Mel Stocker, now with Triple-A Nashville, went from Double-A to Milwaukee last September. The speedy outfielder was 4 for 4 in steals but did not get a hit.

david sanders / arizona daily star

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Rosters list Mel Stocker, a Cholla High School graduate, at 5 feet 10 inches and 160 pounds.

After Stocker debuted in the major leagues last season, Ken Griffey Jr. made sure to poke fun at the Tucson native's small stature.

Welcome to the big leagues, buddy.

"He thought my number was a little too big for me to be wearing because I was one of the smallest guys on the field," said Stocker, who was donning No. 52 when the Milwaukee Brewers made him a late-season call-up.

Valued for his speed, defense and ability to steal bases, Stocker hopes to earn another chance in the majors after last September's brief stint. He returned home this week for Nashville's four-game series against the Sidewinders at Tucson Electric Park. The Sounds are the Brewers' Triple-A affiliate.

"You don't really worry about what the people ahead of you are doing" in the majors, said Stocker, who flied out as a pinch hitter in Nashville's 10-6 win Wednesday night. "You worry about what you can personally control — how I play and how I go into every day."

A veteran of seven minor-league seasons, Stocker planned to explore a career outside of baseball if he failed to reach the majors by age 27. In the off-season, he works as a personal trainer in Panama City, Fla.

Then last Sept. 1, two weeks after he turned 27, the Brewers promoted Stocker. He had hit .255 with 35 stolen bases at Double-A and wasn't on Milwaukee's 40-man roster. In less than a year, he went from playing independent-league ball to aiding the Brewers in a pennant race.

"I kinda thought there was no chance, but in baseball there are many chances at many different things, and I tried to make the best of it," said Stocker, who turns 28 on Aug. 15.

Against the Reds, Stocker met and dined with his childhood idol, Griffey.

"He's a guy who pretty much talks to everyone, doesn't treat you like you're a rookie," Stocker recalled.

He awaits his first big- league hit — he went 0 for 3 and went 4 for 4 on stolen-base attempts in nine games.

In his first Triple-A season, Stocker hopes to steal at least 40 bases. He is batting .297 and has four stolen bases in 17 games.

"He's really good in the outfield and creates a lot of havoc on the base paths," Nashville manager Frank Kremblas said. "He doesn't try to do too much; he's not going to be a guy who drives the ball, so he tries to keep the ball out of the air."

About 40 of Stocker's friends and family attended Wednesday's game. The series marks the first time he has played in Tucson since college. After two seasons at Pima College, he headed to Arizona State.

"They offered me a scholarship," Stocker said. "It was a real easy choice. I always dreamed of playing at ASU and I talked to the people over at UA. They kinda blew me off and I get a call from ASU saying they have a position for me."

● D-backs left-hander Doug Davis, who is recovering from thyroid cancer, will make a rehab start Saturday for Tucson.

● D-backs infielder Chad Tracy went 1 for 5 with a single in his second rehab game. He is 1 for 9.