Ben Brown DVOA, Advanced Stats, & Fantasy Rankings

According to Patrick Mooney and Sahadev Sharma of The Athletic, Chicago Cubs right-handed pitcher Ben Brown (neck) could be deployed as a high-leverage reliever. Brown was sidelined since June of 2024 due to a neck injury but was cleared to have a normal throwing program during the offseason. However, given that the Cubs rotation has five stable options and recently brought in Colin Rea, Brown could be shifted to a relief role. Mooney and Sharma noted that Brown's fastball could take another step forward if he shifts to a relief role. However, the 25-year-old performed well as a starter during his rookie campaign and could make a case to earn the final spot in the rotation. Across 55 1/3 innings, Brown held a 3.58 ERA with a 1.08 WHIP. He struck out 28.8 percent of the batters he faced. If Brown were to shift to a high-leverage role, he could be a viable target in holds league as he would likely see time in the seventh or eighth innings alongside Porter Hodge.

Chicago Cubs right-hander Ben Brown (neck) has been cleared for a normal offseason throwing program, according to a team source. Brown is one of the team's promising young pitchers, but unfortunately he didn't appear in a game after June 8 in his rookie season in 2024 due to an unusual neck injury. The 25-year-old had a 3.58 ERA in 55 1/3 innings for the Cubbies in a swing role and showed dominant tendencies at times as both a starter and reliever. It remains to be seen how the Cubs will choose to use him moving forward, but when healthy, Brown has the stuff to be fantasy relevant in all leagues. The most likely scenario is that the former 33rd-round pick by the Philadelphia Phillies in 2017 will be given a chance to win an Opening Day rotation spot. If health issues resurface, though, a long-term relief role could be in the cards for Brown.

Chicago Cubs pitcher Ben Brown (neck) is expected to have a scan on his neck in the coming weeks, and if he gets the all-clear, then the 25-year-old could resume throwing without restriction. If the youngster is cleared then the expectation is that he'll be ready to compete for a rotation spot in spring training. The former 33rd-round draft pick showed well in his MLB debut last season, posting a 3.58 ERA (3.11 FIP), 1.08 WHIP, and a 64:19 K:BB in 55 1/3 innings over his first 15 big-league appearances (eight starts), including a seven-inning outing on May 28 in which he allowed no hits, two walks, and struck out 10. With his 28.8% strikeout rate, the righty is worth keeping an eye on, as he'd at least have value in NL-Only leagues were he to win a rotation spot.