Chicago Cougars (FABL)

[ayaghmour2]

Among FABL center fielders the past three seasons, only one guy has managed to post at least a 20 zone rating and 1.045 efficiency in all three seasons. In fact, only one player has been able to accomplish that:

Your newest Cougar John Moss!

This has been a great offseason, at least for getting players I want, as after acquiring the elusive David Molina, we have also now brought in the elusive John Moss, who I've been trying to trade for on many occasions. In fact, I would have gotten him instead of Sal Pestilli, had I known "Johnny Reb" would be available shortly after. But now we have both!

With the addition of Moss, we now have the two top center fielders in terms of both zone rating and defensive efficiency, although as you might guess, Moss is leaps and bounds better defensively then Sal is. And not only is he the best defensive center fielder out there, Moss can hit too, owning a 110 WRC+ in 500 games as a King, and he currently ranks as the 17th best position player in either association.

Taken 4th Overall in 1940, Moss quickly made his way up the Kings system, and got a quick cup of coffee in 1942, before the Air Force called and took him in for the next three seasons. When he returned, he started back in the minors, but Moss finished off the season as Brooklyn's everyday center fielder. He impressed in his second taste of FABL pitching, batting .246/.339/.374 (106 OPS+) with 10 doubles, 5 homers, 31 RBIs and a 29-to-18 walk-to-strikeout ratio. That was enough to earn him the starting job on Opening Day, and the then 25-year-old Moss had his breakout. He appeared in 149 games, posting an excellent 6.7 WAR and 118 WRC+ with his .270/.364/.388 (113 OPS+) triple slash. Moss added 35 doubles, 5 triples, 8 homers, and 79 RBIs, but this time the difference in walks and strikeouts was huge. Moss drew 81 walks and struck out just 36 times, which helped raise his wOBA to .350.

Moss took a small step back in 1948, part which can be blamed on an intercostal strain, but he was right back to being one of the most valuable center fielders in 1949. Moss led all Continental Association players with 39 doubles, as well as 705 plate appearances. That really speaks to his durability, as besides the previously mentioned strain, Moss has not had to deal with any ailments despite his outstanding skill in the outfield. His .271/.378/.396 (101 OPS+) line was right around average, but due to his excellent discipline (98 BB, 53 K), he had a strong 117 WRC+. Combining that with the glove, he was worth 5.5 wins above replacement, and he hit a career high 11 homers with 96 runs and 74 RBIs.

Recently turned 28, Moss is still in the prime of his career, and he gives us the type of player I've been searching for since Carlos Montes started to slip. Sure, Sal Pestilli is an above average center fielder (12.5, 1.029) in his own right, but with Moss patrolling center, almost nothing is going to fall. This allows us to shift Sal to right, which at 34 was probably going to happen soon enough anyways. He's never played anywhere other then center in his 1,477 FABL games, but one full spring should be enough to get him acclimated to the new position. With arguably the two best defensive outfielders in the game, it won't matter who we throw out in left, as they will be shielded greatly by the two talented glove men. Finally, Leo Mitchell can just stand in left field an hope the ball isn't hit near him, allowing him to focus on the balls hit right at him. Our pitching is already great, and I still think the best, Duke and Pap allow way too many flyballs, and we should be able to corral all the ones that stay in the park. The 1950 Cougars are starting to look really good, and at this point I just cannot wait for the calendar to turn over to 1950.

The price we paid was costly, as I'm sure you could have guessed, Ron Berry is the headliner, as we parted with the #37 prospect and the #6 pitching prospect, along with infielder Tom Brownleaf and pitcher Dutch Yoak. I never expected to trade Yoak, who I've loved since his sophomore year of high school, but he's far more expendable then Berry. Berry is overdo a shot at a FABL rotation spot, and even after moving Harry Beardsley, there's no easy entrance for him to crack the rotation. I'm sure I'm going to face hating Berry this year, but I want him to succeed, and that's probably not an option in Chicago.

We also got back a prospect, adding the unranked Jack Moore. A 19-year-old middle infielder, Moore was an 8th Round pick in 1948 who spent his season with the Kings Class B affiliate. Moore appeared in 69 games and made 211 trips to the plate, hitting matching Moss' 117 WRC+ while hitting .326/.379/.474 (111 OPS+). A natural shortstop, Moore might not stick there, but he's an inquisitive prospect who's far off from the show, and he has some interesting characteristics. He did manage 6 homers, but I don't expect much pop from his bat. What I do expect is consistent .300+ batting averages, as he has a great swing. He still hits the ball on the ground too much, and he's not the type of speedster who can really take advantage of that, but this kid is really good at putting bat on ball, and as a switch hitter he's already got a nice floor of a utility infielder who can at least move over runners on second with a grounder to the second basemen.

Now I think we're done making moves this offseason, but as always, I never quite know what will happen. At this point, all the chips are in, and aside from Mitchell in left, I can't really see a hole on the roster. I don't think our rotation has ever had a hole, but the outfield is both talented and deep, we have too many infielders and not enough positions, and we can absorb multiple injuries if the worst case happens. At this point, I really think we are a few steps above the rest of the association, and all that's left to do is play to our abilities.

Something we are so good at!

Opening can't get here soon enough! I don't think I've ever been this excited for a Cougars team, well, ever! I don't think there are any other players I even want!

Well, at least the ones that would fit...

[ayaghmour2]

SS Elmer Grace (#74 Overall)
Acquired: Via Draft: 4th Round, 52nd Overall (1948)
AAA: .264/.371/.395 (100 OPS+), 471 PA, 21 2B, 2 3B, 9 HR, 58 RBI, 3 SB
CWL: .320/.402/.573 (144 OPS+), 87 PA, 2 2B, 3B, 5 HR, 18 RBI

The Stallions split there games this week, as Elmer Grace did his best to earn win for his winter team. Grace went 5-for-15 and hit his 5th homer, adding a pair of runs and four walks in four starts at second. The hardworking middle infielder has been one of the Stallions most valuable assets, hitting .320/.402/.573 with 13 runs, 18 RBIs, and 8 extra base hits. He's showing improvements at the keystone, and is walking (11) almost three times as often as he's struck out (4). Currently the fifth ranked shortstop prospect, with one of those in front of him teammate Tom Perkins (3rd, 27th), I'm actually glad a better shortstop is playing with him, as I don't think anyone is pushing Skipper off short. Grace is as good, or even better, defensively then George Sutterfield, and he had a 10.7 zone rating and 1.108 efficiency in 563 innings at short. He got a little more then half that at second in Milwaukee, so the extra innings in the winter are huge. His bat and eye are both advanced enough to be at least an above average hitter, so I'm glad he has a chance to get additional innings at a position he's not fully experienced at.

