Ed Condron

Clearwater, FL

He's still a work in progress. When Domonic Brown broke for a fly ball under the bright Florida sun, he took the scenic route and played a single into a triple, capped with an unnecessary dive, which injured his right thumb.

It's a reminder of how much has changed for the one-time top prospect.

At this time, two-years ago, you may as well have cued Randy Newman's soundtrack to 'The Natural' when Domonic Brown stepped to the plate.

The lean, lanky top prospect in the organization and number one prospect in baseball turned heads by hitting .538 in his first four Grapefruit League games.

He appeared to be cut from the same mold as former Mets star Darryl Strawberry. Brown pulled the ball with authority to right, inside-outed pitches to left and legged out infield singles.

"He's a special player," Charlie Manuel said in 2010.

Well, Brown, who has been a very good minor leaguer, has yet to meet the hype in the show.

The Phillies hoped that he was ready for the majors last season but he broke the hamate bone in his right hand early in spring training. When he returned Brown was inconsistent at the plate and had trouble defensively.

During the Phillies post-mortem in October, Ruben Amaro said that he if he has druthers, Brown would remain in AAA all-season long to refine his skills.

Despite all of that Brown is upbeat. "I feel good about everything," Brown said. "I'm positive about everything. I'm in a good spot. I had some bad breaks, like with the hand but I'll be fine."

Brown makes no secret of his desire to make the big club and start in left.

"I want to be with the team this year," Brown said. "I'm going to go out and play as well as I can. That's all that I can control."

Brown has missed a week due to the thumb injury but appears to be ready to return to the lineup soon. Brown is 2-for-8. Perhaps what is most encouraging is that he has had eight good at-bats and has yet to strike out this exhibition season.

"I know I can hit," Brown said. "I'm also trying to get better. It took a long time for things to feel normal after the hamate bone (break). I love to hit."

Brown looks like Darryl Strawberry at the plate but like Marv Throneberry in the field. "I'm working on it," Brown said. "I know what I need to do and I'm working on becoming a good outfielder.

"You can teach someone like Domonic Brown to play the outfield," Milwaukee Brewers outfield coach John Shelby said. "He's an athlete. He'll pick it up. You can teach what he needs to know."

But you can't teach a player to hit for power, run or throw like Brown.

It appears that left field is John Mayberry Jr.'s job to lose. Mayberry is in the same spot Ben Francisco was at this time last year.

Francisco had a very good spring when he was tossed the keys to the Ferrari to start the season but he crashed badly and was seldom heard from again after May, save game three of the NLDS series against the Cardinals.

Brown, who has added 20 pounds of muscle since 2010, is aware that if he is sent back to AAA, he could re-emerge. "I know all of the scenarios," Brown said. "I can't control what is decided for me. What I can control is to play like I'm capable of. That goes for me at the plate and in the field. If I do what I'm capable of, I should be fine."

 

 

 

Phils Outfielder Domonic Brown Down But Not Out