosse, and since he'll be 19 next August, he may spend all season with the Lions. The lanky 6'2'' righty sits comfortably in the 89-91 range, but his four pitches aren't anywhere near their peak. He has been adding speed, 86-88 on draft day, and he seems to have a little more left. I like his slider, his newest pitch, but his stuff may be more Cy Sullivan then Harry Parker. He does well mixing his pitches, and his walks were much more controlled when he wasn't over matched. A big strikeout arm in high school, I'm hoping he can polish his stuff while he grows in our organization, and he could work his way up prospect lists as he ages. Right now he ranks 402nd in the league, but I can see him jumping into the top 200 by year's end, or of course, falling off the face of the earth like some teen pitchers do.

This was our fifth trade of the offseason, and while I expect it to be the last, I won't count anything out. We had to give up a lot of good prospects for Freddie Jones, and I really wanted to try to restock the system. I've stockpiled a few picks, so we're looking at five extra picks in the first 10 rounds. All of them are in the 4th-7th Rounds, and these are my favorite picks to have. Of course, everyone wants extras 1s and 2s, but we tend to have a pretty good track record with middle round picks like these. I don't expect every 5 to be Hank Stratton, every 6 to be Ducky Jordan and every 7 to be Harry Parker, but Phil English, Red Moore, or Reginald Westfall would work fine too. I didn't take anyone in the minor league draft today, and I expect the guy I want in the independent draft to be taken before me, so there might not be any news until Monday. The first part of the draft will be setup over the weekend, so hopefully we'll add three more Cougars on Monday and/or Tuesday. My scout doesn't love the class by any means, but I love his initial ten man list, as I'd be happy to get eight of those options with my first pick, with a ninth probably just someone I need to scout a bit more. It will be an interesting experience picking before the season stats are in, but having no mock draft definitely makes things more exciting.

ayaghmour2 · 10-02-2021, 04:00 PM

The pool has been loaded, and we're beginning the draft this weekend. Some new players have been added, but they have no stats. I can't really see myself taking any of these guys in the first round, or maybe even second, but here are some interesting guys to keep an eye on:

CF Rats McGonigle
School: Bronx Tech
The name alone is enough to warrant a draft selection, and with no stats, a name is enough pull. Add in the nickname "The Ringer from Stringer" and there's no doubt in my mind that Rats McGonigle belongs in a big league organization. Tom loves him, thinks he's the second best prospect in the pool, but I think I'll find it hard to take a guy with no stats. A literal baseball rat, McGonigle worked his way on to the Bronx Tech roster, and will get his first chance as a junior. He's an above average defender out in center, and he could effortlessly move to left or right as well. He's got plus contact ability and OSA thinks he'll be an elite hitter and defensive marvel in center. The scouts love him, the writers love him, and I imagine the fans will love him. Of all the stat-less players, I think he'll be the first one selected, but I can't imagine he'll be one of the first few picks, even if his talent warrants the selection.

RHP Harry Sharp
School: Red River State
If you thought taking a statless hitter was a huge risk, let me tell you about Harry Sharp. The 21-year-old righty not only has no stats, but my scout and OSA both think he could just be a bullpen arm, but Tom's report is "Very Low" and he ranks him with Vic Carrol, Marcus Magnum, and Ambry O'Brien as pitchers worth taking in round one. A hard worker from St. Louis, he also forced his way on to his college's roster, using a high 80s fastball to get there. He keeps the ball on the ground, and his curveball is an outstanding out pitch. OSA says his change is "rudimentary" and likely what is stopping him from starting in the big leagues. He's from St. Louis, so perhaps the Pioneers take the risk on him in the regional round, but if he goes undrafted, he'll be someone to follow for the 4th Round. I'd love for him to improve his change, but Otis Cook has shown you don't need three good pitches to succeed in the FABL.

C Al Stout Jr.
School: Edgewood
Son of longtime Wolve shortstop Al Stout, the younger Stout will be eligible for the upcoming draft. His father spent 1907-1915 with Toronto before three seasons in Foresters before he hung up the cleats. In 1,367 FABL games he was worth 66.6 wins above replacement with a .267/.355/.310 (97 OPS+) batting line. Junior was born in 1920 in Euclid, Ohio and he's stayed in Ohio most of his life. He projects to have a decent eye, but the bat might not develop into what scouts are looking for. The big league pedigree will be beneficial, but I can see Stout falling. A season of stats will give a better reference point for his talent, but a catcher with any sort of bat can be very valuable.

RF Jack Kowalski
School: Roosevelt
His friends call him the "Polish Rifle" and I'm pretty sure it's because of his cannon of an arm. Regardless, Kowalski is the first Polish player in the league, born in Warsaw before moving to DC this year to play high school baseball at Roosevelt. Kowalski has an exudes and air of confidence and he's one of those players that tends to play with his pedal to the metal. He projects to be a decent corner defender, but range and speed are not his strengths. He should hit for a high average, but sometimes he can be over aggressive at the plate. This kid has a ton of potential, but he has a long way to go before reaching it.

3B Davey Robicheaux
School: Bay State
A draft eligible sophomore, Crawfish Robicheaux could make the decision to stay for his junior season to boost his draft stock. He's eligible out of Bay State in Alabama this year, but the Louisiana native will likely not return for a second season. The youngster has a great hit tool and has great recognition of the strike zone. His power is above average at the moment, and I can see it turning into a real plus tool. OSA loves his potential, Tom is a little less sure of it, but both think he should be a reliable every day player. A mix of strong plate discipline, above average contact, and potential top line power, he's got almost everything you look for in a third basemen. He'll be 22 in April, but I can see him being a slow riser instead of a plug and play starter.

C Augie Hays Jr.
School: Gloucester
Another catcher with a father who played professionally, "Augie Doggie" is a switch hitting catcher who looks like one of the best defensive catchers available this year. He's got a cannon behind his plate, and his teammates do enjoy throwing to him. He was only on the Gloucester team because of his father, but after their everyday catcher transferred out, they decided to give their senior bullpen catcher a shot. He has a lot of issues with his swing, but he is able to put the bat on the ball occasionally. His plate discipline is his best asset at the plate, but his true value comes with his glove. His dad was known as the "Dirt Dog", but he topped out in AA. I think glove alone will allow junior to surpass his father, but his usefulness will be determined by how much he can improve his bat.

EDIT: Forgot to mention that both of the players I wanted in the independent draft were taken before my pick, so in the end it really didn't matter which one I picked. One was Sig Stofer, who went first to the Keystones. The other was Ed Greenwood who was next to the Saints. Both look like really good future players, and I can see Stofer manning first sooner then later. He's no Rankin Kellogg, but the Boardwalk Bopper could be another mainstay at first. Greenwood is much more raw, and the Saints have an interesting youngster in Dilly Ward manning center at the moment, but Greenwood could eventually snatch the job up. With the draft starting, we pick seventh in both the first and second round. Technically we are third for the regional round, but basically I can take any player (there is one I have my eye on that I really hope falls) from Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, or Wisconsin as we had a worse record then the Chiefs. We could also get someone from Missouri (Pioneers) and Kentucky (Foresters and Pioneers), but we would have a little competition.

ayaghmour2 · 10-05-2021, 09:49 PM

1st Round, 7th Overall: SS Skipper Schneider
School: Northwestern
Career: .484/.532/.671, 826 PA, 38 2B, 2 3B, 6 HR, 98 RBI, 47 SB

After a quick scare as the auto-draft accidentally took a player for me before I had a chance to select, we were almost stuck with OSA's finest Bob "The Ragin' Cajun" Miller. He's not bad per say, but the Shreveport native turns 23 in May, and Tom thinks he's just a .250 hitter compared to OSA's dreams of .330. Add on the fact that he's a corner outfielder, and you can imagine my panic when I wake up to see that he was the 7th Overall Pick. Unfortunately for Boston, who made Schneider the 8th Pick, we were able to roll back the draft, and I was able to secure one of my top targets and Weinstock's #5 player. His 1, 2, 3 were already taken, but the 4 will probably stay undrafted for a while. I debated grabbing a pitcher, but the two I really wanted (Carroll and Magnum) were already taken, and the other two pitchers he really likes have huge question marks. We even had a little hiatus with our comissioner getting sick that held up the draft, but after what turned out to be just a day, the draft was back on track.

That leaves us with the player I actually took, the versatile teen from Detroit, Skipper Schneider. Not only does he have an A+ name for an A+ prospect, he's one of three triplets, and the first of back-to-back-to-back Schneider brotehrs to be selected in the draft. Skipper hits left handed and has experience playing at second, third, left, and right, as well as his natural shortstop. He's set to be a four year starter at Northwestern, his local school in Detroit, and has always hit better then a .478/.524/.664 line. He's a tiny guy, just 5'6'', even shorter then another versatile infielder in Ducky Jordan, and almost a full foot shorter then SS/1B Stu Stasny, who I grabbed from the Gothams in the Oscar Morse trade. Myself, OSA, and Tom all love Schneider's defense, OSA declaring him a defensive marvel and Tom think's he'll be one of the best defensive shortstops in the league. Add in the versatility and he already has a low floor of a utility player. And lucky for us, there is much more upside then that, as he's pretty handy with the bat too. He projects to be a consistent .300 hitter who attacks the ball at the plate. He's a little aggressive at the plate, but as he develops, he'll learn more about which pitches he can handle and which he should let go past. Even without an increase in eye, however, he makes enough contact that he won't strike out very much, but then he may be one of the those slap hitters who rely on BABIP luck and their speed to reach base. Schneider is a hard worker and that should help him in reaching his potential. The sky is the limit for him, and I can see him becoming a definite force at the plate and in the field. Sure, Billy Hunter has short locked up, but Skipper is six years younger, so when he turns 22, Billy will be closing in on 30. I think Schneider is the better defender too, so Hunter could move to third or second, where our vets "Jack the Ripper" and "Frederick the Great" will stay until age (in Lawson's case) or injury (for Jones, of course) get in the way. Plus with Skipper's versatility, he should be able to force himself in somehow when the time is right.

2nd Round, 23rd Overall: CF Danny Goff Jr.
School: Hempstead
Career: .357/.413/.483, 606 PA, 30 2B, 15 3B, 3 HR, 109 RBI, 70 SB

There were just so many reasons I absolutely could not pass up on Danny Goff Jr. I almost took him with my first pick, and I was anxiously waiting for the last couple of hours, but I wanted to give Brooklyn a few more shots to take him before I did. Son of current Kings bench coach and longtime New York Pitcher, Danny seems likely to be a star. His father pitched 4,565.2 big league innings, almost all of them coming with the Gothams or Kings. He was 252-248 with a 3.40 ERA (102 ERA+), 1.31 WHIP, 1,096 walks, and 1,851 strikeouts while being worth 80.4 WAR in 611 games. Goff threw over 2,000 innings with both the Gothams and the Kings, but his last big league action came in 1927 with the Cougars. He went 6-8 with a 5.74 ERA (69 ERA+), 1.88 WHIP, 79 walks, and 38 strikeouts in 16 starts and 15 relief appearances. He then took a Manager job in 1929 with the Kings organization, starting at Class B Tampa towards the end of the season. He managed the next two full season before a promotion to AA Knoxville the following season. He led them to a Dixie League championship, and then during the following season he was named bench coach for the Kings. As a manager he was 319-211, and was .500 or better at each stop. The Kings have won 90 or more with him as the bench coach, and then he got his first career ring last year.

It would be unfair to expect anything like that for his son, but the younger Goff is an extremely talented prospect. In two seasons with Hempstead, a college in New York, Goff has hit .357/.413/.483 and swiped an impressive 70 bases against good competition. Primarily a center fielder, he's also gotten time at first, left, and right. He's got good defensive skills, likely allowing him to stay in center, but he may not be one of the best defenders out there. Like he did in college, Goff Jr. should be able to bat well over .300, potentially challenging for a batting title or two in his career. He's a smart hitter who doesn't chase much, but he doesn't offer much power either. His speed is a huge asset and may be one of his best tools, but you know the real reason I couldn't pass up the Brooklyn boy? I love a two way player! He hasn't pitched in college, but I think he can follow in his dad's footsteps and start a few FABL games. A three pitch pitcher, he features a nice changeup, a 87-89 mph fastball, and a passable curve. He may struggle with the longball, but he has excellent command of his pitches. Control is his biggest strength, as his stuff may never be much more then average. I think his future is definitely in the outfield, not on the mound, but I love me some two way players!

ayaghmour2 · 10-07-2021, 05:31 PM

The regional round has now been completed, as we inch ever closer to Spring Training and then the ever exciting Opening Day. There were a handful of players I really wanted, but they were from Missouri, so I knew my chances were low. They were spoiled when Bob Coon (who the Pioneers wanted) who was taken towards the end of the second round, so the Pioneers grabbed the pitcher I wanted, Harry Sharp. A guy I debated for my second pick, Ambry O'Brien (who I debated over Goff Jr.) when to the Keystones as I was hoping he would fall to the fourth. And the Illinois hitter I really wanted, Whitey Dorsch, was a late first round selection. There were a few other interesting third basemen, but I ended up rolling the dice on a pitcher from Missouri:

RHP Bob Petty
School: Clayton
1938: 8-0, 103.2 IP, 1.29 ERA, 0.91 WHIP, 21 BB, 101 K
Career: 15-3, 187.1 IP, 1.97 ERA, 1.08 WHIP, 60 BB, 230 K

There is a huge risk when you take young high school arms, and the risk is even greater when you draft a 16-year-old. But, with not may other options, and a pair of positional players going in the first two rounds, I thought the Hard Way was worth it. "Hard Way" is the nickname given to righty Bob Petty, who won't turn 17 until September 3rd. That means when he joins the Lions in June, he will still be just 16, likely the first 16 year we have ever employed. He broke out at 15, finishing a perfect 8-0 while dropping his ERA from 2.52 to 1.29 and his WHIP from 1.22 to 0.91. These are extremely impressive numbers, and I expect him to put together a very similar season as a senior. He also dropped his BB/9 from 3.4 to 2.3 while increasing his K/9 from 10.3 to 11.9. He did throw less innings and make less starts last season, but they were far more quality innings. I love his tools, as the wiry 6'3'' righty locates his 86-88 fastball and cutter fine, but the best of his pitches is an excellent curveball. He also offers a change and forkball, but those secondary pitches aren't all that exciting. Weinstock thinks he has the potential to start in the big leagues, but his pitches (other then the curve) are very fall off. Command issues may surface as he advances, but I trust his makeup will help push him through. Petty believes hard work leads to results, and I love hard working players that have a few exciting tools. With a limited selection of players, I don't think this pick will make or break us, but I am excited to let Petty develop in our system, even if it takes him a long time to reach his potentially lofty potential.

ayaghmour2 · 10-08-2021, 03:53 PM

It won't be until Monday, but baseball is finally back! It feels like it has been months since the last time the Cougars took the field, but there is a growing sense of excitement brewing in the Cougars clubhouse. Funny enough, if Billy Hunter or John Lawson was ranked 4th instead of 3rd, our starting eight would have each rank, 2 through 9, at their position. Mitchell is 2nd, Jones 5th, Ford 6th, Taylor 7th, Langton 8th, and Montes 9th. It looks more cool then has any meaning, but it's definitely an improvement over the rankings from last year. The always too early preseason predictions are already out, and they are interesting enough. We're predicted to finish second at 82-72, with a pair of top players. John Lawson is one, who is supposed to hit .319/.377/.515 with 26 homers and 108 RBIs. The other, is very shocking, Allen Purvis, projected to go 16-15 with a 3.74 ERA, 1.86 WHIP, 117 walks, and 62 strikeouts in 300.2 innings pitched. That will never happen, but hey, kind of cool to know that Purvis may or may not be able to do that!

