OOTP Developments Forums - View Single Post

ayaghmour2 · 09-22-2021, 09:58 PM

RHP John Little (225th Overall)
Acquired: Via Draft: 5th Round, 66th Overall (1937)
Alma Mater: Marquis College Minutemen

Like Everett, Little ended his season with injury, as he suffered a sore shoulder during his only start with Lincoln. The other 20 were in San Jose, where Little was 10-5 with a 3.90 ERA (110 ERA+), 1.35 WHIP, 47 walks, and 81 strikeouts in 138.1 innings pitched. Overall, strong numbers for the now 23-year-old in his first full season, but the injury may have some effect as he's already dropped down to 365 in the current one. More of a finesse pitcher then overpowering one, Little does feature an 88-90 mile per hour fastball, one of his four big league quality pitches. I think the slider will be the best, but the change and forkball aren't bad either. The Texas kid isn't very big either, just 5'10'', but his command is supposed to be his best asset. It didn't quite appear that way this season, with a 3.1 BB/9, but he'll still strike out double the hitters he walks. If he can cut the walks down a full point, it should really help him turn into a big league starter, but as a college arm he's already nearing his eventually upside. His ceiling is that of a number five, but I'd imagine his floor is a decent longman/spot starter you can use if you are in a jam.

LHP Oliver Allen (226th Overall)
Acquired: Via Draft: 4th Round, 60th Overall (1938)
Alma Mater: Layton Lancers

One of our three fourth rounders this draft (actually all crack the top 30), Allen is the highest ranked of the three in our offseason prospect list. A little outside the top 200, the southpaw was an adjusted league average pitcher for the Lions, 4-6 with a 4.58 ERA and 1.66 WHIP. The WHIP is a little scary, but part of that is because he walked (32) as many hitters as he struck out. That made it tough for him to pitch deep into games, just 59 innings in 12 starts. I also think he was very glad for this season to end, as his last two starts saw 17 hits, 14 runs, and 6 walks with just two strikeouts in 7.2 innings pitched. Before those starts, he had a nice 2.81 ERA with a more respectable 1.46 WHIP. A wiry 6'1'', the Georgia boy has made huge jumps this calendar year, as he threw 85-87 as a high school junior and after some offseason work, is now sitting pretty at 91-93. During the regular season he was throwing a strong 89-91, but considering his old high is now his new low, I am really excited with how his encore season will go next year. Allen has a huge fan in Marv Branson, the reason I actually drafted him, and while Marv doesn't go out to call him a big league pitcher, I'm pretty sure he was top 5 (maybe 4) on his list of draft eligible pitchers this Summer. Adding speed to his fastball will really help, and his forkball is already a quality pitch. He will have to polish up his change or cutter (hopefully both) if he wants to start in the big leagues, but I think he will. There is a lot of work to be done, but the kid has a ton of upside and high school arms tend to have a way of breaking out.

3B Dany Richardson (228th Overall)
Acquired: Via Draft: 3rd Round, 44th Overall (1938)
Alma Mater: Elgin SpartaCats

Okay, Elgin High School definitely has my vote for most awesome team name. The star of the SpartaCats has had a crazy drop already, initially ranked inside the top 100 before falling way out a few weeks later. Part might have to do with his awful 61 game sample this year, batting just .275/.338/.370 (79 OPS+) with 9 doubles, 3 homers, and 25 RBIs. A natural third basemen, he does have some experience in the outfield too, with time in center and right. He looked awful in 49 games at third (.912 eff) while his 12 in right (.975) looked a whole lot better. Marv thinks Richardson is an above average defender, but I wager most of that is due to his cannon of an arm. I'd love for him to stick at third, but he could end up a strong right fielder as well. At the plate, he won't hit for a high average, maybe about .250-.270, but with excellent plate discipline and pitch recognition skills that should allow him to maintain a bloated on base percentage. When I first drafted him, I thought he had the chance to be John Lawson's replacement, and a very good one at that, but I am a little concerned his scouting reports and rankings have dropped like they have. At 18, of course, he has a lot of developing to do, and as a flyball hitter, he may have a shot to hit a ton of homers in Chicago. I'm hoping he'll add more muscle, he's weights just 150, and if he can develop into a legit power threat, he should be an outstanding corner player.

