For the past few seasons, Nick Gournealt, Reggie Willits, Nathan Haynes, Tommy Murphy and Juan Rivera made up the Salt Lake Bees outfield.

Things will be drastically different for the Bees this year.

"I think we bring a good mix," Evans said. "Defensively, we can cover a lot of ground out there."

Gournealt is now with the Rangers, Haynes with with the Rays and Willits and Rivera are on the Los Angeles Angels' roster making room for a new group to take over in Salt Lake.

Of the three players listed on Salt Lake's opening-day roster, only one — Terry Evans — has played in Salt Lake last season, but he isn't the only one with Triple A experience, however.

Evans hit .316 with 15 homers and 75 RBIs in 120 games with the Bees last season, and he will be joined by Dee Brown, who played in eight games for the Oakland Athletics last season, and Brad Coon, who hit .308 with one home run and 17 RBIs in AA Arkansas.

"I hope I can continue to build on what I did here last year," he said. "The important part this year is to continue where I left off last year."

He's not letting a less than average spring get him down.

"It started out slow. I think I started off 1-for-15, but after that it's been fine," he said. "I feel great at the plate."

Both Evans and Brown have proven they can hit for power, while Coon and Evans have speed.

In Rancho Cucamonga and Arkansas, Coon combined to swipe 56 bases (caught 21 times) while Evans stole 24 (caught nine) in Salt Lake.

"I think we have a pretty solid outfield," Evans said. "I've heard nothing but good things about Brad so I'm excited to see what he brings to the table. I've never played with Brad and I have played against Dee for the last couple of years, so I know what he can do swinging the bat. He's got a dangerous bat so it's going to be fun to watch."

Brown hit .298 with 14 homers and 54 RBIs in just 62 games with Sacramento. In 41 games with Tucson, he hit two homers and drove in 24 runs.

First-year Salt Lake manager Bobby Mitchell said infielders Adam Pavkovich and Freddy Sandoval could spell Evans, Brown and Coon in the outfield when needed.

---

E-mail: jhinton@desnews.com