Hunter Brown Stats & Scouting Report

IP	170
ERA	3.49
WHIP	1.27
BB/9	3.18
SO/9	9.48

Full name Hunter Noah Brown
Born 08/29/1998 in Detroit, MI
Profile Ht.: 6'2" / Wt.: 212 / Bats: R / Throws: R
School Wayne State
Debut 09/05/2022
Drafted in the 5th round (166th overall) by the Houston Astros in 2019 (signed for $325,000).

View Draft Report

Brown wasn’t on the radar of many crosscheckers or scouting directors prior to the season, but that quickly changed after showing impressive velocity and better strike-throwing ability than area scouts were expecting to see from the 6-foot-2, 203-pound righty. Brown has an electric fastball that touches 98 mph, and he holds his velocity well over his outings, sitting in the 91-95 mph range into the sixth and seventh innings. Part of that is because he has a good understanding of how to add and subtract with his fastball velocity during games, and part of that is because he made some adjustments with his delivery over the summer which increased his top-end velocity and allowed him to hold it longer into games. Brown’s slider is not as consistent as his fastball. It’s a pitch that flashes above-average grades at its best but also fluctuates down to a 40-grade offering as well. Scouts also want to see improvement from a changeup. There is some crossfire and slight recoil in Brown’s delivery, which leads to questions as to whether or not he’s a long-term starter or reliever. Over his first 14 starts and 85.1 innings, Brown struck out 114 batters (12 per nine) and walked 39 (4.1 per nine) with a 2.21 ERA.

Top Rankings

Organization Prospect Rankings

BA Grade/Risk: 60/High

Track Record: The Astros drafted Brown in the fifth round in 2019 and signed him for an above-slot $325,000 following a breakout season at Division II Wayne State in Detroit. Brown debuted that summer in the short-season New York-Penn League then missed 2020 because of the pandemic. He jumped straight to Double-A Corpus Christi when play resumed in 2021 and reached Triple-A Sugar Land in early August. Brown made 11 Triple-A appearances over the final two months of the season and struck out 55 batters in 51 innings. He returned to Sugar Land to begin 2022 and made 23 appearances, alternating time as a traditional starter and a bulk pitcher behind an opener. Brown showed improved command of his powerful arsenal as he posted a career best strikeout-to-walk ratio and was selected to pitch in the Futures Game. The Astros called up Brown in early September and he joined his childhood hero Justin Verlander as a member of the Astros staff. He was selected for the Astros' postseason roster and made three appearances between the Division Series and the Championship Series. Brown was included on Houston's World Series roster but did not appear in a game.

Scouting Report: Few define the modern pitcher archetype like Brown, who is a tall righthander with a muscular build and above-average athleticism. He works from a semi-windup with a longer arm action and delivers pitches from an over-the-top release. Brown in many ways mimics the operation of former Astros teammate Justin Verlander, whom he grew up watching in Detroit. In this way, Brown, like Verlander, is able to fluidly generate power across his pitch mix. Brown's arsenal consists of four pitches with his four-seam fastball and two breaking-ball shapes working as his primary repertoire. His fastball sits 95-97 mph and touches 100. It plays up even further because of efficient backspin and an unusually flat plane from his high arm slot. Brown uses two breaking balls with distinctively different shapes in a low-90s slider/cutter hybrid and a low-to-mid-80s curveball with significant depth. Each of Brown's breaking pitches succeeds for different reasons. His ability to command his slider in and out of the zone drives mis-hits and chase swings, while his curveball depth plays perfectly off of his four-seam shape. This allows Brown to dominate with a north-south plan of attack. He'll mix in an upper-80s changeup, but it was rarely used. Brown's command bumped to average in 2022.

The Future: A power pitcher capable of succeeding in a variety of roles, Brown is poised to claim a rotation spot for the reigning World Series champion Astros in 2023.

Scouting Grades: Fastball: 70. Curveball: 55. Slider: 55. Changeup: 45. Control: 50
Track Record: Brown burst onto the draft scene in 2019, striking out 114 batters in 85.1 innings as a junior at Division II Wayne State. The Astros took him in the fifth round that June and signed him for $325,000. Brown’s first full minor league season in 2021 featured much of the same traits that attracted the Astros. He struck out 131 batters in 101.1 innings with a 4.04 ERA between Double-A Corpus Christi and Triple-A Sugar Land. The performance put Brown, a Detroit native who grew up idolizing Justin Verlander, in the thick of conversations to join him in the Astros’ rotation.

