Phillip Alan Plantier (born January 27, 1969) is an American former professional baseballoutfielder who played in Major League Baseball (MLB) from 1990 to 1997. Listed at 6 feet 0 inches (1.83 m) and 175 pounds (79 kg), he batted left-handed and threw right-handed. After his playing career, he spent three seasons as a hitting coach with the San Diego Padres and as an assistant hitting coach with the Los Angeles Angels.
Playing career
The Boston Red Sox selected Plantier in the 11th round of 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 first entered the major leagues in 1990 after a midseason call-up from the Pawtucket Red Sox and primarily served as a pinch hitter, but did not play enough for it to be considered his rookie year. In 1991 he was first called up to Boston in June, and played in 11 games, but was sent back down to Pawtucket two weeks later. He was finally called back up to Boston on August 10 and went on a very impressive run over 42 games. In 53 total games and 148 at-bats, he hit 11 home runs and 35 runs batted in (RBIs) while hitting .331, for a ratio of a home run hit every 13.38 at-bats. As a result, Plantier finished 8th in Rookie of the Year voting.[1]
Plantier was unable to repeat his rookie performance in 1992, and was traded to the San Diego Padres during the following offseason. He enjoyed his best full season in 1993 wherein he hit 34 home runs with 100 RBI, both career highs.[1]
After an injury plagued 1994 season, Plantier was part of an eleven player offseason trade between the Padres and the Houston Astros that brought Ken Caminiti and Steve Finley to San Diego while sending Derek Bell to Houston, among others. He was later traded back to the Padres in July 1995 after roughly half a season with the Astros. 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, spending the 1996 season as a reserve outfielder and designated hitter for the A's.[1]
In 2010, Plantier was the Minor League Hitting Coordinator for the Seattle Mariners. In 2011, Plantier was named hitting coach, then assigned manager during mid-season for the Lake Elsinore Storm, a Single-A affiliate of the San Diego Padres.
Plantier was named hitting coach of the Padres on October 31, 2011.[1] He held that position for three seasons; in December 2014, he was replaced by Mark Kotsay.[4]