I love filling up my Spring Roster, and we'll do that again this season. Here is a look at the Cougars in camp:

LHP Bob Bliss
RHP Eddie Bloom
RHP Joe Brown
RHP Pug Bryan
RHP Del Burnes
RHP Roy Carey
LHP Fred Carter
RHP Dan Everett
RHP Milt Fritz
LHP Cal Knight
LHP Dick Lyons
LHP Jim Miller
RHP Pete Papenfus
RHP Harry Parker
RHP Chet Peacock
LHP Walker Pearce
RHP/CF Juan Pomales
RHP Allen Purvis
RHP Cy Sullivan
LHP Rusty Watts
C Speed Davis
C Harry Mead
C Mike Taylor
C Johnnie Williamson
1B Ray Ford
1B Lou Kelly
1B Bobby Mills
1B Chris Smith
2B Bill Dickens
2B Freddie Jones
2B Ducky Jordan
2B Ollie Page
2B Homer Ray
2B Bots Shearer
3B Russ Combs
3B John Lawson
3B Johnny McDowell
3B Dick Voss
SS Freddie Bennett
SS Tip Harrison
SS Billy Hunter
SS Hal Wood
LF Doc Love
LF Leo Mitchell
LF Larry Robison
LF Vince York
CF Aart MacDonald
CF Carlos Montes
CF Harry Schad
CF Orlin Yates
RF Rich Langton
RF Oscar Panduro
RF Tommy Sandstorm

I won't have many roster battles to deal with, but the bench and pen are pretty wide open. There are a lot of young guys in camp looking to secure a long term big league job, even if it just is off the bench. The rotation could see a little change, but I'm pretty confident in Lyons-Fritz-Parker-Papenfus-Sullivan. Of course, Allen Purvis could be an option, and there is still fireballer Joe Brown. They are likely both set for the pen, but a few things could change. There is also Pug Bryan, but I'm still not quite sure what to do with him. I still think those eight will fill the staff, but there is room for a 9th if I need it. On the positional aside, I have spots reserved for the projected starting eight, as well as Ollie Page, Johnny McDowell, and Harry Mead. Chances are Aart MacDonald, Doc Love, and Tommy Sandstorm will secure spots as well, leaving very few bench positions open. Guys like Bobby Mills, Johnny Waters, and Lou Kelly could be good options for the corners, but a youngster like Ducky Jordan could make a big difference. It will be an exciting Spring, and I cannot wait to see what the 1939 Cougars will do.

ayaghmour2 · 10-11-2021, 04:32 PM

Solid week for the Cougars, as we started this Spring 5-2. It's worth nothing, but we do tend to play well in the Spring, frequently finishing in the top half if not top two of the Spring standings. We're tied with the Wolves to kick things off, and I'd love to stay in first the rest of the way. Best part of the week was no injuries, as getting injured is really the only way to lose Spring Training.

At first I wasn't sure if it was an airplane or Billy Hunter's batting average, but the now healthy young shortstop was red hot, 8-for-11 (.727) with 2 doubles, a triple, 4 runs, and 5 RBIs. It was far better then his new double play partner, Freddie Jones, who was 0-for-9, but I'll take zero hits if it means zero injuries. Leo Mitchell raked, 8-for-15 with a double, triple, and homer. He also drove in five, scored four times, and walked twice in an outstanding week. John Lawson showed no signs of rust, 6-for-14 with 3 walks, 3 runs, and 2 RBIs. Rich Langton was also 6-for-14, but his came with 3 doubles, 5 runs, 5 RBIs, and a triple. A few potential bench guys made their mark as well, with Orlin Yates finishing 5-for-12 with a double and a pair of walks and runs scored. Johnny McDowell was 4-for-10 with a steal, run, 2 walks, and 2 RBIs. The extremely versatile Tip Harrison was 3-for-8 with a homer and two runs, RBIs, and walks. In total, 32 Cougars position players made a plate appearance, with all but four making more then one.

We had a lot of pitchers pitch as well, with 18 of the 20 throwing at least one inning, while one (Bob Bliss) of the two who didn't start actually got an at bat. Some of the starts were great, as Cy, Pug, and Lyons all tossed 4 shutout innings. They combined to allow just 6 hits with a walk and two strikeouts. It wasn't a shutout, but Milt Fritz allowed a single run in his 4 innings, allowing two hits with a walk and strikeout. Peter the Heater had the one real bad outing, 6 hits and 6 runs in 4 innings. The problem was the three homers, but he walked just one and struck out three. Harry Parker made two 4 inning starts, allowing 5 hits, 4 runs, and 2 walks with 4 strikeouts. He also had homer issues, watching two leave the yard. Juan Pomales made a 5 inning relief outing, allowing 6 hits, a run, and a walk with 2 strikeouts. Allen Purvis was roughed up a bit, 8 hits, 2 runs, and 3 strikeouts in 4.1 innings pitched. Jim Miller tossed 4-hitless frames with just a single walk.

Home runs issues will likely be a trend for the new season, I'd imagine, as we moved into a nice and cozy new park with home run metrics of 1.112 overall and 1.118/1.109 for lefties and righties. The new park has 14 ft walls in left and right with 7 ft walls in center, making it easier to hit flyballs in the corners while line drives to center can make their way out. The dimensions are 310-340-380-388-380-340-310 now, as I took the "W" out of center and instead brought the fences in. I do miss the days when the ball always flew out at home, and I think we'll start to see that a little more now. Having a smaller field also helps our outfield defenders, as we tend to have power guys in the corners who don't always have the best range. Only Harry Parker is a flyballer, most of our guys are groundballers or at least neutral, so I don't think our pitching staff will take much of a hit. I do think this will really help the bats, as Ford, Langton, Lawson, Taylor, Montes, and Hunter have legit power that will be benefitted by this. Really only Freddie Jones and Leo Mitchell are more put the ball in play types, as Doc Love won't see as many at bats anymore. It will be interesting to see how we are effected, but I think the fans will enjoy it.

ayaghmour2 · 10-12-2021, 02:31 PM

Not much luck this week, as we finished just 2-4 and dropped out of first place. We are still a game over .500, which is okay, but since we remained injury-free, I'll take the win. We did manage a pair of 4 inning shutouts, courtesy of Milt Fritz and Harry Parker. Fritz allowed 2 hits and struck out one while Parker allowed 4 hits and struck out two. Cy and Pete both allowed 2 in 4, but Cy allowed 7 hits to Pete's 3 walks and 3 hits. Cal Knight pitched well out of the pen, 7 scoreless with 7 hits, 2 walks, and 3 strikeouts. Roy Carey struck out 2 and allowed 3 hits in 3.2 innings. Jim Miller and Allen Purvis tossed 3 scoreless each, although Miller allowed two hits and walks with three strikeouts. Pug Bryan for some reason went 4.1 instead of just 4, allowing 5 hits, 3 runs, and a walk with 2 strikeouts. This week four guys didn't get any innings, and I decided to trim the roster a little. Heading back to Milwaukee will be Eddie Bloom, Fred Carter, Bob Bliss, and Rusty Watts. 16 pitchers remain in camp, with just four non-roster invitees left on the roster.

Most of our starting hitters struggled, as Ray Ford (4-16) and Freddie Jones (2-8) were the only hitters with more then 10 trips to the plate to hit above .200. Both hit an uninspiring .250, but the best of the other six was just .182. That's not to say no one did any good, as Harry Mead was an outstanding 5-for-7 with a walk, homer, and a pair of runs and RBIs. Ollie Page was 4-for-9 with a double, homer, and two RBIs. John Lawson was 4-for-8 with a homer, walk, two runs, and two RBIs. There were a lot more guys this week to not get an at bat, so again, more roster trimming. Going back to Milwaukee would be Chris Smith, Vince York, Dick Voss, and Bill Dickens. I also had to DFA Ken Wyatt, because I forgot he had a big league deal still. We still have 30 hitters in camp plus Juan Pomales, but most of the guys on hand are there just in case. Still, 19 players including Pomales had five or more PAs this week and Ford's 17 were the most.

09-14-2021, 04:27 PM	#601
ayaghmour2 Hall Of Famer Join Date: Mar 2018 Posts: 3,010	End of Season Review I was a little disappointed in the final result, but I have no one to blame but myself. If I just was willing to part with Harry Parker in a Fred McCormick package, I'd wager the Cougars would be facing the Chiefs in a nice crosstown classic. But, my obsession with Parker made that impossible, and him, along with numerous other top 50 prospects suited up for either the first time in Chicago or got their first real taste of big league baseball. Let's take a look at some of those youngsters: RHP Joe Brown: 49 IP, 4-3, 7 SV, 5.14 ERA, 1.45 WHIP, 19 BB, 17 K RHP Pete Papenfus: 123.1 IP, 8-6, 4.52 ERA, 1.78 WHIP, 117 BB, 103 K RHP Harry Parker: 130.2 IP, 7-8, 3.99 ERA, 1.15 WHIP, 29 BB, 69 K RHP Cy Sullivan: 128.1 IP, 5-7, 3 SV, 4.21 ERA, 1.47 WHIP, 37 BB, 27 K C Harry Mead: 238 PA, .204/.273/.250, 10 2B, 20 RBI 2B Ducky Jordan: 53 PA, .306/.358/.449, 5 2B, 3B, 7 RBI CF Aart MacDonald: 89 PA, .151/.292/.260, 6 2B, 3B, 3 RBI Let's be honest, that doesn't look all that inspiring... None the less, it's pretty obvious that most players don't come out of the gates as superstars, but considering we finished the season a bit over .500 despite nearly every one of our youngsters underperforming, that's something to celebrate. Pitchers tend to develop really slow, and of the four (who are likely set to make up our 1938 rotation) Brown and Cy are the oldest at just 24. In Rabbit Day's season where he finished the year at 24, he was 16-13 with a 4.23 ERA (94 ERA+), 1.43 WHIP, 98 walks, and 105 strikeouts in over 250 innings pitched. Jim Lonardo was 13-14 with a 4.90 ERA (90 ERA+), 1.56 WHIP, 88 walks, and 91 strikeouts in a few less innings. "Big Bad Billy" Ketterman started 16 of his 30 appearances, and was 4-12 with a 4.36 ERA (102 ERA+), 1.46 WHIP, 48 walks, and 57 strikeouts in just under 150. Joe Shaffner hadn't even debuted yet. Dean Astle and Mike Murphy, while dominant, didn't pitch the first half of the season. No-hit Newell was 9-14 with a 4.67 ERA (92 ERA+), 1.41 WHIP, 77 walks, and 98 strikeouts. Point being, even the top of the baseball food chain didn't necessarily pitch like themselves at 24, and don't forget a certain fireballer won't be able to drink any fireball until next April. I've talked more then enough about Dick Lyons, but he wasn't the only veteran to pitch well this year. Allen Purvis was lights out in the pen, but the unlucky Milt Fritz put together a great season of his own. He was just 12-12 with a team high 254 innings pitched, and he had a respectable 3.54 ERA (115 ERA+) and 1.37 WHIP with 96 walks and 69 strikeouts. Nice. Double nice! This year definitely hurt his chase for 300, as he now has 147 career wins as he turned 29 today. Happy Birthday Milt! He is now 43-44 with the Cougars, but he has more innings with us (811.2) in three years then he has at any other stop. He'll get at least next year in our rotation, but the oft-traveled Fritz may end up in a six home come 1940. And while not a veteran, I was a little sad with Pug Bryan's sophomore slump, as he finished 4-9 with a 5.03 ERA (81 ERA+), 1.61 WHIP, 46 walks, and 39 strikeouts in a disappointing 93 inning sample. He may get passed over in the future rotation now, but I think Pug will turn into an excellent stopper. He did end the season strong, allowing just one run in his last 7 appearances, including three hitless outings to end the season. He's currently the #7 starter, and I may have an adjusted 6 man rotation next year until the good pitchers start to separate themselves. The offense felt disappointing, but a lot of our hitters had good seasons. Leo Mitchell looked great, and while his .337/.380/.462 (125 OPS+) batting line was technically a little worse then last season, he added 30 doubles, 12 homers, 9 steals, and 80 RBIs in two shy of 600 plate appearances. Mitchell made 40 starts at first, 86 in left, and even 13 in right, but while he was excellent at first, he's not quite a reliable outfielder yet. He's just 25, and still has time to develop into a star, but he currently ranks as the #4 left fielder and I'm hoping he can develop into the .350 hitter I hope he can be. The other three corners all played well, with Ford, Lawson, and Langton all having double digit homer seasons with above average OPS+'s. Starting with the veteran Lawson, year 11 saw a career low .302/.355/.461 (117 OPS+) batting line, but he was still worth over 4 WAR despite not having the greatest season with the glove. He did drive in 108 and homered 16 times with 43 doubles. He still hit .300 to keep up the streak of consecutive .300 or higher seasons. Langton and Ford also slashed above .300, with both making up for their gloves. Langton hit .311/.374/.452 (121 OPS+) with 28 doubles, 10 triples, 10 homers, 12 steals, and 63 RBIs in 617 trips to the plate. Ford missed some time with injury, but hit a slightly more impressive .313/.375/.483 (129 OPS+) with 25 doubles, 16 homers, and 72 driven in while maintaining an awesome 47-to-11 walk-to-strikeout ratio. Each have put together their third consecutive season with an above average OPS+ and I'd imagine 1939 will be year four. The biggest disappointments of the season came from the injured yet now healthy sophomores Billy Hunter and Carlos Montes. Hunter will turn 24 in November, and after setting the world on fire last year, he hit an average .291/.333/.429 (103 OPS+) with 31 doubles, 9 triples, 7 homers, and 65 RBI's in a slightly shortened 133 game season. The big issue was the glove, a 46-error season with a -5.2 zone rating and .971 efficiency. In about a third of the time last year, he had a +4.3 zone rating with a 1.039 efficiency. A sprained knee did end his season on September 8th, and now he's strained both his right and left knees. Let's hope this doesn't develop into something serious, but shortstops tend to get injured frequently. He did have an outstanding June that earned him an All-Start trip, where he hit .343/.386/.476 with 2 doubles, 2 homers, 3 triples, and 8 RBIs. I'm expecting a bounce back season from him, and I'm hoping the same for Montes. He'll be 23 the day after Christmas, but his 100 games this year were much different then last year. Last season he hit .292/.365/.453 (129 OPS+) with 19 doubles, 9 triples, 9 steals, 10 homers, and 55 RBIs. This year he slumped to .243/.317/.412 (94 OPS+) with 14 doubles, 7 triples, 10 homers, 5 steals, and 40 RBIs. He did still look good in center, with a +9.2 zone rating and 1.028 efficiency. Aart MacDonald is another top prospect with big league talent, but he squandered his opportunities this season. He hit just .151/.292/.260 (49 OPS+) with 6 doubles, a triple, 3 steals, and 3 RBIs. The 26-year-old Aruban did look great in center too, a +3.1 zone rating and 1.067 efficiency in 24 games. Aart is a lefty and Carlos a righty, so he may be able to steal some starts from Montes next season, but I still view Montes as the center fielder of the future. Our catching tandem was a little interesting, with the exact opposite results as expected. Mike Taylor had an unexpected breakout, hitting an average enough .271/.324/.439 (103 OPS+) with 19 doubles, 12 homers, and 48 RBIs in one PA shy of 400. Taylor was floated around at the deadline and could potentially end up somewhere else in the offseason. I'd be more comfortable moving him if Harry Mead had any sort of luck putting bat on ball. The Harvey native hit a pitcher like .204/.273/.250 (41 OPS+) with 10 doubles and 20 RBIs. Not a single ball left the stands, he'll be looking for his first career home next season. Luckily, Marv says he's an elite defensive catcher, but he has gotten a little less optimistic on his future. I'm not worried, a lot is probably because of the awful season this year, and I still think he'll end up being a quality big league hitter. Lucky for us we were gifted Solly Skidmore from the lottery and Mead could potentially see some competition in three to six years. There is also Johnnie Williamson, who hit .306/.378/.375 (94 OPS+) with 21 doubles, 2 homers, and 56 RBIs in 520 Milwaukee plate appearances. He's probably more of a backup anyways, but Mead and him may share time next year if a Taylor move develops. Looking ahead to the offseason, I'd love to grab a big bat. A second basemen or shortstop would be ideal, but I could try to get creative and move Ray Ford to second base. Catcher is another option as well, as I can skip the waiting for Mead and try to add a big thumper right away. I'm finally comfortable trading anyone (well, but Pomales) in my farm system, now that Pete and Parker are up, so that at least can't hold me back like it did last offseason. The hardest part is there are no obvious sellers, so I may have to work some magic. I don't want to wait around, hoping for the youngsters to develop well, but it may be tough to find many trading partners. I'm hoping I've got something up my sleeve to make the Cougars better for our new stadium. Even without a big move, I like our chances for next season, but if someone else drops a big domino, it might be tough for me not to force a move.

