IN THE CARDS? BIG LEAGUES MAY BE IN ROBINSON'S FUTURE

After Kerry Robinson batted just .232 as a Southeast Missouri State University junior in 1994, he could almost see his dreams of some day becoming a major-leaguer going down the drain.

Now, barely three years later, Robinson ranks as one of the coveted outfield prospects in the entire St. Louis Cardinals' organization and his hopes of eventually making the big leagues are no longer just a dream, they're a distinct possibility.

Credit confidence for playing a major role in Robinson's development as a baseball player. He's currently one of the top performers for the Arkansas Travelers, the Cardinals' Double A team. Robinson also ranks as one of the premier outfielders in the entire Texas League, having been chosen for that loop's all-star game last month.

"Being confident is the attitude I've taken ever since high school," said the personable Robinson during a recent telephone interview from the Travelers' clubhouse in Little Rock. "My goal was always to play in the major leagues. I'm just working to get to that level and hoping it's not that far off."

Robinson credits a sensational senior season at Southeast as his big breakthrough. He was coming off a disappointing junior campaign and then started his final collegiate season slowly as well.

But things eventually went Robinson's way as a senior and he wound up hitting .385 and putting together a 35-game hitting streak.

"No question, that was a real breakthrough year," he said. "There was talk my junior year of being drafted, then I went out and had a horrible year.

"I knew I had to have a good senior year to get drafted. I started off real slow, but coach (Mark) Hogan told me not to worry, just do what I could do. I ended up doing well and here I am today."

In 111 games, the 23-year-old Robinson was batting .328, with 13 doubles, three triples, two home runs and a team-high 54 runs batted in. The speedy 6-foot, 170-pound left fielder also had a .389 on-base percentage from his leadoff spot, with 27 stolen bases in 49 attempts.

Overall, Robinson said he has been satisfied with his performance. His RBI total has been a big surprise while being caught stealing 22 times has been a disappointment.

"I've been satisfied. I'm just trying to keep the season going," he said. "Coming into the year, I just wanted to hit .300 and maybe get 35 stolen bases. I only expected to get like maybe 40 RBIs this year, so I'm happy about that.

"As a leadoff man, I've been doing my job getting on base and scoring runs. I've been thrown out stealing too much, which is one thing I want to improve, but my arm has gotten stronger and I've improved defensively."

Robinson, a former 34th-round draft choice who is in only his third professional season, was promoted to Double A this year after a sensational 1996 performance with the Single A Peoria (Ill.) Chiefs. He batted .359 to lead the league and also had 17 doubles, 14 triples and 50 stolen bases.

Entering this season, Robinson was told that moving up to Double A is the biggest jump any minor-leaguer has to make. Yet he remained confident.

"Going into the season, I was confident I could continue to do well," he said. "But I didn't know what to expect. Everybody told me it was the biggest jump in baseball because the pitchers are supposed to be a lot smarter and have better control.

"In A ball, the pitchers are everywhere, and the umpires call everything a strike. But I haven't felt it's been that big of an adjustment. I just try to go up there and see the ball like I've always done."

Robinson said that being regarded as one of the Cardinals' top outfield prospects "makes me feel real good."

And he's been told by people in the organization that there's a good chance he'll be called up to the major-league roster once those are expanded next month.

But Robinson tries not to get too carried away by things that are out of his control.

He just wants to keep putting up the numbers that will eventually make his dreams come true.

* Infielder LaMonte Collier, another former Southeast standout, is batting .247 in his first season with Philadelphia's Rookie League team in Martinsville, Va.

Through 42 games, Collier, who batted .426 for the Indians this year, had six doubles, one triple, one homer and 19 RBIs.

* Another player with local ties in his first pro season, Sikeston High product Blake Ledbetter, was batting .174 through 10 games with the Cardinals' Rookie League team in Johnson City, Tenn.

The Robinson Report

* Hit in school-record 35 straight games senior season at Southeast

* Selected in 34th round of 1995 draft by St. Louis Cardinals

* Batted league-leading .359 with Single A Peoria in 1996

* Selected to Double A All-Star Game in 1997

* Currently hitting .328 as leadoff batter for Double A Arkansas. Has on-base percentage of .389 and team-leading 54 RBIs.