Shortly after the Mets selected Proctor 21st overall in the 1988 draft, Allen County coach Val McLean told The Associated Press he saw big things in Proctor's future.
"Dave's got the world by the horns," McLean told The AP. "I think he's ready to go out and have a bright future in major league baseball."
Mets director of scouting Roland Johnson explained to The Hackensack Record Proctor's potential in simpler terms.
"He's a big, strong man who has the potential to be a solid power pitcher," Johnson told The Record.
Proctor, however, never lived up to the lofty expectations that came with his status as a first-rounder as injuries helped end his career short of the majors.
Proctor started with the Mets at short-season Little Falls. He went 5-3, with a 4.21 ERA over 12 starts.
He moved to single-A St. Lucie for 1989. In 22 outings, 21 starts there, he went 7-6, with a 2.36 ERA. He struggled in an August game, giving up five earned in four innings and 11 runs overall against Vero Beach, according to The Palm Beach Post.
"I had a little trouble finding the (strike) zone for a while, but it wasn't all that bad," Proctor told The Post afterward. "(The Dodgers) were just swinging the bats tonight."
Then Proctor got injured. He had been set to join AA Jackson for 1990, but an injury to his elbow led to surgery in May and a lost season, according to The Jackson Clarion-Ledger.
Proctor returned for 1991 and 1992, playing both between AA and high-A. He went 3-7 over 12 starts in 1992, with a 4.78 ERA to end his career.
- Bridgewater Courier-News, Associated Press, June 2, 1988: Mets' pick to add to already strong pitching staff
- Hackensack Record, June 2, 1988: Sore Strawberry says rest is best
- Palm Beach Post, Aug. 8, 1989: Vero Beach avenges 13-0 loss with 18-1 victory over Mets
Players/Coaches Featured:3,166
Made the Majors:1,150-36.3%
Never Made Majors:2,016-63.7%-X
5+ Seasons in the Majors: 476
10+ Seasons in the Minors:283
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