Saltdogs' Brown Named Top-5 Indy Ball Prospect
Published on October 20, 2009 under American Association (AA)
Lincoln Saltdogs News Release
LINCOLN, NE - Lincoln Saltdogs pitcher Tim Brown, the team's 2009 Rookie of the Year, was recognized by Baseball America this month as the fifth-best unsigned prospect in independent minor-league baseball. The list tabbed Brown as the top prospect in the American Association, and the third-best pitching prospect in the independent ranks.
In an excerpt from the article, author J.J. Cooper of Baseball America writes, "He pitches to contact...what he does have is four pitches with excellent command, which he showed by making the rather large leap from Division II to the American Association. He walked only nine batters in 63 innings this season while going 5-1, 2.59 in 63 innings. Along the way he showed he could throw his 88-90 mph fastball, curveball, changeup and slider for strikes. Brown's fastball is a heavy sinker that is hard to hit in the air."
The 22-year-old Brown finished his college career at Division II Pittsburg State this past spring, going 8-4 with a 3.71 ERA for the Gorillas. He signed with the Saltdogs on June 23 after not being selected in the 2009 major league draft. After beginning his pro career with six relief appearances, the right-hander made his first start on July 18, allowing just one run over six innings and picking up a win over Wichita. He ended the regular season with a 4-0 record and a 2.14 ERA in his starts, helping the Saltdogs claim a playoff berth and the American Association championship.
"Tim did everything we could have asked this year, and more," said Saltdogs manager Marty Scott. "He came here as a career starter in college, but he was willing to help us out in the bullpen and did a fine job there. When we had an opening in the rotation in July, he stepped up and really claimed that role for himself, and had maybe the best second half of anyone on the team. He proved that if you throw strikes and keep the ball down, you don't have to throw the ball 100 miles an hour to be a successful pitcher."
Brown was named as Lincoln's "Max Muscle Max Performer of the Game" five times during the season, earning the win on three of those five days. His best outing of the season may very well have been a game in which he did not earn a decision, as he tossed 7.1 innings and only gave up one unearned run at Sioux Falls on August 27. He also pitched three scoreless innings of relief on August 30 in Sioux Falls, helping Lincoln preserve its lead and clinch a playoff berth on the final day of the season.
For team and ticket information, go to www.saltdogs.com . For American Association information, go to www.americanassociationbaseball.com . For more from Baseball America, visit www.baseballamerica.com .
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- Saltdogs' Brown Named Top-5 Indy Ball Prospect - Lincoln Saltdogs
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