Indians’ Hehr is headed home

By JOE SCALZO

VINDICATOR SPORTS STAFF

When the Mahoning Valley Scrappers first came to town, Jeff Hehr went to a few games as a fan, briefly wondering what it would be like to play for the team.

This summer, he’ll find out.

“It’s going to be kind of cool, sort of a role-reversal,” said Hehr, a Cardinal Mooney High graduate who will play shortstop for the Scrappers. “I remember watching and wishing I could be on the same field.”

Last week, the Cleveland Indians drafted Hehr, a junior at Eastern Michigan, in the 20th round with the 617th overall selection. When he was drafted, he wasn’t sure whether he’d be assigned to the Gulf Coast Indians in Winter Haven, Fla., or the Scrappers.

Good news

Once he heard he was headed to Mahoning Valley, he got excited.

“Oh yeah, real excited,” said Hehr, whose family lives in Boardman. “My parents can make a lot of the games now. Between playing at school in Michigan and playing summer ball in places like North Carolina and Kansas, they haven’t been able to see me play much over the past few years.

“Now I’ll be home every day.”

Hehr will be the first area athlete to play for the Scrappers, although several area athletes have played against Mahoning Valley in recent years, including Nolan Reimold (Kennedy Catholic) and Chad Petty (Southington).

Indians scout Derrick Ross told Hehr it was just the second time he’s signed a player that went to a local team in his 12 years as a scout. Hehr’s hometown did not factor into the decision; players are assigned to different clubs based on need.

“It just kind of worked out that way,” he said. “It’s a good fit for both of us.”

Hehr, who plans to live at home this summer, will report today for a physical. The Scrappers play their first game on Tuesday night at Jamestown.

“I’m not nervous right now; I’m still just excited,” Hehr said. “I’m sure once we get to Monday night or Tuesday morning, I’ll be nervous.”

Hehr was one of four draft picks to sign with the Indians on Wednesday. The others are Adam White, a ninth-round pick out of West Virginia; Kyle Landis, an 18th round pick from Pitt; and Mark Thompson, an eighth-round pick out of Lewis and Clark State College in Idaho.

Those three will also play for the Scrappers.