Luke Brown
Luke Brown
Position: OF
Height: 5’9”
Weight: 195 lbs
Bats/Throws: L/R
Born: 03/12/1999
College: University of Louisville
How Acquired: Draft, 9th round, 253rd Overall, 2021
Bonus: $72,500
40-man Roster: No
Rule 5 Eligible: 2024
Minor League Free Agency: 2027
Options Left: 3
Overview
A college senior draftee, Brown is a speedy center fielder. The Yankees drafted him out of junior college in 2019, but he didn’t sign and went to Louisville where he was a teammate of Henry Davis. His approach is to put the ball in play, so he doesn’t have much power. In fact, he never hit a home run as a collegian. At Louisville, Brown put up almost identical marks: 328/384/403 as a junior in 2020 and 320/381/422 as a senior. He struggled in college summer leagues. Brown has at least 70-grade speed and stole 17 bases in 22 tries as a senior. He signed below the $162,000 slot value.
2021-22
Brown spent 2021, after signing, in the FCL, and divided 2022 between low and high A. In the latter season, he played mostly as a backup, so he got fewer than 200 ABs for the season. He struggled to hit at all three stops, with the only positive being a high walk rate in low A. He had trouble making contact and hit for little power. In the field, he played all three outfield positions more or less equally. The Pirates sent Brown to the FCL and he struggled to hit in limited playing time. He played mostly in right.
2023-24
Brown’s first half in 2023 was consistent with everything up to that point. He got limited playing time with Greensboro and batted just .147 through June. From July on, he hit his way into more playing time. He even hit for very good power, batting 331/383/574. He returned to Greensboro, serving as a fourth outfielder, and didn’t hit, batting 175/289/316. He had a good walk total but struck out in over a third of his ABs. In the field he played mainly in the outfield corners.
Stats
Transactions
June 5, 2019: Drafted by the New York Yankees in the 25th round, 765th overall pick.
July 12, 2021: Drafted by the Pittsburgh Pirates in the 9th round, 253rd overall pick; signed on July 16.