Jim Goulart

Link while active, text follows: www.timesrecord.com/websi...endocument Don't worry, this ace is doing just fine Former Mt. Ararat HS standout pitcher Mark Rogers putting in his time in the Milwaukee Brewers farm system Marc_Meyers@TimesRecord.Com (Maine) PHOENIX ? Numbers can be deceiving, but in baseball ? bound to its statistics and percentages ? numbers can unfairly be the major measuring stick of progression and ability, especially when those numbers are being viewed from afar. Take former Mt. Ararat High School student/athlete and Milwaukee Brewers prospect Mark Rogers. He posted a 2-9 record and a 5.13 earned-run average in his first full season in the minor leagues with the single-A West Virginia Power after being selected fifth overall by the Brewers in the 2004 Major League Baseball Draft and given a $2.2 million bonus. Flop? Bust? Hardly. "Mark is doing fine," said Milwaukee Brewers director of scouting Jack Zduriencik. "He's progressing nicely. He is not a lot different from any player that enters professional baseball, in that he is learning and adjusting in every facet of the game to prepare himself for a long and productive career as a major league pitcher." Rogers spent all of last year learning proper mechanics to take pressure off the pitching arm to torque up a 98 mile-an-hour fastball and to maintain command and consistency with his pitches. Obviously, it takes a little time to modify what Rogers had been getting by with for over a decade. Now, Rogers has grown more comfortable with the mechanics and confident heading into this season, which he is apparently going to begin at the Brewers' high Class-A club, the Brevard County (Fla.) Manatees. 'A great idea' From the time he was drafted, Rogers did not have an impression of any adjustments that he needed to make to the power-pitching style that he had used to mow down Maine hitters. Following a fall short season with the Arizona Brewers of the Arizona Rookie League in 2004, instructors in the Milwaukee Brewers minor league organization began making changes to Rogers' delivery to relieve pressure on his arm from his throwing motion and increase pitch consistency. Lots of changes. "He is being developed and honed in every area of his game, as is every other young player who is in minor league camp," said Zduriencik. "With Mark and every other player, we take a big picture approach in his development and improvement." It was all new for the 6-foot-2-inch, 215-pound Rogers as he began working on the positioning of his hips and proper balance to improve consistency and accuracy with his pitches. His mechanics were tinkered with to alleviate the pressure a cross-body delivery could have on his arm. "I was very comfortable with how I threw the ball," said Rogers, who turned 20 years old on Jan. 30. "I didn't think there should be these drastic changes. I'd never had any arm problems. When you're throwing high 90s and you're a power pitcher, problems can happen. It was stopping a problem before it started." Rogers opened the season at the Brewers' single-A club in Charleston, W. Va., the West Virginia Power of the South Atlantic League. His performance was less than powerful as he struggled with the changes and dropped his first seven decisions. He started the season opener (falling 9-1), but then spent time out of the bullpen ? including being out with a blister on his pitching hand ? before being inserted into the five-man rotation. Rogers' first professional win did not come until July 12 when he allowed two runs and struck out six in a five-inning performance over the Lakewood Blue Claws, an affiliate of the Philadelphia Phillies, by a 3-2 score. But two starts later, he was tagged with a loss in a six-run, four-inning performance. For a pitcher who went 9-1 with 164 strikeouts in his senior year at Mt. Ararat, this was hard to take. "I knew in the first half (of the season), it was going to be difficult for me," said Rogers. "It's not something that's going to happen overnight. It was tough to swallow." While Rogers didn't instantly warm to the changes, he now refers to his development and the modifications to his style as a "great idea." A major reason is that Rogers has begun to get it. His numbers (2-9 in 25 games with 70 walks, 109 strikeouts and a 5.13 ERA) do not indicate a positive season, but Rogers felt down the stretch that the improvement was coming along. "It was different because I was used to being successful," said Rogers. "There was so many changes. I knew it would be successful, but it was difficult." The right track During the offseason, Rogers ? although you might have seen him during a brief stretch back in Orr's Island helping coach the Mt. Ararat hockey team or out on a run ? spent more time improving his craft in the Arizona Instructional League. "I'm obviously still working," said Rogers. "I'll always be working at it." Not to mention another craft that is more primed for the Arizona heat than the Maine winter. "If you ask my girlfriend, golf takes up a lot of my time out here," said Rogers, who claims an eight or 10 handicap after picking up the sport over the past couple of years. At the beginning of this year, Rogers began the process of getting to business in baseball with running and conditioning to go along with more mechanical work. Instructional league began with working on organizational plays with team defense and bunting. "It's actually been going pretty good," said Rogers. "I've been going strong pretty much ever since January 5." Mechanics haven't been the only changes to Rogers. He's added a slider to his pitching repertoire along with his well-known fastball, change-up and curveball. "It started as a cutter," he said of the slider. "It's turned into a good pitch for me, especially against left-handers." Last week, the minor league spring training docket began. Rogers said he pitched in two games in the opening week. Both were three-inning appearances and he was limited to 45 pitches, but he was pleased with the results. "The outings went pretty good," said Rogers. "My arm feels good. I feel healthy." Despite all of the modifications to his pitching style and less-than-par statistics, Baseball America's editorial staff included Rogers on its list of the top 100 prospects. The list is created after consulting with general managers, scouting directors, farm directors, scouts, managers and instructors. Rogers was No. 44 on the list. To put it into perspective for area Boston Red Sox fans and Portland Sea Dog followers, that's just behind pitcher Jonathan Papelbon (37th) and ahead of pitching prospect Craig Hansen (54) and second baseman Dustin Pedroia (77). "Because he was a first-round selection, the spotlight seems to shine a little brighter on him," said Zduriencik. "But Mark has an advantage, as do a lot of kids who enter professional baseball at an early age, in that he is receiving the finest instruction and tutelage and creating the foundation that will allow him to be the best he can be over the long haul." But Rogers is not nearly ready for the Major League level that the Sox trio anticipates to see in the next two years. All signs point toward the Florida State League's Brevard County Manatees, the Brewers' highest Class A affiliate, for Rogers. "I'm very excited to get into the season and just break camp and get on the right track," he said. Zduriencik is pleased with the progression he has seen with Rogers. "We can all see and envision him having a long and productive career, as he like every other young player, learns and develops his game," Zduriencik said.

