Mitch Brown

Organization Prospect Rankings

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  Ranked Cleveland Guardians #30 prospect in 2016
  Minnesota's high school ranks aren't known as a hotbed of baseball talent, but Brown showed scouts enough in 2012 to become just the fourth prep pitcher from the state to be drafted as high as the second round. He has not performed consistently in the minors as he adjusts to better competition. Brown's stuff hasn't been a problem. His fastball comfortably sits in the low 90s and reaches 95 mph. He has a good feel for his changeup, and his curveball and cutter give him a solid pair of offspeed pitches. But Brown has struggled to find a delivery that he can comfortably repeat and his control has suffered as a result. He walked 4.9 batters per nine innings at high Class A Lynchburg in 2015. Brown earns praise for his work ethic, and he has the athleticism and powerful build--he wrestled in high school and his dad is a power lifter--to start, but only if he can find a way to throw more strikes.
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  Ranked Cleveland Guardians #14 prospect in 2015
  Brown became one of just two Minnesota high school pitchers taken inside the top two rounds of the draft in the last 30 years when the Indians snagged him at No. 79 overall in 2012 and signed him $800,000. After struggling to find a comfortable delivery in 2013, Brown was able to harness his effort level and incorporate his lower half much better as he made a second run at Lake County. His command was much improved, allowing him to get the most out of his four-pitch mix. His fastball and curveball have the makings of being plus pitches, the heater sitting in the low 90s and getting up to 96 mph with slight cutting action, while his hammer curve is the best in the system. He shows some feel for a changeup that has some armside life, and he also throws an early-count slider. The Indians like Brown's chances to stay in the rotation with his durable, athletic frame. He'll move up to high Class A Lynchburg in 2015.
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  Ranked Cleveland Guardians #24 prospect in 2014
  The Indians signed Brown for $800,000 in 2012 after making him one of just two Minnesota high schoolers to go in the top two rounds of the draft since Joe Mauer went first overall in 2001. Cleveland believed he was ready to compete at the low Class A level in his first full year, but Brown was hit hard for five starts before going down with a biceps injury. In high school, Brown showed a solid four-pitch mix and topped out at 95 mph, but his stuff in 2013 was inconsistent as he struggled with his mechanics. Brown could still hit 93-94 mph at times but would pitch at 90-91 as he focused more on throwing strikes. When his delivery got out of sync, he would overcompensate and search to find a consistent release point. He tended to get too far out front and have his arm drag, which led to many fastballs missing high to his arm side. Unable to throw enough strikes with his fastball, Brown couldn't get to his secondary stuff. His three-quarters curveball has plus potential. He shows feel for using his changeup, and he also features a slider/cutter hybrid that's shown promise. In high school, Brown threw with a sound, repeatable delivery, and he appeared to get back to it in instructional league. He'll get another crack at the Midwest League in 2014.
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  Ranked Cleveland Guardians #5 prospect in 2013
  Brown became just the fourth Minnesota prep pitcher ever to go as high as the second round, giving up a San Diego scholarship to sign for $800,000. The son of a Korean powerlifter, Brown has a sturdy build and pitches with poise. His fastball velocity is inconsistent, but he can sit around 90-93 mph and reached as high as 96 after signing. The Indians love the upside of both of his breaking pitches, a true curveball in the upper 70s and a cutter/slider in the mid-80s. In his debut, he focused mainly on the cutter/slider and worked with Rookie-level Arizona League pitching coach Steve Karsay in the bullpen to improve his curve. Brown also has an average changeup that could get better. He has a relatively low-maintenance delivery, and while he does throw across his body, it doesn't impede his command and helps him hide the ball. Brown has the stuff and polish to make the jump from Rookie ball low Class A at age 19. If he can refine his secondary pitches, he'll combine solid stuff across the board with good feel for pitching and project as a possible No. 3 starter.

Draft Prospects

• Ranked #44 prospect in 2012 draft
  Brown could make history as the first Minnesota prep pitcher ever drafted before the second round. He looked like a first-rounder in his opening start of 2012, when he didn't throw a fastball under 90 mph and threw several at 94. He backed it up with an 87-88 mph cutter/slider and a curveball that both projected as plus pitches, and showed aptitude for a changeup that could become an average offering. Brown hasn't quite lived up to that standard in his subsequent outings, but he continues to display advanced feel for his four-pitch repertoire. Scouts gush about his focus and discipline as well. The son of a Korean powerlifter, he has a strong 6-foot-2, 210-pound build. There's some crossfire to his delivery, but it adds deception rather than detracts from his command. Brown has a scholarship from the University of San Diego that likely will become moot if he's selected in the first two rounds.

Minor League Top Prospects

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  Ranked Midwest League #19 prospect in 2014
  The rare premium draft pick out of a Minnesota high school, Brown's delivery fell apart in his first try at the MWL in 2013. He regrouped during instructional league, and he showed a much more consistent delivery in his return to Lake County. Brown showed a feisty approach on the mound while pitching off of a tick above-average fastball that sits 91-94 mph and touches 96. He started to show the ability to self-diagnose delivery issues and fix them in games. By the end of the year he was pitching to all four quadrants of the zone. Brown's curveball is his second-best pitch as he can throw it for strikes or bury it to induce chases out of the zone. His slider and changeup both have a chance to be at least fringe-average pitches as well. Scouts see Brown as a potential mid-rotation starter thanks in part to his pitchability and competitive demeanor.
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  Ranked Arizona Complex League #15 prospect in 2012
  Just the fourth Minnesota high school pitcher ever drafted as high as the second round, Brown was inconsistent in his pro debut but his potential was obvious. The son of a Korean powerlifter, he has a sturdy, muscular body and pitches with good mechanics. His delivery doesn't involve a lot of effort and the ball comes out of his hand nice and easy. Brown's fastball usually sits at 91-93, touching as high as 96, and he commands it well. He has good feel for an average changeup and pitches with some deception. The only breaking ball he used in the early part of the season was a slider, but he worked with pitching coach Steve Karsay and made progress with refining his curveball.

• December, 2012 Scouting Report
  Background: Brown had the look of a first-round pick early last spring, but he wasn't quite as strong late in his high school season. He still became just the fourth Minnesota prep pitcher ever to go as high as the second round, giving up a San Diego scholarship to sign for $800,000. Scouting Report: The son of a Korean powerlifter, Brown has a sturdy build and pitches with poise. His fastball velocity is inconsistent, but he can sit around 90-93 mph and reached as high as 96 after signing. The Indians love the upside of both of his breaking pitches, a true curveball in the upper 70s and a cutter/slider in the mid-80s. In his debut, he focused mainly on the cutter/slider and worked with Rookie-level Arizona League pitching coach Steve Karsay in the bullpen to improve his curve. Brown also has an average changeup that could get better with experience. He has a relatively low-maintenance delivery, and while he does throw across his body, it doesn't impede his command and helps him hide the ball. The Future: Brown has the stuff and polish to make the jump from Rookie ball to full-season ball and spend his first full pro season in low Class A at age 19. If he can refine his secondary pitches, he'll combine solid stuff across the board with good feel for pitching and project as a possible No. 3 starter.