Confusion, Impatience, and Frustration are just a few words that can be used to describe the Phillies organization and it's fans attitudes regarding the young career of Dom Brown. A 20th round draft pick out of Redan High School in 2006, Brown quickly rose through the ranks of the Phillies minor-league system, turning heads at each stop along the way. Brown found himself in Double A Reading to start the 2010 season, and impressed so much early in the season that he quickly was promoted to Triple A, where he also continued to hit the cover off the ball. Brown earned a mid-season call up to the big club on July 28, 2010, and this is when things stopped going so smoothly. Brown hit only .210 in 62 at-bats for the Phillies that season. Despite a poor first look in the majors, Brown still found himself as the #4 overall prospect as ranked by Baseball America after the 2010 season.
Since then, however, Brown and his performance have continued to baffle and frustrate the organization and it's fans. Brown has suffered from injuries including a broken bone in his hand, and failed to produce when called up to the majors. After dominating the minors, the Phillies refused to trade Brown, as they pretty much cleared house of all other prospects in order to acquire players like Roy Halladay, Roy Oswalt, and Hunter Pence. As 2011 rolled around, the Phillies looked for Brown to possibly step into a starting role in the outfield, but he struggled at the plate, hitting .245 in 184 at-bats, causing the Phillies to trade for Hunter Pence to take over in the outfield. In 2012 Brown again entered Spring Training with the opportunity to earn a starting spot in the outfield, but again failed to catch on. Brown saw much more time after Pence and Shane Victorino were traded midway through 2012, but still only hit .235 in 187 at-bats. Over the past few seasons he has been sub-par in the field as well, making numerous mental mistakes. It's no wonder why the Phillies management and fans have grown impatient with Brown given his performance the past few seasons.
While Brown is still only 25 years old, 2013 could be a make or break year for the young outfielder. At this point he has little trade value so it is unlikely he will be leaving the organization. He entered Grapefruit League play this spring with an opportunity to earn one of two open outfield positions. With Delmon Young likely to start the season on the disabled list, Brown was at a slight advantage at winning one of the positions. Since camp has opened, we have a seen a completely different Dom Brown from the one who struggled the past few seasons. Brown looks reminiscent of the player who tore through the minors early in his career. Although it is a small sample size, Brown has hit .432 with 3 home runs in just 37 at-bats. Brown has been making great contact through the spring thus far and has a remarkable .523 OBP, while also having a 1.252 OPS. While it would be unwise to read too far into his spring numbers, Brown is showing quite a bit of promise and looking like he may finally be ready to be an everyday major leaguer. Perhaps all he has needed was regular plate appearances in the majors to finally catch on, and barring an injury he is sure to get that this season. So in 2013 we will get a deeper glimpse into the curious case of Dom Brown, and see if he is poised to break out or fade into the distance.
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