Putnam attended Fort Myers Senior High School then the University of South Alabama.

[1] Putnam was selected by the Texas Rangers in the first round of the 1975 Major League Baseball draft.

Putnam mostly appeared in the line-up as a designated hitter until May 28, 1979, when regular Rangers first baseman Mike Jorgensen was hit in the head by a pitch from Boston Red Sox pitcher Andy Hassler.

Putnam made the most of the opportunity and batted .277 with 18 home runs and 64 RBIs to finish fourth in Rookie of the Year balloting.

Putnam failed to live up to his early promise, and in 1982 found himself back in the minors with the Denver Bears of the American Association.