Having been unceremoniously sacked from Richmond in his golden years, (former) Rifles Scout Raymond Bridewell is happy to provide his picks and thoughts on the 1904 Legacy Baseball Academy League (LBAL) Draft Pool of 1904.
Players are noted in no discernible order. Thoughts and opinions of Mr. Bridewell do not reflect the position(s) of the Legacy Baseball League, the Richmond Rifles, and/or Monroe Tobacco, Incorporated.
SS Elroy Fowler
New York Academy
Grade: A-
Elroy “Music” Fowler is an 18-year-old Shortstop from Austin, Texas currently in his Senior year at New York Academy. A flyball hitter with a standout junior (1903) season that saw him rake in honors for Best Hitter, Best Fielder, and Academy League Most Valuable Player last season, Fowler struggled with injuries in 1904, and his subsequent small sample size is negligible when you consider he still slugged .521. He broke baseball in 1903 with am OPS of 1.479.
On the diamond, Fowler shows serious flash with superior range and arm strength. However, he is known to fumble more than his share of groundballs. He could easily develop into a corner outfielder and/or First Baseman, increasing his draft appeal.
Buyer beware: Fowler showed star potential in 1903 but seems to have problems staying healthy. He has an immaculate clubhouse personality and can be counted on to develop well, especially with the advent of AAA and AA Reserve Leagues. However, his injury proneness and high error percentage grade him out at A-.
SP Robert Batkin
Mid-Atlantic Academy
Grade: A
A clear top contender in the 1904 Draft, LHP Batkin is a New York City native with fully-developed, Eduardo Chell-level Stuff and three near-developed plus pitches. A groundballer with excellent stamina and strong work ethic, Batkin won the SL2 Pitcher of the Year Award every season he played. He struck out a LBAL-record 18 batters in one game last season with an incredible 11.3 K/9 through his Academy career.
Batkin has some room to improve with his movement and particularly control, but he is expected to pan out into a top-tier LBL pitcher. A clear #1 for this list and future star ace in the LBL.
1B Theodore Grigsby
Gulf Academy Blues
Grade: C-
Truly a king in the land of the blind, yet another gloveless First Baseman with above-average pop in LBAL this season. The tallest and fattest man in Academy Ball, registering at six-foot-four, 205 lbs. Theodore will not hit balls into gap, draw walks, or hit home runs, but he can make solid contact and is known to foul off seven or eight balls in a row. Unlikely to be worth the cost at 1B.
SP Phil Beer
New England Academy
Grade: A-
Darling of New England Academy, LHP Phil Beer is a top-level SP prospect with a sidearm slot and ++ Stuff potential. He has three pitches that all grade out above average, with a potentially ++ curveball and a particularly high velocity for LBAL.
A solid future starter in the LBL, Beers splits vs. RHP are drastic and concerning over his career with LBAL. His inconsistent 1903 season produced an unusually high number of strikeouts complimented with equally inflated hits allowed, particularly against right-handed batters.
Beer is a solid top 6 selection whose future will largely depend on the development of his fastball and closing the gap against RHP.
SP Isidore Lee
Oregon Academy
Grade: A-
A Eugene, Oregon native, Isidore Lee has the makings of an above-average SP who will pitch slightly better against LHPs. The 1903 SL1 Pitcher of the Year, Lee has been a consistently devastating sidearm pitcher whose 1903 rampage slightly inflates his career LBAL statistics. Lee has considerable ground to cover in his movement and control to compete at the major league level, but is expected to pan as a 1- or 2- hole SP.
SP Merrill Marsham
Mountain Academy
Grade: B-
A lot to like from this Utah-born flamethrower, registering 11 K/9 in his farewell tour and falling just 5 sky of 200 strikeouts. One of the many sidearm pitchers in the Class of 1904, Marsham has top Stuff and probably the best Knuckle Curve in all of baseball, which is already more or less fully developed.
However, Marsham has an abysmal changeup that is unlikely to improve. This severely limits his ability to mix pitches on the mound, which major league bats will exploit. A potentially dynastic closing pitcher for a Major League outfit—an ideal pair for a short-stamina starter.
SP Stanford Gimson
Great Lakes Academy
Grade: C+
Darling of the OSA, this six-foot-three goliath enjoyed three consistently superior seasons in LBAL and maintained an ERA south of 3.00 all three campaigns. Issues more than his fair share of walks for an LBAL starter. Three above-average pitches that are all likely to develop. Appears to have a slight tilt vs. RHP and may have issues keeping his WHIP down in the Majors. Not known for being a hustler.
C Hyman Frohock
Carolina Academy
Grade: B-
The 1904 Batter of the Year at Catcher, Florida-born Frohock shows potential as a starting Catcher with a decent bat that should split evenly. Excels at extending pitch counts and battling borderline pitches. Below-average arm, decent range.
2B Richard Harpham
Great Lakes Academy
Grade: B-
With a consistent record of success at Great Lakes Academy, Harpham demonstrates Major League potential as a day-to-day Second Baseman. He will never be a Grande Snagger but seems to possess the savvy to be a serviceable bat and fielder. Should offer a phenomenal OBP with his keen eye and ability to foul away pitches.
3B Pablo Baber
New England Academy
Grade: B
Baber is a Massachusetts native who managed an Academy Batter honor this season at 3B. Incredibly powerful arm and serviceability in the outfield, if you do not mind him dropping every fifth or sixth flyball. Decent speed on the basepaths. Will never shine at the hot corner, but should do just fine at Second or Third. A good deal of ground to cover to become a reliable contact hitter against Major League pitching, but overall a sound investment.
1B Raymond Stevenson
Texas Academy
Grade: B–
Potential to be one of the best contact hitters of his class, but he simply cannot play defense at any position. A taciturn, sluggardly beanpole who generates a phenomenal amount of runs and led all First Baseman in LBAL in errors. His bat may just be good enough not to care about his atrocious defense. There are early indicators that this skinny little Californian will annihilate left-handed pitching.
SP Clinton Buller
Great Plains Academy
Grade: D+
A Dallas native, Buller enjoyed an overall-favorable career in LBAL with superior movement and excellent stamina. However, his pitches all grade out below average and he will likely give up a good amount of hits. He does not generate enough strikeouts to keep up with the younger generation of LBL hurlers.
SS Clare Dagworthy
Carolina Academy
Grade: C+
The 1904 SL2 Best Fielder at Shortstop, Dagworthy hit 8 home runs in 1903 and never hit one again. Excellent speed on the basepaths and one of the flashiest gloves in LBAL. His future largely depends on how much better he can get at making contact. Should fend off pitches and draw a fair amount of walks to offset his weak contact. Good all-around day-player.
Norman Wearmouth
Great Lakes Academy
Grade: C-
Do not sleep on Norman. Likely to be a serviceable outfielder, a flash at the bases, and just a little good luck away from developing into a serviceable LBL hitter. Could easily be developed to play First Base. However, he seems to be made of glass and will likely spend several weeks each season on the IL. Oh, what could be, Norman.