Ben Brown put a jolt in the Chicago Cubs pitching staff this season. The hard-throwing right-hander spent time in both the starting rotation and bullpen in 2024 before being put on the injured list with a neck injury that kept him out for the remainder of the regular season. Despite the injury, Brown showed fans and the organization that he has potential to help this club in the long run and in a multitude of ways.
The 25-year-old got the call to the show after Justin Steele’s opening day injury and made his debut in his first game on the roster. Brown oscillated from the starting rotation to the bullpen as needed until June when he went to the IL with what was supposed to be a small injury. That neck injury kept Brown out for the rest of the year and the Chicago Cubs shut any attempt at a comeback down in September. Even in a short amount of time, Brown flashed for the Cubs on the mound and gives fans a lot of hope going into 2025.
Early Season Call-Up
Ben Brown has been a prospect in the Chicago Cubs farm system for several years. The flame-throwing right-hander from New York had only been a rumor until 2024 when he was pressed into action almost instantly. Justin Steele went down with a hamstring injury on the first day of the regular season and opened up a roster spot. While there was some speculation as to which pitcher should be promoted to fill the void, nobody was surprised to see that 25-year-old Ben Brown got tapped to be the man.
Brown was pushed into action right away, making an appearance out of the bullpen in the second game of the season against the Texas Rangers. Brown got a rude welcome to MLB by the defending World Series champions, getting tagged for six runs in under two innings. Brown’s initial appearance would prove to be an aberration and after he got moved into the starting rotation, his arm talent and pitching prowess would become evident.
Filling In For Chicago Cubs Staff
Brown became a member of the Chicago Cubs starting rotation after his disastrous first outing and settled down to become a more effective pitcher. Brown blew hitters away with his 95+ MPH four-seam fastball and made them look silly with his looping curveball. He showed a great ability to ramp up quickly. After not pitching in volume during Spring Training and coming out of the bullpen initially, Brown got up to six innings and 84 pitches in his third start of the year. He settled down in his starts to the tune of two earned runs over 14.2 innings pitched before being uprooted again.
Brown went back to help out the bullpen after Jameson Taillon was activated from the IL and inserted into the starting rotation. His first career appearance did not haunt him and he was able to transfer his success from the rotation to the bullpen and worked a variety of roles. He came in for long relief if Craig Counsell needed an innings-eater, he came in to face jams in the later innings and even made some appearances as a high-leverage late-game reliever. That showed a versatility that suited the Cubs well and undoubtedly gave the young hurler confidence whenever he was on the bump.
Unable To Stay Healthy
After a string of excellent performances out of the bullpen, Brown was reinstated in the starting rotation with the struggling Kyle Hendricks being moved into the pen. Brown had established himself as a major league player and with his versatility was quickly becoming one of the more important pitchers on the Chicago Cubs staff. Again, Brown was asked to ramp up to a starters’ volume of pitches after tossing a season-high 93 pitches in a masterful start against the Milwaukee Brewers. He was competing with Shota Imanaga for the title of best rookie pitcher on the staff.
The next two times Brown stepped on the bump he was not as sharp. In both outings against the Cincinnati Reds, Brown struggled with command and left pitches out over the plate and the Reds hitters did not miss. Brown’s season ERA ascended over half a run in those outings and put the brakes on the rookie’s great start. The great start would end up being the whole season for Brown, as he landed on the IL after the second outing against the Reds and the neck injury that put him there would keep him there for the rest of the year.
Looking Ahead To 2025
Ben Brown had a productive, yet brief 2024 rookie campaign for the Chicago Cubs. After coming up in response to injuries on the starting staff, Brown showed that he could be effective in the bullpen and as a starter. Although his season was derailed by a neck injury, 2024 was a good year for Brown. He showed that his stuff could make it against big league hitters and that he is a bona fide member of this pitching staff moving forward.
His plus fastball and heavy curveball impressed fans this year and when he was in the rotation, messed around with a change-up and slider to keep hitters off balance and provide versatility for different situations. He was a high-quality arm for a team with hopes of reaching the postseason next year. Ben Brown’s fate could depend on the progression of other pitching prospects in the farm system or what happens with Taillon in the offseason. Whichever role Ben Brown occupies at the start of 2025 for the Chicago Cubs, he has shown that he is an asset who can perform for this pitching staff.
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