Scouting Report: Brown relies on a power four-seam fastball that sits in the mid-to-upper 90s and can reach 99 mph. He can elevate the pitch when needed and misses bats due to the late riding life it generates. Brown possesses two breaking pitches, a spike curveball in the low 80s and a sweeping slider that generates swings and misses. Both his four-seamer and curveball are major league-caliber, but a lack of consistency prevents Brown from being a bona fide, big-league starting pitching prospect. He is frequently unable to repeat his delivery and has the occasional propensity to lose his release point. His fastball command issues are apparent and must be solved for him to stick as a starter, although he could still be dominant in the bullpen.

The Future: Brown should begin 2022 at Triple-A Sugar Land, where perhaps a year of seasoning will yield the breakout season many within the organization envision.
Fastball: 70. Slider: 50. Changeup: 50. Curveball: 60. Control: 40.

TRACK RECORD: Brown went to Division II Wayne State in Detroit, where he did little to distinguish himself until his junior year in 2019. That’s when he posted a 2.43 ERA with 114 strikeouts in 85.1 innings and showed more power to his stuff, prompting the Astros to draft him in the fifth round and sign him for $325,000. Brown made his pro debut that summer in the short-season New York-Penn league, then in 2020 was a standout at instructional league.

SCOUTING REPORT: Brown began his time at Wayne State scraping the low 90s, but he now has a power fastball that’s in the mid-to-upper 90s in short bursts and ranges from 92-100 mph as a starter. He gets good angle on his fastball and the pitch has late riding life to help him miss bats. He throws all of his pitches with power, including a hard curveball that’s a plus offering, along with a slider and changeup that both have average or better potential. Brown has starter stuff, but he is wild and will need to improve his well below-average control.

THE FUTURE: It will take a lot of improvement for Brown to get to even fringe-average control, but if he can throw enough strikes, he has a chance to develop into a mid-rotation starter. Otherwise, scouts see him as a potential candidate for multi-inning relief.
TRACK RECORD: Coming into 2019, Brown was a pitcher who had struggled to earn a significant role in two seasons with Division II Wayne State (Mich.). But he improved his delivery, found some extra velocity and earned a spot in Wayne State's rotation. He had a dominating year and vaulted into the fifth round.

SCOUTING REPORT: Brown's rise from obscurity has been tied to a fastball that has turned into a fire-breathing monster. Brown will throw it anywhere from 92-100 mph in a normal outing, and he uses the extra gear to surprise hitters when he needs it. Brown gets good angle on his fastball, with that little hop at the top of the zone to miss bats. He has a durable frame with a thick midsection. The Astros will have to work hard to help him improve his well below-average control. He already has made some strides. He walked 16 in 14 innings over his first seven outings, but only four in 12 innings over his final six outings. Brown's 82-84 mph curveball is also a plus pitch. His changeup and slider both have average potential.

THE FUTURE: Brown is a high-risk, high-upside starter who has the stuff to be a middle-of-the-rotation starter. His fastball and curveball gives him several fallback options if his control doesn't improve as much as the Astros hope.

Draft Prospects

Brown wasn't on the radar of many crosscheckers or scouting directors prior to the season, but that quickly changed after showing impressive velocity and better strike-throwing ability than area scouts were expecting to see from the 6-foot-2, 203-pound righty. Brown has an electric fastball that touches 98 mph, and he holds his velocity well over his outings, sitting in the 91-95 mph range into the sixth and seventh innings. Part of that is because he has a good understanding of how to add and subtract with his fastball velocity during games, and part of that is because he made some adjustments with his delivery over the summer which increased his top-end velocity and allowed him to hold it longer into games. Brown's slider is not as consistent as his fastball. It's a pitch that flashes above-average grades at its best but also fluctuates down to a 40-grade offering as well. Scouts also want to see improvement from a changeup. There is some crossfire and slight recoil in Brown's delivery, which leads to questions as to whether or not he's a long-term starter or reliever. Over his first 14 starts and 85.1 innings, Brown struck out 114 batters (12 per nine) and walked 39 (4.1 per nine) with a 2.21 ERA.

