[ayaghmour2]

RF Chubby Hall (22nd Overall)
Acquired: Via Draft: 3rd Round, 34th Overall (1935)
Alma Mater: Westinghouse Warriors

From 2nd last year to 22nd this year, our system technically looks weaker because all the young stars like Peter the Heater are no longer considered prospects. Taking over the top spot in the system is outfielder Chubby Hall, who split his season between San Jose and Lincoln. The 21-year-old starter with the Cougars, where he hit .314/.384/.535 (145 OPS+) with 12 doubles, 12 homers, and 44 RBIs. The homers weren't there when he took the trip up to Lincoln, but he hit a somewhat similar .314/.382/.441 (126 OPS+) up in A ball. He got 299 at bats with the Legislators compared to 226 in San Jose, but walked at almost the exact same rate at each stop. This is season three for Hall, who still doesn't project to be big league ready until at least 1940. He has a plus contact tool and is hopefully going to be able to develop power like a Rich Langton or Doc Love. He could manage center in a pinch, but eventually projects to be a decent corner outfielder. His best tool might be his plate discipline, but it is also very hard for wild pitchers to find the zone on a 5'7'' hitters. Marv thinks he'll surpass Langton, but not Mitchell, although Langton does own a career 122 OPS+ with four consecutive double digit home run seasons. Hall has the most upside of any of our prospects, I just wish he could play center not right.

C Solly Skidmore (30th Overall)
Acquired: Via Draft: 1st Round, 12th Overall (1938)
Alma Mater: Monroe Hurricanes

The only one of our four lottery picks that was actually exciting, as we got Donnie Jones' consolation prize in backstop Solly Skidmore. He'll slot almost exactly where Harry Mead graduated, and the 18-year-old could be our new catcher of the future. A tall 6'2'', Skidmore spent his first half season in La Crosse, batting .333/.404/.419 (108 OPS+) with 7 doubles, 4 homers, and 41 RBIs while walking 31 times and striking out just 17 times. These are great numbers for a teen, as 20-year-old William Rollins hit just .232/.284/.345 (58 OPS+) there in his first full pro season. Skidmore is an exciting young prospect who I think has the potential to be one of the best in baseball at the plate. He projects to hit well to all fields as he's able to lace line drives all across the outfield. He has some pull side power to left, so a stadium with an easier left field could really benefit Skidmore. He's already shown his excellent plate discipline, and that does not look like it is going away. OSA doesn't really speak about his defense and Marv doesn't give him the greatest reviews, but he's so raw that he doesn't yet have a positional rating. With only 69 games behind the plate, he's still settling in, and it may take some time before he's helpful behind the plate.

SS Hal Wood (42nd Overall)
Acquired: Via Draft: 1st Round, 8th Overall (1935)
Alma Mater: Smithfield College Bulldogs

I made a few draft pick trades during the 1935 draft as I was unsuccessful in trading up, and I eventually ended up with the 8th pick to take Hal Wood. He's already 24, so a little bit of a slow developer, but Wood has been a captain in the lower levels and seems to have really found the bat this year. He hit .458/.545/.602 with four doubles and two triples in September to finish with a .318/.394/.432 (127 OPS+) season line. Wood doesn't offer much power, but his discipline is improving and he should be able to consistently hit above .300. He's also above average out at short, and should be a real captain on the field, making his fellow infielders better. His absolute worst is a excellent clubhouse presence as a utility player, but he has all the raw tools to develop into an every day player. He needs some refinement, but he has the raw talent and work ethic to develop into a strong starter on most teams. I'm moving him up to AA, where he'll begin but possibly not finish 1939. I think he may make a cameo next year, but I shouldn't have to worry about the Rule-5 draft.

2B Ducky Jordan (45th Overall)
Acquired: Via Draft: 6th Round, 92nd Overall (1932)
Alma Mater: Little Rock HS Pioneers

I'd imagine he wasn't too happy about the Freddie Jones trade, but the "Hot Springs Hotshot" can man first, third, and short as well and the skinny 24-year-old is a good hitter from both sides of the plate. He looked like a favorite to win the second base job, but now he's likely set to start the season in AAA and his role will be more of injury insurance for the oft injured Jones. Ducky didn't do too well in AAA this year, but he finished the year strong in Chicago. It was just 53 plate appearances, but a 5-for-5 helped Jordan finish the season with a .306/.358/.449 (115 OPS+) batting line. He is still looking for his first big league home run, but this was his second cup of coffee. I'd wager he'll more then double his 65 career plate appearances next season, and Jordan will eventually force himself into the picture one way or another. He has excellent speed and is more then capable of playing short, potentially even better then Billy Hunter does himself. He has good barrel control and always forces pitchers to have the hand disadvantage. I think he could develop into an every day player, but now he may be waiting for third base when John Lawson's best days are behind him.

CF Aart MacDonald (56th Overall)
Acquired: Via Minor League Draft with Tulsa(1937)

Born in Savaneta, Aruba, the El Paso Missions of the Lone Star Association recruited him before he rode the independent team carrousel. He eventually settled with Tulsa, where he spent three seasons and hit .232/.344/.452 (105 OPS+). We then purchased him in the minor league draft, and he has been a Cougar now for two seasons. He got 89 PAs with us, but the 26-year-old really struggled. MacDonald hit just .151/.292/.260 (49 OPS+), although he stole three bases, doubled six times, and managed to walk and strikeout 13 times. MacDonald is an excellent defender, capable of manning all three spots, and due to his age, is in line to function as the fourth outfielder next season. He'll give Mitchell and Langton time off in the corners, and when Mitchell plays first he's likely to handle left. He'll also be Carlos Montes primary backup, and MacDonald may end up a defensive upgrade on the entire trio. He hits from the left side of the plate, many of our hitters are righties, which could help him win pinch hit duties. MacDonald probably could start on some other teams, but he's just a few months younger then Langton, a year older then Mitchell, and four senior of Montes. Montes did miss time with injury, so MacDonald would be first in line, but I don't think Aart has the upside that Pomales and Mullis do out in center.