Chicago Cubs pitching prospect Ben Brown began the 2023 minor league season at Double-A with the Tennessee Smokies. After four dominating starts, the organization made an aggressive move and promoted the 23-year-old up to Triple-A to see if he could maintain similar results without the use of pretacked balls that were introduced at Double-A this year. Well, it's the middle of June and Brown isn't just looking great at Triple-A with the Iowa Cubs, the right-hander looks like he's ready to face MLB hitters.
Brown's latest start was certainly his best at Triple-A this season, as he pitched six scoreless innings, while striking out 11 batters. He did allow six hits, but this is what jumps out to you, Brown did not walk a single batter.
I mentioned above how pitchers in Double-A have been using pretacked baseballs and because of that there have been so many pitchers with jaw-dropping numbers. Huge strikeout rates with pitchers getting some help with their control thanks to the sticky ball. Anyway, it was a telling sign that Brown was the first major prospect to get moved up to Triple-A by the Cubs and although he has still been dominant on the mound, Brown has struggled with high walk totals in his starts at the higher level.
Ben Brown in Double-A (April 8-May 3)
4 Starts, 20 IP, 30 K, 6 BB (39 K%, 7.8 BB%)
Ben Brown in Triple-A (May 4-June 8)
7 Starts, 32.1 IP, 47 K, 23 BB (32.6 K%, 16 BB%)
Prior to Wednesday's start, Brown's last two outings were cut short to less than five innings because he kept walking hitters. On June 2, Brown walked 5 in 4 innings and on June 8, he waked 6 in 4.1 innings.
Well, Brown shook off those struggles and was as dominant as he's ever been.
There is just so much to love when you watch Brown pitch because even when he does get into trouble, he has the poise and composure to not panic on the mound. And well, when you can dot the corners with a 97mph fastball and also baffle hitters with a nasty slider, your confidence would be through the roof as well.
In the first inning of Wednesday's game against the Indianapolis Indians, Brown stranded two runners, recording all three outs via strikeout.
In the second inning, Indianapolis had runners at the corners with one out, but once again Brown got out of it with a strikeout and then a caught stealing to end the scoring threat.
After allowing four hits in the first two innings, Brown only gave up two hits in the next four innings to wrap up his start. The right-hander struck out the side in the third and after giving up a leadoff triple in the fourth, Brown struck out two more to leave that runner stranded.
After four innings, Brown racked up 9 strikeouts.
Brown had a quick fifth inning, striking out the first batter on three pitches and getting all three outs with six total pitches.
Brown capped off his day getting out of another jam in the sixth, recording his 11th strikeout and then ending the inning with a grounder to third base, stranding two runners in scoring position.
Ben Brown's 2023 Stats
12 Starts, 2.47 ERA, 1.27 WHIP, 58.1 IP, 88 K, 29 BB
On May 16, Brown had his only terrible start of the season, as he gave up 7 earned runs in 4 innings. And yes, although the walks increased for a bit, the 23-year-old has limited the damage when he's been on the mound. Here are Brown's numbers at Triple-A in his last 5 starts.
Ben Brown Since May 16
5 Starts, 23.2 IP, 2.66 ERA, 1.48 WHIP, 39 K, 15 BB
You have to wonder how much longer the Cubs are going to wait until they call him up and likely ease Brown into the majors by using him out of the bullpen like the team has with their previous starting pitching prospects in recent years.
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