Phil Plantier

Who is Phil Plantier?

Phillip Alan Plantier is a former Major League Baseball player who played in the major leagues primarily as an outfielder from 1990-1997. Plantier is most often remembered for his rookie season performance.

Plantier was an 11th round draft pick of the Boston Red Sox in the 1987 Major League Baseball Draft. He developed a knack for hitting home runs in the minor leagues and skipped the Double-A level altogether. Plantier entered the major leagues 1991 after a midseason callup from the Pawtucket Red Sox. In 53 games and 148 at-bats, he hit 11 home runs and 35 RBI while hitting .331, for an average of a home run hit every 13.38 at-bats. As a result, Plantier finished 8th in Rookie of the Year voting.

Plantier was unable to repeat his rookie performance in 1992, and was traded to the San Diego Padres the following season. He enjoyed his best full season in 1993 wherein he hit 34 home runs with 100 RBI, both career highs.

After an injury plagued 1994 season, Plantier was part of an eleven player trade between the Padres and the Houston Astros that brought Ken Caminiti to San Diego, among others.

Prior to the 1996 season, Plantier signed with the Detroit Tigers. However, during spring training he was traded to the Oakland Athletics for infielder Fausto Cruz and pitcher Ramon Fermin. Plantier spent the 1996 season as a reserve outfielder and designated hitter for the A's.