Dominic Brown Promoted to Reading

The Phillies were reluctant to include Dominic Brown in any deal for Roy Halladay earlier this week, believing that the dynamic outfield prospect would someday play a large role in the franchise’s future. Brown took a step toward fulfilling his promising future on Saturday when the parent club promoted him to Double-A Reading from Clearwater.

Brown, considered by many to be the top position prospect in the organization, will be with the R-Phils Saturday night as they continue a series at Erie. Joining Brown will be right-hander Mike Cisco, who also got bumped up from the Florida State League.

CSNPhilly.com reached the pair Saturday afternoon as they waited for a connecting flight in Detroit.

“This just really popped up,” Brown said. “I wasn’t expecting it. I’m just happy for the opportunity. It’s a great deal. I’m very excited. I’m just trying to get myself prepared mentally. I’m kind of tired a little bit. Life goes on, though. I’ll rest up tonight after the game.

“I really wasn’t paying attention to the trade talk. If it was going to happen, it was going to happen. I don’t really have any control over it.”

The Phillies, however, wanted to keep Brown in the fold and it’s easy to understand why. He was hitting .303 with 11 homers and 44 RBIs in 66 games for the Threshers. Despite missing five weeks with a broken finger, Brown ranked first in the Florida State League in slugging percentage (.517), first in OPS (.917), fourth in on-base percentage (.386) and sixth in batting. He also had nine outfield assists, tied for fifth in the league.

Brown, along with Kyle Drabek and Michael Taylor, reportedly were the sticking point in any deal with Toronto. The Blue Jays wanted a combination of the trio and the Phils were reluctant to part with their three blue-chip prospects. Now he will rejoin Drabek on the R-Phils, having spent the first few months of the season with him in Clearwater.

“I guess there is a little pressure but I have to welcome it,” Brown said. “It’s going to play a big role in me playing on the field. I’m just going to take my time and do what I can on and off the field and I’ll be fine.”

Brown is hitting .314 with two homers and six RBIs in 15 games since returning from the disabled list. Overall he’s also stolen 15 bases and has an impressive 48-34 strikeout-to-walk ratio.

-CSN Philly