Shelby McDonald impressed in college; Saw three pro seasons, made AA
Lee College found itself eliminated from the postseason after this late-April 1987 game and the elimination came at the hands of Alvin Community College pitcher Shelby McDonald, The Baytown Sun wrote.
McDonald gave up six hits for the 9-1 win and Lee coach Dick Smith could only praise the hurler McDonald to The Sun.
"You have to give their pitcher a lot of credit," Smith told The Sun. "He really did a heck of a job."
McDonald eventually did a good enough job to turn pro. He saw three seasons - and was slated to start a fourth. He topped out at AA.
McDonald's career started that year in 1987, taken by the Phillies in the 33rd round of the draft out of Alvin.
At Alvin, McDonald threw a three-hit shutout in a February 1987 game.
With the Phillies, he started at short-season Utica. He went 1-4 over 29 relief outings, with a 3.42 ERA. His win came in a two-batter August outing.
He played 1988 at single-A Spartanburg, going 6-6, with a 2.52 ERA over 47 outings. He saved 13.
McDonald then saw single-A Clearwater for most of 1989, but also saw seven relief outings at AA Reading. He went 0-2 there, with a 2.89 ERA in his limited work.
McDonald returned to Clearwater to start 1990, but was quickly lost. He isn't recorded as playing in a game that year - though he did get a card. He never got into another.
Made the Majors:1,272-33.8%
Never Made Majors:2,488-66.2%-X
5+ Seasons in the Majors:524
10+ Seasons in the Minors:312
