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ayaghmour2 · 10-31-2022, 11:59 PM

Before getting to the AI picks of the draft, we did make a trade with the Stars, sending SS Bill Graham to the Big Apple for their 7th Round pick next season. Now 26, we picked up Graham back in 1938 for outfielder Elias Canady. The former 4th Rounder was hitting .252/.382/.352 (107 OPS+) in 61 games with the Blues and may get a chance to play a few games for the Stars.

11th Round, 164th Overall: RHP Max Tanner
School: Albion
1944: 7-2, 97 IP, 1.58 ERA, 0.98 WHIP, 19 BB, 100 K
Career: 23-6, 296.1 IP, 1.97 ERA, 1.07 WHIP, 65 BB, 273 K

One of the many shocking AI picks to check inside the top 500, I will say Max Tanner is definitely someone I let slip through the cracks, so having three 11th Rounders really helped. Tanner is an imposing 6'5'' righty, but scouts aren't sold on him being a starting pitcher. His fastball isn't very fast, and while his curve is a decent pitch, his splitter isn't anything special. Turner comes with more risk then most, but it's tough to imagine someone his height stays in the low 80s, especially when you factor in the fact that "optional" practices are mandatory to him. The tall righty does have great command, and one one of the few draft eligible players with a BB/9 below 2. If his velocity increases, he could develop into a very good pitcher, but some borderline starters end up turning into two pitch relievers. That's more likely then him becoming an Art White type pitcher, as he could be one of the guys bumped out of a rotation spot when the boys come home.

11th Round, 173rd Overall: LHP Howie Sharp
School: Santa Anna College
1944: 7-4, 102 IP, 3.35 ERA, 1.27 WHIP, 23 BB, 57 K
Career: 16-20, 337.2 IP, 4.88 ERA, 1.55 WHIP, 136 BB, 165 K

Howie Sharp was another guy I scouted, as he had a breakout as a junior at Santa Anna after a terrible freshman year and a subpar sophomore season. Tom thought he was worth a lottery ticket, and the prospect pickers decided to sneak him into the top 500. A lefty from Pittsburgh, Sharp has very raw stuff, but his 90 FIP- was encouraging and he posted numerous career bests this season. He's a bit lazy so he might not get too much better, but there are a lot of available rotation spots, so he'll get a chance early on, but he'll have to perform if he wants to keep starting games.

11th Round, 174th Overall: LF Larry Day
School: Miami State
1944: .272/.395/.442, 263 PA, 10 2B 9 HR, 34 RBI, 5 SB
Career: .272/.389/.393, 812 PA, 28 2B, 18 HR, 112 RBI, 23 SB

Larry Day added 3 homers each season at Miami State, finishing with a decent 18 in 161 games with the Redbirds. A decent corner bat, Day has a nice eye at the plate and a knack for barreling up the ball. He hits the ball well to all fields, and succeeds with a high launch angle. A flyball tendency could work well in our park, but it will be tough for Day to get consistent at bats once all our draftees are signed.

12th Round, 189th Overall: RHP Tommy Crowe
School: Atlantic Highlands
1944: 9-3, 118.2 IP, 1.74 ERA, 1.08 WHIP, 37 BB, 121 K
Career: 9-3, 118.2 IP, 1.74 ERA, 1.08 WHIP, 37 BB, 121 K

He only pitched one year at Atlantic Highlands, and the 17-year-olds numbers weren't all that impressive. He's not one to let tough outings get to him, which will help him if his career consists of soaking up innings in the pen. He does have a nice slider, but unless he throws faster or can hit the zone with more consistency, he won't end up starting many games.

13th Round, 205th Overall: RF Bob Harris
School: Mississippi A&M
1944: .284/.357/.545, 200 PA, 9 2B, 5 3B, 9 HR, 30 RBI, 39 SB
Career: .284/.357/.545, 200 PA, 9 2B, 5 3B, 9 HR, 30 RBI, 39 SB

I shouldn't have been surprised that the highest ranked of our signed draftees would be an outfielder from Outfield A&M, and sure enough Bob Harris checks in surprisingly high at 19th in our system and 267th overall. He only got one season with the Generals, showcasing both a high average and solid power numbers against some of the best pitchers in college. I could probably send him all the way up to Mobile if I wanted, but Harris will start his minor league career with the Legislators. We don't have many corner bats in his way, and Harris could hit his way all the way up to Chicago. He has a nice swing and if he can put up a few double digit homer seasons in the minors it could really elevate his value. At 22, he could be a quick riser, and he has a three year advantage in the age department on our almost top 100 prospect Jimmy Hairston. Cliff Moss is getting old and Rich Langton hasn't looked himself yet this season, so a corner outfield spot could open up sooner then I may have expected.

