FB Velocity: 60/60
FB Movement/Life: 60/60
FB Command: 40/45
CB: 60/65
SL: 50/55
SPL: 40/50
Delivery: 50/50
Arm Action: 60/60
Arm Slot: OH
Pitchability: 40/50
Deception: 50/50
Overall Control: 45/50
Present/Future Value: 50/60 (#3 SP)
The Astros top pitch prospect, Hunter Brown made his Major League debut in 2022, tossing 20.1 frames over seven games, two of which were starts. Brown brings a four-pitch arsenal to the table, with multiple offerings that are capable of generating swings and misses. As it stands right now, it appears that Brown will begin the 2023 regular season in AAA Sugar Land’s rotation.
Brown works with a rhythmic SWU from the 1B side of the rubber, has a high leg lift, high front side throughout, 1/4 turn, and slight crossfire stride down the slope. He has above-average hip/shoulder separation and has a slight head-whack upon release. Arm action wise, Brown has a medium arm circle, a clean path, and plenty of looseness present before throwing out of a high, overhand slot.
His fastball (4-seam) ranges from 94-98/T99 mph and has plus carry through the zone. Brown showed improved command last season, but it’s still a power over precision operation and I feel his fastball command will peak at a fringe-average level, but given the plus velocity and life on the offering, he’s not someone who needs pinpoint command of his heater to be effective.
Brown’s go-to secondary pitch is his curveball (81-84 mph) that shows 12/6 shape with significant depth and plus tightness/bite. The break his curveball has is late and sudden which is why it’s able to miss so many bats both in and out of the zone. It’s an offering that especially plays well off his elevated four-seam and is the biggest weapon in his pitch-mix.
The other breaking ball in Brown’s repertoire is his slider (90-94 mph). The majority of his sliders feature short, quick action that more resembles a cutter, while flashing some with late tilt and depth on occasion. It’s a pitch that shows solid teeth, but at present there’s still quite a bit of inconsistency with shape and feel.
The least utilized offering in Brown’s mix is his splitter (88-92 mph). It’s an offering that Brown definitely lacks command feel for, but he throws it with proper arm speed and the pitch will flash late bottom-action. The pitch has a ways to go before he leans on it more at the ML level, but he’s flashed enough to where I believe there’s a good chance it’s an average offering for him in the future.
Whether or not Brown begins the season on Houston’s 26-man isn’t known as of now, but I am confident in saying that Brown will be a big contributor to the Astro’s pitching staff in 2023 and beyond. I’m very excited to continue to watch Brown as his Major League career continues to evolve, because he has the potential to be a special starting-pitcher for many years to come.