As spring training approaches, it looks like most teams have wrapped up their signing of minor league free agents. Baseball America has a great database tool this year to help keep up with where players have signed. Here are players who used to be G-Stros and where they have signed for 2012.
Jimmy Barthmaier - Nationals (re-signed)
Koby Clemens - Blue Jays
Victor Garate - Brewers
Juan Gutierrez - Royals
Jordan Parraz - Braves
Wlad Sutil - Diamondbacks
J.R. Towles - Twins
Still unsigned free agents:
Douglas Arguello
Sammy Gervacio
Brad James
Jhonny Medrano
Neil Sellers
Polin Trinidad
Of those left unsigned, Gervacio is the most surprising. He pitched in 11 games (6 2/3 IP) in the Dominican Winter League. His ERA was 6.43 in a very small sample size. He gave up eight of his 10 hits and all five runs in three outings (3 1/3 IP). He had no strike outs in those outings. In the other eight (3 1/3 IP), he gave up only two hits and struck out seven. I wouldn't be surprised if he shows up in camp somewhere.
Showing posts with label Sellers. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Sellers. Show all posts
Monday, February 13, 2012
Monday, November 7, 2011
Former Appy Astros Who Are Now Minor League Free Agents
Baseball America released their list of the minor league free agents on Friday. There are a great number of former G-Stros who are on the list. Here are the ones whose careers are at a crossroads. Included are the year(s) they played in Greeneville and the organization they played in last season.
Sammy Gervacio (05 - Houston)
Brad James (05,06 - Houston)
JR Towles (04 - Houston)
Koby Clemens (05 - Houston)
Jhonny Medrano (10 - Houston)
Wlad Sutil (04 - Houston)
Victor Garate (05- Florida)
Neil Sellers (04 - Florida)
Jordan Parraz (04 - NY Yankees)
Polin Trinidad (05,06 - Texas)
Jimmy Barthmaier (04 - Washington)
Most of the ones on the list have had their shots at the AA level or higher. However Medrano has only been as high as Lexington (Low A). He was on the initial roster for the 2008 G-Stros and was bringing a fair amount of buzz with him. He blew his knee out at the first practice of the season in Greeneville. He missed all of 2008 and never fully regained his prospect status.
Some of these players will sign with an affiliated team to fill out the upper levels rosters. Some will choose to play in a foreign country. Some will play indy ball. Some of these players will hang their spikes up and walk away silently into the night. We will try to keep you informed on what happens to these players.
Sammy Gervacio (05 - Houston)
Brad James (05,06 - Houston)
JR Towles (04 - Houston)
Koby Clemens (05 - Houston)
Jhonny Medrano (10 - Houston)
Wlad Sutil (04 - Houston)
Victor Garate (05- Florida)
Neil Sellers (04 - Florida)
Jordan Parraz (04 - NY Yankees)
Polin Trinidad (05,06 - Texas)
Jimmy Barthmaier (04 - Washington)
Most of the ones on the list have had their shots at the AA level or higher. However Medrano has only been as high as Lexington (Low A). He was on the initial roster for the 2008 G-Stros and was bringing a fair amount of buzz with him. He blew his knee out at the first practice of the season in Greeneville. He missed all of 2008 and never fully regained his prospect status.
Some of these players will sign with an affiliated team to fill out the upper levels rosters. Some will choose to play in a foreign country. Some will play indy ball. Some of these players will hang their spikes up and walk away silently into the night. We will try to keep you informed on what happens to these players.
Friday, October 14, 2011
Towles & Sutil Becoming Free Agents Removes All 2004 G-Stros from Houston Org
J. R. Towles, one of the most popular players to ever wear the GreenEville Astros uniform was removed from the Houston Astros 40 man roster yesterday. He will become a free agent as soon as the World Series ends. Towles could resign with the Astros as a non roster invitee to spring training but I would expect he would test other teams interest before that occurs.
That transaction means that, along with Wlad Sutil's pending minor league free agency, that no members for the 2004 GreenEville Astros remain in the Astros organization.
Here are the 2004 players who remained in affiliated ball this year:
Jordan Parraz - AAA for the NY Yankees - hit .289 with an OPS of .802.Left Astros organization via trade with the Royals for Tyler Lumsden.