We believe this to be accurate, barring a late change -- I'll include ages as of April 1st in parentheses after each name: Look for the starting rotation to include some tandem situations, although LHP Derek Miller (24) and RHP Kevin Roberts (21) will be given more rope to work with in their starts. Look for RHP's Will Inman (19), Ronny Malave (20), Robbie Wooley (21), David Welch (22), and Ryan Marion (21), and LHP Rafael Lluberes (21) to work in piggy-back tandems, at least early in the season. Other pitchers include RHP's Steve Palazzolo (24), Dane Renkert (24), Wilfredo Laureano (22), and Patrick Ryan (22) and LHP Brandon Parillo (20). Catchers will be Angel Salome (19) and Brad Willcutt (24). Infielders will be 1B Ned Yost (23), middle infielders Ryan Crew (22), Kenny Holmberg (23), and Michael Bell (21), and corner infielders Mat Gamel (20) and Tony Festa (25). Manning the outfield spots will be Michael Brantley (18), Darren Ford (20), Arizona Rookie League MVP Lorenzo Cain (19) and Nate Yoho (23).

This is probably the last affiliate we'll get an official roster for, hopefully this weekend... From Adam McCalvy of MLB.com: The Class A Brevard County roster will include a number of prospects including third baseman Ryan Braun and pitchers Mike Jones and Luis Pena. According to Ash, Jones and Pena will be limited to 45 pitches per outing to start the season. Braun was Milwaukee's first-round draft pick in 2005 and batted .352 in his first pro season. "We'll see what's what in June. If he's hammering the league than we'll think about moving him up," Ash said. "Hopefully he'll finish up in the [Arizona] Fall League."

