1922 American League Rookies
Jim Brillheart, MR, Age 18, Twins
The Twins will face a tough road in defending their first World Series title, but their biggest need last season was additional pitching depth. The additions of Brillheart and fellow rookie
Ray Francis (6-7-6 ratings) will go a long way in helping the team's pitching improve. Brillheart will serve as the team's setup man and insurance in case 26-year-old closer
Harry Harper (6-5, 36 Sv, 1.96 ERA) stumbles, as he did in 1918. The addition of Francis to the bullpen also allows Minnesota to experiment with
Jim Shaw (8-2, 6 SV, 2.97 ERA in 115 innings) as their #5 starter. If he performs well, he will be a major upgrade over Minnesota's long line of poor #5 starters that have come before him.
James Edwards, MR, Age 24, Indians
Cleveland came very close to capturing a pennant last season and their biggest weakness was a lousy bullpen. The addition of Edwards and fellow rookie
Jim Lindsey (9-6-5 ratings) should go a long way toward improving that group. Edwards may be the better talent, but Lindsey will actually get a shot to close games while Edwards sets him up. That could potentially change if Lindsey struggles, but the team felt that Lindsey's propensity for walks was better suited for a one-inning appearance as closer over the larger workload of a setup man.
Joe Hauser, 1B, Age 22, Athletics
In MLB Unser was one of the top power hitters of his day and actually set the minor league record for 70 dingers in a season, but he had difficulty sticking in the majors. In MLHR, he is still a low average, high power guy and should provide extra production for an offense that was once the pride of the American League but has begun to thin out somewhat over the past few seasons.
Syl Johnson, MR, Age 21, Tigers
Detroit is always searching for pitching help to go along with their top ranked offense. This offseason, Detroit added rookie
Lil Stoner (6-6-6 ratings) to the starting rotation along with
Suds Sutherland (2-0, 3.12 ERA in 52 innings), a sophomore who pitched out of the bullpen last year. But the big news was the overhaul of the bullpen. Former starter
Bernie Boland (9-14, 4.54 ERA) takes his experience to the closer's role, but the future of that spot may belong to rookie Ole Olsen, who will be the setup man this year, or fellow rookie Syl Johnson, who pitches in long relief along with some potential spot starting work. If this new configuration works, Detroit could be a major force in the AL pennant race this season.
Ole Olsen, MR, Age 24, Tigers
Dixie Leverett, SP, Age 24, White Sox
Chicago's once-vaunted pitching staff is in flux, as age takes its toll on the arms that once helped them win four pennants from 1915-1920. After winning the 1920 World Series, the team plummeted to last place as both their offense and pitching slumped. Now
Phil Douglas (2-11, 4.53 ERA) and
Jim Scott (8-15, 4.88 ERA) move to the bullpen and youngsters Dixie Leverett and
Charlie Robertson (6-7-5 ratings) try to remake the back end of the rotation.
Hub Pruett, MR, Age 21, Orioles
Oddly enough, the Orioles have consistently found talented relief pitchers on an ongoing basis for a decade. Unfortunately, they can't seem to find starting pitchers. They have made a few offensive upgrades in recent years, but it has been too little to make a major impact. In comes Pruett, the latest in the long line of talented relievers in Baltimore. The good news is that Baltimore also brought in rookie starting pitcher
Heinie Meine (4-8-7 ratings), whom they hope can stabilize the #5 starter's role.
Joe Shaute, SP, Age 22, Indians
Shaute should help solidify a pretty darn good Indians pitching rotation. Plus, his arrival will finally allow Cleveland to move
Sad Sam Jones (11-11, 4.56 ERA) out of the rotation where he has struggled. The team believes that Jones can be a very valuable addition to a previously weak bullpen.
