Minor leagues Within three years of being drafted by the Padres organization, Scales was discouraged from lack of play and even planned to quit; but infield coach Tony Franklin talked him into staying. That same season when
Bernie Castro, the top prospect starting ahead of Scales got injured, he finally got his chance to start.
Chicago Cubs In , Scales played for the
Chicago Cubs organization and became a free agent at the end of the season. In January , he re-signed with the Cubs.
Major leagues He was called up to the Cubs major league team on May 4, 2009, after
starting pitcher Carlos Zambrano was put on the 15-day
disabled list. He made his Major League debut, starting at
second base, at the age of 31 on May 5 against the
San Francisco Giants, a game in which he recorded his first Major League hit against
Tim Lincecum, winner of the 2008 National League
Cy Young Award. He scored his first Major League run later that inning when
Sean Marshall singled. On May 8, Scales hit his first Major League triple off of
Dave Bush. On May 12, Scales hit his first major league home run off of
Edwin Moreno of the
San Diego Padres. On May 14, to further his case to stay in the bigs, Scales hit two doubles while driving in four runs in the Cubs' win over the
San Diego Padres. He recorded a six-game hit streak immediately after being called up, but that streak was lost on May 16. However, that same game, Scales scored the winning run in the bottom of the 9th inning against the
Houston Astros. On May 27,
Aaron Miles was placed on the DL, and the team needed someone who could play backup shortstop, causing Scales to be sent down to the Triple-A
Iowa Cubs. The next day, May 28, Scales was recalled from Iowa due to
Ryan Freel being placed on the disabled list. Scales then went on to hit a pinch-hit home run in the bottom of the 8th off
Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher
Randy Wolf. On November 22, 2010, Scales re-signed with the Cubs organization on a minor league contract. He played in 68 games for Iowa in 2011, slashing .304/.424/.535 with nine home runs, 43 RBI, and five stolen bases.
Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters Scales signed with the
Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters of
Nippon Professional Baseball in Japan on June 27, 2011.
Chicago Cubs (second stint) On January 27, 2012, Scales signed a minor league contract with the Chicago Cubs.
New York Mets After leaving the Cubs, Scales signed a minor league contract with the
New York Mets on April 1. On May 12 he was released by the Mets.
Orix Buffaloes After his departure from the Mets organization he signed with the
Orix Buffaloes. ==Post-playing career==