Top 100 Rankings

Scouting Reports

BA Grade/Risk: 60/High

Track Record: The Astros drafted Brown in the fifth round in 2019 and signed him for an above-slot $325,000 following a breakout season at Division II Wayne State in Detroit. Brown debuted that summer in the short-season New York-Penn League then missed 2020 because of the pandemic. He jumped straight to Double-A Corpus Christi when play resumed in 2021 and reached Triple-A Sugar Land in early August. Brown made 11 Triple-A appearances over the final two months of the season and struck out 55 batters in 51 innings. He returned to Sugar Land to begin 2022 and made 23 appearances, alternating time as a traditional starter and a bulk pitcher behind an opener. Brown showed improved command of his powerful arsenal as he posted a career best strikeout-to-walk ratio and was selected to pitch in the Futures Game. The Astros called up Brown in early September and he joined his childhood hero Justin Verlander as a member of the Astros staff. He was selected for the Astros' postseason roster and made three appearances between the Division Series and the Championship Series. Brown was included on Houston's World Series roster but did not appear in a game.

Scouting Report: Few define the modern pitcher archetype like Brown, who is a tall righthander with a muscular build and above-average athleticism. He works from a semi-windup with a longer arm action and delivers pitches from an over-the-top release. Brown in many ways mimics the operation of former Astros teammate Justin Verlander, whom he grew up watching in Detroit. In this way, Brown, like Verlander, is able to fluidly generate power across his pitch mix. Brown's arsenal consists of four pitches with his four-seam fastball and two breaking-ball shapes working as his primary repertoire. His fastball sits 95-97 mph and touches 100. It plays up even further because of efficient backspin and an unusually flat plane from his high arm slot. Brown uses two breaking balls with distinctively different shapes in a low-90s slider/cutter hybrid and a low-to-mid-80s curveball with significant depth. Each of Brown's breaking pitches succeeds for different reasons. His ability to command his slider in and out of the zone drives mis-hits and chase swings, while his curveball depth plays perfectly off of his four-seam shape. This allows Brown to dominate with a north-south plan of attack. He'll mix in an upper-80s changeup, but it was rarely used. Brown's command bumped to average in 2022.

The Future: A power pitcher capable of succeeding in a variety of roles, Brown is poised to claim a rotation spot for the reigning World Series champion Astros in 2023.

Scouting Grades: Fastball: 70. Curveball: 55. Slider: 55. Changeup: 45. Control: 50
BA Grade/Risk: 60/High

Track Record: The Astros drafted Brown in the fifth round in 2019 and signed him for an above-slot $325,000 following a breakout season at Division II Wayne State in Detroit. Brown debuted that summer in the short-season New York-Penn League then missed 2020 because of the pandemic. He jumped straight to Double-A Corpus Christi when play resumed in 2021 and reached Triple-A Sugar Land in early August. Brown made 11 Triple-A appearances over the final two months of the season and struck out 55 batters in 51 innings. He returned to Sugar Land to begin 2022 and made 23 appearances, alternating time as a traditional starter and a bulk pitcher behind an opener. Brown showed improved command of his powerful arsenal as he posted a career best strikeout-to-walk ratio and was selected to pitch in the Futures Game. The Astros called up Brown in early September and he joined his childhood hero Justin Verlander as a member of the Astros staff. He was selected for the Astros' postseason roster and made three appearances between the Division Series and the Championship Series. Brown was included on Houston's World Series roster but did not appear in a game.

Scouting Report: Few define the modern pitcher archetype like Brown, who is a tall righthander with a muscular build and above-average athleticism. He works from a semi-windup with a longer arm action and delivers pitches from an over-the-top release. Brown in many ways mimics the operation of former Astros teammate Justin Verlander, whom he grew up watching in Detroit. In this way, Brown, like Verlander, is able to fluidly generate power across his pitch mix. Brown's arsenal consists of four pitches with his four-seam fastball and two breaking-ball shapes working as his primary repertoire. His fastball sits 95-97 mph and touches 100. It plays up even further because of efficient backspin and an unusually flat plane from his high arm slot. Brown uses two breaking balls with distinctively different shapes in a low-90s slider/cutter hybrid and a low-to-mid-80s curveball with significant depth. Each of Brown's breaking pitches succeeds for different reasons. His ability to command his slider in and out of the zone drives mis-hits and chase swings, while his curveball depth plays perfectly off of his four-seam shape. This allows Brown to dominate with a north-south plan of attack. He'll mix in an upper-80s changeup, but it was rarely used. Brown's command bumped to average in 2022.

