Domonic Brown staying focused on his game with Lehigh Valley

READING - He is saying all the right things, not walking with his head down, intent on fulfilling the vast promise that once made him the most desired Phillies prospect and one of the best in baseball.

If Domonic Brown is disappointed at starting the season at triple-A Lehigh Valley instead of being with the Phillies, he sure isn't showing it with his words or actions.

"It's not really tough for me - it's part of the game," Brown said before Tuesday's exhibition game at Reading. "As long as I am playing somewhere I am fine."

Really?

"Everything happens for a reason and maybe it was a blessing in disguise to start here," he said. "I don't know and I don't really get into it that. I just go out and play my game."

So Brown isn't big-timing everybody after returning this spring to Lehigh Valley. Last year he was optioned to the IronPigs on June 30 after the Phillies acquired rightfielder Hunter Pence.

He not only lost his job but also his position. Brown is now a leftfielder, a position to which he's still getting accustomed. He has impressed IronPigs manager Ryne Sandberg with his willingness to work, never showing any outward disappointment.

"He has a good attitude," Sandberg said.

Sandberg said that Brown is geared for a good year and to play regularly.

"That is what he needs - a number of at-bats and to adjust to left field," Sandberg said.

Brown has never had 500 at-bats in any professional season. His highest was 444 in 2008 at Lakewood.

Last spring a fracture in his right hand left Brown on the disabled list from March 22 through May 1. He batted .245 with five home runs and 19 RBIs for the Phillies in 184 at-bats. All of the at-bats but one came before Pence arrived.

Brown hit .261 with three home runs and 15 RBIs in 138 at-bats at Lehigh Valley.

This spring the bad luck on the injury front continued. Brown appeared in just seven Grapefruit League games for the Phillies.

Early in camp he sprained his right thumb when diving for a ball he misplayed and missed five games. Later, he missed action because of a neck injury suffered on a bus ride to Kissimmee, Fla.

Brown is cordial with the media, but he also stands his ground. When asked about living up to the hype of formerly being among baseball's top prospects, he says that isn't something he dwells on.

"That is what you guys write - I don't write that," he said. "The numbers will be there and I will go out and work hard and nothing has changed about Domonic Brown."

Other than?

"I am getting older and more mature," he added.

The 6-foot-5, 205-pound Brown turns 25 in September.

The Phillies maintain that their opinion of Brown hasn't changed.

"I really believe with a pretty good amount of conviction and the organization feels he will be a top offensive player," said Joe Jordan, the Phillies' director of player development. "We are working on the defensive side of it, which is a big priority to Dom and us."

Jordan echoed Sandberg's comments on Brown's outlook at beginning the season in the minors.

"He's fine," Jordan said. "His attitude is super."

Brown said a key is that the game is finally starting to slow down for him. He also understands that when it comes to left field, he is clearly a work in progress.

"I understand there are some games I am going to mess up," he said. "I have to go out there and have fun and keep working."

He constantly talks about winning and having fun being the most important things for him. Regardless of what he says, the true fun likely won't begin until he's able to remain in the major leagues for good.

Domonic Brown says he won't let past struggles affect his confidence.

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