Barret Browning

Organization Prospect Rankings

• 
  Ranked Los Angeles Angels #20 prospect in 2008
  Browning's stock was at its highest when he was a sixth-round pick by the Red Sox out of high school in 2002. He didn't sign, and the Cubs drafted him in 2003 after he pitched at Middle Georgia Junior College. He again didn't sign and instead went to Florida State. He fell to the 38th round to the Rockies as a junior in 2005, went back to school and finally signed as a senior for $1,000 in the 28th round of the 2006 draft. Angels instructors improved the tempo of his delivery and got him more downhill. The results have been spectacular, as Browning dominated at times out of Cedar Rapids' bullpen last season, capping his season with 14 consecutive innings without an earned run. His fastball has plus run and life at 88-91 mph. His slurvy breaking ball is a second weapon, thanks largely to his ability to vary his arm slot and shape of the pitch. He works anywhere from three-quarters to low three-quarters, and the angle he creates makes him tough on lefthanders (.132 in 91 at-bats). His changeup is a serviceable third offering. Browning's command could improve, and he doesn't have an overpowering pitch. He holds runners well and has one of the best pickoff moves in the system. He profiles as a middle reliever, and at the least figures to serve as a lefty specialist. He'll open in high Class A but could jump to Double-A at midseason.
• 
  Ranked Los Angeles Angels #28 prospect in 2007
  Browning's stock was considerably higher in high school than it was in college. The Red Sox drafted him in the sixth round in 2002, after which he went in the 26th round to Cubs in 2003 following one year at Middle Georgia JC. He then transferred to Florida State, where he was a Rockies 38th-rounder in 2005 and an Angels 26th-rounder last June, when he signed for $1,000. When he arrived at Orem, pitching coach Zeke Zimmerman immediately cleaned up his delivery. Browning improved his tempo, attained better balance over the rubber and better direction to the plate. He varies his arm slot, working from three-quarters as well as low-three-quarters to provide deception, especially against lefthanders. He pitches between 86-92 mph with his fastball, which has armside run and comes out of his hand easily. His slider and changeup have potential to be plus pitches, though both are inconsistent. Browning profiles as a reliever, either as a middle man or perhaps as a lefty specialist. He could move through the system quickly and should begin 2007 in low Class A.