HRS NOT ALL SLUGGER NEEDS.

Byline: CHRIS COCOLES The Minors

At USC, Eric Munson's home runs were just a part of his package. As a Trojans All-American, Munson hit for average as well as power.

The power remains. The Triple-A Toledo (Ohio) Mud Hens first baseman has 10 homers already, one year after combining for 27 homers at Double-A Erie (Pa.) and a short big-league appearance with the Detroit Tigers.

Munson, however, didn't earn a $6.75 million major-league contract as the third overall pick of the 1999 draft to be a home-run-or-nothing hitter. He's striking out and struggling for hits at an alarming rate.

Through Thursday, the 24-year-old was hitting just .213 and struck out 46 times in 136 at-bats.

Because of his contract structure, Munson could be lost to waivers next season if he doesn't make the Detroit roster.

``I think if I allowed myself to think about those types of things, and allowed myself to worry about those types of things, I probably wouldn't play as well and I probably wouldn't be focused on my job and what I have to do,'' Munson told the Toledo Blade.

Although Munson doesn't need to hit .300 to reach the majors, he certainly needs to do something about his 46-to-21 strikeout-to-walk ratio.

``That's something I'm trying to work on: patience at the plate ... and being more selective,'' he said. ``The first few weeks I think I was a little too anxious, trying to do a little too much. Now I'm just trying to not do everything myself.''

--Ryan's hope: Various injuries, including getting hit by pitches twice within a week, recently have nagged Ryan Hankins (Simi Valley High). But he continues to hit for the Double-A Birmingham (Ala.) Barons.

Hankins was hit by a pitch near his hip last Saturday, leaving him with a ugly bruise. That was just a couple of days after another errant pitch gave the first baseman a sore elbow. He's been limited to designated-hitter duties since.

His bat doesn't seem to mind. Hankins was hitting .264 with four homers and 26 RBI. His 18 extra-base hits tied for second with Huntsville's Steve Scarborough in the Southern League.

Hankins had seven RBI in a four-game series sweep of Carolina. It was a successful but painful stretch.

``It's sore, real sore,'' Hankins told the Birmingham News when asked about his hip bruise. ``But my elbow's even worse. The first night it got hit I couldn't even sleep.''

--Check swings: Montreal Expos outfield prospect Terrmel Sledge (Kennedy/CSUN) probably needs to increase his home run and RBI production to merit a serious look for an everyday big-league job. But the Double-A Harrisburg (Pa.) Senator is among the Eastern League leaders in average (.345), hits (48), on-base percentage (.435) and runs scored (35). He's stolen at least 30 bases the past two years and could develop into a leadoff hitter. ...

Former USC All-American shortstop Gabe Alvarez is trying to resurrect a once-promising career with the Milwaukee Brewers. Alvarez signed as a free agent and is hitting .202 with a homer and 12 RBI at Double-A Huntsville (Ala.). ...

UCLA product Rob Henkel is 5-2 with a 2.28 ERA for Single-A Jupiter of the Florida State League. ...

Just how eccentric can minor-league baseball's gimmicks be? Take the Double-A Altoona (Pa.) Curve's home game last week against the New Haven (Conn.) Ravens. The game was broadcast on the radio with Rob Egan calling play-by-play from the top of the Skyliner, a roller coaster at Lakemont amusement park located just beyond the right-field wall at the Curve's Blair County Ballpark.

BASEBALL WATCH

Statistics and standings through May 16

DODGERS

MINOR-LEAGUE REPORT

Former No. 1 pick Ben Diggins has started slowly, but the pitcher tossed a gem in his latest outing for Single-A Vero Beach (Fla.). He allowed just two hits and struck out five in seven shutout innings in an 8-1 victory at St. Lucie (Fla.) on Thursday. Diggins is 2-5 with a 4.22 ERA. ... First-place Double-A Jacksonville (Fla.) suffered back-to-back shutouts to Tennessee last week, but the Dodgers were pleased with the 1-0 defeat Tuesday because of the performance of pitcher Lance Caraccioli, who threw eight shutout innings with three hits allowed and nine strikeouts. ... Triple-A Las Vegas third baseman Phil Hiatt came off the disabled list Thursday after being out with an ankle injury, but the journeyman doesn't have a position to play since the Dodgers want prospects Chin-Feng Chen and Ricky Bell playing every day at first and third, respectively.

SPOTLIGHT

Steve Colyer, Jacksonville, p

He showed signs of becoming a competent starter last season but is having his best season as a Double-A Jacksonville reliever (2-1, 2.25 ERA, three saves). ...

ANGELS

MINOR-LEAGUE REPORT

An unlikely no-hitter was thrown by Double-A Arkansas pitcher Hatuey Mendoza on Monday when the Travelers won 3-0 at Tulsa (Okla.). Mendoza, a 24-year-old not considered much of a prospect, allowed only a hit batter and a walk in just his second start of the season. Mendoza, who had lasted four innings in his only other start on May 7, needed 91 pitches to get his no-no. ... Triple-A Salt Lake outfielder Robb Quinlan couldn't have been more impressive than he was in the Stingers' 19-2 victory over Edmonton (Alberta). Quinlan, 25, was 5 for 5 with two three-run homers, a double and two singles. His eight RBI were the most in a Pacific Coast League game since 2000. ... Single-A Rancho Cucamonga third baseman Carlos Duncan's 39 RBI lead the California League.

SPOTLIGHT

Brian Specht, Arkansas, ss

He earned a $600,000 signing bonus as a 1999 ninth-round pick, so the Angels have a lot invested in Specht, a switch-hitter who has good defensive skills and decent speed. He's hitting .237 with two homers and 15 RBIs.

CAPTION(S):

2 photos, box

Photo:

(1) Steve Colyer, Jacksonville, p

(2) Brian Specht, Arkansas, ss

Box: BASEBALL WATCH (see text)