Dana Brown’s fingerprints are all over the Braves roster, with 2022 National League Rookie of the Year Michael Harris II, starting pitcher Spencer Strider and infielder Vaughn Grissom among those who Brown drafted while he was Atlanta’s vice president of scouting the previous four seasons.
That made the Astros’ return to Truist Park this weekend special for Brown, who spent time Friday saying hello to as many friends and colleagues as he could.
Brown still wears his 2021 Braves World Series ring from time to time but is now focused on winning another one in Houston.
“It was good to see those guys and good to be back in Atlanta,” Brown said Friday prior to the Astros’ three-game series against the Braves. “They all asked me how I’m doing and how [the media] is treating me and I said, ‘They’re treating me outstanding, of course.’ But it’s definitely good to come back and see some of the players I was fortunate enough to draft here.”
Brown worked in Montreal with Alex Anthopoulos, who later became the GM of the Blue Jays (2009-15) and eventually brought Brown along with him.
Prior to joining the Braves in 2019, Brown spent nine seasons (2010-18) with the Blue Jays as a special assistant to Anthopoulos, who came to the Braves prior to the 2018 season.
As he did in Atlanta, Brown said drafting and player development are the key to the Astros’ long-term success, and that includes retaining players.
Brown helped negotiate the eight-year, $72-million contract extension Harris signed last year, and Brown has already locked up Astros pitcher Cristian Javier to a five-year, $64-million deal.
He’s been open about trying to sign outfielder Kyle Tucker and lefty starter Framber Valdez to extensions, too.
Getting to see players he drafted in Atlanta, such as Strider, Harris, Grissom and Bryce Elder, have success in the Major Leagues validates Brown’s work as a scout, he said.
“It’s rewarding because you travel 250 days a year, you’re away from your family and when you see these guys get to the big leagues, it’s pretty special,” he said. “You get to understand why you do what you do and why you’re away from home so often, and your family gets a chance to enjoy it as well. Winning a World Series with these guys, that made it ever more special.”
With the Draft in mind, Brown has been scouting amateur talent in recent weeks ahead of the 2023 MLB Draft, which is in July. Brown said he’s seen seven players in person who could be available when the Astros make the 28th overall pick and he plans to see a few more.
“I’m probably only getting a chance to see who we take in the first round, or that’s the goal,” he said. “It’s tough to do, because you’re trying to project who’s going to be gone and off the board and who do you actually have a chance at? If you can get that right, you can narrow your visits down to 10 or 15. I’m right at about seven guys that I’ve seen.”
Brown will leave for the Dominican Republic on Friday to make his first visit to the team’s facility in Santo Domingo, which opened in 2010.
“I haven’t seen much of the staff there,” he said. “I want to see our complex and our facilities and go down there and take the coaches and staff to dinner. Just show them some love and have some fellowship with them.”