In our twenty-fourth installment of Hit or Error, we continue our deep dive into the promising landscape of Mets prospects as highlighted by *Baseball Digest* in March 1986. The Mets' farm system had finally hit its stride, producing a steady stream of talent that would lead to a Championship in the fall. The publication spotlighted eight young players who were seen as the team's bright future: Bill Latham, Randy Myers, and John Gibbons were all returning names from the past editions, they were joined by Billy Beane, Barry Lyons, Terry Blocker, Dave Magadan and Tom McCarthy.
For this installment, we'll focus on the careers of Billy Beane, Barry Lyons, and Dave Magadan as they offer a fascinating study in the unpredictable nature of baseball prospects. While Beane’s playing career did not live up to his five-tool promise, his transition to a front-office pioneer forever changed the landscape of the sport. Lyons' resilience and contributions, though often overshadowed by bigger names, showed the value of perseverance in the face of obstacles, both on and off the field. Meanwhile, Magadan’s consistent production at the plate and adaptability on defense fulfilled many of the early projections, solidifying his place as a reliable force in the majors.
"Can't Miss Prospect" to Front Office Pioneer: Billy Beane's Career Journey
Scouting Report:"Path is clearer with trade of Christenson and release of Paciorek, both right handed hitters. Has all 5 tools and only needs to prove he can hit major league pitching. Utility role likely"
In 1986, a scouting report on Billy Beane stated that the path was clearer for him to make an impact with the trade of Christenson and release of Paciorek. Both were right-handed hitters, and Beane, boasting the coveted "five-tool" skill set, needed only to prove his ability to hit at the Major League level. It suggested a utility role was likely, highlighting the potential of a player who seemed on the verge of a breakout.
Fast forward to his actual playing career, and the results were starkly different from those lofty expectations. Beane was a first-round draft pick by the New York Mets in 1980, a high school standout with both talent and promise. However, his time in the major leagues was marked by inconsistency. Despite possessing a rare combination of skills, Beane struggled to adjust to the higher level of competition, often battling his own self-doubt.
Across his six-year MLB career, Beane played for the Mets, Minnesota Twins, Detroit Tigers, and Oakland Athletics. Despite brief stints of potential, such as his .284 batting average for the Mets' AAA affiliate in 1985, his major league career never truly took off. In 1986, the year of the scouting report, Beane played in 80 games for the Twins, but hit just .216. His performance did not match the five-tool player scouts once envisioned.
Recognizing that his playing career might not live up to expectations, Beane transitioned to a front office role with the Oakland Athletics in 1990. This shift marked a turning point in his career. He rose to prominence as the team's general manager in 1997, embracing a revolutionary approach to player evaluation. Under Beane’s leadership, the Athletics adopted sabermetrics, using statistical analysis to build competitive teams with limited budgets, a strategy that was later chronicled in the book and film *Moneyball*.
While Beane's playing career fell short of the early projections, his impact on the game as an executive has been profound. The five-tool skills he exhibited as a player may not have translated on the field, but his ability to innovate and change the way teams are constructed has cemented his legacy in the world of baseball. The utility role forecasted by the scouts may not have materialized in the traditional sense, but Beane ultimately found his utility in reshaping the very structure of modern baseball.
Barry Lyons: From Promising Prospect to Resilient Veteran
Scouting Report: "108 RBI's in Texas league broke Strawberry's club record. Clutch hitter, catching and throwing improving. Has chance to jump from AA to major league. Played in Venezuela last winter"
The 1986 scouting report on Barry Lyons painted a picture of a rising star in the making. His record-breaking 108 RBIs in the Texas League, surpassing Darryl Strawberry’s mark, positioned him as a clutch hitter with improving catching and throwing skills. Fresh off a winter in Venezuela and with a strong Double-A season, Lyons seemed poised to make the leap to the major leagues. There was genuine hope that he could ascend quickly, filling a key role behind the plate.
