Craig Counsell reveals what Cubs really want from Ben Brown after demotion

The Chicago Cubs have paused Ben Brown's development at the Major League level. After struggling in the Cubs' loss to the St. Louis Cardinals on Monday, Brown was optioned to Triple-A Iowa. Given the swing-and-miss stuff that Brown brought to the pitching staff, he was given an extended runway to carve out his role with the Major League team. Unfortunately, for a Cubs team that has their chips pushed all-in on the 2025 season, Brown's inconsistency became a liability.

Craig Counsell was asked if the Cubs considered moving Brown to the bullpen instead of a demotion to Triple-A, and his response suggested that the Cubs wanted to keep the young pitcher on schedule as a starting pitcher.

Cubs may have hinted at bigger plans in how they demoted Ben Brown

If anything, Counsell's response is confirmation that the Cubs still consider Brown's long-term role with the team to be as a starting pitcher. That said, there are solutions needed before the team considers Brown's return to the Major League level.

Of course, for Brown, the solutions center around his development of a third pitch. Brown's changeup has been useless up until this point in his Major League career. In the 79.1 innings he's pitched this season, Brown has thrown his changeup only 4.3 percent of the time. When he does, it's almost always a non-competitive pitch, and honestly, doesn't have the movement that you would come to expect of the pitch. Considering the average velocity on Brown's changeup is 90.5 MPH, with no movement, he simply isn't fooling hitters with that pitch.

First and foremost, if the plan is for Brown to remain a starter moving forward, he has to develop the third pitch while pitching for the I-Cubs. Whether that is tweaking his changeup, mainly by altering the grip and throwing it slower, or identifying a different pitch, there has to be something different added to his arsenal. Otherwise, he will be ticketed for the bullpen.

Brown also has to solve his struggles against left-handed hitters this season. Brown carries a 5.48 FIP against left-handed hitters this season. That isn't sustainable if the plan is for him to be a starting pitcher. Now, chances are, if Brown works on a third pitch, there will be improvement against left-handed hitters. But, for now, it's very clear what Brown needs to be better at before a return to the majors is considered.

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