JAY PARIS COMMENTARY: Headley chasing grand expectations

By JAY PARIS - Staff Writer | Sunday, June 22, 2008 5:43 PM PDT ∞

SAN DIEGO ---- The hype surrounding Chase Headley's arrival is such that there is little mystery about the talented switch hitter.

Until now.

Since Headley's recent exit from Triple-A Portland, the Beavers are rolling.

"They don't need me," Headley said before Saturday's game against the Tigers. "I was the cancer."

Headley's line comes with a grin. The Padres hope it's a smile they see for years to come.

Boy Wonder has arrived, and to the surprise of some, he doesn't wear a cape with a big "S" on his jersey. Whether that stood for Superman or Savior is up for debate.

But there's little argument that the 23-year-old Headley ---- the organization's most cherished prospect ---- is ready for his close-up.

"He can just be a ballplayer now and there is less pressure on him," general manager Kevin Towers said. "He can blend in instead of being the focus."

When the Padres started slow, the clamoring for Headley accelerated. The Padres resisted, letting their filet mignon marinate in the minors.

Now he's taking prime cuts, not showing much gristle.

He collected his first major-league home run on Wednesday at Yankee Stadium. He smacked his second one to dead center at Petco Park on Friday.

"There is a level of confidence now," manager Bud Black said. "When he got called up last year I think it was 'Wow, I'm in the big leagues.' Now you see a different look."

A peek in the Padres' past reveals a shaky picture. All the accolades shuffled Headley's direction once were targeted on third baseman Sean Burroughs and catcher Ben Davis.

Like Headley, they were high picks. Like Headley, Padres executives predicted long tenures.

Instead, they flopped.

Burroughs' lack of pop garnered him the nickname, "Slugger."

Davis' tag, eventually, was "Bust".

Will Headley follow suit? Is he another gem carrying a glove, bat and that dreaded word ---- potential?

"Each case is unique," Towers said. "When you are the poster child, the blue-chip prospect, there's pressure that goes along with it. Jake Peavy had big expectations, but mentally he was able to handle it. We think Chase can handle it."

That's the consensus from Towers, Black, Headley and Randy Ready, the Beavers' manager.

Ready also was Headley's manager in 2007, when he was the Texas League player of the year at Double-A San Antonio.

"He's big on preparation and his routine," Ready said. "One of the reasons he has been so consistent and had success to this point is he prepares the right way. He practices with a purpose and he's got a plan."

The Padres' map showed Headley working in left field. But with third baseman Kevin Kouzmanoff battling a balky back, Headley was plopped on the hot corner.

That matches his hot bat, which after a second-inning single Saturday, shows a five-game hitting streak.

Pressure? What pressure?

"A lot of guys can let it affect them," said Black, who was blistered by Headley while pitching batting practice. "Chase has been on our radar and everybody's radar. The way the media is now, good players generate interest.

"It is hard not to hear it, hard not to hear the expectations. But with Chase, I think he knows his priority is to play his game and not play to maybe the unfair expectations that people outside us in a uniform can put on him.

"He's got a good head on his shoulders."

The brain made him an Academic All-America selection at Tennessee and the valedictorian at Fountain-Fort Carson (Colo.) High. It also tells him not to fret.

"I don't really worry about what everyone else is thinking," said Headley, who had a throwing error Saturday. "There is so much pressure built into baseball that it's already tough enough going out there having to perform your job.

"My expectations are just to fulfill mine, which are to come here, contribute and get better. I'm not going to say I'm going to hit .400 with 40 home runs or .200 with no home runs. Just take it day by day and try to get better."

Better yet, he's impressed a sage set of Padres' eyes.

Trevor Hoffman has seen many bodies spin the clubhouse doors, and so far, he said Headley is A-OK.

"He's just trying to fit in," Hoffman said. "He's not trying to do too much; just go out and play.

"We watched him in spring training and how he accepted his (Padres minor league) player of the year award at our banquet ---- how he handled himself. He was a very classy guy."

So what happened with those who were more boy blunders than wonders?

"Maybe it just wasn't the right fit," Hoffman said. "Sometimes there is too much expectations on these guys before they get here.

"Sometimes it's best just to leave those Christmas presents wrapped. Then when they get here you see what you've got. Because when you get built up, built up, it's hard to meet those expectations sometimes."

Headley's holiday wish materialized when he was promoted from Portland. He's a gift the Padres don't expect to return, partially erasing the memories of Burroughs and Davis.

"I don't know those two guys personally and what they are made of," Black said. "But I know Chase is grounded and has the proper goals in the right place."

The Padres sense he's the type who will handle the hype.

Contact staff writer Jay Paris at jparis8@aol.com

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