Eric Brown’s journey from 0 offers to 2022 MLB Draft prospect
Editor’s note: The Milwaukee Brewers selected SS Eric Brown with the No. 27 pick in the first round of the 2022 MLB Draft on July 17.
CONWAY, S.C. (BVM) — Eric Brown has been a staple for the Coastal Carolina Chanticleers and has now emerged as a first-round prospect in the upcoming MLB Draft. But for Brown there has not always been certainty in his baseball career.
Up until the summer going into his senior season at Parkway High School in Bossier City, Louisiana, Brown had one scholarship offer from Louisiana Tech. However, when he called them to commit, he learned that they had pulled their offer. Only months before Brown started his senior year of high school, he had zero opportunities to play baseball at the collegiate level.
Most may panic in this type of situation, but Brown was calm, cool and collected due to his strong faith in God.
“I believe that everything happens for a reason,” Brown said. “God is going to open and close doors and put you exactly where he wants you.”
One week later, Brown competed in the World Wood Bat Tournament in Atlanta. Brown showed out in front of college scouts from all across the country. In a week’s span, he went from having zero offers to 17 offers by the conclusion of the tournament.
“It was honestly crazy,” Brown said. “I knew I had to make a decision fairly quick.”
It came down to two schools for Brown: Dallas Baptist and Coastal Carolina.
With Dallas Baptist being a Christian-based University, it was a very intriguing option for Brown, but instead of going somewhere with like-minded faith, he decided to go somewhere he could make an impact on and off the field.
“That was one of the main reasons why I chose Coastal,” Brown said. “I wanted to go somewhere where I could make a difference.”
After a sophomore season in Conway, South Carolina, hitting .294 with nine home runs and 38 RBIs, Brown started to receive some draft buzz. But he drastically vaulted his stock after a junior year with a .330 batting average and a slugging percentage clip of .544.
“At one point I had absolutely nothing,” Brown said. “I don’t ever want to take it for granted because at any moment, it can all be taken away from you.”
Outside of individual success, Brown has left a long–lasting legacy on the Chanticleers program. After a 2021 season of finishing 27-24 with a conference record of 9-12, Coastal Carolina bounced back this season with a 39-20-1 record making it to regionals. For Brown, that turnaround stands out more so than any personal accomplishment.
“We were in it throughout the whole entire lineup,” Brown said. “You always saw somebody that made an impact.”
With the MLB Draft on the horizon, Brown is hoping to bring his faith to the professional level where he can have an influence on a national level.
“I came to Coastal to leave an impact and help people,” Brown said. “For me, I use my baseball platform as my platform to share God. I personally don’t know who I’ve affected, but I really do hope that I’ve been able to be there for somebody and just inspire some kids to follow Christ.”