LHP Ed Wilkinson (236th Overall)
Acquired: Via Draft: 4th Round, 55th Overall (1938)
Alma Mater: CC Los Angeles Coyotes

22 in December, Wilkinson was another one of our 4th Rounders this year, and as a college arm, I let him spend most of his time in San Jose. His 11 starts were impressive, 6-3 with a 3.18 ERA (135 ERA+), 1.27 WHIP, 29 walks, and 38 strikeouts. A five pitch pitcher, his best offering is his 89-91 mph fastball, but when it is all said and done, he could end up having all five of those pitches at big league quality. My guess is the curve and slider end up being his 2 and 3, but he has a changeup and forkball as well. At times he doesn't command those pitches well, but that should turn into an average or better tool. Like Allen, he also had a nice velocity boost this calendar year, going from 85-87 in January to 89-91 now. A potential quick riser, I haven't yet decided yet if he'll repeat San Jose or start the year in Lincoln, but there is a possibility he makes a cameo during the 1940 season. He doesn't have the upside of some of our other pitching prospects, but his floor is a spot starter, and I can't see him progressing much further then that.

SS Bill Graham (153rd Overall)
Acquired: Via Trade with Chicago (1938)
Drafted: 4th Round, 59th Overall (1938)
Alma Mater: Bluegrass State Mustangs

A little out of order, but our new 11th Ranked Prospect is still technically a Chief as the trade won't process until our next sim. The Chiefs don't have the best system out there, but shortstop is a spot they have a few prospects at and he's the one I considered taking this draft as well. A two year starter at Bluegrass State, Tip Harrison's alma matter, he was pushed all the way up to A ball after the draft, and it didn't quite go as planned. I'm thinking he'll start in San Jose with us, as the soon-to-be 21-year-old hit .220/.273/.304 (57 OPS+) with 8 doubles and 3 triples in 193 trips to the plate. He did manage a steal, but not a single one of hits left the park. It's a bit surprising, as he hit 5 as a junior and 6 more last year. In the field, he's a consistent, if unspectacular defender, who can handle all three infield spots. He may have the range for short, but I'm not too sure if that will be his final resting spot. He's a very patient hitter, but he had struggles with walks (13) and strikeouts (40) in his first taste of pro ball. I think those numbers will straighten out a bit more at a lower level, or as he grows as a player. He's not the greatest hitter now, but he is one of the hardest workers out there who studies his opponents thoroughly and works to find ways to improve his at bats. That gives him a little bit of an edge over his other competitors, and even if he never becomes one of the most talented players, he profiles as one of those scrappy, hard working utility guys who can generate those "clutch" hits when the game is on the line.

