SARASOTA, Fla. -- Via conventional placement, Eugene Kingsale would be headed to Triple-A Rochester this season to continue his quest for the major leagues.

But the speedy outfielder does not expect to go any farther north than Maryland when the Orioles' minor-league camp breaks up next month.

"I'm expecting that I'll probably end up going to [Double-A] Bowie," said Kingsale, the first native Aruban to play in the big leagues. "I don't know why except that I need to play and get at-bats and I might not do that at Rochester. It really doesn't matter where I am as long as I'm on the field."

Kingsale, 22, appears back on the right track after a 1998 season in which he batted .262 for the Baysox, improved his center-field defense and flashed a better throwing arm.

That followed what amounted to a lost year when a slew of injuries -- the first occurring in the first inning of 1997, the second in his first game back from the disabled list -- limited him to 63 at-bats.

It was his second consecutive injury-tainted season. In 1996, a dislocated shoulder shut him down after 50 games at Frederick.

Kingsale has one commodity -- speed -- that the Orioles lack, making him a potential call-up from wherever he is playing. Twice before, he has appeared at Camden Yards to pinch run and substitute on defense.

"What I probably need most is to get stronger and I've seen improvement in that area. It's going along good," he said. "Hopefully, I can put up some good numbers and make next year the one to stay up in the big leagues."

The lanky Kingsale is a switch-hitter who can bunt, quintessential qualities for a leadoff man. He will never knock down any fences; his first pro home run, last Aug. 26, came after 1,000 at-bats.

"With my kind of speed, maybe I should bunt a little more," he said. "But everybody plays in on me because they respect the speed. In every league, the third basemen are aware of it."

Kingsale relaxed at home this winter, but some weight training and diet are slowly adding needed poundage that doesn't detract from his swiftness.

"All I did basically was take care of myself and try to stay healthy," he said. "I was happy with last year and want to have another one. I think I'm getting stronger. It's coming step by step."

Signed as a free agent in 1993 by Jesus Halabi, Kingsale was an all-around athlete on his native island, playing soccer, softball and basketball in addition to baseball. He needs only to avoid injuries and get regular work to be a candidate for the big leagues.

Pub Date: 3/25/99