GRADUATE GLANCE: Narron working through injury

By Gabe Whisnant
Published in Sports on April 1, 2005 1:53 PM

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Former Eastern Wayne and East Carolina University standout Sam Narron went into his first Spring Training with the Milwaukee Brewers' organization with obvious excitement. The left-hander admits, maybe a little too much.

The 23-year old Narron developed tendonitis early in the spring and has been battling the ailment since. Still, he pitched in two, Major League Spring Training contests and is optimistic about getting back on the mound by May against regular-season competition.

"I came into big league camp ready to go. I went back to East Carolina to the new facilities and worked out with them," Narron said. "I came to camp and got a little too excited and maybe overdid it a touch on a couple of bullpens. I got in two big league Spring Training games ... the first went well and the second was a little tougher.

"I'm just trying to get back to 100 percent."

For now, Narron will not break camp with Brewers, and will remain in Arizona in extended Spring Training. Narron said that the organization wants him to remain a starting pitcher, therefore he has to have the ability to go five-plus innings.

"I'm hoping to be back no later than May, but it's not up to me. I have been throwing, but hopefully by the middle of next week I can throw some bullpens," Narron said. "I think they want me to start, but I need to throw five-plus innings. I'll be able to get in some extended Spring Training games."

Narron, who went a combined 14-2 with a 3.72 between Frisco (AA) and Oklahoma (AAA) last season, got one emergency start with Major League Texas last season. His debut at home against Oakland lasted just 2 2/3 innings as he yielded three home runs during the late-July stint in Arlington.

Last fall, Narron was set to pitch in the Rangers' Fall Instructional League, but Texas designated him for assignment in order to make room on their 40-man roster for a playoff run. The Brewers quickly claimed him off waivers.

"I had a great time with the Rangers and have a lot of good friends there. They got me to the point I was at when I left them," Narron said. "Instructional League with the Brewers was only 40 minutes down the road, and I was real impressed. They have a great staff with great pitching and hitting coaches."

His cousin, Johnny Narron, is currently a coach in the Brewers' Minor League system.

When healthy, Narron will likely be sent to Triple-A Nashville, TN or Double-A Huntsville, AL.

"It's been a good spring, but I wish I could have thrown more," Narron said. "It's going to be a good year wherever I go."

Sam Narron's career stats

Year Level G IP ERA SO BB H HR

2002 App/Rookie 14 70.0 3.88 50 8 78 10

2003 Cal/A+ 26 103.1 3.48 75 19 107 8

2004 Texas/AA 13 53.1 2.36 27 10 56 6

PCL/AAA 17 101.2 4.43 31 24 123 14

NL/MLB 1 2.2 13.50 1 4 5 3

Career IP H/9 SO/9 BB/9 HR/9

331.0 10.03 5.00 1.77 1.1

Brewerfan.net contributed to this report