1.   Astros hitting instructor Tom McCraw has called Ward the best young hitting prospect with whom he has worked.

2.   ASU has had a coaching position available since hitting coach John Pierson left early this summer to become a minor league hitting instructor for the Chicago Cubs.

3.   Bagwell said the change is something he talked about with hitting instructor Tom McCraw and decided to implement during the offseason.

4.   Boles hired him to be hitting instructor at Single A Appleton, Wis., in the Midwest League.

5.   But Howard has been working with hitting instructor Reggie Smith on adding extra pop to his swing.

6.   Catcher Gregg Zaun, who resides in Weston, Fla., moved to Arlington in mid-January to become a pupil of Rangers hitting instructor Rudy Jaramillo.

7.   Curtis, whom Angels hitting instructor Rod Carew once called uncoachable, is thought to be an average defensive center fielder.

8.   Garciaparra listens intently to hitting instructor Jim Rice, taking daily lessons on making adjustments.

9.   Hidalgo has been working with hitting instructor Tom McCraw on his bat grip to get around more quickly on pitches.

10.   Hitting instructor Reggie Smith has been working with Mondesi all season on his approach at the plate.