With the minor-league season now complete, the Nationals added one more September call-up, promoting outfielder Corey Brown from Class AAA Syracuse before tonight's game against the Cubs.Brown, who becomes the 32nd member of the Nationals' active roster, is making his third stint with the big-league club this season. He went 3-for-16 with his first career homer and two RBI during the two previous stints, but he'll have trouble seeing significant action down the stretch for a team in the thick of a pennant race.
"Well, nobody's hurt," manager Davey Johnson said when asked what role he envisioned for Brown. "I've used Edwin Jackson's replacement [Eury Perez, as the club's primary pinch-runner] a few times. I'll probably think of something. But he's a little bit behind [Roger Bernadina] in the pecking order. I might be able to get him an at-bat here or there, or get him in for defense."
Brown, 26, enjoyed a breakthrough season at Syracuse, finishing with a .285 average, 25 homers, 71 RBI and 18 stolen bases. This campaign perhaps helped the outfielder re-establish his place in the organization after a frustrating 2011 following his acquisition from the Athletics in the Josh Willingham trade.
Because of that, Brown plans to just enjoy the experience he'll get over the next month and not worry about how much (or how often) he contributes.
"I've said last year I think I put more pressure on myself, just being part of a trade, and unfortunately it turned out to be not the best season," he said. "Where this year I tried to come in with a clear mind and try to put last year behind me. And it turned out to be probably the best year of my professional career. I'm just trying to build from that and not feel like I have to start over because I'm back up here. Just build off that.
"Hopefully I can still have my calm nerves being up here. That's obviously the tough part, to be able to relax when you're playing in front of this many fans. Hopefully I'll be able to do that."
8 comments:
I really hope Brown gets enough of a shot next Spring to squelch all of the yammering about trading from the thin cupboard of prospects for a new CF. Depending on whether they do the sensible thing w/ LaRoche, there won't be a need for a new CF; if they shuffle the checkers on the board, then I hope Brown gets a genuine shot.
Either a genuine shot next year with the Nats or a trade. He's got to be worth something, based on the AAA season he had. I'm glad he's finally up for the rest of the season. As you guys know, I've always been a fan of his game.
Welcome back CB
With Harper improving in the outifield, plus Brown, Bernadina, Perez, and perhaps soon Goodwin PLUS lead-off Larry extraordinaire Jayson Werth? Who can also play CF. Uh, why do the Nats need a CF? They don't.
They will have other needs particularly if they don't get Jackson and LaRoche back and with Rendon due to make his entrance into the majors.
I think the Nats are stacked and won't have any room without trades. But unless they get a YOUNG, top of the rotation, power pitcher starter in trade why would they? Unless they can somehow purloin an almost Strasburg level guy who looks better than Meyer and Karns who are now very close.
Welcome back CB!
Spot on, Peric. I would take Werth over Bourne in the leadoff spot, any day, based on his performance there this year. They have 4 guys who can play CF - Werth, Harp, Bernie and Brown, with Goodwin in the queue. They have so much talent there, now, that a trade to fill a different hole is more likely than a FA signing of a CFer.
Welcome back. No need to be nervous in front of us; we're on your side. Go, Corey! :-)
"Hopefully I can still have my calm nerves being up here. That's obviously the tough part, to be able to relax when you're playing in front of this many fans. Hopefully I'll be able to do that."
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