Domonic Brown isn’t worried about his future with the Phillies.
He’s focused solely on performing day-by-day So far, so good. If Brown plays this way for the final 52 regular-season games, his future will be secure.
Entering Wednesday night’s game, Brown had hit safely in five straight games, while going .353 with two walks, two runs scored and two RBIs. He was still searching for his first home run.
“I feel alright,” Brown said. “I feel like I’m doing what I need to be doing. I could do more. Its just playing hard and playing good defense.”
Brown played great defense and threw out Brian McCann at second base — on a straight rope — in the fifth inning of Tuesday’s 3-0 win over the Braves. While his defense and baserunning are a work in progress, it has been Brown’s offense which has looked major league-ready.
“He’s going to be able to make contact, that’s big,” manager Charlie Manuel said. “I don’t think he’s going to be a guy that strikes out a lot. He’s got tremendous eye-hand coordination, and he can hit the ball. He’s been pretty good. I like the way he works the count and swings the bat.
“Right now, he’s hitting the ball more to left field, left-center, especially up the middle, and that’s how you learn how to hit. You usually go the other way and work your way around.”
When the Phillies traded Shane Victorino and Hunter Pence in separate deadline-day deals, it opened the door for Brown. Instead of viewing this opportunity as a pressure-packed audition, he’s just enjoying himself.
“I just try to see a lot of pitches and get a good ball to hit,” Brown said. “I’m just going out there and having fun. This is my second time coming up here, so I should feel a little more comfortable. You just try to keep your head up, knowing that mistakes are going to be made. The important thing is to learn from them and turn the page.”
