The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1916-08-30
PICKING IS POOR
Few Minor League Stars Go to
Majors This Season.
The Coast League Has Best
Supply of New Talent.

New York. Aug. 30.-Wfth races in
the big leagues East drawing to a close
managers are looking toward pros
poets for next year, with the class of
new playing talent picked up in the
minors holding an important place.
Every year word comes to the east
of thousands of ball players in the
minors. Usually these are taken up.
and sometimes they make good. More
often than not, however, they are sent
back. This year, perhaps more than
any recent season, there is a dearth
of good playing talent in the minors.
Purchases, up to the present have
been very few and only players of ex
traordinary ability have been picked
off by the scouts. Some of these al
ready have reported, while others are
being held for delivery at the opening
Of the training season next year.
The big minors, the American as
ISOLATION. the International league, the
Western and the Pacific Coast leagues,
will supply the greatest amount of re=.I
material, as usual. In the lower
Leagues the percentage of ball players
who look promising is remarkably
low.
In Association.
In the American association. there
are a number who look like real finds.
Among these is Pitcher Nick Carter,
purchased from Indianapolis by the
Cubs for early delivery. Carter is a
big right handler who was held by the
Cleveland Americans at the beginning
of The present season and turned over
to Indianapolis with hardly a trial. He
was the best pitcher in the association
this year.
Outfielder Joe Kelly is another In
dianapolis player taken by the Cubs
and there is a probs bility that Pitcher
Victor Aldridge of the Indians also
will be snapped up.
Kansas City h IS sent Chuck Wort
man 70 the Cubs. Jimmy Middleton,
former hurler for Louisville, has been
sent to the Giants, and Infielder Joe
Leonard of the Columbus club has re-
ported to Cleveland.
Minneapolis and Washington are
carrying on their usual interchange,
with a trial for Earl Yingiing and
Mike Menoske being assured. Mike
Regain, star hurler for Kansas City,
is certain to make a trip to the ma
jors, and Pitcher Pierce of Toledo may
get another chance.
Coast Leaguers.
In the Coast league there is a
wealth of good mlterial. Portland Of
fers Willie and Southworth. outfield-
Allen Sothron, pitcher. Guisto has
been sold to Cleveland. Oakland
has Martin, pitcher; San francisco
expects to dispose of Pigg Bodie, out
fielder, and Johnny Couch, pitcher.
Salt Lake has First Baseman Bunny
Brief and Pitcher Fittery- Los Angeles
offers Catcher Bassler. Pitcher Horst
mann and Outfielder Wolter.
Vernon has three stars in Infielders
McGaffigan, Risberg and Bates OF
the trio McGaffigan is the least likely
to go up. He is an excellent fielder,
but his disposition on the diamond
handicaps him greatly.
The international league is mainly
populated with players from the ma
| jors under optional agreement A
| large number of these, including Ur-
| ban Shocker, sensational Toronto
hurler, have been recalled. In fact,
Bill Donovan almost wrecked several
| clubs by recalling many of his young
sters when the Yankees were so badly
crippled. Howard Ehnke is certain
to be given a thcro trial, as is Pitcher
| McTigue. Ehmke will go to Detroit
| Paddy Siglfn and Jimmie Smith. two
Pirate farmhands, re markab1e fielGers
but poor stickers, will have another
chance.