The Future: A power pitcher capable of succeeding in a variety of roles, Brown is poised to claim a rotation spot for the reigning World Series champion Astros in 2023.

Scouting Grades: Fastball: 70. Curveball: 55. Slider: 55. Changeup: 45. Control: 50
BA Grade: 55/High

Track Record: Brown burst onto the draft scene in 2019, striking out 114 batters in 85.1 innings as a junior at Division II Wayne State. The Astros took him in the fifth round that June and signed him for $325,000. Brown&#39s first full minor league season in 2021 featured much of the same traits that attracted the Astros. He struck out 131 batters in 101.1 innings with a 4.04 ERA between Double-A Corpus Christi and Triple-A Sugar Land. The performance put Brown, a Detroit native who grew up idolizing Justin Verlander, in the thick of conversations to join him in the Astros&#39 rotation.

Scouting Report: Brown relies on a power four-seam fastball that sits in the mid-to-upper 90s and can reach 99 mph. He can elevate the pitch when needed and misses bats due to the late riding life it generates. Brown possesses two breaking pitches, a spike curveball in the low 80s and a sweeping slider that generates swings and misses. Both his four-seamer and curveball are major league-caliber, but a lack of consistency prevents Brown from being a bona fide, big-league starting pitching prospect. He is frequently unable to repeat his delivery and has the occasional propensity to lose his release point. His fastball command issues are apparent and must be solved for him to stick as a starter, although he could still be dominant in the bullpen.

The Future: Brown should begin 2022 at Triple-A Sugar Land, where perhaps a year of seasoning will yield the breakout season many within the organization envision.

Scouting Grades: Fastball: 70. Slider: 50. Curveball: 60. Changeup: 50. Control: 40.
Track Record: Brown burst onto the draft scene in 2019, striking out 114 batters in 85.1 innings as a junior at Division II Wayne State. The Astros took him in the fifth round that June and signed him for $325,000. Brown’s first full minor league season in 2021 featured much of the same traits that attracted the Astros. He struck out 131 batters in 101.1 innings with a 4.04 ERA between Double-A Corpus Christi and Triple-A Sugar Land. The performance put Brown, a Detroit native who grew up idolizing Justin Verlander, in the thick of conversations to join him in the Astros’ rotation.

Scouting Report: Brown relies on a power four-seam fastball that sits in the mid-to-upper 90s and can reach 99 mph. He can elevate the pitch when needed and misses bats due to the late riding life it generates. Brown possesses two breaking pitches, a spike curveball in the low 80s and a sweeping slider that generates swings and misses. Both his four-seamer and curveball are major league-caliber, but a lack of consistency prevents Brown from being a bona fide, big-league starting pitching prospect. He is frequently unable to repeat his delivery and has the occasional propensity to lose his release point. His fastball command issues are apparent and must be solved for him to stick as a starter, although he could still be dominant in the bullpen.

The Future: Brown should begin 2022 at Triple-A Sugar Land, where perhaps a year of seasoning will yield the breakout season many within the organization envision.
Fastball: 70. Slider: 50. Changeup: 50. Curveball: 60. Control: 40.

TRACK RECORD: Brown went to Division II Wayne State in Detroit, where he did little to distinguish himself until his junior year in 2019. That’s when he posted a 2.43 ERA with 114 strikeouts in 85.1 innings and showed more power to his stuff, prompting the Astros to draft him in the fifth round and sign him for $325,000. Brown made his pro debut that summer in the short-season New York-Penn league, then in 2020 was a standout at instructional league.

SCOUTING REPORT: Brown began his time at Wayne State scraping the low 90s, but he now has a power fastball that’s in the mid-to-upper 90s in short bursts and ranges from 92-100 mph as a starter. He gets good angle on his fastball and the pitch has late riding life to help him miss bats. He throws all of his pitches with power, including a hard curveball that’s a plus offering, along with a slider and changeup that both have average or better potential. Brown has starter stuff, but he is wild and will need to improve his well below-average control.

THE FUTURE: It will take a lot of improvement for Brown to get to even fringe-average control, but if he can throw enough strikes, he has a chance to develop into a mid-rotation starter. Otherwise, scouts see him as a potential candidate for multi-inning relief.
Fastball: 70. Slider: 50. Changeup: 50. Curveball: 60. Control: 40.

