If you aren’t a top draft pick, very few people care what you do in the minors. When no one cares what you do in the minors, you don’t get top prospect status. When you don’t get top prospect status, no one cares what you do in the Majors. I have a feeling that after seven seasons, 617 games, 2571 plate appearances, and 114 home runs in the minors, Mets’ outfielder Andrew Brown is about to start making people care.
Brown was drafted out of the University of Nebraska by the St. Louis Cardinals in the 18th round of the 2007 Amateur Draft. That’s about 16 rounds after everyone stops caring. At 6’0” and 185 lb., he had neither the size nor traditional skill set that scouts love. What scouts didn’t know is that this guy could rake and despite still being overlooked is finally getting a chance to flash his ability.
At 22, he began his career with a bang, hitting seven homers, 28 XBH, and driving in 40 over 66 games in Low-A. The following year, he rocketed from Single-A to High-A to Double-A, hitting 21 home runs, 32 doubles, and driving in 76 over 126 games in the process. The following year, Brown repeated both High-A and Double-A as he battled through injuries but still contributed a respectable 13 HR, 28 XBH, and 44 RBI over 277 at-bats.
In 2010, Brown came back strong and began to not only hit for power and extra-bases but average as well. That season in Double-A, Brown put up a .291/.371/.526 line with 22 HR, 40 XBH, and 63 RBI over 98 games. In 2011, he was called up to Triple-A where he owned a .284/.382/.501 line with 20 HR, 35 XBH, and 73 RBI over 107 games. That was also the year the Cardinals inexplicably let him fall through waivers where he was quickly snatched up by the Colorado Rockies.
His first year in Triple-A Colorado Springs was very kind to him. He put up a .308/.364/.597 line with 24 home runs, 61 XBH, 98 RBI, and 81 R over just 100 games. That effort earned him a call up to the Bigs where he failed to impress but held his own for 112 at-bats, putting up a .730 OPS, five homers, 11 RBI, seven doubles and 14 runs.
Like the Cards, the Rockies let Brown slip – this time to free agency. Boggled by the idea that a cheap outfielder who had a combined 29 home runs and 109 RBI between the Majors and minors in 2012 was so readily available, the Mets took a shot on him and sent him to Las Vegas. Granted, an easier place to hit in, Brown exploded with seven home runs, 28 XBH, 41 RBI, and 39 R over just 41 games.
That effort earned him a call-up to the Bigs, albeit by the Mets so barely, on June 20. As everyone else before him, Terry Collins overlooked him and used him as a pinch hitter. Despite that, in 18 at-bats since being called up two weeks ago, Brown has come through with two home runs, four RBI, four runs, and a .278/.316/.611 line. After he hit a walk-off two run single in the 13th inning against the DBacks on Monday, everyone took notice and Brown got the start on Tuesday against Patrick Corbin.
Most of it may be in the minors but the guy has a combined 10 HR, 45 RBI, 31 XBH, and 45 R through just 186 at-bats this season. The Mets outfield has looked solid of late but that’ll give in to ability and age soon enough and create more opportunities for Collins to start Brown.
Juan Lagares is easily the weakest link, featuring a great glove but just a .230/.248/.349 line with 10 runs and eight RBI. Marlon Byrd is enjoying a resurgence with 10 HR, 26 RBI, 20 R, and a steal over his last 41 games. At the same time, he had just two homers and 14 RBI over his first 27 and has only hit over 12 home runs once in his 12-year career so his success will level out. Eric Young Jr. has looked good as a Met and could easily slide into center in place of Lagares to allow Brown to play left. Not to mention the high chance of an injury opening up a spot for him.
Andrew Brown is definitely one to keep a close eye on in the coming days and weeks. He’s put up 20+ home runs in three straight seasons in the minors and in four of his last five. Over the last three years, he’s rediscovered himself at the plate and is hitting for a high average along with his constant .500+ slugging pct. He’s come through with a couple big hits for the streaking Mets who have won 10 of their last 15 games and should break out as a real run producer in the second half.
