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While he's no Tom Weinstock, although, let's be honest, no one is, his replacement is still very solid. That would be Dixie Marsh, an easygoing 41-year-old from California. He was never drafted, but appeared in 16 games for the Allentown Cokers back in 1925. That's the extent of his minor league career, but after hanging up the spikes in 1928, he went back to Columbia and earned his degree. He began working in baseball, rejoining the Keystones organization that gave him his lone minor league shot. Marsh worked his way up the scouring department, working closely with head scout Harry Dunn. We lured him out to head his own department, getting $15,625 in each of the next two seasons. Weinstock will be missed, but I'm more then confident in his successor.

Dixie isn't as familiar with this draft class as Tom, who had all players as either "High" or "Very High" for scouting accuracy, with nearly 75% of the class at "Very High". Marsh has just six guys at "High" accuracy, including "The Rockford Rocket" who, you guessed it, is from Rockford, Illinois. The Tallmadge State product has stole 72 bases in 88 games and slashed .338/.411/.491. He doesn't have much pop, just a single homer back when he was a freshman, but he has all other tools needed to be a perennial All-Star. The hit tool is great, he has excellent command of the strike zone, and his speed makes an impact in the field and on the bases. Standing tall at 6'2'' and 200 pounds, you have to imagine the power will develop, and with his work ethic I expect him to spend time in the weight room so he can start putting balls over the fence. Even with two of our five top prospects as center fielders, he will get serious attention depending on where are pick lands.

Before starting with our top five prospects, I wanted to say a few things about Tom Weinstock. The former big league catcher was an integral part of our organization, and it's sad we never got him a ring. He's identified some much talent, and his draftees include Skipper Schneider, Don Lee, and likely inaugural Kellogg Award Winner Leo Hayden. I'm not sure when it will happen, but at some point in the offseason I'm going to put something together on his baseball career and some of the prospects he brought in. Unfortunately I won't have his final thoughts on this new class of prospects, but this group and the excellent 1946 draft class could end up being his legacy. While Tom wants to step away from baseball for now, the legendary scout will be welcomed back at any time in an advisory capacity. And once we finally get that elusive championship ring, he's going to have one set aside for him.

RHP Bob Allen (2nd Overall)
Acquired: Via Draft: 1st Round, 10th Overall (1946)
Alma Mater: Sonora Wildcats

Despite nine players being selected before Allen in the 1946 draft, just one player ranks above him in the opening offseason prospect rankings. The only player ranked higher is the Champion's young shortstop Ralph Hanson, a former 2nd Overall Pick who stole 46 bases and hit .219 in 84 games for the Class C Alexandria Generals. Allen will be the last of Tom Weinstock's seven first round selections, and I'm really hoping he ends up as the best one. Despite being just 18 and dealing with back stiffness, our #1 prospect was very effective, following up14 starts in his senior year with 58.2 innings with the Lions. He didn't maintain the 0.36 ERA and 0.60 WHIP, but he finished third among pitchers with 55 or more innings with a 3.99 ERA (107 ERA+). The California native missed plenty of bats, striking out 60 hitters while finishing 4-2 with a 1.41 WHIP. Allen's stuff is tremendous, and he's always at his best when the game is on the line. He's the type of kid you want pitching every fifth day and he's yet to show a real weakness in his game. He isn't the hardest thrower, sitting at 86-88 with his fastball, but his pitches have plenty of downward movement, allowing him to keep the ball on the ground. With Skipper Schneider and George Sutterfield in the infield, groundballs will be easily scooped up, and Allen should thrive at our park. Add in the the whiffs on his slider and you have the makings of a true Allen Award winner.

LHP Duke Bybee (7th Overall)
Acquired: Via Draft: 4th Round, 49th Overall (1940)
Alma Mater: Brooklyn Friends Quakers

I'll be honest, it's almost a crime that I left Duke Bybee in Milwaukee, but he's not better then Harry Parker or Joe Brown yet, and since 1942, all he's thrown is 17 innings in Lincoln and 19.1 in Chicago. This will be his last prospect report, as Billy Riley will be traded one way or another, and Bybee will make plenty of starts with the big league club. He's coming off a record setting campaign for the Blues, finishing the season 14-6 with a 2.05 ERA (190 ERA+) and 1.12 WHIP in 175.1 innings pitched. He struck out 100 batters and walked just 40, and was worth nearly five (4.8) wins above replacement. If there was an Allen Award in the Century League, Bybee would have been unanimous like Pap should be, as he led the circuit in ERA, K/BB (2.5), BB/9 (2.1), ERA+, rWAR (7.6), and win percentage (.700) while ranked tied for third in wins despite being outside the top 15 for starts (26). For a 24-year-old, his command is stellar and his stuff is good enough to maintain a 2+ K/BB. OSA loves him, praising his stuff and command, and the 6'4'' righty would be the #1 pitching prospect on any other team. Instead, he has to settle for the games highest rated left handed pitcher. With the new Kellogg award being given out for the top rookie, Bybee should be an early favorite to take home the second annual award. Even if he doesn't have a breakout rookie season, his leadership and poise will be key to the roster. If we have to, he can be stashed in the pen, but I'm confident he'll pitch his way to the #3 spot by season end.