TRACK RECORD: Brown went to Division II Wayne State in Detroit, where he did little to distinguish himself until his junior year in 2019. That’s when he posted a 2.43 ERA with 114 strikeouts in 85.1 innings and showed more power to his stuff, prompting the Astros to draft him in the fifth round and sign him for $325,000. Brown made his pro debut that summer in the short-season New York-Penn league, then in 2020 was a standout at instructional league.

SCOUTING REPORT: Brown began his time at Wayne State scraping the low 90s, but he now has a power fastball that’s in the mid-to-upper 90s in short bursts and ranges from 92-100 mph as a starter. He gets good angle on his fastball and the pitch has late riding life to help him miss bats. He throws all of his pitches with power, including a hard curveball that’s a plus offering, along with a slider and changeup that both have average or better potential. Brown has starter stuff, but he is wild and will need to improve his well below-average control.

THE FUTURE: It will take a lot of improvement for Brown to get to even fringe-average control, but if he can throw enough strikes, he has a chance to develop into a mid-rotation starter. Otherwise, scouts see him as a potential candidate for multi-inning relief.
TRACK RECORD: Coming into 2019, Brown was a pitcher who had struggled to earn a significant role in two seasons with Division II Wayne State (Mich.). But he improved his delivery, found some extra velocity and earned a spot in Wayne State’s rotation. He had a dominating year and vaulted into the fifth round.

SCOUTING REPORT: Brown’s rise from obscurity has been tied to a fastball that has turned into a fire-breathing monster. Brown will throw it anywhere from 92-100 mph in a normal outing, and he uses the extra gear to surprise hitters when he needs it. Brown gets good angle on his fastball, with that little hop at the top of the zone to miss bats. He has a durable frame with a thick midsection. The Astros will have to work hard to help him improve his well below-average control. He already has made some strides. He walked 16 in 14 innings over his first seven outings, but only four in 12 innings over his final six outings. Brown’s 82-84 mph curveball is also a plus pitch. His changeup and slider both have average potential.

THE FUTURE: Brown is a high-risk, high-upside starter who has the stuff to be a middle-of-the-rotation starter. His fastball and curveball gives him several fallback options if his control doesn’t improve as much as the Astros hope.
TRACK RECORD: Coming into 2019, Brown was a pitcher who had struggled to earn a significant role in two seasons with Division II Wayne State (Mich.). But he improved his delivery, found some extra velocity and earned a spot in Wayne State's rotation. He had a dominating year and vaulted into the fifth round.

SCOUTING REPORT: Brown's rise from obscurity has been tied to a fastball that has turned into a fire-breathing monster. Brown will throw it anywhere from 92-100 mph in a normal outing, and he uses the extra gear to surprise hitters when he needs it. Brown gets good angle on his fastball, with that little hop at the top of the zone to miss bats. He has a durable frame with a thick midsection. The Astros will have to work hard to help him improve his well below-average control. He already has made some strides. He walked 16 in 14 innings over his first seven outings, but only four in 12 innings over his final six outings. Brown's 82-84 mph curveball is also a plus pitch. His changeup and slider both have average potential.

THE FUTURE: Brown is a high-risk, high-upside starter who has the stuff to be a middle-of-the-rotation starter. His fastball and curveball gives him several fallback options if his control doesn't improve as much as the Astros hope.
Brown wasn't on the radar of many crosscheckers or scouting directors prior to the season, but that quickly changed after showing impressive velocity and better strike-throwing ability than area scouts were expecting to see from the 6-foot-2, 203-pound righty. Brown has an electric fastball that touches 98 mph, and he holds his velocity well over his outings, sitting in the 91-95 mph range into the sixth and seventh innings. Part of that is because he has a good understanding of how to add and subtract with his fastball velocity during games, and part of that is because he made some adjustments with his delivery over the summer which increased his top-end velocity and allowed him to hold it longer into games. Brown's slider is not as consistent as his fastball. It's a pitch that flashes above-average grades at its best but also fluctuates down to a 40-grade offering as well. Scouts also want to see improvement from a changeup. There is some crossfire and slight recoil in Brown's delivery, which leads to questions as to whether or not he's a long-term starter or reliever. Over his first 14 starts and 85.1 innings, Brown struck out 114 batters (12 per nine) and walked 39 (4.1 per nine) with a 2.21 ERA.