From Adam McCalvy of MLB.com: The Brewers finalized Minor League assignments this week, including a Triple-A Nashville club that will defend its Pacific Coast League title. "We're pleased with the Triple-A roster, especially the rotation, because there are so many good young arms there," assistant general manager Gord Ash said. The Triple-A club will include young starters Dana Eveland, Ben Hendrickson, Zach Jackson, Dennis Sarfate and veteran Justin Thompson, a former All-Star with Detroit. Thompson will "piggyback" to start the season with Wilton Chavez, according to Ash. The bullpen will feature Mike Adams, Chris Demaria, Brett Evert, Jason Kershner, Allan Simpson and Mitch Stetter. Mark Johnson and Mike Rivera will split catching duties, and positional starters include first baseman Brad Nelson, second baseman Brent Abernathy, shortstop Zach Sorensen, third baseman Vinny Rottino and outfielders Nelson Cruz, Tony Gwynn Jr. and Dave Krynzel. Gwynn and Krynzel will get the majority of starts in center field, but all three players will play all three spots, Ash said. Backup infielders include Enrique Cruz and Jermaine Clark, and Chris Barnwell will see action at first base and in the outfield. Rottino will play almost everywhere, including catcher, third and first base and both corner outfield positions. "It's not like he's just a defensive guy," Wynegar said of Rottino, a Wisconsin native. "He's a strong kid, and I wouldn't be surprised to see him [in the Majors] this season."

From Adam McCalvy of MLB.com: At Double-A Huntsville, manager Don Money will get a group led by starting pitchers Tim Dillard and Carlos Villanueva, both of whom impressed club officials with their Spring Training performances, and promising middle infielders Callix Crabbe and Ozzie Chavez. Ash said the club was a bit concerned entering the season about the team it will field in the tough Southern League. "We've got this gap in prospects," Ash said. "Some of our better prospects in this next wave are at A-ball and down. But it worked out a little better than we thought it might." Others expected to start the year at Double-A: Starters Jeff Housman, Corey Thurman, Khalid Ballouli and Matt Yeatman, who was recently re-acquired from the Minnesota Twins. The bullpen will include Stephen Bray, Mike Meyers, Andy Pratt, Gerrit Simpson, Alec Zumwalt and Joe Winkelsas, a 32-year-old who will serve as the club's closer. "Nothing is more demoralizing than to lose games in the ninth inning," Ash said. "We feel if you don't have a prospect, if you can sign a guy who can close those games and hold those leads, you should do that." Besides the second baseman Crabbe and the shortstop Chavez, Huntsville will get catchers Lou Palmisano and Jean Boscan, first baseman Greg Sain, third baseman Adam Heether and outfielders Steve Moss, Kennard Bibbs and Drew Anderson. The bench will include Jeff Eure, Guilder Rodriguez and Jose (Ron) Acuna.

Somewhat surprising, but Bucky Jacobsen settles for an Atlantic League independent deal in Long Island: www.liducks.com/index.cfm...ction=news The Long Island Ducks, members of the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball, today announced that they have agreed to terms with first baseman/designated hitter Bucky Jacobsen on a contract for the 2006 season. ?I?m excited to be coming to the Ducks,? says Jacobsen. ?From what I?ve heard the Atlantic League is the cream of the crop of independent leagues and Long Island has great fans and a packed stadium. It?s going to be nice to come out there and pick up where I left off in 2004.? Originally drafted by the Milwaukee Brewers in the seventh round of the 1997 draft, Jacobsen is entering his 10th season of professional baseball. The 30-year old enjoyed his finest season in 2004, batting .312 with 26 home runs and 86 RBI in 81 games for Tacoma (AAA, Mariners) before being called up to Seattle after the All-Star break. Jacobsen hit .275 with nine home runs in 160 at bats with the Mariners during the season?s second half. The veteran of 824 minor league game owns a career .285 batting average with 158 home runs, 177 doubles, 574 RBI and a .520 slugging percentage.

RHP Ryan Miller has signed with Gary (Ind.) of the independent Northern League. This press release includes his career stats in six years with the Brewers: www.railcatsbaseball.com/...asp?ID=624 Here's Miller's Power 50 history -- a fun way to review Toby's comments is to visit the P50 Player Tracker and follow individual prospects: www.brewerfan.net/ViewPow...layerId=21 07/25/02 -- If Ryan doesn't get back in the rotation soon, I'm going to have a conniption. Classic...

