BASEBALL DAILY REPORT : Leftwich Has Major Incentive

The incentive for Phil Leftwich to win the fifth spot in the Angels’ starting rotation usually materializes in his Phoenix home at 2 a.m. or 3 a.m. or 4 a.m. or all of the above, depending on the night. It comes in the form of that sleep-shattering wail of a baby in need of a bottle or clean diaper.

“Having to pay for four college educations has rejuvenated me quite a bit,” said Leftwich, who sat out most of the 1995 season recovering from shoulder surgery.

When Leftwich found out his wife, Ann, was pregnant with their second child (their first, Luke, is now 2) in early 1995, he figured he’d have to start college funds for two kids.

But that second child had some company--a third and a fourth child--and after Ann delivered triplets (a boy and two girls) last Nov. 16, the Leftwiches now have four in diapers and challenges by the truckload.

“We’ve shipped in every family member we can and have a couple of girls who help us, and it’s still overwhelming,” Leftwich said. “We go through 25-30 diapers a day and three large cans of formula. There’s never enough time to sleep. It’s draining because it’s never-ending. With one baby you can take turns, take breaks, but with three you’re on-call 24 hours a day.”

Leftwich, who will battle Shawn Boskie, Scott Sanderson, Jason Grimsley and Dennis Springer for the final rotation spot, hasn’t pitched for the Angels since 1994, when he went 5-10 with a 5.68 ERA.

He may not be the most well-rested Angel pitcher in camp each day, but whenever he’s dragging, he summons energy from a new source--the exhilarating feeling of being healthy for the first time in two years.

“That has rejuvenated me as well,” said Leftwich, a 26-year-old right-hander. “I feel like I’m 100%. I’ve been airing out my pitches for a while now, because I wanted to come to camp game-ready, or as close as possible. I feel confident. I like my chances.”

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Darin Erstad admits it. “I have a rather large head,” said the former Nebraska outfielder, who is participating in his first spring-training camp.

But it has nothing to do with Erstad feeling cocky about being the No. 1 pick in last June’s draft or receiving a $1.575-million signing bonus.

It has to do with his, well, rather large head, which is so big (7 3/4-inch cap size) he could barely squeeze it into his new Angel batting helmet. Angel equipment personnel have been trying to widen it all week.

Erstad, who hit .363 with 24 RBIs in 24 games at Class-A Lake Elsinore last summer, has quickly vaulted to the top of the Angels’ prospect list, but he doesn’t seem fazed by the attention or expectations. Nor does he feel he warrants any special attention in camp.

“Once I signed my contract I’m trying to do the same thing every other guy in the system is trying to do, make the big leagues,” said Erstad, who will likely play at triple-A Vancouver this season. “There’s no difference between me and these other guys.”