Gary Brown

Organization Prospect Rankings

• 
  Ranked San Francisco Giants #28 prospect in 2015
  Oh, what might have been. General manager Brian Sabean reportedly once turned down a trade that would have sent Brown to the Mets for Carlos Beltran. He sent Zack Wheeler instead. Brown did finally adjust to a more conventional setup at the plate as he repeated Triple-A Fresno in 2014. He used to pin his hands to his chest, which forced him to take a long path to his pre-swing load. Now his hands are further back and away from his body. The adjustment did help Brown make it to the big leagues for the first time in September. He showed he still has top-of-the-scale speed with a 3.7-seconds bunt single for his first hit. But Brown remains an inefficient basestealer. He doesn't walk enough to serve as a leadoff hitter, and he has had very little power. Brown projects as a backup outfielder who can play all three spots, though his average arm is stretched in right field.
• 
  Ranked San Francisco Giants #19 prospect in 2014
  A gifted athlete with premium speed, Brown was an apparent lock to become the club's future center fielder after he tore up the high Class A California League in 2011 and set a San Jose franchise record with 188 hits. But scouts had concerns about his unorthodox swing, in which he pins his hands to his chest as he begins to load. Sure enough, Brown had myriad issues against righthanders at Double-A Richmond in 2012 and his struggles became acute at Triple-A Fresno last year, when he hit .231/.286/.375 and struck out 135 times in 137 games. Brown is not a lost cause, though. He still has bat speed and all the physical tools to succeed if he is willing to overhaul his approach. Though the Giants drafted him as a future leadoff hitter, he doesn't draw walks and is woefully inefficient on the bases, having succeeded on 68 percent of steal attempts over four seasons, including 61 percent at Fresno. A favorite with teammates because of his upbeat and quirky personality, Brown should at least have a better idea of what awaits him when he returns to the Pacific Coast League in 2014.
• 
  Ranked San Francisco Giants #4 prospect in 2013
  The 24th overall pick in 2010, Brown signed for $1.45 million and put together an outstanding first full pro season, batting .336 with 53 steals and a San Jose-record 188 hits. He couldn't duplicate that performance in Double-A last year, and he's no longer considered a lock to be a big league leadoff hitter. The tools are still there, however. Brown stands out most with his top-of-the-scale speed, but he brings a lot more to the table. He has a quick bat, fine center-field skills and solid arm strength. His ability to make adjustments will determine how much he gets out of his tools. Brown has an unorthodox setup and swing, choking up on the bat and pinning his hands behind his chest before beginning his load. He has modest power to begin with, and none when he opens up too much in his swing. He bears some similarity to a righthanded Randy Winn and destroys lefthanders, but he has trouble when righties pound him inside. For all his speed, Brown still has a lot to learn as a basestealer after getting caught 18 times in 51 tries last year. Brown has a lot on his to-do list for Triple-A Fresno this year, but his primary goals are to get on base more often and wreak more havoc when he does. He remained upbeat and tenacious throughout his struggles, and the livelier ballparks in the Pacific Coast League could help get him back on track.
• 
  Ranked San Francisco Giants #1 prospect in 2012
  How much does Giants GM Brian Sabean value Brown? When the Mets asked for the speedy center fielder in exchange for Carlos Beltran in July, Sabean parted with top pitching prospect Zack Wheeler instead. The 24th overall pick in the 2010 draft and recipient of a $1.45 million bonus, Brown certainly enhanced his worth with a smashing first full pro season. He played in the Futures Game, batted .336 at San Jose and set a franchise record with a California League-leading 188 hits. He established himself as a force atop the lineup, stealing 53 bases while knocking in 80 runs from the leadoff spot. He also crushed lefthanders (.459/.531/.685). Brown starred despite entering 2011 with just a dozen games of pro experience after signing at the Aug. 16 deadline the year before. "A lot of guys have talent, but you wonder if they're going to show up to play every day," San Jose manager Andy Skeels said. "Gary certainly did. He competes and he finds ways to beat you. That, to me, weighs very favorably and heavily on whether he'll have what it takes to succeed at the major league level." Choking up on the bat and with his hands pinned against his side, Brown sets up like a slap hitter. But he loads quickly, has explosive wrists and bat speed, loves to shoot the gaps and flashes surprising pull power. His value, though, is in his ability to make consistent contact and to wreak havoc when he gets on base. He's a true 80 runner on the 20-80 scouting scale. Brown expressed disappointment that he was caught stealing 19 times in 2011, saying he improved later in the season after working on his slide mechanics. San Francisco would like to see him work on his bunting skills, as well as recognize when a pitcher is wild and work deeper counts more consistently, which should lead to more walks. For a leadoff man, Brown has a knack for producing with runners on base, though sometimes his aggressiveness works against him when he neglects to use the opposite field. Coaches believe he has the talent and smarts to make adjustments as he faces higher-level pitching. Brown's speed also is a huge asset in center field, where he can play shallow because of his ability to go back on balls over his head. His arm strength is a tick above average and his throws are accurate. He gunned down four runners at the plate for San Jose. Brown remained in high Class A, even though it was apparent by late April that he could have handled a quick promotion like Buster Posey and Brandon Belt had in previous years. He struggled over 11 games in the Arizona Fall League, hitting .220/.278/.300. Following the Giants' November trade for Melky Cabrera, they figure to continue to avoid rushing Brown. He'll likely start 2012 at Double-A Richmond, though if he gets off to a hot start again, San Francisco won't hesitate to promote him to Triple-A Fresno. If the Giants contend again, he's a candidate for a callup in September--if not earlier--to provide some energy with his speed. By 2013, Brown should push Cabrera to an outfield corner and become a fixture in center field and the leadoff spot for San Francisco for years to come.
• 
  Ranked San Francisco Giants #3 prospect in 2011
  Brown was leading the Big West Conference with a .438 average and .695 slugging percentage last spring when he broke his left middle finger on a slide in mid-May, ending his season. Drafted 24th overall and signed for $1.45 million in August, he looked rusty in his brief pro debut. Brown is a self-described hellraiser who raises plenty of it with his blazing speed. He was clocked at 3.69 seconds to first base on a bunt last spring at Cal State Fullerton--from the right side of the plate. He showed he can hit with wood bats with a .310 average in the summer Cape Cod League in 2009 and projects as an above-average hitter, though he has some lower-body movement in his swing that could hamper him. Brown has exceptionally quick hands that allow him to turn on pitches and give him gap power. He doesn't draw as many walks as he should to take full advantage of his speed. He's a potential Gold Glove center fielder whose fly-catching skills should prove valuable in the large prairies of the National League West. His arm is nothing special, but his throws are accurate. Brown may begin his first full pro season in high Class A. The Giants need a long-term center fielder, and he might not require more than two years in the minors.

