Latham keeps eye on majors

Tuesday, Aug. 10, 1999 | 9:47 a.m.

The Minnesota Twins may have given up on Chris Latham, but the Basic High grad hasn't given up on himself.

Latham, who opened the season in the major leagues with the Twins, has flourished with the Salt Lake Buzz since being returned to triple-A on May 22.

Latham had his 15-game hitting streak snapped in the Buzz's 7-6 loss to the Las Vegas Stars Monday night at Cashman Field, but he is hitting .320 with 19 doubles and 10 home runs and has 14 stolen bases in 67 games.

But Latham no longer is interested in impressing the Twins. The 26-year-old outfielder acknowledged his future as a major-league player now rests with another organization.

"Cross me completely out of their plans," Latham said of the Twins. "I appreciate the Twins giving me my chance to make the major leagues, but it seemed like I was always the odd player out because I never really got an opportunity to showcase what I had.

"My (playing) time was very limited compared to others over there with the Minnesota Twins, so right now I'm just trying to play well for myself and my teammates and my coaching staff and shop somewhere else."

Latham spent the first two months of the season with the Twins, but received only 22 at-bats. He admitted he didn't make the most of his limited opportunity this season -- he struck out 13 times -- but said he never was given a chance to showcase his talents.

"I had 22 at-bats, and that was like being on the bench for 13 or 14 days then, 'Oh, here you go, start against David Cone -- good luck,' " he said. "I had no success at all with the kind of role play they gave me."

Nonetheless, Latham said he still believes he can help a major-league team if given the opportunity.

"Just because I'm not in the (major leagues) now doesn't mean I can't play there," he said. "I know I can play at that level, it's just going to take ... a manager up there who believes in me and lets me go out and play. The manager we have with the Minnesota Twins (Tom Kelly) ... I just wasn't the right one for him, I guess.

"I know I'm a good player and I know I can help some teams out in the major leagues with what I can bring to the table. I'm confident in myself and I'm just biding my time trying to have a successful year here this year and just trying to win."

* ARIAS REPORTS: San Diego Padres infielder George Arias cleared waivers and reported to the Stars Monday afternoon, although he was not in the lineup Monday night. Stars manager Mike Ramsey said he would give Arias "a couple of days" to get ready before inserting him into the lineup. Arias has not played in 10 days after being sent to Las Vegas by the Padres.

* IN THE GAME: Wayne Kirby scored from third base on a sacrifice fly by Gary Matthews in the bottom of the ninth to snap a 6-6 tie and lift the Stars to a 7-6 victory over the Buzz.

* UP NEXT: The Stars continue the series with a doubleheader tonight beginning at 6:05. The first game will be the completion of a game suspended in the bottom of the first inning on July 7 at Salt Lake, and will be nine innings. The second game will be seven innings. Buddy Carlyle (9-7) is scheduled to face Salt Lake's Shane Bowers (6-2) in the first game; Las Vegas' Shane Dennis (2-7) will face Kevin Ohme (2-2) in the nightcap.