Thanks to a vigorous offseason training program, Cumberland's Rocco Baldelli has added 10-15 pounds to better withstand the rigors of a 162-game schedule.

10:16 AM EST on Wednesday, March 24, 2004

BY SEAN McADAM
Journal Sports Writer

AP photo Center fielder Rocco Baldelli of the Devil Rays fails to make a diving catch on a ball hit by the Red Sox' Kevin Millar in yesterday's game.

FORT MYERS, Fla. -- As a rookie, Rocco Baldelli enjoyed a season for the ages.

He led all major-league rookies in hits and led American League rookies in batting average, stolen bases, multi-hit games and triples while finishing second in runs and total bases.

He led all A.L. outfielders in assists and finished third in voting for American League Rookie of the Year.

What does he do for an encore?

A week from beginning his second season -- his Tampa Day Devil Rays fly to Japan tomorrow to start their season in Tokyo against the New York Yankees next week -- Cumberland's Baldelli understands there are certain expectations set for him. He must simultaneously top himself and avoid the dreaded sophomore jinx.

No longer the starry-eyed rookie, he feels more relaxed this spring.

"Having gone through everything once helps," he said before the Devil Rays dropped a 7-4 decision to the Red Sox here yesterday. "It's a lot easier. You know what to expect, what's going to happen. There's not as much stress as when you're out there trying to make the team for the first time."

Baldelli, who went 1-for-4 yesterday, avoids setting statistical goals for himself, but manager Lou Piniella isn't as reluctant.

"Rocco's a good player, and he had an excellent first year," Piniella said. "But he hasn't really done all that well in spring training. He hasn't hit for power at all (two extra-base hits, no homers). I don't know if he's waiting for Japan or not, but I'd like to see a glimpse of it here and there. I'd like to see him cut it loose a little bit, because we're going to need some power from him."

Unlike last year, where he hit second, third and cleanup, Baldelli will regularly be the Rays' No. 3 hitter this season, a spot where power and run production are part of the job description.

Thanks to a vigorous offseason training program at home in Rhode Island, Baldelli added some 10-15 pounds to his frame. But the muscle wasn't designed to turn him into a power hitter (he had 11 homers as a rookie); it was more to help him withstand the rigors of a 162-game schedule.

Like many first-year players, Baldelli felt fatigue in the final month or so. Stronger now, he hopes to avoid that second-half dropoff.

He figures to boost his power numbers as he learns more about the league and himself, and vows there won't be any major changes to his swing or approach at the plate.

"I probably shouldn't alter my plan at the plate," he said. "Whatever got me here, I think I should stay with it."

"I think he'll do it naturally," Piniella agreed. "It would be nice to get him in the 15-20 homer range. That would be a good, solid year."

Fortunately for Baldelli, Piniella has firsthand experience at making adjustments as a second-year player. He was the A.L. Rookie of the Year in 1969, he improved 19 points in his batting average in 1970 and knocked in 20 more runs.

"The second year, sometimes players feel like they have to make adjustments that they don't need to make," the manager said. "The sophomore jinx is either one of two things -- one, you just have a terrible year injury-wise. Or two, you have a weakness where you are vulnerable and the league finds out about it and exploits it."

Piniella doesn't see that obvious weakness in Baldelli's swing, though he would like him to cut down on his high strikeout total (128) from a year ago. That, too, should come as Baldelli learns to be more selective.

Baldelli underwent lasik surgery to improve his vision, as he found last season that contact lenses often gave him trouble tracking fly balls in indoor ballparks such as the Devil Rays' Tropicana Field.

As Baldelli seeks improvement, so, too, do the Devil Rays, mired in the basement of the A.L. East for every one of their six seasons in existence.

The Devil Rays have added Jose Cruz Jr. to their outfield mix, brought in Tino Martinez at first base, and restocked their bullpen with more capable veteran arms.

But progress will be difficult to measure, since the rest of the division features four improved teams. If the Devil Rays can find a way to win more close games -- they played 51 one-run games last year, the most in baseball, and lost 28 of them -- they could creep close to contention.

"I think we're learning how to come together and play as a team," Baldelli said. "But I know we're going to be improved."