Fast forward to Lyons' actual career, and while it took a different path than the scouting report may have predicted, it was still marked by tenacity, resilience, and a solid presence in the major leagues. Lyons' major-league career spanned ten seasons from 1986 to 1995, during which he played for the New York Mets, Los Angeles Dodgers, California Angels, and Chicago White Sox.
Born in Biloxi, Mississippi, Lyons attended Delta State University, where he established himself as an All-American catcher. His collegiate success was underscored by his time in the Cape Cod Baseball League, where he earned All-Star honors in 1981. After being selected in the 25th round by the Detroit Tigers in 1981 and opting not to sign, Lyons was drafted by the New York Mets in the 15th round in 1982 and began his professional career.
Rising steadily through the Mets' minor-league system, Lyons consistently hit near or above .300 between 1983 and 1986. During this period, he won championships at the A, AA, and AAA levels, showing the type of promise that justified the high expectations set by the 1986 scouting report.
However, when the Mets traded for superstar catcher Gary Carter before the 1985 season, Lyons’ path to a full-time major-league role became more difficult. He spent most of the Mets’ 1986 championship season with their AAA affiliate, the Tidewater Tides, playing only six games with the big league club that year. Despite limited playing time, Lyons received a belated 1986 World Series ring nine years later, honoring his contributions to the team.
After the Mets traded Ed Hearn to the Kansas City Royals before the 1987 season, Lyons earned the backup catching role. He made the most of it, playing in 53 games and batting .254 with 24 RBIs. In June of that year, Lyons had a memorable performance against Tom Seaver during a simulated game, going 6-for-6 and prompting Seaver to end his comeback attempt, famously calling Lyons the best hitter he ever faced.
The following season, Lyons continued his backup role behind Carter but had some standout moments, including a grand slam against the San Francisco Giants that helped the Mets secure a 7-4 victory.
In 1989, with Carter sidelined due to surgery, Lyons had his best opportunity to start. Unfortunately, an untimely injury allowed Mackey Sasser to claim the starting job. Still, Lyons managed career highs that season in games (79) and at-bats (235), though his .247 average wasn’t enough to hold the starting spot. When Carter was released after the 1989 season, Lyons hoped for a bigger role, but the younger Sasser took over.
Despite his efforts, Lyons' playing time dwindled, and after a rough start to the 1990 season, the Mets released him in September. Over the next few seasons, Lyons played sparingly in the majors with the Dodgers and Angels, while spending much of his time in Triple-A.
His final major-league stint came in 1995 with the Chicago White Sox. Given a few starts late in the season, Lyons delivered, hitting .266 with a career-high five home runs in just 64 at-bats. This brief resurgence, however, would mark the end of his major-league career.
Following his playing days, Lyons transitioned to managing in the minors and broadcasting for the Nashville Sounds. He returned to his hometown of Biloxi, Mississippi, and became a key figure in efforts to bring minor-league baseball back to the Mississippi Gulf Coast. Those efforts culminated in the establishment of the Biloxi Shuckers in 2015, with the team’s ballpark honoring Lyons with his own day that year.
Though his post-playing career was marked by personal challenges, including the loss of his home during Hurricane Katrina and struggles with depression, alcohol, and drug use, Lyons found a path to recovery through faith. In 2012, he recommitted himself to helping others, particularly in the world of baseball. In December 2022, Lyons was announced as the manager of the Lexington Counter Clocks, further demonstrating his ongoing dedication to the game.
While Barry Lyons' career didn’t unfold exactly as the 1986 scouting report predicted, it was characterized by perseverance and resilience. He may have faced challenges on and off the field, but his dedication to the game, his community, and his personal growth makes him a true success story. Lyons’ impact on baseball goes far beyond statistics; it’s a legacy of passion, determination, and making a difference both on and off the field.
Dave Magadan: Fulfilling Early Promise with Consistent Production
Scouting Report: ".300 hitter everywhere he has played. Compared to Wade Boggs at same stage. Not a power hitter but an improving third baseman with a magic wand for a bat. Cousin of Lou Pinella"
In 1986, the scouting report on Dave Magadan described him as a ".300 hitter everywhere he has played," drawing comparisons to Wade Boggs at a similar stage in his career. The report acknowledged that Magadan wasn’t a power hitter but lauded his improving defense at third base and described his bat as a "magic wand." The added mention of his relationship with Lou Piniella, both cousin and godfather, added an extra layer of intrigue.
