Brewers All-Star helping young players while on rehab

Just hours before Jonathan Lucroy made his first rehab start in Viera, he was behind the batting cage watching his new teammates.

Lucroy, who is getting back into playing shape after a toe injury sidelined him for more than a month, was giving some tips and sharing his wisdom with the young team.

"To have a guy like him come in and talk to the hitters about their approach and stuff … It is a great experience for these guys just to pick his brain," Manatees manager Joe Ayrault said after Thursday night's game, a 2-0 Brevard County win against Charlotte.

The National League All-Star starting catcher is one of those players who doesn't mind taking the time to help the other guys. After all, he was once in their shoes. In 2008, Lucroy played 64 games with the Manatees and hit .292 with 10 home runs and 44 RBI.

"Just seeing guys like him and learn from them. They will give us tips and that is really cool," said Brevard County second baseman Chris McFarland, who played with Brewers third baseman Aramis Ramirez last season as well.

Lucroy made his presence felt right from the beginning of Thursday's game. After McFarland walked, Lucroy took a pitch and punched it through the hole between first and second to get a rally started.

It resulted in one of the two runs scored by the Manatees.

But, he admitted he was rusty.

"Honestly, I missed some pitches tonight," Lucroy said. "That is what I have to work on because up there (Milwaukee), you can't afford to miss the mistakes."

Defensively, he was just as impressive, whether it was running to back up first base or helping prevent a big inning by getting the lead runner on a bunt. Lucroy showed everyone at Space Coast Stadium how the catching position should be played.

"He is one of the best receivers in the game. He is fun to watch," Ayrault said. "It is good for our catchers to get a chance to watch someone like him."

And that was just Day 1. The Manatees have the luxury of Lucroy's experience all weekend.

"When we found out we were getting him, we were really fired up," Ayrault said.

For good reason. Not only will he help the team win this weekend, he shows them that if you play the game the right way, they can reach the goal of making it to the major leagues.

He is living proof.

Tonight's game

Jonathan Lucroy will be back behind the plate Saturday night when the Manatees face Charlotte. First pitch set for 6:35 p.m. Fireworks will follow the game at Space Coast Stadium.