Chicago Cubs rookie right-hander Ben Brown (neck) is scheduled to throw off a mound on Friday in Arizona. Brown has been sidelined for six weeks now due to a neck injury and is going to need at least several minor-league rehab starts before he's a candidate for Chicago's starting rotation once again. But the 24-year-old should eventually jump back into the Cubs' rotation in the second half of the season after going 1-3 with a 3.58 ERA (3.11 FIP) and 1.08 WHIP with 64 strikeouts and 19 walks in 55 1/3 innings over his first 15 major-league appearances (eight starts) before getting hurt. He was even better in his eight starts, posting a 3.23 ERA and 0.97 WHIP with 43 strikeouts and 14 walks in 39 innings pitched. Fantasy managers in deeper leagues will want to consider adding Brown when he gets closer to a return in August.
Chicago Cubs rookie right-hander Ben Brown (neck) is still experiencing neck symptoms, and his progress moving forward remains status quo, according to manager Craig Counsell. A neck strain landed Brown on the 15-day injured list in the middle of June, and it doesn't appear that the 24-year-old is any closer to returning to the Cubs' starting rotation. Brown was cleared to begin a throwing program in late June, but it's unclear if he's been shut down entirely after experiencing more neck pain. With details sparse on his recovery, there's no current timetable for his return to the big leagues. In Brown's first 15 big-league appearances (eight starts) this year for Chicago, he's gone 1-3 with a decent 3.58 ERA (3.12 FIP) and 1.08 WHIP with 64 strikeouts and 19 walks in 55 1/3 innings. The strikeout upside alone makes him worth rostering in deep-mixed leagues when he's healthy.
Chicago Cubs rookie starting pitcher Ben Brown (1-1) dominated the Milwaukee Brewers, hurling seven shutout innings with 10 strikeouts and two walks while allowing no hits in a 6-3 extra-inning victory. Brown deserved a win on Tuesday night, but the Cubs didn't provide much run support in the first nine innings. Hector Neris blew the save in the bottom of the 9th inning, allowing the Brewers to score one run to tie the game. Brown was not expected to last much longer in the rotation with Jordan Wicks (forearm) set to return soon, but he has given manager Craig Counsell something to consider. Right now, he's tentatively scheduled to face the Chicago White Sox next Tuesday (June 4), and another stellar start could make the coach's decision about his future in the rotation even more difficult.
Ben Brown Tosses Four Scoreless Innings On Thursday
Chicago Cubs pitcher Ben Brown allowed one hit over four scoreless innings during Thursday's 3-0 loss to the Atlanta Braves. The rookie right-hander struck out six batters while issuing two walks. It was an impressive showing for the 24-year-old in his fifth start (and 12th appearance) of the season. Brown has been a solid option for the Cubs this year as evidenced by his 3.20 ERA, 1.19 WHIP and 45:15 K:BB through 39 1/3 innings. He will most likely line up for a start against the Milwaukee Brewers early next week and is worth a speculative add in deeper leagues.
Chicago Cubs starting pitcher Ben Brown earned his first quality start of his career in a no-decision on Monday versus the Arizona Diamondbacks. Brown went six innings and allowed one hit, one run, two walks and struck out four on the evening. The rookie has been very impressive since filling in for the injured Justin Steele (hamstring). Steele is still a few weeks away from returning, but fellow starter Jameson Taillon (back) is returning this week and the question around the Cubs has been who will he be replacing. Brown has earned another turn in the rotation, but managers will want to wait and see how Taillon's return effects the rotation. If Brown were to remain in the rotation, he would face a weak Miami Marlins lineup this weekend and would be worthy of rostering in deeper leagues.
Justin Steele To 15-Day IL; Cubs Recall Top Prospect Ben Brown
Chicago Cubs left-hander Justin Steele (hamstring) hit the 15-day injured list Saturday with a Grade 1 hamstring strain. In a corresponding news report, the team has decided to recall top prospect Ben Brown from the Iowa Cubs. Brown, a 24-year-old righty, features a full arsenal. Last year, he was 6-8 with a 5.33 ERA, 1.53 WHIP, and 100 strikeouts in 72 innings across AA and AAA. Brown dominated Double-A before having some struggles adapting to Triple-A last season. His role on the Cubs could be clearer, but manager Craig Counsell suggested they were not altering the rotation. Expect Brown to be available in relief over the next couple of days, with an expectation that he could start a game next week in Steele's place against the Colorado Rockies. According to Sahadev Sharma of The Athletic, Steele will miss all of April. Brown was excellent in the spring, garnering a .64 ERA in 14 innings with only five walks and 12 strikeouts, and is a speculative add in deep leagues.
The Chicago Cubs are calling up right-handed pitching prospect Ben Brown. Ranked as the team's No. 10 prospect by MLB Pipeline, the 24-year-old was the Cubs' 33rd-round pick, No. 983 overall, in the 2017 MLB Draft and began his professional career that same year. Brown has worked his way up in the minor-league ladder since, reaching Triple-A in 2023 where he tossed a 5.33 ERA across 22 outings (15 starts) and 72 2/3 innings of work. A big-time strikeout artist, Brown posted a massive 31.1% K% at Triple-A last season but he also walked a whopping 15.8% of the batters he faced at that level. However, he hasn't had substantial control issues in the past, meaning fantasy managers could tap into his strikeout potential if he can work his way into the Cubs' rotation on a full-time basis.
Chicago Cubs pitching prospect Ben Brown struggled over 50 innings at the Triple-A level during the first half of the season, posting a 5.76 ERA and 1.58 WHIP, though he does own a 32.7% strikeout rate over 12 starts. His numbers across four starts in Double-A were much better, as he pitched to a 0.45 ERA and 0.95 WHIP. Brown's the third-best prospect in the club's system, according to MLB Pipeline, and he has the swing-and-miss stuff to succeed in the big leagues. At 23 years old, he should be up in the Majors next season, so fantasy managers in redraft formats can ignore him on the waiver wire. However, those in dynasty leagues should hold on to Brown in hopes he becomes the next ace in Chicago.
Chicago Cubs pitching prospect Ben Brown continued his season of volatility in a recent start with Triple-A Iowa. He walked six batters, struck out seven, and allowed two runs across four-and-one-thirds innings. After being promoted to Iowa in early May, the 23-year-old has a 4.18 ERA and 16% walk rate, but a 32.6% strikeout rate as well. His stuff is impressive, with three plus pitches (mid-90s fastball, low-90s slider, and mid-80s curveball), but his command needs work to be stashable in most fantasy leagues. While Brown's stuff should work well in their major-league bullpen, the Cubs may let him marinate for longer in the minors to allow him to debut as a starter.
Chicago Cubs pitching prospect Ben Brown had a dominant performance on Saturday, striking out 11 batters over five innings and allowing only one earned run in Triple-A. Brown was recently promoted to Triple-A and has performed well through five starts, only giving up more than one earned run once. Saturday's performance was also Brown's second double-digit strikeout outing in Triple-A. The Chicago Cubs rotation has been solid so far and just welcomed back Kyle Hendricks, but Jameson Taillon has been a sore spot. The 23-year-old could easily slot into the rotation for Taillon. It's hard to say when Brown will get promoted, but he possesses a clear strikeout upside while inducing a healthy amount of ground balls. Stash Brown if you have a bench spot to spare, or at least keep an eye on him over the next few weeks.
