[ifspuds]

Phillips Looks to Make Impact
by Langford Thomason
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Before Melchior Cifuentes broke into the Pirates outfield in 1969, winning National League rookie of the year honors, no rookie had made significant contributions to the Pirates since Al Mahoney took a full-time job in 1964. Now two years after Cifuentes made his mark, another rookie is looking to join the ranks of successful newcomers. Drafted in the second round in 1968, Terrell Phillips has done nothing but impress his minor league instructors, skyrocketing through the Pirates system and gaining mention among the upper echelon of youngsters in the league. Now, after a stellar spring training, the Pirates are finding it hard to come up with reasons to keep the 24-year old keystoner down on the farm.

Phillips knows he faces some roadblocks to a full-time stint in Pittsburgh. The primary obstacle is the long-time incumbent at second base, Alberto Val. "You come through this organization as a second baseman," says Phillips in a lazy Texas drawl, "you know you got some work cut out for you. Ain't just in the bigs. I played with Butch (Watson, fellow Pirates prospect) and that guy ain't seen a ball he can't pick, and now there's this new guy Reyes that's got plenty of game."

But Phillips is nothing if not confident. "I ain't letting a chance get away," he says. "If I get that call to go to Pittsburgh for Opening Day, I ain't goin' there to sit on the bench." Some around the team are suggesting Phillips might start against left-handers, who have been tough on Val in the past. Some have even suggested that Phillips start full-time and the 35-year old Val spell shortstop Tim Crusher and third baseman Ben Trome. Val had one of his best seasons in 1970, so talk of making him an all-purpose utility man might be premature. The always enigmatic and fiery Val isn't saying much, surprisingly, but he doesn't appear ready to give up his job without the fight that's characterized his entire career.

Pirates manager Vic Gorin isn't saying what the team plans to do. When asked about Phillips, Gorin said, "The kid can flat out hit. There's no doubt he's going to be one terrific offensive player. He's working on his defense, but when it comes to the glove, he's still a project in the works." Pirates AAA manager Pip Hawk had Phillips seeing some time in left field toward the end of the 1970 season, to mixed reviews. "We're just exploring all our options, and versatility is never a bad thing," said Hawk last fall after the close of the minor league season.

Wherever he plays, Phillips is going to be hard to dislodge once he gets into the game. He's drawn accolades from even veterans on the big league squad for his focus and hard-nosed play. No less an authority than Asa Booker says, "He's got a bright future. He's a tough kid, doesn't back down from anything." Including a battle to break into the bigs.