SPOTLIGHT: PITCHER TIM BROWN

Grizzlie ace Tim Brown is old school. He doesn't make excuses. He makes pitches. 

Gateway is not the first place in independent ball where Brown has raised eyebrows. He spent parts of three years with the American Association's Lincoln Saltdogs. After his 2009 season Baseball America named Brown the fifth best independent prospect in the baseball.

Brown came to Sauget in 2012 and had one of the best seasons of any starter in Grizzlies' history. He posted a 12-2 record, 2.27 ERA, 66 strikeouts and 40 walks in 20 starts. Last season he led the Frontier League in ERA and wins. His 150 innings pitched was the second in the league, so was his four complete games. 

During 19 of his 20 starts he pitched into at least the seventh inning, and he didn't lose any regular season games at home.

"Tim put together an outstanding 2012 season and we feel like he can be even better this season," Grizzlie manager Phil Warren said.  "He's a guy who pitches to contact, trusts his defense, gets results and gives you a chance to win every time he's on the mound."

Brown is from St. Louis, Mo. He graduated from Clayton High School which is less than 20 miles from the mound at GCS Ballpark. He said playing in the St. Louis area is a fun experience, but his loved ones get more of a charge out of it than he does.

"Baseball is baseball whether you are playing in your hometown or across the world," Brown said.

This past winter he did play on the other side of the globe. Brown spent the winter playing baseball in Australia. He lived with a host family playing approximately a game a week and practicing a handful of times. When he wasn't on the mound he was making money as a bar tender.

During 2013 Brown is 7-2 with at 3.11 ERA in 10 starts. His strikeout-to-walk ration is nearly four-to-one during 72 and a third innings pitched.

His philosophy, much like his results, has been consistent throughout his career.

"At the end of the day when you get between the bricks you have to have enough savy to make your pitches," Brown said.

He attacks with a four pitch medley, but if the game is on the line there is a tool Brown prefers above the rest.

"My two seam is probably my best pitch, and if I'm going to get beat, that's what I want to get beat with," Brown said. "So that is what I'm going to go to, really in most situations."

Warren said he isn't surprised by Brown's success during his ace's second season in Sauget.

"Tim has a chance to be known as one of the best pitchers in team history if he can put together another tremendous season," Warren said.