Neil Sellers - AA for the Marlins - hit .176 in just 59 games for New Orleans. At age 29, his dream of making the big leagues might be about out. Left the Astros in the 2007 Rule 5 draft.
Wlad Sutil - AA/AAA for Houston - hit combined .269 for the year. His .284 average and solid glove in AA earned him a promotion to AAA where he hit just .222. Doubled his career HR total with two round trippers this year. Will be a free agent after the World Series.
J. R. Towles - AAA/MLB for Houston - hit .276 in 35 games in the minors, but just hit .184 in 54 games in the majors. Will be a free agent after the World Series.
Douglas Arguello - AAA for Houston and Texas - Arguello was released by Houston after amassing a 3.67 ERA in 31 games. Texas picked him up for two appearances in September.
Jimmy Barthmaier - AA for the Pirates - was 5-3 with a 5.05 ERA in 39 games. Had 69 strikeouts in 67 2/3 IP. Marked the first time he had more K's than IP in his pro career. Was signed by the Pirates after Houston released him following the 2007 season.
Juan Gutierrez - MLB for D-Backs - Missed most of the season with shoulder trouble. He was released yesterday by the D-Backs. He left the Houston organization as a part of the Valverde trade in 2007.
Troy Patton - AAA/MLB for Baltimore - bounced back and forth between AAA & the Baltimore pen. He had a 1.83 ERA in Norfolk and a 3.00 ERA in Baltimore. He was a part of the Miguel Tejada trade after the 2007 season.
Felipe Paulino - MLB for Colorado & Kansas City - He has a rough start to 2011 in Colorado. He was 0-4 with a 7.36 ERA in his first 18 games. After a trade to Kansas City, he had a solid showing. For the Royals, he was 4-6 with a respectable 4.11 ERA. He was traded to Colorado prior to the 2011 season for Clint Barmes.
So nine players from the 2004 G-Stros were still playing affiliated baseball this year. Looking at the reason for leaving, most were a part of a trade to help the big club. This serves as a reminder that prospects can help the club in more ways than in making it to the big club.
That transaction means that, along with Wlad Sutil's pending minor league free agency, that no members for the 2004 GreenEville Astros remain in the Astros organization.
Here are the 2004 players who remained in affiliated ball this year:
Jordan Parraz - AAA for the NY Yankees - hit .289 with an OPS of .802.Left Astros organization via trade with the Royals for Tyler Lumsden.
Neil Sellers - AA for the Marlins - hit .176 in just 59 games for New Orleans. At age 29, his dream of making the big leagues might be about out. Left the Astros in the 2007 Rule 5 draft.
Wlad Sutil - AA/AAA for Houston - hit combined .269 for the year. His .284 average and solid glove in AA earned him a promotion to AAA where he hit just .222. Doubled his career HR total with two round trippers this year. Will be a free agent after the World Series.
J. R. Towles - AAA/MLB for Houston - hit .276 in 35 games in the minors, but just hit .184 in 54 games in the majors. Will be a free agent after the World Series.
Douglas Arguello - AAA for Houston and Texas - Arguello was released by Houston after amassing a 3.67 ERA in 31 games. Texas picked him up for two appearances in September.
Jimmy Barthmaier - AA for the Pirates - was 5-3 with a 5.05 ERA in 39 games. Had 69 strikeouts in 67 2/3 IP. Marked the first time he had more K's than IP in his pro career. Was signed by the Pirates after Houston released him following the 2007 season.
Juan Gutierrez - MLB for D-Backs - Missed most of the season with shoulder trouble. He was released yesterday by the D-Backs. He left the Houston organization as a part of the Valverde trade in 2007.
Troy Patton - AAA/MLB for Baltimore - bounced back and forth between AAA & the Baltimore pen. He had a 1.83 ERA in Norfolk and a 3.00 ERA in Baltimore. He was a part of the Miguel Tejada trade after the 2007 season.
Felipe Paulino - MLB for Colorado & Kansas City - He has a rough start to 2011 in Colorado. He was 0-4 with a 7.36 ERA in his first 18 games. After a trade to Kansas City, he had a solid showing. For the Royals, he was 4-6 with a respectable 4.11 ERA. He was traded to Colorado prior to the 2011 season for Clint Barmes.
