Scott Middaugh pitched on a major league field, he just never got there as a major leaguer

Scott Middaugh made it to a major league field before he even got out of high school, The Los Angeles Times wrote.

He pitched at Jack Murphy Stadium in San Diego for his high school league championship and lost. He even returned later in college, with San Diego State - and he won, The Times wrote.

"I thought about it and I knew I had a chance to do something about it," Middaugh told The Times after his May 1986 win, referencing his first loss. "I didn't want to be denied again."

Middaugh went on from San Diego State to turn pro. But he wouldn't get the opportunity to pitch on a major league mound as a major leaguer. He saw four pro seasons and topped out at AA.

Middaugh's career began in 1988, taken by the White Sox in the 13th round of the draft out of San Diego State.

Middaugh went to San Diego State out of Patrick Henry High School in San Diego, along with two teammates. He explained to the Times in May 1985 that their decisions were all independent, his own over another option, Texas A and M.

"We all just made up our mind in our own way," Middaugh told The Times then. "I had made up my mind a couple weeks ago to go to State. Texas A&M was too far away and SDSU was just where I decided."

Middaugh started with the White Sox in 1988 in the rookie Gulf Coast League. He went 3-3 over 10 starts, with a 2.45 ERA.  He went six innings in a July win, striking out eight. 

He played 1989 over three levels, short-season Utica, single-A Sarasota and a game at AA Birmingham. He went 5-4 between them, with a 2.88 ERA.

Middaugh played 1990 mostly at high-A Sarasota, 22 outings, four starts. He went 4-3, with a 1.54 ERA. He also saw two outings in the GCL.

He then started 1991 at Birmingham. He saw 12 total outings, one start. He went 2-2, with at 3.41 ERA to end his career.

• Los Angeles Times, May 7, 1985: SDSU Signs a Trio of Patriots
• Los Angeles Times, May 12, 1986: A redemption, of sorts

More: The 1990 Sarasota White Sox

1990 Minor League Tally 

Players/Coaches Featured:3,827
Made the Majors:1,288-33.7%
Never Made Majors:2,539-66.3%-X
5+ Seasons in the Majors:526
10+ Seasons in the Minors:322