The transition has started for Mitch Einertson.

A fifth-round draft pick out of Rancho Buena Vista High by the Houston Astros in June, Einertson stunned baseball experts by hitting .308 with 67 RBIs in 63 games for Greeneville of the Appalachian League. He hit 24 home runs to lead all rookie level players and was named Rookie Level Player of the Year by Baseball America after leading his team to a league title and being named the league's MVP.

Einertson isn't resting on his laurels this winter, though. Instead, he's in the Florida Instructional League making the move from the outfield to second base.

"I've always been a center-field, right-field guy," Einertson said. "But the Astros told me this is going to be my position. I've been taking a lot of ground balls. I'm trying to get the technique down -- stay low, keep the hands out front."

The Astros feel they may have uncovered a Craig Biggio-type infielder, a player with speed, power and a strong arm.

"Mitch is a good player and we're excited with what he accomplished at the rookie level," said Tim Purpura, Houston's assistant general manager. "He has a short, quick stroke, and the ball jumps off his bat. He may go through struggles with breaking balls, but he's an exciting guy to watch."

Einertson said he surprised himself this season.

"I knew I had some power, but not 24 homers in my first year in pro ball," Einertson said. "The pitching was better than high school. The pitchers threw harder, but we were all in rookie ball for a reason. We were all learning.

"I saw a lot of first-pitch fastballs early in the season. When I had some success, I started getting breaking stuff. So I had to change my approach."

Tony Gwynn approached Einertson about playing at San Diego State. Einertson accepted, but that was before he was drafted.

"No one could have predicted he'd hit 24 homers, but he has a beautiful swing, a swing better suited for wood bats than metal," Gwynn said. "So I knew he'd be successful. I hated to lose him because he's going to be a fine player. But maybe when he signs a rich big-league contract, he'll make a nice donation to our program."

The award goes to …

Senior women's tennis standout Kendra Strandemo (La Costa Canyon) was named Colorado University's athlete of the week for the week ending Oct. 9.

She won three consecutive singles matches without dropping a set en route to winning the Flight Two title at the Air Force Invitational. Strandemo teamed with Jessica Vanderdys to win the doubles title at the same event, cruising through without a loss.

Around campus

+ Sophomore Kyle Young (Fallbrook) has started 19 straight games at center for Fresno State. The 6-foot-5, 320-pound Young was on the preseason Rimington Trophy and Lombardi Award watch lists. He was first-team freshman All-America last season by the Football Writers of America.

+ Sophomore free safety Mark Carlson (Santa Fe Christian) is the second-leading tackler at Air Force with 38. He also has an interception and has recovered two fumbles.

+ Senior receiver Eddie Sullivan (Palomar College/Carlsbad) and redshirt freshman offensive lineman Peder Jensen (La Costa Canyon) are starting at Montana State. Sullivan has 21 receptions and leads the team with 356 receiving yards. He had several big catches Saturday in a 31-24 overtime upset of Portland State. Jensen, who weighs just 235 pounds, is starting at left tackle. Sophomore Rick Coppack (Oceanside) is the team's backup quarterback.

+ Defensive back Brian Kight (Fallbrook) is the second-leading tackler for a College of Wooster team that is 6-0 and ranked No. 12 in the nation by D3Football.com. Kight, who has 41 tackles, had a key interception Saturday in a win that snapped No. 23-ranked Wabash's 17-game home winning streak.

+ University of San Diego defensive back Chase McBride (Santa Fe Christian) has suffered a season-ending knee injury.

+ Freshman Alex Peltier (Santa Fe Christian) led Azusa Pacific with 62 rushing yards on 22 carries Saturday as the Cougars, ranked No. 8 in the NAIA, beat Trinity, ranked No. 9 in the NCAA Division III. Two weeks ago, Peltier gained 211 yards in a win over Chapman, becoming only the eighth Azusa Pacific back to go over the 200 mark. Offensive lineman Steve Mejia (La Costa Canyon), linebacker Brandon Williams (El Camino) and defensive back Dennis Marinello (Tri-City Christian) also are on the squad. Victor Santa Cruz (Rancho Buena Vista) is the defensive coordinator.

+ Senior receiver Colin Sinclair (Santa Fe Christian) leads unbeaten Wheaton in scoring with eight touchdowns and 50 points. He has 33 receptions for 418 yards. Fullback Isaac Boyd (Santa Fe Christian), linebacker Casey Roel (Santa Fe Christian) and offensive lineman Kelly Stewart (Valley Center) also are on the squad.

+ Senior fullback Ricky Legree (El Camino) is the leading rusher at Cornell College with 423 yards. He also leads the team with five TDs. Freshman linebacker Ricky Grant (El Camino) also is on the team.

+ Freshman Kristin Hasselberg (Carlsbad) had 22 kills and 10 digs for San Francisco in a recent women's volleyball match against Fresno State. The kill mark tied a USF freshman record. She had nine kills and six digs Saturday in a loss to USD and has 138 kills through 22 matches this season.

+ Junior middle hitter Michelle Kauffman (Torrey Pines) had a career-high 20 kills for the University of Pennsylvania volleyball team in an Ivy League match against Harvard. She followed that with 17 kills against Dartmouth and 19 against Brown. Ashley Smith (Torrey Pines) also is on the Penn team.

+ Meghan McKinney (Mt. Carmel) posted her 11th double-double of the season Saturday with 13 kills and 11 digs as Chico State beat Grand Canyon. She had 17 kills and 20 digs in a match against Cal State Dominguez Hills.

+ Freshman Traci Thomas (Orange Glen) has played in 14 of 16 games for the women's soccer team at William Penn University. She has a goal and three assists for a team that is 9-5-2.

+ Megan Kakadelas (La Costa Canyon) has four goals and two assists for the Santa Clara women's soccer team, which is ranked No. 12 in the nation.

+ Brad Armstrong (Carlsbad), a sophomore 2-meter man, leads the Mercyhurst College water polo team with 60 goals and 12 assists. He had eight goals Saturday in a win over Grove City. Junior Nicholas Arvanitis (Carlsbad) is the starting goaltender and has 46 saves and 15 assists in eight matches.

+ Mike Elenz-Martin (Palomar/La Costa Canyon), a junior defender on the Chico State soccer team, has a goal and an assist.

John Maffei's Alumni Report appears every other Tuesday through the college season. He can be reached at (760) 740-3547, by fax at (760) 740-5045 or at jmaffei@nctimes.com. Readers are urged to submit information on former North County prep athletes.