Carlos DeSouza

Carlos Norberto DeSouza

• Bats Right, Throws Right
• Height 5' 6", Weight 153 lb.
• Born June 6, 1924 in Bayamo, Granma Cuba
• Died November 27, 2007

BR Minors page

Biographical Information

Second baseman Carlos DeSouza played in the minor leagues from 1947 to 1957.

He began his career with a .301 batting average and 29 stolen bases in 68 games for the Palatka Azaleas in 1947, then didn't break the .300 mark again until 1956, when he batted .315/.387/.473 in 139 games for the Hobbs Sports. Hardly a power hitter, he didn't hit a single home run from 1948 to 1950, a span of 1,718 at-bats, though he compensated with great speed and by developing a good eye at the plate. In 1948, he stole 39 bases, in 1949 he had a Florida International League-leading 58 swipes, as well as 92 walks, and in 1950, he had a FIL-leading 50 stolen bases (double the runner-ups Jose Zardon and Wilbur Phelps), as well as 115 walks. He also led the league with 116 runs scored in 1949 and with 108 runs scored in 1950. After hitting one home run in 324 at-bats in 1951, he again went without one in 538 ABs in 1952. He slugged 2 dingers in 1953, while leading the Three-I League in steals with 37; he had 40 steals that year overall. He played in the Mexican League in 1954 an went without a home run in 364 at-bats in 1955, but developed a power stroke for 1956, his .315 campaign, smashing 14 homers with 29 doubles, 12 triples and 135 runs scored in 139 games for Hobbs. He stole 11 bases, as well. He wrapped up his career with a .262 mark and 7 homers in 116 games in 1957.

Excluding his year in Mexico, he played 1,254 games and had about 25 homers, 261 steals, 599 walks and 740 runs scored. He averaged one home run every 173 at-bats. His 58 steals in 1949 set the Florida International League record.