As we try to continue to crank out a team news a day, let's take a quick look at what is happening down on the farm in Portland. This "Down on the Farm" Report will give us a theme to touch on throughout the season when there is a lull or lack of things to touch on with the big league squad.
As of the date of this piece, which is November 16, 2061, the Portland Lumberjacks currently have the 17th rated farm system and 3rd ranked system in the Frick League Pacific Division behind only Bikini and Vancouver. With that said, Portland has some very interesting prospects to keep your eye on over the course of the next few seasons. Some are high draft picks. Some were lower down the draft ranks. There is even an IFA or two worth taking note of.
Here are the current Top 5 in Portland's farm:
#1. 
COF Bill FredrickFredrick was Portland's first round pick and 6th overall back in 2058 and is on a very solid path. He's spent the last 3 seasons in Single-A ball and finally generated a positive WAR in 2062 and is showing signs of a possible breakthrough. A solid contact and power bat, Fredrick plays average defense. His 70 potential rating catches your eye immediately. Expect the front office to perhaps start Fredrick in Single-A for the beginning of 2062 with plans of moving him into Double-A before the all-star break. If all goes as planned, Lumberjacks fans can hope to see Fredrick in Portland by 2064.
#2. 
OF Robinson Palma Palma was an IFA addition last year and has shown growth as a prospect after a year sitting in Portland's international complex. His 80 potential and complete balanced offensive potential has Portland fans extremely optimistic that this 17 year old could be a huge star in the league in the future. Expectations are tempered because of his international signing status but the fact he has improved since signing with Portland for $1,750,000 last season has fans' excitement growing. He's still a long way off from seeing time in Portland, however. The question most fans are asking now are whether Palma will see playing time this season in Rookie league ball or if the organization will keep him in the international complex for another season.
#3. 
RF Thomas Beane Beane, the former 8th round pick in 2060, is turning heads in the organization. Statistically, his .201 average and -0.7 WAR are nothing to get excited about. However coaches within the organization are raving about how Beane is growing as a player and it may take some time to fully see it on the stat sheet. The 18 year old is working hard in the cage and may develop into the best bat in the Portland farm. "I've not had a lot of luck in may days of late draft picks turning into studs" said General Manager Chris Wilson, "but the reports I'm getting on Beane are very optimistic. Let's see how it turns out." That wait may take some time. Beane will likely spend another season at Rookie League in 2062. If growth in his stats shows this season expect him to rise through the farm over the next 3-5 seasons.
#4 
LF Bartolo McFadden McFadden isn't really a farm prospect anymore. Portland's 1st round draft pick last year has already debuted on the big league stage. "He was a ready made BBA player right out of the draft" commented AGM Sandy Mounds. Barring any unexpected free agent moves, McFadden will be on the Portland active roster to begin the 2062 season with the strong liklihood of getting over 400 at-bats this season. He's not going to wow anyone or be an all-star, but he'll be a good 500K piece to our roster, giving us flexibility elsewhere and be a cheap lineup filler as we wait to see how the Top 3 guys develop.
#5. 
P Aswad Azeem Azeem, the former 20th overall pick by Portland in 2060, has already been mentioned this off-season as he's putting in development lab work to try and harnass his control this off-season. Assuming there aren't any set backs, Azeem will likely see time in AA and AAA this season with hopes of making the big league roster in 2063. Though only rated a 45 pitcher, the Lumberjacks are hopeful Azeem's ratings will allow him to be a viable 3-5 starter in the rotation despite that.
Other Notables to Watch
2B Ricardo Cervantes - Projected to be a solid bat. Has to develop defensively or he'll never help much on the big league stage.
2B Izz al Din Abdul-Sami - Likewise. Can be a good defensive 1B but does his bat help there? Not as much.
2B Jesus Morales - See Cervantes and Abdul-Sami
LF Fernando Villanueva - Drafted in the 8th round last year, he's already bumped his contact potential 2 points since the draft. Great Eye and Avoid K rating. Could make for an interesting 4th-5th outfielder type if things develop just right and a good piece to have around.
COF Jose Enriquez - 6th round pick last year and is bumping. Not sure what our coaches are doing down there but they seem to have found a secret formula for developing COF into interesting players to watch in the future.