So nine players from the 2004 G-Stros were still playing affiliated baseball this year. Looking at the reason for leaving, most were a part of a trade to help the big club. This serves as a reminder that prospects can help the club in more ways than in making it to the big club.
Tuesday, August 23, 2011
Arguello Released
Releases are hard to read about. When you start following the start of a players career, as we are lucky to do in Greeneville, you expect that you will be reading about the end of those careers. Sometimes, you expect it to come quickly; other times you hope it will be years from their time with the G-Stros.
Today, I learned via Astros County that Douglas Arguello had been released. Arguello was a member of the 2004 Appy League Champ G-Stros. That year, he was 19 and was used exclusively out of the bullpen. Though it was the first year those of us in Greeneville had seen him pitch, it was his second year in the Appy League. He had pitched out of the Martinsville bullpen the year before. He dropped his ERA from 5.26 down t0 2.92 that season and then went on to be stretched out into a starter as he moved up the ladder.
Control has always been an issue for Arguello. This season, he was in AAA Oklahoma City. He started off the year in the rotation but struggled. They moved him to the pen and in the second half of the year, he was showing some promise. In July, after coming off the DL, he had a respectably solid 2.73 ERA in 12 outings. He was getting a good number of ground balls, and his 9 walks in 12 1/3 IP weren't hurting him. In August, he had 9 outings. In 5 of those, he didn't allow a single earned run. In the other 4, his line read this way: 1 2/3 IP, 6 H, 7 earned runs, 4 BB, 4 K. Three of those four outings ended with Arguello not getting anyone out.
But hey, he is left handed. He will likely go to winter ball and if he is successful there, maybe get a minor league invite to spring training from another organization. He will turn 27 in November. Best of luck to the Nicaragua native.
Here are who is left out of the 2004 G-Stros in affiliated ball as the 2011 season wraps up.
Juan Gutierrez - D'backs (MLB 60 day DL)
Felipe Paulino - Royals (MLB)
Troy Patton - Orioles (MLB)
J. R. Towles - Astros (AAA)
Jordan Parraz - Yankees (AAA)
Wlad Sutil - Astros (AA)
Brad James - Astros (AA)
Jimmy Barthmaier - Nationals (AA)
Neil Sellers - Phillies (AA)
That is 9 out of the 36 players who saw playing time in 2004 for the G-Stros. Having 25% of the players off a team being active in affiliated ball 7 years later isn't too bad. Five of the nine have seen MLB action (Towles & Barthmaier in addition to the 3 who are currently on MLB rosters).
Today, I learned via Astros County that Douglas Arguello had been released. Arguello was a member of the 2004 Appy League Champ G-Stros. That year, he was 19 and was used exclusively out of the bullpen. Though it was the first year those of us in Greeneville had seen him pitch, it was his second year in the Appy League. He had pitched out of the Martinsville bullpen the year before. He dropped his ERA from 5.26 down t0 2.92 that season and then went on to be stretched out into a starter as he moved up the ladder.
Control has always been an issue for Arguello. This season, he was in AAA Oklahoma City. He started off the year in the rotation but struggled. They moved him to the pen and in the second half of the year, he was showing some promise. In July, after coming off the DL, he had a respectably solid 2.73 ERA in 12 outings. He was getting a good number of ground balls, and his 9 walks in 12 1/3 IP weren't hurting him. In August, he had 9 outings. In 5 of those, he didn't allow a single earned run. In the other 4, his line read this way: 1 2/3 IP, 6 H, 7 earned runs, 4 BB, 4 K. Three of those four outings ended with Arguello not getting anyone out.
But hey, he is left handed. He will likely go to winter ball and if he is successful there, maybe get a minor league invite to spring training from another organization. He will turn 27 in November. Best of luck to the Nicaragua native.
Here are who is left out of the 2004 G-Stros in affiliated ball as the 2011 season wraps up.
Juan Gutierrez - D'backs (MLB 60 day DL)
Felipe Paulino - Royals (MLB)
Troy Patton - Orioles (MLB)
J. R. Towles - Astros (AAA)
Jordan Parraz - Yankees (AAA)
Wlad Sutil - Astros (AA)
Brad James - Astros (AA)
Jimmy Barthmaier - Nationals (AA)
Neil Sellers - Phillies (AA)
That is 9 out of the 36 players who saw playing time in 2004 for the G-Stros. Having 25% of the players off a team being active in affiliated ball 7 years later isn't too bad. Five of the nine have seen MLB action (Towles & Barthmaier in addition to the 3 who are currently on MLB rosters).
