Scholtens was drafted by the San Diego Padres in the 9th round, 264th overall of the 2016 Major League Baseball draft.[1] Scholtens split his first professional season between the Low-A Tri-City Dust Devils, Single-A Fort Wayne TinCaps, and High-A Lake Elsinore Storm, recording a cumulative 1.54 ERA in 19 games. He split the following year with Fort Wayne and Lake Elsinore, making a total of 25 appearances (24 starts) and posting a 7–9 record and 3.60 ERA with 123 strikeouts in 147.1 innings pitched.[2]
In 2018, Scholtens played for the Triple-A El Paso Chihuahuas and Double-A San Antonio Missions, making 27 appearances (24 starts) and recording a 4.14 ERA and 8–8 record with 119 strikeouts in 137.0 innings pitched.[3] He spent the 2019 season with the Double-A Amarillo Sod Poodles, pitching to a 5–7 record and 5.40 ERA with 129 strikeouts in 125.0 innings of work across 24 contests (20 starts). Scholtens did not play in a game in 2020 due to the cancellation of the minor league season because of the COVID-19 pandemic.[4]
Scholtens returned to El Paso in 2021, making 21 appearances (20 starts) for the team and logging a 3–10 record and 5.05 ERA with 103 strikeouts in 101.2 innings pitched.[5] He spent the 2022 season with El Paso as well, pitching in 37 games (starting 15) and registering a 4–4 record and 4.10 ERA with 92 strikeouts in 83.1 innings of work.[6] He elected minor league free agency following the season on November 10, 2022.[7]
On December 20, 2022, Scholtens signed a minor league contract with the Chicago White Sox organization.[8] He was assigned to the Triple-A Charlotte Knights to begin the 2023 season.[9]
On April 7, 2023, Scholtens was selected the 40-man roster and promoted to the major leagues for the first time.[10]
On February 27, 2024, It was announced that Scholtens would undergo Tommy John surgery and miss the entire 2024 season.[11]