09-15-2021, 02:53 PM	#602
ayaghmour2 Hall Of Famer Join Date: Mar 2018 Posts: 3,010	1938 No Trade Team A pair of 2-1 wins for the Kings and they are one win away from repeating. Former Cougar Mike Murphy takes on Jim Lonardo in game five in what has been a crazy pitching duel. Both teams have scored four runs once, the most so far in a game this series. I'd love a game seven, but a King win tomorrow means we start the offseason a day early! I'm working on something too, but who knows if it will happen or not. Changing the name up a bit, because this flows a little better. Here is what we could have had if I never made trades: Catchers Fred Barrell (BRK): 61 OPS+, 3 HR, 52 RBI, 0.8 WAR Harry Mead (CHC): 41 OPS+, 20 RBI, -0.1 WAR Infielders Ed Reyes (NYG): 57 OPS+, 5 RBI, -0.4 WAR Billy Hunter (CHC): 103 OPS+, 7 HR, 65 RBI, SB, 2.3 WAR Rabbit Forrest (PHI): 110 OPS+, 38 RBI, 3 SB, 2.3 WAR Slim Bloom (-): - Mack Deal (PHS): 80 OPS+, 2 HR, 36 RBI, 14 SB, 0.9 WAR Red Moore (MON): 61 OPS+, 25 RBI, -0.1 WAR John Lawson (NYS): 117 OPS+, 16 HR, 108 RBI, 4.1 WAR Outfielders Leo Mitchell (CHC): 125 OPS+, 12 HR, 80 RBI, 9 SB, 4.0 WAR Vince York (CHI): -100 OPS+, -0.1 WAR Roy Moore (CHC): 79 OPS+, 6 RBI, 0.3 WAR Rich Langton (CHC): 121 OPS+, 10 HR, 63 RBI, 12 SB, 3.1 WAR Bert Wilson (-): - Carlos Montes (CHC): 94 OPS+, 10 HR, 40 RBI, 5 SB, 2.0 WAR Pitchers Dick Lyons (CHC): 20-6, 157 ERA+, 48 K, 5.7 WAR Dean Astle (CLE): 17-15, 2 SV, 131 ERA+, 105 K, 6.9 WAR Tom Barrell (BRK): 13-14, 97 ERA+, 129 K, 6.9 WAR Mike Murphy (BRK): 15-7, 148 ERA+, 62 K, 4.5 WAR Bill Ross (MON): 9-17, 96 ERA+, 82 K, 1.9 WAR Ben Turner (CLE): 6-3, 143 ERA+, 37 K, 2.2 WAR Phil English (TOR): 5-2, 14 SV, 129 ERA+, 23 K, 0.7 WAR Pug Bryan (CHC): 4-9, 2 SV, 81 ERA+, 39 K, 1.0 WAR Totals Offense: 19.1 WAR Pitching: 29.8 WAR Adjusted Pitching: 25.4 Total: 44.5 WAR Approximate Wins: 89 A much better season for the no trade team then the actual Cougars, but they still fall into a devastating second place finish one game out. Astle and Barrell carried a big chunk of the team WAR, and with a lot of players not playing anymore, we'll have a bunch of the younger Cougars join the team. We debuted a lot of rookies, and even gave up one of the Feds best rookies Dave Haight. I'm hoping next year is big for the Cougars, but I think this team will do extremely well regardless of us. Offseason Moves for 1939 Slim Bloom for Ducky Jordan Vince York for Reginald Westfall Bert Wilson for Chink Stickels Bill Ross for Pete Papenfus Ben Turner for Harry Parker Roy Moore for Dave Haight Notable Prospects/Picks Traded November 1937 traded Dave Haight and Del Thomas to the Gothams for Johnny McDowell

09-19-2021, 07:05 PM	#603
ayaghmour2 Hall Of Famer Join Date: Mar 2018 Posts: 3,010	Trade News Let's start the offseason off with a bang! The Chiefs just came back from a 3-1 deficit, but I did the best to steal the spotlight with a blockbuster to start the season. I paid a pretty penny to make it done, but after about seven years of trying, Freddie Jones is now a Cougar. Heading to St. Louis will be a massive five prospect package, with Danny Hern, Ivan Cameron, Henry Cox, Preacher Pietsch, and Tommy Wilson will depart to acquire the 4-Time All Star and 1935 Whitney Award Winner. 1938 was definitely a down season, but the 28-year-old played a career high 154 games with over 706 trips to the plate. He did hit just .284/.385/.375 (98 OPS+) with 20 doubles, 7 triples, 7 homers, and 75 RBIs, but it's a massive improvement over our second basemen combo of Johnny McDowell and Ollie Page. The keystone is easily our weakest spot, and I expect Jones to rebound closer to his career norms. In 4,443 career plate appearances he has hit .348/.449/.440 (131 OPS+) with 147 doubles, 40 triples, 38 homers, and 509 RBIs. To add on to that, Jones is a decent defender who is also a captain in the clubhouse dead set on winning. He'll really bring the lineup together well, and I expect his performance to improve as well. With Jones in the lineup, all eight of our starters had an OPS+ of 94 or better and I think next season we should have everyone (or maybe but Taylor) in the lineup over 100 last year. Our pitching is really young, but the lineup is filled with talent and should score more then enough runs for us next year. Of course, the price to pay was high, but with no obvious sellers materializing yet, I had to jump on a chance to acquire likely the best player on the market. Too many players escaped my reach last season, and it showed in the standings. The big piece leaving is our top pitching prospect Danny Hern, who currently ranks 55th in the league. The former 14th Round pick has broken out and projects to be a solid mid rotation starter. With Papenfus, Parker, Sullivan, Brown, Bryan, and Knight all options to pair with Dick Lyons and Milk Fritz, there wasn't an easy spot for Hern. I'm a big fan of his stuff and I think he's going to really blossom in the Pioneers farm system, but we do have multiple pitchers I think could rise up and replace them. I also had to give up former first rounder Preacher Pietsch, another young arm I like a lot. He's two years older at 23, and the 6'6' righty also has a future in the rotation. He reached AA this year, where he finished 6-5 with a 3.64 ERA (108 ERA+), 1.43 WHIP, 36 walks, and 39 strikeouts. He ranks 12th and 129th respectively, and was the former 5th ranked pitcher in our system. The main position prospect leaving was Tommy Wilson, who I was likely going to add to the 40 in the offseason. The 23-year-old Wilson was taken in the 2nd Round in 1933, and reached Milwaukee this season. He hit .273/.358/.397 (94 OPS+) with 25 doubles, 9 homers, 11 steals, and 62 RBIs in three shy of 500 PAs. Marv thinks he'll be a regular starter at either second or short, but with Hunter at Short, Jones added to the mix, and Ollie Page still in hand with Ducky Jordan, the infield seems pretty set. Another middle infielder involved was Cameron, who ranked 20th in our system and just outside of the top 200 overall. A very talented glovemen, the 1934 3rd Rounder spent his time in Mobile this season where he hit .301/.344/.377 (93 OPS+) with 19 doubles, 3 triples, 2 homers, and 57 RBIs. He had an outstanding +17.9 zone rating and 1.110 efficiency at short, and could possibly be the best defensive shortstop if he makes the big leagues. The last piece I would have preferred not to trade, but I wanted to get a deal done and didn't want to risk not including him. Henry Cox hit 33 homers and drove in 99 with a .278/.340/.545 (125 OPS+) batting line in AAA. Our outfield situation is full, so he would have been stuck in Milwaukee again next season, but perhaps will get a chance to play full time. I'm hoping this is the only big move of the offseason, but we have a draft coming up shortly that us GMs will have to prepare for. It's two human rounds and one regional round, and the first of it's kind. At 79-75, we will be picking 8th in each round, although I have acquired a few picks as well.

09-20-2021, 11:56 AM	#604
ayaghmour2 Hall Of Famer Join Date: Mar 2018 Posts: 3,010	Top Prospects! The offseason is officially started now, as once Freddie Jones put on his Chicago Cougar uniform, the time for award voting began! Dick Lyons is obviously my Allen choice in the CA, but I'll have to sort through the stats to pick the winners for the other spots. We do have a few coaching changes, as I already replaced pitching coach Samuel Clark (who decided to retire anyways) with Jake Chamberlain, and then my hitting coach and assistant GM retired as well. Manager Walt Bailey is being annoying, and won't let me sign a hitting coach myself, so the only position I can fill is AGM. Of course, it's also now prospect time, and after the Jones trade, our system checks in at 8th in the league with 94 points. We are now down to 7 top 100 prospects, 20 top 250 prospects, and 40 top 500. Our top 300 is listed below: 1. RF Chubby Hall (22nd Overall): 2nd/37th 2. C Solly Skidmore (30th Overall): Lottery selection 3. SS Hal Wood (42nd Overall): 9th/78th 4. 2B Ducky Jordan (45th Overall): 12th/104th 5. CF Aart MacDonald (56th Overall): 11th/100th 6. RHP/CF Juan Pomales (75th Overall): 6th/55th 7. RHP Del Burnes (89th Overall): 14th/119th 8. RF Tony Mullis (111th Overall): 18th/195th 9. RHP Art Saunders (134th Overall): 15th/127th 10. CF Harry Carr (149th Overall): 156th Overall Pick 11. RHP Joe Crosby (153rd Overall): 19th/198th 12. LHP Harl Haines (175th Overall): 22nd/240th 13. 2B Homer Ray (180th Overall): Acquired from Detroit 14. RHP George Sacchetti (185th Overall): Acquired from Cleveland 15. RHP Dan Everett (200th Overall): 17th/163rd 16. RHP John Little (225th Overall): 24th/282nd 17. LHP Oliver Allen (226th Overall): 60th Overall Pick 18. 3B Danny Richardson (228th Overall): 44th Overall Pick 19. CF Elias Canady (233rd Overall): 23rd/243rd 20. LHP Ed Wilkinson (236th Overall): 55th Overall Pick 21. LF Larry Robison (259th Overall): 25th/302nd 22. SS Lee Scott (296th Overall): 26th/318th 23. 2B Hod Seagroves (301st Overall): 27th/332nd 24. 1B Jocko Pollard (302nd Overall): Not in top 30 25. C Gidge Sumpter (311th Overall): 30th/357th 26. RHP Ray McNeil (327th Overall): Not in top 30 27. RF Sammy Dillon (364th Overall): 63rd Overall Pick 28. RHP Bill Tuttle (399th Overall): Not in organization 29. LHP Johnny Ruby (412th Overall): Not in top 30 30. LHP Cal Knight (417th Overall): Not in top 30 Last edited by ayaghmour2; 09-22-2021 at 08:23 PM.

09-20-2021, 04:55 PM	#605
ayaghmour2 Hall Of Famer Join Date: Mar 2018 Posts: 3,010	Top Prospects: 1-5 RF Chubby Hall (22nd Overall) Acquired: Via Draft: 3rd Round, 34th Overall (1935) Alma Mater: Westinghouse Warriors From 2nd last year to 22nd this year, our system technically looks weaker because all the young stars like Peter the Heater are no longer considered prospects. Taking over the top spot in the system is outfielder Chubby Hall, who split his season between San Jose and Lincoln. The 21-year-old starter with the Cougars, where he hit .314/.384/.535 (145 OPS+) with 12 doubles, 12 homers, and 44 RBIs. The homers weren't there when he took the trip up to Lincoln, but he hit a somewhat similar .314/.382/.441 (126 OPS+) up in A ball. He got 299 at bats with the Legislators compared to 226 in San Jose, but walked at almost the exact same rate at each stop. This is season three for Hall, who still doesn't project to be big league ready until at least 1940. He has a plus contact tool and is hopefully going to be able to develop power like a Rich Langton or Doc Love. He could manage center in a pinch, but eventually projects to be a decent corner outfielder. His best tool might be his plate discipline, but it is also very hard for wild pitchers to find the zone on a 5'7'' hitters. Marv thinks he'll surpass Langton, but not Mitchell, although Langton does own a career 122 OPS+ with four consecutive double digit home run seasons. Hall has the most upside of any of our prospects, I just wish he could play center not right. C Solly Skidmore (30th Overall) Acquired: Via Draft: 1st Round, 12th Overall (1938) Alma Mater: Monroe Hurricanes The only one of our four lottery picks that was actually exciting, as we got Donnie Jones' consolation prize in backstop Solly Skidmore. He'll slot almost exactly where Harry Mead graduated, and the 18-year-old could be our new catcher of the future. A tall 6'2'', Skidmore spent his first half season in La Crosse, batting .333/.404/.419 (108 OPS+) with 7 doubles, 4 homers, and 41 RBIs while walking 31 times and striking out just 17 times. These are great numbers for a teen, as 20-year-old William Rollins hit just .232/.284/.345 (58 OPS+) there in his first full pro season. Skidmore is an exciting young prospect who I think has the potential to be one of the best in baseball at the plate. He projects to hit well to all fields as he's able to lace line drives all across the outfield. He has some pull side power to left, so a stadium with an easier left field could really benefit Skidmore. He's already shown his excellent plate discipline, and that does not look like it is going away. OSA doesn't really speak about his defense and Marv doesn't give him the greatest reviews, but he's so raw that he doesn't yet have a positional rating. With only 69 games behind the plate, he's still settling in, and it may take some time before he's helpful behind the plate. SS Hal Wood (42nd Overall) Acquired: Via Draft: 1st Round, 8th Overall (1935) Alma Mater: Smithfield College Bulldogs I made a few draft pick trades during the 1935 draft as I was unsuccessful in trading up, and I eventually ended up with the 8th pick to take Hal Wood. He's already 24, so a little bit of a slow developer, but Wood has been a captain in the lower levels and seems to have really found the bat this year. He hit .458/.545/.602 with four doubles and two triples in September to finish with a .318/.394/.432 (127 OPS+) season line. Wood doesn't offer much power, but his discipline is improving and he should be able to consistently hit above .300. He's also above average out at short, and should be a real captain on the field, making his fellow infielders better. His absolute worst is a excellent clubhouse presence as a utility player, but he has all the raw tools to develop into an every day player. He needs some refinement, but he has the raw talent and work ethic to develop into a strong starter on most teams. I'm moving him up to AA, where he'll begin but possibly not finish 1939. I think he may make a cameo next year, but I shouldn't have to worry about the Rule-5 draft. 2B Ducky Jordan (45th Overall) Acquired: Via Draft: 6th Round, 92nd Overall (1932) Alma Mater: Little Rock HS Pioneers I'd imagine he wasn't too happy about the Freddie Jones trade, but the "Hot Springs Hotshot" can man first, third, and short as well and the skinny 24-year-old is a good hitter from both sides of the plate. He looked like a favorite to win the second base job, but now he's likely set to start the season in AAA and his role will be more of injury insurance for the oft injured Jones. Ducky didn't do too well in AAA this year, but he finished the year strong in Chicago. It was just 53 plate appearances, but a 5-for-5 helped Jordan finish the season with a .306/.358/.449 (115 OPS+) batting line. He is still looking for his first big league home run, but this was his second cup of coffee. I'd wager he'll more then double his 65 career plate appearances next season, and Jordan will eventually force himself into the picture one way or another. He has excellent speed and is more then capable of playing short, potentially even better then Billy Hunter does himself. He has good barrel control and always forces pitchers to have the hand disadvantage. I think he could develop into an every day player, but now he may be waiting for third base when John Lawson's best days are behind him. CF Aart MacDonald (56th Overall) Acquired: Via Minor League Draft with Tulsa(1937) Born in Savaneta, Aruba, the El Paso Missions of the Lone Star Association recruited him before he rode the independent team carrousel. He eventually settled with Tulsa, where he spent three seasons and hit .232/.344/.452 (105 OPS+). We then purchased him in the minor league draft, and he has been a Cougar now for two seasons. He got 89 PAs with us, but the 26-year-old really struggled. MacDonald hit just .151/.292/.260 (49 OPS+), although he stole three bases, doubled six times, and managed to walk and strikeout 13 times. MacDonald is an excellent defender, capable of manning all three spots, and due to his age, is in line to function as the fourth outfielder next season. He'll give Mitchell and Langton time off in the corners, and when Mitchell plays first he's likely to handle left. He'll also be Carlos Montes primary backup, and MacDonald may end up a defensive upgrade on the entire trio. He hits from the left side of the plate, many of our hitters are righties, which could help him win pinch hit duties. MacDonald probably could start on some other teams, but he's just a few months younger then Langton, a year older then Mitchell, and four senior of Montes. Montes did miss time with injury, so MacDonald would be first in line, but I don't think Aart has the upside that Pomales and Mullis do out in center. Last edited by ayaghmour2; 09-20-2021 at 08:16 PM.

