Vaun Brown

Organization Prospect Rankings

• 
  Ranked San Francisco Giants #11 prospect in 2024
  BA Grade: 50/High
  
  Track Record: In 2022, Brown was one of the biggest pop-up prospects in San Francisco’s system. Area scout Jim Gabella navigated strict pandemic restrictions at Florida Southern to get as good a look as possible at Brown, whom the Giants took in the 10th round and signed him for $75,000. In his first full season as a pro, the selection looked like a heist while he bullied the lower levels of the minor leagues. Brown’s 2023 was limited to just 59 games with an early knee injury and then a broken leg suffered later in the year on a hit by pitch.
  
  Scouting Report: At his best, Brown shows the makings of the kind of power-speed combination coveted by teams. To help those skills reach their peak, he’ll need to do a much better job controlling the zone and make better swing decisions. He missed both in and out of the zone at rates that were below-average compared to his peers. Even during his banner 2022 season, scouts believed he’d have trouble with high fastballs and soft stuff away. Those traits could make him a below-average hitter with 55-grade power. He’s a double-plus runner, which should help him stick in center field. He has the potential to be an above-average defender and has average arm strength.
  
  The Future: Brown is already 25 years old, so time is not on his side. He should move to Triple-A in 2024 and with a return to health could make his big league debut during the summer.
  
  Scouting Grades Hit: 40 | Power: 55 | Run: 70 | Field: 55 | Arm: 50
• 
  Ranked San Francisco Giants #6 prospect in 2023
  BA Grade/Risk: 50/High
  
  Track Record: The Giants' selection of Brown is a testament to the work of area scout Jim Gabella. Brown's fifth-year senior season at Division II Florida Southern was largely played under wraps when the team's home park was closed to the public because of Covid-related restrictions. Gabella improvised by viewing the games from a hole in the fence. After more scouts got their eyes on Brown, the Giants were convinced enough to draft him in the 10th round in 2021 and sign him to a $7,500 bonus. He clobbered the Arizona Complex League after turning pro, but that was just a hint of what was to come. Brown led all full-season minor leaguers with a .346 average in 2022.
  
  Scouting Report: Brown is as chiseled a player as you'll see in the sport, with a body some scouts compared to that of an NFL linebacker, with sinewy muscle packed up and down his 6-foot-2 frame. The age gap between Brown--who opened the year as a 23-year-old--and his competition at the lower levels certainly contributed to his gaudy numbers, but scouts still see a potential for an everyday player. Brown cut some of the moving parts from his swing, but it's still a bit unorthodox. Opposing scouts believe his swing path is a bit grooved and suspect Brown might have trouble with elevated fastballs and potentially with soft stuff on the outer part of the plate. Ultimately, Brown might wind up a fringe-average hitter with plus power. Defensively, he's got the double-plus speed to play any of the three outfield spots with ease and the average arm to fit in right field.
  
  The Future: Brown should return to Double-A in 2023 and will have a chance to prove himself against the type of advanced pitching he only tasted toward the end of 2022. He has the ceiling of an average everyday outfielder who provides value on both sides of the ball.
  
  Scouting Grades: Hitting: 45. Power: 55. Speed: 70. Fielding: 55. Arm: 50

• February, 2023 Scouting Report
  BA Grade/Risk: 50/High
  
  Track Record: The Giants' selection of Brown is a testament to the work of area scout Jim Gabella. Brown's fifth-year senior season at Division II Florida Southern was largely played under wraps when the team's home park was closed to the public because of Covid-related restrictions. Gabella improvised by viewing the games from a hole in the fence. After more scouts got their eyes on Brown, the Giants were convinced enough to draft him in the 10th round in 2021 and sign him to a $7,500 bonus. He clobbered the Arizona Complex League after turning pro, but that was just a hint of what was to come. Brown led all full-season minor leaguers with a .346 average in 2022.
  
  Scouting Report: Brown is as chiseled a player as you'll see in the sport, with a body some scouts compared to that of an NFL linebacker, with sinewy muscle packed up and down his 6-foot-2 frame. The age gap between Brown--who opened the year as a 23-year-old--and his competition at the lower levels certainly contributed to his gaudy numbers, but scouts still see a potential for an everyday player. Brown cut some of the moving parts from his swing, but it's still a bit unorthodox. Opposing scouts believe his swing path is a bit grooved and suspect Brown might have trouble with elevated fastballs and potentially with soft stuff on the outer part of the plate. Ultimately, Brown might wind up a fringe-average hitter with plus power. Defensively, he's got the double-plus speed to play any of the three outfield spots with ease and the average arm to fit in right field.
  
  The Future: Brown should return to Double-A in 2023 and will have a chance to prove himself against the type of advanced pitching he only tasted toward the end of 2022. He has the ceiling of an average everyday outfielder who provides value on both sides of the ball.
  
  Scouting Grades: Hitting: 45. Power: 55. Speed: 70. Fielding: 55. Arm: 50
• December, 2022 Scouting Report
  BA Grade/Risk: 50/High
  
  Track Record: The Giants' selection of Brown is a testament to the work of area scout Jim Gabella. Brown's fifth-year senior season at Division II Florida Southern was largely played under wraps when the team's home park was closed to the public because of Covid-related restrictions. Gabella improvised by viewing the games from a hole in the fence. After more scouts got their eyes on Brown, the Giants were convinced enough to draft him in the 10th round in 2021 and sign him to a $7,500 bonus. He clobbered the Arizona Complex League after turning pro, but that was just a hint of what was to come. Brown led all full-season minor leaguers with a .346 average in 2022.
  
  Scouting Report: Brown is as chiseled a player as you'll see in the sport, with a body some scouts compared to that of an NFL linebacker, with sinewy muscle packed up and down his 6-foot-2 frame. The age gap between Brown--who opened the year as a 23-year-old--and his competition at the lower levels certainly contributed to his gaudy numbers, but scouts still see a potential for an everyday player. Brown cut some of the moving parts from his swing, but it's still a bit unorthodox. Opposing scouts believe his swing path is a bit grooved and suspect Brown might have trouble with elevated fastballs and potentially with soft stuff on the outer part of the plate. Ultimately, Brown might wind up a fringe-average hitter with plus power. Defensively, he's got the double-plus speed to play any of the three outfield spots with ease and the average arm to fit in right field.
  
  The Future: Brown should return to Double-A in 2023 and will have a chance to prove himself against the type of advanced pitching he only tasted toward the end of 2022. He has the ceiling of an average everyday outfielder who provides value on both sides of the ball.
  
  Scouting Grades: Hitting: 45. Power: 55. Speed: 70. Fielding: 55. Arm: 50
• April, 2022 Scouting Report
  BA Grade: 50/High
  
  Midseason Update: Brown was one of the Giants&#39 two early-season revelations at Low-A, along with fellow outfielder Grant McCray. Evaluators were more cautious with Brown, however, because of his age and level. He&#39s a muscular, athletic player with the potential for plus power that comes with such a frame. There are still questions about Brown&#39s overall hit tool, and scouts will point to holes at the top of the strike zone that come from a slightly grooved swing. He&#39s particularly dangerous against lefthanders. He&#39s made strides because he&#39s toned down his swing mechanics, which has allowed him to be on time more often. He fits as a corner outfielder who can fill in as a center fielder as well.