1914 American League Rookies
George Burns, 1B, Age 21, Tigers
After just one season, could the addition of Burns already spell the end for
Wally Pipp (.247, 23 HR, 96 RBI) at first base in Detroit? Pipp is better defensively and has a little more power, which could provide an edge. However, Burns is quite talented with the bat, although he does not walk as often as Detroit might like. There is a chance the two will form a righty-lefty platoon this season until someone wins the job.
Fritz Coumbe, RP, Age 24, Red Sox
The Red Sox pitching staff is full of talent, so it will be tough for Coumbe to make the team. However, I believe there is one bullpen spot up for grabs. Coumbe has great control and will make a fine reliever. He can even be a spot starter down the road if Boston needs one.
Red Faber, SP, Age 24, White Sox
Chicago has added another talented pitcher in Faber. He will compete with
Joe Benz (14-12, 3.83 ERA) for a spot in the rotation this season. He may pitch in relief initially but I expect him to eventually find a starting job.
Joe Harris, 1B, Age 22, Yankees
With
Hal Chase (.271, 27 HR, 97 RBI, 28 SB) entrenched at first base, Harris may begin his career in right field where he would replace
Rube Oldring (.218, 8 HR, 60 RBI). Harris should provide a big offensive upgrade. He is a very talented hitter with 20+ home run power. Additional offense is what New York has been waiting several years for. Now they need to find a way to improve on their 81-81 record and compete for a pennant.
Harry Heilmann, RF, Age 19, Tigers
Hall of Famer Heilmann will give Detroit a huge offensive boost. He will likely bat cleanup behind
Ty Cobb (.322, 36 HR, 118 RBI, 51 SB) just as he did in his real MLB career. He is loaded with talent and will help provide Detroit with an offense nearly on par with the mighty A's and Red Sox.
Sam Jones, SP, Age 21, Indians
Jones and fellow rookie Morton, below, will help bolster a Cleveland pitching staff that has begun to fade from its once dominant status of the previous decade. Jones will have to battle to make the rotation as a rookie, but he will be an upgrade wherever he goes.
Irish Meusel, LF, Age 20, Twins
Meusel is a slugging outfielder who will likely take over right field duties for 13-year Twins outfield fixture
Jake Gettman (.231, 19 HR, 73 RBI, 24 SB). Meusel is an imposing hitter who will now team with
Tillie Walker (.262, 43 HR, 103 RBI) to provide a powerful 1-2 punch. Perhaps their power, combined with Minnesota's perennially superb defense, will provide the boost that
Walter Johnson (18-13, 2.58 ERA) and the rest of the Minnesota pitching staff needs.
Guy Morton, SP, Age 20, Indians
Morton is a hard-thrower with a nasty arsenal of pitches. He also tends to keep the ball down and give up fewer home runs than other pitchers. The Indians hope he will become a top-of-the-rotation pitcher and take some pressure off 33-year-old
Addie Joss (14-15, 4.23 ERA), who had a down year last season.
Braggo Roth, RF, Age 21, White Sox
Roth is a speedy outfielder, known for stealing home. He also will provide some additional power for an already powerful lineup. His defense is a bit of a question mark, but he will likely play in right field, moving
Edd Roush (.302, 13 HR, 74 RBI) to center. At least initially, Roth will share time with former center fielder
Dutch Zwilling (.211, 20 HR, 65 RBI), who is superb defensively. Another option for Chicago would be to get Roth's bat in the lineup at third base, but that would require them to downgrade defensively as 2-time Gold Glover
Dave Brain (.238, 17 HR, 47 RBI) currently holds down that job.
Babe Ruth, RF, Age 18, Red Sox
We have seem some superb players in MLHR, such as Cobb or Speaker, but Ruth is equally as talented, if not more so. OOTP would not let me give Ruth quite as much power as he should have in this setting, so it will be interesting to see how his career pans out. As I said many seasons ago with Cy Young, Ruth's career has tended to be a bit disappointing in replays I have run in the past, with his batting average typically far too low. However, I have a good feeling that this time will be different.
Ruth will take what was the second best offense in the AL and turn them into the best, surpassing Oakland. He will be batting alongside the likes of
Tris Speaker (.332, 23 HR, 96 RBI,13 SB),
Gavvy Cravath (.224, 46 HR, 113 RBI) and
Harry Hooper (.248, 15 HR, 70 RBI). He will actually play in MLHR as a left fielder, taking over for 11-year veteran
George Stone (.242, 11 HR, 52 RBI). Ruth has an unheard of combination of batting average, power and a keen eye at the plate that will earn him a ton of walks. He should be an OPS-machine! My only concern will be his strikeout rate.
Elmer Smith, RF, Age 21, Indians
Cleveland is steadily becoming a team to fear in the AL. Last season they added RoY
Billy Southworth (.273, 28 HR, 92 RBI) to the lineup. This year it is Smith, who should provide plenty of power. His defense is a little suspect, but Cleveland hasn't had the greatest defense out of their right fielders in recent years anyway.
Mellie Wolfgang, MR, Age 23, White Sox
A little-known pitcher, Wolfgang had a brief but successful career with the MLB White Sox as a starter and reliever. In MLHR, he will likely not make Chicago's starting rotation. Instead, he should become a great setup man for 2-time Fireman Award winning closer
Harry Suter (5-8, 34 Sv, 1.77 ERA).
