MLB’s One-Season Wonders: Domonic Brown and 2013
This is a quintessential example of a One-Season wonder. As suggested to me by my fellow colleague, Jack Sabin, Phillies outfielder Domonic Brown rose to the top and back to the bottom quicker than almost anyone.
Before 2013
There was a lot of hype surrounding lengthy left-handed outfielder Domonic Brown. Not only was he Philadelphia’s top prospect in 2009, but the following year he was also named the top prospect in all of baseball. Scouts saw him as a five-tool player.
After tearing up the minors, the Phillies called him up in 2010. It wasn’t easy at first for him. He dealt with injuries across his first three big league seasons, and many were already calling him a bust. Brown’s statistics didn’t contribute to his cause, slashing .236/.315/.388 with 12 dingers from 2010-12.
2013
It’s fair to say a lot was riding on Brown’s 2013 season. The Phillies slated him as the opening starting left fielder, and for whatever reason, something clicked. He tore up the National League, earning NL Player of the Month in May, as well as a trip to the All-Star game.
Despite a spotty second half with poor defense, his numbers reflected what his potential could consist of. Brown slashed .272/.324/.494 with 27 home runs and an OPS+ of 124. This seemed to be the start of something new and exciting for Philadelphia.
Too bad it wasn’t.
After 2013
Brown fell back down to earth hard in 2014. He slumped throughout the entire year, with Sporting News ranking him as the worst defensive left fielder in baseball. Sadly, his 2015 season was practically a repeat of the previous year. Combined he slashed .233/.285/.349 with a 76 OPS+.
The Phillies saw enough and released him. After a few failed comeback attempts with the Blue Jays and the Rockies, he tried his luck in the Mexican League, where he actually played quite well. In his final professional season, he batted .295/.366/.570 with 25 homers for the Tecolotes de Los Dos Laredos.
Dos Laredos released Brown in 2020, and he officially hung up the cleats. It’s really sad to think of what could’ve been for Domonic Brown.
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