This is an ongoing multi-part series on the new ATB Negro Leaguers that will be available in our next draft. See here for the other parts.
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Within our new Negro league player set, two second basemen stand out above the rest – Walter Cannady and Newt Allen. Neither however, will become household names in ATB as their generally lackluster stats coupled with the fact the computer AI used them in platoon situations, will make owners hesitant to spend any earlier round picks on the infielders.
“Rev” Cannady was a bit of an enigma. A good hitter during his peak, Cannady was usually placed in the heart of a lineup and although he only played full time for 8 seasons he made the most of them, batting over .300 six times and in 1923 he batted .398 with a 1.071 OPS. However, he was also mean and surly, and was often left alone. He even attacked an umpire during a game, and on another occasion, upset with a call, bashed in an umpire’s car windows on the way out of the clubhouse.
In 1924 his OPS dropped to .838 and the combination of these two years is what was entered into DMB. The .500 resims results were decent enough - .266 / .318 / .390 over the course of 35,000 at bats, just 91 per season. In terms of OPS, Cannady ranks 12th overall in the resims. A good comp for him is 1886 Hardy Richardson.
Behind Cannady is Newt Allen. A famous slick fielding infielder for the Kansas City Monarchs, Allen played in 19 seasons between 1923 and 1944. While never an elite hitter he was loved by his teammates and fans nonetheless. In the resims he batted .257 / .306 / .346. Couple that line with Vg/71 defense hey may get a look on draft day. Those stats are very close to Jim Viox who was somewhat successful last season.
The last of the second basemen is Anderson Pryor. His best stretch was 1924-1926 were he strung together OPS scores of .771, .837, and .668. This isn't good enough for ATB and he'll end up undraftable (sub .600 OPS with Fr range).
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