Ex-Phils OF Brown inks Minors deal with Rox

DENVER -- Lefty-hitting outfielder Domonic Brown, who appeared in the 2013 All-Star Game while with the Phillies during a 27-homer season, has signed a Minor League contract with the Rockies, the club confirmed on Tuesday. The deal does not include a non-roster invitation to Major League Spring Training.
Brown, 29, was with the Phillies 2010-15. A .246 career hitter in the Majors, Brown spent last season with the Blue Jays' Triple-A affiliate and batted .239 with seven homers and 41 RBIs in 126 games.
Brown is in position to add power depth behind what is a crowded outfield at the Major League level, and he could put up strong numbers at Truple-A Albuquerque -- in a hitter's park in the power-friendly Pacific Coast League.
The key for Brown's bid to return to the Majors will be increasing his ability to reach base. He had a .324 OBP in 540 plate appearances in 2013, but saw that figure drop to .285 and .284 in '14 and '15, respectively. He did not appear in the big leagues last season.
Brown could have opportunities to be brought over from Minor League camp to show his wares in Cactus League games. Two frontline outfielders -- Carlos González and Gerardo Parra -- will miss some time to play for Venezuela in the World Baseball Classic.