Minor League Top Prospects

• 
  Ranked Eastern League #16 prospect in 2012
  Brown established a high Class A San Jose record with 188 hits in the California League a year ago, but a jump to the Eastern League in 2012 let a lot of air out of his numbers. For two months in June and July, he hit an exemplary .326/.377/.498, but for the remainder of the season he batted a soft .243 as he struggled to keep his hitting mechanics in check. When Brown struggles, he tends to open up too much with his lead foot and leak out to his front side, leading to lots of weak contact and extended slumps. Scouts who like Brown project him as an on-base-oriented leadoff hitter with line-drive power and impact potential on the basepaths. He ought to bolster a batting average in the .270 range with plenty of walks, infield hits and extra bases courtesy of his speed, which some evaluators peg at a true 80 on the 20-to-80 scouting scale. Despite his wheels, Brown succeeded on just 65 percent of his steal attempts, going 33-for-51. His quickness stood out more in center field, where he shows plenty of range and an average arm. "When you watch this guy on a daily basis you realize that he's an absolute Houdini in center field," Richmond manager Dave Machemer said. "He has made catches this year where it seemed like there was no chance of catching the ball."
• 
  Ranked California League #3 prospect in 2011
  One of the fastest players in the minors, Brown used his speed to steal 53 bases and lead the league with 188 hits and 13 triples. His hit total broke the San Jose franchise record set by Mark Leonard in 1988 and was fueled by a scintillating .459/.531/.685 performance against lefthanders. He'll become a more dangerous basestealer as he continues to improve his ability to read pitchers. Brown uses a short, compact swing to get on base. He began driving the ball with more consistency as the season progressed and ranked fourth in the league with 61 extra-base hits. He can get overly aggressive and chase pitches out of the strike zone, but he toned down his approach after he endured a .202 slump in June. Brown's speed also plays well in center field, where his routes improved as the season progressed. He has a strong arm that plays up because of his accuracy.