RF Jimmy Hairston (#115 Overall)
Acquired: Via Draft: 4th Round, 61st Overall (1943)
FABL: .282/.408/.359 (106 OPS+), 50 PA, HR, 10 RBI
AAA: .316/.427/.502 (142 OPS+), 361 PA, 20 2B, 3 3B, 10 HR, 52 RBI, SB
CWL: .222/.400/.593 (148 OPS+), 70 PA, 2 2B, 6 HR, 11 RBI

Most players hitting .222 are not having a good season. Most players aren't Jimmy Hairston.

With a mix of power and discipline, Jimmy Hairston has hit like a modern day slugger down in the CWL, producing a 160 WRC+ with 12 runs, 11 RBIs, and a stellar 13-to-5 walk-to-strikeout ratio. The soon-to-be 25-year-old is now slashing .222/.400/.593 (148 OPS+) in 17 games for the Stallions, and despite the low average, he leads the team in slugging due to his team high six long balls. Two came in the most recent week, giving him 17 homers in 130 games split between here, Milwaukee, and Chicago.

One of the players left standing after a flurry of trades, Jimmy Hairston was excellent in AAA this season, hitting a robust .316/.427/.502 (142 OPS+) with a slightly higher 160 WRC+. That production earned him a few starts on the big league club, but with an option left, an Opening Day roster spot will be tough to secure. Now ranked as our ninth best prospect, he could be an enticing trade piece if a need arises during the season, but without an injury I don't see him starting many games in Chicago next season. Even if he raises his average closer to his norms, I can't see him hitting his way into the lineup, as he's now stuck behind superstar Sal Pestilli. He should be the only guy suiting up in right field with any regularity, so Hairston is going to have to do what Don Lee did this year, and tear the cover off the ball. He's going to play frequently in the outfield for the Blues, and with a 100+ game sample he could add another great year to his growing professional resume.

[StLee]

Originally Posted by ayaghmour2

Now I think we're done making moves this offseason, but as always, I never quite know what will happen. At this point, all the chips are in, and aside from Mitchell in left, I can't really see a hole on the roster. I don't think our rotation has ever had a hole, but the outfield is both talented and deep, we have too many infielders and not enough positions, and we can absorb multiple injuries if the worst case happens. At this point, I really think we are a few steps above the rest of the association, and all that's left to do is play to our abilities.

Something we are so good at!

Opening can't get here soon enough! I don't think I've ever been this excited for a Cougars team, well, ever! I don't think there are any other players I even want!

Well, at least the ones that would fit...

Glad to see you have a coveted player on your squad. Can we say that there is true hope for the Cougars?

[ayaghmour2]

Originally Posted by StLee

Glad to see you have a coveted player on your squad. Can we say that there is true hope for the Cougars?

I hope so! We come up short so often, but I can't remember the last time I've been this excited about our roster. There's a lot of talent on this squad, maybe the most since the war, and our competition hasn't made many moves. Hard not to get my hopes up right now!

[ayaghmour2]

It's draft time! The lottery took place this morning, and the draft will get started tomorrow. Again, we had poor first luck, but at least this time the Toronto Wolves saw their name called after us, giving us the 12th pick in the 1st Round. That's one pick earlier then last season, where we picked up the currently ranked #40 prospect Biff Tiner. In a deep draft, we should get another good player at 12, so it's even better that instead of one team after us, just one CA team was called before us in the second. That means will pick again eight picks later at 20, giving us a pair of picks in the middle of the lottery. We then pick 14th in rounds 3 through 25, with the first 10 coming this winter.

The CWL season continues, so I'll keep doing daily updates, with the draft picks that are made trickling in as they come. I guess I also forgot to do my look back at the 1929 class, so at least until after the current draft ends, I won't publish any of it yet, but with less news I'll be able to pre-write most of it. I guess I was supposed to do this during the postseason/offseason, but I lost track. Hopefully I'll remember sometime during 1950 for the 1930 class, but for now we have some winter ball action to attend to!

RF Jimmy Hairston (#113 Overall)
Acquired: Via Draft: 4th Round, 61st Overall (1943)
FABL: .282/.408/.359 (106 OPS+), 50 PA, HR, 10 RBI
AAA: .316/.427/.502 (142 OPS+), 361 PA, 20 2B, 3 3B, 10 HR, 52 RBI, SB
CWL: .258/.417/.682 (170 OPS+), 84 PA, 4 2B, 8 HR, 16 RBI

He did it again! Another two homer week!

Now the CWL leader in longballs, Jimmy Hairston homered in each of his last two games, going 4-for-8 with a double, 4 runs, 4 RBIs, and a walk. The young outfielder is now hitting an absurd .258/.417/.682 (170 OPS+) with 12 extra base hits and three times as many walks (15) as strikeouts (5). His176 WRC+ in 21 games is best on the team, and he leads all CWL bats with a .424 isolated slugging. I said yesterday even if he brings up his average to his norms, he probably still doesn't make the Opening Day roster, but in just three games he raised it over 30 points. All he's done is make a big impact in each game he's played, and this new power surge could be what it takes to secure everyday playing time in Chicago.

RHP Zane Kelley (#217 Overall)
Acquired: Via Trade with Kings (1947)
FABL: 2-2, 35.2 IP, 2.78 ERA (145 ERA+), 1.09 WHIP, 13 BB, 10 K
AAA: 11-4, 156 IP, 3.00 ERA (136 ERA+), 1.20 WHIP, 40 BB, 80 K
CWL: 3-1. 49 IP, 4.04 ERA (115 ERA+), 1.33 WHIP, 8 BB, 29 K

Don't let the ERA fool you. Zane Kelley is having a great winter.