14th Round, 221st Overall: RHP Ned Smith
School: Killeen State
1944: 6-6, 106 IP, 3.99 ERA, 1.46 WHIP, 39 BB, 70 K
Career: 6-6, 106 IP, 3.99 ERA, 1.46 WHIP, 39 BB, 70 K

He didn't start until he was a junior, but Ned Smith still held his own. He put up strong strikeout rates despite low velo, as he mixes his four pitches well. His stuff is raw, so I can't see him starting now, but he could probably pitch in the pen up in San Jose if we needed it. He doesn't have a high ceiling now and I don't really see that changing.

15th Round, 237th Overall: LF Owen Burns
School: West Chicago
Commit School: Amarillo Methodist
1944: .448/.546/.664, 117 PA, 18 2B, 2 3B, 3 HR, 31 RBI, 9 SB
Career: .489/.552/.761, 64 2B, 4 3B, 12 HR, 119 RBI, 28 SB

I forgot to queue up any impossible to sign guys, so the only member of our draft class not joining the organization will be 15th Rounder Owen Burns. A Chicago kid. the 18-year-old switch hitter put together back-to-back .500 seasons as a freshman and sophomore, but he slumped as a junior and didn't do much better as a senior. Burns did show decent pop, even if Tom doesn't think he'll ever hit for enough power as a corner bat. He'll head to Amarillo Methodist, where he'll look to get selected in the human portion next time around.

16th Round, 253rd Overall: RHP Billy Stoddard
School: Lubbock
1944: 6-3, 89 IP, 1.92 ERA, 1.07 WHIP, 22 BB, 113 K
Career: 6-3, 89 IP, 1.92 ERA, 1.07 WHIP, 22 BB, 113 K

Billy Stoddard didn't pitch at Lubbock until his senior year, but he put up decent strikeout numbers. A flyball pitcher who doesn't throw very hard, he will likely give up far too many home runs. Even worse, he's projected as a reliever, so Stoddard may not spend too much time in our system.

17th Round, 269th Overall: CF Willie Stevens
School: Lexington
1944: .443/.505/.629, 110 PA, 10 2B, 4 3B, 22 RBI, 14 SB
Career: .436/.498/.626, 240 PA, 24 2B, 5 3B, 2 HR, 53 RBI, 34 SB

A two year starter at Lexington, Willie Stevens didn't impress too much with the bat. That means he'll have to be a good defender, and while his speed isn't too great, he's still quicker then most. I don't think he'll be able to stick in center, which could make it hard for him to fill in a bench role. It will also be tough for him to find at bats, as we have plenty of more exciting center fielders ahead of him.

18th Round, 285th Overall: C Bill Michalski
School: Carolina Poly
1944: .262/.306/.381, 314 PA, 9 2B, 3B, 8 HR, 45 RBI, 4 SB
Career: .259/.301/.383, 572 PA, 16 2B, 3B, 16 HR, 84 RBI, 8 SB

Usually the scouts go crazy with taking catchers, but with a really strong crop of catchers, I wonder if there weren't many left at the end. The first one we got in the AI portion was a slugger from Carolina Poly Bill Michalski. The 5'6'' 21-year-old hit 8 homers both years he started, as he puts a lot of balls in air. His contact tool is decent too, and both OSA and Tom Weinstock think he could at least fill a bench role. We need some to backup Al Hurd, so he'll start his time in San Jose, but as a backup catcher he'll get his share of starts. He might not be the best defender, but he does have experience at first, which could help him get extra at bats.