Top 100 Rankings

• Ranked Baseball America's #38 prospect in 2012

• December, 2012 Scouting Report
  Background: The 24th overall pick in 2010, Brown signed for $1.45 million and put together an outstanding first full pro season, batting .336 with 53 steals and a San Jose-record 188 hits. He couldn't duplicate that performance in Double-A last year, and he's no longer considered a lock to be a big league leadoff hitter. The tools are still there, however. Scouting Report: Brown stands out most with his top-of-the-scale speed, but he brings a lot more to the table. He has a quick bat, fine center-field skills and solid arm strength. His ability to make adjustments will determine how much he gets out of his tools. Brown has an unorthodox setup and swing, choking up on the bat and pinning his hands behind his chest before beginning his load. He has modest power to begin with, and none when he opens up too much in his swing. He bears some similarity to a righthanded Randy Winn and destroys lefthanders, but he has trouble when righties pound him inside. For all his speed, Brown still has a lot to learn as a basestealer after getting caught 18 times in 51 tries last year. The Future: Brown has a lot on his to-do list for Triple-A Fresno this year, but his primary goals are to get on base more often and wreak more havoc when he does. He remained upbeat and tenacious throughout his struggles, and the livelier ballparks in the Pacific Coast League could help get him back on track.
• December, 2011 Scouting Report
  Background: How much does Giants GM Brian Sabean value Brown? When the Mets asked for the speedy center fielder in exchange for Carlos Beltran in July, Sabean parted with top pitching prospect Zack Wheeler instead. The 24th overall pick in the 2010 draft (he had been drafted by the Athletics in the 12th round out of high school) and recipient of a $1.45 million bonus, Brown certainly enhanced his worth with a smashing first full pro season. He played in the Futures Game, batted .336 at San Jose and set a franchise record with a California League-leading 188 hits. He established himself as a force atop the lineup, stealing 53 bases while knocking in 80 runs from the leadoff spot. He also crushed lefthanders (.459/.531/.685). Brown starred despite entering 2011 with just a dozen games of pro experience after signing at the Aug. 16 deadline the year before. "A lot of guys have talent, but you wonder if they're going to show up to play every day," San Jose manager Andy Skeels said. "Gary certainly did. He competes and he finds ways to beat you. That, to me, weighs very favorably and heavily on whether he'll have what it takes to succeed at the major league level." Scouting Report: Choking up on the bat and with his hands pinned against his side, Brown sets up like a slap hitter. But he loads quickly, has explosive wrists and bat speed, loves to shoot the gaps and flashes surprising pull power. His value, though, is in his ability to make consistent contact and to wreak havoc when he gets on base. He's a true 80 runner on the 20-80 scouting scale, who has been timed at 3.7 seconds from home to first on a bunt. Brown expressed disappointment that he was caught stealing 19 times in 2011, saying he improved later in the season after working on his slide mechanics. San Francisco would like to see him work on his bunting skills, as well as recognize when a pitcher is wild and work deeper counts more consistently, which should lead to more walks. For a leadoff man, Brown has a knack for producing with runners on base, though sometimes his aggressiveness works against him when he neglects to use the opposite field. Coaches believe he has the talent and smarts to make adjustments as he faces higher-level pitching. Brown's speed also is a huge asset in center field, where he can play shallow because of his ability to go back on balls over his head. His arm strength is a tick above average and his throws are accurate. He gunned down four runners at the plate for San Jose. The Future: Brown remained in high Class A all season, even though it was apparent by late April that he could have handled a quick promotion like Buster Posey and Brandon Belt had in previous years. Following the Giants' November trade for Melky Cabrera, they figure to continue to avoid rushing Brown. He'll likely start 2012 at Double-A Richmond, though if he gets off to a hot start again, San Francisco won't hesitate to promote him to Triple-A Fresno. If the Giants contend again, he's a candidate for a callup in September--if not earlier--to provide some energy with his speed. By 2013, Brown should push Cabrera to an outfield corner and become a fixture in center field and the leadoff spot for San Francisco for years to come.