STOTTS' INTENSITY WORKS FOR CSUN TEAMMATE: `WHEN YOU THINK OF J.T., YOU THINK OUTSTANDING PLAY.'.

Byline: Lee Barnathan Staff Writer

Ask some of the 16 Cal State Northridge baseball players living in one apartment complex about J.T. Stotts and they'll use words such as ``intense and focused.''

That's on or off the field. If Stotts, a former Hart High of Newhall standout and current CSUN junior shortstop and leadoff batter, is watching ``SportsCenter,'' good luck trying to gain his attention.

``We'll say, 'Juice' (his nickname) six times before he turns around and says, 'What?' '' teammate Jason Gorman said.

Others marvel at his on-the-field talents, like how he charged a ground ball Thursday against Washington State, one-handed it and threw out the runner as if it were a routine play. An inning later, another Northridge player tried to make the same play but failed.

``Anybody else, you hope he makes the play,'' pitcher Bobby Graves said. ``When you think of J.T., you think outstanding play.''

Stotts might consider himself a player from another era, when youngsters watched their heroes on grainy, black-and-white film. But he knows it's the work ethic that has put him where he is: captain of the Matadors and a likely June draft pick.

``Play hard and everything else will fall into place,'' he said. ``I have one position out of nine. I've got to play good 'D' and get on base, steal some bases, win some games.''

Stotts (real name: Jarrett) is the kind of player who would be happy with a 5-for-5 performance regardless of the game's outcome although he prefers a win. He also wouldn't stand too many 0-for-10 slumps during a team's win streak because he wouldn't be helping the team win.

So far, he's XXXXX for the 3-1 Matadors, who play today at Loyola Marymount.

But his teammates know he'll keep coming to the field, ready to give his all and make plays. such as the one pitcher Andy Davidson remembered Stotts making at Hart.

``My sophomore year at Hart, against I think Bishop Montgomery, ball hit to the hole, Stotts lays out horizontally, gets up and throws him out,'' Davidson said. ``He's 16 years old.''

CSUN assistant coach Bud Murray, who coached Stotts at Hart, said Stotts offensively has the speed and quickness to steal plenty of bases.

Now, Stotts has a chance to be drafted, but he isn't worried about it. Others like his chances.

``He'll probably be out of here after this year. I wouldn't be surprised.'' Murray said. ``I hope not. He's ready to go.''

Stotts' response: ``I can't worry about it. It is on my mind, but I can't let it hinder my play. If a scout comes out here, he'll see what I can do.''

STOTTS FILE

Name: J.T. Stotts

School: CSUN

Grade: Junior

Position: Shortstop

What's in a name: Real name is Jarrett. J.T. comes from the first and last letters of his name.

Draftability: Eligible for 2001 June amateur draft. Likely to be drafted, although not in first round.

Familiarity: Stotts has five other Hart High alumni playing with him: Andy Davidson, Bobby Graves, Eric Ballew, Ryan Haag and Marke Horvat, plus his high school coach, Bud Murray.

CAPTION(S):

photo, box

Photo:

(color) CSUN's junior shortstop J.T. Stotts, right, impresses fellow Matadors with his focus and defensive skills and is a likely pick in the June amateur draft.

John Kennedy/Special to the Daily News

Box: Stotts File (see text)