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ayaghmour2 · 01-18-2026, 12:34 AM

3rd Round, 57th Overall: RHP Ed Thompson
School: Cazenovia Lakers
Commit School: Carbondale
1975: 4-0, 58.1 IP, 1.54 ERA, 0.87 WHIP, 15 BB, 97 K
Career: 25-6, 329.1 IP, 1.80 ERA, 0.97 WHIP, 73 BB, 435 K

He's no longer #3 on Harry Carr's list, pushed down to 20th, but his ""has the makings of a future ace" assessment has remained unchanged. Now 18, the four year starter was best as a senior, going 4-0 with a 1.54 ERA, 0.87 WHIP, and 97 strikeouts. I don't love that he only started 7 of his 12 appearances, but coming into this year he started all 37 of his prior outings. If he traded endurance for skill, so be it, as the crafty five pitch pitcher has plenty to offer. Like Brewer, he's a groundballer, but he isn't expected to throw very hard. While our first rounder can hit 90, Thompson may never get past 87, and right now he's in the 84-86 range with his cutter.

It's not what makes him so exciting, as he has a filthy screwball that could be a real problem for hitters. Something you don't see often, his could be really good, and until you get it a few times even the best of hitters may not know what to do. When it's working it can take the life out of a swing, but like all of his pitches they still need a lot of work. Excellent command will allow him to succeed without multiple elite weapons, but I see a lot of above average pitches. Carr loves the change and OSA showcases the splitter, and even the knuckle curve could be a put away pitch. A bit of a work in-progress, he has a lot of development ahead of him. Another ace in the making, him Brewer and Hays could really be something, three potential top-25 or even 15 prospects. Even if one or two of them end up closer to 50, it's a good set of arms to add to an already top-heavy system. I don't think any of the guys we currently have share his and Brewer's upside, with ceilings potentially higher then Roger Alford himself.

4th Round, 80th Overall: CF Phil Ransom
School: Riverdale Quakers
Commit School: Penn Catholic
1975: .410/.490/.770, 208 PA, 34 2B, 9 3B, 4 HR, 41 RBI, 20 SB
Career: .450/.539/.884, 756 PA, 143 2B, 35 3B, 19 HR, 172 RBI, 87 SB

He may not be high on Harry Carr's list, but Riverdale senior Phil Ransom is still a huge get for us here in the fourth round. Another four year starter, he hit .450/.539/.884, worth 16.9 WAR with 887 steals, 143 doubles, 172 RBIs, 178 runs, and 113 walks. An outstanding defender, he has blazing speed and makes the most of it in every aspect of his game. Along with great range, he's a solid base stealer, and any ball he squares up could end up going for extra bases. More then just a glove, the bat his more then just a compliment, producing plenty of bat speed to hit line drives to all parts of the field. I don't think he'll hit many homers and some swing as miss could be expected, but he's an advanced hitter for his age and should be ahead of the curve development wise.

Not your average 4th Rounder, both Carr and OSA agree that he's a remarkable talent, and it's really hard for me to understand if this is just a really good draft or we just had a great class. Plenty of guys later are liked just by OSA or Carr, but both have recent glowing recommendations. Coming into the season we looked set in center, but Fuzzy Cronin has hit just .209/.259/.279 (48 OPS+) in his first 37 games. I'm sure his injury had something to do with it, but since he may not have as much of an edge defensively on Ransom as he does most other outfielders, he could be his first legitimate threat in the organization. One of him or Joe Williams may end up in Yakima, ideally Smokey, but if they're together it's obvious the speedster would be the one patrolling center for the Lions.

01-18-2026, 12:34 AM	#1679
ayaghmour2 Hall Of Famer Join Date: Mar 2018 Posts: 3,126	1975 Draft: Rounds 3 and 4 3rd Round, 57th Overall: RHP Ed Thompson School: Cazenovia Lakers Commit School: Carbondale 1975: 4-0, 58.1 IP, 1.54 ERA, 0.87 WHIP, 15 BB, 97 K Career: 25-6, 329.1 IP, 1.80 ERA, 0.97 WHIP, 73 BB, 435 K He's no longer #3 on Harry Carr's list, pushed down to 20th, but his ""has the makings of a future ace" assessment has remained unchanged. Now 18, the four year starter was best as a senior, going 4-0 with a 1.54 ERA, 0.87 WHIP, and 97 strikeouts. I don't love that he only started 7 of his 12 appearances, but coming into this year he started all 37 of his prior outings. If he traded endurance for skill, so be it, as the crafty five pitch pitcher has plenty to offer. Like Brewer, he's a groundballer, but he isn't expected to throw very hard. While our first rounder can hit 90, Thompson may never get past 87, and right now he's in the 84-86 range with his cutter. It's not what makes him so exciting, as he has a filthy screwball that could be a real problem for hitters. Something you don't see often, his could be really good, and until you get it a few times even the best of hitters may not know what to do. When it's working it can take the life out of a swing, but like all of his pitches they still need a lot of work. Excellent command will allow him to succeed without multiple elite weapons, but I see a lot of above average pitches. Carr loves the change and OSA showcases the splitter, and even the knuckle curve could be a put away pitch. A bit of a work in-progress, he has a lot of development ahead of him. Another ace in the making, him Brewer and Hays could really be something, three potential top-25 or even 15 prospects. Even if one or two of them end up closer to 50, it's a good set of arms to add to an already top-heavy system. I don't think any of the guys we currently have share his and Brewer's upside, with ceilings potentially higher then Roger Alford himself. 4th Round, 80th Overall: CF Phil Ransom School: Riverdale Quakers Commit School: Penn Catholic 1975: .410/.490/.770, 208 PA, 34 2B, 9 3B, 4 HR, 41 RBI, 20 SB Career: .450/.539/.884, 756 PA, 143 2B, 35 3B, 19 HR, 172 RBI, 87 SB He may not be high on Harry Carr's list, but Riverdale senior Phil Ransom is still a huge get for us here in the fourth round. Another four year starter, he hit .450/.539/.884, worth 16.9 WAR with 887 steals, 143 doubles, 172 RBIs, 178 runs, and 113 walks. An outstanding defender, he has blazing speed and makes the most of it in every aspect of his game. Along with great range, he's a solid base stealer, and any ball he squares up could end up going for extra bases. More then just a glove, the bat his more then just a compliment, producing plenty of bat speed to hit line drives to all parts of the field. I don't think he'll hit many homers and some swing as miss could be expected, but he's an advanced hitter for his age and should be ahead of the curve development wise. Not your average 4th Rounder, both Carr and OSA agree that he's a remarkable talent, and it's really hard for me to understand if this is just a really good draft or we just had a great class. Plenty of guys later are liked just by OSA or Carr, but both have recent glowing recommendations. Coming into the season we looked set in center, but Fuzzy Cronin has hit just .209/.259/.279 (48 OPS+) in his first 37 games. I'm sure his injury had something to do with it, but since he may not have as much of an edge defensively on Ransom as he does most other outfielders, he could be his first legitimate threat in the organization. One of him or Joe Williams may end up in Yakima, ideally Smokey, but if they're together it's obvious the speedster would be the one patrolling center for the Lions.