Barret Browning

Gary Barret Browning

• Bats Left, Throws Left
• Height 6' 2", Weight 205 lb.
• School Middle Georgia College, Florida State University
• High School Wayne County High School
• Debut June 30, 2012
• Final Game August 23, 2012
• Born December 28, 1984 in Brunswick, GA USA

BR page

Biographical Information

Barret Browning reached the major leagues for a spell with the St. Louis Cardinals in 2012.

Amateur Career

Browning was picked in the 6th round of the 2002 amateur draft out of high school by the Boston Red Sox. He was the third pitcher Boston took that year, following Jon Lester and Chris Smith. He did not sign and would be drafted 3 more times before turning pro. Out of junior college, the Chicago Cubs chose him in the 26th round of the 2004 amateur draft, two rounds after they picked Sam Fuld and one round after Landon Powell. In 2005, Browning transferred to Florida State and went 4-4 with a 3.54 ERA and a team-high 74 strikeouts. The Colorado Rockies selected him in the 38th round of the 2005 amateur draft. As a senior at Florida State, the left-hander was 7-2 but with a 5.72 ERA. The Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim took him in the 28th round of the 2006 amateur draft; the signing scout was Tom Kotchman.

Professional Career

Browning debuted as a pro with the Orem Owlz, going 3-2 with a save, 3.05 ERA and .220 opponent average out of the bullpen in 2006. In 2007, the Georgian was superb for the Cedar Rapids Kernels: 9-4, 8 saves, 2.80 in 48 games with 74 strikeouts in 74 innings, a .201 opponent average and 1.08 WHIP. He had the most wins of any Midwest League hurler who did not start a game and joined Rob Delaney on the MWL All-Star team as the two relievers picked. Barret split 2008 between the Rancho Cucamonga Quakes (2-1, 6 saves, 4.01 in 30 games, 39 strikeouts in 33 2/3 innings) and Arkansas Travelers (1-1, a save, 5.97 in 27 games, 34 strikeouts in 31 2/3 innings). Spending all of 2009 with Arkansas, he fell to 3-10 though his ERA improved to 4.17. His strikeout rate fell (73 in 90 2/3 innings) while his walk rate rose (45). He tied for 4th in the Texas League in losses and was 10th in appearances. In 2010, Browning took the mound for Arkansas (5-4, 3.91 in 25 games) and the Salt Lake Bees (2-1, 6.54, 1.95 WHIP in 26 games). Back with the Bees for a full year in 2011, he went 2-1 with a 4.61 ERA though he walked 35 in 66 1/3 innings. He tied Ryan Brasier for second in games pitched in the Angels chain, behind Jeremy Berg.

The St. Louis Cardinals picked Browning in the AAA phase of the 2011 Rule 5 Draft in the offseason and he made his big league debut on June 30th, after starting the season for the Memphis Redbirds, for whom he went 2-3, 1.89 with a .192 opponent average in 30 games. He and Maikel Cleto were called up to replace struggling Sam Freeman and Eduardo Sánchez. In his MLB debut, he entered in the 6th with a 6-2 deficit against the Pirates. He went 1-2-3, getting Jeff Karstens, Alex Presley and José Tábata. In the 7th, he again had a perfect inning, facing Andrew McCutchen, Casey McGehee and Neil Walker. He left for pinch-hitter Matt Carpenter in the bottom of the 7th. He made 22 appearances at the big league level to the tune of a 5.12 ERA and a 7/11 BB/K ratio in 19 1/3 innings. He was designated for assignment in January 2013 and finished his career in organized baseball with 13 appearances with Memphis.

Sources

• 2012 Cardinals Media Guide
• 2011 Angels Media Guide
• FSU bio
• The Baseball Cube

Related Sites

• Barret Browning on mlb.com