This is just one man’s opinion, but 23-year-old righty Ben Brown might just be the most dominant pitching prospect in the Chicago Cubs farm system and that means a lot because you can make an argument for several guys. What’s even better, the Cubs didn’t even have to give up a lot to get Brown, they acquired him from the Philadelphia Phillies last summer for a couple months of David Robertson.
To be fair, the Phillies did make it to the postseason in 2022, won the National League and pushed the Houston Astros to six games in the World Series, as Robertson stepped up in the playoffs. The veteran right-hander only allowed one earned run in his eight postseason relief appearances, which included four scoreless innings in the World Series. But now, Robertson is with the New York Mets and the Cubs have one of the most exciting pitching prospects down at Double-A and I really do think he might be the best in their entire minor leagues.
Ben Brown Dominating Double-A
Right-handed pitcher Ben Brown was selected in the 33rd round of the 2017 MLB Draft by the Philadelphia Phillies straight out of high school in New York. After his first few years in the Phillies minor league system, Brown appeared to be making the next big step in his development in 2019, as he began that season with 13.1 shutout innings. Unfortunately, Brown learned that he needed Tommy John surgery, shutting him down for the rest of 2019 and he wouldn’t pitch in game again until the 2021 season.
Understandably, Brown struggled in his first action since the elbow surgery, but he turned the corner in 2022, recording a 3.08 ERA in 73 innings at advanced A-Ball. Then, the Phillies traded Brown to the Cubs for David Robertson on Aug. 2, 2022.
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The Cubs promoted Brown to Double-A after acquiring him and he finished the 2022 season with a 4.06 ERA, striking out 44 batters in 31 innings with the Tennessee Smokies.
Brown, now 23-years-old, is dominating hitters at Double-A to begin the 2023 season.
On Thursday, Brown made his fourth start of the season for the Smokies and for the second straight outing the right-handed pitcher did not allow a walk. Brown struck out eight in five innings against the Birmingham Barons and only allowed one unearned run in the third inning that scored on a two-out throwing error.
Ben Brown First 4 Starts at Double-A in 2023
20 Innings Pitched
1 ER, 13 H, 30 K, 6 BB
0.45 ERA, 0.95 WHIP
Brown not only has the ability to fool hitters with nasty breaking balls, as the right-hander can also reach back and blow away batters with a fastball in the upper 90s.
Brown recorded a pair of strikeouts in each of the first three innings on Thursday night.
It is a great debate to have right now with Cubs fans who pay close attention to the team’s prospects. Jordan Wicks, who is also in Double-A, has been filthy, while Daniel Palencia can hit 102mph with a knee-buckling slider, and then you have 2022 first round pick Cade Horton with a 0.00 ERA in his first three starts in pro ball. I haven’t even mentioned Brandon Birdsell, who has a 0.57 ERA in four starts with the South Bend Cubs.
There is something all Cubs fans should be able to agree on though and it’s that the farm system is as healthy as it has ever been and there is a lot more depth up and down than ever before.
