Chicago Cubs pitcher Ben Brown allowed one hit over four scoreless innings during Thursday's 3-0 loss to the Atlanta Braves. The rookie right-hander struck out six batters while issuing two walks. It was an impressive showing for the 24-year-old in his fifth start (and 12th appearance) of the season. Brown has been a solid option for the Cubs this year as evidenced by his 3.20 ERA, 1.19 WHIP and 45:15 K:BB through 39 1/3 innings. He will most likely line up for a start against the Milwaukee Brewers early next week and is worth a speculative add in deeper leagues.

Chicago Cubs starting pitcher Ben Brown earned his first quality start of his career in a no-decision on Monday versus the Arizona Diamondbacks. Brown went six innings and allowed one hit, one run, two walks and struck out four on the evening. The rookie has been very impressive since filling in for the injured Justin Steele (hamstring). Steele is still a few weeks away from returning, but fellow starter Jameson Taillon (back) is returning this week and the question around the Cubs has been who will he be replacing. Brown has earned another turn in the rotation, but managers will want to wait and see how Taillon's return effects the rotation. If Brown were to remain in the rotation, he would face a weak Miami Marlins lineup this weekend and would be worthy of rostering in deeper leagues.

The Chicago Cubs are calling up right-handed pitching prospect Ben Brown. Ranked as the team's No. 10 prospect by MLB Pipeline, the 24-year-old was the Cubs' 33rd-round pick, No. 983 overall, in the 2017 MLB Draft and began his professional career that same year. Brown has worked his way up in the minor-league ladder since, reaching Triple-A in 2023 where he tossed a 5.33 ERA across 22 outings (15 starts) and 72 2/3 innings of work. A big-time strikeout artist, Brown posted a massive 31.1% K% at Triple-A last season but he also walked a whopping 15.8% of the batters he faced at that level. However, he hasn't had substantial control issues in the past, meaning fantasy managers could tap into his strikeout potential if he can work his way into the Cubs' rotation on a full-time basis.

Chicago Cubs pitching prospect Ben Brown struggled over 50 innings at the Triple-A level during the first half of the season, posting a 5.76 ERA and 1.58 WHIP, though he does own a 32.7% strikeout rate over 12 starts. His numbers across four starts in Double-A were much better, as he pitched to a 0.45 ERA and 0.95 WHIP. Brown's the third-best prospect in the club's system, according to MLB Pipeline, and he has the swing-and-miss stuff to succeed in the big leagues. At 23 years old, he should be up in the Majors next season, so fantasy managers in redraft formats can ignore him on the waiver wire. However, those in dynasty leagues should hold on to Brown in hopes he becomes the next ace in Chicago.

Chicago Cubs pitching prospectBen Browncontinued his season of volatility in a recent start with Triple-A Iowa. He walked six batters, struck out seven, and allowed two runs across four-and-one-thirds innings. After being promoted to Iowa in early May, the 23-year-old has a 4.18 ERA and 16% walk rate, but a 32.6% strikeout rate as well. His stuff is impressive, with three plus pitches (mid-90s fastball, low-90s slider, and mid-80s curveball), but his command needs work to be stashable in most fantasy leagues. While Brown's stuff should work well in their major-league bullpen, the Cubs may let him marinate for longer in the minors to allow him to debut as a starter.

Chicago Cubs pitching prospect Ben Brown continued his dominant 2023 campaign, striking out 10 over five shutout innings. The performance drops Brown's season ERA to 0.59 through six total outings, including a 0.84 ERA in two starts since being promoted to Triple-A Iowa last week. The 23-year-old is the Cubs' No. 7 overall prospect, per MLB Pipeline. 2024 remains the projected target for his MLB debut, but Brown may be promoted ahead of schedule if he continues to perform at this level. With above-average strikeout stuff (40.5% strikeout rate) and an upside as a middle-of-the-rotation starter, Brown is worth a speculative add in deeper fantasy formats.

Chicago Cubs pitching prospect Ben Brown was promoted from Double-A Tennessee to Triple-A Iowa over the weekend. Brown earned the promotion early in the season by being downright stingy in four starts for Tennessee. In 20 innings pitched, he allowed two runs (one earned) on 13 hits (one home run) while walking six and fanning 30 hitters. The 23-year-old right-hander is the club's No. 7 prospect, per MLB Pipeline, and he recorded a 3.38 ERA, 1.17 WHIP, 36 walks and a career-high 149 strikeouts in 23 outings (22 starts) over 104 innings with Tennessee and High-A Jersey Shore in 2022. He stands at 6-foot-6 and has a power fastball and curveball to generate plenty of swings and misses. Brown's upside is as a mid-rotation starter or late-inning reliever at the MLB level.