1960s Rookie Scouting Reports on Former Players

Baseball Digest, July, 2000

Reports on promising major league rookies have been published in Baseball Digest since 1955. What follows are random selections from reports made in the 1960s which give readers an idea how some well-known players were rated before they reached the big time. These reports appeared in the March issue of the years listed.

1960

Jim Kaat, 21, Senators, P: Strikeout whiz. Fanned 245 in 223 IP at Missoula (Class C) in 1958. Tied all-time Southern Assoc. (Class AA) record with 19 Ks against Nashville in 1959 with Chattanooga where he finished 8-8 with 132 strikeouts in 134 IP.

REPORT. Good major league prospect, but needs experience. Might be ready in '61. Has strong arm, especially dangerous breaking pitches.

Billy Williams, 21, Cubs: OF: In fourth year in minors, he drove in 79 runs in 94 games for San Antonio (Class AA), hitting .318.

REPORT: Catcher trying to make it at third base or outfield. Is learning rapidly and has a future in major leagues. Good, accurate arm. Runs well. Adequate fielder. Hits with good power to all fields.

Miguel Cuellar, 22, Reds, P: In '57 pro debut for Havana (Class AAA) fanned seven Montrealers in a row in relief. Was 13-12 with 2.77 ERA for Havana in '58, and 10-11 with 2.80 ERA in '59.

REPORT: His fastball only average for major league possibilities, but curve is good and control good to excellent. Has great deal of pitching savvy. Mixes pitches well with good changes of speed. Could help big league club.

Tim McCarver, 18, Cardinals, C: Product of Christian Brothers H.S. in Memphis, teenager bowed with .360 in 65 games with Keokuk (Class D); advanced to Rochester (Class AAA) where he hit .357 in 17 games.

REPORT: One of better first-year bonus players around. Moved up several times in '59 (he had four hits in 24 AB with Cards), and always did well. Arm not real strong, but gets rid of ball quickly. Runs real well. Not much power. Hitting is weakness now. Good prospect but is several years away.

1961

Willie Davis, 21, Dodgers, OF: Pacific Coast League bat champ with .346 for Spokane (Class AAA). Set loop record with 26 triples, also leading league with 126 runs and 216 hits.

REPORT: Outstanding in every department except throwing. Arm is so weak he can't hit the infielder on a relay. With teaching, might improve it somewhat.

Richie Allen, 19, Phillies, IF: Hit 281 with 42 RBI in 88 games for Elmira (Class D). He gets to first base from right side in 3.4 seconds. $60,000 bonus prospect.

REPORT: Power hitter, but erratic. Fielding just fair.

1962

Lou Brock, 23, Cubs, OF: Led Northern League with 117 runs, 181 hits, 33 doubles, .361 BA and 268 total bases.

REPORT: Fairly strong arm but ball tails off. Good power to left- and right-center.

Gaylord Perry, 23, Giants, P: Had four shutouts and 2.55 ERA with 16-10 record at Tacoma (Class AAA). Pitcher of Year in PCL in '61.

REPORT: Cute. Sneaky fastball and also lets batters have an occasional look at his palm ball. But bread-and-butter pitches (fastball and curve) just ordinary.

1963

Ferguson Jenkins, 19, Phillies, P: A Canadian veterinarian who can hold the"horses." Was 7-2 with 0.96 ERA for Miami (Class D) last year.

REPORT: Control best asset. Has chance to go all the way.

Wilver Stargell, 22, Pirates, OF: Has averaged 81 RBI for four pro years, with 82 RBI and 27 HR in 138 games for Columbus in International League (Class AAA).

REPORT: Good stroke, power to all fields. Little trouble with southpaws. Good speed, strong arm. A prospect.

Dave Debusschere, 22, White Sox, P: All-American basketball star who started big-bonus career, springing from Detroit U. campus to a 10-1 record with a 2.50 ERA for Savannah (Class A).

REPORT: Big and strong with fireball and better-than-average curve. Once he gets control, he will be a real good pitcher. An all-sports star with lots of poise.

Antonio Oliva, 24, Twins, OF: With Charlotte, barely missed winning Sally League (Class A) bat title with .349 mark. Drove in 95 runs in 127 games.

REPORT: Plays right field and left field. Lacks strong arm and might be better at first base and go all the way to the top. Swings a good bat to all fields, with plenty of power. Maybe for this year.

1964

Tony Conigliaro, 19, Red Sox, OF: Rampaged for Wellsville in NY-Penn League (Class A) with 74 RBI in 83 games with 24 HR and .363 BA.

REPORT: Right fielder. Arm strong. Bat good. Runs well. Worth watching.

Rico Petrocelli, 20, Red Sox, SS: Paced Eastern League (Class AA) shortstops with 266 putouts, 464 assists and 104 DPs in 137 games for Reading.

REPORT: Good arm. Good power. Fields speedily. Should be Boston's next short-stop. Scouts are high on this kid.

1965

Jim Palmer, 19, Orioles, P: Started pro career with two shutouts in first three wins, added no-hitter over Duluth-Superior, 8-0, in June last year for Aberdeen in Northern League (Class A), going 11-3 with 2.51 ERA.

REPORT: Good all-around athlete with strong arm. Needs time and more control to be a winner.

Joe Morgan, 21, Astros, 2B: Texas League's Most Valuable Player with two outstanding seasons behind him. All-Star 2B who clouted .323 in 140 games.