Veteran Outfielder Brown Returns
Published on January 24, 2011 under Frontier League (FL)
Traverse City Beach Bums News Release
Traverse City, MI- The Traverse City Beach Bums have announced the return of veteran outfielder Matt Brown for the 2011 season.
In the leadoff slot for the majority of the year Brown was a leader offensively for the Beach Bums. One of only two players to finish the season over .300, Brown posted a .313 avg for the year along with 108 hits, 19 doubles, and a team leading 30 stolen bases. Brown's key role as leadoff man was met as he was second on the team behind only Chase Burch with 67 free passes boosting his OBP to an astounding .426.
The Beach Bums relied on the veteran outfielder to be a leader in the clubhouse in his first season in the Frontier League. His experience both professionally and collegiately have made him a valuable asset to the lineup on and off the field.
Brown was drafted in the 13th round of the 2007 MLB draft by the San Francisco Giants after spending three years at Wichita State. He debuted with the Mahoning Valley Scrappers of the New York-Penn League in 2007 hitting .250 in 63 games with 14 doubles, three triples, and 31 RBI. With the Lake County Captains in 2008, Brown was again an impact player and finished 6th in the low-A Midwest League with a .308 avg including 26 doubles, eight homeruns and 75 RBI in 122 games. In 2009, he was promoted to the class high-A Kinston Indians of the Carolina League where he earned Player of the Week honors after opening the season 16-for-35 and posting a 457 avg. He finished the year hitting .268 with nine doubles, a home run and 25 RBI after missing more than half the season due to injury.
With the Shockers, Brown owns a .313 career average along with 45 doubles, 11 triples, 14 homeruns, 144 RBI and 44 stolen bases in 197 games. An advanced defensive player, Brown was nominated for an ESPY Award in the Best Play category as a freshman at Wichita State. While chasing a foul ball down the right field line, Brown jumped up and over a shoulder high barrier to make a catch against Oklahoma.
"Brown was an impact player both offensively and defensively," said Beach Bums' Director of Baseball Operations Jason Wuerfel. "He is one of the best overall athletes we've had the opportunity to sign in Traverse City - he can run, field, throw, hit, and hit for power at a high level. Even more important, he is a leader and high character guy that has made everyone around him better."
Frontier League Stories from January 24, 2011
- Veteran Outfielder Brown Returns - Traverse City Beach Bums
- Crushers Announce 2nd Annual Youth Baseball Camp Dates - Lake Erie Crushers
- Wild Things "6 + One" Special: Get Six Tickets for $45 - Washington Wild Things
- Grizzlies Looking for New Concession Item - Gateway Grizzlies
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