Friday's AAA Game (link while active, text follows): www.nashvillesounds.com/n...ewsId=1845 Sounds Fall To Iowa, 4-3 MESA, Ariz. -- The Iowa Cubs defeated the Nashville Sounds for the fourth time in four tries this spring when they claimed a 4-3 victory on Friday afternoon at Fitch Park. Tony Gwynn, Jr. (2-for-4), Mike Rivera (2-for-3, RBI), and Enrique Cruz (2-for-4, 2B, RBI) led the offense with multiple-hit efforts. Chris Barnwell added a triple and scored one of the club's runs, while Zach Sorensen had a double. Right-hander Justin Lehr made the start for the Sounds and allowed one run in his two innings of extra work while away from big-league camp. Dennis Sarfate followed and allowed two runs on five hits over four innings. Jason Kershner (1.0 scoreless IP, 2 K), Mitch Stetter (1.0 IP, 1 R), and Chris Demaria (1.0 scoreless IP, 2 K) finished things off on the hill. The Sounds wrap up spring training competition on Saturday afternoon with a home contest against the Fresno Grizzlies (AAA-Giants).

Friday's AAA Game (link while active, text follows): www.nashvillesounds.com/n...ewsId=1845 Sounds Fall To Iowa, 4-3 MESA, Ariz. -- The Iowa Cubs defeated the Nashville Sounds for the fourth time in four tries this spring when they claimed a 4-3 victory on Friday afternoon at Fitch Park. Tony Gwynn, Jr. (2-for-4), Mike Rivera (2-for-3, RBI), and Enrique Cruz (2-for-4, 2B, RBI) led the offense with multiple-hit efforts. Chris Barnwell added a triple and scored one of the club's runs, while Zach Sorensen had a double. Right-hander Justin Lehr made the start for the Sounds and allowed one run in his two innings of extra work while away from big-league camp. Dennis Sarfate followed and allowed two runs on five hits over four innings. Jason Kershner (1.0 scoreless IP, 2 K), Mitch Stetter (1.0 IP, 1 R), and Chris Demaria (1.0 scoreless IP, 2 K) finished things off on the hill. The Sounds wrap up spring training competition on Saturday afternoon with a home contest against the Fresno Grizzlies (AAA-Giants).

FYI -- The acquisition of 1B Greg Sain came via a trade with San Diego (player to be named later).

There's something to be said for taking the ball 28 times (27 starts) in a single low-A ball season. LHP Greg Kloosterman pitched in some bad luck last season at times, but he was also responsible for a big chunk of his ugly 4-19 record at West Virginia in 2005. Kloosterman voluntarily retired early in camp this spring. Kloosterman shattered the franchise's Class A record (since 1987) for losses in a season. Phil Merrell went 5-15 for the 1998 Charleston Alley Cats. He then went on to break the South Atlantic League record of 17, set by Charles Thompson of Charleston (S.C.) in 1990, and tied in 1997 by Hagerstown's (and future Brewer) Gary Glover. Kloosterman, the Brewers' 9th round pick in 2003, will be 24 in June. Unfortunately for Greg, he'll also always be associated with the incident in Peoria in 2004, in which he was stabbed while out late with three teammates. From that incident, only catcher Lou Palmisano is still with the organization now, after the 2005 release of RHP Kevin Rival and the trade this offseason of RHP Justin Barnes to the Royals. LHP Greg Kloosterman Career Statistics: www.thebaseballcube.com/p...rman.shtml

Wednesday's AAA Game (link while active, text follows): www.nashvillesounds.com/n...ewsId=1879 Sounds Snap Spring Skid, Down Bees 12-10 PHOENIX, Ariz. -- The Nashville Sounds picked up their first win in six days on Wednesday afternoon at Maryvale Baseball Park, defeating the Salt Lake Bees (AAA-Angels) by a 12-10 count. Brad Nelson led a 13-hit offensive outburst with a 3-for-5 afternoon that included two RBIs and two runs scored. Catcher Mike Rivera and infielders Brent Abernathy and Chris Barnwell each contributed two hits and two RBIs. Every Nashville player except Zach Sorensen (0-for-3) recorded at least one hit in the contest. Five pitchers took the hill for Nashville and no one emerged unscathed. Dana Eveland made the start and allowed two runs in his two innings of work. He was followed by Allan Simpson (2.0 IP, 1 R), Alec Zumwalt (2.0 IP, 2 R), Mike Meyers (2.0 IP, 2 R), and Chris Demaria (1.0 IP, 3 R). The victory improved Nashville's spring mark to 6-7. The Sounds take Thursday off from spring action while participating in intrasquad games. Nashville takes on the division-rival Iowa Cubs on Friday afternoon for the fourth and final time in Arizona.

