Asheville Tourists starter Brian Griffiths had a rough start to 1989. But he gained but he started to gain his footing in one May start and really showed it in the next, The Asheville Citizen-Times wrote.
He did so by throwing a three-hitter in a 4-1 win, The Citizen-Times wrote.
"His last start he began picking up his confidence," Asheville manager Jim Coveney told The Citizen-Times of Griffiths. "And tonight he was really confident, having fun out there. He was smiling between innings, having a good time."
Griffiths ultimately took that confidence on to four more pro seasons, for six campaigns in all. He topped out at AA.
Griffiths' career began in 1988, taken by the Astros in the ninth round of the draft out of Mount Hood Community College in Oregon.
Griffiths started with the Astros in the rookie Gulf Coast League. He went 2-6, with a 2.95 ERA over 14 outings, seven starts.
He moved to Asheville for 1989. He ended the year with a 6.14 ERA and a 6-9 record over 22 starts.
He made high-A Osceola for 1990, then returned there for 1991. He went 4-3 in 1991, with a 1.92 ERA in 18 outings, eight starts.
That August in 1991, The Orlando Sentinel noted he'd worked on his control and it was showing.
"Brian always has known he could throw hard and, for a while, thought that was all he had to do to win," Osceola pitching coach Jack Billingham told The Sentinel. "... We finally convinced Brian there's a plate he has to throw over."
Griffiths made AA Jackson for 1992. He saw 17 starts and went 3-9, with a 3.80 ERA. That April, The Jackson Clarion-Ledger noted after a win Griffiths sprinting to the mound and then off it when he was through.
"I get kind of excited when it's my turn to throw," Griffiths told The Clarion-Ledger. "I want to get out there and get going. When I leave, I go in (the locker room). I can't control what happens anymore, so there's no need for me to hang around and worry about it."
Griffiths was then traded to the new Marlins and moved to the Giants in another trade. He played the 1993 season at AA Shreveport. He saw 23 starts there and went 5-11, with a 4.85 ERA to end his career.
- Asheville Citizen-Times, May 17, 1989: Griffiths Goes From Also-Ran To Ace In Tourists' Win
- Orlando Sentinel, Aug. 11, 1991: Astros' Griffiths takes control
- Jackson Clarion-Ledger, April 21, 1992: Gens' Griffiths dodges commotion, carts away victory
Made the Majors:1,396-32.3%
Never Made Majors:2,926-67.7%-X
10+ Seasons in the Minors:351
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