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Former Brewer Mark Rogers Getting Another Shot With Rangers

By Pete Schwichtenberg|

You never know what you are going to get when you draft a high school pitcher. Some continue to dominate, while others breakdown quickly. Former Milwaukee Brewers’ first round pick, Mark Rogers is a great example of the latter. While the onetime Maine high school standout had potential to be an ace, injuries took away his chance at greatness.

Not ready to give up on his dream just yet, ESPN’s Jerry Crasnick is reporting that Rogers has signed a minor league deal with the Rangers.

When first drafted in 2004, Rogers was immediately a top 100 prospect by Baseball America, but then the injuries took their toll. Rogers missed all of 2007 and 2008 recovering from injury and shoulder injuries continued to plague him throughout the rest of his time in the organization.

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Though his minor league record, 22-44 and ERA of 4.55 is nothing to write home about, he was great in 2012 filling in for the traded Zack Greinke. In seven starts, he went 3-1 with a 3.94 ERA while striking out 9.5 batters per nine innings. He pitched so well that he was even shutdown to be healthy and ready for the next season. Certainly he looked like big piece in future Brewers rotations.

But that health never happened as has not pitched in the major leagues since those shining starts. Last season he spent time pitching at the AAA level in the Seattle Mariner organization and in the Independent League.

Now 29-years-old it Rogers is a long-shot to make the team. But, to go through what he has gone to try to make it in the major leagues has been remarkable and it would be awesome to see him back on the mound again in a big league ballpark.

Next: Brewers' Dontrelle Willis Positive Presence This Spring

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