Welcome to the first installment of a brand new feature here at Mets Minors! Each Sunday, I’ll be taking a look at a ballplayer who spent time with the Mets in the minors, discuss how they did while they were in the farm system, and how their career ended up. If anyone has a player in mind they would like to see highlighted, please feel free to comment with their name, mention it in the prospect chat, or contact me on twitter (@mmusico8).

Today’s topic of the first-ever Prospect Time Machine is former New York Mets infielder/outfielder, Gregg Jefferies. Born in Burlingame, California, Jefferies was drafted by the Mets straight out of Serra High School, located in San Mateo, California. He officially became a professional baseball player in 1985, as New York selected him in the first round with the 20th overall pick.

He immediately made an impact with Kingsport (rookie-ball) and Columbia (Class-A) in his first season within the organization. As a 17-year-old, Jefferies hit .326/.376/.500 with four homers, 41 RBIs, 20 doubles, and 28 stolen bases in 250 plate appearances. He earned his first of two straight Minor League Player of the Year awards in 1986, finishing the season with Double-A Jackson at the age of 18.

In 1987, he showed the type of potential and skill he could bring to the major leagues in his first full season with Jackson. The switch hitter continued to dominate opposing pitchers; he put together a triple slash of .367/.423/.598 with 20 homers, 101 RBIs, 26 stolen bases. While enjoying his first 20-20 season as a professional, he continued building his reputation for being a doubles machine, collecting 48. That performance earned him a ticket to the majors at the end of ’87, and he continued to impress by getting three hits in six at-bats, including another double and two RBIs.

Despite wanting to give him a spot on the big league roster, there was no room for Jefferies, and he found himself starting the 1988 season in Triple-A with Tidewater. His .282/.322/.395 line wasn’t nearly as impressive as his past years in the minors, but the Mets decided to call him up in August to play third base every day for the remainder of the season. He helped New York bring home the NL East crown, and reverted back to his ’86-’87 minor league form, hitting .321/.364/.596 in 118 at-bats.

Jefferies played so well that the Mets decided to deal Wally Backman to the Minnesota Twins prior to the 1989 season, allowing him to become New York’s starting second baseman.

Unfortunately, Jefferies didn’t see his success as a minor leaguer translate to the big leagues with the Mets. His career .276/.332/.416 line during his five season with the Orange and Blue weren’t  necessarily bad, but the former first round pick dealt with great expectations to live up to. As his tenure with Mets continued, fans watched their beloved team go from a perennial contender to below-.500 team.

Jefferies saw his time in New York end following the 1991 season, when he was traded with Kevin McReynolds and Keith Miller to the Kansas City Royals for starter Brett Saberhagen and Bill Pecota.

He went on to play in the majors until the 2000 season, and experienced his greatest success in 1993 and 1994 with the St. Louis Cardinals. Jefferies earned his only two All-Star selections during those seasons. His best season in the big leagues was in ’93, when he hit .342/.408/.485 with 16 homers, 83 RBIs, and 46 stolen bases. That was the kind of production the Mets were hoping they’d get from him over the course of a full season, but never saw it come to pass.

Before his final game on May 29th, 2000, Jefferies would spend 3.5 seasons with the Philadelphia Phillies, half a season with the (then) Anaheim Angels, followed by two seasons with the Detroit Tigers.

It’s unfortunate Jefferies didn’t spend more time in the big leagues with the Mets, but he was still able to have a nice MLB career that anyone would be proud of.