19th Round, 301st Overall: RHP Sam Bass
School: Ashland
1944: 7-2, 88.1 IP, 2.24 ERA, 1.17 WHIP, 30 BB, 75 K
Career: 7-2, 88.1 IP, 2.24 ERA, 1.17 WHIP, 30 BB, 75 K

This isn't the first time I've heard of Sam Bass, but don't think it's because of his talent. Nicknamed "Fish", Bass has a cool nickname, but that's about it. Bass had an ERA above 2 and a FIP above 3, and combined with a 7.6 K/9 and sub 3 K/BB, you know something just isn't quite right. The nickname will keep the Wisconsin native close to home in La Crosse, but I find it hard pressed to believe he'll ever leave his hometown.

20th Round, 317th Overall: RHP Johnnie Harris
School: Savanna
1944: 6-5, 118.1 IP, 4.49 ERA, 1.75 WHIP, 82 BB, 116 K
Career: 26-16, 451.1 IP, 3.57 ERA, 1.49 WHIP, 218 BB, 386 K

While Fish's nickname will keep him around, Harris being an Aurora kid will keep him around. His pitching is really bad, as his high school numbers look more like college numbers. He never had a sub 3 ERA or sub 1.30 WHIP, and his senior season was a nightmare. He won't last long, but at 17 he has the chance to stick around a while while the older guys get cut.

21st Round, 333rd Overall: LF Bill Smith
School: Franklin
1944: .419/.465/.607, 128 PA, 14 2B, 3B, 2 HR, 28 RBI, 10 SB
Career: .426/.499/.668, 475 PA, 51 2B, 5 3B, 12 HR, 110 RBI, 34 SB

His generic name isn't the only that will make you forget about him, as the four year starter at Franklin isn't much of a hitter. He had a sub .400 season as a junior and never hit better then .450, and he can only partial play the corner outfield. He is a hard worker, but he'll have to improve fast as we will have a ton of players to cut in the next few seasons.

22nd Round, 349th Overall: 3B Pete Morris
School: DeKalb
1944: .435/.492/.620, 120 PA, 15 2B, 3B, HR, 28 RBI, 10 SB
Career: .445/.494/.637, 361 PA, 36 2B, 2 3B, 7 HR, 89 RBI, 26 SB

Pete Morris may have been born in New Bedford, but he moved to DeKalb as a toddler and played three years of high school ball there. He didn't hit too much, but he hit four longballs last year. He'll hang around for a bit, but is nothing more then fodder.

23rd Round, 365th Overall: RF Johnny Bingham
School: Hillsborough College
1944: .297/.394/.352, 277 PA, 7 2B, 2 HR, 46 RBI, 15 SB
Career: .296/.394/.359, 786 PA, 22 2B, 3B, 6 HR, 120 RBI, 46 SB

Not too much to like of the tall and muscular corner outfielder, who always likes to be the center of attention. He was at Hillsborough College, where he leadoff the Penmen lineup effectively. As the only draft eligible player from his school, you can understand why he thought he was the center of attention, with FABL scouts actually showing up to watch his team play. They weren't too impressed, as he lasted this long, but Tom Weinstock thinks he has a swing that can be improved and the foundation of a bench bat. If the lefty can fill out a bit, who knows what could happen, but we have to hope our tight knit clubhouses can help humble him a bit.

24th Round, 381st Overall: CF Anders Adriansen
School: Olivia
1944: .394/.484/.586, 125 PA, 8 2B, 3B, 3 HR, 25 RBI, 11 SB
Career: .408/.501/.632, 370 PA, 28 2B, 6 3B, 9 HR, 83 RBI, 52 SB

He may have been our second to last pick, but Anders Adriansen has a lot more value then you would think. The versatile teen played five positions in his three year prep career, but he failed to hit over .420. He had a little pop for a center fielder, and he works the count well, but eventually his versatility won't be enough to keep him around.

25th Round, 397th Overall: LF Ted Bergeron
School: Austin
1944: .412/.466/.544, 131 PA, 12 2B, HR, 27 RBI, 7 SB
Career: .413/.474/.554, 361 PA, 35 2B, 3 3B, HR, 78 RBI, 21 SB

Our last pick of a very large 1944 draft class, Ted Bergeron didn't homer until he was a senior, and he hit below .400 last season. He works the count well, but he's a corner bat who lacks power, and that just doesn't help too much. I don't usually like cutting new draftees, but if we eventually have a roster crunch in La Crosse that can't be solved, he could be one of the first guys to go.

