COLUMBUS: Devon Torrence conceded that he wasn't prepared for his arrival in the minor leagues in June.

He had just turned 18 and was the youngest player on a rookie-league team made up mostly of 23-year-olds. He was using a wooden bat for the first time. He was playing before good crowds for the Greeneville (Tenn.) Astros, and fans were asking for his autograph.

Then there was the constant razzing he received as a member of the Ohio State University football team.

''I was taking heat every day,'' he said. ''We'd be doing stretches, and they'd be saying, 'Go, Michigan' and things like that.''

But the Ohio State freshman from Canton South High School enjoyed the learning experience. The center fielder's .149 batting average (with two doubles and three RBI) in 30 games was a disappointment, but he drew 23 walks and stole five bases.

''It was definitely a shock when I got there,'' Torrence said last week. ''I grew up a lot, which prepared me for (OSU). You have to get yourself back and forth from the practice field on time. When you go on the road, you have to take your own bags. They're not babying you anymore.''

The experience did nothing to help Torrence decide on his future. As planned, he reported to Ohio State on Aug. 5 for the start of fall camp. A safety when recruited, he was switched to receiver when sophomore Ray Small sprained an ankle.

''I don't know what's going to happen,'' Torrence said. ''I love both sports about the same. I can't choose. I'm really thankful I got the opportunity to play professional baseball and college football. I really didn't want to pick one. Maybe in the future I'll pick one.''

Whichever path he chooses, the switch-hitting Torrence has already experienced baseball moments he'll never forget. Such as his first hit, when he beat out a ground ball. Or his best hit, a double to left-center from the left side. Or hanging out with the older guys.

''They kept calling me 'the little guy' or 'the young guy,''' said Torrence, who is 6-feet-1 and 190 pounds.

Torrence's agent, Joe Speed, said that despite Torrence's stats, the Astros were ''very, very impressed with everything he did.''

''The Astros brass is looking at the big picture,'' Speed said. ''They drafted him to be a good major-league player, not to be a great player in Greeneville, Tenn. As one of the youngest guys in the league, he improved dramatically from the time he got there to the time he left.

''Devon just turned 18, and two other players of mine were sent to that league, and they just finished their junior year in college. That's the type of competition he was facing.''

Torrence doesn't know what level of baseball competition he'll face next.

''That's going to be all up to them,'' he said. ''Hopefully, I can try to get down to spring training and see what that will be like. That's where they determine who moves up and where they like their players at. If I can get down there and prove myself a little bit more, I think I can probably be in A ball.''

At first glance, spring training might seem out of the question. But Ohio State's spring break is March 13-23, and Speed hopes Torrence can join the Astros' camp in Kissimmee, Fla.

''Obviously, he's got to do academically what it takes to be an Ohio State football player. He's got to be in class until June,'' Speed said. ''I know the Astros will take him whenever they can get him. Say his exams ended on Wednesday, he'd have 13 days before he had to be back. If that's agreeable with the football coach, we'd consider sending him to Florida. Even if it's only seven days, it's seven days of learning.''

Some might question Torrence's dedication to OSU, but he remains focused on playing in Columbus with his brother Devoe, a linebacker/running back who is entering his senior year at Massillon Washington and has given the Buckeyes an oral commitment.

''That's one of the reasons I came,'' Torrence said. ''It's going to be the first brothers here since the 1960s or something like that.''

Now as he rests his arm for a couple of months and makes the transition to football, Torrence knows the challenge ahead.

''It going to take a lot of extra work,'' he said. ''But I've been doing it in high school, putting in extra work. I don't think it's going to be that big of a problem.'' noweb