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SPORTING TIMES — December 13th, 1912
By Charles H. Wentworth
DRAFT COMBINE OPENS ITS DOORS AS YOUNG TALENT SEEKS TO IMPRESS
The curtain rose today on the annual Draft Combine, as 207 hopeful ballplayers gathered before the assembled scouts and club officials of the major leagues, each seeking to make his case ahead of the forthcoming draft. With stopwatches in hand and notebooks at the ready, the game’s decision-makers set about the serious business of measuring tomorrow’s talent.
Early impressions suggest that this year’s class is particularly rich in pitching, with several hurlers viewed as ready-made starters from the outset. Chief among them is Dutch Leonard, whose work has already marked him as a possible future all-star. He is joined by John Donaldson and Reb Russell, both of whom have drawn favorable notice for their polish and command.
Position players capable of stepping directly into a starting role appear somewhat scarcer. Among the batsmen, catcher Wally Schang and left fielder Joe Connolly stand out as the clearest candidates to contribute immediately, providing solid presence amid a group otherwise defined more by promise than certainty.
Looking beyond immediate contributors, several prospects have captured the attention of the watching clubs. Edd Roush, a 19-year-old centre fielder, has been turning heads with a string of strong showings, and his name has been frequently whispered among the scouts. On the mound, Ralph Comstock is also generating discussion. While presently regarded as a borderline starter, many believe that with proper seasoning he could yet develop into a valuable top-end pitcher.
Holding the first selection in the upcoming draft, the St. Louis Cardinals are under particular scrutiny. Manager David Stevens, addressing reporters, acknowledged both the opportunity and the responsibility that comes with such a position.
“We have the luxury of choice,” Stevens said, “and our task is to weigh what a club needs today against what it may require tomorrow. This combine gives us a clearer picture, but the decision must be the right one.”
As the drills and evaluations continue, the next few days promise to further shape opinions and fortunes, with every throw and swing carrying the weight of a professional future.
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