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ayaghmour2 · 02-04-2025, 08:29 PM

Before diving into the next five prospects, I managed to upgrade the catching position in the form of the 1954 Kellogg Winner at the cost of a $47,000 non-guaranteed contract. A two-time All-Star, I added veteran catcher Dutch Miller, who was released by the Pioneers when the offseason stared. A nine year vet, 1962 was his first in St. Louis, and he hit just .233/.364/.374 (88 OPS+) in limited time. That's now two rough seasons for Miller, who started his career with seven consecutive seasons with an above average OPS+ and WRC+. His Kellogg winning season in 1954 will likely end up the best season of his career, as he hit .289/.381/.527 (148 OPS+) with 26 homers, 26 doubles, and 113 RBIs. The former Kings 8th Round selection has yet to see a WRC+ half as good as the 150 he had that season, and his .262/.357/.419 (113 OPS+) career line is more what you'd expect from a quality catcher.

What drew me to our new catcher is his plate discipline, as we don't have many guys who can work the count Miller's never had a single digit BB%, as even in his small sample this year he walked in 15.7% of his plate appearances. He doesn't usually hit for a high average, but when he puts the ball in play he tends to damage. I think the eye is part of it, but he's a doubles machine and could potentially hit 20 homers in our park. On top of all that, he's a really solid defensive catcher, and will seriously challenge Chappy Sanders (.247, 14, 66) for the starting job in the spring. Buck Cuppett not only wants him to start, but has him batting behind Case and Gibson in the lineup. If we can get an average Miller, our lineup got a whole lot longer, and I can let Chappy pick up the finer aspects of the game in Milwaukee next season. During the fast forward, Miller was a player I really liked, and to get him now is a huge plus. By doing the little thing right, he can impact the game when he's not hitting, and with a tight knit crew and strong leadership, we can manage his selfishness.

RHP Humberto Fonseca (366th Overall)
Acquired: Via Draft: 6th Round, 92nd Overall (1960)
Alma Mater: St. Benedict Bengals

Humberto Fonseca may not have been born in Chicago, but he sure feels like a hometown kid, as he pitched a season at St. Benedict, a school I've actually played at. In Fonseca's case, it didn't go great, as he was just 7-5 with a 2.16 ERA, 1.18 WHIP, and 167 strikeouts. It was enough to get him selected by the Cougars in the 6th, and his 5-start debut in La Crosse went well. 3-0 with a 2.17 ERA (280 ERA+) and 31 strikeouts, it's the only time he's had above average play, as he was challenged in San Jose and is still a work in progress. 21 in April, he spent all of this season in San Jose, an even 11-11 with a 3.86 ERA (84 ERA+), 1.23 WHIP, and 144 strikeouts. His 3.42 FIP (105 FIP-) was just five percent below average, and he gave his team a solid 195.2 innings pitched. With a reasonably high floor, he's a rubber arm type, but he allows way too much hard contact. Without an out pitch, quality hitters can work long at bats against him, and he'll be back in San Jose for year four.

2B Rafael Zambrano (384th Overall)
Acquired: Via Draft: 3rd Round, 44th Overall (1960)
Alma Mater: Perth Amboy Jaguars

Another member of Dode Caudill's 1960 draft class, Rafael Zambrano has not turned out quite so well. Another Cuban native, Zambrano played his high school ball in New Jersey, where he hit .450 with 14 doubles, 19 steals, and 48 RBIs. A decent defensive middle infielder, Zambrano doesn't have any power, but he's a solid second basemen who's height makes him outstanding at first. A solid athlete, he has an above average contact tool, and that's the only thing that's keeping him around. He's quick and puts the ball in play, and could hit around .300 if things break right. This season was tough, but at 20 a .271/.298/.362 (89 OPS+) line is respectable. The 7 homers were a shock, he doesn't have any power, but 20 doubles, 4 triples, and 50 runs are nice. One of our hardest workers, I have some faith that the switch hitter can develop into a capable utility bat. He'll keep getting regular at bats for now, and if there's room towards the end of the offseason I may send him to improve his defense.

3B Bill Welch (388th Overall)
Acquired: Via Draft: 11th Round, 168th Overall (1956)
Alma Mater: Kutztown Golden Bears

A perfect example of a survivor, Bill Welch has been in the organization since 1956, and after seven seasons he's still going strong. A former 11th Round Pick, a strained PCL ended his season early, and he missed a month and a half earlier in the season with a shoulder issue. This limited him to 76 games, 59 of which were in Little Rock. The 24-year-old has played parts of three seasons there, this year hitting .252/.375/.363 (93 OPS+) with 9 doubles, a triple, 4 homers,10 steals, 17 RBIs, and 33 runs. His 102 WRC+ in 251 PAs was a bit above average, and his 209 in Rockford boosts the combined number handsomely. An excellent defender, he gives plus defense at third and all three outfield spots, and even though he hasn't played any of the other three infield spots, I'd trust him there too. His glove, arm, and speed are what's kept him around, and the bats starting to show some life to it. He doesn't have much pop and he still strikes out too much, but at least in terms of a utility player, he has the eye and hit tool to make it. I think we'll run back Little Rock one more time, but I'd love to see him in Milwaukee at some point. Eventually he'll be in line for an injury call up, and if he keeps up the work he'll earn a long awaited FABL debut.