09-20-2021, 08:44 PM	#606
ayaghmour2 Hall Of Famer Join Date: Mar 2018 Posts: 3,010	Top Prospects: 6-10 A little news first. We won't have a sim tomorrow and there won't be as many as usual in the coming weeks, but a lot of changes going on. There will be a few GMs switching around, with Montreal's GM going to Japan, the replacement for the Stars, and a few other GMs moving around. More on that later when it is official, but we could see new Forester, Eagle, Star, and Saint GMs. Awards will be released on Wednesday, hopefully one going to Dick Lyons, and then we'll have a run of drafts before reaching the Spring. I also made a small trade, with a few more hopefully in the works, as I work with my 40 man roster issues. I sent Sam Hodge to the Gothams for Willie Gonzalez Jr. A target of mine in the 1937 draft, the now 19-year-old was taken 6th Overall, but this was technically the third round due to the lottery. He made just one start this year, an out shy of six innings before leaving with shoulder soreness. It turned out to be a torn rotator cuff, and he's actually still five months away from throwing again. I trust my medical staff to make sure his arm is okay, as I do think he has what it takes to be a solid big league arm. His fastball sits in the 91-93 range and he should have average control of his curve, cutter, and change as well. Like Billy Jordan, Gonzalez's dad was also a Cougar, making 6 starts in 1917 and 5 more in 1918 before eventually pitching in our system until retiring in 1923. He also had four starts with Detroit in 1915, but I'll take the over on Junior's big league starts. He currently ranks 394th in the league, which would be 28th in our system, just like he was in theirs. Hodge, 25, was our 6th Rounder in 1934. I didn't necessarily want to get rid of him, but we have a full 40 and Hodge needed a spot. The Gothams are in need of big league pitching, and he'll jump right into the mix. I think he's got stuff to start, but Marv thinks his future lies in the pen. The soft tossing 6'4'' righty has a nice curve and slider, but he still has yet to add much velocity to his fastball and cutter. He was elite in 6 AA starts, but Hodge was very effective with the Blues. He finished 5-5 with a 3.98 ERA (113 ERA+), 1.45 WHIP, 17 walks, and 28 strikeouts across 13 starts. Hodge is also a native New Yorker, and will have a much easier job securing innings for his hometown team. He'll join former Cougar Oscar Morse on the staff, as well as fellow Cougar draftees Ed Reyes and Dave Haight. RHP/CF Juan Pomales (75th Overall) Acquired: Via Trade with Detroit (1937) Alma Mater: St. Francis Bobcats Like Carlos Montes, Juan Pomales was born in Cuba, but unlike Montes, Pomales was able to skip the draft. He was one of the lottery players in the first of the two classes, and I entered his group in hopes of acquiring him. I missed, so I then went to send Karl Wallace and Stumpy Beaman to the Dynamos to acquire Pomales and Burnes, who ranks right behind him. I've raved about Pomales' skill very frequently, and I love that he looks like a legit two-way player. Now our highest ranked pitching prospect, the sidewinding righty made 21 starts for the Commodores and finished 13-8 with a 2.91 ERA (135 ERA+), 1.21 WHIP, 52 walks, and 65 strikeouts. He's still polishing his fastball and curve, but his sinker is a great pitch that continues to roll up groundball outs. His curveball is a nice strikeout pitch, but it tends to escape him in some outings. He's a serviceable back of the rotation arm with upside to front one, but with all the talent in ours it's more then okay if he's more of a 5 then a 2. "El Conejo's" greatest asset may be his speed, 19 triples, 12 steals, and efficiencies above 1 at all three outfield spots. He looked great with the bat too, batting an effective .305/.370/.490 (129 OPS+) with 24 doubles, 5 homers, and 60 RBIs. The kid has plus-plus contact ability with a very smooth swing, but he's also able to draw a walk if needed. He walked 45 times with just 33 strikeouts in 483 plate appearances this season, and I think he'll strike out more batters on the mound then he'll strike out when up to bat. Next year he'll get Milwaukee, maybe a Chicago cameo at the end, but my guess is Pomales will be on our 1940 roster and he'll probably pitch every sixth game while also getting a start or two at each outfield spot. RHP Del Burns (79th Overall) Acquired: Via Trade with Detroit (1937) Drafted: 1st Round, 3rd Overall (1934) Alma Mater: Houston Coyotes While nearly every high pick from the 1934 draft is doing something in the big leagues, Del Burnes is finally establishing himself in the top 100. The 22-year-old reached AAA for the first time, and the fireballer didn't find the same success he did in AA. Burnes made nine starts and was 2-2 with a 5.06 ERA (89 ERA+), 1.69 WHIP, 20 walks, and 29 strikeouts in 48 innings pitched. I wasn't too worried, as the previous 123.1 frames saw a 2.99 ERA (131 ERA+) and 1.36 WHIP with actually less strikeouts and the same amount of walks per nine. He has the stuff to start, and now that we added Freddie Jones in our big move, Burnes is likely safe to stay in Chicago. Burns gets a ton of movement on his pitches, leading to a lot of groundballs, but his cutter and slider get tremendous horizontal movement and are very tough pitches to hit. He also has a fastball, forkball, and change, but my guess is at least one of those (likely the forkball) won't ever amount to much. Burns is from the state of Wyoming and likely set to be the first player from Green River to debut, but I think he'll have to wait until 1940 as we have a lot of other arms already on the 40 in case of injury. RF Tony Mullis (111th Overall) Acquired: Via Trade with Philadelphia (1937) Drafted: 5th Round, 78th Overall (1936) Alma Mater: Redford Trojans We usually have at least ten top 100 prospects, but to be fair, I did just trade two of them before the list was published. A Sailor pick in the 1936 draft, Mullis was one of the guys I had my eye on that I wasn't able to select. I eventually picked him up for Marty Roberts, and Mullis' prospect status has shot up. Tony started the season as a center fielder down in San Jose, but with a poor -10.5 zone rating and .909 efficiency out in center, after he hit his way to a promotion, I moved him to a corner. He made 11 starts in left and 21 in right while hitting .333/.411/.510 (152 OPS+) with 22 doubles, 12 triples, and 54 RBIs. He did still make 34 starts in center, and did have a more respectable -4.3 and .940 in each metric, but I think Mullis is best suited for left. This is a little unfortunate for him as he doesn't have the power for a corner. He has just one professional homer and it came this year in San Jose, and I can't imagine he'll hit that many more. Lucky for him, he might not need too, as he has blazing speed and consistently puts the ball in play. He almost never strikes out (or walk, for that matter) and he has the speed to beat out infield grounders and stretch singles into doubles. He's not much of a base stealer, but he does find himself on base a lot and will not clog the bases. Marv thinks he'll be a solid starter, but unless he improves his range and can move back to center, I think he may not be able to start for a team with their mind set on a championship. RHP Art Saunders (134th Overall) Acquired: Via Draft: 9th Round, 133rd Overall (1935) Alma Mater: Manning Bulldogs After five injuries ranging from 2 day to 3 weeks last season, Saunders just needed one DL trip lasting a week this year. It's no surprise this year was his best season too, as he was basically flawless in 20 starts for the Lions. Saunders was 9-4 with a 3.01 ERA (152 ERA+), 1.15 WHIP, 28 walks, and 62 strikeouts. It earned him a late season promotion to San Jose, and he was more then up for the task. It was just 4 starts and 23.1 innings, but he worked to a 0.77 ERA (559 ERA+) and 1.11 WHIP with 3 walks and 14 strikeouts. Somehow he won two and lost two, but Saunders really looked ready for the challenge. The 21-year-old is now throwing 90-92 with his fastball and sinker, and his curve and change are filling in nicely. His stuff projects to be above average, and Marv think's he'll "boast good strikeout, walk, and home run totals as he matures." Still, Saunders is a raw prospect with injury concerns, so there is a lot of risk involved. The Omaha kid is very bright, and mulled pursuing prestigious academic scholarships instead of baseball before I threw 20 grand at him, and I think he made the right decision as Art seems destined to throw quality big league innings. CF Harry Carr (156th Overall) Acquired: Via Draft: 10th Round, 156th Overall (1938) Alma Mater: Buchtel Griffins One of the more shocking rankings, our 10th Rounder in the June Draft Harry Carr checks in at 10th in our system and ahead of every one else in his class except Skidmore. Like Saunders, he debated college, but Carr only cost be $5.5k and hasn't spent most of it on medical bills. Very versatile, Carr can play second and short as well as all three outfield spots, but spent most of his time in La Crosse out in right. He made good contact at the plate, hitting .349/.376/.437 (104 OPS+) with 7 doubles, 4 triples, 3 homers, 8 steals, and 38 RBIs. Unfortunately, Carr doesn't walk all that much yet, and that's the only thing keeping his contact potential down. It could be elite, as he's shown he can hit for a high average, but his pitch selection may limit his output. OSA and Marv both love his defense, so maybe I should have him in center, fellow draftee Max Rucker looked much better out in the field. Carr may force his way into a lineup, but for that to happen he'll have to either master center field, improve his plate discipline, or add a little pop. Last edited by ayaghmour2; 09-22-2021 at 08:15 PM.

