Today Sandy Alderson and the Mets signed outfielder Andrew Brown to a minor league deal. The 28 year old right-handed hitter recently declared free agency instead of returning to a minor league assignment with the Colorado Rockies where he spent his 2012 season. Andrew Brown is most widely regarded as a corner outfielder, though he has additionally spent some time at first base in his minor league career.
In 46 games with the 2012 Rockies, Brown posted a line of .232/.302/.429/.730 with a home OPS of .916 and a road OPS of .571 (thanks, Colorado!). Brown performed better versus lefties than righties, which is certainly one statistic favoring the Mets’ needs.
While Brown’s major league pedigree is lacking in substance and style, he has excelled in the minors, mostly in the Cardinals’ minor league system. Over six seasons in the minors, Brown racked up an OPS of .876 and most recently knocked out 24 home runs in 100 games for Colorado Springs’ AAA team in 2012.
Bryan Kilpatrick of the popular Rockies blog “Purple Row” has been kind enough to provide us with his first-hand take on Andrew Brown. It sounds like his opinion of Brown is “rocky” at best (sorry).
“At 28, Brown looks like a prototypical AAAA player. Although he showed flashes of power at the big league level last season, slugging .429 while hitting five home runs in limited time with the Rockies, Brown doesn’t appear to have the patience or pitch recognition skills necessary to consistently produce at the highest level. In addition, Brown provides little to no defensive value.
Brown has spent the last two years tearing up the Pacific Coast League, and that won’t change in 2013 if he ends up in Triple-A with the Mets moving to Las Vegas. The Mets and their fans should take extreme caution if Brown gets off to a torrid start, as things likely wouldn’t translate well from Las Vegas to Citi Field in Queens.”
22 comments
srt
1/2/2013-6:38pm at 6:38 pm (UTC -4)
Thanks for this, Prismo.
Was hoping he was at least average at defense. Sounds like that’s not the case. Between the 6 or 7 OFs we’ve got going into ST, I’m don’t think we’ve got one who is above average in defense, do we?
Yikes…..
Stickguy
1/2/2013-6:59pm at 6:59 pm (UTC -4)
Baxter, Kirk and Cowgirl are all legit defensive players. Not sure about Hoffman. Brown and Duda have to hit to stick. and I can’t think of any more bodies off the top of my head.
At this point, I really think they are accumulating as many of this type of guy to see if one of them can step up in AAA and grab the RH platoon spot opposite Baxter. Others go to AAA, and there could be a rotation from Vegas to Queens.
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if 1 of them can be the guy that finally puts up numbers when he gets the chance to play (even just in a platoon) it could be a reasonably productive spot (Baster did fine vs. RHP, right?).
as we sit, I think it is Duda in LF, Cowgirl/Kirk in CF, and Baxter in LF platooning with one of (Brown/Hoffman/Hairston//Kearns/some other RH guy with some pop and big splits that works cheap).
whichever 2 are not starting in CF and RF can be defensive replacements for Duda in late innings with a lead.
Not ideal, and hopefully subject to change (not giving up on Alvarez, and still a chance some “real” OF comes in via trade), but if managed correctly, it could give something passing for OK output. But the operative word is platoon, which if nothing else, will make Terry happy, since he insists on doing it anyway!
greggofboken
1/2/2013-8:25pm at 8:25 pm (UTC -4)
Cowgill rates above average in most defensive metrics. Above average arm, above average range. Decent defensive WAR scores And, yeah….he’s the only one.
With Torres out of the picture, the best defensive ratings for any of our folks last year was a tie between Fred Lewis and Vinny Rottino — both with negatie dWAR’s. And that tells you everything you need to know.
srt
1/2/2013-8:44pm at 8:44 pm (UTC -4)
Thanks.
Like I said….Yikes!
HobokenMetsFan
1/3/2013-9:28am at 9:28 am (UTC -4)
Wow….thats a tough pill to swallow, damn…
Mr North Jersey
1/2/2013-6:55pm at 6:55 pm (UTC -4)
Now that the holidays are over. I’m expecting to see in the coming weeks a move made (either via trade or free agency) to acquire an outfielder. I then expect that move to be followed by comments of disapproval as to why the Mets acquired said player as it seems the Mets are damned if they do and damned if they don’t.
