Phillies outfielder Domonic Brown has not gotten off to the start he could have hoped for in Philadelphia.
But his success this season may be the difference between the Phillies watching the Nationals cruise to another N.L. East pennant and competing with the new division rival to host the division trophy in late September.
While newly acquired outfielder Ben Revere and third baseman Michael Young, along with potential healthy seasons from first baseman Ryan Howard and second baseman Chase Utley may also determine the team's fate, Brown's success at the plate will be the deciding factor for a team that has struggled to find an every day right-fielder since the departure of right-fielder Jayson Werth.
In 147 games with the Phillies from 2010-2012, Brown has a .236 batting average with 12 HR, 102 hits, and 58 RBI. The left-handed hitting outfielder has added 51 walks and five stolen bases during his time in Philadelphia. Brown has not had a batting average above .245 and has not hit more than five HR in any of his three major league seasons.
While many believe Spring Training is not a stable enough factor for how a player's season will play out, Brown has showed no indication of slowing down before Opening Day against the Atlanta Braves on April 1. In 27 games this spring, Brown is averaging .373 with seven HR and 17 RBI. After 31 hits in the spring - 11 for extra bases - Brown has compiled a .675 slugging percentage, tied for first this spring with Ryan Howard.
With many question marks surrounding the career of Brown just one month ago, the 22-year-old has silenced critiques with his spring actions. While rumors developed of shipping Brown to Chicago for outfielder Alfonso Soriano straight up, such a scenario seems like a laughing matter just one month later.
After acquiring outfielder Delmon Young on Jan. 22, the Phillies introduced the former first pick overall in the 2003 draft as their starting right fielder. While Young remains sidelined with an injured right ankle and is not expected to return until mid-to-late April, Brown is expected to hold down the ranks of right field while John Mayberry and Laynce Nix battle it out in left field.
Once Young returns, the Phillies have a choice to make. While outfield depth is one of the best problems for a major league team to have, sliding Young into right field and moving Brown to left field with Revere solidifying the center field position could prove satisfying for a Phillies team that struggled mightily at fielding an outfield in 2012 after trading outfielders Hunter Pence and Shane Victorino.
Everybody in Philadelphia expects a strong pitching rotation from the Phillies, with a new look bullpen and a strong 1-2-3 in Cole Hamels, Cliff Lee and Roy Halladay. But one thing Phillies fans should also expect to see this season is to watch Domonic Brown make a transition. Brown hopes to convert from a player that has bounced around between Triple-A and the major leagues into an every day starter that is a home run threat every time he steps into the batters box.
So Philadelphia, what do you say? Lets give Brown one more chance to show us the potential everybody expected in 2010. After all, the former 20th round pick is only 22-years-old; his career is just beginning.
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