Tom Haudricourt

Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

How much can things change for a player within one season?

Consider that infielder/outfielder Hernan Perez was not on the Brewers' 40-man roster in spring camp.

"That's crazy to think that," Brewers pitcher Chase Anderson said. "You can see how hard he has worked. I'm happy for him.

"He can play any position, and he can hit for power. It's really cool to see. That's a testament to the hard work he has put in and what he has done. He's a big contributor to our club."

Given the opportunity to play regularly, first as a utility player and of late as the regular third baseman after the trade of Aaron Hill and injury to Will Middlebrooks, Perez has forced manager Craig Counsell to put his name in the lineup on a regular basis. During the 10-game home stand completed Sunday, Perez batted .324 (12 for 37) with two homers and eight RBI.

Since the all-star break, Perez is hitting .370 (20 for 54) with 11 runs, three doubles, three home runs and 14 RBI.

"He's in a really good place swinging the bat right now," Counsell said. "He's getting big hits. He's the definition of an improving player. It's been fun to watch him since the day we got him (last year from Detroit in a waiver claim) to where he is now. He just had to get experience."

With Ryan Braun out of the lineup in recent days with right side soreness, Perez was inserted in the No. 3 spot in the lineup without missing a beat. He has shown developing power that wasn't evident last season, which has not gone unnoticed.

"He is certainly helping us and being very productive," Counsell said. "To be able to slip into that spot and still produce and not do anything different says something."

After a solid winter ball season in his native Venezuela, Perez, 25, made a good showing in the Brewers' spring camp. But not being on the 40-man roster worked against him and he was sent to Class AAA Colorado Springs, where he swung a hot bat for 16 games (.349 batting average, .848 OPS, 11 RBI).

Perez was summoned on April 28 when second baseman Scooter Gennett went on the DL with an oblique strain and has been with the Brewers since. Now, he has become a regular.

"I feel good right now at the plate and I'm picking good pitches to swing at," Perez said. "(Playing regularly), you see more pitches. When you play every day you have more opportunity for success.

"I go out every day and give 100%, wherever they put me, right field or whatever position. I'll go out there and do my best."

O'Driscoll service: Longtime Brewers official scorer Tim O'Driscoll worked the series under tough circumstances after the passing of brother Mike. O'Driscoll wanted friends and acquaintances to be aware of the following services: Visitation from 4-7 p.m. Thursday at St. John's Catholic Church in Monches. Funeral mass on Friday at 10 a.m.