In our sevententh installment, we continue to explore the evolving landscape of Mets prospects as documented by Baseball Digest. In 1980, the publication maintained its format of providing short thumbnails on each team's top prospects. This time, six Mets players were highlighted, including Juan Berenguer and Mookie Wilson for the second year in a row, we will examine the remaining four: Jeff Reardon, John Pacella,Scott Holman and Mark Bomback. Let's delve into the careers of these four promising players and examine whether they lived up to the expectations set forth by Baseball Digest.
From Long Odds to Long Saves: The Unlikely Journey of Jeff Reardon
Scouting Report:"Relief pitcher,good fastball with average curve.average control should make ml club"
The 1980 scouting report in Baseball Digest predicted Jeff Reardon would be a serviceable relief pitcher, citing a good fastball, an average curve, and average control. However, Reardon's actual career defied these modest expectations. Over 16 seasons, Reardon never started a game but became one of the most successful relievers of his time. Contrary to the initial assessment of "average control," Reardon consistently demonstrated the ability to close out games, earning him the nickname "The Terminator." His effectiveness as a closer was particularly evident during his tenure with the Montreal Expos, where he recorded 41 saves in 1985, leading MLB and becoming only the second National League pitcher to reach 40 saves in a season. His contributions were crucial to the success of teams like the Expos and the Minnesota Twins, with whom he won a World Series in 1987
Jeff Reardon’s career statistics solidify his standing as one of the premier relief pitchers of his era. Over his 16-season career, Reardon saved 367 games, ranking him sixth all-time as of his retirement. His career ERA of 3.16 is a testament to his effectiveness, especially considering the high-pressure situations he regularly faced. Reardon struck out 877 batters in 1,132.1 innings pitched, maintaining a strikeout rate of nearly 7 batters per nine innings, an impressive figure for a reliever of his time.
Reardon also posted a WHIP (walks plus hits per inning pitched) of 1.23, underscoring his ability to limit baserunners in crucial moments. His consistency is reflected in the fact that he recorded 30 or more saves in six different seasons, including a career-high 42 saves in 1988 with the Minnesota Twins. Reardon's durability is another key factor in his success; he appeared in 880 games, consistently taking the mound in high-leverage situations.
In postseason play, Reardon continued to demonstrate his value, contributing significantly to the Minnesota Twins' World Series championship in 1987. During that postseason, Reardon saved three games, including the decisive Game 7 of the World Series, where he pitched a perfect ninth inning to secure the title for the Twins.
Reardon's ability to perform under pressure, his consistency in delivering saves year after year, and his place in the record books all contribute to his legacy as one of the game's great relievers, far exceeding the expectations set by his initial scouting report.
From High Hopes to Struggles: The Tale of John Pacella's Major League Career
Scouting Report: "Out of options, good fastball with hard slider. Needs to work on setting up hitters"
In 1980, Baseball Digest’s scouting report on John Pacella was optimistic yet cautionary: "Out of options, good fastball with a hard slider, but needs help setting up hitters." This assessment underscored both Pacella's potential and the challenges he faced as he transitioned from a promising prospect to a Major League pitcher. Let’s explore how this scouting report contrasted with his actual career, using statistics and available analytics.
John Pacella, a Brooklyn-born pitcher who moved to Long Island in 1965, showed significant promise in his early years. After dominating at Connetquot High School with a 21-4 record, he was drafted by the New York Mets in the fourth round of the 1974 MLB Draft. His minor league performance was solid, compiling a 32-35 record with a 3.78 ERA over four seasons, which earned him a call-up to the majors in 1977.
Pacella made his MLB debut on his 21st birthday, showing flashes of potential but also revealing the issues that would haunt his career. In that first game, he managed to escape without allowing an earned run despite some wildness and errors behind him. However, his brief appearance hinted at the control issues that would later become a significant problem.
Pacella's 1980 season was his most significant in terms of Major League exposure. After starting in the bullpen, he was moved into the Mets' starting rotation in June. His first win came in a strong performance against the Philadelphia Phillies and Hall of Famer Steve Carlton, showing that when Pacella was on, he could compete at the highest level.
