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Chiefs' Farm System Produces Winners in 1963: The Future Looks Bright in Chicago




As the Chicago Chiefs of the Federally Aligned Baseball League wrap up the final week of competition, it’s time to take a look at how their minor league affiliates fared in 1963. All five of the Chiefs’ affiliates finished above .500, with two of them, Fort Wayne (AAA) and Oklahoma City (AA), claiming the top spot in their respective leagues. Two others, Tacoma (B) and Waterloo (C), finished second, both just two games behind the eventual league winners. AA Oklahoma City finished just two games above .500, trailing the league leader by 10 games.

The Chiefs’ front office knows that winning at every level is critical to fostering a championship culture. Chicago GM Herb DeSpain put it plainly: “If players in the minors aren’t worried about winning, then we aren’t teaching them how to be winners.”

To highlight the standouts in the system, the Chiefs have named the Best Position Player and Best Pitcher for each affiliate for the 1963 season.

AAA Fort Wayne Warriors



Shortstop Harry Bailey began the year in Chicago but struggled with both the bat and the glove. Sent down to Fort Wayne, he rediscovered his identity, establishing himself as a glove-first shortstop who gets on base despite limited bat-to-ball skills. In 116 games, Bailey posted a .249 batting average, a .367 on-base percentage, and a .342 slugging percentage, contributing 99 hits, 20 doubles, and 5 home runs. His defense shined, with an 18.6 Zone Rating and a .983 fielding percentage. With his success in AAA, he is expected to get another chance to make the big league roster next season.



Starting pitcher Frank Widdows found himself in a tough spot in 1963, blocked by young talent like John Thomas and Roy Brandt. Despite the depth ahead of him, he delivered solid results at Fort Wayne. In 25 starts, Widdows posted a 9-5 record with a 2.51 ERA, throwing 154.1 innings while allowing just 9 home runs. He kept hitters off balance with 95 strikeouts and a 1.13 WHIP, accumulating 3.6 WAR. While he isn’t considered an elite prospect, his production continues to impress.

AA Oklahoma City Chiefs



Catcher Bill Riley provided Oklahoma City with a solid presence behind the plate before missing the final weeks of the season due to injury. In 97 games, he hit .265 with a .335 OBP and a .437 SLG, knocking 82 hits, 10 doubles, 5 triples, and 11 home runs. His ability to control the game defensively was evident, posting a .987 fielding percentage. While OSA ranks him as the sixth-best catching prospect in the system, he is the only one remotely close to major league ready. Riley will likely spend another year in the minors before getting a serious look in 1965.



Starting pitcher Ted McFarland continues to defy expectations with his production. Despite being a ninth-round pick, he posted an 11-3 record with a 2.17 ERA in 18 starts, throwing 116.1 innings with 80 strikeouts and a 1.13 WHIP. He likely should have been in AAA, but given the overflow of young pitchers, he was kept in AA, where he performed beyond expectations. McFarland doesn’t have the elite prospect pedigree, but he keeps delivering results.

A Cedar Rapids Chiefs



Shortstop Eddie Kellum, much like Bailey, has always been a glove-first player. This season, however, he showcased significant growth at the plate, hitting .296 with a .438 OBP and a .473 SLG over 131 games. He tallied 120 hits, including 20 doubles, 8 triples, and 12 home runs while walking 96 times. His defensive ability makes him major league-ready, but he’s currently blocked by other shortstops in the system. Depending on how things shake out with Bailey’s promotion, Kellum may skip AA altogether and go straight to AAA.



Starting pitcher Rodolfo Kendall threw a heavy workload this season, racking up 166.2 innings across 28 starts while posting a 3.51 ERA. He struck out 140 batters but issued 108 walks, often making life harder for himself. Despite this, he provided Cedar Rapids with consistent production, earning 2.2 WAR. Kendall could move up next season but will need to sharpen his command to advance.

B Tacoma Captains



Center fielder Wes Conner had a breakthrough season at just 19 years old, showing improvement in every area of his game. Across 135 games, he hit .335 with a .376 OBP and a .449 SLG, tallying 171 hits, 25 doubles, 3 triples, and 9 home runs. He contributed both offensively and defensively, posting a 9.6 Zone Rating in center field with a .993 fielding percentage. Conner has stiff competition from highly rated prospects, but his progression gives him a strong foundation to build upon.



Starting pitcher Jack Hunt was the clear standout for Tacoma, putting up jaw-dropping numbers. He finished with a 13-2 record, a 2.14 ERA, and an incredible 156 strikeouts to just 13 walks over 147 innings. His 0.97 WHIP and 4.1 WAR illustrate his dominance at the Class B level. With a logjam of starting pitchers in the Chiefs system, Hunt may transition to the bullpen, where he could become a lights-out stopper or a left-handed specialist. He struggled briefly in a few starts in Class A but will likely return to Cedar Rapids next season with a chance to rise quickly.

C Waterloo Chiefs



Infielder John Butts came into the system as the Chiefs’ second-round pick in 1963, and he immediately showed why he was highly regarded. In 52 games, he hit .372 with a .466 OBP and a .643 SLG, racking up 74 hits, 12 doubles, 3 triples, and 12 home runs. He played all over the infield but is projected to settle in at second base. After a late-season call-up to Class B Tacoma, he hit .298. Given his elite defensive skills and strong bat, Butts may move quickly through the ranks.



Starting pitcher George Wilber put together a brief but dominant performance, going 6-0 with a 1.07 ERA across six starts. He averaged over 8 innings per start, finishing with 50.1 innings, 56 strikeouts, and a 1.01 WHIP. He proved he’s ready for a challenge at the next level, earning himself a promotion to Class B Tacoma next season.

With talent developing throughout the system, Chicago’s minor league depth is stronger than ever. If winning at every level truly matters, the Chiefs are setting themselves up for a promising future.


- John "Scoop" Mitchell, Windy City News