Domonic Brown is now one level away from the big leagues.
After a sensational first half with double-A Reading, the Phillies' top minor-league prospect was promoted to triple-A Lehigh Valley on Friday.
"We wanted him to play half a year at Reading, which he has, and we think he's ready," Phillies assistant general manager Chuck LaMar said.
Brown's offensive numbers support the organization's decision. In 65 games at Reading, Brown batted .318 with 16 doubles, three triples, 15 home runs, and 47 RBIs. Brown, 22, ranked third in the Eastern League in hitting and home runs, and was sixth in RBIs.
It has been quite a week for Brown. He arrived at First Energy Park on Tuesday to find a letter at his locker informing him that he would be playing in the Futures Game July 11 in Anaheim, Calif. The game includes the best minor-league prospects in baseball and is played the Sunday before the Major League All-Star Game. Brown was asked Wednesday whether he was ready to make the move from Reading to Lehigh Valley.
"Man, I don't worry about that," he said. "I leave that to [general manager] Ruben Amaro [Jr.] and Chuck LaMar. I'm ready when they say I'm ready. I'm just out here playing my game and having fun. I'm just happy to be playing baseball."
Reading manager Steve Roadcap said Brown still needs to improve his defense, but he believes he will because of his work ethic.
"He knows that defense is the thing he needs to key in on and work harder at," Roadcap said. "He can hit. We all see that. He has great arm strength, but accuracy is a thing he needs to work on from last year. I hate to talk about it, because every time I talk about how much better his defense is getting, he goes out and makes a blunder. It's almost like the baseball gods are listening to me and kind of zap him during the game."
Brown had a defensive gaffe that drew boos from the fans at Reading during Tuesday's game against Baltimore's Bowie affiliate. He responded to the boos with two home runs and said afterward that he feeds off "the negativity."
"That comes from growing up with my dad and my mom," Brown said. "I come from a hardworking middle-class family, so I know what it takes to work hard and you have to earn everything. I know I messed up out in the field, and Phillies fans are going to get on you. They've been doing that all year, and that's preparing me for the big leagues also. I'm willing to take on that challenge."
In addition to promoting Brown, Lehigh Valley added outfielder Chris Aguila to the roster after he was acquired in a trade with Toronto. Outfielder Rich Thompson and infielder Neil Sellers were sent from Lehigh Valley to Reading.
Contact staff writer Bob Brookover at 215-854-2577 or bbrookover@phillynews.com.
