SLIPPERY ROCK - Chase Rowe wants to go out with a bang.

The Knoch graduate and Slippery Rock University senior infielder is shifting from third base to second base this spring. And he's shifted his power potential at the plate from medium to high.

"He's put on 20 pounds of muscle," SRU coach Jeff Messer said. "He doesn't look any bigger; he's just stronger."

Rowe played third for The Rock the past two years and hit 10 home runs combined during those seasons. His batting average rose from .287 in 2003 to .343 last spring.

The addition of junior college transfer and third baseman Todd Schickling to SRU's roster this year sent Rowe from third base to second.

"I played second my freshman year at Gulf Coast (Fla.) Community College, and Bill Mazeroski worked with me down there," Rowe said. "Learning from him, I'm sure I can play the position.

"Besides, now I won't have to risk getting my face bashed in," he said with a smile. "Playing in the middle of the field is a lot safer."

Baseball has been no laughing matter to Rowe, who nearly was selected in the amateur draft last spring. The Pirates, Chicago White Sox, Chicago Cubs and Kansas City Royals all gave him individual workouts.

The draft came and went. Rowe wasn't selected.

"It didn't work out for him, but he'll probably be picked this year" Messer said.

"It was disappointing, sure, but I wasn't devastated by it," Rowe said of not being selected. "The door is still open for me there. I've worked hard in the off-season to improve my game, but I do that every year."

This off-season's work included receiving batting instruction from Frank Porco of Bethel Park, who's worked with Sean Casey and other major league hitters, attending a speed camp with SRU teammate Phil Butch in Ohio and doing the weight training.

While Rowe puts in the off-season workouts to benefit his team, he hopes to benefit himself as well."I want to have a big senior year because with the guys we have back and the new guys who have come in, we can have a successful year," Rowe said."But, yeah, no doubt I want to get drafted. It's been a goal of mine as long as I can remember. Any kid who plays baseball, that's what he wants. Foot speed is an area I need to improve in. When Phil told me about that camp in Ohio, I went with him."Rowe also is listed as a catcher on The Rock's roster, but he isn't likely to see action there."Whatever I can do to help the team, I'll do it," he said. "And the more positions I can play, the more viable I become at the next level."Messer said Rowe's bat makes him a pro prospect."That's why teams have interest in him," he said. "Besides getting stronger, Chase has adjusted his swing. It's more compact. He'll put the bat on the ball more consistently and he'll probably be our No. 3 hitter."He's matured mentally as well. Chase used to get upset if he went 3-for-4. He'd torture himself over the one out he made."Rowe admits he's gotten better control of his emotions as a hitter."Average 3-for-10 over your career and you're in the Hall of Fame," Rowe said. "I've had to learn that. When you dwell on your failures, you put yourself in a hole."Messer refers to the third-year starter as a "baseball junkie who really knows the game."Rowe was one of four players - Seneca Valley graduate Nathan Statzer, Matt Kozusko and Ben Marzullo the others - to start all 51 games for The Rock last season."He never gets tired of playing," Messer said.While Rowe has high expectations in terms of his numbers this year, he won't divulge them publicly."I don't want to lose focus," he said. "My biggest expectation is wins - and plenty of them."