A one-time third-rounder, Jim Morrisette returned in 1988 from a season lost to injury. He also returned to rookie Kingport at new position. The Mets moved the outfielder to third base, The Kingsport Times-News wrote.
The move was designed to get his power potential a spot in the lineup and him a chance to advance. The club was also prepared to stick with him through the transition, The Times-News wrote.
"He has to know that we have confidence in him and that we feel he can play there," Kingsport Mets manager Bobby Floyd told The Times-News. "We'll give him the opportunity...that won't be a problem."
Whether the move helped or not, it doesn't appear to have helped enough. Morrisette went on to play over of six seasons. He topped out at AA.
Coming out of high school, Morrisette had another transition to decide upon - football scholarship or pro baseball.
Morrisette's career began in 1986, taken by the Mets 76th overall out of Fairhope High School in Alabama. Morrisette was also credited as James Morrisette.
At Fairhope, Morrisette starred in both baseball and football. He hit .440, with 16 home runs his senior year, garnering him notice from the Mets. He also rushed for 1,000 yards in football, enough to gain a scholarship from Auburn.
"I felt like I would benefit from either decision I made," Morrisette told The Montgomery Advertiser. "I wanted to go to Auburn. ... They weren't calling every day. I think they were really looking out for my best interests."
With the Mets, Morrisette played his first year at Kingston. He saw 42 games as an outfielder and hit .217.
The next spring, though, he broke his arm. He returned to play instructional league, then broke his other arm. Back for 1988 at Kingston, he got into 71 games and hit .283.
He moved to single-A Columbia for 1989. He hit .283 there over 133 games split between third and the outfield.
Morrisette then played 1990 largely at high-A St. Lucie and then saw 16 games at AA Jackson. He hit .262 between them. He doubled and scored late in an April win at St. Lucie.
"Sometimes you go up there trying to keep the pressure off, and you swing at a bad pitch," Morrisette told The Palm Beach Post after the win. "In the eighth, I just went up there thinking contact."
He played 1991 between St. Lucie and high-A Miami. He hit .244 between them over 107 games to end his career.
- Montgomery Advertiser, June 5, 1986: Morrisette Signs a Baseball Contract
- Kingsport Times-News, June 17, 1988: Key year in the career of K-Mets' third baseman
- Palm Beach Post, April 25, 1990: Better pitch selection helps Mets win 8-6
Made the Majors:1,276-33.8%
Never Made Majors:2,503-66.2%-X
5+ Seasons in the Majors:525
10+ Seasons in the Minors:313
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