10-31-2022, 11:59 PM	#930
ayaghmour2 Hall Of Famer Join Date: Mar 2018 Posts: 3,046	1944 Draft: Round 11-25 Before getting to the AI picks of the draft, we did make a trade with the Stars, sending SS Bill Graham to the Big Apple for their 7th Round pick next season. Now 26, we picked up Graham back in 1938 for outfielder Elias Canady. The former 4th Rounder was hitting .252/.382/.352 (107 OPS+) in 61 games with the Blues and may get a chance to play a few games for the Stars. 11th Round, 164th Overall: RHP Max Tanner School: Albion 1944: 7-2, 97 IP, 1.58 ERA, 0.98 WHIP, 19 BB, 100 K Career: 23-6, 296.1 IP, 1.97 ERA, 1.07 WHIP, 65 BB, 273 K One of the many shocking AI picks to check inside the top 500, I will say Max Tanner is definitely someone I let slip through the cracks, so having three 11th Rounders really helped. Tanner is an imposing 6'5'' righty, but scouts aren't sold on him being a starting pitcher. His fastball isn't very fast, and while his curve is a decent pitch, his splitter isn't anything special. Turner comes with more risk then most, but it's tough to imagine someone his height stays in the low 80s, especially when you factor in the fact that "optional" practices are mandatory to him. The tall righty does have great command, and one one of the few draft eligible players with a BB/9 below 2. If his velocity increases, he could develop into a very good pitcher, but some borderline starters end up turning into two pitch relievers. That's more likely then him becoming an Art White type pitcher, as he could be one of the guys bumped out of a rotation spot when the boys come home. 11th Round, 173rd Overall: LHP Howie Sharp School: Santa Anna College 1944: 7-4, 102 IP, 3.35 ERA, 1.27 WHIP, 23 BB, 57 K Career: 16-20, 337.2 IP, 4.88 ERA, 1.55 WHIP, 136 BB, 165 K Howie Sharp was another guy I scouted, as he had a breakout as a junior at Santa Anna after a terrible freshman year and a subpar sophomore season. Tom thought he was worth a lottery ticket, and the prospect pickers decided to sneak him into the top 500. A lefty from Pittsburgh, Sharp has very raw stuff, but his 90 FIP- was encouraging and he posted numerous career bests this season. He's a bit lazy so he might not get too much better, but there are a lot of available rotation spots, so he'll get a chance early on, but he'll have to perform if he wants to keep starting games. 11th Round, 174th Overall: LF Larry Day School: Miami State 1944: .272/.395/.442, 263 PA, 10 2B 9 HR, 34 RBI, 5 SB Career: .272/.389/.393, 812 PA, 28 2B, 18 HR, 112 RBI, 23 SB Larry Day added 3 homers each season at Miami State, finishing with a decent 18 in 161 games with the Redbirds. A decent corner bat, Day has a nice eye at the plate and a knack for barreling up the ball. He hits the ball well to all fields, and succeeds with a high launch angle. A flyball tendency could work well in our park, but it will be tough for Day to get consistent at bats once all our draftees are signed. 12th Round, 189th Overall: RHP Tommy Crowe School: Atlantic Highlands 1944: 9-3, 118.2 IP, 1.74 ERA, 1.08 WHIP, 37 BB, 121 K Career: 9-3, 118.2 IP, 1.74 ERA, 1.08 WHIP, 37 BB, 121 K He only pitched one year at Atlantic Highlands, and the 17-year-olds numbers weren't all that impressive. He's not one to let tough outings get to him, which will help him if his career consists of soaking up innings in the pen. He does have a nice slider, but unless he throws faster or can hit the zone with more consistency, he won't end up starting many games. 