09-21-2021, 04:02 PM	#607
ayaghmour2 Hall Of Famer Join Date: Mar 2018 Posts: 3,010	Amateur Report With today as an off day, I decided to update my draft database to include the 1939 class. There will be three rounds in January, and since this will happen before 1939 stats are created, I will eventually re-update this class' database again in May when the pool is filled and stats generated. And since I already had the pool up and everything, I decided to highlight a few more potential top picks in the upcoming draft. CF Roy Carroll School: Clayton 1938: .457/.585/1.000, 106 PA, 8 2B, 6 3B, 8 HR, 32 RBI, 31 SB Career: 458/.577/.911, 246 PA, 19 2B, 11 3B, 15 HR, 64 RBI, 65 SB Bet you thought that said Roy Carey, as I do tend to write about him. It's close, but Roy Carroll is actually a very exciting center field prospect from San Francisco. This is a huge plus for him, as no team has priority to California, so he could be a choice for one of the first two rounds this January. Ignoring the beautiful 1 for his OPS as a junior, Carroll did that as 15, as he just turned 16 while watching Tom Barrell and the Kings take a 1-0 lead in the World Series. There may be a little movement when it is all said and done, but right now Carroll has the most homers for a high schooler in this pool with 15 and even cracked the overall top 10 despite everyone higher then him with 98 to 155 games while Carroll played in fewer then 50. Unfortunately, there are concerns about his character and work ethic, but the numbers look really good to start. Marv thinks he may hit .290 in the big leagues, but it's really hard to project things for someone as young as him. That may cause him to fall a little, but a strong senior season could help him secure one of the top picks in the Summer draft. The power is legit, but questions are brought up about his defense. Carroll has shown solid discipline too, 35 walks to 12 strikeouts, but unless he works at it, the big leagues might just be a dream. LHP Mal Bianco School: Maryland State 1938: 9-5, 130 IP, 3.67 ERA, 1.46 WHIP, 69 BB, 101 K Career: 16-10, 328.2 IP, 3.58 ERA, 1.43 WHIP, 116 BB, 172 K Vic Carroll is probably the best college arm available, but I covered him a bit ago. Another interesting arm is Maryland State's southpaw Mal Bianco, Just four college arms have struck out more then 150 batters and Bianco ranks right behind Carroll. He also has a nice 3.58 ERA and 1.43 WHIP against the toughest competition out there. My scout isn't too fond of him, although when does he ever really likes young pitchers. After the season he added a mile on his fastball, but the sidearmer just sits in the mid 80s. His slider should be great and his splitter decent, but the fastball isn't going to be great until he throws harder. He does get a lot of movement on his pitches and won't allow many homers. He can roll up the double play when needed, and he does have some walk issues right now. He's got a lot of developing to go, but the Brooklyn boy has the potential to work his way into a big league rotation. RHP Joe Marlow School: Elkhorn 1938: 10-2, 118 IP, 1.75 ERA, 1.03 WHIP, 37 BB, 156 K Career: 25-4, 292.1 IP, 1.97 ERA, 1.09 WHIP, 95 BB, 337 K This will be year four for the Elkhorn native, and since Wisconsin is pretty close, we have priority their in the regional round of the draft. Marlow broke out as a junior, starting a career high 16 games with 118 innings pitched. He did set career highs in walks and strikeouts as well, but his BB/9 and K/9 were the best as well. If WAR is your think, he went from back-to-back 2.9 WAR seasons to a fine 5.4 this year. He'll be 18 in April, and Marlow has a nice high 80s fastball and sinker with the change up potentially turning into a big league pitch. His command isn't great yet, but that's really his one weakness tools wise. He's a little lazy, but with the right coaching, they can help him work out his issues and take advantage of his raw potential. CF Gus Byrd School: Plymouth 1938: .495/.526/.796, 119 PA, 17 2B, 4 3B, 2 HR, 28 RBI, 14 SB Career: .502/.551/.847, 241 PA, 34 2B, 9 3B, 6 HR, 64 RBI, 25 SB He didn't quite follow up his .500 season, but junior Gus Byrd still hit a respectable .495/.526/.796. This will be a big year for Byrd, who really needs to put together a strong season to jump up draft boards. Unlike most of these prospects, he's a really hard worker and that should work wonders for him. An athletic lefty, he hasn't let shown much defensively. Power will be huge for him, as he has the tools to hit for a very high average, and if he can pair that with above average power it won't matter all that much how his defense is. Another native New Yorker, Byrd has the work ethic and natural talent to put together a solid big league career. He's no star, but there's nothing wrong with just plain old respectable. 1B Bob Johnston Jr. School: Maryland State 1938: .340/.396/.583, 232 PA, 12 2B, 3B, 12 HR, 54 RBI, 38 SB Career: .340/.396/.583, 232 PA, 12 2B, 3B, 12 HR, 54 RBI, 38 SB A teammate of Bianco at Maryland State, I had to cover the slugging Canadian who's father played pro baseball. He only got one season, but no other player in this pool managed a 10 homer, 50 RBI, and 35 SB season while also hitting over .340. Yes, it sounds cherrypicked, but it's an extremely impressive feat for Montreal's finest. His dad was an outstanding pitcher for them, pitching 13 consecutive seasons with 30 or more starts and all but one saw 40 or more. He was a Saint from 1905-1918, before a 20 game season with the Eagles before retiring. The elder Johnston finished his career 267-271 with a 2.79 ERA (104 ERA+), 1.26 WHIP, 1,644 walks, and 2,298 strikeouts. He threw a total of 4,892 innings, made 50 appearances in 1909 and threw a whopping 425.1 innings in 1907. He also had a pair of seasons with 390 innings and he didn't allow a single homer in 1909, one of those 390 inning seasons. No Saint pitcher has ever won more games then him, or lost, for that matter. He also leads in WAR (76.7), games (588), starts (564), and complete games (387), His son won't quite reach those marks, but junior could end up a decent slugger at first. He's got a ton of pop with well above average contact potential. He has a knack for making hard contact, and he's an imposing 6'4'' 225 at the plate. I doubt the speed is real, but that could be a hint to his ability to play in the outfield. If he's a first basemen only, it limits his value, but even the ability to be passable in the corners could help him build a future. I'd love for him to be a Saint, following in his dad's footsteps and potentially replacing Vic Crawford as the first basemen of the future. 2B Billy Clark School: Athens 1938: .523/.576/.881, 128 PA, 16 2B, 4 3B, 5 HR, 34 RBI, 18 SB Career: .502/.554/.836, 237 PA, 31 2B, 9 3B, 6 HR, 59 RBI, 29 SB When your nickname is the "Real Deal", you are going to bring attention to you. A native of Huntington, West Virginia, he spent his college days in Ohio and was elite this season. He not only cracked the.500 mark, but hit a whopping .523 with a 1.457 OPS. 17 in March, Clark isn't much of a defender, but he has the time to work on his glove. He has some experience at first, and may end up there in the future, but I think he'll be able to stick at second. The bat will let him play anywhere, and he's got a quick bat that let's him make consistent contact. He's an athletic kid with good speed as well, and he made a huge jump with power with all but one of his homers coming this season. I'm excited to see what he'll turn into, but knowing who is at the keystone for us now, I think Clark may not be someone I'm looking at. A lot have good second basemen have been drafted recently, so perhaps Clark slips through the first three rounds and uses a strong senior season to elevate his status in the fourth round. RHP Paul Donoho School: Norristown 1938: 7-3, 98.2 IP, 1.64 ERA, 1.08 WHIP, 42 BB, 139 K Career: 21-9, 307 IP, 1.96 ERA, 1.14 WHIP, 131 BB, 386 K Older then most high school prospects, Brooklyn's Paul Donoho spent his high school years in Norristown, PA where he'll look to lead the staff for a fourth consecutive season. He'll actually turn 19 in February, and will look to build on the best season in his young career. He had a career low in ERA and WHIP with a career high in WAR, strikeouts, and K/9. The skinny 6'1'' righty just throws in the 85-87 range who has decent control of his pitches. His curve and slider should be decent pitches and his fastball will only improve as he adds velocity. He's a hard worker and smart player who works to further his development as often as he can. I'm a little worried that his upside will be limited by his age, but that could also make him a safer option. He could develop his pitches enough to change from "Strictly Bullpen" to "Starter" which could turn him into a steal for the summer draft. Last edited by ayaghmour2; 09-21-2021 at 04:11 PM.

09-22-2021, 04:38 PM	#608
ayaghmour2 Hall Of Famer Join Date: Mar 2018 Posts: 3,010	Top Prospects: 11-15 We had a sim today, so a little news first! The Cougars now have three Allen Award Winners on their 40-man roster: Milt Fritz, Tommy Wilcox, and Dick Lyons! The 38-year-old becomes the oldest first time award winner and the oldest pitcher to ever win an Allen Award. It was the closest award race, but Lyons (9, 82) topped the Wolves Joe Hancock (5, 67) to become the second Cougar to win the award named after the former Cougar. I also made another trade, sending CF Elias Canady to the Chiefs for teenager Bill Graham. The reigning champs have been long looking for a righty for their outfield, and Canady fits the bill. I really like him and think he can become a quality outfielder, but we have 40-man issues to deal with and I always prefer something to nothing. Since Canady was our 19th ranked prospect, instead of covering him, I'll cover Graham, who actually would 11th in our system in the 16-20 post. RHP Joe Crosby (153rd Overall) Acquired: Via Draft: 4th Round, 53rd Overall (1937) Alma Mater: St. Peter's Spartans "Boney Joe" Crosby had a great 10 start sample last season, but he did not have nearly as much luck in La Crosse this season. Crosby made 24 starts and was just 6-7 with a 5.46 ERA (84 ERA+), 1.75 WHIP, 62 walks, and 36 strikeouts. The walks are very concerning, as Crosby had a 1.7 BB/9 last year before it exploded to 4.6. He also allowed far more hits then last season, and after a homerless season, he allowed 6 (still solid, however) this season in 120.1 innings pitched. If you're wondering how he gets his nickname, Crosby weights just 135 pounds while standing an above average 5'10''. For comparison, our top prospect Chubby Hall is three inches shorter and 60 pounds heavier and even tiny second basemen Ducky Jordan is 5'7'' 155. Obviously, I'd love more meat on his bones, but he added another mile to is quality fastball, sitting 87-89 while also offering a plus curve and average slider. His pitches have great movement, but as a finesse pitcher, he does not have nearly enough control of his repertoire yet. I think even with control problems he can slot into the 5 spot of a rotation, but if he pitches more consistently and finds the strike zone more frequently, he can pitch his way up to the middle. He ranks as our 4th best pitching prospect now, and I think we'll be able to polish him into a refined starting pitcher. LHP Harl Haines (175th Overall) Acquired: Via Draft: 10th Round, 149th Overall (1935) Alma Mater: Niagara Falls Big Red Another 10th Round selection inside baseball's top 200, southpaws Harl Haines split his time between San Jose and Lincoln, and he continued to defy logic with his mid-90s submarine fastball and cutter. To make things even weirder, he has a devastating screwball that he pairs with the classic sweeping lefty slider. He turned 21 on the 4th, and the 6'3'' lefty combined to finish 15-4 in 23 starts. The best results came in San Jose, where he worked to a 2.41 ERA (179 ERA+) and 1.06 WHIP with 15 walks and 61 strikeouts. Haines really buttoned down his command, going from BB/9s of 4.1 in 1936 and 3.4 in 1937 to 6.1 in San Jose and 4.8 in Lincoln. Like Harry Parker, Haines' pitches have developed very quickly and he projects to be able to maintain the large gap between his walks and strikeouts. Marv thinks he now has "advanced command" and while his "ultimate upside isn't great" he can "pitch his way into a back-end" opportunity. I think that is underselling his talent a bit, but he's an extremely hard worker who continues to improve. He finished his season strong, winning his last six starts, and I think he'll build off that momentum next year and he could work his way into the league top 100 by season end. 2B Homer Ray (180th Overall) Acquired: Via Trade with Detroit (1938) Drafted: 3rd Round, 47th Overall (1931) Alma Mater: San Antonio HS Warriors It was a long time ago, but former Cougar 3rd Rounder Homer Ray found his way back to the system this Spring. We sent him to Detroit back in 1935 in Wayne Robinson deal which didn't work out all that well for us. Now 25, I sent Ray to Mobile to work on his positional versatility. Basically a second basemen only before this season, I gave Ray a little time at first and left despite most of his time coming at the keystone. A singles hitter who should maintain a high average, Ray hit .329/.367/.416 (109 OPS+) with 16 doubles, a homer, and 43 RBIs. He tries to keep his strikeouts down, but Ray will almost never walk. He is a very advanced hitter, however, with plenty of bat speed. Marv says he squares up the ball a lot, but it hasn't really translate to many extra base hits. He's a reliable defender as well, but I think his value is more as an off the bench player then an everyday starter. Of course, "Frederick the Great" should spent at least the next five seasons manning second, Ray's best shot for every day play would be somewhere other then Chicago. RHP George Sacchetti (185th Overall) Acquired: Via Trade with Cleveland (1938) Drafted: 4th Round, 58th Overall (1938) Alma Mater: Redwood University Mammoths A bit of a late riser as the draft approached, Sacchetti was originally not even someone I was looking at before Marv sent me his report on Sacchetti after he was already drafted. He keeps bouncing between "Strictly Bullpen" and "Starter" for his projected role, but along with a draft pick, he was part of the Dave Rankin deadline deal. The groundballer wasn't great in his 13 starts with the Lions, 3-4 with a 4.85 ERA (95 ERA+), 1.42 WHIP, 22 walks, and 21 strikeouts, but he showed a lot of positive signs. He has a decent changeup that he pairs with his mid-to-high 80s fastball, but he must turn his slider or curveball into a reliable third offering. He did have a lot of issues with his command, something I hope he can fix up, but he does an excellent job keeping the ball in the park, and he shouldn't allow many flyballs at all. A bit older for a C ball pitcher, Sacchetti turned 22 in August and came out of college very underdeveloped. I'm hoping to start him in San Jose next season, but I can't imagine he'll finish next year down in La Crosse. RHP Dan Everett (200th Overall) Acquired: Via Trade with Cleveland (1936) Drafted: 5th Round, 79th Overall (1933) Alma Mater: San Francisco HS Navigators Everything was looking great for former Forester draftee Dan Everett, until he partially tore his labrum in his 14th and final start for the Commodores. It ruined an outstanding season where the now 23-year-old finished 9-3 with a 3.24 ERA (121 ERA+), 1.28 WHIP, 45 walks, and 56 strikeouts in 114 innings pitched. He seemed like a lock to get his contract purchased in preparation for the Rule-5 Draft, but the injury tanked his prospect ranking and he still has a week left of recovery. Regardless, I'm a big fan of his stuff, and as long as he returns to relative form, I still believe in his ability to start big league games. He has a sharp curve and hard breaking change, both quality pitches, and his fastball sits in the 90-92 range. Like a lot of our arms, he does a great job keeping the ball on the ground, and while he may walk more then his share of hitters, he does a great job stranding runners or forcing double plays. He would potentially be a passable spot starter right now, but with a little more polish, he can be a reliable back of the rotation arm. He does seem to get hurt a fair bit, but when healthy, he has looked pretty good. Last edited by ayaghmour2; 09-22-2021 at 08:15 PM.

09-22-2021, 08:58 PM	#609
ayaghmour2 Hall Of Famer Join Date: Mar 2018 Posts: 3,010	Top Prospects: 16-20 RHP John Little (225th Overall) Acquired: Via Draft: 5th Round, 66th Overall (1937) Alma Mater: Marquis College Minutemen Like Everett, Little ended his season with injury, as he suffered a sore shoulder during his only start with Lincoln. The other 20 were in San Jose, where Little was 10-5 with a 3.90 ERA (110 ERA+), 1.35 WHIP, 47 walks, and 81 strikeouts in 138.1 innings pitched. Overall, strong numbers for the now 23-year-old in his first full season, but the injury may have some effect as he's already dropped down to 365 in the current one. More of a finesse pitcher then overpowering one, Little does feature an 88-90 mile per hour fastball, one of his four big league quality pitches. I think the slider will be the best, but the change and forkball aren't bad either. The Texas kid isn't very big either, just 5'10'', but his command is supposed to be his best asset. It didn't quite appear that way this season, with a 3.1 BB/9, but he'll still strike out double the hitters he walks. If he can cut the walks down a full point, it should really help him turn into a big league starter, but as a college arm he's already nearing his eventually upside. His ceiling is that of a number five, but I'd imagine his floor is a decent longman/spot starter you can use if you are in a jam. LHP Oliver Allen (226th Overall) Acquired: Via Draft: 4th Round, 60th Overall (1938) Alma Mater: Layton Lancers One of our three fourth rounders this draft (actually all crack the top 30), Allen is the highest ranked of the three in our offseason prospect list. A little outside the top 200, the southpaw was an adjusted league average pitcher for the Lions, 4-6 with a 4.58 ERA and 1.66 WHIP. The WHIP is a little scary, but part of that is because he walked (32) as many hitters as he struck out. That made it tough for him to pitch deep into games, just 59 innings in 12 starts. I also think he was very glad for this season to end, as his last two starts saw 17 hits, 14 runs, and 6 walks with just two strikeouts in 7.2 innings pitched. Before those starts, he had a nice 2.81 ERA with a more respectable 1.46 WHIP. A wiry 6'1'', the Georgia boy has made huge jumps this calendar year, as he threw 85-87 as a high school junior and after some offseason work, is now sitting pretty at 91-93. During the regular season he was throwing a strong 89-91, but considering his old high is now his new low, I am really excited with how his encore season will go next year. Allen has a huge fan in Marv Branson, the reason I actually drafted him, and while Marv doesn't go out to call him a big league pitcher, I'm pretty sure he was top 5 (maybe 4) on his list of draft eligible pitchers this Summer. Adding speed to his fastball will really help, and his forkball is already a quality pitch. He will have to polish up his change or cutter (hopefully both) if he wants to start in the big leagues, but I think he will. There is a lot of work to be done, but the kid has a ton of upside and high school arms tend to have a way of breaking out. 3B Dany Richardson (228th Overall) Acquired: Via Draft: 3rd Round, 44th Overall (1938) Alma Mater: Elgin SpartaCats Okay, Elgin High School definitely has my vote for most awesome team name. The star of the SpartaCats has had a crazy drop already, initially ranked inside the top 100 before falling way out a few weeks later. Part might have to do with his awful 61 game sample this year, batting just .275/.338/.370 (79 OPS+) with 9 doubles, 3 homers, and 25 RBIs. A natural third basemen, he does have some experience in the outfield too, with time in center and right. He looked awful in 49 games at third (.912 eff) while his 12 in right (.975) looked a whole lot better. Marv thinks Richardson is an above average defender, but I wager most of that is due to his cannon of an arm. I'd love for him to stick at third, but he could end up a strong right fielder as well. At the plate, he won't hit for a high average, maybe about .250-.270, but with excellent plate discipline and pitch recognition skills that should allow him to maintain a bloated on base percentage. When I first drafted him, I thought he had the chance to be John Lawson's replacement, and a very good one at that, but I am a little concerned his scouting reports and rankings have dropped like they have. At 18, of course, he has a lot of developing to do, and as a flyball hitter, he may have a shot to hit a ton of homers in Chicago. I'm hoping he'll add more muscle, he's weights just 150, and if he can develop into a legit power threat, he should be an outstanding corner player. LHP Ed Wilkinson (236th Overall) Acquired: Via Draft: 4th Round, 55th Overall (1938) Alma Mater: CC Los Angeles Coyotes 22 in December, Wilkinson was another one of our 4th Rounders this year, and as a college arm, I let him spend most of his time in San Jose. His 11 starts were impressive, 6-3 with a 3.18 ERA (135 ERA+), 1.27 WHIP, 29 walks, and 38 strikeouts. A five pitch pitcher, his best offering is his 89-91 mph fastball, but when it is all said and done, he could end up having all five of those pitches at big league quality. My guess is the curve and slider end up being his 2 and 3, but he has a changeup and forkball as well. At times he doesn't command those pitches well, but that should turn into an average or better tool. Like Allen, he also had a nice velocity boost this calendar year, going from 85-87 in January to 89-91 now. A potential quick riser, I haven't yet decided yet if he'll repeat San Jose or start the year in Lincoln, but there is a possibility he makes a cameo during the 1940 season. He doesn't have the upside of some of our other pitching prospects, but his floor is a spot starter, and I can't see him progressing much further then that. SS Bill Graham (153rd Overall) Acquired: Via Trade with Chicago (1938) Drafted: 4th Round, 59th Overall (1938) Alma Mater: Bluegrass State Mustangs A little out of order, but our new 11th Ranked Prospect is still technically a Chief as the trade won't process until our next sim. The Chiefs don't have the best system out there, but shortstop is a spot they have a few prospects at and he's the one I considered taking this draft as well. A two year starter at Bluegrass State, Tip Harrison's alma matter, he was pushed all the way up to A ball after the draft, and it didn't quite go as planned. I'm thinking he'll start in San Jose with us, as the soon-to-be 21-year-old hit .220/.273/.304 (57 OPS+) with 8 doubles and 3 triples in 193 trips to the plate. He did manage a steal, but not a single one of hits left the park. It's a bit surprising, as he hit 5 as a junior and 6 more last year. In the field, he's a consistent, if unspectacular defender, who can handle all three infield spots. He may have the range for short, but I'm not too sure if that will be his final resting spot. He's a very patient hitter, but he had struggles with walks (13) and strikeouts (40) in his first taste of pro ball. I think those numbers will straighten out a bit more at a lower level, or as he grows as a player. He's not the greatest hitter now, but he is one of the hardest workers out there who studies his opponents thoroughly and works to find ways to improve his at bats. That gives him a little bit of an edge over his other competitors, and even if he never becomes one of the most talented players, he profiles as one of those scrappy, hard working utility guys who can generate those "clutch" hits when the game is on the line.