Even before you realize that his 4.04 ERA is actually 15% better then the league average pitcher, the underlying numbers are way better then a 4.04 ERA. Kelley has walked just 8 hitters while striking out 29, helping his pristine 2.63 FIP (56 FIP-) that is nearly 50% better then the average CWL pitcher. Kelley has won three of his four decisions, and is coming off back-to-back 8 strikeout outings. He's been worth an even two wins above replacement in his six starts, making him the most valuable CWL pitcher. He also leads in K/BB (3.6), BB/9 (1.5), and FIP, and it's only a matter of time before his .323 BABIP normalizes, as it seems like any ball that gets out of the infield starts landing. With about a month left and a two game deficit, the Stallions ace is going to need to show out, and I have full faith in him succeeding.

[ayaghmour2]

The draft kicked off this morning, and surprisingly my #3 is still available as I await pick ten. I'm hoping he falls, but the waiting all day park is so tough. I miss the days of trading up, to snatch any of my top targets, instead of having to (im)patiently wait my turn. I'm hoping the pick comes up tonight, but I'll get it posted once it's official. Even if I have to pre-write a few potentials just to be safe. Regardless of if my guy falls or not, I'll be happy with who we get, as this is a pretty deep crop of future FABL everyday guys.

Edit: He was taken minutes after the post. Two picks before me...

SS Elmer Grace (#74 Overall)
Acquired: Via Draft: 4th Round, 52nd Overall (1948)
AAA: .264/.371/.395 (100 OPS+), 471 PA, 21 2B, 2 3B, 9 HR, 58 RBI, 3 SB
CWL: .305/.393/.552 (135 OPS+), 122 PA, 3 2B, 3B, 7 HR, 22 RBI

Jimmy Hairston no longer leads the CWL in home runs. And soon he might not even lead his own team!

The Stallions caught fire this week, winning all four games to take a one game lead over the Havana Sharks. Elmer Grace was a big part of that, as his two run homer in the first proved to be the difference in a 5-3 game. Grace walked and singled as well, finishing the week 5-for-14 with 3 walks and 4 runs. The switch hitter has managed to walk (16) twice as often as he strikes out (7), with a miniscule 5.7 K% and 144 WRC+. Grace has hit .305/.393/.552 (135 OPS+) in his 27 games, showing that he's possibly ready for a trip to the big leagues. Unfortunately for him, regular playing time is accounted for, as only Skipper Schneider plays short for the Cougars. This leaves second and third for George Sutterfield, Otto Christian, Billy Hunter, and Charlie Woodbury, with Grace then competing with the next tier down in Johnny Carlisle, Clark Car, Rupert Heinbaugh, and winter teammate Al Clement. His hard work is still paying dividends, as he's earned a consistent place in the top-100 while putting up impressive offensive and defensive numbers at short. The only real opportunity for him getting playing time would be a long-term injury to Skipper, but even then I'd probably go to George Sutterfield first. Grace is more then ready to debut, but he's not Rule-5 eligible yet and he needs to be playing every day. He's still young, not 23 until June, so a repeat season in Milwaukee isn't the worst thing. It'll allow him to improve his versatility, so if any of our non-Skipper infielders start struggling, he can push someone off second to vacate the open spot.

All he's got to do is hit!

[ayaghmour2]

1st Round, 12th Overall: 2B Andy Robinson
School: Fredericksburg Chargers
1949: .517/.569/.888, 103 PA, 16 2B, 4 3B, 3 HR, 28 RBI, 27 SB
Career: .521/.568/.812, 365 PA, 49 2B, 12 3B, 6 HR, 102 RBI, 65 SB

With Elmer Sullivan going two picks before we were up, I had to quickly pivot, doing something I had no intentions of doing. Selecting a high school second basemen. For the second season in a row!

Andy Robinson is quite different then Biff Tiner, who ranks 4th in our system and 39th overall, as the Richmond native has experience at short and left as well, positions he will play if he's teammates with Biff. Set to be a 4-year starter at Fredericksburg, Robinson broke out as a sophomore, when he hit .541/.589/.771 in his second of three .500 seasons. This is all while being extremely young for a high schooler, and he won't turn 18 until November. That's perfect for a team like us who has very few short term needs, as we can let Robinson do what he does best. Play baseball!

A potential elite second basemen, Robinson is a very gifted hitter, who has the hit tool to bat well above .300 in the majors. He's shown flashes of that already, hitting .521/.568/.812 in 72 high school games. When you add the speed you start thinking bating titles, especially because he hits the ball on the ground and is always looking to steal first with a smooth drag bunt. Once he's on base, he continues to impact the game, as he's a great base runner and stealer. If all breaks right, he's going to be an excellent leadoff hitter, and it won't matter if he's at second or left or even somewhere else. He's the type of guy you find a spot for, and he could end up a real difference maker for a FABL contender. Both Dixie and OSA are huge fans of Robinson, and I'd be very surprised if he doesn't join the top 100 prospect list once signed.

[ayaghmour2]

2nd Round, 20th Overall: RHP Ernie Tisdale
School: Oklahoma City Bible College Dusters
1950: 10-3, 122.2 IP, 2.57 ERA, 1.25 WHIP, 54 BB, 149 K
Career: 10-3, 122.2 IP, 2.57 ERA, 1.25 WHIP, 54 BB, 149 K

What luck! This time, instead of two picks before, the guy I want went one pick before! That was town ball standout Beau McClellan, a talented lefty who went to the Dynamos one pick before us. Dixie is a big fan, calling him a middle-of-the-rotation arm, but that's not to say he isn't a big fan of the newest member of our organization. That would be "Big E," or as his birth certificate states, Ernie Tisdale.

21 in February, Big E is an imposing 6'4'' righty who flashes an exciting five pitch arsenal that is headlined by a pretty nice sinker. It helped him dominate last season, as he struck out 28.3% of the hitters he faced. That led to an excellent 10-3 record and 1.25 WHIP, as he toed the rubber in the first 18 times for the Dusters. A crafty hurler, Tisdale's pitches have plenty of life on them, which should make it very tough to elevate his pitches. That's a great skillset for someone who may have to pitch 15 times a season in Cougars Park, where even the tiniest mistakes run the risk of being pulverized over the seats. That being said, his arsenal has a lot of polishing needed, and aside from the sinker, I think only really his change up is going to be a plus pitch. Two plus pitches with a wide variety of passable offerings work, all which will be effective he can locate them. A 10.2 BB% is on the high side, so there is some room for improvement. I think that's going to be the key to his FABL success, but even without command there's a lot to like. I love the stuff, love the movement, and he should be able to pitch deep into games. He may not be a quick riser, but I think we can start him in San Jose, and there's a chance he finishes the year in Lincoln.

