Throughout the 2015 season, we’ll turn to our resident Phillies analysts to debate the hottest topics of a year that will be more about development and building for the future than on-field results.
This edition’s topic deals with Domonic Brown.
Did the Phillies make the right move holding Brown at Triple A? Or should a rebuilding club in dire need of offense and outfield help bring him up and give him as many ABs as possible?
Marshall Harris, CSN Phillies pre and postgame host
You really can't fault the Phillies for not rushing Brown up to be with the big club. His Achilles injury cut his spring short so he hasn't been able to see as much top-level major-league pitching as he probably needed to see. More importantly, the numbers (5 for 36, one extra-base hit with Lehigh Valley) bear out that he's not exactly clicking on all cylinders.
There's a lot to be said that Brown assumed he was headed back to the Phillies when his rehab assignment was up. What has he done to prove himself this year? What has he done to prove himself since May of 2013, for that matter?
To me, it looks like the Phillies are putting him in the best position to succeed by not having him face big-league pitching until he's being productive at the minor-league level. This season looks like a "last call" situation to see if Brown should be and will be a part of the Phils' future. But he can't rest on his one month of production from two seasons ago. Brown has to prove himself again, as if the words "All-Star" were never in the same sentence as his name.
Ricky Bottalico, CSN Phillies analyst
I firmly believe that if a player isn't ready to be in a lineup at the major-league level, then put him at Triple A until he is ready. Brown is still in a position to get back but it will be by hitting his way back, period.
MLB
Corey Seidman, CSNPhilly.com producer/writer
Ricky mentioned Brown needs to hit his way back, but he also needs to field his way back. That is the overlooked component to this whole situation: Brown's shoddy defense.
If Brown was even a capable defender in an outfield corner, the Phillies would likely have called him up to replace Jeff Francoeur, who has provided very little out of the cleanup spot. But Francoeur has a strong arm and solid instincts in right field, even if his range is not what it once was.
Brown, contrarily, has not shown with any consistency that he can judge tough flyballs or make the plays in the alleys. The Phillies' defense is already weak enough without adding another liability to an important position in right field.
A player can get away with bad defense if he hits. But he can't do both things poorly and hope to play everyday simply based on projections from years past. I don't think Brown is long for this organization, which is a shame. Thump from a corner outfielder is exactly what they need, and it's pretty sad that the worst offense in baseball doesn't think he can help.
Jordan Hall, CSNPhilly.com producer/writer
I disagree with holding Brown at Triple A.
You’re telling me if Chase Utley, Ryan Howard, Ben Revere or Cody Asche suffered slow starts in rehab assignments, the Phillies would be wary of their readiness?
If Brown is healthy, he has earned the right to at least be with the big club — one with no expectations — to work out his kinks.
The 27-year-old is no longer a prospect. He should be with the Phillies and allowed to sink or swim.
Entering Thursday, here is where the Phillies ranked among major-league outfields:
• Batting average — .216 (28th)
• Home runs — 3 (tied for 29th)
• On-base percentage — .269 (29th)
• Runs — 26 (30th)
I guess Brown’s not ready to join that exclusive group.