Ben Brown’s Performance Key for Chicago Cubs’ Starting Rotation

Miami, Florida – Ben Brown is set to take the mound for the Chicago Cubs on Monday night, marking his ninth start of the season. Over the past two years, he has accumulated a total of 16 starts and 24 appearances, pitching 97 innings in the majors. Despite his experience, questions remain about his long-term role on the team’s pitching staff.

Brown’s current role arises from circumstances beyond his control, including a spring injury to another pitcher that forced him into the starting lineup. Additional injuries to key players have solidified his position for the near future. However, his performance has been inconsistent, with a current earned run average (ERA) of 4.75. His Fielding Independent Pitching (FIP) of 3.32 suggests he may perform better than his ERA indicates, although his expected ERA (xERA) is at 4.18.

In recent outings, Brown has shown an ability to induce ground balls at a rate of 43%, a significant uptick from 37% last year. However, he has also shown vulnerability, with a hard-hit percentage of 43.4%. His strikeout rate stands at an impressive 26.2%, while his walk rate of 8.4% is considered moderate for a pitcher of his caliber.

The key to Brown’s success appears to hinge on his command. He has struggled to pitch deep into games, barely lasting four innings in multiple starts earlier this season. These outings resulted in high pitch counts and inefficiency, much to the concern of the coaching staff, especially given the bullpen’s shortcomings early in the year.

During his most challenging starts this year against these teams – San Diego, Arizona, and Philadelphia – he recorded poor first-strike percentages. Against San Diego and Philadelphia, he threw first-pitch strikes only 54.4% and 66.7% of the time, respectively. In contrast, his last three starts show a marked improvement, with first-strike rates exceeding 71% and zone rates improving considerably.

These improvements have boosted confidence in his long-term role as a starter. Brown’s efficiency has improved, notably during his recent appearances against Milwaukee, San Francisco, and Miami, with a zone percentage that captured the attention of the pitching coach. This efficiency is critical, especially for a pitcher like Brown who relies heavily on command and control.

Brown has been noted to struggle with command, having only two pitches to rely on, which places additional pressure to establish the strike early. The former starting pitcher’s limited arsenal could make him vulnerable as batters start to adjust during the game. There’s potential for improvement if he can continue to maintain better command.

As he heads into this latest matchup, the Cubs are hoping that Brown can harness his capabilities and solidify his spot in the rotation moving forward.