MINOR-LEAGUE BASEBALL: BIG HIT IN SMALL PACKAGE : QUAKES' WILSON USES SPEED, SWING AND DEFENSE TO KEEP HIS DREAMS ALIVE.

Byline: Jim Inghram Staff Writer

Andy Wilson has always heard it. He should stick with school or soccer. He wasn't big enough for baseball. He would never make it.

Wilson heard it, but fortunately for him and his team the Single-A Rancho Cucamonga Quakes, he didn't listen.

``Everyone has always told him he is too small,'' said Wilson's brother Jack, who plays for the Single-A Peoria Cardinals. ``But he just works harder and harder to prove people wrong and be successful.''

Wilson is 5-foot-6, a bit under the norm for a professional baseball player, but is a solid, athletic 160 pounds. He has speed, a keen eye at the plate and sure hands.

Still he was passed over in the draft after using up his eligibility at Cal State Northridge. It would have been the perfect opportunity to quit and move on to life without baseball, but Wilson had plenty of baseball left in him. His desire burned brightly. So bright that he went to Lafayette, La., to play for the Bayou Bullfrogs in the independent Texas-Louisiana League.

``The independent leagues are a lot of guys past their prime, who are just playing baseball to be playing,'' Wilson said. ``I went there to try and get noticed.''

It was a make-or-break season for Wilson.

``I knew I had to put up good numbers,'' Wilson said. ``If I had decent or bad numbers, my chances of getting picked up would be slim.''

It was pressure-packed, knowing he could be playing for his baseball life, but Wilson performed superbly. In 80 games, he hit .345, scored 58 runs, had 43 RBI, 16 doubles, two triples. He stole an impressive 30 bases in 33 attempts. Those statistics along with a workout that Jack's agent set up with the San Diego Padres organization landed Wilson with Quakes.

``It was a really short workout,'' Wilson said. ``They had an idea from my numbers, but I guess they just wanted to make sure if my swing was all right. See my mechanics.''

The workout got Wilson into spring camp, but the Padres guaranteed nothing. Wilson was in another make-or-break situation. His baseball life was in jeopardy once again.

``Andy came to spring training and it was do-or-die for him,'' said Quakes manager Tom LeVasseur, ``but he played well and made an excellent impression. He won a spot outright.''

Wilson hit over .300 in the spring and has kept it up through the first half of the Single-A season in the California League. The Quakes, who won the Southern Division in the first half, have relied on Wilson to spark the offense from his leadoff position.

``Andy has been a very big part of this team's success in the first half,'' said LeVasseur. ``He still has plenty of room to improve, but so far we are pleased.''

Through Sunday's game, Wilson was hitting .305 with 36 runs, 10 doubles and 20 RBI. He is second on the team with 13 stolen bases and .401 on-base percentage.

He has been playing mainly in right field but has been in center and left as well as second base. Wilson said he can play shortstop, too.

``The quickest way to move up is to make yourself useful at several positions,'' Wilson said. ``Make yourself as valuable as possible.''

Playing several different positions, Wilson has made just four errors thus far. His defense has been terrific. His trademark, however, has been his ability to get on base. It's been a boon to the Quakes offense. An example of his efficiency occurred Saturday.

Wilson went 0 for 1 but scored three runs and drove in another.

``Andy goes about his business in a professional manner,'' LeVasseur said. ``He has worked hard to familiarize himself with the opponents. He does all the little things that add up to help a team win. He's reliable in the field, knows how to run the bases and doesn't help the pitcher when he is at the plate.''

High praise, but it's what Wilson has always done to set himself apart.

``You have to work harder than the next guy to be successful,'' Wilson said. ``Everyone here is good and knows how to play the game. If you aren't a No. 1 draft choice you have to be prepared to do more than any one else to reach your goals.''

WILSON FILE

Name: Andy Wilson

Team: Rancho Cucamonga Quakes

Position: Outfield and second base

Height/weight: 5-foot-6/160

Notable: A 1993 graduate of Thousand Oaks High. . . . Attended Oxnard College, Arkansas and CSUN. . . . Signed with the Padres as a free agent in the fall of 1998.

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BOX: WILSON FILE (See text)