As Chicago tries to adjust to life without Frank Thomas for the first half of next season, they continue to give different minor leaguers a chance to show what they have. This time, they sent OFs Duffy Lewis and Vernon Wells and IF Luke Appling to AAA, with Carlos May, Joe Sullivan, and Mike Cameron being recalled.
#Miami Cuban Giants
Looking fully recovered, Phenomenal Smith was officially added to the Cuban Giants rotation.
José Canseco broke out of a mini-slump with 2 homeruns, reaching 64 on the season, as the Cuban Giants beat Portland, 9-8.
Freddie Fitzsimmons was recalled from AA, now that Havana’s season is over.
SS Mickey Doolin retired. Doolin spent about half a season as Philadelphia’s regular SS, but his glovework was never enough to overcome truly dreadful hitting.
#Portland Sea Dogs
Minor league pitchers Jeff Russell and Aurelio López both retired.
#San Francisco Sea Lions
Bill Virdon and Mike González both retired, looking to move into coaching.
Jimmie Foxx hit 2 solo shots, helping Eddie Plank improve his record to 18-7 in a 4-2 win over Miami.
The Gothams could also benefit from additional depth throughout the organization and, perhaps, by not trading away all their damn picks this year.
Best Case
Either Gaylord Perry or Juan Marichal (or both) step forward, joining Christy Mathewson among the league’s elite; the bullpen continues to dominate; and the offensive pieces that clicked last season–Pete Runnels, Pinky Higgins, Jimmy Sheckard, Johnny Callison–continue to do so (or are covered through increased performance/playing time for George Van Haltren or Carl Furillo in the OF).
Worst Case
The bullpen falters, and only Matty remains viable as a starter while everyone not named Willie Mays and Buster Posey struggles offensively.
Key Questions
Like so many other teams, the rotation is key.
The infield feels fragile, so how that plays out will bear watching.
How will the Gothams get PA’s for Benny Kauff?
Trade Bait
The Gothams do have a lot of OFers lying around, but it’s not clear who is actually surplus to requirements. With Kauff’s emergense, perhaps one of the Sheckard / Callison / Van Haltren group, or maybe last year’s 4th OF, Carl Furillo?
Instead, in an attempt to solve their MI issue, the Gothams obtained Davey Concepción, who promptly disappointed and was jettisoned to the minors.
Roster Evaluation
POS
Elite
Strong
Solid
Meh
Weak
Unknown
C
Posey
Westrum
1B
Adcock
Clark
2B
Runnels
Doyle
3B
Higgins
Suárez
SS
Crawford
LF/ RF
Callison
Van Haltren Sheckard
Furillo
CF
Mays
Kauff
SP
Mathewson
Perry
Marichal Waddell
End
Norris Wilson
Nen Smith
Percival
RP
Howe Sutton
Hubbell
New Addition | Injured
There’s a chance, right? A few improvements, and the Gothams could be in the mix.
Talent Ratings
WBL
Minors
Raw Power
CF Willie Mays
OF Wally Berger IF Jim Ray Hart
Batting Eye
C Wes Westrum
C Dick Dietz
Contact
IF Pete Runnels
1B Bill Terry
Running Speed
OF Jimmy Sheckard
OF Charlie Hamburg IF Pat Listach IF Freddie Patek IF Tim Shinnick OF Kyle Tucker
Base Stealing
OF George Van Haltren
IF Hap Myers IF Tim Shinnick
IF Defense
IF Eugenio Suárez
IF Neifi Pérez
OF Defense
CF Willie Mays
OF Jo-Jo Moore
Stuff
SP Christy Mathewson
P William VanLandingham
Control
P Juan Marichal
P Al Spalding
Velocity
RP Robb Nen RP Troy Percival
P Rick Helling
Best In The Minors
Rank
Age
POS
Name
1 (53)
24
P
Masahiro Tanaka
2 (56)
19
OF
Kyle Tucker
3 (60)
22
P
William VanLandingham
4 (86)
25
P
Al Spalding
5 (104)
22
SS
Joe Sullivan
6 (112)
23
P
Jordan Montgomery
7 (155)
21
IF
Tom Burns
Others: None.
A very weak system in need of some serious replenishment, although Tucker and a couple of the arms should come good eventually.
Most
Least
Age
1B Joe Adcock, 39
1B Bill White, 19 OF Kyle Tucker, 19
Height
P Mat Latos, 6’6″ P Jordan Montgomery, 6’6″ P Carson Smith, 6’6″
IF Freddie Patek, 5’5″
OPS
OF Carl Warwick, 1.025 (—)
IF Adam Everett, .381 (—)
HR
IF Chick Fulmer, 48 (—)
C Steve O’Neill, 1 (AAA/AA)
SB
OF Jimmy Sheckard, 37 (WBL)
Many with 0
WAR
IF Jim Ray Hart, 5.6 (—) CF Willie Mays, 5.6 (WBL)
