MILWAUKEE — Jordan Pacheco was just getting started with his baseball career when he wore a La Crosse Loggers uniform in 2005.

Plenty of careers end in the Northwoods League, but Pacheco turned it into a launching pad to Major League Baseball.

He isn’t the first and won’t be the last, but Pacheco has enjoyed his share of professional success since batting .287 with 33 RBI as a 19-year-old shortstop for the Loggers eight years ago.

He has since played in the Cape Cod League and worked his way through the minor-league system with the Colorado Rockies.

Pacheco, a utility infielder, started in 120 games last season, but he’s preparing for a new role in 2013, which began for his team at Miller Park on Monday.

“I definitely think my role is different,” he said in reference to the starting chances he had last season, which included a .309 batting average and 54 RBI.

Pacheco begins this season as a true utility player without a starting position. He didn’t play on Opening Day, but he knows his versatility will lead to chances to get on the field.

“I’ll be coming off the bench a little bit more, sparing some guys when they need some time off,” said Pacheco, who played first base, third base and catcher last season. “You kind of look at the roster and see what the roles are going to be, and you just have to be ready to help the team and do whatever they ask me to.”

Pacheco, 27, was called up to the major league club in Sept. 2011 and has appeared in 153 games with 559 at-bats.

He’s demonstrated his value to the Rockies and proved to himself that he belongs on the roster. That can be an obstacle of its own.

“Just being of the mindset that you belong here is the first thing you have to get over,” Pacheco said. “That can take some getting used to.”

Pacheco adjusted quickly enough to become a regular contributor during all of 2012. He tied for sixth in the National League Rookie of the Year voting.

He has been able to learn from players like Michael Cuddyer, who has played almost every fielding position there is during his 12-plus MLB seasons, the first 11 of which were spent with the Minnesota Twins.

“It’s definitely hard, but I’ve talked to Cuddyer the past few years, and he’s had to be that utility guy,” Pacheco said. “It’s more of a mindset than getting reps. You just have to have the confidence in yourself that you can go out and do it (when needed).”

Pacheco could be asked to give Todd Helton a day off at first base or to pinch-hit with a runner on second in the eighth inning of a tied game. He doesn’t know when the call will come, just that he needs to be ready for it.

He’s embraced his role to start the season, and just like he was at Copeland Park eight summers ago, Pacheco will be prepared to play the game each and every day.

“I just need to get used to what I’m going to be doing to be able to help this ballclub. Whatever happens, happens,” Pacheco said. “Just play the game, and be ready, and do whatever I have to do to help this team win.”

Pacheco started at first base Wednesday night and went 2-for-4 with a double, a walk and a run.

Loggers in the Bigs

Former Loggers currently on MLB 25-man rosters, listed in order of MLB debut

Max Scherzer

RHP, Detroit Tigers

Scherzer (Missouri) played for the Loggers in 2004. He is scheduled to start his first game of this season on Sunday against Atlanta, with the Tigers coaching staff easing him back after shoulder soreness at the end of last season. His 11.1 strikeouts per nine innings in 2012 led all AL starters.

Chris Sale

LHP, Chicago White Sox

Sale (Florida Gulf Coast) played for the Loggers in 2008. He was the first-round draft pick of the White Sox in 2010. Sale was an AL All-Star in 2012 and was Chicago’s opening day starter on Monday, pitching 7 2/3 scoreless innings in a 1-0 win over the Kansas City Royals.

Jordan Pacheco

Utility, Colorado Rockies

Pacheco (New Mexico) played for the Loggers in 2005. The Rockies drafted him in the ninth round in 2007. He led all NL rookies with a .309 batting average last season and tied for sixth in NL Rookie of the Year voting. This season he is expected to play a key utility role for Colorado.

Rob Brantly

C, Miami Marlins

Brantly (UC-Riverside) played for the Loggers in 2009. He was named team MVP and No. 1 pro prospect in the NWL by Baseball America. The Detroit Tigers drafted him in the third round in 2010. Miami has cleared the way for Brantly to be its long-term starter at catcher.

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A Call Away

There were 40 former Loggers in affiliated minor league baseball at the end of the 2012 season. Here’s a look at who could be wearing a major league uniform soon, or who is working to make it back.

Eric Thames, OF, Mariners: Thames was traded by Toronto to Seattle last July and reportedly will start this season at Class AAA Tacoma. He has 181 career major league games with a .250 average and 21 home runs.

Brett Jackson, OF, Cubs: Jackson was the Cubs’ first-round draft choice in 2009. He made his MLB debut last season, batting .179 with four homers in 44 games while striking out 59 times, a concern throughout his pro career. The Cubs will start him at Class AAA Iowa.

Sawyer Carroll, OF, Padres: Carroll was a third-round draft pick of the Padres in 2008. He has climbed up the minor-league ladder and last season batted .263 with eight home runs and 56 RBI in a full season at Class AAA Tucson.

Victor Black, RHP, Pirates: Black was the Pirates’ first-round pick of the 2009 draft. He finished with a 1.65 ERA, 13 saves and 85 strikeouts at Class AA Altoona in 2012.