LF Gary Allen (405th Overall)
Acquired: Via Draft: 4th Round, 60th Overall (1960)
Alma Mater: Bossier College Bulldogs

It pains me to call Gary Allen a prospect, as despite turning 23 this June he can't make contact and during the season he had a red arrow if I tried to promote him to San Jose. Even better, he's as converted pitcher who never hit in college and probably would be stuck in La Crosse regardless if he stuck with pitching. I guess the combination of quality outfield defense and an excellent splitter is what got him taken in the 4th, but like OSA and Dixie I just don't see a way he cracks a big league roster. Now that doesn't mean I'm going to go out and cut him, but next year is make or break for him. To his benefit, this was his first season in the outfield, but after ERAs above 12 in each of his first two seasons it's clear he doesn't belong on the mound. A .286/.407/.503 (116 OPS+) line is nice, even if he was one of the few regulars hitting below .300. He drew 35 walks and clubbed 20 extra base hits, in what I hope is his last season here. I'm going to make room for him in San Jose to start the season, but if he can't get it done there's a few other guys waiting I could push in front of him.

SS Sam Pratt (425th Overall)
Acquired: Via Draft: 4th Round, 58th Overall (1961)
Alma Mater: Cherokee Braves

A guy I'm quite fond of, Sam Pratt was the Cougars 4th Round pick last year, and is a hard working defensive talent at short. Out of necessity, the 19-year-old had to spend a few months in Rockford, but when given regular time in San Jose he looked good. The Sioux Falls native hit .290/.326/.360 (98 OPS+) with 6 doubles, 2 triples, 3 homers, 15 RBIs, 12 walks, and 8 steals. Before the Bill Grimm (.245, 2, 10, 1) promotion, he was the everyday shortstop, producing a 2.1 zone rating and 1.073 efficiency in 262.2 innings. After that he was Grimm's double play partner, and he's already mastered second base. Along with middle infield, he can play pretty much anywhere on the field, and play it well. Aside from Tom Halliday and some of the defensive specialists, he plays the best shortstop in the system, and if we didn't have tremendous outfield depth I'd be running him out in center too. He's great in the field, great on the base path, and hopefully great at the putting the ball in play. He doesn't strikeout too much, and with his speed balls in play are gold. He can make things happen and spark a rally, and if a few things break his way he can end up a solid leadoff man or one of the most effective eight hitters.

