Ben Brown emerged as a promising rookie pitcher for the Cubs during his debut season, stepping in when ace Justin Steele was injured. Despite a challenging first outing, he quickly became one of the team's standout performers, posting impressive ERAs of 2.11 in April and 1.16 in May, including a remarkable seven no-hit innings against the Brewers. Unfortunately, a neck injury cut his season short, preventing him from pitching after June 8. The Cubs are hopeful for his recovery, with plans for him to join the starting rotation, especially given their need for right-handed pitchers. Brown finished the season with a 3.58 ERA, but when excluding his early struggles, he had an excellent 2.36 ERA over 49.2 innings. His upcoming scan will be crucial in determining his readiness for offseason training.
