Jamie Brown

Organization Prospect Rankings

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  Ranked Boston Red Sox #26 prospect in 2004
  Acquired for second baseman Angel Santos in midseason trade of Triple-A players, Brown earned a 40-man roster spot with the Red Sox, who believe he's on the verge of pitching in the majors. Brown was on the fast track in the Indians system, reaching Double-A in his first full pro season, before injuries intervened. He had shoulder tendinitis in 1999, lower back problems in 2000 and Tommy John surgery in 2001. Fully healthy again, Brown commands four pitches: a low-90s fastball, a good changeup, a slider and a curveball. His breaking stuff is fringy, and he can use it to throw strikes but not to get outs. When he keeps his fastball down, it sinks and bores in on righthanders. Brown projects as a big league swingman. Used primarily in relief after switching organizations, he'll pitch out of the Triple-A rotation at the outset of this season.
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  Ranked Cleveland Guardians #17 prospect in 2001
  Brown seemingly has been on the verge of a breakthrough season for the last couple of years. His best season remains his first one, when he went 10-2, 3.08 at short-season Watertown in 1997. Brown's 2000 performance at Akron was statistically unremarkable. But the stuff is there. Brown, who has a good feel for pitching, has two above-average pitches in his fastball and change. His third pitch is a slider, which could use a little more work. He had some back problems in 2000, which may have contributed to an inconsistent delivery. Inconsistency in the strike zone has also been a problem at times. The back trouble last season and a sore shoulder in 1999 have raised questions about his durability. Brown remains one of the organization's more intriguing arms and could start 2001 in the Triple-A rotation.
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  Ranked Cleveland Guardians #6 prospect in 1999
  Background: An unheralded 1996 draft choice who signed a year later as a draft-and-follow, Brown emerged as a prospect in 1997 when he went 10-2, 3.08 at short-season Watertown. He skipped a level off that performance, and even finished this year with a start in Double-A. Strengths: Brown's changeup is a big-time out pitch and becomes doubly nasty when thrown off his lively 92-94 mph fastball. He has a strong, durable body and is an intense competitor. But even he may not realize how good he can be. Weaknesses: Brown could use a third pitch, and he's working on developing a consistent breaking ball. He has inconsistent mechanics that lead to lack of consistency in the strike zone, particularly with his breaking ball. He throws too many pitches up in the zone. The Future: Expect Brown to start the 1999 season in the rotation at Akron. Tribe officials love hiss makeup and the fact that he has two plus pitches in his fastball and changeup. When the breaking ball comes, the package will be complete.