DeWitt upbeat after big league experience

Before last season, 51s infielder Blake DeWitt's main goal was to start the year in Double A. When he was sent instead to Class-A Inland Empire, his play suffered.

"It really hurt me," said DeWitt, who played second base and went 1-for-5 for Las Vegas in Monday's 6-5 victory over Sacramento at Cashman Field. "I was stressing real bad, so I've learned to have fun wherever I'm at. Whether you're in high (Class) A or in Triple A, you're working for the same goal -- to get to the big leagues.

"You can't succeed in this game if you don't have fun."

DeWitt's new attitude has served him well this year during a whirlwind season for him.

After injuries sidelined several Dodgers infielders in spring training, DeWitt, who wasn't even in major league camp, suddenly found himself as the Opening Day third baseman for Los Angeles.

He emerged as an early candidate for National League Rookie of the Year, earning NL Rookie of the Month honors in May and batting .303 with five homers and 29 RBIs entering June.

"He's not in awe of anything in this game. When he put a big league uniform on, he played like a big leaguer and felt like he belonged. That's real important," 51s manager Lorenzo Bundy said. "A lot of guys go up there and get in awe of the situation, but Blake wasn't in awe. He held his own up there for quite a while."

After his hot start, though, DeWitt's inexperience caught up with him and he cooled, hitting .200 with no homers and six RBIs in June and July.

Shortly after the Dodgers acquired third baseman Casey Blake from Cleveland, DeWitt -- who had played one game for the 51s in late April only to be recalled by Los Angeles a day later -- was optioned to Las Vegas on July 28.

"It was a great learning experience," DeWitt said of batting .257 with five homers and 35 RBIs in 88 games for the Dodgers. "I took a lot away from it and know what I need to work on, and I'm working on it here."

DeWitt is batting .306 with two homers and nine RBIs in 15 games for the 51s. He's played 10 of them at second base, where Bundy said he's playing "in case something happens to (Dodgers second baseman) Jeff Kent down the stretch."

When DeWitt returns to Los Angeles -- most likely in September, when rosters are expanded to 40 players -- he said he'll be armed with more confidence and a better approach.

"At that level, guys are really consistent and everybody has a pretty good plan and approach to the game," said DeWitt, who turns 23 on Aug. 20.

"They're trying to beat you, so you've got to have a better plan and better approach. That's what we're all striving for."

With former Dodgers prospect Andy LaRoche gone to Pittsburgh in the Manny Ramirez deal and Blake a free agent after this season, DeWitt could become a big part of the Dodgers' future.

"He's still in their plans, there's no doubt about it. He could be fighting for that (third-base) job next year," Bundy said. "He just needs to play, that's all. He's a guy that had never played in Triple A and he just needs experience."