1930 National League Rookies
Wally Berger, CF, Age 24, Braves
Berger will provide a much needed offensive boost for Atlanta. The Braves still lack a lot of talent, so for Berger's sake, I hope they add more offense in the coming years. For now, Berger will likely bat cleanup behind
Shanty Hogan. Berger should also be a defensive upgrade wherever he plays, which will likely be left field. After all, Atlanta has a Gold Glove centerfielder in
Jimmy Welsh.
Bob Brown, SP, Age 18, Braves
Atlanta has a pretty solid pitching rotation, but they had a down year as a group last season. Brown's presence will deepen the staff and send one of the starters that struggled last year to the bullpen. Brown throws hard but his problem is a lack of control. He will likely rank near the top of the league in walks allowed. However, he should minimize the damage done by those walks by allowing few hits and even fewer home runs.
Dizzy Dean, SP, Age 19, Cardinals
St. Louis has the 1926 POY in
Bill Hallahan, and over the past three seasons they have added two Rookies of the Year who are also in their pitching rotation -
Fred Frankhouse in 1927 and
Al Grabowski in 1929. Now they are adding Dizzy Dean, who could be one of the best pitchers we have ever seen in the National League. This really gives St. Louis a great pitching staff. When you consider the fact that they also had the best offense last season, it is easy to believe that they have a great shot at winning a 3rd straight pennant.
Joe Heving, RP, Age 24, Giants
Heving is the best reliever signed by a team this offseason. He joins a Giants staff that is already loaded with talent. In fact, they have several pitchers in reserve that would be pitching for several other teams. Despite his talent, Heving will have to battle several veterans to make the roster this spring.
George Puccinelli, RF, Age 22, Cardinals
Pooch is a prototypical swing-for-the fences slugger. He has the ability to hit 25+ home runs but also to strikeout 200+ times. For that reason, we will likely have to share time with another outfielder. The Cardinals already have a talented lineup, so it is hard to see just where Pooch fits in. He and fellow rookie
George Watkins (7-7-6-5-4 ratings) will be fighting for a spot on the major league roster. Watkins may have a leg up simply because he can also play first base.
Lon Warneke, SP, Age 20, Cubs
Warneke is an all-around great pitcher. He will be fighting this spring to earn a spot in a Chicago pitching rotation that has ranked #1 in the league for several seasons now. That may be a tough battle, but Chicago does have some aging veterans who had down seasons last year. Perhaps "the Arkansas Hummingbird" can displace one of them.
