Inexplicably, in the 186 days since then, Phillies executives, fans, talking heads, and writers (yours truly not excluded) have tried to knock Brown down a peg. It is this groupthink that has prevailed throughout the off-season: Brown isn't ready to be the everyday rightfielder.
And it's wrong. What, exactly, is this notion based on? After a spectacular minor-league season, Brown had 62 at-bats in the majors. Many were as a bench player, a role to which he was unaccustomed. He also suffered a strained right quadriceps that limited him in September.
He stuck around on the bench for the postseason and had three at-bats. Then he went to the Dominican Republic for winter ball. Brown left after nine disappointing games, hitting 2 for 29.
So 94 at-bats in 47 games from July 28 on prompted these declarations from some: He holds his bat too high, he can't hit lefthanded pitching, and he is not sharp enough defensively to play in the outfield.
Remember when Domonic Brown was the top prospect, the can't-miss hitter, the only guy the Phillies refused to include in their three trades for ace pitchers? For sure, Brown is a raw talent. But he has mastered the minor-league level; it's best if the seasoning comes in the majors as Jayson Werth's replacement.
Many of the critics take their cues from the man disseminating the information, general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. But remember, Amaro has his own machinations - and he is entitled to them. Follow the progression of Amaro's comments on Brown.
Aug. 21: The Phillies had a few chances to send Brown back to triple A for regular playing time. But they did not. "It gives us the chance to have the best club out there," Amaro said.