Wednesday's AAA Game (link while active, text follows): www.nashvillesounds.com/n...ewsId=1879 Sounds Snap Spring Skid, Down Bees 12-10 PHOENIX, Ariz. -- The Nashville Sounds picked up their first win in six days on Wednesday afternoon at Maryvale Baseball Park, defeating the Salt Lake Bees (AAA-Angels) by a 12-10 count. Brad Nelson led a 13-hit offensive outburst with a 3-for-5 afternoon that included two RBIs and two runs scored. Catcher Mike Rivera and infielders Brent Abernathy and Chris Barnwell each contributed two hits and two RBIs. Every Nashville player except Zach Sorensen (0-for-3) recorded at least one hit in the contest. Five pitchers took the hill for Nashville and no one emerged unscathed. Dana Eveland made the start and allowed two runs in his two innings of work. He was followed by Allan Simpson (2.0 IP, 1 R), Alec Zumwalt (2.0 IP, 2 R), Mike Meyers (2.0 IP, 2 R), and Chris Demaria (1.0 IP, 3 R). The victory improved Nashville's spring mark to 6-7. The Sounds take Thursday off from spring action while participating in intrasquad games. Nashville takes on the division-rival Iowa Cubs on Friday afternoon for the fourth and final time in Arizona.

From David Weiser's excellent www.starsboxscore.com: We're a week away from the start of the season and days from a final roster, and while nothing has been reported, the tentative roster, from what I learned from Brett (Voice of the Stars Brett Pollock), rounds out like this: Greg Sain and Jeff Eure at 1st base, Callix Crabbe at 2nd base, Ozzie Chavez and Guilder Rodriguez at short, and Adam Heether at 3rd base ---- Kennard Bibbs in left, Steve Moss in center, and Drew Anderson in right ---- Lou Palmisano behind the plate. We have a pretty good idea, beyond Tim Dillard and Carlos Villanueva, that Mike Meyers, Khalid Ballouli, Corey Thurman, and Andy Pratt will be a part of the pitching staff, but that's about all I can say.

Also, while I'm in the relatively unusual mode of arguing with you, I still don't get how you can be as down on Krynzel as you are and as high on Gwynn as you are. We haven't had that argument on the board in a few weeks, so there's the bait if you want it. That's fine, but not in the Transactions thread, boys...

After a night game, a few regulars aren't making the two-hour trip to Tuscon... Tom Haudricourt: Tucson - Brewers left-hander Doug Davis makes his final exhibition tune-up today against the Chicago White Sox in preparation for his opening day start Monday against Pittsburgh at Miller Park. In three previous spring outings, Davis is 1-1 with a 9.00 ERA. A look at the starting lineup for today: CF Brady Clark SS J.J. Hardy RF Gabe Gross 2B Rickie Weeks 1B Prince Fielder 3B Jeff Cirillo LF Corey Hart DH Damian Miller C Chad Moeller P Doug Davis Other pitchers scheduled to throw today include Justin Lehr, Jorge De La Rosa and Matt Wise. The Brewers finish their exhibition schedule with games Thursday against the Los Angeles Angels, Friday against the Colorado Rockies (in Tucson) and Saturday, again against Colorado.

MLB.TV subscribers can watch today's White Sox feed. Chime in with any traditional or Direct TV info you might have. MLB.com Audio subscribers can listen to Daron's call.

More news from Mark McCarter of the Huntsville Times: The Stars have determined their likely first baseman for the season. Greg Sain, who led the Southern League with 28 homers for Mobile in 2004, is expected to start in Huntsville. He split last season between Double-A and Triple-A. Pitcher Matt Yeatman, 5-7 a year ago at New Britain, the Twins' Double-A club, has been picked up in a trade and should be a part of the Huntsville staff. Yeatman began his career with the Brewers and was with Money at Beloit several years ago. We'll try to have more on these acquisitions later today, including more details of the Yeatman trade acquisition. 1B Greg Sain Career Statistics: 5th round pick of San Diego in 2001, 26 years old www.thebaseballcube.com/p...sain.shtml RHP Matt Yeatman Career Statistics: now 23 years old, 13th round out of high school, 2001; traded with RHP Gerry Oakes for RHP Matt Kinney and C Javier Valentin in November 2002 www.thebaseballcube.com/p...tman.shtml

