PhoulBallz Interview Excerpts: Talking Spring Training with RHP Ben Brown

Ben Brown, image- MiLB.com

Right-handed pitcher Ben Brown, the Phillies' 33rd round draft selection in 2017, made a splash last year in the Rookie level Gulf Coast League, putting together a 4-2 record, a 3.12 ERA and an 11.4 K/9 mark in 10 appearances (eight starts).  Additionally, he earned a promotion to short-season Class A Williamsport and made two starts there before the end of the regular season.

This week I spoke with the six-foot-six 210 pounder about his spring efforts, where he could possibly pitch this year, his relationships with other Phils prospects including last year first round pick Alec Bohm and plenty more.  Read ahead for a sampling of my chat with Ben and head on over to Patreon.com/PhoulBallz for the complete interview.

-We're talking here while the Phillies' opening day game is going on and a lot of what I am hearing from people I know that are there and people online is saying that the atmosphere is exciting and different.  Once the roster additions that got so much attention this off-season are made, can you feel the vibe or the atmosphere in the organization change at the lower levels too?

Yeah, I mean it trickles down, for sure.  Obviously, it's more development in the minor leagues, but you know it's about guys getting better, but it's good to have them.  When Bryce Harper signed it was a really big deal around the clubhouse.  I happened to be-- I was outside at a game when Harper signed and everyone's yelling, "We got Harper!  We got Harper!"  So, it's cool.  And obviously with the other guys too that we signed this year and with Nola throwing so well, there's a winning attitude around the complex. 

Some of those guys, they were down working out with us (early) too.  (Andrew) McCutchen was down here the whole off-season for the most part and these guys really want to win.  I haven't talked to them, but from watching them work and seeing how much they want to win and watching some of their spring training games, it's really impressive stuff. 

-Battery mate wise is there anyone there that you've been clicking with a lot with in pre-season?

Obviously, I'm very close with Logan (O'Hoppe) because he lives near me and he's like my little brother.  I got to see him over the off-season and he lives pretty close to me down here, hotel wise, so I'm usually hanging out with him and I love when he catches me.  But all the catchers are really good.  Just going down the line, everyone I've thrown to shocks me in a way, 'cause most of are 17, 18, 19, 20 years old and they're catching like they're big leaguers.  They work really hard.  Every catcher's really good.

-You mentioned Logan and being sort of neighbors, were you part of that Long Island (Newsday) feature spread about the group of prospects putting the "LI" in Phillies?

Yeah, me Kyle (Young), Logan and (Nick) Fanti.

-How was that?  Obviously, there's a photo shoot, but did you guys know what to expect?

Yeah, we found out a week ahead of time.  It was pretty cool that we all got to get together, because usually it's an article about one of us or something about of us and we finally got to come together for a picture and I think that kind of describes us a little bit better with how well we get along and representing Long Island as a whole.  So, it's great because I'm close with all those guy.  Kyle was my roommate during Co-Op.  Logan was my roommate last summer.  And me and Nick Fanti are really close.  He's a brother to me, so it's pretty cool we had a little photo op together.

For the complete interview with Ben, head on over to Patreon.com/PhoulBallz and support the content here by becoming a patron.