[ayaghmour2]

I just can't help myself! Another trade! And maybe more on the way!

I managed to find a home for Harry Beardsley, sending the now 25-year-old to the Miners for a pair of prospects. Beardsley, who has struggled some in the CWL (2-5, 5.88, 42), is long overdo for a shot at a big league rotation, but that wasn't coming anytime soon in Chicago. Now, he may arguably be the best pitcher on the Miners roster, and he'll be given every opportunity to crack their Opening Day rotation.

The return is on the lighter side, but this deal was all about "doing right" by one of my prospects and former draftees. That's not to say we didn't get decent pieces in a return, but a year ago I would have laughed this offer out of the building. Instead, we'll be adding a brand new battery acquiring 19-year-old Bill Davis and 23-year-old Johnny Hadley. Both rank towards the back of the top 500 prospect list, at 399 and 483 respectively. Davis might be the headliner, as he's a 6'4'' righty from Chicago. The issue is he might be no more then a pen arm, as he's really a two fastball pitcher. He has a change, which is really just him throwing the ball slower, so expect mostly sinkers and fastballs. He's sitting in the high 80s now, but if we can get him in the 90s he's going to be tough to time up. Especially if you only get a few pitches to watch him. He looked over matched in Class B, 1-9 with a 6.25 ERA (70 ERA+) and 1.82 WHIP, so he may be keep in La Crosse to start his Cougar career. I haven't decided if I'm going to let him start or not, as he's still very young, but bullpens are starting to become more important, and he won't turn 30 until next decade. If starting doesn't work out, he could be a useful late inning arm with fellow Chicagoan and offseason acquisition Mack Lyons.

Hadley is the guy my scout likes better, and he views the Richmond State native as a potential starting catcher. I love his glove, and it really wouldn't surprise me if he was one of the top defensive catchers in the entire minor leagues. The bat is nice too, as he hit a respectable .281/.364/.390 (99 OPS+) with a 104 WRC+ in 124 games with the Miners' A-ball affiliate. That came with 14 doubles, 9 homers, and 51 RBIs, and he drew 50 walks -- good for an excellent 11% BB%. He generates a lot of bat speed with his swing, and his combination of barrel control and discipline could cultivate more walks then strikeouts. He showed some pop this year too, but that's not something I'm going to bet on against big league pitching. Hadley has a high floor do to the glove, and it's hard to find a better option for a backup catcher then him. With Garland Phelps entrenches as the catcher of the future, all we need from Hadley is the occasional start. If he wasn't so against working hard, he could end up a regular, but he doesn't seem to care enough to make the needed improvements a regular should.

[ayaghmour2]

As the draft continues I'll make updates on our picks as well as anything else that is going on, and if today is any indication of what is to come, there will be a lot more moves! Whether its picks or trades, I expect a few things to happen tonight and this weekend. Plus I also realized why I subconsciously forgot the draft recap.

It's the Tom Barrell draft!

A guy who shows up as early as post 15 when he was still pitching and hitting at Georgia Baptist. Obviously he'll be remembered by me for his involvement in the Tommy Wilcox deal, but for a time he was the best pitcher in the world, and he went from first ballot hall-of-fame to eventual Brooklyn Kings manager. He's one of the most interesting players of the 1930s, and it all started with a really bad Cougars team selecting him #1 overall 20 years ago.

CF Henry Norman (#53 Overall)
Acquired: Via Trade with Chiefs (1948)
A: .319/.377/.382 (105 OPS+), 524 PA, 10 2B, 7 3B, 2 HR, 50 RBI, 7 SB
CWL: .231/.321/.298 (57 OPS+), 141 PA, 2 2B, 2 HR, 11 RBI, 5 SB

It hasn't been smooth sailing for Henry Norman, who's had his struggles down south this winter. He's slugging under .300 with a WRC+ below 60, not ideal for anyone at any position. He has shown strong discipline, with 14 walks to 10 strikeouts, has good speed, and has matched his home run output in a lot more A ball PAs, but it's no surprised the young outfielder is so overmatched. Just 21, Norman spent all season in A ball, and it is further behind most of the pitchers who he's facing here. Where he has looked up to snuff is defense, as he has looked good in center (1.5, 1.004). I'm hoping that's his final resting spot, as even with all our talented defensive center fielders, his profile works best up the middle. He doesn't hit for much power, but he's got great speed. Paired with the contact and discipline he's everything you want in a leadoff hitter, and with a few nice breaks he could be a less defensive John Moss. This kid has huge talent, but he's still got ways to go, and I'm hoping he can put up good numbers in Mobile for all or part of the coming season.

[ayaghmour2]

3rd Round, 46th Overall: C Ed Freeman
School: Marcus Hook Roadrunners
1949: .427/.500/.629, 106 PA, 12 2B, 2 HR, 24 RBI, 7 SB
Career: .438/.506/.616, 350 PA, 30 2B, 2 3B, 6 HR, 79 RBI, 19 SB

As always, the guy I was targeting was snapped up a few picks before me, but this time I think the guy we are getting is just as good as the guy we are missing out on. Set to be a four year starter at Marcus Hook, Ed Freeman is a young, lefty swinging bat-first catcher, who has a bat that isn't just good for a catcher. It's pretty darn good!

The high school stats don't blow you away, he hit .438/.506/.616 in his first three seasons, but he's a projectable prospect at a position that the league doesn't have much talent at. Yes, we have Garland Phelps, the best catching prospect in the world, but you can never have too much depth behind the plate. Especially with the bat, he could move to first or maybe even the outfield, as he's an athletic teen with a ton of strength. The power isn't there yet, but with his size and frame, it's only a matter of time before the balls start landing over the fence. He's got a great swing, draws a lot of walks, and puts the ball in play a ton. There's almost no swing-and-miss in his game, even now in high school, where he's struck out just 15 times in 350 trips to the plate (4.3%). Against tougher competition it won't stay that low, but I think in a few seasons he'll be back to walking more then he strikes out. There's risk involved in any high school prospect, especially a catcher, but to me the potential reward is way more exciting. Even if he never does a good job defensively, he'll pull his weight at the plate, as he has the talent to flourish in the majors.