However, his overall performance that season told a different story. Pacella finished with a 3-4 record and a 5.14 ERA, numbers that reflected his inconsistency. His WHIP (walks plus hits per inning pitched) of 1.64 and a high walk rate suggested control issues, reinforcing the concerns from his scouting report about his ability to set up hitters effectively. Throughout his career, one of Pacella's most memorable quirks was his unusual delivery, which often caused his hat to fly off his head after a pitch. This trademark move became a visual symbol of his sometimes chaotic and unpredictable performances on the mound, further illustrating the challenges he faced in harnessing his raw talent.
After the 1980 season, Pacella was traded to the San Diego Padres, marking the beginning of a journeyman phase in his career. The Padres quickly traded him to the New York Yankees, but his struggles continued. In limited appearances with the Yankees in 1982, he posted an ERA over 11, leading to his demotion to Triple-A.
Pacella's 1982 season with the Minnesota Twins was particularly rough, as he finished with a 7.32 ERA in 29 appearances. His FIP (Fielding Independent Pitching), a metric that isolates the pitcher’s performance from fielding, was 6.85, indicating that his high ERA was not merely a result of poor defense but also his inability to control the strike zone and limit home runs.
Pacella’s career continued to decline after his time with the Twins. He was traded to the Texas Rangers but never made the team out of spring training. Brief stints with the Baltimore Orioles and Detroit Tigers followed, but his inability to consistently command his pitches kept him from finding success.
In 1987, Pacella’s contract was sold to the Yokohama BayStars in Japan, marking the end of his Major League career. His MLB statistics reflected a career of unmet potential: a 4-10 record with a 5.73 ERA and a high walk rate of 6.0 per nine innings pitched.
John Pacella's career serves as a reminder of the fine line between potential and performance in Major League Baseball. Despite a fastball and slider that had scouts optimistic, his inability to consistently set up hitters and control the strike zone ultimately limited his success. The contrast between his scouting report and his career outcomes highlights the challenges that even talented players face in the transition from prospect to professional.
Scott Holman: From High Expectations to a Brief MLB Career
Scouting Report: "Best young pitching prospect we have. Needs a little more time but could make the club"
In 1980, Scott Holman was seen as the New York Mets' most promising young pitching prospect. His scouting report in the Baseball Digest optimistically noted, "Best young pitching prospect we have. Needs a little more time but could make the club." This glowing assessment painted a picture of a pitcher on the cusp of making a significant impact in the Major Leagues. However, the reality of Holman's career would turn out to be much more modest.
Holman made his Major League debut with the Mets in 1980, and over the course of three seasons (1980, 1982, and 1983), he pitched in a total of 39 games. His final career statistics include 3 wins, 8 losses, a 3.34 ERA, and 58 strikeouts across 89 innings pitched. While these numbers are respectable, they hardly reflect the potential suggested by his scouting report.
A deeper dive into the analytics reveals that while Holman's ERA of 3.34 suggests he was a competent pitcher, other metrics indicate why his career might not have taken off as expected. His WHIP (Walks plus Hits per Inning Pitched) was 1.398, which indicates that he allowed nearly 1.4 baserunners per inning—a rate that can be challenging to maintain successfully over time. Additionally, his strikeout rate (K/9) was 5.9, which, while decent, wasn't dominant enough to offset his lack of control at times.
One of the challenges Holman faced was injuries, which limited his appearances and stunted his development. His limited time in the majors and the relatively small sample size of innings pitched make it difficult to fully assess his potential. However, the contrast between the high expectations set by his scouting report and the reality of his brief career serves as a reminder that the transition from prospect to Major League contributor is fraught with challenges, and not all promising young players are able to make the leap successfully.
In Holman’s case, despite the initial optimism, he never quite became the standout pitcher the Mets hoped for, ultimately becoming a cautionary tale of how potential doesn’t always translate into sustained Major League success.
Mark Bomback: High Hopes, a Solid Start, but an Uneven Career
Scouting Report: "Acquired at the end of the season, had an outstanding year and should make our M.L. Club."