Friday, April 8, 2011
Outside the System - Farm & Bigs
Yesterday was the opening day of the Minor League Season. It was the second opening day of the baseball season. The third opening day, short season opening day, is the one I am anxiously awaiting now.
For yesterday's action, Subber10 over at The Crawfish Boxes and some citizen of Astros County have done fine recaps so no sense in repeating their hard work. So let's check on those former Greeneville Astros who are no longer in the Houston farm system. I will list who is where and any reports on their opening day results.
Jimmy Barthmaier is in AA Harrisburg of the Nationals organization.
Albert Cartwright is in AA Reading of the Phillies organization.
Jieller Castillo is at Low A Burlington in the A's Organization.
Victor Garate is in AAA New Orleans of the Marlins organization.
Ralphie Henriquez is in A-Advanced High Desert of the Mariners organization. He played in Thursday's game against Lancaster and went 1 for 4 with 2 of the Maverick's strike outs. Opening day was Ralphie's 24th birthday. (His MILB page now list him as Ralph but he will always be Ralphie to me.)
Santo Luis is in AA Portland of the Red Sox organization.
Jordan Parraz is in AAA Scranton/Wilkes-Barre of the Yankees organization. He went 2 for 3 on opening night with a triple, a run scored and a RBI.
Troy Patton is in AAA Norfolk with the Orioles organization.
Neil Sellers is in AA Jacksonville of the Marlins organization.
Major League Update:
Let's also check on the former G-Stros who play for other MLB teams besides Houston.
Juan Gutierrez - has made 3 appearances for the D-Backs in relief this year so far. He has yet to surrender an earned run, though he has given up 2 unearned runs. He has fanned 5 in 2 2/3 IP.
Felipe Paulino has made 2 appearances for the Rockies out of the pen so far. He has yet to surrender a run in those appearances which span 2 innings of work.
There have been a few transactions involving former G-Stros over the last few weeks. The following players were released out of spring training this year.
Robert Bono released by the Marlins.
Beau Torbert released by the Braves.
Polin Trinidad released by the Cubs.
For yesterday's action, Subber10 over at The Crawfish Boxes and some citizen of Astros County have done fine recaps so no sense in repeating their hard work. So let's check on those former Greeneville Astros who are no longer in the Houston farm system. I will list who is where and any reports on their opening day results.
Jimmy Barthmaier is in AA Harrisburg of the Nationals organization.
Albert Cartwright is in AA Reading of the Phillies organization.
Jieller Castillo is at Low A Burlington in the A's Organization.
Victor Garate is in AAA New Orleans of the Marlins organization.
Ralphie Henriquez is in A-Advanced High Desert of the Mariners organization. He played in Thursday's game against Lancaster and went 1 for 4 with 2 of the Maverick's strike outs. Opening day was Ralphie's 24th birthday. (His MILB page now list him as Ralph but he will always be Ralphie to me.)
Santo Luis is in AA Portland of the Red Sox organization.
Jordan Parraz is in AAA Scranton/Wilkes-Barre of the Yankees organization. He went 2 for 3 on opening night with a triple, a run scored and a RBI.
Troy Patton is in AAA Norfolk with the Orioles organization.
Neil Sellers is in AA Jacksonville of the Marlins organization.
Major League Update:
Let's also check on the former G-Stros who play for other MLB teams besides Houston.
Juan Gutierrez - has made 3 appearances for the D-Backs in relief this year so far. He has yet to surrender an earned run, though he has given up 2 unearned runs. He has fanned 5 in 2 2/3 IP.
Felipe Paulino has made 2 appearances for the Rockies out of the pen so far. He has yet to surrender a run in those appearances which span 2 innings of work.
There have been a few transactions involving former G-Stros over the last few weeks. The following players were released out of spring training this year.
Robert Bono released by the Marlins.
Beau Torbert released by the Braves.
Polin Trinidad released by the Cubs.
Friday, March 4, 2011
What To Watch For In 2011 - Former G-Stros Third Basemen
Lets finish our trip around the infield with a look at what we are watching for out of former G-Stro third basemen in 2011. The theme for this position appears to be 'getting old fast'. Remember we covered Koby Clemens in our series when I discussed first basemen. In parenthisis are the year(s) they played in Greeneville and their age on opening day this year.