4th Round, 62nd Overall: CF Ike Soeur
School: Walla Walla Warriors
1949: .491/.551/.811, 130 PA, 10 2B, 6 3B, 4 HR, 35 RBI, 21 SB
Career: .497/.562/.772, 377 PA, 30 2B, 16 3B, 8 HR, 94 RBI, 62 SB

Yet again, as my pick was approaching, the guy I wanted was scooped up, and like with Freeman, I'm still really happy with the quality of player we got.

A 17-year-old Ontario native, Ike Soeur and his family moved to the Pacific Northwest so Soeur could compete against a higher quantity of top prep prospects. Soeur enrolled in Walla Walla High School as a freshman, a school that may be familiar to some of our most detail oriented readers, as "The Walla Walloper" Otto Christian himself was a for year starter. Not only were his 15 homers in 1940 tied for the most by a prep player ever, Otto crushed 53 homers in 98 games, something Ike could never dream.

Still, Ike can swing it with the best of them, and while he's not going to hit 25+ homers in a season like Otto should be able to manage as a full-time starter this year, he has a potent bat that should lead him to the majors. Soeur got his name on the prospect radar as a freshman, as the under-the-radar 14-year-old hit an impressive .505/.566/.773 with 9 doubles, 5 triples, 2 homers, 26 RBIs, and 20 steals. He hasn't reached .500 again, following his freshman year with averages of .496 and .491, still well above average for high school. On the younger side for prospects, Ike turns 18 around draft day, but has not looked overmatched at all when he steps to the plate. He's got a borderline elite hitting tool, allowing him to hit well above .300 with Dixie expecting averages around .330. He also notes he has average pop, and Ike doubled his single season homers with four as a junior after back-to-back two homer seasons. In terms of a FABL season, I can see 10 or so homers, but if he's a Cougar and still hits flyballs, 15 to 20 may not be out of the question. And while I love his speed, there are question marks about his defense, so a steady supply of home runs could make up for any defensive misgivings. And if there's a spot in center, I'll run him out there until he shows he can't handle it. We'll take our time with Ike, because if things break his way, he's going to be a very good outfielder for a very long time.

[ayaghmour2]

5th Round, 78th Overall: RHP Hal Lewis
School: Tallmadge State Terriers
1949: 7-9, 139.1 IP, 4.13 ERA, 1.52 WHIP, 70 BB, 128 K
Career (COL): 14-14, 238.1 IP, 3.85 ERA, 1.47 WHIP, 116 BB, 221 K
Career (HS): 38-9, 492 IP, 1.35 ERA, 0.94 WHIP, 115 BB, 665 K

It finally happened! I got the guy I want!

Going back to the college ranks, we added another pitcher in 21-year-old Hal "Happy" Lewis, who was once drafted by the Boston Minutemen before heading to Tallmadge State. Happy was a standout pitcher as a freshman at Adams High School in Queens, where he burst onto the scene as a freshman. Happy dominated New York hitters, going 10-3 with a 1.01 ERA and 187 strikeouts in 133.1 innings pitched. He followed that up with a perfect 12-0 season, but he saw rises and falls in the categories where you would have preferred the other. That continued each of the next two seasons, as he went from a potential early round pick to falling all the way to the 10th.

He decided to bet on himself, foregoing the Minutemen organization to pitch for Tallmadge State. As in high school, he got off to a good start, going 7-5 with a 3.45 ERA, 1.40 WHIP, and 93 strikeouts in 14 starts, but again, a lot of his metrics went the wrong direction. Aside from making more starts and throwing more innings, his record, ERA, WHIP, BB%, K%, FIP, and home run rate all worsened. I'm hoping Lewis can right the ship as a junior, and you know me, I'll always bet on a hard worker like him. A five-pitch pitcher, Happy prefers quantity to quality, as he doesn't have a single dominant pitch while simultaneously having no useless pitch. If I had to pick a best pitch, its his sinker, as despite topping out at 87, it's a reliable offering that will improve if we can improve his arm strength. It's got good bite and is hard to square up, which will allow him to keep the ball in the park. He has a decent change too, but it's more of a work in progress then a go-to, but he's shown flashes of it turning into a strikeout pitch. The other three offerings aren't anything special, but Happy is the type of pitcher who embraces the "sum of the parts is greater then the whole" approach, as the threat of his secondary offerings will cause hitters to second guess their approach. If he can live on the corners, he'll find his way into a big league rotation, but his hopes are at the back end, not the front. But with his work ethic, he can surprise coaches and teammates alike, and I'm very excited to get a talented arm like him when there are very few of those left.

6th Round, 94th Overall: SS Gene Meeker
School: Glendora Tartans
1949: N/A
Career: N/A

With Gene Meeker falling to us in the 6th, it was back-to-back guys I wanted that I landed, as our draft fortune has started to change. I'm not necessarily surprised he fell, as he's a very risky pick that some might not want to take a shot since he hasn't played an inning of high school ball. But picture this: a kid from LA who doesn't really care too much, taking it easy and going with the flow. He's a town ball star, but now he's going to have to play a season of high school ball to be eligible for the draft. I needed a shortstop after I missed out on Walter Waters, as I trust Dixie Marsh who thinks he's going to be good. He's a short shortstop, so don't expect many home runs, but he almost feels like a right handed Skipper Schneider. Strong hit tool, good plate discipline, above average speed. Now before I get ahead of myself, I have no idea if Meeker is a passable, let alone excellent defender, and if I can get him to sign I expect him to play second, third, and short so I can get a look at the bat. We have a lot of good young infielders, so playing time will be tough to come by this year, so there's some pressure on him to show off this spring. I doubt he'll feel that pressure, or even know its on him, but I think he could be a good value pick in a deep draft.

