Brown, "The Total Package," homers twice
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Brown, "The Total Package," homers twice
David Murphy, Daily News Staff Writer
Update: Domonic Brown and B.J. Rosenberg have both been re-assigned to minor league camp.
From earlier:
Ryan Howard called him the "Total Package." Top prospect Domonic Brown earned the nickname from the "Big Piece" today, going 3-for-3 with two home runs and three RBI while reaching base in all four of his plate appearances against the Tigers at Bright House Field.
While one of Brown's home runs appeared to be aided by a fan who reached over the fence and caught the ball in his hat, there was no doubt about the one he hit off Tigers ace Justin Verlander. In the second inning, Brown crushed a two-strike fastball from the righthander, sending it sailing over the berm in right-center field and out of the ballpark.
"I've seen him take batting practice," Howard said of the lean-but-strong 6-foot-5 corner outfielder. "His height, and he's pretty built, so I'm not surprised at all. The leverage that he uses, I'm not surprised. He's got pop. He's got pop to all fields."
The Phillies had dispatched the rest of their young non-roster invitees on Saturday, sending them back to minor league camp to continue their development. But they held on to Brown, who at 22 years old is ranked the 15th-best prospect in baseball by Baseball America.
Brown had already impressed the Phillies this spring, both with his arm (he has three outfield assists), and his bat. But he had yet to flash the power that the organization believes he will continue to develop. That changed today, against a hard-throwing righthander who is one of the top pitchers in the American League, and later against established lefty specialist Phil Coke.
Brown also legged out a bases-loaded infield single for his third RBI of the day. Later, he reached base on a walk.
Brown is now 10-for-24 with two doubles, two home runs, and seven RBI.
"Verlander's the proverbial ace of the Tigers, and you go out there and you have a good AB against their ace, that does big things for you," Howard said. "I think he's kind of starting to see that he can play at this level. . ."
mainerob... you're such a baseball geek. hehe.. The fact that you bothered to put that wiggly thing on Ibanez's name is pretty funny.— mrbean- Every spring, bored beat writers and reporters latch on to potential phenoms or feel-good stories, or spring "surprises." These are exhibition games, nothing more, nothing less. The important stories are veterans who are not rounding into shape or who are coming out of spring training with nagging injuries or players who might actually add some needed depth. Focus on Lidge, Romero, Polanco, Moyer, Ransom, Kendrick, Herndon, Bastardo. Brown has no chance of making the roster this season.— chuckw
- All this euphoria about a rookie who hasn't proven himself in the minor leagues, is ridiculous. Brown has the talent to become a great major league player, but he's at least a year away. If there is a hole in the outfield this season, Francisco will fill the spot. If at some point in the next 12 to 18 months that Brown is brought up to be a regular, I'm sure he'll never be sent down again. He's a keeper, but he's not ready yet .— phineas
- Phillies may want to consider trading Victorino and signing Werth at season's end. We need Werth's righty bat and he can play center.. Dom Brown and Mayberry could be a real nice platoon in right next year. When Ibanez contract is over, this Gillies kid may be the centerfielder and Werth would go back to a corner spot. Bringing the young players in will help us keep Howard, Rollins, Utley and Hamels.— bradco
- I'm surprised at the plethora of illogical comments about Brown and Ibañez. First of all, you don't "replace" a Werth with a Brown. In a lineup that is already left-centric, you just don't jettison a right-handed power hitter in favor of left-handed power potential. I'm not sure why almost everyone is resigned to losing Werth. Unless a rigthy power hitter is acquired to take Werth's spot, the organization needs to do all in its power to sign him semi-long-term. He loves Philly, but wants to test the market. This is not your grandfather's organization anymore. If they want to keep Werth, the odds have shifted in their favor. As for Ibañez, I get a kick out of a poster claiming that he looks old and tired, while Brown is the next coming of Ted Williams. If ST is as it's claimed to be, then Brown's and Ibañez' "contributions" all can be labeled aberrations. Let's just wait for the start of the season and see how it plays out.— mainerob
- Don't forget the diving catch he made on that liner too. This guy has got all the tools.— JimG
- Don't get too excited. Brown was playing in Clearwater last year. He won't be with the big club for a while. He'll be playing in AA with Gillies. I see him platooning with Francisco or Mayberry in right in 2011. Victorino is the one being traded after this year.— EL Zorro
