Vaughn Adds Some Jazz to Red Sox Lineup : Baseball: After slumping in July, Boston rookie has improved his average to .258.

Mo Vaughn, everyone’s favorite phenom, walked into the Boston Red Sox clubhouse Friday and was immediately presented with a bunch of baseballs that needed autographing.

Vaughn stared down at the box and smiled.

“Can I put my pants on first?” he asked.

Seems everybody rushes Mo.

Even before the burly 23-year-old first baseman came to spring training, people were predicting great things from him. Baseball America even called him the top prospect of the spring.

Heady stuff for a guy who had only two minor-league seasons behind him. Yet, Vaughn has come to terms with all the hype.

Nearly two months since being called up, he has settled in with the Red Sox. Vaughn is hitting .258 while platooning at first base with Carlos Quintana.

“The only way you feel pressure is if you let it happen,” Vaughn said. “Things are not that different here. They pitch the ball, you hit it.”

A simple philosophy, but one that works.

The left-handed hitting Vaughn was brought up June 27 from triple-A Pawtucket and proceeded to hit three home runs in his first four games. One was a tremendous shot, coming within five seats of clearing Memorial Stadium in Baltimore.

Frank Robinson was the only player to hit a ball out of Memorial Stadium. Robinson, who was at the game, waved a towel after Vaughn’s homer.

The fast start seemed to confirm all the expectations of the spring. Fans were eager for a Mo Better Vaughn.

Instead, Vaughn hit the blues, slumping to .216 after 22 games.

“Everyone kept saying he was the next Babe Ruth,” Red Sox Manager Joe Morgan said. “It doesn’t work out that way. Not very often, anyway.”

But Vaughn’s feeling was: Don’t believe the hype. He had heard enough of it already.

During spring training, he was the Red Sox’s most celebrated rookie since Fred Lynn and Jim Rice in 1975. He was feared by pitchers before he had a major-league at bat under his belt.

There was good reason for optimism. Vaughn had broken the career record for home runs at Seton Hall in one season. He hit 28 home runs as a freshman in 1987 to break Rick Cerone’s career mark of 21.

The left-handed slugger hit 57 home runs during his three-year college career.

The Red Sox drafted him in the first round in 1989 and felt he was ready for the major leagues this spring. However, between the publicity and major-league curveballs, Vaughn struggled. He was sent back to Pawtucket.

“I knew I would be back this year,” said Vaughn, who hit 44 home runs in a little more than two years in the minor leagues. “I just didn’t worry about.”

Vaughn was called up as part of the Red Sox youth movement. He, outfielder Phil Plantier and pitcher Kevin Morton started the year at triple-A.

The youngsters have helped the surging Red Sox, who were 11 1/2 games behind the Toronto Blue Jays on Aug. 8. They are 4 1/2 games out of first after Friday night’s 4-1 loss to the Angels.

“They have all made contributions,” Morgan said. “They’ve helped turn things around.”

Vaughn has certainly done his share. After the slump, he became more selective as a hitter.

In his past 19 games, he has gone 15 for 46 and has now driven in 20 runs.

“I’m here now,” Vaughn said, “and I’m here for the duration.”