Jim Scheffler hoped to play every day in the pros. The Mets had a different idea.
The Mets wanted him as a pitcher, The Kingsport Times-News wrote in July 1989.
"I just didn't think about it," Scheffler told The Times-News. "I thought I could play infield, but they thought pitching was my best shot ... I guess it doesn't matter, as long as I get a chance to play."
Scheffler eventually got his chance to play over three pro seasons. He topped out at short-season Pittsfield.
Scheffler's career began that year in 1989, taken by the Mets in the 45th round of the draft out of Joliet Junior College in Illinois.
At Joliet, Scheffler won all-conference in 1989 as a second basemen. He hit .470 on the season. He also went 8-4 as a pitcher, with 106 strikeouts.
With the Mets, Scheffler started at rookie Kingsport. He went 3-4, with a 4.18 ERA over 18 outings, five starts.
He moved to short-season Pittsfield for 1990. He turned full-time reliever. He went 4-2 there, with nine saves over 27 outings. He also ended with a 2.16 ERA. He picked up one win in a four-inning August relief appearance.
Scheffler returned to Pittsfield for 1991. He got into 22 games that season. He went 5-2, with a 2.68 ERA. That season marked the end of his career.
Made the Majors:1,254-34.2%
Never Made Majors:2,415-65.8%-X
5+ Seasons in the Majors:522
10+ Seasons in the Minors:308
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