4A players, revisited

Sporting News, The, May 24, 1999

When J.R. Phillips was returned to the minor leagues this spring, the so-called 4A player (TSN, April 5) said there was only one way to overcome yet another demotion: "Just go down there and put up some ungodly numbers."

Phillips' numbers at Colorado Springs (a Class AAA affiliate of the Rockies) may not be ungodly, but they certainly are impressive--especially his home run total. After 33 games, Phillips had 12 homers and 21 RBIs and was batting .304.

Chris Hatcher, another player who has flourished in Class AAA but has failed to find a niche in the major leagues, wondered what he had left to prove in the minors when he, too, was sent to Colorado Springs in spring training. Hatcher, who hit 46 homers for Class AAA Omaha last year, got off to a slow start in the power department this season with only five home runs in 31 games. But he was hitting .333.

Others mentioned in last month's story on 4A players' quest to stick in the majors and how they're faring:

* Dave Wainhouse. Let go by the Rockies just before the start of the season but then re-signed by the organization, Wainhouse had six saves and a 2.20 ERA in 13 appearances at Colorado Springs before the Rockies bought his contract earlier this month. In his first four appearances with the parent club in 1999, he allowed five runs and nine hits in six innings.

* Brian Barnes. In seven games with the Cardinals' Class AAA team in Memphis, he was 1-0 with a 3.24 ERA.

* Archie Corbin. The Martins purchased his contract from the minors nine days into the season. He has made nine relief appearances for Florida and is 0-1 with a 8.49 ERA.