BASEBALL: PITCHING PROSPECTS START SEASON STRONG.

Byline: Gideon Rubin Special to the Daily News

LAKE ELSINORE - Matt Chico and A.J. Shappi are Arizona Diamondbacks pitching prospects advanced in their developments.

The 22-year-old Chico, who is ranked 16th among Arizona's organizational prospects by Baseball America, is in his fourth year of pro ball that included a successful stint last season with the JetHawks, in which he went 7-2 with a 3.76 ERA.

Shappi, a 23-year-old right-handed control specialist ranked 17th among Arizona's top prospects by BA, is in his third year of pro ball. It included a brief stint with the JetHawks in 2004 and half a season in Lancaster last year.

Although both might be considered Double-A caliber pitchers, they seem to have taken their assignment to Lancaster, the Diamondbacks' Single-A California League affiliate, in stride.

Chico started and pitched effectively but was not involved in the decision in Thursday's 3-2 Opening Day victory over Lake Elsinore. He struck out seven batters and allowed three walks in five innings of no-hit ball.

Shappi excelled in his start the next day, striking out eight batters and allowing one run on six hits and one walk. He wasn't involved in the decision in a 3-1 loss to the Storm.

Both pitchers' ability to put aside whatever feelings they had about returning to Lancaster is a tribute to their maturity and professionalism, JetHawks manager Brett Butler said.

"It shows me that they're both men of tremendous character," Butler said. "They both have an understanding of the fact that `I can pitch, but no matter where I'm at, I've still got to go out there and do my job.'

"They're not going to pout and moan because they're not pitching at a level they think they should be."

That Chico and Shappi are starting the season at Lancaster is a tribute to the depth of a Diamondbacks farm system ranked No. 1 by Baseball America and loaded with high-level prospects.

Butler said both pitchers understand the purpose of the assignment is to make sure they get in enough work, something that would not be guaranteed if they started the season at a higher level.

"That's one thing about this game: It'll chew you up and spit you out if you're not mentally tough, and that's a fact," Butler said. "If guys come in here and they're going to pout because they think they should be at a higher level, then we're going to get them out of here and find someone else."

Butler expresses empathy for their plight, noting that early in his professional career, he was not pleased to learn he'd been assigned to low-A when he expected to start a season in Double-A in the Atlanta Braves system.

"It doesn't mean that they're not going be at a higher level in a certain amount of time," Butler said. "I was in the big leagues within a year after I was in A-ball."

--Cancer awareness: Butler, who survived a bout with throat cancer late in his playing career and is now in remission after being diagnosed with prostate cancer three years ago, is actively participating in the 2006 Oral, Head and Neck Cancer Awareness Week (April 17-23), which is co-sponsored by the Yul Brynner Head and Neck Cancer Foundation and MLB.com.

The week features free screenings across the nation on April 21.

"I'm living proof that early diagnosis and treatment can improve your chances of surviving oral, head and neck cancer," Butler said in a prepared statement.

Southern California screenings will be held at UC Irvine Medical Center in Orange.

For more information about the event call the Yul Brynner Foundation at [phone], or log onto www.headandneck.org.

[e-mail]

[phone]

CAPTION(S):

2 photos

Photo:

(1 -- color) SHAPPI

(2 -- color) CHICO