Third Basemen
Neil Sellers (2004, 28) - After playing 3 seasons in the Phillies organization, he signed as a minor league free agent with the Marlins this season where he will likely be a AAA teammate of former G-Stro Victor Garate who also signed with Florida this off season. Can he improve on his poor AAA performance last season? Will the thinner ranks of the Marlins organization give him a shot at getting a cup of coffee in the bigs?
Jhon Florentino (2005, 27) - After progressing a step each year since 2005, he repeated at AA for 2010. His numbers didn't reflect any improvement in his second season there. He was a minor league free agent at the end of the season and I haven't seen him sign with anyone yet. So the only question is will he be in spring training at all?
Jonathan Meyer (2009, 20) - Will he repeat in Lex or get pushed on to Lancaster? Can he reduce the numbers of errors? Can he continue to improve at the plate?
Ebert Rosario (2007,08, 23) - He was sent back to the GCL last season and converted to a pitcher. So he will be in one of the short season teams working on learning to pitch. Let's hope he has as much success at that as Jorge DeLeon had last year.
Rafael Valezuala (2010, 23) - I am wondering if he will start in short season or jump to Lexington.
Johnny Medrano (2010, 23) - What is the status of his injured arm? If healthy will he get a shot at Lexington?
Hector Rodriguez (2010, 20) - Will he be back in Greeneville because of the glut of 3rd older 3rd basemen in the system? Will he be used more as a utility player or will he stay at 3rd?
Third Basemen
Neil Sellers (2004, 28) - After playing 3 seasons in the Phillies organization, he signed as a minor league free agent with the Marlins this season where he will likely be a AAA teammate of former G-Stro Victor Garate who also signed with Florida this off season. Can he improve on his poor AAA performance last season? Will the thinner ranks of the Marlins organization give him a shot at getting a cup of coffee in the bigs?
Jhon Florentino (2005, 27) - After progressing a step each year since 2005, he repeated at AA for 2010. His numbers didn't reflect any improvement in his second season there. He was a minor league free agent at the end of the season and I haven't seen him sign with anyone yet. So the only question is will he be in spring training at all?
Jonathan Meyer (2009, 20) - Will he repeat in Lex or get pushed on to Lancaster? Can he reduce the numbers of errors? Can he continue to improve at the plate?
Ebert Rosario (2007,08, 23) - He was sent back to the GCL last season and converted to a pitcher. So he will be in one of the short season teams working on learning to pitch. Let's hope he has as much success at that as Jorge DeLeon had last year.
Rafael Valezuala (2010, 23) - I am wondering if he will start in short season or jump to Lexington.
Johnny Medrano (2010, 23) - What is the status of his injured arm? If healthy will he get a shot at Lexington?
Hector Rodriguez (2010, 20) - Will he be back in Greeneville because of the glut of 3rd older 3rd basemen in the system? Will he be used more as a utility player or will he stay at 3rd?
Thursday, December 9, 2010
Jeiller An A
Today was the Rule 5 draft at the Winter Meetings. The Rule 5 draft is a way for MLB to try to make sure no organization is stockpiling young talent down on the farm just to keep them from other teams. Each team gets to protect 40 players on their major league roster. Those can't be taken in the Major League portion of the Rule 5 draft. If you take a player (the Astros took two today) you have the option of keeping them on your 25 man active roster all year and paying $50,000 to the team you drafted them from, or if you don't want to keep them at the major league level, you can work out a trade for them. If you decide you don't want to keep the player, you just ship them back to the team they came from. You get some of your money back but not all.
In the minor league portion, the players are protected by being on the AAA or AA reserved list. The options are the same but the money is less and you don't have to keep the player in the same level they were drafted in.
Today, Jeiler Castillo was taken in the AAA portion of the Rule 5 draft by the A's. I was surprised by this selection. Castillo first appeared in Greeneville in 2008. That year, he had more walks (21) than Ks (18) in 20 2/3 IP. He returned in 2009 and showed improved control. However, the ball left the yard more frequently. In 2010, he started the season with Tri Cities of the NY Penn League and was sent down to Greeneville after appearing in just 3 games. He was told he was coming down to anchor the bullpen for a team the Astros thought had a chance to win the league. He had his best year yet but was visibly discouraged at the end of the year. Three seasons in the Appy League normally doesn't bode well for your career.
