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RHP Wilson McKinney (169th Overall)
Acquired: Via Draft: 2nd Round, 23rd Overall (1949)
Alma Mater: Colonel White Cougars

Our 2nd Round selection in the most recent draft, I was hoping that Wilson McKinney would crack the initial top 100. After all, he did strikeout 110 hitters in just 51 innings, striking out exactly 55% of the hitters he faced, while walking one guy for every eleven he struck out. Instead, he's been on the outside looking in, ranked 169th at the start of the offseason, before jumping up to 134 last sim. A hardworking righty, McKinney is one of my favorite prospects in our system, as he's a five pitch pitcher who throws hard and strikes people out. He managed to have plenty of success in La Crosse, going a perfect 7-0 in his 9 starts despite his strikeout rate cutting in half. Of course, as high as his was in high school, half is still arguably elite, as he struck out 56 hitters in 54.2 innings, this time good for a 23.6 K%. Most impressively, however, is how he kept the walks in check, as with 19 he had a near 3 K/BB that even the best FABL pitchers tend to never graze. His 4.28 ERA (110 ERA+) was 10 percent above average while his 53% groundball percentage would work out really well in Chicago. Keeping the ball in the park is huge, and with excellent raw stuff its not easy to make good contact. His cutter is tough high in the zone, while his change and splitter are tough down. He has two curves too, not sure how much they (or really any of his pitches) are going to be used, as I think he'll be primary a cutter/change pitcher. If we can get him in the 90s, that'll be even better, but at 87-89 he's good enough to blow hitters away if he's up in the zone. Since he turned 19 in September, I'm hoping he's more developed then the average prep pitcher, and he could pitch find himself in San Jose's rotation before the UMVA season kicks off.

CF Harley Dollar (179th Overall)
Acquired: Via Draft: 7th Round, 131st Overall (1947)
Alma Mater: Nutley Maroon Raiders

After a tough season split between three levels last year, Harley Dollar appeared in 66 games this season, all with San Jose, and the offense was finally starting to click. The 21-year-old outfielder hit a strong .294/.388/.416 (111 OPS+) with 15 doubles, 3 triples, a homer, 4 steals, and 16 RBIs. He even drew one more walk (29) then strikeout (28), although I was surprised with the defense. He made 20ish (21, 22, 26) appearances at all three outfield spots, but each time he posted negative zone ratings and efficiencies below 1.000. That's a little surprising, as I once thought he was more of a defender then hitter, but it turns out "Easy Money" may make his way up because of the bat. He has above average contact skills and a smooth swing with quick hands. He has good pitch recognition, something I always expected, but he's been hitting the ball hard. Don't expect many balls over the fence, as he tends to hit the ball on the ground, but with his speed he's able to make things happen. OSA is a big fan of the New Jersey native, and with a full season waiting for him in 1950, he might take the first step needed to become a legitimate FABL starter.

CF Fred Crawford (180th Overall)
Acquired: Via Draft: 3rd Round, 45th Overall (1949)
Alma Mater: Hardwick Friars

Like McKinney, I expected Fred Crawford to rank a little higher then he did. 180 is still pretty solid, but I think this year's 3rd Rounder should at least be inside the top 150. A fractured foot did keep him off the field for a few weeks, and that could contribute to the ranking, as well as his performance on the field. The now 19-year-old hit just .287/.327/.351 (66 OPS+) in 102 trips to the plate, adding 3 doubles, a homer, 4 walks, 6 RBIs, and 8 steals. The one thing he could take away from this season is the defense, as the center fielder looked great in the grass. It was just 121.2 innings, but he posted plus marks (0.8, 1.034) there and the hard work he put off the field has started to show. He's pretty versatile too, so even if he's not hitting, he can start a regular role off the bench at any of the three outfield spots, as well as second and third. I still want him in center, as Dixie thinks he is "a reliable hitter in the organization's grand scheme" and he's a big fan of his frame and swing. He has the speed to stick in center, and cause trouble on the bases, so if he keeps up his reps in the outfield he should be a great defender. I've said this about a lot of our outfielders, but he's got a ton of talent, and on other teams he might be the focus. There's plenty of room between his peak and floor, so I'm hoping he'll get a full season of health to show what he's got.

1B Dudley Sapp (206th Overall)
Acquired: Via Draft: 3rd Round, 45th Overall (1947)
Alma Mater: Union City Bulldogs

Not much went right for Dudley Sapp this season, who dropped out of the 200 and at 24, is our first non-top 200 prospect this season. Now 21, he spent most of his season in San Jose, but hit just .244/.322/.275 (58 OPS+) without a single homer in 149 trips to the plate. Even worse, our minor league coaches want him back in La Crosse, which is not somewhere a guy with two and a half minor league seasons under his belt should be. Especially a former 3rd Rounder who was supposed to be a prolific slugger. A muscular 6'4'' righty, Sapp is the last guy I would have expected to go homerless in a stint (well, of the minor leaguers, that is), and as a first basemen you either hit for a high average or hit for a lot of power. Ideally both, but since Sapp isn't doing either right now, something needs to change. But now in parts of two seasons with San Jose, he has just a .240/.311/.265 (52 OPS+) line in 228 homerless PAs. 1950 is a huge season for Sapp, as if he has another tough season, he may start losing his regular reps at first.

LF Charlie Harvey (215th Overall)
Acquired: Via Draft: 11th Round, 172nd Overall (1946)
Alma Mater: LaSalle Cavaliers

I feel like of this group of five, there were a fair amount of struggles. None of them applied to Charlie Harvey. Pretty much all season, all he did for the baby Cougars was hit, as the September C-O-W Batter of the Month exceled in his first taste of Class B action. After hitting .375/.433/.484 (132 OPS+) in 142 PAs with the Lions last year, he hit an arguably more impressive .359/.437/.470 (138 OPS+) with 18 doubles, 9 homers, 88 RBIs, 86 runs, and 63 walks. His 150 WRC+ was one of the best of any player in our organization, and he was worth an even 4 WAR in 135 games. That's tremendous production from a bat first corner bat, who OSA thinks could even hit around .350. That's a lofty projection from the league's scouting service, and I'm sure they'd compare him to another former Cougar draftee Ed Reyes. If Harvey keep hitting, he'll get his chance. Eventually. But as a Chicago native? Well, that chance may come in Chicago! He's no star, but a quality bat who can help an offense score and produce runs.