09-23-2021, 01:38 PM	#610
ayaghmour2 Hall Of Famer Join Date: Mar 2018 Posts: 3,010	Top Prospects: 21-25 The offseason keeps rolling along, and we now have a full coaching staff. Manager Walt Bailey decided on hiring Taylor Storm to be hitting coach, not necessarily who I would have picked, but an excellent option none the less. He spent his first two seasons with the Richmond Rebels before a three year stint with the Waco Wranglers. He also got one FABL game in 1907 with the Gothams where he walked both times he got up to the plate. He scored on one of them, and ended his career with a perfect 1.000 on base percentage. I also acquired the most talented "rookie" on the market, replacing Marv Branson with Tom Weinstock. I love Marv, but his best scouting rating was a "Good" and it's for international scouting, pretty useless. He's decent at everything else, while the rookie scout Weinstock is "Excellent" or better at each rank. He's excellent for major leaguers, outstanding for minor leaguers, and most importantly, legendary for amateurs. He'll cost a pretty penny, more then John Lawson and Dick Lyons (are two highest paid players) combined, and will make about $55k for the next five seasons. It should be way worth it, we are loaded with cash and we now have one of the best scouts available. A little old at 58, like Branson, he played in the big leagues, 543 plate appearances split between 1908 and 1914-1917 with Washington, St. Louis, and Toronto. I would have loved for Marv to accept our AGM role, but the Eagles, Dynamos, and Stars are looking for a new scout and he could fill the void. LF Larry Robison (259th Overall) Acquired: Via Draft: 19th Round, 303rd Overall (1932) Alma Mater: Queens HS Islanders One of our fastest players, despite stealing 74 bases last season, he was just 7-for-14 stealing bases this year. It didn't hurt him at the plate, as he was outstanding in 158 Mobile PAs and 213 Milwaukee ones. The Milwaukee numbers were actually better, slashing .366/.439/.541 (151 OPS+) with 11 doubles, 3 triples, 5 homers, and 34 RBIs. He's currently on our 40, but Robison didn't get any big league time. The former 19th Rounder got time at first, left, and right, and he's developed into an advanced hitter at the plate. I see years of high averages in his future, and he does a great job putting the ball in play. He walked just 8 times with 37 walks combined between the two stops, and whenever he puts the ball in play, he has a chance to make things happen on the base paths. He can beat out any groundball and will consistently take the extra base if the ball gets to the outfield. New scout Tom Weinstock is a big fan, but he looks to me more of a bench bat then an every day starter. His value is coming off the bench as a pinch runner, and he's capable enough defensively that he can stay in the game if he pinch runs for someone like Ray Ford or Doc Love. SS Lee Scott (296th Overall) Acquired: Via Draft: 4th Round, 54th Overall (1936) Alma Mater: Henry Snyder High School Tigers Our 4th Rounder a few drafts ago, 20-year-old Lee Scott had a rough start to the season in La Crosse, but with the June draft, I needed to make room in C ball and Scott was on his way up despite having issues at the plate. He hit just .276/.322/.347 (69 OPS+) before the promotion, but improved that line to .293/.313/.401 (91 OPS+) in 245 PAs after. In total, Scott had 10 doubles, 13 triples, 6 steals, and 36 RBIs, with his lone homer coming with the Lions. Not the greatest of numbers, but he's a young middle infielder with a really good glove. I let him get time at second base up in San Jose, and he's generally been an outstanding defender at short. He has great range and instincts, and he's very advanced in the field for his age. It's probably what will earn him a big league opportunity, as the bat isn't the most intimidating. He's a bit of a light hitter and probably won't hit much over .270, Interesting enough, OSA doesn't really like his glove, but Marv, Tom, and his stats tend to disagree. He looks like a future utility player now, but he has exciting tools that could turn into something else. 2B Hod Seagroves (301st Overall) Acquired: Via Trade with Detroit (1937) Drafted: 3rd Round, 45th Overall (1936) Alma Mater: Lake Park Panthers Recently turned 21, the Chicago native had an awful year at the plate in 1937 before somewhat rebounding last year. It wasn't really the most exciting season, but he managed to hit .289/.338/.418 (90 OPS+) with 23 doubles, 8 triples, 6 homers, and 63 RBIs in just short of 500 plate appearances. A natural second basemen, Seagroves is a tall 6'3'', which hopefully implies that he can develop into a power hitter. That is most definitely wishful thinking, but he could more likely become a solid contact hitter. His athleticism is a huge plus, allowing him to hit the ball hard, and paired with his solid plate discipline, it makes him a difficult out at the plate. He's on the bubble for a big league role now, but I like his tools and it never hurts having players from Chicago. Next year will be a big season for him, and he'll want to make sure he doesn't spend too much time in La Crosse when he could instead keep things going in San Jose. 1B Jocko Pollard (302nd Overall) Acquired: Via Draft: 6th Round, 95th Overall (1935) Alma Mater: Grafton Indians Arguably the best season for any Cougar at the plate this year, Jocko Pollard made 479 trips to the plate in San Jose and hit an outstanding .309/.361/.547 (141 OPS+) with 25 doubles, 25 homers, and 105 RBIs. He spent part of last season in San Jose as well, and hit a rather similar .294/.343/.512 (148 OPS+) with 10 homers and 32 RBIs in just 178 PAs last year. The 21-year-old seems likely to start next season in Lincoln, and the bat is very exciting. He can play a little third too, but he's an outstanding defensive first basemen which is a nice plus to the excellent bat. Obviously, he has legit power potential, and while he may not walk a lot, he doesn't swing at too many bad pitches. He might get some more reps at third next season, but I do think Pollard's best position will be first base. He hits a lot of flyballs to all fields, and he has the power desired for a first basemen. He doesn't have much competition at that position either, but I can't really see him supplanting Ray Ford any time soon. C Gidge Sumpter (311th Overall) Acquired: Via Draft: 2nd Round, 31st Overall (1937) Alma Mater: Garden State Redbirds Catcher is a position our farm has really improved recently, with the additions of Skidmore and Sumpter the past two drafts. Gidge's upside is nowhere near Solly, but he is an above average contact hitter who can hold his own at the plate. He did miss some time this year, and got into just 57 games, the same amount as his partial season last year. He did hit better, an average .291/.342/.407 (101 OPS+) with 6 doubles, 4 homers, and 30 RBIs. He is not a star by any means, but with the lack of depth in the system, he'll be able to pave his own way. Solly will be on his tail, but at 22, he should be able to move up much quicker. I think he's most suitable as a backup catcher now, but he could improve both his glove and bat to secure a more prominent role.

09-24-2021, 02:34 PM	#611
ayaghmour2 Hall Of Famer Join Date: Mar 2018 Posts: 3,010	Top Prospects: 26-30 No sim today (or Monday...), but a ton of trade action in the FABL! None involving the Cougars, but the Stars and Eagles have been very active, creating a much more exciting offseason then I initially anticipated. RHP Ray McNeil (327th Overall) Acquired: Via Draft: 7th Round, 101st Overall (1937) Alma Mater: Maryland State Bengals Last year's 7th Rounder, Ray McNeil will look to follow in the footsteps of fellow 7th Rounder Harry Parker, as he looks to establish himself as a quality big league pitcher. He doesn't throw nearly as hard, and was a college kid instead of high school kid, but like Parker, he's got the stuff to start in the big leagues and he's looked really good so far. He's had an above average ERA+ in each of his four stops, varying between 4, 9, 11, and 12 starts a piece. If we were playing slots, he'd hit the jackpot, three consecutive 7 win stops, including 7 at both San Jose and Lincoln this year. He had very similar stats, with 7-2 with a 3.89 ERA (111 ERA+) in 11 San Jose starts and 7-4 with a 3.60 ERA (109 ERA+) in 12 Lincoln starts. Combined he walked 41 and struck out 68, while throwing one more inning (81) with San Jose then he did Lincoln. His 2.7 BB/9 with the Legislators was the highest mark of his career, but still respectable for a young pitcher. His strong control should limit free passes, and he added another mile to his fastball in October. It's one of his six pitches, the best being an already average changeup. His stuff and movement is average too, and he profiles as a very reliable innings eater. He's a bit away from earning a rotation spot, but with a good defense behind him, he should be able to do a very good job limiting hard contact. RF Sammy Dillon (346th Overall) Acquired: Via Draft: 4th Round, 63rd Overall (1938) Alma Mater: Mississippi A&M Generals The latest outfield product from Outfield A&M, I took the slugging corner bat of Sammy Dillon with one of our three fourth rounders in our most recent draft. All cracked our top 30, with Dillon rounding out the group. Dillon grew up not too far from here in Indianapolis, and was very happy to play for his favorite team. He looked outstanding in San Jose this year, batting .280/.405/.489 (140 OPS+) with 16 doubles, 7 homers, and 25 RBIs. The on-base percentage was really impressive, walking 40 times despite 31 strikeouts. His eye is rated "plus-plus" and he has outstanding bat speed, which combined will lead to a ton of homers. He has excellent strength, both arm and at the plate, and he should be able to hit over .270 with an OBP pushing .400. The speed he showed in college (85 steals) didn't show up in San Jose, 0-for-0 on steals, but that's not really a concern of mine. Tom likes his glove in either corner spot and thinks he should be a solid big league left fielder. I like him more in right, but most of his time this year came out in left. I expect Dillon to start next year in Lincoln, and he should be able to mash his way up the ladder. His value is limited as a corner outfielder, but the talent is apparent and he should fit in nicely with our lineup. RHP Bill Tuttle (399th Overall) Acquired: Via Minor League Free Agency (1938) Drafted: 14th Round, 209th Overall (1935) Alma Mater: Easton Eagles There are always surprises on the prospect lists, and this year's biggest surprise is the inclusion of Bill Tuttle. Originally a draft pick of Baltimore, he spent the 1936 season with them before being released in January of 1937. He caught on the independent game of musical chairs, a game in AA and a game in AAA with multiple releases and signings in between, before I freed him this May. Tuttle was actually a guy I had on my draft list for the 1935 draft, which was part of the reason I extended the minor league offer. He pitched out of the pen this season, but I think I will do my best to stretch him out as a starter next year. 20 in January, Tuttle spent all of this season in the Lions pen, 4-2 with 5 saves, a 2.39 ERA (192 ERA+), 1.27 WHIP, 27 walks, and 30 strikeouts. Walks have been an issue for Tuttle, 5.4 per 9 in 125 innings in 1936 and now 5 in the 49 this season. Command is definitely an issue, but his change has turned into a legit strikeout pitch and I'm hoping we can polish up his cutter and splitter as well. Right now he allows a lot of flyballs, which is not something you want to pair with inconsistent command. This will limit his future value, but he's a hard worker and upped his velo to 91-93 this October. There's a long way to go before Tuttle becomes a useful big league pitcher, but his natural talent paired with his makeup gives him a better shot then most to exceed his expectations. LHP Johnny Ruby (412th Overall) Acquired: Via Draft: 7th Round, 127th Overall (1937) Alma Mater: Smithfield College Bulldogs 1937 wasn't a great year for the almost 23-year-old, but southpaw Johnny Ruby made great strides forward this season. He started the year in San Jose, where he was 5-3 in his 11 starts with a 3.39 ERA (127 ERA+), 1.36 WHIP, 27 walks, and 43 strikeouts in 74.1 innings pitched. That was good enough for a promotion to Lincoln, where he started 12 games and tossed 77 innings with slightly worse results. He was a better 7-3, but with a 3.62 ERA (109 ERA+), 1.42 WHIP, 45 walks, and 55 strikeouts. The big difference between the two stops is the walks, seeing his BB/9 jump from 3.3 to 5.3, both higher then the 2.8 in 9 starts last year. Ruby was also striking out more, seeing an increase from 5.2 to a really impressive 6.4. Obviously, the extra strikeouts weren't worth the extra walks, but it is nice seeing such impressive strikeout numbers. The sidewinder features a high 80s fastball, but that's one of just six of his effective pitches. Weinstock also totes his "biting curveball" and "above average slider" which is enough to allow him to start FABL games. He does comment on how he needs to improve his command of his secondary offerings, but he is able to generate a lot of movement which helps keep the strikeout numbers high. If he continues to struggle to find the plate, Ruby's future lies in the minors, but I can see him getting more then a handful of starts for a big league team. LHP Cal Knight (417th Overall) Acquired: Via Trade with Pittsburgh (1935) Drafted: 2nd Round, 23rd Overall (1934) Alma Mater: Pierpont Panthers One of my targets in the 1934 draft, I waited until the following deadline to acquire former 2nd Rounder Cal Knight. The southpaw came over to Chicago with a 1st Round Pick (later traded) and 5th Round Pick (Jimmy Bach) in the Lou Kelly deal, who he actually played with on October 1st. Knight spent his second season in Milwaukee with 20 or more starts, going 4-7 with a 4.19 ERA (107 ERA+), 1.41 WHIP, 38 walks, and 40 strikeouts before a September callup. He pitched 4.1 innings for us, allowing 5 hits, 3 runs, and 3 walks with 3 strikeouts. Now 25, both OSA and Tom think Knight will be a back end starter, in large part due to his ability to keep the ball on the ground. He doesn't throw too hard, 86-88 with his cutter, but you can't forget that this year's Allen Winner also throws 86-88. Obviously, he walks a ton more hitters then Lyons, but Knight has a nice slider that can miss bats and his changeup isn't a bad third pitch. His stuff probably tops out as average, but he has the command to limit hard contact even if he will walk a few hitters. Knight won't start in our rotation, at least at the beginning, as we look to have a ton of options (Lyons, Fritz, Parker, Sullivan, Papenfus, Brown, Bryan) ahead of him and seems likely to start the season in either Milwaukee or our bullpen. If I had to "rank" our nine top pitchers in current ability, Knight would find himself in that group, so that at least makes him a favorite to earn a roster spot this Spring. Another plus is him and Lyons are the only lefties on the 40 (Crane has been DFA'd) and I do like having at least one lefty in my pen. Knight isn't an arm to write home about, but he's very well developed and his current floor is the highest of all our prospect pitchers.

