Domonic Brown facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Domonic Brown |
|||
|---|---|---|---|
Brown with the Philadelphia Phillies
|
|||
| Outfielder | |||
| Born: September 3, 1987 Zephyrhills, Florida, U.S. |
|||
|
|||
| debut | |||
| July 28, 2010, for the Philadelphia Phillies | |||
| Last appearance | |||
| September 2, 2015, for the Philadelphia Phillies | |||
| MLB statistics | |||
| Batting average | .246 | ||
| Home runs | 54 | ||
| Runs batted in | 229 | ||
| Teams | |||
|
|||
| Career highlights and awards | |||
|
|||
Domonic Larun Brown (born September 3, 1987) is an American former professional baseball outfielder. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Philadelphia Phillies. He made his big league debut in 2010. Before that, he was considered a top young player. Baseball America called him the Phillies' best young talent in 2009. They also named him the top young player in all of MLB in 2010.
Contents
Domonic Brown's Baseball Journey
Starting in the Minor Leagues
Drafted by the Phillies
The Phillies picked Domonic Brown in the 20th round of the 2006 Major League Baseball Draft. He was playing baseball at Redan High School in Stone Mountain, Georgia. Before the draft, some teams didn't know much about him. This was because he had moved from Pasco High School in Dade City, Florida.
Brown had planned to play football at the University of Miami. He wanted to be a wide receiver for the Hurricanes. But the Phillies offered him $200,000 to play baseball instead. He chose baseball.
First Years in the Minors (2006–2007)
After being drafted, Brown joined the Phillies' Gulf Coast League (GCL) team. In 2006, he hit for a .214 average. He also hit one home run and had seven runs batted in (RBI). He tied for the team lead with thirteen stolen bases.
In 2007, he moved up to the Williamsport Crosscutters. He played 74 games there. He had 39 RBIs and 21 extra-base hits. His .295 batting average was the best on the team. He also played a lot in both center field and right field. Later that year, he played a few games for the Clearwater Threshers. He hit very well, with a .444 average.
Moving Up the Ranks (2008–2009)
In 2008, Brown played for the Lakewood BlueClaws. He had a .291 batting average. He also hit 9 home runs and had 54 RBIs. He played many games in both center and right field.
Before the 2009 season, Baseball America ranked Brown as the 48th best young player in the country. They also said he was the best young player in the Phillies' system. He played at three different levels that year. He spent most of his time with the Clearwater Threshers. He hit .303 with 11 home runs and 44 RBIs.
After that, he moved up to the Double-A Reading Phillies. There, he hit .279 with 20 RBIs. He also hit three home runs and four triples. For the whole year, he had a .299 batting average. He hit 14 home runs, which was his most ever in the minor leagues.
Spring Training and More Promotions (2010)
Brown was invited to Major League spring training in 2010. MLB.com said he was the 14th best young player in the minor leagues. During one game, he hit two home runs. One of them was against famous pitcher Justin Verlander.
Phillies manager Charlie Manuel and teammate Ryan Howard were very impressed. Howard even called Brown the "Total Package." Brown was sent back to the minor leagues after spring training. He started the 2010 season with the Reading Phillies. He played very well, hitting .318 with 15 home runs and 47 RBIs in 65 games.
Because of his great play, he was promoted to the Triple-A Lehigh Valley IronPigs on June 25. He continued to hit well, with a .405 average in his first 12 games. He also hit four home runs. Brown was chosen to play in the 2010 All-Star Futures Game. This game features the best young players in baseball.
Playing for the Philadelphia Phillies
Brown was called up to the Phillies on July 28, 2010. This happened after Shane Victorino got injured. Brown made his first MLB appearance that night. He played right field and batted sixth. In his very first time at bat, he hit a double that scored a run. He finished the game with two hits and two RBIs. The crowd gave him a standing ovation. Brown said it "was great" and he "wasn't thinking about that at all." On August 10, Brown hit his first MLB home run.
Dealing with Injuries (2011–2012)
Brown was seen as the fourth best young player in baseball in 2011. But he broke a bone in his right hand during spring training. He had surgery to fix it. He played 41 games that season, hitting .261 with 3 home runs. He was sent back to the minor leagues in July. He was called back up in September but didn't play much. He was not on the Phillies' playoff team.
In 2012, Brown played 56 games in the major leagues. He also played 60 games for the Triple-A Lehigh Valley IronPigs. He hit .235 with 5 home runs for the Phillies. He started the season in the minor leagues to get more playing time. He was called up in July.
Brown had several injuries in 2012. He hurt his right knee while running. He played on it for a few weeks. Then, he injured his left knee because he was putting too much weight on it. Many people thought his play was just okay.
Becoming an All-Star (2013)
In 2013, Brown was set to be the Phillies' starting left fielder. He had a great spring training. He won his first National League Player of the Week award from May 20 to 26. He hit six home runs in five games during that time. He even hit two home runs in one game twice!
Brown won his second Player of the Week award right after that. He hit 7 home runs and had 13 RBIs in one week. He was also named the NL Player of the Month for May. He hit 12 home runs that month. Brown finished the season hitting .272 with 27 home runs and 83 RBIs. He was chosen to be a reserve player for the 2013 All-Star Game.
Later Years with the Phillies (2014–2015)
In 2014, Brown played in 144 games. This was the most games he played in a season. He hit .235 with 10 home runs and 63 RBIs. Some people thought he was not very good at playing defense in left field.
In 2015, Brown moved back to his natural position, right field. He hoped to play better. On October 19, 2015, the Phillies removed him from their main roster. He finished the season hitting .228 with 5 home runs and 25 RBIs in 63 games.
Playing for Other Teams
Toronto Blue Jays (2016)
On February 25, 2016, Brown signed a minor league contract with the Toronto Blue Jays. He played 126 games for their Triple-A team, the Buffalo Bisons. He hit .239 with seven home runs and 41 RBIs. After the season, he became a free agent.
Colorado Rockies (2017)
Brown signed a minor league deal with the Colorado Rockies on January 31, 2017. He played 48 games for their Triple-A team, the Albuquerque Isotopes. He hit .304 with three home runs and 21 RBIs. The Rockies released him on July 19.
Mexican League (2018–2019)
In 2018, Brown signed with the Sultanes de Monterrey in the Mexican League. He played 30 games there. Later that year, he signed with the Tecolotes de los Dos Laredos. He played well, hitting .274 with 11 home runs and 48 RBIs.
Brown returned to the Tecolotes in 2019. He played 88 games and had a strong season. He hit .295 with 25 home runs and 75 RBIs. He did not play in 2020 because the Mexican League season was canceled. He was released by the Tecolotes on July 3, 2020.
Life After Baseball
As of 2020, Domonic Brown was working as a coach. He coached at Athletes Academy. This is a training center in East Norriton.
Personal Life
Domonic Brown and his family live in the suburbs of Philadelphia.
|
