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RHP Rube Finnegan (394th Overall)
Acquired: Via Draft: 11th Round, 172nd Overall (1938)
Alma Mater: Lane State Emeralds

One thing I've noticed about 23, is they are starting to rank more relievers in the prospect lists. Rube Finnegan has never started a game in our system despite 42 in 53 college appearances, and the 57 innings he threw this year were the most he has in our system. He spent some time closing for Lincoln, going 5-3 with 9 saves, a 3.16 ERA (123 ERA+), 1.19 WHIP, 23 walks, and 39 strikeouts. A big strikeout arm despite low velocity, Finnegan tends to stay below 90, mixing five pitches around to fool lesser hitters. Walks can be an issue for him, but he's got the ability to roll up a double play when needed. He's really nothing more then a middle reliever, so it may make it tough for him to make it up to Chicago. He could probably pitch in our AAA pen, but he's a guy I move around depending on which level needs innings.

RHP Stan Flanders (395th Overall)
Acquired: Via Draft: 10th Round, 157th Overall (1941)
Alma Mater: New Haven Bulldogs

Originally a catcher in high school, I used a 10th Rounder on him back in 1941 with the intention of using him as a pitcher. He did alright last year, going 3-5 with a 4.37 ERA (92 ERA+) and 1.15 WHIP with 18 walks and just 3 strikeouts in 68 innings pitched. He got another shot at La Crosse this season, and he took huge strides forward. Flanders went 15-4 with a 3.59 ERA (142 ERA+), 1.33 WHIP, 36 walks, and 33 strikeouts through 135.1 innings pitched. A soft tosser, the 20-year-old's fastball sits in the 84-86 range, but it and his curve and change aren't the most polished offerings. His control is improving, and could be one of his better features, but there's a lot of room between his floor and ceiling. He's a consistent worker, but will need to have a big showing this year to work his way into a potential future rotation.

RHP Jimmy Ballard (415th Overall)
Acquired: Via Draft: 6th Round, 84th Overall (1939)
Alma Mater: Donora Bombers

After a rough debut season in 1939 for Jimmy Ballard, things were starting to look up in 1940. He made 7 starts with the Lions, going 2-1 with a 3.28 ERA (132 ERA+), 1.30 WHIP, 21 walks, and 29 strikeouts. Unfortunately, 7 starts is all he could make, as he missed over a year with a torn rotator cuff, and made just 7 more starts in 1941. This year, however, Ballard stayed healthy, and made 17 starts in San Jose with 5 in Lincoln sandwitched between. He looked good for the Cougars, going 8-7 with a 2.55 ERA (130 ERA+), 1.15 WHIP, 44 walks, and 48 strikeouts in 116.2 innings pitched. The best thing here was he stayed healthy, as last year shoulder inflammation ended his season early as well. 21 in April, Ballard has already had more injuries then most, and the sidewinder will have to stay healthy again this year to make up for lost development time. He does have an okay low 90s fastball he pairs with a nice slider and tough change, which allows him to get a lot of swings and misses. His control does get in the way, and the injuries didn't help that, leading me to believe that it will be hard for him to make more then the occasional start. Standing at 6'4'', he's a very intimidating presence, and that could help him in the late innings, as he's a guy who shows up when counted on.

RHP Joe Swank (418th Overall)
Acquired: Via Draft: 7th Round, 107th Overall (1941)
Alma Mater: Rhodes Rams

It was a great first full season for Joe Swank, who was an effective arm for the Lions this season. He finished 13-3 with a 3.88 ERA (132 ERA+), 1.50 WHIP, 66 walks, and 37 strikeouts in 21 solid starts. The issue here is the walks, as Swank had a 4.1 BB/9 this season which is just a tenth of a point better then last season. He did up his K/9 about a point and a half, but it's still below 2.5. Another soft tosser, Swank could use a velo bump or two, as his fastball isn't too effective right now. He has a great circle change and a solid curveball, so with a harder fastball he could develop into a really nice pitcher. He has his work cut out for him before he develops into a reliable starter.

RHP Ron Sexton (439th Overall)
Acquired: Via Trade with Pittsburgh (1939)
Drafted: 5th Round, 79th Overall (1938)
Alma Mater: Canarsie Chiefs

Another guy with injury issues, Ron Sexton missed almost a full calendar year with a torn UCL. He did stay healthy this season, but the results were mixed. He was dominant in San Jose, going 7-3 with a 1.85 ERA (179 ERA+), 1.06 WHIP, 18 walks, and 37 strikeouts in 82.2 innings pitched. This earned him a promotion to Lincoln, but things didn't go as well. He threw 8 more innings and went 6-6 with a 4.37 ERA (89 ERA+), 1.44 WHIP, 28 walks, and 30 strikeouts. I'm hoping he'll have more success this time around in Lincoln, as he has good enough stuff to compete. He has a nice low 90s fastball and mixes it well with his curve, slider, and change. His walk rates could use some work, but if Sexton can stay healthy, he could work his way up to AA this season, and then a potential big league promotion the year after.

RHP Charlie Kelsey (447th Overall)
Acquired: Via Draft: 9th Round, 140th Overall (1938)
Alma Mater: Lancaster Buckskins

Rounding out our non-enlisted or previously-mentioned top 500, we have another reliever in Charlie Kelsey. A 21-year-old from Pennsylvania, Kelsey was a workhorse out of the pen, tallying 107 innings for San Jose. He finished 10-6 with 18 saves, a 2.78 ERA (119 ERA+), 1.18 WHIP, 39 walks, and 39 strikeouts. The walks were a bit high, but he managed to throw almost two innings an appearance and win us a lot of games. He definitely has the stamina to start, but he's really just a sinker-fastball guy with the occasional change up. He keeps the ball on the ground and doesn't throw too hard, relying a lot on his infield defense. At just 21, he has some time to add a fourth pitch or add velocity, but he's likely just a depth arm who will get innings because he's not off to war.