1895 Rookies
Jimmy Collins, 3B, Age 24, Braves
MLB HoF'er Collins should be a solid hitter and a fine defensive third baseman. He replaces 4-time Gold Glover
Billy Nash (.236, 14 HR, 50 RBI) at third, who was an equally fine defender but a weaker hitter. Collins has 20+ home run power, which means he hits cleanup in the Braves' weak lineup.
Joe Corbett, SP, Age 19, Cardinals
In MLB, Corbett was known as a kid with loads of talent who never fully saw it to fruition due to his temperament and desire to stay near home in California. In MLHR, he has no such option. He will begin his career as the #5 starter in perhaps the best rotation in the game, joining
Cy Young,
Amos Rusie and crew. His addition bumps 37-year-old
Ed Cushman (10-17, 4.75 ERA) to the bullpen as a long reliever.
Jack Cronin, SP, Age 20, Dodgers
Cronin is a solid pitcher who will take over the #5 slot in the rotation, moving
Brickyard Kennedy (10-13, 4.58 ERA) to the bullpen after one season in the rotation. Kennedy will take over as closer, replacing 4-time Fireman Award winner
Jack Cattanach (11-9, 20 Sv, 4.29 ERA).
Bill Everitt, 1B, Age 24, Cubs
Everitt joins the team as a first baseman, but that position is occupied by slugger
Tom Parrott (.292, 32 HR, 109 ERA). Everitt will instead move to his secondary position of third base, bumping
Duke Farrell (.232, 8 HR, 34 RBI) to a bench role. Everitt should provide a nice spark for Chicago. He hits for high contact, plays great defense and has great range at third base.
Doc McJames, SP, Age 20, Dodgers
McJames joins Cronin in the Dodgers rotation. Doc will take the #4 slot, which allows the team to move
Charlie Sweeney (12-9, 4.38 ERA) to the bullpen. McJames throws hard and should rack up several strikeouts. Here's an excerpt from his bio on the SABR website:
"Jimmy’s outstanding work in the box left a lasting impression on many of his contemporaries. Pitcher Bill Donovan told a reporter, “McJames had the best curve ball out of any other pitcher in baseball” while Hall of Famer Nap Lajoie said McJames was one of the toughest pitchers he ever faced. Future Hall of Fame inductees Ed Delahanty and Tommy McCarthy also expressed similar statements about Doc’s dominant pitching style."
Doc McJames | SABR
