Editor’s Note: The Wildcat recently caught up with former UA first baseman Jordan Brown. Brown, who will be in Tucson working out for the next three months, hit .315 with 30 home runs and 150 RBIs in his three-year Wildcat career, including 80 RBIs as a junior in 2005. He was a fourth-round pick of the Cleveland Indians in the 2005 MLB draft and earned Carolina League (Class A-advanced) MVP honors after hitting .290 with 15 home runs and 87 RBIs, leading the league in RBIs and ranking third in batting average.
Wildcat: What was it like playing in High-A, going there and obviously performing?
Brown: It’s different, it’s weird. I’d like to keep that same pace. It’s always good to do well at each level.
W: How’s (former UA outfielder and 2005 Indians’ first round draft pick) Trevor (Crowe) doing?
B: Good, he’s doing very good. He took a lot of money, so you’ve got to move if he shows anything. He started doing well, moved to Double-A. He kind of struggled at the end but did really well, and he’s playing in the fall league right now doing really well.
W: Do you guys talk a lot about playing together in the big leagues?
B: Oh yeah, yeah, yeah. We’ll start out in the same spots next year (Double-A), so that will be cool just like we did this year. Wherever he goes, I usually go, and vice versa.
W: What’s it like, minor leagues compared to college?
B: You know, it’s more of an individual thing. You hate to say it, but it is. Winning’s important, but it’s not like it is at Arizona. It’s not the same.
W: Do you feel prepared coming from (UA head coach Andy) Lopez?
B: Oh yeah. A lot of guys come from different programs, even high school guys; they’re just not ready for it because they didn’t deal with what we dealt with, so I think it’s a huge advantage to come from a program with “”Lopes.””
W: Did you still follow the team that much?
B: The University of Arizona? Yeah. (Former UA shortstop Jason) Donald, (former UA closer Mark) Melancon, (current UA starting pitcher Eric) Berger – all those guys – I talked to them, yeah. I mean, I followed them, I talked to them. (Last year) was kind of frustrating, but they’re going to look good this year. They’ve ironed some things out.
W: I saw a No. 27 jersey (Brown’s former number), Arizona baseball. What does that make you feel like with somebody else moving in?
B: Yeah, I’ve seen a couple of them. It’s a little strange, but it’s no big deal. I did the same thing.
– Interview by Michael Schwartz