THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT 
              Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: Tuesday, July 12, 1994                 TAG: 9407120441
SECTION: SPORTS                   PAGE: C4   EDITION: FINAL 
SOURCE: ASSOCIATED PRESS 
DATELINE: RALEIGH                            LENGTH: Medium:   53 lines

WHITE SOX NOT READY TO GIVE UP ON MIKE JORDAN ISN'T HITTING, BUT HIS INSTINCTS ARE IMPROVING.

Michael Jordan has reached the halfway point of his first season in professional baseball, and by all indications he's been a flop.

The former NBA star is hitting a lowly .194 for the Double-A Birmingham Barons and has struck out once every four times up. He has shown very little power and has committed nine errors - a high number for an outfielder.

But the head of minor league operations for the Chicago White Sox insists that Jordan is improving.

``I think too many people get hung up on just statistics,'' said Larry Monroe, the team's vice president for scouting and player development. ``His mechanics of the game are getting better and his instincts are getting better.

``This isn't a game you can just dive in and succeed. Some people just look at batting averages, but there are 100 other things.''

Jordan's first trip back to his home state as a baseball player in April was a personal success - and he left Zebulon batting over .300. But that was nearly three months ago. His three-game series (1-for-9) over the weekend against the Mudcats kept his average below .200 heading into the all-star break.

Reports from Barons manager Terry Francona and other scouts indicate the outfielder is gaining more bat speed and power.

``He will hit a homer or triple off the wall pretty soon,'' Monroe said.

But when? Jordan has only 13 extra-base hits and no home runs in 299 at-bats. He also has struck out a whopping 78 times.

``He is obviously going to have a weakness for off-speed and breaking balls,'' Monroe said. ``We expected that. We expected the strikeouts.

``As far as power goes, some of our roving coaches said he drives five or six balls a day out in batting practice. In spring training, he wouldn't have had a chance to drive any out.''

Monroe hasn't ruled out Jordan being called up to the majors when rosters are expanded in September, and he said a decision on whether Jordan will play winter ball will be made after the season.

``If he is qualified to help the team, he'll be brought up,'' said Monroe, adding that speed and base running are Jordan's best assets at this point. ``We've just happy as hell to have him in the organization - and in ways most people will never find out about.'' ILLUSTRATION: AP FILE PHOTO

At the midway point of the season, Michael Jordan is hitting .194,

with minimal power, and too many strikeouts and errors.

by CNB