According to the Huntsville Times, the Brewers have released the following players: 1B Brandon Gemoll, the team's 8th round pick in 2001 out of Fresno State, finished 6th in hitting (.303) in the Southern League last season. A .281 hitter in 1606 pro AB's, Gemoll, 25 years old, simply didn't slug at a corner level clip, although his .438 SLG and .789 OPS in 2005 were the highest of his pro career. Brandon Gemoll Career Statistics: www.thebaseballcube.com/p...moll.shtml Catcher Kade Johnson, 27 years old, was the Brewers' 2nd round pick in 1999 out of Seminole Junior College. Injured for all of 2005, Johnson had been on the Milwaukee 40-man roster previously. Other than rookie ball and the portions of three seasons he spent in High Desert (where everyone raked), Johnson's numbers disapponted. Drafted 61st overall, you'd have to pull out the word associated with failed high draft picks, fair or not -- "bust". Kade Johnson Career Statistics: www.thebaseballcube.com/p...nson.shtml LHP Josh Habel, acquired in September 2004 from the San Francisco Giants for veteran RHP Dave Burba, was also let go. Outstanding numbers in Brevard County last season, not so in AA Huntsville (near-equal split of his 128+ innings), at 25 years old, it wouldn't be a shock to see Habel land elsewhere, especially considering his left-handedness. Josh Habel Career Statistics: www.thebaseballcube.com/p...abel.shtml

Had to go with the Royals' feed, be sure to post if the Bob and Jim feed quality improves, thanks.

Monday's AAA Game (link while active, text follows): www.nashvillesounds.com/n...ewsId=1878 Sounds Drop 4th Straight Spring Contest, 9-3 PEORIA, Ariz. -- The Nashville Sounds' losing streak in spring action reached four games on Monday afternoon, when the club fell 9-3 to the Tacoma Rainiers (AAA-Mariners) at the Peoria Sports Complex. With the loss, Nashville dropped to 5-6, its first losing record of the spring. Ben Hendrickson made the start for the Sounds and took the loss after allowing five runs on nine hits in five innings of work. Allan Simpson (1.0 IP, 2 ER) and Brett Evert (1.0 IP, 2 ER) also allowed runs before Mitch Stetter tossed a scoreless bottom of the eighth to wrap things up on the hill. Offensively, Jermaine Clark led the way with a 2-for-5 afternoon that included two RBIs. Infielders Enrique Cruz (2-for-4, two doubles, two runs scored) and Chris Barnwell (2-for-4, triple) also added multiple-hit efforts for Nashville. Nelson Cruz drove in the Sounds' third run during a 1-for-3 effort. Nashville returns home to Maryvale Baseball Park on Tuesday to host the Sacramento River Cats (AAA-A's) in the PCL rivals' lone spring meeting.

Monday's AAA Game (link while active, text follows): www.nashvillesounds.com/n...ewsId=1878 Sounds Drop 4th Straight Spring Contest, 9-3 PEORIA, Ariz. -- The Nashville Sounds' losing streak in spring action reached four games on Monday afternoon, when the club fell 9-3 to the Tacoma Rainiers (AAA-Mariners) at the Peoria Sports Complex. With the loss, Nashville dropped to 5-6, its first losing record of the spring. Ben Hendrickson made the start for the Sounds and took the loss after allowing five runs on nine hits in five innings of work. Allan Simpson (1.0 IP, 2 ER) and Brett Evert (1.0 IP, 2 ER) also allowed runs before Mitch Stetter tossed a scoreless bottom of the eighth to wrap things up on the hill. Offensively, Jermaine Clark led the way with a 2-for-5 afternoon that included two RBIs. Infielders Enrique Cruz (2-for-4, two doubles, two runs scored) and Chris Barnwell (2-for-4, triple) also added multiple-hit efforts for Nashville. Nelson Cruz drove in the Sounds' third run during a 1-for-3 effort. Nashville returns home to Maryvale Baseball Park on Tuesday to host the Sacramento River Cats (AAA-A's) in the PCL rivals' lone spring meeting.

