Scout stuck by Domonic Brown, and it paid off for Phils

Brown had moved to Georgia before his senior year to be with his father, partially because he could have a tutor to help him prepare for college entrance exams. But his mother, Rosemary Brown, refused to grant temporary guardianship to her estranged husband and Brown's father, Robert Walker, in order for Brown to be eligible to play sports at his new high school. Eventually, a Georgia court ruled in favor of Walker.

Soon after, Brown orally committed to Miami to play football. He was rated by rivals.com as one of the nation's top 250 players. But Lawrence was glad Brown was with his father.

"His dad did a good job of getting him in the right direction baseball-wise," Lawrence said.

Now Lawrence had to prove Brown's value to his bosses. During the day, the contingent of Phillies scouts took Brown and his father to a field. Wolever made a few changes to Brown's swing, and the 18-year-old was quick to adapt. Later that night, Brown took the suggestions into one of Redan's games and flourished.

"At that point," Wolever said, "we got all excited."

The scouting director gave Lawrence a salary figure to work with and told him to return with Brown and his father to their house.

"We put it in Chip's hands and said, 'Hey, we need to get this done. So, Chip, go get him,' " Wolever said. "That's exactly what he did. He went right in and got it done that night."

Brown signed for approximately $200,000, well over the recommended slot.

"It wasn't hard," Lawrence said. "It's never hard when you have a kid who wants to get his career started and has his goals in mind."

About a week before Lawrence officially started with San Diego, he sent Brown a text message. He wanted to tell him about the new job before anyone else could.

"Crazy," Brown said, shaking his head.

Lawrence was there from Day 1. When Brown reported to Clearwater, Fla., shortly after signing to begin his professional career with the Gulf Coast Phillies, Lawrence was waiting for him. Every spring training, Lawrence treated Brown and the other players he had signed to a few dinners.

Those are the players who have helped Lawrence ascend the ladder.

"When you sign guys who go out and do well," Lawrence said, "it definitely doesn't hurt."

Brown, who will likely play winter ball this off-season and has a legitimate shot at being the Phillies' starting rightfielder come 2011 at age 22, is appreciative.

"He was the only guy who stuck there," Brown said.

"He wanted to play baseball," Lawrence said. "Yeah, he was a good football player, but baseball was his first love. Once you got to know him, that wasn't hard to tell."

And as Lawrence begins scouting for another club, the Phillies will always be grateful he befriended a lanky lefty with cornrows.

Contact staff writer Matt Gelb

at 215-854-2928 or mgelb@phillynews.com. Follow on Twitter @magelb.