09-29-2021, 03:54 PM	#613
ayaghmour2 Hall Of Famer Join Date: Mar 2018 Posts: 3,010	Rule-5 Draft The first pick in the Rule-5 draft belonged to Washington, and the player they selected was someone I debated protecting, but let go. That would be 26-year-old Red Looney, an outfielder from Chicago who has a strong track record with the bat in the minors. Most of his season was spent in Mobile, where he hit .302/.374/.508 (135 OPS+) with 15 doubles, 10 triples, 11 homers, 15 steals, and 65 RBIs in his 395 plate appearances. He got time at all three outfield spots, looking rather well out there too. Looney could end up an every day player, potentially a leadoff hitter for the Eagles, but he's just a few days younger then MacDonald and almost four years older then our current center fielder Carlos Montes, who is celebrating his 23rd birthday today. He will have competition with former top prospect Don Miller located in center now, but left field is wide open and either could slide over. The Keystones actually took Juan Pomales, but being an ineligible player because of the lottery issues, he was returned back to us. We did get a little revenge on the Keystones, grabbing a hitter I've been following for a long time. Like Looney, I grabbed a 26-year-old outfielder with a name custom made for a baseball player; Tommy Sandstorm. He's been on my radar since the 1934 draft, partly because of the name, but also due to his talent with the bat. I think he's a power hitter, but with just 8 homers this season in AA, he broke his three season streak of 20 or more homers. Regardless, Sandstorm hit an impressive .332/.423/.506 (149 OPS+) with 33 doubles, 13 triples, and 88 RBIs in 564 trips to the plate. He also had an outstanding 76-to-27 walk-to-strikeout ratio. My scout actually likes his glove more then his bat, even though he's never had good defensive marks and owns a 150 career OPS+ with a 17.8 WAR in 504 minor league games. A lefty swinger, Sandstorm will have the inside job to earning a bench spot, and I can see the hardworking corner bat forcing himself into our plans. This makes things a little tougher for Johnny Waters, Bobby Mills, and Lou Kelly, but the first two can be optioned without an issue. Now with our roster filled at 40, I will take off the minor league draft which will happen tomorrow. I haven't decided on the independent draft, I'm still scouting potential players to add, but my guess is if I find someone I like, someone else would take them first. In other transaction news, Wilcox and Ashbaugh both cleared waivers, but only Tommy decided he'd stay in the organization. Unfortunately, I had to cut Ashbaugh, and he's demanding a big league deal to return. I offered him a minor deal to see if he catches on somewhere else, but I definitely will follow the rest of his career.

09-30-2021, 09:51 PM	#614
ayaghmour2 Hall Of Famer Join Date: Mar 2018 Posts: 3,010	Trade News! Happy FABL New Year! I was a little busy tonight, and celebrated by putting together a pair of trade with a pair of Federal Association teams. I was looking to trim my 40-man roster a little, and was able to pick up two draft picks and three prospects. The cost was our 2nd and 4th Round selections from the 1931 draft, a pair of youngsters who have already debuted in the big leagues. None were in our plans this year, and if we wanted to option them, it would be their third and final one, so I saved myself a potential roster crunch next offseason as I know I'll need more 40-man spots during the season if I want to bring up one of my top prospects like Del Burns or Juan Pomales. The first move was a trade with one of my most frequent trading partners, the New York Gothams. I feel like we have a trade or three with them each season, and this is our second of the offseason as we sent Sam Hodge there for Willie Gonzalez Jr. We sent them another young pitcher, this time John Hartz, for a 5th Round Pick and southpaw Ray Wilcox. Based on name alone, Wilcox was a target of mine in the 1936 draft, but my scout wasn't the biggest fan of him and I decided not to take him in the human portion. The Gothams grabbed him in the 12th Round, and the 23-year-old has done a lot of traveling. In 1937 he had stops at all five minor league levels, with stops between 2 and 9 games. His longest stop was 65 innings in Class B, but he had an above average ERA+ at each stop other then AA. This year, however, he spent most of his season in A ball and made 18 starts. He was 7-9 with a 3.18 ERA (125 ERA+), 1.29 WHIP, 61 walks, and 48 strikeouts in 141.2 innings pitched. The Rochester native does have nice stuff, four quality pitches with a hard upper 90s cutter and a good changeup. His fastball is respectable as well, and he can drop in a splitter when needed. Wilcox isn't a top prospect by any means, but he checks in at 370. I don't think he'll turn into a top arm by any means, but he's got nice talent and it helps me free up a 40-man spot. The other move was with the Pittsburgh Miners, who already added star centerfielder Pablo Reyes and left handed pitcher Karl Johnson in their quest to retake the Fed. It's not a move that will secure them the pennant, but they added the excellent glove of Roy Moore to their outfield for Jasper Wright, Ron Sexton, and a 7th Round Pick. Wright is a very interesting prospect, a 20th Round selection from 1935 that was lucky to not get cut after draft day or a 29 PA stint in his first pro year. Since then, however, he's had back-to-back seasons with 100+ starts and he flashed a lot of promise. He has the speed and defensive capabilities to man center, but also the glove and reaction time to play on the infield dirt as well. Weinstock thinks he's got the tools to stick in center, but I'd love to work on his versatility. I imagine he can handle left and right easily, and I'll likely give him a game or two at third or second. He could work as a 9th man (probably in San Jose) like a Tip Harrison, spelling the starters at the other eight spots. I love his eye, love his wheels, and he's looked to develop a little gap power as well. He had 20 doubles and 17 triples this season, and while all seven of his homers came in 90 games in C ball, the power could come with age like it did for Carlos Montes. Wright reminds me a lot of him, and while he may not have the obvious upside Montes did, he could force his way into our lineup. Another guy towards the back of the prospect lists, he ranks right outside the top 300 at 305. Sexton, just 18, was the Miners 5th Round selection in the most recent drat. He split time between Jackson and Spokane, but he seemed to be overmatched in Class B. He made 10 starts and was 2-5 with a 7.35 ERA (60 ERA+), 1.90 WHIP, 31 walks, and 16 strikeouts. This was nothing like his first six starts, where he was a perfect 4-0 with a 1.84 ERA (241 ERA+), 0.94 WHIP, 10 walks, and 15 strikeouts. I think I'll let him start in La Crosse, and since he'll be 19 next August, he may spend all season with the Lions. The lanky 6'2'' righty sits comfortably in the 89-91 range, but his four pitches aren't anywhere near their peak. He has been adding speed, 86-88 on draft day, and he seems to have a little more left. I like his slider, his newest pitch, but his stuff may be more Cy Sullivan then Harry Parker. He does well mixing his pitches, and his walks were much more controlled when he wasn't over matched. A big strikeout arm in high school, I'm hoping he can polish his stuff while he grows in our organization, and he could work his way up prospect lists as he ages. Right now he ranks 402nd in the league, but I can see him jumping into the top 200 by year's end, or of course, falling off the face of the earth like some teen pitchers do. This was our fifth trade of the offseason, and while I expect it to be the last, I won't count anything out. We had to give up a lot of good prospects for Freddie Jones, and I really wanted to try to restock the system. I've stockpiled a few picks, so we're looking at five extra picks in the first 10 rounds. All of them are in the 4th-7th Rounds, and these are my favorite picks to have. Of course, everyone wants extras 1s and 2s, but we tend to have a pretty good track record with middle round picks like these. I don't expect every 5 to be Hank Stratton, every 6 to be Ducky Jordan and every 7 to be Harry Parker, but Phil English, Red Moore, or Reginald Westfall would work fine too. I didn't take anyone in the minor league draft today, and I expect the guy I want in the independent draft to be taken before me, so there might not be any news until Monday. The first part of the draft will be setup over the weekend, so hopefully we'll add three more Cougars on Monday and/or Tuesday. My scout doesn't love the class by any means, but I love his initial ten man list, as I'd be happy to get eight of those options with my first pick, with a ninth probably just someone I need to scout a bit more. It will be an interesting experience picking before the season stats are in, but having no mock draft definitely makes things more exciting. Last edited by ayaghmour2; 09-30-2021 at 09:57 PM.

10-02-2021, 04:00 PM	#615
ayaghmour2 Hall Of Famer Join Date: Mar 2018 Posts: 3,010	Amateur Report The pool has been loaded, and we're beginning the draft this weekend. Some new players have been added, but they have no stats. I can't really see myself taking any of these guys in the first round, or maybe even second, but here are some interesting guys to keep an eye on: CF Rats McGonigle School: Bronx Tech The name alone is enough to warrant a draft selection, and with no stats, a name is enough pull. Add in the nickname "The Ringer from Stringer" and there's no doubt in my mind that Rats McGonigle belongs in a big league organization. Tom loves him, thinks he's the second best prospect in the pool, but I think I'll find it hard to take a guy with no stats. A literal baseball rat, McGonigle worked his way on to the Bronx Tech roster, and will get his first chance as a junior. He's an above average defender out in center, and he could effortlessly move to left or right as well. He's got plus contact ability and OSA thinks he'll be an elite hitter and defensive marvel in center. The scouts love him, the writers love him, and I imagine the fans will love him. Of all the stat-less players, I think he'll be the first one selected, but I can't imagine he'll be one of the first few picks, even if his talent warrants the selection. RHP Harry Sharp School: Red River State If you thought taking a statless hitter was a huge risk, let me tell you about Harry Sharp. The 21-year-old righty not only has no stats, but my scout and OSA both think he could just be a bullpen arm, but Tom's report is "Very Low" and he ranks him with Vic Carrol, Marcus Magnum, and Ambry O'Brien as pitchers worth taking in round one. A hard worker from St. Louis, he also forced his way on to his college's roster, using a high 80s fastball to get there. He keeps the ball on the ground, and his curveball is an outstanding out pitch. OSA says his change is "rudimentary" and likely what is stopping him from starting in the big leagues. He's from St. Louis, so perhaps the Pioneers take the risk on him in the regional round, but if he goes undrafted, he'll be someone to follow for the 4th Round. I'd love for him to improve his change, but Otis Cook has shown you don't need three good pitches to succeed in the FABL. C Al Stout Jr. School: Edgewood Son of longtime Wolve shortstop Al Stout, the younger Stout will be eligible for the upcoming draft. His father spent 1907-1915 with Toronto before three seasons in Foresters before he hung up the cleats. In 1,367 FABL games he was worth 66.6 wins above replacement with a .267/.355/.310 (97 OPS+) batting line. Junior was born in 1920 in Euclid, Ohio and he's stayed in Ohio most of his life. He projects to have a decent eye, but the bat might not develop into what scouts are looking for. The big league pedigree will be beneficial, but I can see Stout falling. A season of stats will give a better reference point for his talent, but a catcher with any sort of bat can be very valuable. RF Jack Kowalski School: Roosevelt His friends call him the "Polish Rifle" and I'm pretty sure it's because of his cannon of an arm. Regardless, Kowalski is the first Polish player in the league, born in Warsaw before moving to DC this year to play high school baseball at Roosevelt. Kowalski has an exudes and air of confidence and he's one of those players that tends to play with his pedal to the metal. He projects to be a decent corner defender, but range and speed are not his strengths. He should hit for a high average, but sometimes he can be over aggressive at the plate. This kid has a ton of potential, but he has a long way to go before reaching it. 3B Davey Robicheaux School: Bay State A draft eligible sophomore, Crawfish Robicheaux could make the decision to stay for his junior season to boost his draft stock. He's eligible out of Bay State in Alabama this year, but the Louisiana native will likely not return for a second season. The youngster has a great hit tool and has great recognition of the strike zone. His power is above average at the moment, and I can see it turning into a real plus tool. OSA loves his potential, Tom is a little less sure of it, but both think he should be a reliable every day player. A mix of strong plate discipline, above average contact, and potential top line power, he's got almost everything you look for in a third basemen. He'll be 22 in April, but I can see him being a slow riser instead of a plug and play starter. C Augie Hays Jr. School: Gloucester Another catcher with a father who played professionally, "Augie Doggie" is a switch hitting catcher who looks like one of the best defensive catchers available this year. He's got a cannon behind his plate, and his teammates do enjoy throwing to him. He was only on the Gloucester team because of his father, but after their everyday catcher transferred out, they decided to give their senior bullpen catcher a shot. He has a lot of issues with his swing, but he is able to put the bat on the ball occasionally. His plate discipline is his best asset at the plate, but his true value comes with his glove. His dad was known as the "Dirt Dog", but he topped out in AA. I think glove alone will allow junior to surpass his father, but his usefulness will be determined by how much he can improve his bat. EDIT: Forgot to mention that both of the players I wanted in the independent draft were taken before my pick, so in the end it really didn't matter which one I picked. One was Sig Stofer, who went first to the Keystones. The other was Ed Greenwood who was next to the Saints. Both look like really good future players, and I can see Stofer manning first sooner then later. He's no Rankin Kellogg, but the Boardwalk Bopper could be another mainstay at first. Greenwood is much more raw, and the Saints have an interesting youngster in Dilly Ward manning center at the moment, but Greenwood could eventually snatch the job up. With the draft starting, we pick seventh in both the first and second round. Technically we are third for the regional round, but basically I can take any player (there is one I have my eye on that I really hope falls) from Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, or Wisconsin as we had a worse record then the Chiefs. We could also get someone from Missouri (Pioneers) and Kentucky (Foresters and Pioneers), but we would have a little competition. Last edited by ayaghmour2; 10-02-2021 at 08:16 PM.

