Role playing: Rogers embraces pinch-hitting while waiting for chance to start
MILWAUKEE -- One of the hardest things for a player to do, especially an inexperienced one, is to have success in a bench role.
Most who reach the big leagues have been everyday players over the course of their entire careers up to that point, receiving at-bats on a regular basis each step of the way. Then they get to the big leagues and must find a way to succeed in a limited role without consistent at-bats.
That's the challenge Jason Rogers faces as he tries to establish himself with the Milwaukee Brewers.
Rogers has thus far shown he has the ability to be productive in a bench role, as the 27-year-old finds himself tied for second in baseball in hits (4) as a pinch hitter despite beginning the season in Triple-A.
"He has done a good job off the bench and put up quality at-bats in pinch-hit situations," Brewers manager Craig Counsell said. "It's impressive. He hasn't been getting many starts but he goes out and has a quality at-bat every night and for a young hitter, we've talked about how tough that is to do, he's taken to it pretty fast."
In order for a player to succeed as a non-regular, he must first accept his role and then learn how to prepare for when he is called upon for an at-bat or as a defensive replacement. Some figure it out, while many never do either because they are unwilling, unable or both.
Rogers admits he didn't always have the mindset that would lead him to have success as a pinch hitter. After winning Milwaukee's minor-league player of the year in 2013, he began 2014 back in Double-A in order to shift positions to third base.
The former 32nd-round pick hit .282 with seven home runs and 43 RBI to earn a midseason promotion to Triple-A Nashville. He then hit .316 with 11 home runs and 39 RBI with the Sounds before getting his first shot at the big leagues in September.
Rogers played sparingly as a September call-up, making just two starts with four pinch-hit appearances mixed in.
"Last year I was a little upset that I wasn't starting every day coming from the minor leagues," Rogers said. "That was my first time really pinch-hitting. I had a couple of times pinch-hitting in Double-A, but that was tough.
"I'm embracing that role this year. Spring training helped me with that. I'm just taking it day-by-day. I'm just making myself more mentally ready."
Despite a strong spring training at the plate, Rogers began this season with Triple-A Colorado Springs. He was hitting .360 with two home runs and seven RBI when the Brewers called him up on April 17.
He's 4-for-14 (.286) as a pinch-hitter, including his first-career home run, a three-run shot off Cubs left-hander Phil Coke on May 9.
"Last year helped me a lot," Rogers said. "Guys around here have been helping me and the coaches have been helping me to prepare around the fourth or fifth inning. You have to embrace your role. You know you have guys ahead of you that deserve that.
"If you do well, it shows how mentally strong you are. Just being prepared will help you out."
The future is unclear for Rogers because of his lack of a true position. Of his 443 career minor-league games, 248 have come at first base, 127 at third base, 66 in left field, one in right field and one at designated hitter.
Rogers had not played third base since college when Milwaukee moved him there before the 2014 season. He ended up making 21 errors in 338 chances at third base in Double-A and Triple-A last season.
In his lone start at third base with the Brewers, Rogers committed two throwing errors on routine plays. His other three starts have come at first base, where he's the primary backup to Adam Lind.
"It seems like third (base) might be no more, just going off the lineups and stuff," Rogers said. "But wherever they want me to be, I'll be there.
"It is easier to know where you are going to be at -- third, outfield or first. You just have to be mentally prepared every day. That's the biggest."
While the Brewers will have to determine his best position moving forward, Rogers should stick with the big-league club if he continues to produce as a pinch hitter.
"You have to work your way up sometimes," Rogers said. "Some guys have it handed to them. Some guys have to work their way up. That's all right."
Follow Andrew Gruman on Twitter
