In an era long before Baseball America graced the shelves, and when the only other compass for young talent was the Street and Smith Yearbook, Baseball Digest stood as a beacon for baseball enthusiasts hungry for insights into the game's rising stars. There was a certain charm to the straightforward scouting reports that Baseball Digest delivered in its annual Rookie preview edition. While the phrase "hindsight is 20/20" may spring to mind when revisiting these reports, it's fascinating to delve deeper into the Official Scouting reports from the confidential files of Major League clubs. How did these reports stack up against the actual careers of the players? Let's journey back to where it all began: the 1962 Mets, and uncover some of the stories that unfolded from these early predictions.
Bob Botz: The Right-Handed Reliever with Promise
Listed among the Mets rookies in Baseball Digest's April edition was Bob Botz, a right-handed pitcher with a journey that began long before the Mets' roster. Botz was signed as an amateur free agent by the Milwaukee Braves in 1955. He was later sold to the New York Mets alongside Neil Chrisley on October 16, 1961, only to return to the Braves by April 2, 1962. The scouting report on Botz painted a picture of a pitcher who could control his pitches effectively but lacked the speed typical of top-tier pitchers. His best bet, according to the report, was as a short reliever.
Botz's major league debut on May 8, 1962, against the Detroit Tigers at Dodger Stadium, was promising. He pitched three scoreless innings in a 10–1 Angels loss, striking out notable batters Bill Bruton and Al Kaline. His first big league save came on June 20 in a game against the Kansas City Athletics, followed by his first win exactly one month later against the Cleveland Indians.
His season and career totals painted a decent picture: 35 games pitched, all in relief, a 2–1 record, 13 games finished, and 2 saves. Botz allowed 71 hits and only 11 walks in 63 innings pitched, resulting in a WHIP of 1.302. He struck out 24 batters and ended with an earned run average of 3.43.
However, Botz's time in the spotlight was short-lived. In April 1963, he was traded to the St. Louis Cardinals for relief pitcher Bob Duliba, and unfortunately, he never pitched in another major league game, truly fulfilling the scouts projection as a " short" reliever.
Chris Cannizzaro: More Than Just a "Sound Receiver"
In looking back at these Baseball Digest's scouting reports, Chris Cannizzaro's stands out not just for its brevity but also for a touch of snark: "Sound receiver with a strong arm. Hitting? Well, he's a sound receiver with a strong arm." While the report might have seemed dismissive, Cannizzaro proved that there's much more to a player than a single-line critique.
Drafted by the New York Mets from the Cardinals as the 26th pick in the 1961 Major League Baseball expansion draft, Cannizzaro was an integral part of the 1962 Mets expansion team. Despite the team's record-setting 40-120 season, with 120 losses still standing as the most in a single MLB season since the 19th century, Cannizzaro showcased his potential in 59 games.
However, it was with the San Diego Padres that Cannizzaro truly shined. His most productive years came while wearing a Padres uniform. In 1969, he played a career-high 134 games and earned the distinction of becoming the first San Diego Padre selected to play in the Major League Baseball All-Star Game. The following year, 1970, was another standout season for Cannizzaro, as he posted career-highs with a .279 batting average, 5 home runs, and 42 runs batted in.
With a 13-year major league career under his belt, Cannizzaro's journey proves that scouting reports, no matter how succinct or snarky, can't capture the full essence of a player's potential and impact on the game.
Clarence "Choo Choo" Coleman: A Unique Presence Behind the Plate
The scouting report on Clarence "Choo Choo" Coleman was candid, if not entirely flattering: "Little guy with good equipment. Might be handy as third string left-handed hitting catcher." While the report didn't predict stardom for Coleman, it did highlight his potential utility as a depth player. Unfortunately for Coleman, his time with the Mets confirmed the reservations expressed in the scouting report.
Selected by the Mets in the expansion draft, Coleman played parts of three seasons with the team, struggling to find consistency at the plate. He ended his Mets tenure with a .205 batting average in 415 at-bats. Casey Stengel, known for his colorful language, once made a comment about Coleman's speed, but it wasn't a compliment. Stengel remarked that he'd never seen a catcher as fast at retrieving passed balls—implying more about Coleman's frequent need to chase after those balls than praising his speed.
Throughout his career, spanning 465 at-bats, Coleman posted a .197 batting average with 9 home runs and 30 RBIs. While these numbers may not reflect a standout player, they do tell the story of a player who, despite his limitations, found a place in baseball history, albeit for reasons different from what many might aspire to.
Ray Daviault: A Short-lived MLB Journey
Ray Daviault's scouting report painted a picture of a pitcher with potential but with notable areas for improvement: "Chance to become a big leaguer—in the bullpen. Control good enough, so is fastball, curve needs improving. Main trouble is tendency to tire." While the report identified some of Daviault's strengths and weaknesses, it unfortunately foretold the challenges he would face in the big leagues.
Ray Daviault, was drafted by the Mets in the 1961 expansion draft, his scouting report hinted at potential but also pointed out weaknesses. Despite a promising minor league record in 1961, Daviault struggled in the majors. His MLB debut in 1962 was rocky, marked by wild pitches and walks. He managed just one victory that season, with his major league career culminating in a brief and unsuccessful stint. He did get his chance to be a major leaguer as the report suggested, he just did not make the most of that chance.
Jim Hickman: Defying the Scouting Report
Jim Hickman's scouting report painted a mixed picture: "Pretty good tools defensively. Very weak at bat. May snap out of it, but don't bet on it." Despite this lukewarm assessment, Hickman's career would prove to be far more impressive than the scout's cautious prediction.
Drafted by the New York Mets in the 1961 expansion draft, Hickman spent five seasons with the team, playing 624 games from 1962 through 1966. During his time with the Mets, he batted .241 with 60 home runs and 210 RBIs.
Hickman's major league career spanned 13 years, during which he compiled a .252 batting average, 159 home runs, and 560 RBIs in 1421 games played. His accomplishments also included an All-Star selection in 1970.
Clearly, Hickman not only snapped out of his early struggles but thrived in the major leagues, surpassing the expectations set by his scouting report and proving the scout's cautionary words wrong.
Al Jackson: More Than Meets the Eye
Al Jackson's scouting report labeled him a "Puzzling Prospect. One day hot, the next day cold. Best pitch is curve." While this description hinted at inconsistency, it hardly captured the essence of Jackson's enduring contribution to baseball and the Mets franchise.
In 1962, when the expansion Mets suffered through a challenging season with 120 losses, Jackson faced his own struggles, posting an 8-20 record with a 4.40 ERA. The following two years didn't offer much relief, with records of 13-17 and 11-16, respectively.
Despite these on-field challenges, Jackson's relationship with the Mets endured for half a century. He wore many hats within the organization, serving as a pitcher, major league coach, minor league pitching coordinator, and front-office adviser.
In July 2021, Jackson was posthumously honored with the New York Mets Hall of Fame Achievement Award, recognizing his 50 years of dedication and service to the franchise.
Al Jackson's story serves as a reminder that scouting reports and statistics can't capture the full measure of a player or person. Jackson's enduring legacy with the Mets transcends wins and losses, illustrating that sometimes, contributions off the field can be just as impactful as those on it.
