Ben Brown's Stats, Metrics, Game Logs, Projections & Rankings

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.

Chicago Cubs rookie right-hander Ben Brown (neck) remains at the team's spring training complex in Arizona and still hasn't done anything pitching-wise. Manager Craig Counsell said it's not likely that Brown will be back the rest of the season. Brown last appeared in a game for the Cubs way back on June 8 and was then placed on the injured list on June 11 with a stress reaction in his neck. The 24-year-old has already been shut down two separate times from his throwing program and will likely be shut down as he looks to get fully healthy for next season. After going 1-3 with a 3.58 ERA (3.11 FIP), a 1.08 WHIP and a 64:19 K:BB in 55 1/3 innings over his first 15 big-league appearances (eight starts), Brown should at least be in contention for a starting role going into spring training next year if he's recovered from his neck issues.