13th Round, 205th Overall: RF Bob Harris School: Mississippi A&M 1944: .284/.357/.545, 200 PA, 9 2B, 5 3B, 9 HR, 30 RBI, 39 SB Career: .284/.357/.545, 200 PA, 9 2B, 5 3B, 9 HR, 30 RBI, 39 SB I shouldn't have been surprised that the highest ranked of our signed draftees would be an outfielder from Outfield A&M, and sure enough Bob Harris checks in surprisingly high at 19th in our system and 267th overall. He only got one season with the Generals, showcasing both a high average and solid power numbers against some of the best pitchers in college. I could probably send him all the way up to Mobile if I wanted, but Harris will start his minor league career with the Legislators. We don't have many corner bats in his way, and Harris could hit his way all the way up to Chicago. He has a nice swing and if he can put up a few double digit homer seasons in the minors it could really elevate his value. At 22, he could be a quick riser, and he has a three year advantage in the age department on our almost top 100 prospect Jimmy Hairston. Cliff Moss is getting old and Rich Langton hasn't looked himself yet this season, so a corner outfield spot could open up sooner then I may have expected. 14th Round, 221st Overall: RHP Ned Smith School: Killeen State 1944: 6-6, 106 IP, 3.99 ERA, 1.46 WHIP, 39 BB, 70 K Career: 6-6, 106 IP, 3.99 ERA, 1.46 WHIP, 39 BB, 70 K He didn't start until he was a junior, but Ned Smith still held his own. He put up strong strikeout rates despite low velo, as he mixes his four pitches well. His stuff is raw, so I can't see him starting now, but he could probably pitch in the pen up in San Jose if we needed it. He doesn't have a high ceiling now and I don't really see that changing. 15th Round, 237th Overall: LF Owen Burns School: West Chicago Commit School: Amarillo Methodist 1944: .448/.546/.664, 117 PA, 18 2B, 2 3B, 3 HR, 31 RBI, 9 SB Career: .489/.552/.761, 64 2B, 4 3B, 12 HR, 119 RBI, 28 SB I forgot to queue up any impossible to sign guys, so the only member of our draft class not joining the organization will be 15th Rounder Owen Burns. A Chicago kid. the 18-year-old switch hitter put together back-to-back .500 seasons as a freshman and sophomore, but he slumped as a junior and didn't do much better as a senior. Burns did show decent pop, even if Tom doesn't think he'll ever hit for enough power as a corner bat. He'll head to Amarillo Methodist, where he'll look to get selected in the human portion next time around. 16th Round, 253rd Overall: RHP Billy Stoddard School: Lubbock 1944: 6-3, 89 IP, 1.92 ERA, 1.07 WHIP, 22 BB, 113 K Career: 6-3, 89 IP, 1.92 ERA, 1.07 WHIP, 22 BB, 113 K Billy Stoddard didn't pitch at Lubbock until his senior year, but he put up decent strikeout numbers. A flyball pitcher who doesn't throw very hard, he will likely give up far too many home runs. Even worse, he's projected as a reliever, so Stoddard may not spend too much time in our system. 17th Round, 269th Overall: CF Willie Stevens School: Lexington 1944: .443/.505/.629, 110 PA, 10 2B, 4 3B, 22 RBI, 14 SB Career: .436/.498/.626, 240 PA, 24 2B, 5 3B, 2 HR, 53 RBI, 34 SB A two year starter at Lexington, Willie Stevens didn't impress too much with the bat. That means he'll have to be a good defender, and while his speed isn't too great, he's still quicker then most. I don't think he'll be able to stick in center, which could make it hard for him to fill in a bench role. It will also be tough for him to find at bats, as we have plenty of more exciting center fielders ahead of him. 18th Round, 285th Overall: C Bill Michalski School: Carolina Poly 1944: .262/.306/.381, 314 PA, 9 2B, 3B, 8 HR, 45 RBI, 4 SB Career: .259/.301/.383, 572 PA, 16 2B, 3B, 16 HR, 84 RBI, 8 SB Usually the scouts go crazy with taking catchers, but with a really strong crop of catchers, I wonder if there weren't many left at the end. The first one we got in the AI portion was a slugger from Carolina Poly Bill Michalski. The 5'6'' 21-year-old hit 8 homers both years he started, as he puts a lot of balls in air. His contact tool is decent too, and both OSA and Tom Weinstock think he could at least fill a bench role. We need some to backup Al Hurd, so he'll start his time in San Jose, but as a backup catcher he'll get his share of starts. He might not be the best defender, but he does have experience at first, which could help him get extra at bats. 19th Round, 301st Overall: RHP Sam Bass School: Ashland 1944: 7-2, 88.1 IP, 2.24 ERA, 1.17 WHIP, 30 BB, 75 K Career: 7-2, 88.1 IP, 2.24 ERA, 1.17 WHIP, 30 BB, 75 K This isn't the first time I've heard of Sam Bass, but don't think it's because of his talent. Nicknamed "Fish", Bass has a cool nickname, but that's about it. Bass had an ERA above 2 and a FIP above 3, and combined with a 7.6 K/9 and sub 3 K/BB, you know something just isn't quite right. The nickname will keep the Wisconsin native close to home in La Crosse, but I find it hard pressed to believe he'll ever leave his hometown. 