- would have hit 3 HR's if cliff lee were still here....— jodya2
- no...let Raul leave...keep Werth and DomBomb!— tjpup
- Enthusiasm for Brown is well-placed. He could be something special. Note that he hits lefties poorly...so far in his minor league games . So time would need to spent on that at Reading, and his arm will work toward better aim which has been said he is working on. Given the Phils' penchant for disallowing hitters to mo ve too quickly through the system. Object: om arrival the player would be really ready for the leap to MLs ,thereby increasing the chance for success on/after arrival. Advantage: Phillies.— artfulme
- If he continues his development we will see him in sept. when rosters expand. way to work the count dom.— EarlKeese
- He should spend the year in AAA and then can slide in to Werth's spot next year. It's a no-brainer (unless one of the current OFs suffers a sustained injury).— jmk1512
- Is that really Todd Pratt? Anyway really loved what I saw from Brown today, really hoping he makes the opening day roster.— nmr82
Comment removed.- No way you can drop Dobbs. For one we need him in case PP goes down and #2 we all see how good he can be off the bench. Last year was just an off year with Feliz playing so well he got no ab's and he was hurt.He is a great addition to this team.— pattymac3
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- i wish he would change his name to 'demonic' - just change one letter, thats all im asking.. what a cool name that would be— zwarte piet
- Keep Werth, Victorino and Brown. Brown needs to replace Raul not Werth.— Reinholds
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- You dont have to evaluate him on his spring training stats, but clearly anyone with a good eye can see how talented brown is. its not like hes some flash in the pan, he is one of the top rated prospects in baseball. His approach at the plate is really impressive, the walks impress me almost as much as the home runs. Jim callis from BA thinks his power potential could eventually be a 70 on the 20/0 scale.— hillyinphilly
- aussierules-Good quote. Let's not get too excited here about Brown. Anyway can this kid play left field, because Raul is toast.— SPBilly
- Sweet! Start him!— blueye7
KGK: Does no good to keep Domonic Brown in Dobbs' place on the bench. Sending Brown back to the minore gets him the playing time and AB's he needs and the experience. Take a look at what Ryan Zimmerman (WAS) said about being rushed to the majors. Sure, he worked out fine, but that team has had too many young guys who would have been better off staying on the farm for a year or two. Domonic Brown will be a star in 1.5 - 2 years.- yea C.LEE— sizaleo
- Whitey Herzog said it best...."the worst time to evaluate a rookie player, September and Spring Training"
- You can't drop Dobbs unless you keep Ransom. What if Placido gets hurt? Do you really want Juan Castro as your 3B if Polanco gets hurt. Dobbs is not a great 3B, but he is the best bat(if they release Ransom) at 3B is Castro is hurt.— jpweisel
A nickname? Here you go, Dom "I got ants in my pants" Brown. Your welcome, I am sure.- It would have been nice to have Taylor...Oh wait...I want Halladay here also...what's a fan to do?— hope55
- Rauuuull looks horrible and very old so far in ST. Wouldn't it be nice to have Taylor and Brown on the corners for the future!— Dull
The Reddgie -- how about "god dom it". ok, that was corny. i tried. lol- This is the same Dom Brown who hit, what, .220, against minor league competition in the Arizona Fall League three months ago? He's going to be a very good big leaguer, friends, but a few decent weeks of spring training and one monster spring training game do not mean he's ready. Highly unlikely that we see him in Philly at any point this year.— GoPhilsGo
- To early for nicknames. They will come later on.— ChrisM
- Dom Brown is a beast! If Werth leaves next year he's our RF for 15 years. Michael Taylor who?— PhilCali
- Wasn't the game played today? Why all the yesterday mentions?— P Even
- Todd Pratt, please share that story with the rest of us. As for Dom Brown, we need a good, ORIGINAL nickname for the kid. I kind of like 5, as in "5 tool player", but that is about as original as DBrown or Dom-inator. Show me what you got Phil Phans.— The Reddgie
- Drop and trade Dobbs and keep Dom Brown. After all if either corner OF goes cold, Brown needs to be in that position for his D alone and if he can really hit BL pitching, he starts his 10 yr. Phillies' career with a bang.— KGKoons
- Well, he needs to get ready for next year, when he will be with the big club, after they, (very reluctantly!) bid farewell to the ONLY viable right handed power bat they currently employ. I truly believe that the wheels are already churning in the brass' head about how to fix that need for '11 and beyond. Pujols anyone?— TBear
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