02-04-2025, 08:29 PM	#1586
ayaghmour2 Hall Of Famer Join Date: Mar 2018 Posts: 3,024	Top Prospects: 16-20 Before diving into the next five prospects, I managed to upgrade the catching position in the form of the 1954 Kellogg Winner at the cost of a $47,000 non-guaranteed contract. A two-time All-Star, I added veteran catcher Dutch Miller, who was released by the Pioneers when the offseason stared. A nine year vet, 1962 was his first in St. Louis, and he hit just .233/.364/.374 (88 OPS+) in limited time. That's now two rough seasons for Miller, who started his career with seven consecutive seasons with an above average OPS+ and WRC+. His Kellogg winning season in 1954 will likely end up the best season of his career, as he hit .289/.381/.527 (148 OPS+) with 26 homers, 26 doubles, and 113 RBIs. The former Kings 8th Round selection has yet to see a WRC+ half as good as the 150 he had that season, and his .262/.357/.419 (113 OPS+) career line is more what you'd expect from a quality catcher. What drew me to our new catcher is his plate discipline, as we don't have many guys who can work the count Miller's never had a single digit BB%, as even in his small sample this year he walked in 15.7% of his plate appearances. He doesn't usually hit for a high average, but when he puts the ball in play he tends to damage. I think the eye is part of it, but he's a doubles machine and could potentially hit 20 homers in our park. On top of all that, he's a really solid defensive catcher, and will seriously challenge Chappy Sanders (.247, 14, 66) for the starting job in the spring. Buck Cuppett not only wants him to start, but has him batting behind Case and Gibson in the lineup. If we can get an average Miller, our lineup got a whole lot longer, and I can let Chappy pick up the finer aspects of the game in Milwaukee next season. During the fast forward, Miller was a player I really liked, and to get him now is a huge plus. By doing the little thing right, he can impact the game when he's not hitting, and with a tight knit crew and strong leadership, we can manage his selfishness. RHP Humberto Fonseca (366th Overall) Acquired: Via Draft: 6th Round, 92nd Overall (1960) Alma Mater: St. Benedict Bengals Humberto Fonseca may not have been born in Chicago, but he sure feels like a hometown kid, as he pitched a season at St. Benedict, a school I've actually played at. In Fonseca's case, it didn't go great, as he was just 7-5 with a 2.16 ERA, 1.18 WHIP, and 167 strikeouts. It was enough to get him selected by the Cougars in the 6th, and his 5-start debut in La Crosse went well. 3-0 with a 2.17 ERA (280 ERA+) and 31 strikeouts, it's the only time he's had above average play, as he was challenged in San Jose and is still a work in progress. 21 in April, he spent all of this season in San Jose, an even 11-11 with a 3.86 ERA (84 ERA+), 1.23 WHIP, and 144 strikeouts. His 3.42 FIP (105 FIP-) was just five percent below average, and he gave his team a solid 195.2 innings pitched. With a reasonably high floor, he's a rubber arm type, but he allows way too much hard contact. Without an out pitch, quality hitters can work long at bats against him, and he'll be back in San Jose for year four. 2B Rafael Zambrano (384th Overall) Acquired: Via Draft: 3rd Round, 44th Overall (1960) Alma Mater: Perth Amboy Jaguars Another member of Dode Caudill's 1960 draft class, Rafael Zambrano has not turned out quite so well. Another Cuban native, Zambrano played his high school ball in New Jersey, where he hit .450 with 14 doubles, 19 steals, and 48 RBIs. A decent defensive middle infielder, Zambrano doesn't have any power, but he's a solid second basemen who's height makes him outstanding at first. A solid athlete, he has an above average contact tool, and that's the only thing that's keeping him around. He's quick and puts the ball in play, and could hit around .300 if things break right. This season was tough, but at 20 a .271/.298/.362 (89 OPS+) line is respectable. The 7 homers were a shock, he doesn't have any power, but 20 doubles, 4 triples, and 50 runs are nice. One of our hardest workers, I have some faith that the switch hitter can develop into a capable utility bat. He'll keep getting regular at bats for now, and if there's room towards the end of the offseason I may send him to improve his defense. 3B Bill Welch (388th Overall) Acquired: Via Draft: 11th Round, 168th Overall (1956) Alma Mater: Kutztown Golden Bears A perfect example of a survivor, Bill Welch has been in the organization since 1956, and after seven seasons he's still going strong. A former 11th Round Pick, a strained PCL ended his season early, and he missed a month and a half earlier in the season with a shoulder issue. This limited him to 76 games, 59 of which were in Little Rock. The 24-year-old has played parts of three seasons there, this year hitting .252/.375/.363 (93 OPS+) with 9 doubles, a triple, 4 homers,10 steals, 17 RBIs, and 33 runs. His 102 WRC+ in 251 PAs was a bit above average, and his 209 in Rockford boosts the combined number handsomely. An excellent defender, he gives plus defense at third and all three outfield spots, and even though he hasn't played any of the other three infield spots, I'd trust him there too. His glove, arm, and speed are what's kept him around, and the bats starting to show some life to it. He doesn't have much pop and he still strikes out too much, but at least in terms of a utility player, he has the eye and hit tool to make it. I think we'll run back Little Rock one more time, but I'd love to see him in Milwaukee at some point. Eventually he'll be in line for an injury call up, and if he keeps up the work he'll earn a long awaited FABL debut. LF Gary Allen (405th Overall) Acquired: Via Draft: 4th Round, 60th Overall (1960) Alma Mater: Bossier College Bulldogs It pains me to call Gary Allen a prospect, as despite turning 23 this June he can't make contact and during the season he had a red arrow if I tried to promote him to San Jose. Even better, he's as converted pitcher who never hit in college and probably would be stuck in La Crosse regardless if he stuck with pitching. I guess the combination of quality outfield defense and an excellent splitter is what got him taken in the 4th, but like OSA and Dixie I just don't see a way he cracks a big league roster. Now that doesn't mean I'm going to go out and cut him, but next year is make or break for him. To his benefit, this was his first season in the outfield, but after ERAs above 12 in each of his first two seasons it's clear he doesn't belong on the mound. A .286/.407/.503 (116 OPS+) line is nice, even if he was one of the few regulars hitting below .300. He drew 35 walks and clubbed 20 extra base hits, in what I hope is his last season here. I'm going to make room for him in San Jose to start the season, but if he can't get it done there's a few other guys waiting I could push in front of him. SS Sam Pratt (425th Overall) Acquired: Via Draft: 4th Round, 58th Overall (1961) Alma Mater: Cherokee Braves A guy I'm quite fond of, Sam Pratt was the Cougars 4th Round pick last year, and is a hard working defensive talent at short. Out of necessity, the 19-year-old had to spend a few months in Rockford, but when given regular time in San Jose he looked good. The Sioux Falls native hit .290/.326/.360 (98 OPS+) with 6 doubles, 2 triples, 3 homers, 15 RBIs, 12 walks, and 8 steals. Before the Bill Grimm (.245, 2, 10, 1) promotion, he was the everyday shortstop, producing a 2.1 zone rating and 1.073 efficiency in 262.2 innings. After that he was Grimm's double play partner, and he's already mastered second base. Along with middle infield, he can play pretty much anywhere on the field, and play it well. Aside from Tom Halliday and some of the defensive specialists, he plays the best shortstop in the system, and if we didn't have tremendous outfield depth I'd be running him out in center too. He's great in the field, great on the base path, and hopefully great at the putting the ball in play. He doesn't strikeout too much, and with his speed balls in play are gold. He can make things happen and spark a rally, and if a few things break his way he can end up a solid leadoff man or one of the most effective eight hitters.