20th Round, 317th Overall: RHP Johnnie Harris School: Savanna 1944: 6-5, 118.1 IP, 4.49 ERA, 1.75 WHIP, 82 BB, 116 K Career: 26-16, 451.1 IP, 3.57 ERA, 1.49 WHIP, 218 BB, 386 K While Fish's nickname will keep him around, Harris being an Aurora kid will keep him around. His pitching is really bad, as his high school numbers look more like college numbers. He never had a sub 3 ERA or sub 1.30 WHIP, and his senior season was a nightmare. He won't last long, but at 17 he has the chance to stick around a while while the older guys get cut. 21st Round, 333rd Overall: LF Bill Smith School: Franklin 1944: .419/.465/.607, 128 PA, 14 2B, 3B, 2 HR, 28 RBI, 10 SB Career: .426/.499/.668, 475 PA, 51 2B, 5 3B, 12 HR, 110 RBI, 34 SB His generic name isn't the only that will make you forget about him, as the four year starter at Franklin isn't much of a hitter. He had a sub .400 season as a junior and never hit better then .450, and he can only partial play the corner outfield. He is a hard worker, but he'll have to improve fast as we will have a ton of players to cut in the next few seasons. 22nd Round, 349th Overall: 3B Pete Morris School: DeKalb 1944: .435/.492/.620, 120 PA, 15 2B, 3B, HR, 28 RBI, 10 SB Career: .445/.494/.637, 361 PA, 36 2B, 2 3B, 7 HR, 89 RBI, 26 SB Pete Morris may have been born in New Bedford, but he moved to DeKalb as a toddler and played three years of high school ball there. He didn't hit too much, but he hit four longballs last year. He'll hang around for a bit, but is nothing more then fodder. 23rd Round, 365th Overall: RF Johnny Bingham School: Hillsborough College 1944: .297/.394/.352, 277 PA, 7 2B, 2 HR, 46 RBI, 15 SB Career: .296/.394/.359, 786 PA, 22 2B, 3B, 6 HR, 120 RBI, 46 SB Not too much to like of the tall and muscular corner outfielder, who always likes to be the center of attention. He was at Hillsborough College, where he leadoff the Penmen lineup effectively. As the only draft eligible player from his school, you can understand why he thought he was the center of attention, with FABL scouts actually showing up to watch his team play. They weren't too impressed, as he lasted this long, but Tom Weinstock thinks he has a swing that can be improved and the foundation of a bench bat. If the lefty can fill out a bit, who knows what could happen, but we have to hope our tight knit clubhouses can help humble him a bit. 24th Round, 381st Overall: CF Anders Adriansen School: Olivia 1944: .394/.484/.586, 125 PA, 8 2B, 3B, 3 HR, 25 RBI, 11 SB Career: .408/.501/.632, 370 PA, 28 2B, 6 3B, 9 HR, 83 RBI, 52 SB He may have been our second to last pick, but Anders Adriansen has a lot more value then you would think. The versatile teen played five positions in his three year prep career, but he failed to hit over .420. He had a little pop for a center fielder, and he works the count well, but eventually his versatility won't be enough to keep him around. 25th Round, 397th Overall: LF Ted Bergeron School: Austin 1944: .412/.466/.544, 131 PA, 12 2B, HR, 27 RBI, 7 SB Career: .413/.474/.554, 361 PA, 35 2B, 3 3B, HR, 78 RBI, 21 SB Our last pick of a very large 1944 draft class, Ted Bergeron didn't homer until he was a senior, and he hit below .400 last season. He works the count well, but he's a corner bat who lacks power, and that just doesn't help too much. I don't usually like cutting new draftees, but if we eventually have a roster crunch in La Crosse that can't be solved, he could be one of the first guys to go.