Stickguy
1/2/2013-7:02pm at 7:02 pm (UTC -4)
I love it from some circles (the ones I affectionately call the “Sandy is really the devil” crowd. Or just idiots, which takes much less typing).
but, I digress. These are people that complain if they sign a player for real money. But complain if they don’t. Make fun of every small signing, but complain about every stiff that signs elsewhere. Complain that the FO is not trading for new players, but complain every time a player with anything passing for talent is mentioned as being traded away.
Mr North Jersey
1/2/2013-7:41pm at 7:41 pm (UTC -4)
I am looking forward to camp. Watching (barring injury) Niese, Harvey, Mejia, Familia and Edgin in the Bigs along with Wheeler and d’Arnaud in AAA ought to be fun (at least from my point of view).
Then add a full season of Ike having finished last season how he did. Mr Tejada at SS and Wright at 3B with a chance that Capt Kirk gets to be the Mets CF as he tries to improve on what he did last season and I have a ton of players I am interested in watching how they play and develop.
Mr North Jersey
1/2/2013-7:58pm at 7:58 pm (UTC -4)
I should of added that I say that because unlike some I am not so down on a season that has yet to even begin.
Trs86
1/2/2013-9:10pm at 9:10 pm (UTC -4)
No no no. At all times on all Mets blogs you must be bleak.
greggofboken
1/2/2013-9:20pm at 9:20 pm (UTC -4)
Even Cowgill gets the blues.
Stick
1/2/2013-8:08pm at 8:08 pm (UTC -4)
there is also a fair amount of talent in that list. and is why IMO it is hard to really predict what this team will do. Way too many big-delta guys to predict where they end up. And how soon things will develop to where they will be that FA away from being a “real” team.
gategem
1/3/2013-3:43am at 3:43 am (UTC -4)
I see once again you are gravitating to your normal pre-season predilection. Soon you will be entering Ceetarville, USA. Take solace in the fact that one of these years you’ll be correct and I hope I’m still alive to enjoy it.
Hazmet
1/2/2013-8:10pm at 8:10 pm (UTC -4)
While it wouldn’t bring an outfielder back I’d be shopping Frankie to the Rays for a decent prospect to build organizational depth since they are looking for bullpen help. Obviously, trying to sweeten the pot significantly somehow to get Will Meyers would be a dream to me but the Metsies don’t have the chips the Rays would be looking for to get a blue chipper back but maybe some more young pitching depth in return could be had.
Then I’d still wait out to see if the Angel are really going to salary dump Vernon Wells and try to swing a deal on the cheap since they have been rumored to be looking to eat over $20M of his salary.
Stick
1/2/2013-9:26pm at 9:26 pm (UTC -4)
think they might need a 1B/DH lefty power hitter too?
gategem
1/3/2013-3:47am at 3:47 am (UTC -4)
Could it be true? Are you willing to give up on your boy Duda? Wasn’t he like a son to you? How could you trade a member of your extended family? For shame!!!!!
Stick
1/3/2013-12:36pm at 12:36 pm (UTC -4)
I would trade my wife if she could bring back a legit RH hitting OF with power and a good glove.
I really am not sentimental.
kingman 26
1/2/2013-8:29pm at 8:29 pm (UTC -4)
Come on guys. This is a nothing player from the Pascucci/Chris Carter mold.
Minor league depth/MLB desperation signing.
Means nothing.
Prismo
1/2/2013-9:32pm at 9:32 pm (UTC -4)
Totally agree, and Carter/Val are great comparisons. I think the only thing Brown has going for him is that he hasn’t really gotten a shot in the majors yet. Our outfield is just bad enough to possibly give him that shot.
Looking at his history it was strange to see how he had an 800+ OPS pretty much every minor league season, but he still managed to play in AA two seasons and then in AAA two seasons. If that isn’t a red flag, I don’t know what is.
Stick
1/2/2013-11:49pm at 11:49 pm (UTC -4)
collect enough of them, let them fight it out in ST, and see if one can finally take advantage of a real opportunity, at least as a regular platoon guy. A little bit of a long shot, but not that uncommon for guys to finally make a career even with a late start, if they get into the right role/situation.
hell, use 3 of them on the Jacobs plan. hot start, get exposed, go to the next guy. Lather, rinse repeat.
gategem
1/3/2013-3:55am at 3:55 am (UTC -4)
It doesn’t read as if he is extremely physically gifted. Sometimes if the athletic talent is there the skill set and information processing required to be successful follow a bit later in life.
gategem
1/3/2013-4:00am at 4:00 am (UTC -4)
Kong you are developing into a Debbie Downer. BTW is she the same Debbie that did Dallas?