Double-A manager Coles joins Brewers' staff

MILWAUKEE -- The Brewers' coaching staff grew a bit Monday when Double-A Huntsville manager Darnell Coles joined the team for the last few weeks of the season.

Coles, who played parts of 14 seasons in the Major Leagues and won a World Series with the Blue Jays in 1993, will provide an extra set of eyes for manager Ron Roenicke.

Coles completed his second season as the Stars' manager Sept. 2, his team finishing well short of the postseason with a 59-79 record.

"I think we played well at times and struggled at times," Coles said. "I think it was just an up-and-down year. But a lot of player development, guys getting better."

In a disappointing season throughout the Brewers' farm system -- the only postseason play coming from advanced rookie-league Helena -- Coles said there were steps taken forward at Huntsville.

"A lot of times wins and losses take a back seat to development," Coles said. "A lot of these guys are going to play along the way up the ladder."

The biggest bright spot for the Stars was Jason Rogers, who earned Brewers Minor League Player of the Year honors and will accept his award prior to Saturday's game between the Brewers and the Cardinals at Miller Park.

Rogers, who hit .270 with 22 home runs and 87 RBIs, was primarily a first baseman this year, but Coles said the Brewers' 2010 32nd-round Draft pick had worked to add third base to his repertoire, a position that is thin throughout the Brewers' system.

"Adding third base to the picture is going to help him long term," said Coles, noting Rogers played mostly third base at Columbus State University. "It's just getting back in a routine where he feels comfortable at third. Then we'll have to see how it plays out."

Coles also noted there were some promising campaigns from pitchers at Huntsville, mentioning Taylor Jungmann, David Goforth, Andy Moye, Kevin Shackelford and Ariel Pena as standouts this season.

"There are some good pitchers on the horizon," Coles said. "You're trying to put guys in the position to be as successful as they possibly can. When you have guys that are starters, you're trying to build starting pitching first and go from there. There are some good starters on the way."