7th Round, 110th Overall: RF Frank Hernandez
School: Houma Barons
1949: .457/.541/.793, 111 PA, 12 2B, 5 3B, 3 HR, 25 RBI, 27 SB
Career: .444/.530/.741, 353 PA, 36 2B, 14 3B, 7 HR, 76 RBI, 86 SB

I kept going back-and-forth on this one, but I eventually settled on half-Venezuelan outfielder Frank Hernandez. 18 in August, Hernandez is set to be a four year starter at Houma, where the speedy outfielder has already swiped 86 bases in 70 games. He's hit well too, batting .444/.530/.741 in 353 trips to the plate. Another hard worker, Hernandez is disciplined hitter who can hit the ball hard, but he's undersized for a corner bat and may not hit for the requisite power. Still, excellent speed and a strong bat can put him in a lineup, and if he's above average in the field it'll be acceptable. We have plenty of options in the outfield, so it may be tough for Hernandez to find at bats in his first year. His lack of versatility may work against him, but with his work ethic he'll always have a roster spot, and if he can continue to make improvements at the plate, he'll continue to hold a spot in one of our lineups.

[ayaghmour2]

8th Round, 126th Overall: SS Bruce Thomas
School: Sandy Valley Cardinals
1949: .442/.512/.615, 125 PA, 12 2B, 2 HR, 30 RBI, 9 SB
Career: .442/.512/.615, 125 PA, 12 2B, 2 HR, 30 RBI, 9 SB

The other guy I was considering with my 7th Rounder, Bruce Thomas was still there in the 8th, so we added our second of three shortstops in the first ten rounds of the draft. 18 in July, Thomas didn't play varsity until he was a junior, but the Cleveland shortstop impressed by hitting .442/.512/.615 in 25 games. A disciplined hitter, he walked (15) three times as often as he struck out (5), and Dixie thinks he'll end up drawing 70 walks each year. Not much power is expected, which is generally the case for shortstops, but his swing generates above average bat speed. That should lead to a decent amount of doubles, even without much speed, and he's not going to be fooled by many pitches. His athleticism should allow him to stick at short, the only position he's played so far, but my guess is we'll work him all around the infield. That gives him the best chance of making a big league roster, as he projects as more of a supplemental player then a star. He's a good depth add with solid upside, and he should get some regular time with La Crosse after he signs.

9th Round, 142nd Overall: LHP Bill Owens
School: Prospect Heights Cardinals
1949: N/A
Career: N/A

Our first, and only, prep arm this draft, there aren't many picks riskier then this one, as like Gene Meeker, Bill Owens is a townball star who hasn't picked in high school ball yet. Still, there's plenty to like about the Brooklyn native, who will play for Prospect Heights this spring. Another five pitch pitcher, Owens is an 18-year-old lefty who sits in the mid-to-upper 80s and does a good job mixing up his pitches. OSA thinks the change will be the best, Dixie the slider, but regardless of what pitch is best, he's going to have to improve his command. At 6'3'' he gives hitters a tough angle to approach, but when he's not hitting the zone, it's easy to wait him out. We've gotten a lot out of young pitchers with great stuff who's command needs work, and I'm hoping Owens is next. His senior season will be big on determining the role he plays after the draft, but working in his favor is the lack of pitchers joining him. With promotions thinning out the Lions rotations, there should be room for him to make six or so starts this year.

10th Round, 158th Overall: SS Dave Hall
School: St. Blane College Fighting Saints
1949: .269/.330/.380, 270 PA, 8 2B, 2 3B, 5 HR, 40 RBI, 34 SB
Career: .279/.337/.391, 571 PA, 17 2B, 4 3B, 11 HR, 96 RBI, 71 SB

We finished things off with Dave Hall, a shortstop from New York who attends the prestigious St. Blane College in Pennsylvania. Set to be a three year starter for the Fighting Saints, the switch hitting Hall has hit .279/.337/.391 so far, with at least 8 doubles and 5 homers in each of his two seasons. Known more for his speed, he's swiped over 70 bases, and he does a good job keeping his walks (48) and strikeouts (50) close. Somewhat like Bruce Thomas, they have similar profiles as a hitter, but they are at different stages of their development. Like you'd expect, the college shortstop Hall is further along with his bat, but he doesn't have the upside of Thomas. The higher floor likely pencils in Hall for San Jose, where he can bounce around second, third, and short. OSA says "he provides well above average defense," so perhaps the majority of his time should be at short, but right now we have both Freddie Hutchison and Jenkins expected to play short, while guys like John Price, Ike Cartwright, and the recently acquired Jack Moore who have experience there too. But aside from Buddy Jenkins, Hall might be the best defender, which could help him secure a nice chunk of time for the baby Cougars.

[ayaghmour2]

SS Elmer Grace (#72 Overall)
Acquired: Via Draft: 4th Round, 52nd Overall (1948)
AAA: .264/.371/.395 (100 OPS+), 471 PA, 21 2B, 2 3B, 9 HR, 58 RBI, 3 SB
CWL: .319/.411/.593 (149 OPS+), 158 PA, 5 2B, 3B, 10 HR, 28 RBI

Well, can you believe it? Elmer Grace has more homers in 158 CWL PAs, then he did in 471 in AAA!

That's because he launched a pair of longballs in the Stallions 13-10 loss to Camaguey, and he hit another to start the week. He had a pair of three hit games, and now has 14 multi-hit games in 35 this winter. He's hitting a robust .319/.411/.593 (149 OPS+) with 16 extra base hits, 26 runs, and 28 RBIs. He has a beautiful 22-to-9 walk-to-strikeout ratio, and he's now got an efficiency above 1 (1.011) in 305.1 innings at the keystone. It's hard to find a single weak spot in Grace's game right now, and if it wasn't for two top middle infielders, I'd have Grace in the Opening Day lineup without giving it a second thought. Instead, the hardworking Grace will once again start his season in Milwaukee instead of Chicago. Even if he hits ten more homers before the CWL ends!