This prediction set the bar high, especially when comparing him to Boggs, a future Hall of Famer known for his consistent hitting and sharp batting eye. So, how did Magadan’s career stack up against these early expectations?
Magadan’s success began early, improving his stock after turning down a draft selection from the Red Sox in 1980. His amateur career at the University of Alabama was nothing short of stellar. In 1983, he led the NCAA with a .525 batting average, setting an SEC record and earning national accolades, including the Golden Spikes Award as the best amateur player. This performance underscored the scouts’ projections of his ability to consistently hit for average, even if he lacked power.
Selected by the New York Mets in the second round of the 1983 MLB Draft, Magadan progressed through the minors with the same disciplined approach that had made him a standout at Alabama. Though he didn’t hit for power, his excellent plate discipline and contact ability allowed him to maintain high batting averages across different levels. His call-up to the Mets' major-league roster in 1986 was the beginning of a solid career that would last 16 seasons.
While the scouting report hinted at a lack of power, it was clear Magadan’s future was tied to his consistency at the plate, a trait he displayed throughout his career. His debut in 1986 saw him deliver immediate contributions, including a 3-hit performance in a division-clinching game. While his playing time was limited by players like Howard Johnson and Keith Hernandez, Magadan carved out a niche as a reliable hitter and backup corner infielder.
As projected, he was a high-average hitter, boasting a career .288 batting average over 16 seasons. His best year came in 1990 when he batted .328 for the Mets, finishing third in the league. Although he never matched the power output expected of many first basemen or third basemen, his ability to get on base compensated for this. In fact, his .390 career on-base percentage demonstrated an elite level of plate discipline.
The comparison to Wade Boggs from the scouting report turned out to be largely accurate in terms of hitting style, though Boggs' career eventually surpassed Magadan’s both in accolades and longevity. Like Boggs, Magadan was adept at working counts, drawing walks, and maintaining a high batting average. However, Boggs' ability to hit over .350 multiple times and collect over 3,000 hits set him apart. Magadan, on the other hand, while consistent, never had the same level of peak performance or power.
Though Magadan’s defense at third base was described as "improving" in the 1986 report, he never became a standout defender. His career fielding percentage at third base was .951, solid but unspectacular. However, he demonstrated enough versatility to also play first base, where he posted an excellent .994 fielding percentage. This adaptability allowed him to extend his career, as teams valued his bat and ability to play multiple positions.
Magadan’s later career saw him transition from a regular player with the Mets to more of a role player with teams like the Florida Marlins, Seattle Mariners, and Houston Astros. His high-contact approach, excellent plate discipline, and ability to hit in key moments made him a valuable veteran presence. His final seasons, spent with teams such as the San Diego Padres and Oakland Athletics, continued to reflect the traits outlined in the scouting report—solid, reliable hitting, but limited power.
Dave Magadan’s career mirrored much of what was anticipated by his 1986 scouting report. A career .288 hitter, Magadan lived up to his reputation as a consistent offensive presence, though he never developed the power that teams might have hoped for from a corner infielder. His comparison to Wade Boggs was apt in terms of batting style, though Boggs’ legacy stands apart due to his exceptional achievements. Nevertheless, Magadan's longevity, versatility, and contributions, particularly in high-pressure situations, earned him a respected place in baseball, fulfilling the early expectations of a player with a "magic wand for a bat."
As we look back on these players and their unique journeys, it becomes clear that scouting reports and predictions can only tell part of the story. Baseball’s true beauty lies in the uncharted paths that players take, where talent, circumstance, and determination intersect to shape careers. This has been a recurring theme throughout our previous 23 installments of *Hit or Error*, where we’ve consistently seen how early potential often unfolds in unexpected ways. In this series, we’ll continue to explore how that potential translates into real-world results, uncovering the successes, surprises, and lessons learned along the way.