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Brewers: Trying season stirs late-season tryouts
11:20 PM
9/09/02
Vic Feuerherd Wisconsin State Journal
indentMILWAUKEE - It's certainly no testament to the team, but it's exactly what the new players on the Milwaukee Brewers' roster would like to hear.
indent"We don't have the kind of guys that if we take them out of the lineup it's going to make us worse," Brewers manager Jerry Royster said. "That's fortunate for our call-up guys. Their opportunity is there because they may be good enough to do it."
indentIn the past month, 10 new players have found a spot on the Brewers. Those players range from catcher Jorge Fabregas, a veteran major league catcher picked up in the trade that sent Alex Ochoa to Anaheim, to rookie pitchers like Ben Diggins, who came to the Brewers in the deal that sent Tyler Houston to Los Angeles.
indent"For some guys, you take a look and see what you have," Royster said. "Some are very young and have never played in the major leagues. For guys who have played in the majors, it may be an opportunity to see if they can help us next year."
indentJim Rushford, a left-handed outfielder/first baseman, fits in both categories. He'll be 30 in March, old for a rookie. But his recent call-up from Class AAA Indianapolis represents his first taste of the major leagues.
indent"In this situation, you don't want to (go) back where you were. So there's a little bit of that pressure," he said.
indentBut Rushford is experienced when it comes to the make-or-break notion of tryouts. He spent two years in the independent Northern League with Schaumburg (Ill.) and Duluth (Minn.) before hooking on with the Brewers last year. Three minor league stops later, Rushford is bringing his bat to Miller Park to see if there might be a spot for him in the future.
indent"I had to take baby steps," he said of his route to the big leagues. "It's the same thing I've done everywhere, just a step higher. ... I hope they take a look at me, see what they think and see if they have any interest about me next year."
indent"It's pretty much more of the same, and show I can do it here. No one expects me to hit a ton of home runs or steal a lot of bases, because those are things I've never done. I have to pull my weight at my position and hit a little bit."
indentWith the exception of first baseman Richie Sexson, every position on the Brewers is open. Normally, All-Star shortstop Jose Hernandez would be untouchable, too, but he will become a free agent this offseason. As a result, Royster indicated rookie shortstop Bill Hall will occasionally start in Hernandez's place over the final three weeks of the season just to see what Hall can do.
indentThe biggest change can be seen with the pitching staff. Diggins and rookie right-hander Dave Pember, who spent this season with Class AA Huntsville, already have made their big league starting debuts. Diggins started Monday night and lost against St. Louis. Left-hander Wayne Franklin, picked up from Houston in the trade that sent Mark Loretta to the Astros last week, will make his Brewers' debut today against the Cardinals.
indentThe Brewers have a chance to be a factor in the National League Central race because of series against St. Louis and Houston, and in the wild card race because of series against Arizona and San Francisco. The Brewers also are trying to avoid the franchise's first 100-loss season.
indentThose factors will temper Royster's enthusiasm for fielding a lineup of call-ups.
indent"I am going to play the best guy available," he said. "I'm not going to sit a veteran guy just so a young guy can play."
indentBut if given a reason, Royster has no problem playing one of his new guys. He just needs the reason. "It's kind of fun in a way," he said. "But it would be more fun if they play like major leaguers."
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