BNN Report
News from the CBO, Minors, CCBL, and CYL
by Nat Wright-Kawolski
10 February 2316
CCBL Welcomes Crop of 1219 Freshmen
In the first season where the CCBL has tried harder to convince more CYL players to join the college ranks, there are tons of CYL talent that has moved on to the CCBL. The CCBL has petitioned a 19-year-old minimum age for the CBO leagues to try to get even more talent in the CCBL, but there has been no movement yet from the CBO Front Office.
The CCBL is also incorporating a few new rules, including a 40-man roster and a 15-man "redshirt" roster for players to sit out for one year. These players can still opt out for the CBO draft when eligible, but can have one more year of eligibility. (StLee's note: I do not think this is actually possible in OOTP, but I am stating it for role-playing purposes since changing up a couple features means I have an influx of 16 and 17 year olds, like Saw below, who are not eligible to be on the CCBL roster).
With that stated, let's break down 10 freshmen of the 1219 newcomers who will probably see their names called in a future CBO draft.
1. 1B Bear Jones, Tufts University - Jones appears to be a swing-for-the-fences type who will hit a ton of home runs but strike out at least four or five times as much as he hits balls over the fence. Scouts love that raw power and think that he is one of the unique players to let swing away in all circumstances.
2. 1B Ryanab Costello, Vermont Tech - Another powerful lefty, Costello may not be as powerful as Jones, but he does have the power to put a ball over any part of the field, meaning teams will not shift towards right. Scouts think that he can be a good all-around hitter who will have high OBP and SLG in his career.
3. SS MJ Saw, Mass Maritime - The Buccaneers get a premier SS entering the fray in Saw. He is a power hitter who should see himself in the middle of the lineup to pair with outstanding junior 2B Cool Papa Cornwell. Saw may not be the best at contact, but he does get a lot of sweetspot hits. In time, he could be a premier hitter and decent middle infielder. Saw is also on a team that is expected to compete for the College Series crown, so he may be designated to what is called "redshirt freshman" duty, where he sits out his freshman season due to roster limits.
4. LF Aethan Fry, Greenfield College - Fry will not blow people away and may never be an MVP-type player, but he is really good all around. The Jack OF could put up high numbers on offense and be good enough to properly man one of the corner OF psotisition. Power will be his greatest skill, but he should hover around. 300 for his career, too.
5. SP Arcade Anderson, Northeastern - Hailed as a strikeout pitcher, Anderson is a lefty with mid-90s speed and four good pitches, with his fastball-changeup options currently his best combination to fool hitters. Scouts believe Anderson has the upper ceiling to be a Vim! Pitcher Award winner in his future.
6. LF Pepper Spicer, Bridgewater State - Spicer is our first hitter who hits for average over power. While he is listed as a LF, Spicer could also develop into a good CF since he has decent range and a good glove. Scouts think that Spicer is bound to hit at the top of the lineup at this level and the next, though BNN currently pencils him in as the Bears' third hitter, partially due to BSU making the move this season to the CCBL.
7. 1B Damien Boiledleather, University of New England - The Nor'easters are also joiining the CCBL and have a freshman sensation in Boiledleather. He is a contact hitter who can pop a few over the fence. He is also considered a journey defender. While he is listed at 1B, Boiledleather could pretty much play anywhere but C. We assume he will end up on teh right side of the infield, though.
8. LF Az Tarheel, Bryant University - Tarheel is the type of hitter who hits the ball on a rope, leading to lots of singles and gap doubles. He is not speedy, so he cannot stretch the bases, which might mean hitting on the back half of the lineup, around 6th or 7th.
9. RF R.U. Whiskey, New Haven University - Whiskey is considered to be a good all-around hitter, most likely to hit for a single, but capable of driving any pitch over the fence in right field. He is also considered to be a decent fielder who will be tough to sit each day and could see himself on his 18th birthday premiering in RF for the Chargers on opening day.
10. SP Eye Anson, Franklin Pierce - Anson joins the Ravens as a four-pitch lefty who will eventually mature to have top-level stuff. He is a low-to-mid 90s pitcher who will constantly mix up his pitches, though he leans a little more heavily on his four-seamer and slider.