Scott Ebert, Too Fierce - 3118

Scott Ebert's high school coach called Ebert a fierce competitor, about as fierce as he'd ever coached, according to The Oklahoman of Oklahoma City.

"Sometimes," Edmond coach Wendell Simmons told The Oklahoman in April 1988, "he's too fierce. He's so intense that it gets him in trouble. When he sees 20 or 30 scouts in the stands he wants to show them he's the best so sometimes he overthrows. But he's a gamer."

Whatever Ebert did in front of those scouts, it was enough for him to become a second rounder. Ebert, though, never could do enough to fulfill that promise. He played just four seasons as a pro, never making it above high-A.

Ebert's professional career began that June, taken by the Giants, Ebert soon signing directly out of Edmond High School in Oklahoma.

Going into the draft, though, whether Ebert would sign or go to college was an open question, according to The Oklahoman. He had already committed to the University of Texas. Ebert, though, signed, his eye on the majors, and a payday, as a pro.

"I really liked Texas,," Ebert told The Oklahoman after signing, "but they don't pay the kind of money the Giants do."

With the Giants, Ebert started at rookie Pocatello, going 1-4 in 12 starts, posting a 4.75 ERA. He was wild in one July start, walking six and throwing two wild pitches.

Ebert moved to short-season Everett for 1989, going 4-9 in 14 starts, then returned there for 1990. In between, Ebert told The Oklahoman about his problems to that point, his control and injuries.

"I'm having enough problems getting my fastball over, "Ebert told The Oklahoman that April. "I've struggled some because of a sore shoulder. I really haven't been 100 percent since I signed, but I'm close this spring."

Ebert, though, couldn't break through. He got five starts at Everett, then 10 at single-A Clinton. It was his last year in the Giants organization. He came back for one more attempt in 1991, playing with the Mariners back in rookie ball, ending his career.

• The Oklahoman, April 24, 1988: Edmond's Ebert Has Major Dream
• The Oklahoman, June 12, 1988: Pro Baseball
• The Oklahoman, April 8, 1990: Wear It Proudly 

1990 Minor League Tally
Players/Coaches Featured: 970
Made the Majors: 624 - 64.3%
Never Made Majors: 346-35.7%-X
5+ Seasons in the Majors: 277
10+ Seasons in the Minors: 166