Steve Chilcott

Steven Lynn Chilcott

• Bats Left, Throws Right
• Height 5' 11", Weight 185 lb.
• High School Antelope Valley High School

• Born September 23, 1948 in Lancaster, CA USA

BR Minors page

Biographical Information

Catcher Steve Chilcott was selected by the New York Mets with the first overall pick in the 1966 amateur draft. In selecting Chilcott the Mets passed on eventual Hall of Famer Reggie Jackson, who was selected with the second overall pick by the Kansas City A's. Steve began his professional career with the Marion Mets (hitting .226) and the Auburn Mets (.155). In 1967, Chilcott was with the Winter Haven Mets, hitting .290/~.370/.467. He would have been fourth in the Florida State League in batting average had he ranked among the qualifiers; he did lead the league's catchers in fielding percentage (.991), though he was also second in passed balls (18). Moving up to the Visalia Mets, he struggled, hitting .189 in 1968. In 1969, still with Visalia, Steve batted .280/~.379/.280 in just 7 games, all at first base.

Playing regularly again in 1970, Chilcott struggled to make contact, though his secondary statistics were fine. He hit .209/~.363/.388 for the Memphis Blues and .257/~.297/.529 in the International League, mostly for the Tidewater Tides. Overall, he homered 11 times in 199 AB, as he began to show some power.

In 1971, Chilcott was back with Visalia and did well. Playing outfield, catcher and first base, he hit .265/~.374/.491 with 17 home runs. He finished his professional baseball career in 1972 with the Fort Lauderdale Yankees (6 for 13 with 4 walks and 16 total bases) and the West Haven Yankees (6 for 41, 12 walks, no extra-base hits). Chilcott is recalled as the only position player to be drafted first overall and never make the major leagues.