RHP Tommy Seymour (#262 Overall)
Acquired: Via Draft: 1st Round, 13th Overall (1943)
AA: 1-7, 77.2 IP, 5.33 ERA (75 ERA+), 1.73 WHIP, 43 BB, 43 K
A: 5-4, 79 IP, 3.19 ERA (123 ERA+), 1.15 WHIP, 28 BB, 53 K
CWL: 0-1, 4 SV, 19 IP, 3.79 ERA (120 ERA+), 1.63 WHIP, 11 BB, 14 K

Our 1st Rounder way back in 1943, there was a chance that Tommy Seymour was going to be our ace of the future. Instead, it's been anything but smooth sailing since. He finally got up to AA this season, but it wasn't nearly as good as his performance in A ball, where he was 5-4 with a 3.19 ERA (123 ERA+), 1.15 WHIP, and excellent 1.9 K/BB. Instead, after the promotion he got his brains beat in, going 1-7 with a 5.33 ERA (75 ERA+) and 1.73 WHIP with 43 walks and strikeouts. This kept him low on the prospect rankings, but OSA starting to change their tune. Used as the Stallions stopper, he's thrown 19 innings in 14 appearances, and has a nice 3.19 REA (123 ERA+) and 1.15 WHIP with 11 walks and 14 strikeouts. He's now returned to our top 30 prospects list, checking in at 27th in the organization and 262nd overall. I'm a bit surprised, but I think it's because they're starting to view him as a reliever instead of a starter. Always known for a potentially elite change, it's starting to look like one, and it could be a weapon out of the pen. His command is still subpar, and it's prevented him from moving up the ladder quickly, so even as good as that change is, his future is in the pen.

[StLee]

Originally Posted by ayaghmour2

1st Round, 12th Overall: 2B Andy Robinson
School: Fredericksburg Chargers
1949: .517/.569/.888, 103 PA, 16 2B, 4 3B, 3 HR, 28 RBI, 27 SB
Career: .521/.568/.812, 365 PA, 49 2B, 12 3B, 6 HR, 102 RBI, 65 SB

With Elmer Sullivan going two picks before we were up, I had to quickly pivot, doing something I had no intentions of doing. Selecting a high school second basemen. For the second season in a row!

Andy Robinson is quite different then Biff Tiner, who ranks 4th in our system and 39th overall, as the Richmond native has experience at short and left as well, positions he will play if he's teammates with Biff. Set to be a 4-year starter at Fredericksburg, Robinson broke out as a sophomore, when he hit .541/.589/.771 in his second of three .500 seasons. This is all while being extremely young for a high schooler, and he won't turn 18 until November. That's perfect for a team like us who has very few short term needs, as we can let Robinson do what he does best. Play baseball!

A potential elite second basemen, Robinson is a very gifted hitter, who has the hit tool to bat well above .300 in the majors. He's shown flashes of that already, hitting .521/.568/.812 in 72 high school games. When you add the speed you start thinking bating titles, especially because he hits the ball on the ground and is always looking to steal first with a smooth drag bunt. Once he's on base, he continues to impact the game, as he's a great base runner and stealer. If all breaks right, he's going to be an excellent leadoff hitter, and it won't matter if he's at second or left or even somewhere else. He's the type of guy you find a spot for, and he could end up a real difference maker for a FABL contender. Both Dixie and OSA are huge fans of Robinson, and I'd be very surprised if he doesn't join the top 100 prospect list once signed.

First, I hope Andy and Biff turn out to be superstars manning the middle of the Cougars' infield! And seems like a great prospect, especially if you project him to begin on the Top 100.

I was thinking about your commentary on draft picks and how you see them shaking out, which reminded me of an article I read several years back. I used to be in contact with the head of Korea's SABR. We had some talks about Americans playing in Korea and how that process worked since he was also the English-speaking reporter for the KBO. I also got to meet former LSU P Jason Scobie, who pitched for the Kia Tigers in 2007, and saw former LSU and MLB P Anthony Ranaudo pitch in 2016 against my home team, the Samsung Lions.

Anyway, one thing I talked about was how so many MLB teams drafted early for big-star potential (high school players) over realistic, guy-is-going-to-make-the-majors picks (college players) like the NFL does (granted, there are still l;ots of busts, but most 1st rounders in the NFL turn into players). Here is an article that breaks down the reality of those picks: https://sabr.org/journal/article/the...itative-study/

I am also curious how your draft works in a multiplayer league. Do you guys get an amount of time to make your picks? Send in a list of your players by preference? Automated?

[legendsport]

Originally Posted by StLee

I am also curious how your draft works in a multiplayer league. Do you guys get an amount of time to make your picks? Send in a list of your players by preference? Automated?

I can answer this one!

We use StatsPlus and that gives us the ability to have a timer. The GMs can set lists as well. We split our draft into two parts - the Stats+ part takes place in our "January" of each season, so the draftees' most recent season's stats haven't been revealed yet. This is just for a bit of an added challenge - many of the GMs (including our esteemed Cougars' GM) have become very skilled at identifying great prospects even in a stats-only universe.

The January phase covers the first 10 rounds and players are not drafted inside the game til June when the remaining 15 rounds are done in-game. GMs can use the draft list capability inside OOTP to make their lists for the final 15 rounds (some do, most don't and just let the AI pick).

After that's completed the players need to be signed and they usually are with their organization in time for the start of our Class D (rookie league level) start in early July, although some are more capable and can debut higher up the chain, including in some rare cases, directly in FABL itself.

[ayaghmour2]

Originally Posted by StLee

First, I hope Andy and Biff turn out to be superstars manning the middle of the Cougars' infield! And seems like a great prospect, especially if you project him to begin on the Top 100.

I was thinking about your commentary on draft picks and how you see them shaking out, which reminded me of an article I read several years back. I used to be in contact with the head of Korea's SABR. We had some talks about Americans playing in Korea and how that process worked since he was also the English-speaking reporter for the KBO. I also got to meet former LSU P Jason Scobie, who pitched for the Kia Tigers in 2007, and saw former LSU and MLB P Anthony Ranaudo pitch in 2016 against my home team, the Samsung Lions.

Anyway, one thing I talked about was how so many MLB teams drafted early for big-star potential (high school players) over realistic, guy-is-going-to-make-the-majors picks (college players) like the NFL does (granted, there are still l;ots of busts, but most 1st rounders in the NFL turn into players). Here is an article that breaks down the reality of those picks: https://sabr.org/journal/article/the...itative-study/

I am also curious how your draft works in a multiplayer league. Do you guys get an amount of time to make your picks? Send in a list of your players by preference? Automated?

