Dwight Gooden

Organization Prospect Rankings

• 
  Ranked New York Mets #1 prospect in 1984
  One of four hot pitching prospects to come out of the Tampa amateur programs, Gooden moved to the head of the class in 1983. His first full pro season was remarkable. After going 19-4 with a 2.50 ERA and striking out 300 in 191 innings at high Class A Lynchburg, he was promoted to Tidewater for the Triple-A World Series and pitched a four-hitter, earning Baseball America Minor League Player of the Year honors. And all before he even turned 19. There won’t be many more birthdays to celebrate before Gooden celebrates his arrival in the big leagues. He throws between 90-95 mph and he’s got an outstanding curveball. “You see guys strike out a lot of batters with one exceptional pitch (at lower levels of the minor leagues),” Mets farm director Steve Schryver said, “but he’ll blow hitters away with his fastball and then get them with his great curveball.” But there’s more to Gooden than his arm. There’s his makeup. He has exceptional poise, and “a savvy that goes beyond his limited experience. He has the things that remind you of the old-time pitchers.” Before he’s ready to make the final jump to the big leagues, he’s going to have to get better command (112 walks and 121 hits last year) and could use some work on pickoff moves.
• 
  Ranked New York Mets #4 prospect in 1983
  The 6-foot-5, 200 pound Gooden was the Mets’ top draft pick last June. At age 17, Gooden was 5-4 with a 2.47 ERA for Rookie-level Kingsport (Appalachian) and averaged better than a strikeout an inning in his first season of pro ball. He has an outstanding arm, excellent arm action and tops 90 mph with his fastball. He also has tremendous poise for his age. Gooden only needs to gain experience as he advances through the organization.

Minor League Top Prospects

• 
  Ranked Carolina League #1 prospect in 1983
  Gooden's 300 strikeouts and 19-4 record speak themselves. At age 18 (he turns 19 in November), Gooden has convinced scouts and managers that he could be ready for the major leagues as early as next season. The Mets have said they will give every chance to make the big club in spring training. He has an outstanding curveball to go with 90-95 mph fastball. He beeds work on pickoff moves and holding runners on base.
• 
  Ranked National League #2 prospect in 1982
  At 17, Gooden was the youngest pitcher in the Appalachian League this season. Not coincidentally, he was also adjudged the most outstanding major league pitching prospect in the Rookie-level circuit. In a poll among scouts and managers in a league where age is a premium, Gooden was the name that stuck out--his youth obviously a factor in his selection. Gooden was the Mets' first-round draft choice in June, and he lived up to the Mets' expectations of him, going 5-4 with a 2.47 ERA and striking out 66 in 66 innings.

• December, 1983 Scouting Report
  One of four hot pitching prospects to come out of the Tampa amateur programs, Gooden moved to the head of the class in 1983. His first full pro season was remarkable. After going 19-4 with a 2.50 ERA and striking out 300 in 191 innings at high Class A Lynchburg, he was promoted to Tidewater for the Triple-A World Series and pitched a four-hitter, earning Baseball America Minor League Player of the Year honors. And all before he even turned 19. There won’t be many more birthdays to celebrate before Gooden celebrates his arrival in the big leagues. He throws between 90-95 mph and he’s got an outstanding curveball. “You see guys strike out a lot of batters with one exceptional pitch (at lower levels of the minor leagues),” Mets farm director Steve Schryver said, “but he’ll blow hitters away with his fastball and then get them with his great curveball.” But there’s more to Gooden than his arm. There’s his makeup. He has exceptional poise, and “a savvy that goes beyond his limited experience. He has the things that remind you of the old-time pitchers.” Before he’s ready to make the final jump to the big leagues, he’s going to have to get better command (112 walks and 121 hits last year) and could use some work on pickoff moves.
• December, 1982 Scouting Report
  The 6-foot-5, 200 pound Gooden was the Mets’ top draft pick last June. At age 17, Gooden was 5-4 with a 2.47 ERA for Rookie-level Kingsport (Appalachian) and averaged better than a strikeout an inning in his first season of pro ball. He has an outstanding arm, excellent arm action and tops 90 mph with his fastball. He also has tremendous poise for his age. Gooden only needs to gain experience as he advances through the organization.
• December, 1982 Scouting Report
  Gooden's 300 strikeouts and 19-4 record speak themselves. At age 18 (he turns 19 in November), Gooden has convinced scouts and managers that he could be ready for the major leagues as early as next season. The Mets have said they will give every chance to make the big club in spring training. He has an outstanding curveball to go with 90-95 mph fastball. He beeds work on pickoff moves and holding runners on base.
• December, 1981 Scouting Report
  At 17, Gooden was the youngest pitcher in the Appalachian League this season. Not coincidentally, he was also adjudged the most outstanding major league pitching prospect in the Rookie-level circuit. In a poll among scouts and managers in a league where age is a premium, Gooden was the name that stuck out--his youth obviously a factor in his selection. Gooden was the Mets' first-round draft choice in June, and he lived up to the Mets' expectations of him, going 5-4 with a 2.47 ERA and striking out 66 in 66 innings.