Indians prospect Jordan Brown rides the momentum of back-to-back Most Valuable Player campaigns into the 2008 season. The University of Arizona product received Eastern League top honors in 2007 after leading the circuit in hitting (.333) while adding 11 homers and 76 RBIs. He also posted MVP numbers (.290-15-97) in 2006 at Kinston of the Carolina League. Let me start off by saying hello and thank you to everybody out there actually wanting to read about my opinions and what I have to say about this wonderful game, which has allowed me to do so much thus far in my life. I'm writing to you guys as I sit comfortably (more like laying around like a slob) after a long day's work in this metropolitan euphoria in Florida, ironically named Winter Haven (it has rained a couple days and been freezing until early afternoon). For those of you lucky individuals who have visited the Haven, you know exactly what I'm talking about.
Over the next season or so, I will be posting a journal recapping my daily life and routines, hopefully entertaining those who decide to read it. For those of you who are wondering about who I am and where I came from, let me briefly fill you in. Coming out of high school in Vacaville, Calif., I didn't really know what to expect when I signed a letter of intent to play college baseball for Andy Lopez and the University of Arizona (BEAR DOWN, BABY!!!). It wasn't the best scholarship offer I had, but I knew deep down inside it was the right fit for me. Thank God, I chose to ignore other offers because I wouldn't be the man and ballplayer I am today if it weren't for Andy Lopez and the coaching staff at the UofA. Not to mention, I met my beautiful wife and had an amazing core group of friends through the university, as well. I know it sounds cliche and macho, or maybe even like a cheap plug (www.arizonaathletics.com) to thank a coach like that, but I'm serious when I say I owe a lot to that university. I developed a good sense of the game and competition and got to stare at hot chicks all day ... uhhhh, I mean ... learn ... from professors. I was lucky enough to participate in the College World Series my sophomore year and play three years for a contender and a great, great program. My junior year, I fooled a bunch of scouts into actually taking me in the fourth round, and I've had a blast ever since. I currently play in the Cleveland Indians organization alongside college roommate and fellow stud Trevor Crowe. He was selected as the 14th overall pick a couple rounds before me in 2005 and we've paired up ever since (we had a clause in our contract that says we can't be separated ... just kidding). Funny story. For those of you who know who Trevor Crowe is, you'll appreciate this. When I first came to Arizona, Trevor was one of the first people I met and I hated him! I thought he was arrogant and diabolical, and I couldn't stand him. It turns out, I was completely wrong. He ended up being my roommate my sophomore and junior years, and he hasn't left me alone ever since (I can never get away from him)! Anyway, I walk into his dorm room my freshman year and he has a calendar up with June 6, 2005 highlighted, with the word, "DRAFT," in bold letters (keep in mind, this is the summer of '02). That's how dedicated the kid is to baseball. I was so ignorant, I thought he was referring to the military draft. This year, I will be headed for Triple-A Buffalo, where it's so cold that Starbucks serves coffee on a stick! I'm extremely excited to play with such a good group of guys this season and welcome the idea of joining an already strong team. If you look at our roster on paper, we should be a very solid team. We can hit, pitch and do the little things it takes to win ballgames. So far, in my brief career with the Indians, I've played on great teams at every level. My first year, in 2006, we won the Carolina League title; my second year, we lost in the Eastern League finals to Trenton. I'm hoping we can make another strong run this year, deep into the International League playoffs. I hope I didn't bore you guys to death in my first journal entry of the year and look forward to answering your questions. You can email me anything appropriate (who am I kidding? I'd probably enjoy the inappropriate ones more) and I will answer you in upcoming editions. Jordan Brown is a first base prospect in the Cleveland Indians organization and a contributor to MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of the National Association of Professional Baseball Leagues or its clubs. |
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