DODGERS NOTEBOOK: HELTON'S ADVICE: TIME TO TURN PRO.

Byline: Tony Jackson  Staff Writer

DENVER - Colorado first baseman Todd Helton, a former University of Tennessee baseball and football star, offered some advice Saturday for Luke Hochevar, the Dodgers' top draft pick who was the top pitcher last season for the Volunteers.

``He has proven all he needs to prove at the collegiate level,'' said Helton, a five-time All-Star. ``I have seen him pitch, and he's a heck of a pitcher. I think he could be in the big leagues by next year. He is too talented a kid not to get out there and play professionally.''

In other words, Hochevar needs to sign with the Dodgers. And soon.

``As long as the Dodgers are being honest and truthful and all that stuff,'' Helton said. ``But I should say I have no idea what has been going on there.''

What has been going on is that the Dodgers have offered Hochevar a $2.3 million bonus, which is far short of the $4 million he is seeking. Hochevar opted not to attend fall-semester classes by Friday's drop/add deadline, keeping the Dodgers' negotiating rights with him alive and providing a clear indication he would rather sign than return to school for his senior year.

Helton met Hochevar a couple of offseasons ago during a trip to Knoxville to watch his old team. The two quickly became friends, to the point they now speak about once a month, Helton said.

``We enjoyed a lot of the same off-the-field activities, like fishing and hunting,'' Helton said. ``We have broken bread together. I'm really impressed with his poise and his character. He's a high-character guy, the kind of guy you want your kids to grow up and be like.''

--Complete turnaround: Dodgers minor-league pitching coordinator Rick Honeycutt, who will be with the big club the next two weeks, spoke glowingly Saturday about promising right-hander Edwin Jackson, who seemed to find himself after being demoted June 15 from Triple-A Las Vegas to Double-A Jacksonville (Fla.).

Today, Jackson will make his third start since he was recalled Aug. 22 by the Dodgers.

``I think more than anything, his confidence level kept improving with each outing,'' Honeycutt said. ``Early on, it was kind of sporadic and came in flashes. But it seemed like his last five, six, seven outings, things started getting close to what we had seen of him earlier.''

Jackson went 3-7 with an 8.62 ERA with Las Vegas, which plays in a notorious hitter's park. At Jacksonville, backed by arguably the most talented team in minor-league baseball, Jackson went 6-4 with a 3.48 in 11 starts.

``I remember seeing one game he pitched in Las Vegas in May, where the wind was blowing out and gusting to about 30 mph,'' Honeycutt said. ``Anything that was up in the air was either off the wall or a home run. When that happens, a pitcher might start trying to trick people instead of staying with his strengths as a pitcher.''

--Pep talk: Dodgers Hall of Fame manager Tommy Lasorda, who is on the club's current trip, gave a pregame motivational speech to the Colorado State University football squad before its game Saturday against Colorado. Alas, the Rams lost 31-28 on a last-second field goal.

Lasorda has a friendship with CSU coach Sonny Lubick.