10-05-2021, 09:49 PM	#616
ayaghmour2 Hall Of Famer Join Date: Mar 2018 Posts: 3,010	1939 Draft: Round 1 and 2 1st Round, 7th Overall: SS Skipper Schneider School: Northwestern Career: .484/.532/.671, 826 PA, 38 2B, 2 3B, 6 HR, 98 RBI, 47 SB After a quick scare as the auto-draft accidentally took a player for me before I had a chance to select, we were almost stuck with OSA's finest Bob "The Ragin' Cajun" Miller. He's not bad per say, but the Shreveport native turns 23 in May, and Tom thinks he's just a .250 hitter compared to OSA's dreams of .330. Add on the fact that he's a corner outfielder, and you can imagine my panic when I wake up to see that he was the 7th Overall Pick. Unfortunately for Boston, who made Schneider the 8th Pick, we were able to roll back the draft, and I was able to secure one of my top targets and Weinstock's #5 player. His 1, 2, 3 were already taken, but the 4 will probably stay undrafted for a while. I debated grabbing a pitcher, but the two I really wanted (Carroll and Magnum) were already taken, and the other two pitchers he really likes have huge question marks. We even had a little hiatus with our comissioner getting sick that held up the draft, but after what turned out to be just a day, the draft was back on track. That leaves us with the player I actually took, the versatile teen from Detroit, Skipper Schneider. Not only does he have an A+ name for an A+ prospect, he's one of three triplets, and the first of back-to-back-to-back Schneider brotehrs to be selected in the draft. Skipper hits left handed and has experience playing at second, third, left, and right, as well as his natural shortstop. He's set to be a four year starter at Northwestern, his local school in Detroit, and has always hit better then a .478/.524/.664 line. He's a tiny guy, just 5'6'', even shorter then another versatile infielder in Ducky Jordan, and almost a full foot shorter then SS/1B Stu Stasny, who I grabbed from the Gothams in the Oscar Morse trade. Myself, OSA, and Tom all love Schneider's defense, OSA declaring him a defensive marvel and Tom think's he'll be one of the best defensive shortstops in the league. Add in the versatility and he already has a low floor of a utility player. And lucky for us, there is much more upside then that, as he's pretty handy with the bat too. He projects to be a consistent .300 hitter who attacks the ball at the plate. He's a little aggressive at the plate, but as he develops, he'll learn more about which pitches he can handle and which he should let go past. Even without an increase in eye, however, he makes enough contact that he won't strike out very much, but then he may be one of the those slap hitters who rely on BABIP luck and their speed to reach base. Schneider is a hard worker and that should help him in reaching his potential. The sky is the limit for him, and I can see him becoming a definite force at the plate and in the field. Sure, Billy Hunter has short locked up, but Skipper is six years younger, so when he turns 22, Billy will be closing in on 30. I think Schneider is the better defender too, so Hunter could move to third or second, where our vets "Jack the Ripper" and "Frederick the Great" will stay until age (in Lawson's case) or injury (for Jones, of course) get in the way. Plus with Skipper's versatility, he should be able to force himself in somehow when the time is right. 2nd Round, 23rd Overall: CF Danny Goff Jr. School: Hempstead Career: .357/.413/.483, 606 PA, 30 2B, 15 3B, 3 HR, 109 RBI, 70 SB There were just so many reasons I absolutely could not pass up on Danny Goff Jr. I almost took him with my first pick, and I was anxiously waiting for the last couple of hours, but I wanted to give Brooklyn a few more shots to take him before I did. Son of current Kings bench coach and longtime New York Pitcher, Danny seems likely to be a star. His father pitched 4,565.2 big league innings, almost all of them coming with the Gothams or Kings. He was 252-248 with a 3.40 ERA (102 ERA+), 1.31 WHIP, 1,096 walks, and 1,851 strikeouts while being worth 80.4 WAR in 611 games. Goff threw over 2,000 innings with both the Gothams and the Kings, but his last big league action came in 1927 with the Cougars. He went 6-8 with a 5.74 ERA (69 ERA+), 1.88 WHIP, 79 walks, and 38 strikeouts in 16 starts and 15 relief appearances. He then took a Manager job in 1929 with the Kings organization, starting at Class B Tampa towards the end of the season. He managed the next two full season before a promotion to AA Knoxville the following season. He led them to a Dixie League championship, and then during the following season he was named bench coach for the Kings. As a manager he was 319-211, and was .500 or better at each stop. The Kings have won 90 or more with him as the bench coach, and then he got his first career ring last year. It would be unfair to expect anything like that for his son, but the younger Goff is an extremely talented prospect. In two seasons with Hempstead, a college in New York, Goff has hit .357/.413/.483 and swiped an impressive 70 bases against good competition. Primarily a center fielder, he's also gotten time at first, left, and right. He's got good defensive skills, likely allowing him to stay in center, but he may not be one of the best defenders out there. Like he did in college, Goff Jr. should be able to bat well over .300, potentially challenging for a batting title or two in his career. He's a smart hitter who doesn't chase much, but he doesn't offer much power either. His speed is a huge asset and may be one of his best tools, but you know the real reason I couldn't pass up the Brooklyn boy? I love a two way player! He hasn't pitched in college, but I think he can follow in his dad's footsteps and start a few FABL games. A three pitch pitcher, he features a nice changeup, a 87-89 mph fastball, and a passable curve. He may struggle with the longball, but he has excellent command of his pitches. Control is his biggest strength, as his stuff may never be much more then average. I think his future is definitely in the outfield, not on the mound, but I love me some two way players!

10-07-2021, 05:31 PM	#617
ayaghmour2 Hall Of Famer Join Date: Mar 2018 Posts: 3,010	Regional Round The regional round has now been completed, as we inch ever closer to Spring Training and then the ever exciting Opening Day. There were a handful of players I really wanted, but they were from Missouri, so I knew my chances were low. They were spoiled when Bob Coon (who the Pioneers wanted) who was taken towards the end of the second round, so the Pioneers grabbed the pitcher I wanted, Harry Sharp. A guy I debated for my second pick, Ambry O'Brien (who I debated over Goff Jr.) when to the Keystones as I was hoping he would fall to the fourth. And the Illinois hitter I really wanted, Whitey Dorsch, was a late first round selection. There were a few other interesting third basemen, but I ended up rolling the dice on a pitcher from Missouri: RHP Bob Petty School: Clayton 1938: 8-0, 103.2 IP, 1.29 ERA, 0.91 WHIP, 21 BB, 101 K Career: 15-3, 187.1 IP, 1.97 ERA, 1.08 WHIP, 60 BB, 230 K There is a huge risk when you take young high school arms, and the risk is even greater when you draft a 16-year-old. But, with not may other options, and a pair of positional players going in the first two rounds, I thought the Hard Way was worth it. "Hard Way" is the nickname given to righty Bob Petty, who won't turn 17 until September 3rd. That means when he joins the Lions in June, he will still be just 16, likely the first 16 year we have ever employed. He broke out at 15, finishing a perfect 8-0 while dropping his ERA from 2.52 to 1.29 and his WHIP from 1.22 to 0.91. These are extremely impressive numbers, and I expect him to put together a very similar season as a senior. He also dropped his BB/9 from 3.4 to 2.3 while increasing his K/9 from 10.3 to 11.9. He did throw less innings and make less starts last season, but they were far more quality innings. I love his tools, as the wiry 6'3'' righty locates his 86-88 fastball and cutter fine, but the best of his pitches is an excellent curveball. He also offers a change and forkball, but those secondary pitches aren't all that exciting. Weinstock thinks he has the potential to start in the big leagues, but his pitches (other then the curve) are very fall off. Command issues may surface as he advances, but I trust his makeup will help push him through. Petty believes hard work leads to results, and I love hard working players that have a few exciting tools. With a limited selection of players, I don't think this pick will make or break us, but I am excited to let Petty develop in our system, even if it takes him a long time to reach his potentially lofty potential.

10-08-2021, 03:53 PM	#618
ayaghmour2 Hall Of Famer Join Date: Mar 2018 Posts: 3,010	Start of Spring Training! It won't be until Monday, but baseball is finally back! It feels like it has been months since the last time the Cougars took the field, but there is a growing sense of excitement brewing in the Cougars clubhouse. Funny enough, if Billy Hunter or John Lawson was ranked 4th instead of 3rd, our starting eight would have each rank, 2 through 9, at their position. Mitchell is 2nd, Jones 5th, Ford 6th, Taylor 7th, Langton 8th, and Montes 9th. It looks more cool then has any meaning, but it's definitely an improvement over the rankings from last year. The always too early preseason predictions are already out, and they are interesting enough. We're predicted to finish second at 82-72, with a pair of top players. John Lawson is one, who is supposed to hit .319/.377/.515 with 26 homers and 108 RBIs. The other, is very shocking, Allen Purvis, projected to go 16-15 with a 3.74 ERA, 1.86 WHIP, 117 walks, and 62 strikeouts in 300.2 innings pitched. That will never happen, but hey, kind of cool to know that Purvis may or may not be able to do that! I love filling up my Spring Roster, and we'll do that again this season. Here is a look at the Cougars in camp: LHP Bob Bliss RHP Eddie Bloom RHP Joe Brown RHP Pug Bryan RHP Del Burnes RHP Roy Carey LHP Fred Carter RHP Dan Everett RHP Milt Fritz LHP Cal Knight LHP Dick Lyons LHP Jim Miller RHP Pete Papenfus RHP Harry Parker RHP Chet Peacock LHP Walker Pearce RHP/CF Juan Pomales RHP Allen Purvis RHP Cy Sullivan LHP Rusty Watts C Speed Davis C Harry Mead C Mike Taylor C Johnnie Williamson 1B Ray Ford 1B Lou Kelly 1B Bobby Mills 1B Chris Smith 2B Bill Dickens 2B Freddie Jones 2B Ducky Jordan 2B Ollie Page 2B Homer Ray 2B Bots Shearer 3B Russ Combs 3B John Lawson 3B Johnny McDowell 3B Dick Voss SS Freddie Bennett SS Tip Harrison SS Billy Hunter SS Hal Wood LF Doc Love LF Leo Mitchell LF Larry Robison LF Vince York CF Aart MacDonald CF Carlos Montes CF Harry Schad CF Orlin Yates RF Rich Langton RF Oscar Panduro RF Tommy Sandstorm I won't have many roster battles to deal with, but the bench and pen are pretty wide open. There are a lot of young guys in camp looking to secure a long term big league job, even if it just is off the bench. The rotation could see a little change, but I'm pretty confident in Lyons-Fritz-Parker-Papenfus-Sullivan. Of course, Allen Purvis could be an option, and there is still fireballer Joe Brown. They are likely both set for the pen, but a few things could change. There is also Pug Bryan, but I'm still not quite sure what to do with him. I still think those eight will fill the staff, but there is room for a 9th if I need it. On the positional aside, I have spots reserved for the projected starting eight, as well as Ollie Page, Johnny McDowell, and Harry Mead. Chances are Aart MacDonald, Doc Love, and Tommy Sandstorm will secure spots as well, leaving very few bench positions open. Guys like Bobby Mills, Johnny Waters, and Lou Kelly could be good options for the corners, but a youngster like Ducky Jordan could make a big difference. It will be an exciting Spring, and I cannot wait to see what the 1939 Cougars will do.

10-11-2021, 04:32 PM	#619
ayaghmour2 Hall Of Famer Join Date: Mar 2018 Posts: 3,010	Spring Training: Week 1 Solid week for the Cougars, as we started this Spring 5-2. It's worth nothing, but we do tend to play well in the Spring, frequently finishing in the top half if not top two of the Spring standings. We're tied with the Wolves to kick things off, and I'd love to stay in first the rest of the way. Best part of the week was no injuries, as getting injured is really the only way to lose Spring Training. At first I wasn't sure if it was an airplane or Billy Hunter's batting average, but the now healthy young shortstop was red hot, 8-for-11 (.727) with 2 doubles, a triple, 4 runs, and 5 RBIs. It was far better then his new double play partner, Freddie Jones, who was 0-for-9, but I'll take zero hits if it means zero injuries. Leo Mitchell raked, 8-for-15 with a double, triple, and homer. He also drove in five, scored four times, and walked twice in an outstanding week. John Lawson showed no signs of rust, 6-for-14 with 3 walks, 3 runs, and 2 RBIs. Rich Langton was also 6-for-14, but his came with 3 doubles, 5 runs, 5 RBIs, and a triple. A few potential bench guys made their mark as well, with Orlin Yates finishing 5-for-12 with a double and a pair of walks and runs scored. Johnny McDowell was 4-for-10 with a steal, run, 2 walks, and 2 RBIs. The extremely versatile Tip Harrison was 3-for-8 with a homer and two runs, RBIs, and walks. In total, 32 Cougars position players made a plate appearance, with all but four making more then one. We had a lot of pitchers pitch as well, with 18 of the 20 throwing at least one inning, while one (Bob Bliss) of the two who didn't start actually got an at bat. Some of the starts were great, as Cy, Pug, and Lyons all tossed 4 shutout innings. They combined to allow just 6 hits with a walk and two strikeouts. It wasn't a shutout, but Milt Fritz allowed a single run in his 4 innings, allowing two hits with a walk and strikeout. Peter the Heater had the one real bad outing, 6 hits and 6 runs in 4 innings. The problem was the three homers, but he walked just one and struck out three. Harry Parker made two 4 inning starts, allowing 5 hits, 4 runs, and 2 walks with 4 strikeouts. He also had homer issues, watching two leave the yard. Juan Pomales made a 5 inning relief outing, allowing 6 hits, a run, and a walk with 2 strikeouts. Allen Purvis was roughed up a bit, 8 hits, 2 runs, and 3 strikeouts in 4.1 innings pitched. Jim Miller tossed 4-hitless frames with just a single walk. Home runs issues will likely be a trend for the new season, I'd imagine, as we moved into a nice and cozy new park with home run metrics of 1.112 overall and 1.118/1.109 for lefties and righties. The new park has 14 ft walls in left and right with 7 ft walls in center, making it easier to hit flyballs in the corners while line drives to center can make their way out. The dimensions are 310-340-380-388-380-340-310 now, as I took the "W" out of center and instead brought the fences in. I do miss the days when the ball always flew out at home, and I think we'll start to see that a little more now. Having a smaller field also helps our outfield defenders, as we tend to have power guys in the corners who don't always have the best range. Only Harry Parker is a flyballer, most of our guys are groundballers or at least neutral, so I don't think our pitching staff will take much of a hit. I do think this will really help the bats, as Ford, Langton, Lawson, Taylor, Montes, and Hunter have legit power that will be benefitted by this. Really only Freddie Jones and Leo Mitchell are more put the ball in play types, as Doc Love won't see as many at bats anymore. It will be interesting to see how we are effected, but I think the fans will enjoy it.

10-12-2021, 02:31 PM	#620
ayaghmour2 Hall Of Famer Join Date: Mar 2018 Posts: 3,010	Spring Training: Week 2 Not much luck this week, as we finished just 2-4 and dropped out of first place. We are still a game over .500, which is okay, but since we remained injury-free, I'll take the win. We did manage a pair of 4 inning shutouts, courtesy of Milt Fritz and Harry Parker. Fritz allowed 2 hits and struck out one while Parker allowed 4 hits and struck out two. Cy and Pete both allowed 2 in 4, but Cy allowed 7 hits to Pete's 3 walks and 3 hits. Cal Knight pitched well out of the pen, 7 scoreless with 7 hits, 2 walks, and 3 strikeouts. Roy Carey struck out 2 and allowed 3 hits in 3.2 innings. Jim Miller and Allen Purvis tossed 3 scoreless each, although Miller allowed two hits and walks with three strikeouts. Pug Bryan for some reason went 4.1 instead of just 4, allowing 5 hits, 3 runs, and a walk with 2 strikeouts. This week four guys didn't get any innings, and I decided to trim the roster a little. Heading back to Milwaukee will be Eddie Bloom, Fred Carter, Bob Bliss, and Rusty Watts. 16 pitchers remain in camp, with just four non-roster invitees left on the roster. Most of our starting hitters struggled, as Ray Ford (4-16) and Freddie Jones (2-8) were the only hitters with more then 10 trips to the plate to hit above .200. Both hit an uninspiring .250, but the best of the other six was just .182. That's not to say no one did any good, as Harry Mead was an outstanding 5-for-7 with a walk, homer, and a pair of runs and RBIs. Ollie Page was 4-for-9 with a double, homer, and two RBIs. John Lawson was 4-for-8 with a homer, walk, two runs, and two RBIs. There were a lot more guys this week to not get an at bat, so again, more roster trimming. Going back to Milwaukee would be Chris Smith, Vince York, Dick Voss, and Bill Dickens. I also had to DFA Ken Wyatt, because I forgot he had a big league deal still. We still have 30 hitters in camp plus Juan Pomales, but most of the guys on hand are there just in case. Still, 19 players including Pomales had five or more PAs this week and Ford's 17 were the most.