2052.3: Bearing Fruit - Down on the Bear Farm

[BaseClogger]

Below is a summary of the five most exciting first half performances for players in the 2052 San Fernando Bears' farm system.

Fabian Renner (AAA) - SP
Fabian Renner wasn't thought of as much of a prospect when he signed a minor league contract with the Bears before the 2051 season, but all he's done is overperform since then. Last year, Renner threw 170.1 innings of 3.59 ERA ball across AA and AAA that resulted in a one-game September audition with the Bears. This year, he's stepped his game up another notch, holding opponents to a 3.01 ERA while with the Bears' AAA affiliate. Renner throws a high velocity cutter as his primary pitch, and features a forkball as his best pitch. He has a legitimate five pitch arsenal, but none of the pitches likely register as plus in the majors. Expect him to be the next man up if a spot opens in the Bears' rotation.

Perry Wallace (AA) - SP
With Ken Donahue exhausting his prospect eligibility last season, Wallace now takes his place as the top prospect in the San Fernando Bears' minor league system. Wallace has earned that distinction thanks to production to match his gaudy scouting report. Wallace reached AA as an 18 year-old in 2050 before getting sent back to A ball to begin 2051. He responded by cutting his ERA by 0.70 runs, while nearly halving his home run and walk rates. Now firmly entrenced in AA as a 20 year-old, Wallace sports a 3.76 ERA and a 8.1 K/9. Wallace posseses a power fastball, plus-plus slider, and adequate changeup. He needs to refine his control before he's ready for the majors, but with youth on his side you have to like his chances.

Ken Donahue (AAA) - OF
Donahue was a steal in last year's Rule 5 draft, and he more than held his own as a platoon player on the major league roster. The Bears opted to send him to AAA early in the 2052 season to allow him regular at-bats, and Donahue proved he really does belong in the majors, slashing .323/.413/.502 in 259 PAs. Now recalled to the bigs, look for the 24 year-old Donahue to play an expanded role on this year's team as the Bears make a push for the playoffs.

Jeff Wills (AA) - SP
The last two players on this list aren't putting up eye-popping numbers, but we had to pick somebody and Jeff Wills is at least meeting expectations. The 21 year-old was the Bears' 2nd round pick in the 2051 draft and has already reached AA. While not piling up strikeouts, Wills keeps the ball in the yard and limits walks. To date, his polished repertoire has rewarded him with a 3.45 ERA across 75.2 innings. There isn't a lot of potential left to develop in his game, but expect the young Wills to continue to progress through the Bears system and be a candidate for starts as early as next year.

Ken Houston (A) - SP
Yet another starting pitcher on this list goes to prove that the Bears have a pitching-heavy farm system. Houston was the team's pick in the supplemental 2nd round last year. The southpaw mixes an adequate fastball with a changeup and splitter to allow him to remain effective against right-handed hitters. As a 21 year-old in A ball, Houston has thrown 63.1 innings of 3.55 ERA ball that doesn't include a lot of strikeouts. However, like his organizational mate Jeff Wills, Houston reflects the Bears' desire to groom pitchers with a lot of movement who throw stirkes and keep the ball on the ground.