Link while active, text follows: www.dailymail.com/news/Sp...006032812/ Guerrero is prepared for his full-season debut Jacob Messer Charleston Daily Mail sportswriter This season will be his first in charge of a full-season, summer-league baseball team. That doesn't mean West Virginia Power Manager Mike Guerrero is a rookie. On the contrary, he has 11 seasons of coaching -- not to mention nine seasons as a player -- under his belt. "I don't look at it any different," said Guerrero, who was a hitting coach with the Beloit (Wis.) Snappers in 2003, an experience that prepared him for this one. "I have been doing this for a long time." Managing Milwaukee rookies in the Dominican and Arizona leagues, he owns a 397-278 career record. "There are a lot of expectations for me," said Guerrero, whose Arizona League team finished 22-34 last summer. "It's about winning games and developing players. Both things go hand and hand. It's important to teach them how to play, but it's also important to teach them how to win." Guerrero replaces Ramon Aviles and will arrive in Charleston on Monday, the day after he finishes spring training in Maryvale, Ariz. This will be the Brewers' second season of a two-year contract with West Virginia. The Power opens its Class A South Atlantic League season April 6, the start of a four-game homestand against Delmarva at Appalachian Power Park. Guerrero's staff will consist of pitching coach John Curtis, hitting coach Mike Lum and trainer Alan Diamond. Curtis and Diamond were with the Power last season, when the South Atlantic League club finished 25-45 in the first half and 35-33 in the second half. "I haven't worked with any of them," Guerrero said of Curtis, Lum and Diamond, "but I'm looking forward to it." He doesn't know much about the Power or Charleston, either. "I have heard it's a great town," said Guerrero, a Dominican Republic native who spends the offseason in Santo Domingo with his wife, Larissa. "I'm looking forward to the season. I think it will be a lot of fun." The 38-year-old Guerrero played nine minor league seasons (1987-95) in the Milwaukee and Kansas City systems. He advanced as high as Class AA before he decided to retire. Guerrero said he enjoys managing as much as playing. "For me, it isn't different," said Guerrero, a .256 lifetime hitter who collected 329 hits and scored 177 runs in 423 games. "Whether you are playing or managing, baseball is baseball, and baseball is what I love." The Power roster hasn't been set by the Brewers. "All of that will be done on the last day of spring training," Guerrero said. "We have a lot of players fighting for jobs. It will come down to the wire." Whoever the Brewers send to the Power, Guerrero likely will be acquainted with them because of his time in the Arizona League. "I probably know some of them, and have worked with some of them," Guerrero said, "but you never know because a guy can improve so much in a year. You could get them and they could be a totally different player." When it comes to coaching, Guerrero said he knows "a little bit of everything." However, his specialties are fielding and baserunning. "That is my forte," said Guerrero, a former shortstop who likes to work with infielders. "That, and the fundamentals." Guerrero said he wants to field a "never-give-up team" full of "hard-nosed players." "That," Guerrero said, "is the way I played. I want them to play like that, too. "I want to teach them how to play the game. I want to teach them how to be professional and respectful. I want to teach them that what you put into it is what you get out of it."

Jim Rushford didn't have to settle for independent ball after all, and he's back in a familiar AAA surrounding: www.canariesbaseball.com/news.asp?id=712

Sunday's AAA Game (link while active, text follows): www.nashvillesounds.com/n...ewsId=1877 Sounds Fall Again To I-Cubs, 4-2 PHOENIX, Ariz. -- The Iowa Cubs continued their spring dominance of the Nashville Sounds on Sunday afternoon at Maryvale Baseball Park, posting a 4-2 victory over the Milwaukee Brewers' Triple-A affiliate. It was Iowa's third win in three spring contests against the Sounds this year. With the loss, the Sounds fell to .500 in spring action with a 5-5 record. Second baseman Rickie Weeks started the contest for the Sounds while getting in some extra at-bats and went 2-for-4 with an RBI triple, Nashville's lone RBI on the day. Weeks and Tony Gwynn, Jr. scored the club's two runs in the contest. Brewers closer Derrick Turnbow made the start for Nashville while getting in some extra work away from major-league camp. The fireballer tossed a scoreless inning and was followed by Stephen Bray, who also posted a goose egg in his lone frame of work. Dennis Sarfate (2.0 IP, 1 R), Josh Habel (3.0 IP, 2 R), and Mike Meyers (2.0 IP, 1 R) also pitched in the game. Nashville continues its spring slate on Monday afternoon with a trip to Peoria for a meeting with the Tacoma Rainiers (AAA-Mariners).