They’re Giving It the Old College Try : Williamson: Former Torrance player has been impressive as Arizona State’s starting third baseman.

Never let it be said that Torrance baseball Coach Jeff Phillips doesn’t help his players further their careers.

When Phillips found out last year that a scout from the San Diego Padres was interested in Antone Williamson, he designed a practice schedule around the scouts’ requests. He pitched batting practice first, a drill that he usually performs last.

Phillips threw a pitch that Williamson lined up the middle. The ball missed the protective screen and plunked Phillips in the ribs, leaving a bruise that lasted several days.

“At the time I told Antone, ‘Hey, if the Padres select you, just remember what your coach did for you,’ ” Phillips said.

As it turned out, the Padres selected Williamson in the third round, but the third baseman decided to accept a scholarship offer from Arizona State.

Williamson said he has no regrets about passing up a chance to play professional baseball. He has been the starter at third base for the 19th-ranked Sun Devils (30-18) and is among the team’s batting leaders with a .319 average, two home runs and 37 runs batted in.

Williamson’s reputation preceded him in Tempe. Before he played a game with the Sun Devils, he was rated the fifth-best third base prospect in college baseball by Baseball America, which also rated him the No. 1 freshman in the country.

Despite that kind of ability, Williamson was not heavily recruited as a senior at Torrance. It took a letter from Williamson’s cousin--former Arizona State, Harbor College and Torrance High standout Kevin Higgins--to get the attention of Sun Devil Coach Jim Brock.

“We had a little advantage in recruiting Antone because Kevin was able to sell him on the program from experience,” Brock said.

However Higgins, who plays for the Padres’ triple-A team in Las Vegas, gave Williamson no advice on whether he should turn professional.

“He stayed out of that choice because he knew that was a more long-term commitment than choosing a college,” said Williamson, who was one of only 10 players drafted in the first five rounds last year who chose not to play professionally.

Williamson has become a valuable player for Arizona State, which is a game out of first place with six games remaining in the Southern Division of the Pacific 10 Conference.

“It’s very difficult for a freshman to come into the (Pac-10) and play every day and not get eaten up, but he’s playing extremely well,” Brock said. “He might be our best hitter right now. He’s an outstanding student and a great personality. I liken him to (former Arizona State standout and college player of the year) Mike Kelly, because I think you could put him in a room with 1,000 people and not find one person who doesn’t like him.”

When Williamson arrived in Tempe, he had trouble adjusting to a school with more than 42,000 students.

Williamson started slowly at the plate, batting in the low .200s in his first 100 at-bats. It wasn’t until a series against Notre Dame in March, when he went nine for 11, that he began to increase his average.

“(The slow start) didn’t seem to bother him,” Brock said. “We worked with him on learning to relax at the plate. He’s an awful good hitter; he hasn’t even shown his home run power yet.”

Phillips said he knew Williamson’s work ethic would pay off, calling him one of the most dedicated players he has ever coached.

“While other kids were out doing various things, Antone was always out at the batting cages,” Phillips said. “I think his work ethic rubbed off on the other kids. I think the kids have seen his success and know what hard work has done for him. It gives them something to strive for.”

Perhaps even more impressive than Williamson’s hitting has been his defensive play at third base.

“It’s a tough position to play at the college level, especially with the aluminum bat,” Brock said. “They call it the hot corner, but with the aluminum bat it’s really a hot corner.”

Said Williamson: “Hard work, prayers and taking a lot of ground balls in 120-degree (heat) has paid off.”

Williamson’s attitude has made a lasting impression with Brock.

“He’s a very devoted kid, no bad habits, a quiet leader,” he said. “I like the way he conducts himself. He works hard on his academics; he’s just a dream kid.”

Brock has coached several players who have gone on to enjoy productive major league careers, including Barry Bonds, Hubie Brooks, Alvin Davis, Bob Horner and Floyd Bannister.

Brock believes Williamson has the ability to join the list of Arizona State All-Americans, which stands at 45, and become a major leaguer.

“Maybe after his junior year I’ll retire and become his agent,” Brock joked. “He’s a can’t-miss guy.”