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ayaghmour2 · 06-19-2022, 06:38 PM

LHP Bill Chapman (217th Overall)
Acquired: Via Draft: 3rd Round, 48th Overall (1942)
Alma Mater: Edina Eagles

Our regional pick in this most recent draft, Bill Chapman added a little velocity before the official June draft, and got off to a nice start to his professional career. The now 19-year-old southpaw spent his season in La Crosse, going 5-2 with a 3.96 ERA (132 ERA+), 1.27 WHIP, 24 walks, and 37 strikeouts in 72.2 innings pitched. The low amount of innings is a bit of a concern, as Chapman did not exceed 100 pitches in a start, and reached 90 just once in his first start with the Lions. I'm hoping he can start going deeper, as he has a deep six pitch mix that will play much better in the rotation then the bullpen. They need some work, but all six of his offerings should be at least average, and he does a good job mixing his pitches. His stuff should miss bats and his control should limit free passes, which leads me to believe the only thing standing in his way is his endurance. I'm not sold on him becoming a dominant starter, but he could be a decent filler arm. Of course, he's really young and could make improvements as he continues to pitch, and I'm really hoping that one of those is an increase in stamina.

RHP Roscoe Brown (218th Overall)
Acquired: Via Draft: 8th Round, 113th Overall (1940)
Alma Mater: Covington Cougars

It was a rough end of the season for Roscoe Brown, who had to undergo elbow ligament reconstruction surgery after his 24th start of the season. Brown likely won't pitch at all next season, which is a huge loss for the 20-year-old righty. He was average for San Jose this season, going 9-8 with a 3.26 ERA (100 ERA+), 1.15 WHIP, 34 walks, and 67 strikeouts in 132.2 innings pitched. Just like Chapman, however, he did not crack 100 pitches in a start this season, and I'm guessing that when he comes back from elbow surgery he's more likely to lose stamina then gain it. This may mean that Brown will have to shift into a relief role, and since he does throw a 93-95 mph fastball and sinker with a sharp curve, his stuff may end up playing better in the pen then the rotation. Brown has dealt with some command issues, which has also led to a few homers, but it should be something he can get back under control. I still think Brown could end up a starter, but injuries like this have a way of ruining pitchers, and I'm not sure he's going to be as effective as a starter when he comes back.

LHP Harl Haines (219th Overall)
Acquired: Via Draft: 10th Round, 149th Overall (1935)
Alma Mater: Niagara Falls Big Red

This was supposed to be a big season for Harl Haines, who would have been in the mix for a rotation spot, but he was instead drafted into the Navy and won't pitch for us for a few more seasons. Recently 25, the submariner won't pitch in the FABL again until he's 27, and with all the young arms improving, it may be really tough for him to earn innings. He has a nice four pitch mix with great stuff, and he does a good job keeping walks down and strikeouts up. He's exactly what you want from a fifth starter, a guy who's consistent and can eat innings, and he also had upside to work his way up. It would be nice to have access to him next season, and I think the war will make it much harder for him to reclaim a spot in the big leagues.

RHP Ira Hawker (233rd Overall)
Acquired: Via Minor League Free Agency (1938)
Drafted: 26th Round, 252nd Overall (1937)
Alma Mater: Glasgow Greyhounds

He didn't end up debuting, but Ira Hawker secured a 40-man roster spot, and will be in camp next Spring to potentially earn a bullpen spot. The 23-year-old spent most of his season in Mobile before 4 Spring starts with Milwaukee. He was a bit overmatched in AA, going 7-12 with a 4.76 ERA (92 ERA+), 1.65 WHIP, 79 walks, and 45 strikeouts in 164.1 innings pitched. Walks have always been an issue for Hawker, and it's no surprised they surfaced here as well. Tom Weinstock thinks Hawker will end up as a 5th starter, noting his nice curve and groundball tendencies, which should help him pitch in the big leagues. He also thinks his command is pinpoint, although I'm sure he's think more about his potential then his currents, but if Hawker can get his command down, he could end up a decent starter. Despite being 23, he's still a very raw prospect as he didn't start pitching until he was 20, but I'm hoping he'll be big league ready before his options run out.

1B Jocko Pollard (239th Overall)
Acquired: Via Draft: 6th Round, 95th Overall (1935)
Alma Mater: Grafton Indians

Jocko Pollard spent most of his season in Milwaukee, and for the first time since his debut season in 1936, he didn't hit very well. Pollard hit a bit below average, just .272/.317/.400 (98 OPS+) with 29 doubles, 11 homers, and 82 RBIs in 546 trips to the plate. He then got an at bat in the big leagues, and since he managed to homer off reliever Billy Stall, Pollard had the best possible batting line of 1.000/1.000/4.000, good for a 5.000 OPS, 1,299 OPS+, 1,438 WRC+, and 2.273 wOBA. Unsustainable, of course, but Pollard will always be able to brag to his friends and family that those were his stats in the FABL for the 1942 season! A slugging corner infielder, Pollard is stuck behind guys like Ray Ford, Dick Walker, and now Hank Barnett, but he'd be a really strong pinch hitter. With one option year left, I can stash him in Milwaukee again, but it may be tough for Pollard to hold a 40-man spot for a long time. He has the offensive talent to stick in the big leagues, even if he isn't the greatest defender, and could be a decent piece on a rebuilding squad.