I am hoping that this opportunity will be good for Jeiler. He is having a good winter in Venezuela. He is pitching in the Liga Paralela (LVBP minors) for Caracas. He is 5-0 with a 2.15 ERA in 29 1/3 IP (7 appearances/3 starts).
Jeiler is not the first former G-Stro to leave the organization via the Rule 5 draft. Neil Sellers, Santo Luis & Victor Garate were all selected in the minor league portion of Rule 5 drafts.
In the minor league portion, the players are protected by being on the AAA or AA reserved list. The options are the same but the money is less and you don't have to keep the player in the same level they were drafted in.
Today, Jeiler Castillo was taken in the AAA portion of the Rule 5 draft by the A's. I was surprised by this selection. Castillo first appeared in Greeneville in 2008. That year, he had more walks (21) than Ks (18) in 20 2/3 IP. He returned in 2009 and showed improved control. However, the ball left the yard more frequently. In 2010, he started the season with Tri Cities of the NY Penn League and was sent down to Greeneville after appearing in just 3 games. He was told he was coming down to anchor the bullpen for a team the Astros thought had a chance to win the league. He had his best year yet but was visibly discouraged at the end of the year. Three seasons in the Appy League normally doesn't bode well for your career.
I am hoping that this opportunity will be good for Jeiler. He is having a good winter in Venezuela. He is pitching in the Liga Paralela (LVBP minors) for Caracas. He is 5-0 with a 2.15 ERA in 29 1/3 IP (7 appearances/3 starts).
Jeiler is not the first former G-Stro to leave the organization via the Rule 5 draft. Neil Sellers, Santo Luis & Victor Garate were all selected in the minor league portion of Rule 5 drafts.
Thursday, November 11, 2010
Signings, Free Agents, Another Beau Story & Milt Thompson Coming to G'ville?
Baseball America just released their list of the Minor League Free Agents. Here are the former Greeneville Astros on the list.
Houston Astros: Polin Trinidad (05-06), Jhon Florintino (05)
Baltimore Orioles: Jose Duran (07)
Philadelphia Phillies: Neil Sellers (04)
Washington Nationals: Jimmy Barthmaier (04), Victor Garate (05)
These players are free to sign with any other team. We have already heard some news that Garate has already been to a try out in Japan.
In other transactions released by Baseball America, the following former G-Stros were signed or re-signed by teams:
Atlanta Braves: Beau Torbert (04) (signed)
Houston Astros: Douglas Arguello(04)(re-signed)
Seattle Mariners: Raphie Henriquez (05-06)(re-signed)
Torbert's signing with the Braves got him some press in the big city Atlanta paper. Dave O'Brien's story has much of the same material others have had with the exception of this quote from the Braves' GM.
Milt Thompson who patrolled the outfield in Kingsport back in 1979 will return to the Appy this season as the Minor League Outfield/Base Running Coordinator for the Astros.
Houston Astros: Polin Trinidad (05-06), Jhon Florintino (05)
Baltimore Orioles: Jose Duran (07)
Philadelphia Phillies: Neil Sellers (04)
Washington Nationals: Jimmy Barthmaier (04), Victor Garate (05)
These players are free to sign with any other team. We have already heard some news that Garate has already been to a try out in Japan.
In other transactions released by Baseball America, the following former G-Stros were signed or re-signed by teams:
Atlanta Braves: Beau Torbert (04) (signed)
Houston Astros: Douglas Arguello(04)(re-signed)
Seattle Mariners: Raphie Henriquez (05-06)(re-signed)
Torbert's signing with the Braves got him some press in the big city Atlanta paper. Dave O'Brien's story has much of the same material others have had with the exception of this quote from the Braves' GM.
“He’s put up good numbers in the independent leagues,” Braves general manager Frank Wren said. “The numbers have improved each of the past three years. When you look at those kind of players that continue to improve and put up numbers, I think it’s worth taking a look.”
Milt Thompson who patrolled the outfield in Kingsport back in 1979 will return to the Appy this season as the Minor League Outfield/Base Running Coordinator for the Astros.
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