I guess I’ve yet to be completely tainted by working in the media. They say it ruins your fandom. But for tonight, I’ll revert to my old ways, if for just a few minutes.
Domonic Brown makes his long awaited return to the starting lineup and I’m hoping it’s just the start of him silencing the doubters. Phillies fans know his story well by now, so there is no sense in rehashing it. What we’ve learned recently is that Brown is somewhat fragile, but is finding himself and his game, as well.
Since returning from a DL stint, Brown’s numbers have been steadily on the rise; more than enough to bring him back to major leagues following the departure of Shane Victorino and Hunter Pence. With the promotion to the bigs, it’s now or never for Brown.
For those who are uninformed and believe Brown is already a bust, I’m implore you to use patience. At just 24, Brown is still a bit of a work in progress. For every Jason Heyward or Mike Trout, there is a Domonic Brown who takes a while to round into form. We’ve hardly even met the guy and the doubters have been strong in their beliefs that he’s nothing but another highly-touted prospect destined for nothing.
Where you saw a middling outfielder with defensive deficiencies, I saw a kid with a good eye at the plate and enough athleticism to overcome. What Brown will we get over the next year and a half? I’m not willing to go as far as Trout or Heyward, but I am willing to bet he will surprise you pleasantly.
Brown’s power potential is immense and if he can harness even a little bit of that, it’ll turn him into an above average player. Brown’s outfield routes are worse than that of a cabbie trying to up his rate, but if he can work to clean up his act in the outfield, we’ll forget he ever had those trials and tribulations.
General Manager Ruben Amaro says we’ll see Brown the remainder of 2012 and all of 2013. Let’s meet the kid first, then we can answer all the questions later. I’m rooting for him. Hope you are, too.