CF Johnny Peters (32nd Overall)
Acquired: Via Draft: 1st Round, 3rd Overall (1945)
Alma Mater: Liberty College Bells

He's dropped a bit on the prospect list, but I think that's more because of the strong draft class from this year, including 14 of the top 20 prospects. If Peters was available this year and I had he third overall pick, there's no way I'd use it on him, but that's not to say Peters isn't a very exciting prospect. Despite being just 22, he spent all season with the Commodores, and hit an above average. 268/.361/.387 (190 OPS+) in 603 trips to the plate. Like Bybee, he was worth 4.8 WAR, as Peters put up a 5.1 zone rating in center with 17 steals, 76 walks, and 40 extra base hits. I'm leaning on starting him in Milwaukee next season, and he could position himself into making his major league debut. We have plenty of 40-man roster flexibility, and with a big season a September callup may be warranted. Peters projects to be a premier player, projecting to hit around .300 with excellent plate discipline and base stealing abilities. I don't really have a good comp on the big league roster for Peters, as he shows shades of both Carlos Montes and Don Lee. Peters may not have to compete against them forever, as there will be a time where Leo Mitchell goes to first or Carlos Montes needs to be in a corner, but right now playing time seems to be scarce for the the Liberty College alumn.

CF Frank Reece (37th Overall)
Acquired: Via Draft: 2nd Round, 20th Overall (1946)
Alma Mater: Villisca Bluejays

After the draft, Frank Reece ranked above Johnny Peters, but he's sense slipped to 37th. Now 19, Reece had an excellent season with La Crosse, producing a 130 WRC+ in 222 trips to the plate. Reece hit a strong .276/.356/.480 (118 OPS+) with 10 doubles, 10 homers, 14 steals, 24 RBIs, and 21 walks. One of the best showings from the many youngsters that spent time in La Crosse, Reece is penciled into center field for San Jose, and with not much in the upper levels he could finish in Lincoln. Another speedy center fielder, Reece has a high ceiling both at the plate and in the field, The power was a bit of surprise, and he held a share of the team lead with Cal Rice, our slugging first basemen. A lot of Reece's homers would have been doubles or triples in a different park, but he could hit double digit homers in the big leagues. His speed will lead to extra bases and plus outfield defense, and he could be one of those guys that walks more then they strike out. He's got a lot of development ahead of him, but the ceiling is tantalizing and he's more developed then most of the other guys his age.

C Eddie Howard (41st Overall)
Acquired: Via Draft: 2nd Round, 20th Overall (1941)
Alma Mater: St. Joseph Chiefs

Now a member of the 40-man roster, Eddie Howard will get a chance to win the backup job to Harry Mead, competing against our lone rookie position player Homer Guthrie next spring. He had a strong season in his first at bats since 1942, and he had just 7 games in a ball prior to this year. That didn't stop him from putting on a show, slashing .325/.380/.428 (119 OPS+) with 37 doubles, 2 triples, 3 homers, and 58 RBIs in 536 trips to the plate. He produced a 126 WRC+ and 3.8 WAR and struck out (23) almost half as often as he walked (43). Howard even pitched a bit, going 4-0 with a pair of saves in 30.1 innings pitched. His 3.86 ERA (101 ERA+) was just barely above average, but his 2.82 FIP (72 FIP-) was better then Peter the Heater (2.75, 81). Having him on hand as a reliable emergency guy could be useful, mopping up inning I don't want a high leverage guy in. He features an elite hit tool and lines the ball pull side with ease, and with his strength I think the power tool should develop. He will hit plenty of doubles off the big wall in left, and a few of his flyballs will sneak out as homers. Eventually he'll take over for Harry Mead, but until then, Mead will be an excellent mentor, and they can share starts if both are (or I guess, aren't) producing. That 1941 class is looking really good, as it's produced Otto Christian, Leo Hayden, Jack Huston, Jim Dickinson, Harl Haines, Joe Swank, and George Oddo, all of which have debuted in the majors. Howard will join them shortly, as will Bill Ballantine, and Howard will be a big part of whether it becomes a group to be remembered.