06-19-2022, 06:38 PM	#838
ayaghmour2 Hall Of Famer Join Date: Mar 2018 Posts: 3,124	Top Prospects: 16-20 LHP Bill Chapman (217th Overall) Acquired: Via Draft: 3rd Round, 48th Overall (1942) Alma Mater: Edina Eagles Our regional pick in this most recent draft, Bill Chapman added a little velocity before the official June draft, and got off to a nice start to his professional career. The now 19-year-old southpaw spent his season in La Crosse, going 5-2 with a 3.96 ERA (132 ERA+), 1.27 WHIP, 24 walks, and 37 strikeouts in 72.2 innings pitched. The low amount of innings is a bit of a concern, as Chapman did not exceed 100 pitches in a start, and reached 90 just once in his first start with the Lions. I'm hoping he can start going deeper, as he has a deep six pitch mix that will play much better in the rotation then the bullpen. They need some work, but all six of his offerings should be at least average, and he does a good job mixing his pitches. His stuff should miss bats and his control should limit free passes, which leads me to believe the only thing standing in his way is his endurance. I'm not sold on him becoming a dominant starter, but he could be a decent filler arm. Of course, he's really young and could make improvements as he continues to pitch, and I'm really hoping that one of those is an increase in stamina. RHP Roscoe Brown (218th Overall) Acquired: Via Draft: 8th Round, 113th Overall (1940) Alma Mater: Covington Cougars It was a rough end of the season for Roscoe Brown, who had to undergo elbow ligament reconstruction surgery after his 24th start of the season. Brown likely won't pitch at all next season, which is a huge loss for the 20-year-old righty. He was average for San Jose this season, going 9-8 with a 3.26 ERA (100 ERA+), 1.15 WHIP, 34 walks, and 67 strikeouts in 132.2 innings pitched. Just like Chapman, however, he did not crack 100 pitches in a start this season, and I'm guessing that when he comes back from elbow surgery he's more likely to lose stamina then gain it. This may mean that Brown will have to shift into a relief role, and since he does throw a 93-95 mph fastball and sinker with a sharp curve, his stuff may end up playing better in the pen then the rotation. Brown has dealt with some command issues, which has also led to a few homers, but it should be something he can get back under control. I still think Brown could end up a starter, but injuries like this have a way of ruining pitchers, and I'm not sure he's going to be as effective as a starter when he comes back. LHP Harl Haines (219th Overall) Acquired: Via Draft: 10th Round, 149th Overall (1935) Alma Mater: Niagara Falls Big Red This was supposed to be a big season for Harl Haines, who would have been in the mix for a rotation spot, but he was instead drafted into the Navy and won't pitch for us for a few more seasons. Recently 25, the submariner won't pitch in the FABL again until he's 27, and with all the young arms improving, it may be really tough for him to earn innings. He has a nice four pitch mix with great stuff, and he does a good job keeping walks down and strikeouts up. He's exactly what you want from a fifth starter, a guy who's consistent and can eat innings, and he also had upside to work his way up. It would be nice to have access to him next season, and I think the war will make it much harder for him to reclaim a spot in the big leagues. RHP Ira Hawker (233rd Overall) Acquired: Via Minor League Free Agency (1938) Drafted: 26th Round, 252nd Overall (1937) Alma Mater: Glasgow Greyhounds He didn't end up debuting, but Ira Hawker secured a 40-man roster spot, and will be in camp next Spring to potentially earn a bullpen spot. The 23-year-old spent most of his season in Mobile before 4 Spring starts with Milwaukee. He was a bit overmatched in AA, going 7-12 with a 4.76 ERA (92 ERA+), 1.65 WHIP, 79 walks, and 45 strikeouts in 164.1 innings pitched. Walks have always been an issue for Hawker, and it's no surprised they surfaced here as well. Tom Weinstock thinks Hawker will end up as a 5th starter, noting his nice curve and groundball tendencies, which should help him pitch in the big leagues. He also thinks his command is pinpoint, although I'm sure he's think more about his potential then his currents, but if Hawker can get his command down, he could end up a decent starter. Despite being 23, he's still a very raw prospect as he didn't start pitching until he was 20, but I'm hoping he'll be big league ready before his options run out. 1B Jocko Pollard (239th Overall) Acquired: Via Draft: 6th Round, 95th Overall (1935) Alma Mater: Grafton Indians Jocko Pollard spent most of his season in Milwaukee, and for the first time since his debut season in 1936, he didn't hit very well. Pollard hit a bit below average, just .272/.317/.400 (98 OPS+) with 29 doubles, 11 homers, and 82 RBIs in 546 trips to the plate. He then got an at bat in the big leagues, and since he managed to homer off reliever Billy Stall, Pollard had the best possible batting line of 1.000/1.000/4.000, good for a 5.000 OPS, 1,299 OPS+, 1,438 WRC+, and 2.273 wOBA. Unsustainable, of course, but Pollard will always be able to brag to his friends and family that those were his stats in the FABL for the 1942 season! A slugging corner infielder, Pollard is stuck behind guys like Ray Ford, Dick Walker, and now Hank Barnett, but he'd be a really strong pinch hitter. With one option year left, I can stash him in Milwaukee again, but it may be tough for Pollard to hold a 40-man spot for a long time. He has the offensive talent to stick in the big leagues, even if he isn't the greatest defender, and could be a decent piece on a rebuilding squad.