The plan for Brown
News blogs, sports blogs, entertainment blogs, and more from Philly.com, The Philadelphia Inquirer and the Philadelphia Daily News.
The plan for Brown
Matt Gelb, Inquirer Staff Writer
MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. -- Before Domonic Brown was promoted to the majors, Ruben Amaro Jr. said he would only bring his top prospect up if he could play every day.
Now that Brown has spent a week in the majors, Charlie Manuel sees it a bit differently. He has repeatedly said he wants to ease Brown into the majors. He has rested Brown against two lefthanded starters so far and will continue to do that on occasion. Brown will play 60 to 70 percent of the time, Manuel estimated.
"His development is very important to us, but I also want to win the game," Manuel said. "That's what we're all about. Our goal is to get back to
After week one, it's hard to argue against Manuel's plan. Brown has looked shaky at times, but he's hitting .273 (6 for 22) and has six RBIs in six games. He has struck out six times and has yet to walk. Pitchers are mostly throwing inside to Brown, who has an open stance with his bat cocked high into the air. Inside breaking balls have been particularly bothersome to Brown.
That's what made Brown's third plate appearance Wednesday night all the more impressive. With the bases loaded and one out, Marlins interim manager Edwin Rodriguez brought in a lefthander, Taylor Tankersley. Brown had been 1 for 9 against lefties entering the at-bat.
Manuel stuck with Brown and the rookie hit the third pitch from Tankersley, an inside slider, deep to right for a sacrifice fly.
The manager said he sat down with Brown when he was called up and told him he will pinch hit for the rookie in certain situations, say when a lefty comes in late in a game. Manuel said he held off on doing that Wednesday because it was only the fifth inning.
In the field, Brown's throw to nail Gaby Sanchez at home plate was impressive. But you can see how raw Brown is defensively on some of the routes he takes to fly balls. There is some refining needed.
"He took a couple of interesting routes," Manuel said, "but you know what? He caught them. That one ball in the gap, he ran down, he had some crazy legs on that one."
Dominant Brown.— Truth B. Told- Uh oh. Ruben said he'd play every day and now he's not. It's a conspiracy! Charlie doesn't know what he's doing and Ruben is too smug to fire him. Or something like that. Those of you that are better at seeing into the future please help rationalize how this is bad. Thanks.— vafan
- Ummm, he was called up earlier than expected due to injury. How's that vafan? Plans change.— smfree31
- I trust Charlie's ability to handle and develop a young player more than Rube's. Go with whatever Charlie says. As long as you can make it out.— AreaMan
- This is going very well. He has produced (at times) at the plate and has played steady in the field, with a great throw yesterday! He doesn't seem overmatched in any way and hopefully will grow into a stud corner outfielder with middle of the order potential.— The Reddgie
- That's exactly what I was afraid of: the kid sitting and/or being exposed to tough lefties during the heat of pennant race. Although he has tons of talent, his swing has holes. It's too long of a swing for my liking. It looks like kind of a golf swing to me. And like Gelb pointed out, he's susceptible to the inside pitch because of the long swing. Watch when the other teams get good film on him. I would bring his hands down and compact his swing a little bit, like Utley’s.— EL Zorro
- But, there is no time to mess with that now.— EL Zorro
- Dom should teach Werth how to hit with RISP.— Rauuuul
- That a boy Charlie. Best manager the Phightins' have ever had and most under-rated one in the league. Even with all the injuries they're still in contention. He's doing a great job handling D. Brown. Moron Philly fans - I saw plenty down here in DC - need to get real or just go away. Stay down in your Mommas basement and root for the Yunks - you're bandwagon fans at best anyway. Or maybe go puke on your own kids for practice. Go Charly and the Phightins!!!— Phillyexp
- yo, sm - you are obviously no good at blasting the Phillies for every move they make so stop playing this game. Thanks.— vafan
Way too early to say. But expectations are high. Hopefully, he will have the mental toughness to excel.- I'd trade him for Cliff Lee and a case of Kentucky bourbon.— gwn099
- I think Charlie just gave him his new nickname. Domonic "Crazy Legs" Brown— Flyers Fan1
- El Zorro: Phillies, as we have seen, have enough hitting coaches, but I am sure they will take your opinion on Brown under advisement.— chuckw
- Let's take our time and see what happens. In his first start with the Phillies in 1992, RAJ went 3 for 4 with 2 doubles and a home run. Jeff Stone hit .362 in 185 at-bats for the Phils in 1984. Brown is young. He could be an All-Star; he could be a bust. Too soon to tell.— smel4727
