THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Monday, September 4, 1995 TAG: 9509040068
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C1 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY TOM ROBINSON, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: NORFOLK LENGTH: Long : 107 lines
Paul Wilson was once drafted in the 57th round. Wrap your brain around that improbability: this 6-foot-5, 235-pound horse with the Norfolk Tides, a pitcher of enviable polish and mound charisma, was a 1991 June-draft bottom feeder, chosen by the Pittsburgh Pirates though they had no hope of signing him.
Wilson's father had spread the word before the draft that it would take six figures to sign his son, who still had plenty of improving to do, which resulted in Wilson's plunge.
So wouldn't you know, three years later, it took the New York Mets seven figures - $1.55 million - to make Wilson their own. They couldn't fork it over fast enough. The first pick in the 1994 draft was the Mets' reward for being baseball's laughingstock in '93, and everybody in the business knew for months who that pick would be.
``He's a big strong kid with an outstanding arm,'' said Gerry Hunsicker, the Mets assistant vice president for baseball operations. ``He has the potential to be a staff No. 1 pitcher in the big leagues, and there aren't too many times you get an opportunity like that.''
A year later, Wilson became the third pitching phenom, behind Bill Pulsipher and Jason Isringhausen, to hit Norfolk this season when he was called up from Double-A in July. And today in Richmond (WTAR 790-AM 2 p.m.), the hard-throwing righthander will start for the Tides when they open the International League's Governors' Cup playoffs against the Braves.
However unlikely, the possibility still exists that Wilson's 11th appearance as a Tide could be his last. Even if the Tides navigate the playoffs and capture the Cup in two weeks, Wilson is one guy who shouldn't be counted on to help produce an encore in '96.
According to popular theory, only another work stoppage will keep Wilson out of the Mets' starting rotation next April.
``That's nice to think about,'' says Wilson, who is 5-3 with a 2.85 ERA, ``but I can't just blow off the whole fall and say, `Hey, I've already got a spot in the big leagues, I don't need to do anything.' That's not the way I am. I think this is going to be the hardest fall of my career.''
Hardest in terms of working out, putting himself through the physical paces he needs to be ready for his first major league training camp. Wilson said he'll look for a house in Port St. Lucie, Fla., near the Mets' complex, in anticipation of showing up every day through the offseason, and for many springs to come.
``I'm figuring to be with the Mets a long time,'' Wilson said. ``I don't think they have any different plans, so I plan on making my life and career around Port St. Lucie and New York.''
It has been a life honed for baseball, more specifically to throw a baseball. Wilson stayed away from football and basketball in high school in Orlando, Fla., choosing to play baseball year-round. And once on the field, he rarely played any position except pitcher.
Not ``anything outstanding'' coming out of high school, Wilson said he had three college choices - Central Florida, Georgia and Florida State. Though he said he wanted to sign with the Pirates, his father, knowing his son had huge potential, was firmly against it.
``He wasn't just going to let me go for $10,000 or something,'' Wilson said. ``He knew a lot better. It was something I didn't really have any concept of. I just wanted to play pro ball and see what I could do. . . . There was never any conflict. I knew he was right, I just didn't want to accept it.''
Wilson chose Florida State and his blossoming began. By the time he was a junior, winning a game in the College World Series in his final start, Wilson had grown, filled out and matured emotionally.
Adding to his attractiveness, Wilson was a power pitcher with control, a combination that makes scouts slobber.
``I had some great coaching,'' Wilson said. ``Everything just fell into place. It was kind of destined. I mean, it's easy to look back on it now. At the time, I didn't think much of it. I was just out there pitching.''
As he went, Wilson learned to complement his mid-90 mph fastball with a tantalizing change-up. Since he turned pro, Wilson's curve and slider have improved to where Wilson feels confident to throw any pitch on any count, the ultimate in pitching self-assurance.
That confidence was tested last year when Wilson failed to win a game in 11 starts. After taking some time off after the college season, Wilson went 0-2 in the Gulf Coast rookie league and then 0-5 in eight starts at Class A St. Lucie, with a combined ERA of 4.56.
``I had reached an all-time high, then went right to an all-time low,'' Wilson said. ``Looking back, I can say I got out of shape and out of focus, two things a pitcher can't afford to be. I was satisfied because I was drafted No. 1, I didn't think I had to work anymore.''
When Wilson returned to Tallahassee for the offseason, he sheepishly took a grilling from friends. Zero and 7? For a million-five?
``I didn't have any explanation for it,'' Wilson said. ``I told myself, `If this was the end of my career, I'd be embarrassed, but I've got a little ways ahead of me. So I'll see what I do next year.' ''
He's laughing last, that's what, and dreaming of his place in a rotation that, if the Mets keep it together, could develop into the best in baseball.
``Sometimes I sit up at night just thinking about that,'' Wilson said. ``I can't wait.''
Nor can Wilson's ideal moment come too soon - the day his parents see him step onto a major league field, and every childhood moment spent plotting a life in baseball rushes back.
``Just for my mom and dad to see me in the big leagues would be the greatest thing to happen in my life,'' Wilson said. ``I can remember since little league and junior high, all the times saying, `I'm going to make it to the big leagues.' Finally, that one time . . . that would be the best accomplishment ever.'' ILLUSTRATION: Color photo by Beth Bergman, Staff
Paul Wilson...
by CNB