Ira Brown

Organization Prospect Rankings

• 
  Ranked Kansas City Royals #25 prospect in 2002
  Until his senior year at Willis (Texas) High, Brown was known mainly for his basketball exploits. In baseball, he had peaked as a junior-varsity outfielder. Last spring, he moved into the varsity rotation and repeatedly showed a 90-93 mph fastball, which got him drafted in the eighth round. Outside of Roscoe Crosby, Brown was the best athlete signed by the Royals in 2001. That athleticism gives him an excellent chance to repeat his delivery, which will allow him to refine his secondary pitches (a curveball and rudimentary changeup) and his command. With his size and heat, Brown resembles a young Lee Smith. He still has a lot to learn about the art of pitching, but his ceiling is extremely high. He may start 2002 in extended spring training before going to Spokane in June.