A relative unknown in early spring, Blake Hauser has taken off like a spaceship launched from Cape Canaveral.

Destination? No limit.

Few have seen their stock rocket more quickly than Manchester High's rising senior and current South Richmond Post 137 outfielder/pitcher.

Or should it be pitcher/outfielder.

While Hauser earned all-Central Region, All-Metro, and second-team all-state honors as an outfielder, those in the know suggest his future is on the mound.

"He's got a major-league curve -- already," said Post 137 coach Byron Ballard, who played seven years in the Yankees' chain.

Manchester coach Ricky Saunders said, "The ball just explodes out of his hand."

Hauser said, "I probably like pitching more than playing the outfield, because I have more control over the game."

Batman: As a Manchester junior, playing in the shadows of ODU signee Chris Hardee, the 6-2, 160-pound Hauser divided time between the rubber and right field.

On attack, his .459 average was decorated with three homers, six doubles and 16 RBI.

"Blake's also very fast on the bases, and needless to say, no one runs on him in the outfield," Saunders said.

As a pitcher, the right-hander was 4-4, with a 4.04 ERA. He recorded 67 strikeouts in 411/3 innings.

In his final outing, Hauser allowed four hits and fanned nine in a 4-3 loss to eventual state champion James River.

"Blake caused quite a stir," Saunders said. "In the James River game, [Rapids pitcher] Daniel Marrs hit 97 [mph] and Blake 93.

"After the game, a scout told me that if you combined Marrs' fastball and Blake's curve, you'd have the best right-hander in the nation."

Nickname: On the Post 137 club, Hauser answers to Doogie, a play on the television comedy, "Doogie Howser, M.D."

"My father has the same nickname," Blake said.

Hybrid: Ballard's Post 137 squad (off to 2-0 start), a combination of Manchester, Clover Hill and Cosby, figures to contend for District 11 honors.

"It's a good mix, and should be a lot of fun" Hauser said. "It'll be nice having someone like Ronnie Shaban [of Cosby] hitting and fielding for me instead of against me.

Another plus for Post 137 is the return of assistant coach/hitting guru John Grubb, a former big-league all-star.

Offers: Saunders said Hauser has become a "wanted man" by college coaches.

The high-profile performance vs. James River, in front of gallery of radar guns, may have been the catalyst.

"I don't know about scholarships at this point," Saunders said. "But let's just say a lot of coaches have been in to see us."