09-22-2021, 09:58 PM	#609
ayaghmour2 Hall Of Famer Join Date: Mar 2018 Posts: 3,034	Top Prospects: 16-20 RHP John Little (225th Overall) Acquired: Via Draft: 5th Round, 66th Overall (1937) Alma Mater: Marquis College Minutemen Like Everett, Little ended his season with injury, as he suffered a sore shoulder during his only start with Lincoln. The other 20 were in San Jose, where Little was 10-5 with a 3.90 ERA (110 ERA+), 1.35 WHIP, 47 walks, and 81 strikeouts in 138.1 innings pitched. Overall, strong numbers for the now 23-year-old in his first full season, but the injury may have some effect as he's already dropped down to 365 in the current one. More of a finesse pitcher then overpowering one, Little does feature an 88-90 mile per hour fastball, one of his four big league quality pitches. I think the slider will be the best, but the change and forkball aren't bad either. The Texas kid isn't very big either, just 5'10'', but his command is supposed to be his best asset. It didn't quite appear that way this season, with a 3.1 BB/9, but he'll still strike out double the hitters he walks. If he can cut the walks down a full point, it should really help him turn into a big league starter, but as a college arm he's already nearing his eventually upside. His ceiling is that of a number five, but I'd imagine his floor is a decent longman/spot starter you can use if you are in a jam. LHP Oliver Allen (226th Overall) Acquired: Via Draft: 4th Round, 60th Overall (1938) Alma Mater: Layton Lancers One of our three fourth rounders this draft (actually all crack the top 30), Allen is the highest ranked of the three in our offseason prospect list. A little outside the top 200, the southpaw was an adjusted league average pitcher for the Lions, 4-6 with a 4.58 ERA and 1.66 WHIP. The WHIP is a little scary, but part of that is because he walked (32) as many hitters as he struck out. That made it tough for him to pitch deep into games, just 59 innings in 12 starts. I also think he was very glad for this season to end, as his last two starts saw 17 hits, 14 runs, and 6 walks with just two strikeouts in 7.2 innings pitched. Before those starts, he had a nice 2.81 ERA with a more respectable 1.46 WHIP. A wiry 6'1'', the Georgia boy has made huge jumps this calendar year, as he threw 85-87 as a high school junior and after some offseason work, is now sitting pretty at 91-93. During the regular season he was throwing a strong 89-91, but considering his old high is now his new low, I am really excited with how his encore season will go next year. Allen has a huge fan in Marv Branson, the reason I actually drafted him, and while Marv doesn't go out to call him a big league pitcher, I'm pretty sure he was top 5 (maybe 4) on his list of draft eligible pitchers this Summer. Adding speed to his fastball will really help, and his forkball is already a quality pitch. He will have to polish up his change or cutter (hopefully both) if he wants to start in the big leagues, but I think he will. There is a lot of work to be done, but the kid has a ton of upside and high school arms tend to have a way of breaking out. 3B Dany Richardson (228th Overall) Acquired: Via Draft: 3rd Round, 44th Overall (1938) Alma Mater: Elgin SpartaCats Okay, Elgin High School definitely has my vote for most awesome team name. The star of the SpartaCats has had a crazy drop already, initially ranked inside the top 100 before falling way out a few weeks later. Part might have to do with his awful 61 game sample this year, batting just .275/.338/.370 (79 OPS+) with 9 doubles, 3 homers, and 25 RBIs. A natural third basemen, he does have some experience in the outfield too, with time in center and right. He looked awful in 49 games at third (.912 eff) while his 12 in right (.975) looked a whole lot better. Marv thinks Richardson is an above average defender, but I wager most of that is due to his cannon of an arm. I'd love for him to stick at third, but he could end up a strong right fielder as well. At the plate, he won't hit for a high average, maybe about .250-.270, but with excellent plate discipline and pitch recognition skills that should allow him to maintain a bloated on base percentage. When I first drafted him, I thought he had the chance to be John Lawson's replacement, and a very good one at that, but I am a little concerned his scouting reports and rankings have dropped like they have. At 18, of course, he has a lot of developing to do, and as a flyball hitter, he may have a shot to hit a ton of homers in Chicago. I'm hoping he'll add more muscle, he's weights just 150, and if he can develop into a legit power threat, he should be an outstanding corner player. LHP Ed Wilkinson (236th Overall) Acquired: Via Draft: 4th Round, 55th Overall (1938) Alma Mater: CC Los Angeles Coyotes 22 in December, Wilkinson was another one of our 4th Rounders this year, and as a college arm, I let him spend most of his time in San Jose. His 11 starts were impressive, 6-3 with a 3.18 ERA (135 ERA+), 1.27 WHIP, 29 walks, and 38 strikeouts. A five pitch pitcher, his best offering is his 89-91 mph fastball, but when it is all said and done, he could end up having all five of those pitches at big league quality. My guess is the curve and slider end up being his 2 and 3, but he has a changeup and forkball as well. At times he doesn't command those pitches well, but that should turn into an average or better tool. Like Allen, he also had a nice velocity boost this calendar year, going from 85-87 in January to 89-91 now. A potential quick riser, I haven't yet decided yet if he'll repeat San Jose or start the year in Lincoln, but there is a possibility he makes a cameo during the 1940 season. He doesn't have the upside of some of our other pitching prospects, but his floor is a spot starter, and I can't see him progressing much further then that. SS Bill Graham (153rd Overall) Acquired: Via Trade with Chicago (1938) Drafted: 4th Round, 59th Overall (1938) Alma Mater: Bluegrass State Mustangs A little out of order, but our new 11th Ranked Prospect is still technically a Chief as the trade won't process until our next sim. The Chiefs don't have the best system out there, but shortstop is a spot they have a few prospects at and he's the one I considered taking this draft as well. A two year starter at Bluegrass State, Tip Harrison's alma matter, he was pushed all the way up to A ball after the draft, and it didn't quite go as planned. I'm thinking he'll start in San Jose with us, as the soon-to-be 21-year-old hit .220/.273/.304 (57 OPS+) with 8 doubles and 3 triples in 193 trips to the plate. He did manage a steal, but not a single one of hits left the park. It's a bit surprising, as he hit 5 as a junior and 6 more last year. In the field, he's a consistent, if unspectacular defender, who can handle all three infield spots. He may have the range for short, but I'm not too sure if that will be his final resting spot. He's a very patient hitter, but he had struggles with walks (13) and strikeouts (40) in his first taste of pro ball. I think those numbers will straighten out a bit more at a lower level, or as he grows as a player. He's not the greatest hitter now, but he is one of the hardest workers out there who studies his opponents thoroughly and works to find ways to improve his at bats. That gives him a little bit of an edge over his other competitors, and even if he never becomes one of the most talented players, he profiles as one of those scrappy, hard working utility guys who can generate those "clutch" hits when the game is on the line.