Jim Morrison pitched, played outfield, saw 8 seasons, AA
After a series of injuries, Red Sox minor league pitcher Jim Morrison made the switch in 1989 to minor league outfielder, his hometown Carbondale Southern Illinoisan wrote.
He believed he had a future in the pros as an outfielder, Morrison told The Southern Illinoisan.
"I think I do," Morrison told the paper late that August. "I've come around at the plate the last couple of games. That might have changed their minds."
Morrison did have a little bit of a future as an outfielder, four more seasons. His future thought saw him top out his final season at AA. He saw eight pro seasons in all.
Morrison's career began in 1986, taken by the Red Sox in the 10th round of the draft out of Anna-Jonesboro High School in Illinois. Morrison was also credited as Jimmy Morrison.
Morrison started with the Red Sox at short-season Elmira, as a pitcher. He saw nine outings, starting three. He went 2-2, with a 2.19 ERA.
That September, he assessed his first season to The Southern Illinoisan.
"I did pretty good," Morrison told The Southern Illinoisan. "I did a lot better than what I thought I'd do."
Morrison moved to single-A Greensboro for 1987. He saw just five starts. He then returned to Elmira for 1988 for 17 outings, five starts.
For 1989, he got five outings at Elmira and four at single-A Winter Haven. He also tried his hand at hitting at Elmira. In 41 games, he hit .229.
Morrison then played the next two seasons at Winter Haven as an outfielder. He hit .238 his first year and .219 in his second.
Morrison played 1992 at high-A Lynchburg. He hit .281 that year over 92 games. He then made AA New Britain in 1993. He saw 77 games and hit .221. That season proved his last as a pro.
- Carbondale Southern Illinoisan, Sept. 9, 1986: Former A-J pitching ace makes pro strides in Phase I
- Carbondale Southern Illinoisan, Aug. 31, 1989: Morrison's pitching ends, playing days continue in outfield
Made the Majors:1,482-31.6%
Never Made Majors:3,211-68.4%-X