Mark Bomback's scouting report in the 1980 Baseball Digest was filled with optimism. It noted, "Acquired at the end of the season, had an outstanding year and should make our M.L. Club." The expectations were clear: Bomback was seen as a valuable addition to the New York Mets' roster, a pitcher who had the potential to solidify his place in the Major Leagues. However, the trajectory of his career, while showing flashes of promise, ultimately reflected the unpredictable nature of baseball.
Bomback's journey to the majors began in the Boston Red Sox organization, where he was drafted in the 25th round of the 1971 MLB Draft. Over six seasons in the minors, he posted a respectable 59-48 record with a 4.21 ERA and 681 strikeouts. Despite these solid numbers, he struggled to make the leap to the majors and was eventually released by the Red Sox after Spring Training in 1977. The Milwaukee Brewers picked him up, and after a stellar 1979 season with their Triple-A affiliate in Vancouver, where he went 22-7 with a 2.56 ERA, Bomback seemed poised to finally break through.
Bomback's debut in the big leagues with the Milwaukee Brewers in September 1978 was a rough introduction. His first appearance was a brief outing against the Seattle Mariners where he struggled, giving up four runs and failing to complete an inning. However, he showed resilience in his next outing, pitching a clean inning against the Minnesota Twins. Despite his minor league success, he wasn't called back to the majors with the Brewers, and was traded to the New York Mets after the 1979 season.
Bomback joined the Mets in 1980, starting the season in the bullpen before being thrust into the starting rotation due to an injury to ace Pat Zachry. Bomback seized the opportunity, securing his first major league win by holding the Philadelphia Phillies to just one run over seven innings. He followed this up with a two-hit shutout against the same team in his next start, showcasing his potential as a reliable starter.
By mid-season, Bomback was back in the rotation full-time. His July 29 win over the Atlanta Braves, where he held them scoreless for seven-plus innings, was a highlight. At one point, he had a 9-3 record with a 3.83 ERA. However, the latter part of the season was less kind to him. He won just one more game, finishing the season with a 10-8 record and a 4.09 ERA, which was the third-best among Mets starters. Despite leading the team in wins, his performance in the second half of the season foreshadowed the struggles that lay ahead.
The Mets traded Bomback to the Toronto Blue Jays before the 1981 season. He started strong with a 3-1 record and a 2.17 ERA early on, but his form declined as the season progressed. By mid-season, he was 3-5 with a 4.11 ERA and was moved to the bullpen after the All-Star break. Although he showed some improvement in relief, finishing the season with a 2-0 record and a 3.10 ERA in that role, his days as a starting pitcher were numbered.
Bomback's 1982 season with the Blue Jays was a low point. After earning the Opening Day start, he was shelled for six earned runs in just a third of an inning, marking the worst Opening Day performance in Blue Jays history. His struggles continued, and he was sent down to Triple-A by midseason. He never returned to the majors after 1982, spending the next two seasons in the minors before retiring from professional baseball in 1984.
In total, Bomback's major league career spanned four seasons, during which he compiled a 16-18 record with a 4.47 ERA in 74 games (45 starts). While his career started with promise, including a standout year in 1980 where he led the Mets in wins, it ultimately did not live up to the high expectations set by his early scouting reports. Despite his struggles, Bomback proved to be an exceptional hitting pitcher during his time in the National League, with notable performances against Hall of Famers like Tom Seaver and Rod Carew.
Bomback's story is a reminder of how challenging it is to sustain success in Major League Baseball. High expectations, as outlined in his scouting report, can often clash with the harsh realities of competing at the highest level.
As we reflect on the careers of Jeff Reardon, John Pacella, Scott Holman, and Mark Bomback, it's clear that the journey from prospect to Major League success is as unpredictable as it is challenging. Each player, though marked by promise, faced unique obstacles that shaped their time in the big leagues. Jeff Reardon’s transformation into one of baseball’s most reliable closers stands in stark contrast to the struggles faced by Pacella, Holman, and Bomback, who battled inconsistencies and injuries. Their stories are a testament to the difficult path that all prospects face, regardless of initial promise or scouting reports. As we continue this exploration of Mets prospects, it’s fitting to note that Gary Carter, featured on the cover of the same 1980 issue with the caption “Best Young Catcher in National League,” fully lived up to that billing, proving that sometimes, the predictions are spot on.
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