Every year we hear about these Cinderella type signings by
teams in the days following the MLB First Year Players Draft. Players like Cody
Brown are not totally unheard of in the league, players that get passed over by
30 MLB teams in all 40 rounds of the MLB Draft, but these players reaching the
Major Leagues are more of a rarity. Well Brown has signed a minor league deal
with the Yankees after going undrafted and will look to break the mold, defy
the odds and reach the show…. so let’s meet him. This is Meet a Prospect: The
Cody Brown Edition.
If the Yankees hadn’t called Brown the former Mississippi
State Bulldog was ready to register for final classes and prepare to become a
physical therapist, he was that close to seeing his professional baseball
dreams shattered in an instant. Instead Brown, who worked under former Yankee
Andy Cannizaro, heard his phone buzz shortly after the draft ended. It was his
coach informing Cody that he was going to do everything he could to get the
ball rolling, and get the ball rolling he did.
Brown, a college senior, spent time at first base, second
base, third base and in the outfield for the Bulldogs while posting a .323
average, nine home runs, 42 RBI, a .433 OBP, a .539 SLG% and 10 stolen bases.
Brown only got better during the Hattiesburg Regional where he was named the
Most Outstanding Player after going 10-for-10 in five games with a pair of home
runs and seven RBI.
Brown credits Cannizaro with the lengthening of his baseball
career and for turning his amateur career around so let’s how that translates
now that he is a professional. Welcome to the organization and welcome to the
family Cody. Let me be the first one to say on behalf of all Yankees fans that
we are behind you and we are rooting for you. Put in the work, have fun and
everything will fall where it is supposed to. Enjoy!
