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Sunday, April 4, 2021

Rich Barnwell felt comfortable enough to see 7 pro seasons

Rich Barnwell 1990 Fort Lauderdale Yankees card

Rich Barnwell had himself a game in July 1992, a game where he got on base five times and hit three doubles, according to The Schenectady Daily Gazette.

He attributed his success to feeling good at bat, he told The Daily Gazette.

"I felt comfortable up there, and when you feel comfortable at the plate, good things happen," Barnwell told The Daily Gazette. "I've felt comfortable the past 2 1/2 weeks."

Barnwell played that year in his fourth season as a pro. He went on to feel comfortable enough to play in three more. He made AAA in two of those, but he never made the majors.

Barnwell's career began in 1989, taken by the Yankees in the 17th round of the draft out of Pepperdine University. Barnwell was also credited by his formal name, Richard Barnwell.

Barnwell started with the Yankees at short-season Oneonta. He hit .289 over 69 games. He also stole 39 bases.

He then moved to high-A Fort Lauderdale for 1990. He scored three times in an April game. He then hit a leadoff home run in a June game, one of four he hit on the year. Overall, he hit .274 in 71 games and stole 24.

Barnwell played 1991 largely back at Fort Lauderdale, but he got a five-game look up at AA Albany-Colonie. He made Albany-Colonie full-time in 1992 and 1993.

In a June 1992 game, Barnwell talked to The Daily Gazette about a stolen base that set up the tying run.

"I had the green light (to steal) on the first pitch," Barnwell told The Daily Gazette. "I hadn't seen the guy's move before, so I didn't know what the deal was. Once I saw his move to the plate, I knew I could steal the base."

Barnwell stole 42 bases and hit .260 at AA in 1992 and 33 more and hit .298 in 1993

He first made AAA Columbus in 1994. He saw 50 games there that year, but hit .196. He returned for 46 more at Columbus in 1995. He hit .231 and stole seven bases to end his career.

Rich Barnwell 1990 Fort Lauderdale Yankees card


1990 Minor League Tally 
Players/Coaches Featured:3,617
Made the Majors:1,248-34.5%
Never Made Majors:2,369-65.5%-X
5+ Seasons in the Majors:520
10+ Seasons in the Minors:307

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