Thanks for the share! Very interesting article and these are my favorite type of studies to read and write. This one really highlights how different MLB's draft is to the rest of the major leagues. NHL is the closest to MLB, but in the NBA and NFL there's almost never an instance of a first rounder not debuting. And for the NFL plenty of 2nd and 3rd Rounder make instant impact right away. In baseball, you have a good chance with your first rounder, but its far from a guarantee. And then already in the second its already coin flip.

Legendsport did a good job answering your draft question, but I'll add that online drafts are a lot of fun. Stats Plus makes the actual drafting easy, but all the discussion we get around the draft makes it almost feel like a real life one. Especially when the players you want your team to get are snapped up right before you're up...

[StLee]

Originally Posted by legendsport

I can answer this one!

We use StatsPlus and that gives us the ability to have a timer. The GMs can set lists as well. We split our draft into two parts - the Stats+ part takes place in our "January" of each season, so the draftees' most recent season's stats haven't been revealed yet. This is just for a bit of an added challenge - many of the GMs (including our esteemed Cougars' GM) have become very skilled at identifying great prospects even in a stats-only universe.

The January phase covers the first 10 rounds and players are not drafted inside the game til June when the remaining 15 rounds are done in-game. GMs can use the draft list capability inside OOTP to make their lists for the final 15 rounds (some do, most don't and just let the AI pick).

After that's completed the players need to be signed and they usually are with their organization in time for the start of our Class D (rookie league level) start in early July, although some are more capable and can debut higher up the chain, including in some rare cases, directly in FABL itself.

Thank you for the information! I have never participated in a multiplayer league and unfortunately feel my schedule has never been consistent enough to commit. I appreciate the lesson, though, and understand better how the process works.

BTW, you are a "character" in my dynasty known as Figgie Legendsport. I have lots of crazy names but picked out a bunch of my favorite OOTP posters to be in my dynasty since I nickname about 80% of the players.

Figgie is a LF prospect with the Atom Cats, drafted 8th overall in the 2305 draft out of Beerthirty of the Boston Youth Development League. he shined in his first year out of the youth league, hitting .365 with 35 homers and 99 RBI in just 88 games with the Greentop Nursery Night People.

[StLee]

Originally Posted by ayaghmour2

Thanks for the share! Very interesting article and these are my favorite type of studies to read and write. This one really highlights how different MLB's draft is to the rest of the major leagues. NHL is the closest to MLB, but in the NBA and NFL there's almost never an instance of a first rounder not debuting. And for the NFL plenty of 2nd and 3rd Rounder make instant impact right away. In baseball, you have a good chance with your first rounder, but its far from a guarantee. And then already in the second its already coin flip.

Legendsport did a good job answering your draft question, but I'll add that online drafts are a lot of fun. Stats Plus makes the actual drafting easy, but all the discussion we get around the draft makes it almost feel like a real life one. Especially when the players you want your team to get are snapped up right before you're up...

Yeah, it's part of the reason why I do not understand why MLB in its draft's current form even considers high school players, especially in the 1st round. College players are guaranteed to be more advanced and generally work out much better, EVEN the college pitchers whose arms are NOT spent as it has always been rumored.

[ayaghmour2]

I officially submitted my Hall of Fame ballot today, and just like I will do every season until I cannot, one of the five votes went to this thread's most referenced player Dick Lyons. The other four spots went to Jim Lonardo, one of Lyons' many teammates, a should have been Cougar and Illinois native Al Wheeler, Jack Cleaves, and Tom Bird. In terms of teams, you can actually get a full house with the 1943 Chicago Cougars and the 1944 Cincinnati Cannons, as Lyons and Lonardo spent '43 in Chicago while Bird, Cleaves, and Wheeler all took at bats for the '44 Cannons. Lonardo and Wheeler should both be locks, but unfortunately with more then five deserving candidates, I'm not sure who else gets in. If I could vote for more guys, one spot would go to another '43 Cougar Dick Walker, who also hit above Jack Cleaves in Philly. Assuming Lonardo and Wheeler get in and there's not another stacked class, I'm definitely voting for Walker, who played until a few weeks after his 41st birthday and recorded 2,742 hits and 1,769 walks with 422 steals, 433 doubles, 272 triples, 193 homers, 1,262 RBIs, and 1,840 runs. He's a first ballot guy, whereas Cleaves and Bird led the ballot last season, so I'm hoping votes to them get those two over the 75% threshold, so if Walker can't get in this year, he has a great chance next year.

RF Jimmy Hairston (#131 Overall)
Acquired: Via Draft: 4th Round, 61st Overall (1943)
FABL: .282/.408/.359 (106 OPS+), 50 PA, HR, 10 RBI
AAA: .316/.427/.502 (142 OPS+), 361 PA, 20 2B, 3 3B, 10 HR, 52 RBI, SB
CWL: .258/.417/.682 (170 OPS+), 84 PA, 4 2B, 8 HR, 16 RBI

The Santa Clara Stallions may be doing exactly what the banged up Chicago Panthers and offense starved Chicago Packers are, losing pretty much every game they play, but Jimmy Hairston is immune to slumps like that. The Stallions have lost eight of their last ten, but that's not for Hairston's lack of effort, as like Elmer Grace he had a big two homer game in a loss. He then helped start their two game win streak with three runs scored, with one of those being his own 3-run homer that gave the Stallions a 5-1 lead that former Cougar farmhand Ron Berry (6-5, 1, 3.68, 63) finished off for a complete game win. The now 25-year-old has produced five two-hit games in his seven outings since his birthday, good for a grand total of 11-for-29, with his only o'fer an 0-for-2 where he walked twice. For the season, Hairston has now slashed ..275/.408/.642 (159 OPS+) with 8 doubles, 12 homers, 26 RBIs, and 22 walks. He's homered more in 147 PAs here then he did in the 411 between FABL and AAA, as he's really been hitting the ball hard. It helps that the parks are smaller, but that's what he'll get in Chicago. Our outfield is crowded, but there's still a quiet voice in my head whispering that Jimmy Hairston is ready to go. But I just don't think I can fit him yet.